Posted on Sep 30, 2018
Can you enlist as a 38B, or must you wait until you have a certain period of service/rank?
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I just took the ASVAB two days ago, scored a 93 and hit all the sections most important to the jobs I was looking at. As I was looking over the jobs available to me, I read about 38B, the Civil Affairs Specialists, and was intrigued quite a bit as many of the skills that seem to be applied there would also apply to what I want to do when I return to civilian life. But I've seen a lot of conflicting information out there, so I figured I'd ask here - can you enlist directly as a 38B, or must you wait until you have a certain period of service/rank under your belt?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Posted in these groups: 
38B: Civil Affairs Specialist
Enlisted
38B: Civil Affairs Specialist Enlisted
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 5
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If you are joining the Reserve, then yes, you can enlist as a 38B.
If you are joining the Active Component, then no, you can not. In order to do so, you must complete AIT in some MOS, then go through selection and a couple more hoops.
It is a very rewarding and interesting field, though and worth a look.
What was your ST score? That is the one that matters.
If you are joining the Active Component, then no, you can not. In order to do so, you must complete AIT in some MOS, then go through selection and a couple more hoops.
It is a very rewarding and interesting field, though and worth a look.
What was your ST score? That is the one that matters.
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SGT (Join to see)
if you are interested in CA as Active duty, you do have to go through the selection process. As 1SG stated, I do believe you must be in the army already. you must be a SPC or SGT. there is a minimum and max time in grade and service requirement. now, as far as initial MOS, its best that you have one that would help you with the transition (but not required, you can have any MOS) Combat medic or any 68 series MOS would help if you were to go through the SOCM course ( Special Operation Combat medic) because that is one of the team member slots. being a linguist or 35 series would make the language learning portion easier, etc..... CA, is in away, is the carrot end of the stick. you are still a soldier but you need to be able to connect with the local populous to be able to obtain vital information. Social Skills are HIGHLY needed. just a few things to consider..
you local recruiter would not be the best source for info on CA. contact The Special operation recruiting office ( if you are close to an Army Post, there is one there)
you local recruiter would not be the best source for info on CA. contact The Special operation recruiting office ( if you are close to an Army Post, there is one there)
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CW2 (Join to see)
68Ws have a much harder time at SOCM than others, they have bad habits and have to relearn stuff, as opposed to the blank slate of other MOS'
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CW2 (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) - instead of army-portal.com, better site is goarmysof.com/civilaffairs
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1SG (Join to see)
CW2 (Join to see) - I would have linked the SOCOM site, but it was missing some of the details I felt would be useful to the OP.
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You can enlist as a 38B, but more than likely it would be as a reservist. It is much easier to get a Reserve slot than Active Duty, as the CA active community is pretty small and they typically look for NCOs and officers who are already in to cross over.
I can't remember the ASVAB specifics for 38B, but I believe it has a high GT score requirement. Sorry for the late post. Hope this helps.
I can't remember the ASVAB specifics for 38B, but I believe it has a high GT score requirement. Sorry for the late post. Hope this helps.
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You can in the Army Reserve. For active component, we recruit from the force.
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