Would I be setting myself up for a huge delay on reaching OCS or RASP by selecting 15R to acquire schooling and alternate career experience?

Branden Nagle — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 15:46:09 -0400

I'm 26, enlisting in August of this year, and still having problems with MOS selection. I'm looking into career with my eventual goal being Infantry Officer in the 75th, however I'd like to pick an initial MOS that will allow me to get some schooling under my belt for civilian life afterwards in case my career unfortunately gets cut short (because I realize sh*t happens sometimes). I scored a 123 on my GT with my lowest being 121 CL and highest being 128 MM. I'm currently looking into 15R (AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer) since I already have a strong mechanical inclination and am very interested in the field. My next step would be the "Green-to-Gold" program to drop a packet for OCS, after which (my recruiter has told me) I'd be able to make a bid for RASP and the 75th. My question is, would I be setting myself up for failure or a huge delay on reaching OCS or RASP by selecting 15R just to acquire schooling and alternate career experience? I know I could opt 40, but then if something unfortunate happens, I'd be back out in civilian life exactly where I started. Thanks in advance for any help, all I have to go on is what my recruiters have told me and people always tell me not to believe everything I'm promised in a recruiting office.

Response by SGT Tj West made Jul 7 at 2018 4:05 PM

SGT Tj West — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 16:05:24 -0400

Maybe things have changed since my time, but almost all of the officers I served with in the Regiment were either West Pointers or had prior enlisted service in the Regiment. During my time there I only recall one guy who didn't fit one of these two profiles. He was in ROTC grad - but he definitely struggled to keep up with his platoon. So I'm not saying it's not possible to follow the plan you are contemplating, but it seems to me that you're setting up more hurdles for yourself than are necessary. It also seems like you're only half-committing to the idea of becoming a ranger, which is going to make a difficult.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 4:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 16:08:05 -0400

First, you don't get kicked out of the Army when you fail your option 40. You have a much better chance of getting selected down the road as an officer if you have experience with what to expect in Ranger Regiment.
Realistically, you have a 95% chance of not getting in.
In addition, if you do commission, you are not guaranteed your branch. There's an OML for branch and Infantry is one of the top requested choices. If you do get Infantry, you'll have to perform well as an LT and compete against your peers with even
less chance you'll pass the selection criteria to even be selected to attend RASP as an officer.
Basically, have a backup plan. If you want to work in the Regiment as an officer, you'll have a better understanding of what you need if you start out as a private there.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 4:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 16:29:03 -0400

Green to Gold and OCS are two different programs. Green to Gold is when the Army sends you to a university to complete your degree as you commission through ROTC. OCS is for those who already have a degree and is a 14 week school through which you will receive a commission after successful completion. My advice to you is to apply for OCS immediately if you already have a degree. If you wait around, you might be too old later on.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 12:29 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 00:29:03 -0400

If you want to be an infantry officer then you should go infantry. Getting schools like Ranger, Airborne, Pathfinder, or jump master will help you to be a better infantry officer. I have seen soldiers with great ambitions fail with their initial infantry assignments and never recover. It's sexy to be in the 75th but you need to work on the basics. Before you go to the majors you need to show you are ready. You could be a 15R but that won't help you work towards going to 75th.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Jul 8 at 2018 3:59 PM

MSG David Johnson — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 15:59:40 -0400

Sounds like you're thinking ahead, too bad more don't do the same.

Response by SSG John Lasseigne made Jul 15 at 2018 11:41 AM

SSG John Lasseigne — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 11:41:02 -0400

Military 15 series mos does not transfer directly to civilian employment. You would still need an A&P (license issued by FAA). To get licensed without civ school requires 3-10 years experience documented by a letter from an A&P inspector. The real issues come from the fact that no MOS preparescyou for the full scope of the cov field. Powerplant portion deals with turbine and internal combustion engines...army avn eng mechanics only deal with turbines. The airframe part deals with sheetmetal, hydraulics, avionics&electrical, and general maintenance all of which are separate military mos's. Just some things to consider.
I think field medic would be more helpful if you plan to be an Infantry leader and have more bearing than aviation on the carreer path you desire. Remember an officers job is to help and protect as well as lead and guide the soldiers under their care.

Response by COL John Hudson made Jul 15 at 2018 4:24 PM

COL John Hudson — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:24:31 -0400

Every tree has many limbs. I worked two jobs and went to night school for six years to complete the educational goals I set for me. Too many see their goals, including educational requirements, in a narrow linear fashion. I'll do A, then B, then C - one after the other, without realizing that classes in virtually every discipline out there are available in night school - and I'm talking one night a week for four hours, with the military paying for most of them. I went to (3-year) Aviation Officer Course every Tuesday evening, simultaneously with Bachelor Degree program every Thursday night for four hours (1.5 years). Soon as that was done, I went to Command and General Staff Course (3-years) - one night a week. The two 3-year courses each had a two week residency requirement that I used my personal work vacation to attend. Yes, it wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done but it was the ONLY way for me and my personal circumstances. Anyone can do the same, scheduling night courses to fit any schedule. Required military and civilian educational course work is a promotional discriminator... don't be caught short.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 11:36 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 11:36:59 -0400

Bottom line fastest way to 75th is Ranger contract......rest is up to you. Don’t be fooled by all the round about “you could do this then you could do that then maybe do this other thing and then it might lead you to that....”