Posted on Aug 5, 2018
Cadet PVT (Pre-Commission)
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Hello everyone, I am a rising MSIV Cadet, and I have conflicting thoughts regarding the best branch for myself. My top 5, in (tentative) order includes: MI (branch detail IN); MSC; SC (branch detail IN); EN; ADA.
A little background information: I am a pre-med major; I wanted to go to medical school, but I had a change of heart. I normally get a 300 on the APFT. I also ranked high in my platoon at Advance Camp. As the title suggests, I’m eager to learn from your experiences, especially with the consideration of the civilian sector in mind. I also had a few questions. Is branch detailing preferred? If I ended commissioning into the Engineer Branch, would not being an engineer related major hinder me in any way? If I ended up commissioning into the Signal Corps, would not having an IT/CS based major hinder me in any way, especially since I am interested in branch detailing? Thank you!
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Responses: 4
LTC John Griscom
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I was MSC 28 years; 11+ active and seventeen Army Reserve. Worked in hospitals at Fort Benning, Korea, Fort McPherson and Vietnam. Some command as Detachment Command and took the Medical Supply Officers Course. Assignments in medical depots in Okinawa and Germany. Pre-med should give you a plus up to work in a medical battalion in a division. Don't know how you feel about airborne, but if you like travel, good possibilities there. Logistics is OK, but there good opportunities to get into hospital administration, which is a great post-Army career.
On the reserve side, I spent most of the time in operations. More slots for advancement there.
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Cadet PVT (Pre-Commission)
Cadet PVT (Join to see)
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LTC Griscom, traveling is definitely a huge plus for me! I was looking into the hospital administration aspect of the MSC. For what it’s worth, I’m already Airborne qualified.
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LTC John Griscom
LTC John Griscom
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Best of luck in your endeavors.
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LTC Signal Officer
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Pros: Simply put, we solve problems
Cons: Simply put, if there's a problem we take face shots - until we solve the problem
Iterate on the above, develop thick skin, short-term memory for feelings, long-term memory for solutions
Pro Patria Vigilans
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CPT Signal Officer
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1. Any competitive category branch i.e. everything outside of chaplain, nursing, doctors, lawyers, cyber etc. Doesnt care about your degree. Signal, infantry, engineers, MI, Aviatiom, etc. all compete against each other for promotion.
2. Take your cadet rank down. It looks silly. Not to put you down, just some advice.
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