Posted on Feb 19, 2019
Is it possible to explore too many opportunities?
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Currently I’m a 68C. I like my job but don’t like the medical fields culture in the military. I would like to do one of two things. 1) move into the SOF realm as a Civil Affairs Specialist. 2) fly.
I have already attended civil affairs assessment and selection once. I was not selected and told that I was a good candidate but needed more military experience to better meet their ideal candidate. I would love to work in CA. I like their mission, and the work they do would allow me to use all the skill sets I’ve obtained from college and the Army. I am also still torn on staying enlisted or commissioning.
At the same time I have an interest in flying and applying to WOCS does seem like another good option that would allow me to learn something challenging and still be an asset.
I’m just afraid that I will end up trying to take advantage of too many opportunities leaving myself more scattered with no defined plan. Is it worth exploring my other interests or should I just focus on returning to CAAS a better candidate?
I have already attended civil affairs assessment and selection once. I was not selected and told that I was a good candidate but needed more military experience to better meet their ideal candidate. I would love to work in CA. I like their mission, and the work they do would allow me to use all the skill sets I’ve obtained from college and the Army. I am also still torn on staying enlisted or commissioning.
At the same time I have an interest in flying and applying to WOCS does seem like another good option that would allow me to learn something challenging and still be an asset.
I’m just afraid that I will end up trying to take advantage of too many opportunities leaving myself more scattered with no defined plan. Is it worth exploring my other interests or should I just focus on returning to CAAS a better candidate?
Military Career
Opportunity
38B: Civil Affairs Specialist
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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SPC (Join to see) my whole career was a plan C. Just understand that once you choose, sometimes other doors close. If you wait too long, doors close. These two goals are divergent. You need to pick one or the other and give it all you've got.
I know some Special Operations selection programs tell people to come back and try again just to see if they are determined enough to come back. I'd defer that opinion to a CA NCO. CW2 (Join to see) any insight? It appears you can now be selected as an E5 promotable.
I know some Special Operations selection programs tell people to come back and try again just to see if they are determined enough to come back. I'd defer that opinion to a CA NCO. CW2 (Join to see) any insight? It appears you can now be selected as an E5 promotable.
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CW2 (Join to see)
Absolutely, returning for a second attempt at CAAS is often successful. It shows dedication and desire. Not to mention, after 3 years as a CA NCO you could still put in a flight packet if you wanted.
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You answered your own question. How many professions can anyone successfully pursue? Like girlfriends, too many will create problems for you.
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There are lots of people in the Army who pursue many different fields. It is definitely easy to get too scattered if you don't have a good plan.
Basically, you can explore as much as you want as long as you do it within the time you have. When you're on active duty there is a clock ticking down. Every selection, MOS, commission opportunity etc, has certain grade, age, time in grade, and time in service restrictions. So as you progress in one pathway others will start to shut behind you.
You have a college degree so you entered the Army after 22, your AIT was a year long, so let's imagine you're 24 right now. You have to be in your new MOS at least a year. You want to go to CA, you'll need BLC first. So, let's say you're 26 then. You attend selection and now you need to reenlist 5 years to cover the QC plus W1 and W4 and the three years you owe after that. Now you're 31, you've got 7-9 years in the Army and you're on the borderline of age, time in service limits for commissioning.
Basically, you can explore as much as you want as long as you do it within the time you have. When you're on active duty there is a clock ticking down. Every selection, MOS, commission opportunity etc, has certain grade, age, time in grade, and time in service restrictions. So as you progress in one pathway others will start to shut behind you.
You have a college degree so you entered the Army after 22, your AIT was a year long, so let's imagine you're 24 right now. You have to be in your new MOS at least a year. You want to go to CA, you'll need BLC first. So, let's say you're 26 then. You attend selection and now you need to reenlist 5 years to cover the QC plus W1 and W4 and the three years you owe after that. Now you're 31, you've got 7-9 years in the Army and you're on the borderline of age, time in service limits for commissioning.
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SFC (Join to see)
CW2 (Join to see) that's true, and that could easily change again in the future. It's just an example time line; he could still be lacking the line scores or clearance or any other number of reasons that delay PCS to CAQC from the day they choose to attend.
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