What does everyone think about transferring from a Brigade down to a Detachment?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 11:30:40 -0500

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 10 at 2018 11:33 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 11:33:54 -0500

That is where the rubber meets the road for cargo transfer and movement control

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2018 11:42 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 11:42:37 -0500

Closer to the tip of the spear!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 10 at 2018 11:43 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 11:43:36 -0500

If you are moving from a staff job to a job with increased operational responsibility and authority, then it might be a good idea. If you've been at the Det level before and maxed out on duties at that level in your grade, then it's probably not a great career move. There are lots of other considerations. If the Det is in a great location or if it's workload would allow you to complete education or training that's important to you, then it could be a good idea. Also, check on the last person to have the job you may be moving into. What happened to them next? Promoted, reassigned, retired? This doesn't always mean you'll follow the same track, but it can be an indicator.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 10 at 2018 11:47 AM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 11:47:45 -0500

In general, without knowing if it applies to your specific situation.

_Good fitreps from large commands with a large population in your rank mean more to promotion boards than good fitreps from small commands with very few soldiers in your rank.

_Excelllent Fitreps from high visibility/high risk small commands (the mere appearance of impropriety is enough to get you transferred out) go a long way with promotion boards.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Mar 10 at 2018 12:24 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 12:24:17 -0500

Depends on if you are an Officer, or an NCO or E-2. For a SSG, if it is about you, it should just be another learning experience. BDE was staff, and you have to understand that picture, but leadership opportunities are better at Det..... Although I have been in a Det that had an O-6 COL in charge of the det....It was an MI Det.

Response by SGT(P) Michael H. made Mar 10 at 2018 12:45 PM

SGT(P) Michael H. — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 12:45:20 -0500

What are your long and short term goals at present? (we do all tend to realign our goals from time to time) Does this opportunity place you in direct contact with junior enlisted where you will have the opportunity to mentor, lead, and coach, being "on the job" right along side them? Is that what you truly desire right now? What will your responsibilities be overall? Will you be swamped with work, or as Lt Col Coe inquired, will you have time to pursue personal education and training goals while at this post? Also, what is the general environment in this DET? Will you be in a position to address particular issues regarding soldier and training welfare (that need changing) directly because of your rank, or will you have to "suffer through" the "leadership" of someone else's personal agendas? So many facets to this issue. Many great replies here. Look at them all. Best wishes in whatever you choice you make.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Mar 10 at 2018 1:37 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 13:37:06 -0500

During the last eight years of my career, I had served as an NCOIC in Military Intelligence detachments that relied upon Signal communications to accomplish their missions. Opportunities for promotion and recognition for service seemed good. Letters of Appreciation were always there to help in the stimulation of advancement. With detachment assignment, the personnel involved become family so much that it isn't unusual to use given names in the ordinary day-to-day business.

You might enjoy the change.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2018 2:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 14:36:11 -0500

I can't really speak to your MOS field in particular, but long ago I was given a piece of career advice as an ROTC cadet about to enter the Army. It was "stay as low as you can as long as you can" in regards to the level of organization was concerned. It turned out to be great advice both from a career aspect and personal fulfillment aspect. IMO nothing beats being at the level where the rubber hits the road, and you are working with the soldiers who are making it happen. That doesn't mean higher level staff jobs are not also important and difficult. They are, and working with and leading those soldiers is rewarding as well. But there is something special about being in the lower level units. After all the jobs I had in my career, including two company commands, a battalion command, and working at HQUSSOCOM, the one I look back on with the fondest memories was my time as a rifle platoon leader, serving with the platoon sergeant, squad leaders and soldiers from that time.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 10 at 2018 2:36 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 14:36:25 -0500

Less madness and friction.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 10 at 2018 5:07 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 17:07:51 -0500

It depends on what the units are- it is not really important as much as what size unit you were in as how important the duty position was. Unless you are talking Div to Corps, etc..

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Mar 10 at 2018 6:20 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 18:20:24 -0500

SSG Felix Encarncion, being detached does not mean for ever, you didn’t give us (Group) a time frame was it your choose or your plantoon sgt. That came to you with this recommend dation. Next you didn’t say if you are up for promotion (E-7); or trying to go OCS to finish out your 20 to 30 year career if you are selected to go that far. What’s your education goals, etc. that would help us.

FYI, I got the opportunity to work with a TOP Brass, I did what you are thinking about your choice and did it, once completed it was placed in my file to go OCS training, but the war started, and I never got the chance to do that part, of my career;; that is the only reason why I didn’t have over 21 years. But recently, I was ask if I would work with people in Cyber Security.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2018 9:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 21:55:19 -0400

I have gone from Company to BDE to BN to Company to Detachment back to Company back to TEC now back to Company and love being with the Soldiers that make everyone above them look great and feel like I accomplished something