Posted on Nov 1, 2021
PV2 Food Service Specialist
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I am currently an 11b in the guard, and I love doing grunt work. I am also a cadet. I am not sure yet of what branch I want to commission as. I really want to earn a CIB, but the odds are pretty slim. I want to go active and be the best I can be. But going reserve and starting my civilian career is pretty enticing too especially during peacetime. My branch choices in order are Infantry, Intel, JAG, Aviation, and Engineer. I love my brief and narrow time in the Army, but I also am unsure if going officer will be the same enjoyment.
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Responses: 15
LTC Eugene Chu
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Edited 3 y ago
Focus on being a good Soldier and college ROTC cadet first. Several of us answered your previous question about SF/RASP and had to inform you of the high difficulty of those courses. You need to be aware of actual capability and not just personal desire

1. JAG is not a basic branch. In order to be Judge Advocate General, you need to have excellent grades and acceptance into law school. It is a challenge with no guarantee of deferred commissioning in order to pursue a JD.

2. Aviation is a competitive branch to get into. You need a competitive profile and also have to pass a separate medical exam.

3. Active duty may not be an available option. Based on OML, scholarship status and other factors, you may get commissioned into Guard or Reserve if there are not enough active slots.

You need to crawl before you can walk or run. Your desire to be special ops, intel or other high speed paths may not be feasible if you do not have the basic foundation (e.g. college GPA, PT score, ROTC camp ranking, etc.)
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
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The nation has stood down so go for reserve.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CPT Lawrence Cable
3 y
I have to agree with you on that one. I came out in 95' during the Clinton years when the budget was tight, equipment and training time was being cut short, and every full Bird and Up that didn't have a real job anymore sat around thinking up administrative stuff for us to do. It wasn't the reason I left, family problems that I thought not being gone would help (it didn't), but it sure didn't give me any additional reasons to stay.
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CPT Intel Distribution Specialist
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It all depends on what you want to do…and what the OML has you at.

If you want to go Intel, go reserves because the majority, if not all Army Intel is reserves; I can’t comment on the others though.
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