Posted on Jan 25, 2020
CPT Infantry Officer
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Looking to transition from AD Infantry officer to pursue an 11x Opt. 40 contract. My goals are to do a job I've always wanted to do, have some great experiences, and ETS following my initial enlisted contract.

Specifically looking for advice from those who have personal experience or know someone who has made this transition.

What made the transition difficult, were the steps to enlist any different than an initial entry soldier, do you go to basic training or go straight to AIT?

Any advice is appreciated!
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Responses: 25
SSG(P) Detachment Sergeant, Space Detachment
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Perhaps add a bit more context about your scenario/motivations? This may help the SMEs answer your question.

I’m extremely curious as to why you would not rather attend RASP2, as an 11A; versus resigning your commission and re-joining as a specialist.

Regiment thoroughly reviews service members attending RASP. I could only imagine it would do more than raise eyebrows when looking at your record.

Your question absolutely baffles me. Whatever you pursue, good luck.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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MAJ Byron Oyler I actually had senior LPNs and RNs in my medic AIT who were enlisted Combat Medics back when the hospital medic and combat medic MOS's merged. They were all National Guard, and their civilian jobs were in nursing, so it was hilarious to watch these 40-50 year old nurses be told how to give injections by a 30 year old SFC. I remember one had separated from the AF as a Captain and only joined the NG in order to deploy. He had been a prison nurse for 15 years. He looked at that SFC and said, I've been doing this longer than you've been in the Army lol
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CPT Infantry Officer
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Appreciate your responses. I'm a promotable 1LT with six months left on my AD contract. I did not apply for RASP 2 during my window and would not have another opportunity to attend until post-command time.

My primary motivation is to serve in the premier direction action light Infantry unit, who has always been one of the first into the fight. I'm fairly confident I could transition to being under an NCO, especially due to the learning curve of being in Regiment.

I've looked at this from several different angles: financial, family, transition from being an officer, etc., but I would very much appreciate any other perspectives or contexts that I may not have considered.
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CW2 Medevac Pilot
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I would highly highly highly (did I say highly?) advise you to seriously consider this action. Hooah hooah shit sounds all cool now but I promise you being junior enlisted in a unit like that after being an Officer who is if I read correctly close to promotion and potentially eligible to command a company could prove to be ummm other than favorable. I am not trying to be negative of your goals but this sounds crazy. Just my opinion.
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CPT Infantry Officer
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4 y
Roger, thanks for the advice.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
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You have had the appropriate responses. The only point I will add, ensure your reasons are as you state, the grass is always greener, you will be looked upon as green at best, you will face some mischaracterization of your transition based on perceptions and assumptions, the scrutiny will come fro. All angles, the Sqaud leaders, the Soldiers, your Company leadership and even Bn. So, while I say chase your dream, chase it with eyes wide open.
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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so you want to give up your commission and do a single term of enlistment as a SPC? Have you checked the optempo lately? we really aren't doing a whole lot of fighting so the odds are pretty good that you would spend most of your enlistment in garrison at some conus post either doing shit details or supervising a bunch of PVTs who are doing them. something to think about.
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SGT David John
SGT David John
4 y
A lot of if it moves salute it, if it doesn't paint it ;-)
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