Posted on Aug 4, 2018
Which would be a better JRTC experience, going in a scout platoon or a mounted unit?
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I'm gonna try and make this a little brief but forgive me if I ramble. So my unit is (temporarily, for the most part) getting split up and guys getting doled out to other companies in the battalion because they want numbers as high as possible in each company when we go to JRTC next summer. I'm a PFC in a light infantry unit (NG) and on my "wish list" I put either scout platoon or our mounted unit. So as far as scouts go, my PSG and SL told me they think that would be better for me because I wanna go 18 series in a couple years. That being said, I could change my mind or my already going-to-shit back could prevent that by the time I'm "ready" so option B would be to follow my NCOs to our mounted unit. My SL and TLs are great NCOs and I've come to be a go-to Joe for them and our PSG so neither end really wants to take that away. I want to have good leadership so when it's time for me to be an NCO I'm less likely to be one of those shitbag E5s that we all know and love. I also don't wanna leave them with the potential to get another piss-poor joe in my place. Plus the general consensus seems to be there's less than stellar leadership at the scouts. So, the kicker here is that this can be temporary and everyone come back after JRTC and it be business as usual or we can stay at whatever unit we go to. Obviously whatever unit I go to, it's on me at that time if I wanna stay there or not but I'd like some feedback on what experiences you guys have had with those type units or what your opinion is on giving up good leadership for what you thought would be better for your career. Thanks in advance guys.
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11B: Infantryman
11B: Infantryman
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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SPC (Join to see)
Go where they tell you for now. Sounds like it is short term and you might as well be with those you already know versus strangers. As a PFC, sometimes it is wise to plan on going where they are going to send you because that is where you are going to end up and where the Army needs you.
Go where they tell you for now. Sounds like it is short term and you might as well be with those you already know versus strangers. As a PFC, sometimes it is wise to plan on going where they are going to send you because that is where you are going to end up and where the Army needs you.
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I am not sure what you are talking about AT ALL.
You are in a NG unit, which is a reserve unit. So i understand the state wanting to have all the MOSQ people they can in MOSQ slots. I had this happen to me once, where i was transferred form my parent unit, to another unit where i was MOSQ, for census, and then moved back.
So you are asking should i do a scout rotation at JRTC? Well, you are not going to learn enough in 2 weeks of AT for it to matter.
You are in a NG unit, which is a reserve unit. So i understand the state wanting to have all the MOSQ people they can in MOSQ slots. I had this happen to me once, where i was transferred form my parent unit, to another unit where i was MOSQ, for census, and then moved back.
So you are asking should i do a scout rotation at JRTC? Well, you are not going to learn enough in 2 weeks of AT for it to matter.
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SPC (Join to see)
So, it's not a matter of who's MOSQ or not, the deal is that next month we all have to go to a different unit and be there through JRTC next summer. So we'll be there almost a year and then theoretically we can come back.
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SPC (Join to see)
I'm not familiar with RSTA, can you fill me in? Where I'm looking at in particular is a platoon at headquarters, infantry BN. It's an 11B slot which is my MOS. As far as I was told by our snipers.
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SPC Chris Ison
(R)econnaissance, (S)urveillance, and (T)arget (A)cquisition, these are from cavalry units. When you say scout, i think RSTA. With the new combined arms squared formations these units are a mix of 19D's and 11B's. They are a direct evolution form the LRS-D units of the Vietnam and the cold war. There SHOULD also be some Intel guys in these formations (depending on the mission these may be HUMINT guys doing interviews, but usually it is an ELINT guy with a man packed PRD, used for signal intercepting). I started out in the Army as an Intel guy in a lrs-d unit, I was put in with the scout platoon for my unit in Iraq based upon that experience, and my previous experience as an 11B.
It really depends on the unit though, RSTA as a concept is relatively new, even though these units have existed in some form or another sense Vietnam. The "scouts" in your unit may just be 19d's with no training in pathfinder, air assault, and other skills used by RSTA units.
If you really want to learn something useful, ask to spot, or even just do admin stuff with your snipers. And then pick their brains for information of field craft.
It really depends on the unit though, RSTA as a concept is relatively new, even though these units have existed in some form or another sense Vietnam. The "scouts" in your unit may just be 19d's with no training in pathfinder, air assault, and other skills used by RSTA units.
If you really want to learn something useful, ask to spot, or even just do admin stuff with your snipers. And then pick their brains for information of field craft.
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Listen, going back may not be an option. You should plan as if it is permanent and try to get on whatever path you wish, if possible. The Center experience will be awesome either way. No better assessment in the Army than it’s Centers. Don’t overthink it, there are way to many variables. Thank you for your service.
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