Posted on Feb 24, 2014
Junior Officer Broadening Assignments (JOBAs); Do you recommend it? What has been your experience?
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<p>I'm a Year Group 2012 Infantry Officer. My unit is slated to be closed upon redeployment from this tour. I will still be about two years out from a standard PCS to MCCC. I have already served as an AS3, Rifle Platoon Leader and Scout Platoon Leader. I have considered an intra-post transfer to a sister BDE to fill a company XO position. I am, however, also considering other Junior Officer Broadening Assignments (JOBAs). After reviewing the Branch website, positions are available at the 75th, Old Guard, JRTC/NTC, RTB, Korea and BCT/AIT.</p><p> </p><p>For more senior Infantry Officers; Did you participate in any JOBAs? What assignments would you <span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><font color="#000000">recommend</font></span> to a career Infantryman in <span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><font color="#000000">preparation</font></span> for Command and professional development?</p><p> </p><p>Respectfully,</p><p> </p><p>1LT Jusitn Lane</p>
Army
Leadership Development
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 3
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I too am interested in JOBA. As of right now my branch manager doesnt seem to be on board with it. But I think it would be good for me and my family. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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I had it explained to me this way: Why pursue a position doing a job you have already done? XO is a good gig because you know how to be a PL, get a chance to see the requirements of being a commander, so that you can see what works and what doesn't before you are in the hotseat yourself. As a very senior 1LT (YG 2010 first class to pin on at 48 months) I was injured and my natural inclination was to try to be an XO or PL of sorts while recovering. Instead though, I raised my hand to come to the Pentagon and literally see history made daily. Don't just do the job you know, prepare for the job you want.
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2LT (Join to see)
Sir, you ended up going ot the Pentagon as a junior officer? How did you get there as this is something I would be interested in as well. Thanks!
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Justin,
What is your branch's policy on when you can attend CCC? Some branches have a pecking order and won't allow you to attend until you are promotable or pin Captain. MSG Cunningham made a good recommendation about the ADC job. I did this as a 1LT while deployed. It is a great opportunity to make some connections with senior officers in your branch, both the GO and COL and LTC that work for the GO. My question is how long have you held all these positions? As YG12 you must have just pinned 1LT. There is nothing wrong with repeating a job if you can get 12-18 months in that position. Holding PL for 6-8 months or AS3 for 6 months will not be considered key development. I was a PL for 14 months and an XO for 19 months. This allowed me to receive an annual OER and be more competitive for ACOM ratings. Are there any BN staff primary jobs that are not currently filled by O-3s? Serving as on the BN Staff gives you a great perspective prior to becoming a Company Commander. Just some food for thought.
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1LT (Join to see)
Sir,
To answer your questions; Infantry Branch requires officers to be 1LT(P) before attending MCCC. My date of rank is 5OCT13, so I will not be up for the CPT's board until next year. I had 11 months as a rifle platoon leader and have had 4 months as a scout platoon leader. My AS3 time was only 3 months. I will likely serve the rest of this deployment in the Scout PL position. I have already received 2 OERs, both for PL time (1 change of rater, 1 annual).
I had not considered a position as primary staff in a sister BDE, and that is something I will certainly research. While not the most desirable option, it would give me some important insight.
Thanks for the input, Sir. Much appreciated.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Two or three years as a PL and XO is great, but once you have perfected company level leadership BN staff for a year is great for a different perspective. Learning how the BN manages training and how the BC thinks is a great opportunity. Do not go to a BDE staff position, as an LT you will be shuffled around and be lost in the sea of officers. BN is a logical step once you have 1-2 years ( since you will be a 1LT for 2.5 years now) as a 1LT. You don't want to learn how to be staff as a new CPT, mostly because once you pin CPT all the excuses are gone. Your commander will expect results. Good luck.
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