Pros and cons of being in a TRADOC unit compared to a FORSCOM?

SPC (Join to see) I was FORSCOM for the vast majority of my career, but my only experience in TRADOC is the courses and training I took along the way. But, here's some insight as to why some leaders are going to say that FORSCOM is the "real" Army and TRADOC isn't: real-world operational experience.

You are a Fire Control Specialist and have been in the Army for a couple of years. Have you deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan? I'm guessing not. Not that that is your fault, but, you're in TRADOC - which isn't exactly known for deployment opportunities. The "real" Army is the Army that trains for deployments and then deploys. The TRADOC Army provides training support and materials to train FORSCOM units to go deploy.

That's why it's good to try and get out into the "real" Army where you go train, and then go deploy. We can train all day. We can read doctrine all day. But, until you hear the air-raid sirens that signal ACTUAL incoming fire and have to find the nearest concrete bunker for yourself, all of that training doesn't matter - it's just a nice idea. Until you hear that *snap* of a round whipping over your head (even if you ARE in an armored Humvee), and you realize that SOMEONE out there is actually trying to SHOOT you, all of the doctrine is just words on a page.

A healthy mix of FORSCOM and TRADOC will be best for your career, your personal development as a Soldier, and for your development as a leader.

All of this is not to say that if a Soldier or leader hasn't deployed that they are somehow less than any other Soldier or leader - they aren't. However, that Soldier and leader that HAS deployed has an entirely different experience and perspective to draw from that others don't.

TRADOC isn’t the same as FORSCOM but it’s no less “real”. I tend to agree that FORSCOM trains and deploys and that’s the key difference *and* it’s much larger... but it’s not any more real. TRADOC standards are much difference- 350-1 vs 350-6 and there’s certainly a different vibe. Interestingly, TRADOC seems to be more in vogue with centralized promotions. I can only speak to MI, but leadership positions in TRADOC seem to be viewed MUCH more favorably at boards than FORSCOM and especially INSCOM.

TRADOC are trainers, period. Most of the time they are strictly following the Book. FORSCOM are mainly fighters-we know the Book is only a guide, not the Bible- we learned what is good and what actually works to keep us alive- something FORSCOM often losses in the Book. Being Mickey Mouse robot works well in training, but not so well in combat- there is no hand slapping in combat- failures equal somebodies death. Also keep mind that TRADOC is famous for training for the last war and does not react quickly to change. The standards are much different- quoting the manual is not as important as surviving.