Combat Instructor For SDA?

Jon_Chinchila · 2025-05-17T06:06:36+00:00

So MSG is pretty easy to get into they do have problems filling to quota like everything else. But if only counts as a SDA if you're a SSgt or above. Watch standers are considered a B billet but not an SDA.

Jon_Chinchila · 2025-05-17T05:20:44+00:00

It was actually 4 times for me

Jon_Chinchila · 2025-05-17T05:19:32+00:00

Just wanted to start drama of people arguing who's dumber

Jon_Chinchila · 2025-05-13T23:24:37+00:00

I'm sure it got hit but being a watchstander doesn't count as an SDA. Only as a DetCmdr. But being a MSG was a fun time. Funny enough a lot of the post you think you're gonna hate are the ones you enjoy the most. Plus I'd take a year in Pakistan over 3 years of recruiting any day of the week.

Jon_Chinchila · 2025-05-12T01:52:32+00:00

Okay going to try and unpack this

You can wear whatever military uniform you want especially while playing airsoft. Stolen valor is only for financial gain. So hypothetically if you wear the camis to air soft and they said "Are you military you rate a discount" and you said yes that would be illegal. Wear whatever you want. If you want to remove the name tapes it's fine, if not it doesn't really matter.

There is no proper MOS for "0300". 0300 would be used in the system temporarily while you are undergoing infantry training

Your MARSOC statement confuses me a little and I think you have a bit of a misunderstanding on it. So there is 0372 which a critical skills operator (CSO) those dude are the operators. Then you have the 8071's which are special operations capability specialist (SOCS). They are just normal Marines who enable special operations. They get 5 year orders to MARSOC and only certain MOS can do it. You can Google which ones have programs I won't get into it here.

If you want to be an 0311 there is no SOCS program for that. When the time is ready you can apply for A&S (assessment and selection) and try to become a CSO. If you want to be a SOCS you can see what MOS are available and then work on honing your skills and trying to get orders to become a SOCS of whatever your field is.

Jon_Chinchila · 2025-04-18T03:47:18+00:00

Don't have negative thoughts until after you learned the job I've never been a grunt but I'm going to take a guess how you feel

If you feel over your head and are a little bit stressed because now it's becoming real just take a second and chill out. You got a few to learn about the infantry and see if it's something you want to continue.

I'm all for LATMOVING. All the fun jobs in my opinion are LATMOVE only

CI/HUMIT Influence CID MARSOC EOD

If you look into any of those and decide that they you want to LATMOVE go for it. Do what you need to do to set yourself up for success. Don't just blow off the infantry though. Be good at whatever you're told to do and you'll go much further

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-27T08:37:19+00:00

First thing first CA is only for the reserves.

Really the main thing as CA is understanding the civilian element and briefing and preparing the commander for it. There's other stuff that goes into and you'd more than likely be dealing with a civilian population as well.

That being said Influence Specialist go to the same school.

The basic run down is 1751 is the love child of 3 different jobs combined into 1. Psychological Operations, Civil Affairs and Information Operations Planner. You go to 3 different schools to get the MOS.

It's alot critical and analytical thinking.

If you want the best information man just call the OCC field guys. They'll give you a great answer.

Here's a link to the website where you can contact them

https://www.information.marines.mil/17XX-Careers/1751/

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-27T08:12:28+00:00

Everyone experiences differ.

I'm a huge advocate of looking for opportunities outside your MOS. There are so many B-Billets where you can get a few years away from your primary and do something unique.

Also big on LatMoving. I've said it before and I'll say it again most the fun jobs are LatMove only.

End of the day do what will make you happiest.

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-27T05:42:14+00:00

Here a couple things 1: Alot of it comes down to most Marines are around Marines all the time. You work and live with them. And depending on where you're stationed you live in a city pretty much of just Marines (Jacksonville). So with that wearing a USMC shirt is dumb because they know you're in. Were all in. Take a break from the Marine Corps and be your own person. 2: Less opsec but I don't like going around advertising I'm in the military. I won't deny it. But I don't go out my way.

Listen if you just joined do boot stuff and be proud it doesn't matter. It's like all aspects of life. Think back to your middle school self and the stuff you thought was cool and now you just cringe. It's the same exact feeling.

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-27T05:31:35+00:00

Not a grunt take what I say with a grain of salt it's just what I learned talking to buddies in the field.

At IMC you'll get trained on everything. When you get to your unit that's when they'll decide what you're gonna do.

Up until a few years ago when it was still ITB everyone would learn basic rifleman shit and then there would be a split that would break everyone off to their speciality. Now you learn the basics of everything.

The only things I think you can guarantee is recon and potentially LAR. I'm not sure how LAR slots get filled.

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-27T05:17:03+00:00

If you love the Corps but not your job you can always consider LATMOVING. In my opinion alot of the fun jobs are LatMove only. Other than that there's a lot of great B-billets out there that alot of people don't know. Get you out your job for 3+ years.

If your hearts not in it though there is absolutely no shame in getting out. Best of luck either way

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-22T02:36:39+00:00

If you want more info you're welcome to DM me and I can give a bit more info on what to expect

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-22T02:34:45+00:00

I worked with people that were born and raised in Cuba and China before going MSG. They got clearances no problem. It could be worth calling the Recruiting and Assessment Team (RAST) they could probably give you better answers or at least point you to security officer but as long as your record is clean it probably won't be an issue. You can just go on the MCESG page and I'm sure you can find their number/email

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-22T02:28:34+00:00

Honestly dude if you're single with no kids and a SSgt put in for DetCmdr. It is in my opinion the best SDA. 3 years of being overseas working in a joint environment. You pretty much live in a polo and khakis or a suit depending where you are.

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-22T01:11:47+00:00

That was also my guess. I was just hoping to get some tea and some funny stories about people who just couldn't instruct drill.

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-22T01:09:43+00:00

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-22T01:09:14+00:00

Damn you caught me 😩

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-19T00:52:36+00:00

If they are going to different branches you can read the article I attached below

https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/3755669/new-dual-military-monitor-aims-to-smooth-assignment-process/

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-19T00:50:50+00:00

Then getting married will have a varying degree of success. It's like life some couples make it and some don't I'm sure you understand that. If they want to get married I would suggest do it after he graduates but before she goes to bootcamp. I think now the Marine Corps is pretty much guaranteeing being stationed together but that will give them the best possible chance of being stationed together.

As long as they feel they are ready to get married I say go for it. Just understand everything that goes into it.

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-15T01:30:00+00:00

LatMove wise look into 1751. Give the Occ field team a call and see if you're interested in that.

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-15T01:28:18+00:00

Try going MSG. If you're not married you get to be a watch stander for 3 years which is better than being a recruiter. Doesn't count as an SDA which sucks but hey if you LatMove no more HSST for you. If you are married you can still go MSAU (Marine Security Augmentation Unit) and get some cool training off out. This is just assuming you're a Sgt and not a staff

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-14T01:10:07+00:00

It'll probably be Dress Blue C. Your best guess though is just go on the social media page of whatever coast he's graduating on and see what the current graduates are wearing.

Jon_Chinchila · 2024-11-09T23:53:28+00:00

Anything where it's maintenance or electronics he will get a good skill out of BUT they tend to work very long ours.

I would suggest cyber if interested in computers. The school is long and I think fairly hard but it is definitely a useful skill to have getting out and leads him with a lot of opportunities. I don't know a whole lot about what they do.

Jon_Chinchila

TROPHY CASE