What is the closest branch option to a combat related branch in the USAR?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 19:45:48 -0400

I'm currently an SMP Cadet in ROTC and I received a GRFD Scholarship that binds me to the USAR. I originally wanted to get a combat branch upon commissioning, but I know the reserves is for combat support. What is the closest branch I could apply for that would be similar to a combat branch? I was told there are Combat engineer companies in the reserves, should I try for that? It sounds interesting.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Aug 18 at 2015 7:56 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 19:56:09 -0400

The USAR does have Engineers and Aviation units. I know you cannot access into them right away but the USAR also has Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations units which are part of the Army's special operations forces. You can get into those as a Captain and perhaps as a senior Lieutenant. When I went from active duty to the USAR in 1998, I was the S3 of a PSYOP unit and we had a real world mission going on even before 9-11-01. You will also find that some Chemical units will have real world missions, especially with Homeland Security.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 8:09 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:09:11 -0400

I agree with COL Jon Thompson , if you want to go combat arms the closest branches are going to be engineer and aviation. Engineer is probably more like what you are looking for. Additionally, as the COL said, after a free years you could assess into the special operations community through civil affairs or psychological operations.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 8:22 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:22:48 -0400

1LT Private RallyPoint Member Combat medic and MP come to mind

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 8:37 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:37:05 -0400

Does the GFRD scholarship bind you to the USAR or just the reserve component? A quick Google search seems to indicate the latter. If so the National Guard has a lot more to offer than the Reserve. The ARNG has everything from tank companies to Special Forces.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 8:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:51:59 -0400

Engineer

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 9:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 21:11:01 -0400

If you are bound to the Reserves, than MP or Engineers is the closest you'll get and be in a typical unit. There are training units in the Reserves that have combat arms slots, but you won't be doing the combat arms "mission". You'll be training others. Talk to your ROO and local on campus National Guard recruiter. You should be able to switch to the Guard with a DA3161, which is pretty easy. Then, you'll have all the combat arms available to you. All you'll have to do is find a slot.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 18 at 2015 9:51 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 21:51:29 -0400

MPs - we have more firepower than an Infantry Bn.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 18 at 2015 10:21 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 22:21:26 -0400

Do not forget non-accession opportunities. You could branch Engineer, MP, Aviation, what ever, then try out for SF, CA, or PO when you are eligible.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Aug 18 at 2015 10:27 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 22:27:43 -0400

Not sure is they still have it, but I think I remember there use to be a special forces group or part of a special forces group that was USAR. You can get into it by branching signal or engineer and later branch special forces (18).

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 18 at 2015 10:29 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 22:29:58 -0400

You may want to research a little more. I just read that 43% of the Pathfinder Companies in the Army are in the USAR. I remember a handful of Infantry units in the USAR. Now, you may have to travel for BA, but there is a chance.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 3:28 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:28:56 -0400

A good friend of mine just commissioned as an engineer in the Reserves and is in a Combat Engineer Co in WA. He is at BOLC now. If you would like I can pass on his contact information to you. He may be of some assistance as you make your selection.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 4:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 16:55:09 -0400

Engineer, Aviation, Civil Affairs, and Psy Ops

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Aug 19 at 2015 10:23 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 22:23:36 -0400

The answer to that question is more complicated than what you might expect! Are you considering NG or Reserve? Which state or territory? These are some of the questions you need to answer since it will affect your decision. That been said there is no such as a combat branch anymore but operations, operations support, or force sustainment. So spend some time doing research with regards of what is your true interest and how it might impact your civilian career.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 2:14 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 02:14:55 -0400

MP and Engineer come to mind first. But if you're looking for experience via deployments: CA (when you're eligible) and Transportation are also common, have good career progression, and get you out there to be shot at.

Response by CPT Brian Shumway made Aug 20 at 2015 9:59 AM

CPT Brian Shumway — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 09:59:13 -0400

The question has been answered pretty well here already, but you might want to talk to a NG recruiter. I had a 4 year AD scholarship and had buddies who had GRFD and green to gold scholarships - we were all able to transfer to NG and SMP as long as it happened before the end of our MSIII year. One went Infantry, I went Armor, and one went MI. We didn't know about it until we got a new recruiting NCO who happened to be a NG recruiter and had to scramble to get the paperwork squared away before we ran out of time.

Response by CPT Ray Doeksen made Aug 20 at 2015 2:41 PM

CPT Ray Doeksen — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 14:41:03 -0400

GRFD Scholarship, that is a reserve scholarship but doesn't that allow National Guard service? I believe it does, and all combat arms are open to you. National Guard units include infantry, armor and field artillery, and 8 infantry divisions. It is only the Army Reserve, not the National Guard, that has shifted away from combat arms emphasis.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 2:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 14:43:08 -0400

Combat Engineer and look for either a True Sapper Company or Route Clearence.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 6:59 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:59:19 -0400

Cadet Sanchez, keep moving forward towards your goal of becoming an commissioned officer. I started my journey as a cadet in the JROTC program in high school. I decided to join the AROTC program at Old Dominon University. I just celebrated 28 years of commissioned service on 15 Aug. If you truly desire a combat arms branch I recommend joining the Army National Guard because it has all the BCTs. The Engineer branch is an opportunity to pursue in the Army Reserve. I started out in the ARNG after I received my commission. However, I eventually transferred to the Army Reserve as a Medical Service Corps officer. No matter which direction you choose, you will still have the opportunity to serve and lead the finest Soldiers in our Army. Best of luck to you and don't give up!
COL Arizmendi

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 8:01 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 20:01:32 -0400

They have shattered the "glass ceiling" for women in the U.S. Army and have paved the way for women to join the ranks of one of the most elite forces on the planet. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a proud day for the U.S. Army and our Armed Forces as a whole. Congratulations to two great Americans!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 9:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:19:11 -0400

If you want combat arms, go national guard over reserves. They often have better benefits if you want to further your education anyways.

Response by Cadet 1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 9:34 PM

Cadet 1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 21:34:40 -0400

I would try for combat engineer or EOD or motor pool. At least you will have a skill you can market as a reservist.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 2:44 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:44:17 -0400

No such thing as "combat support" the Reserves consists of Operations, Operations Support and Force Sustainment. Under Operations the Reserves does not have "Maneuver" units (Infantry, Armor) but does have Aviation. Also we do not have "Fires" (FA, ADA). If your looking for closest to Manuever then i agree with CPT Maurelli, Engineer is your best bet. Where are you located? I can assist you in finding a Sapper or Clearance unit to get in touch with for a Letter of Acceptance.

Response by COL Lisandro Murphy made Sep 3 at 2015 6:18 PM

COL Lisandro Murphy — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:18:55 -0400

Concur. Good luck and Essayons!