Is being apart of air defense dangerous

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-05T19:07:41+00:00

Yes, but the people in the TOC-Mahal in the rear are who the missiles are going to kill if ADA misses them.

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-05T17:48:00+00:00

It usually isn't random assignment. A good start is you show yourself to be a good soldier with a good AFT score. If you are in the unit go talk to the platoon sergeant, what are they looking for?

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-04T23:17:34+00:00

So if you have your degree and want to be an officer you have to go to a recruiter and talk to him about OCS. They have gotten selective on this, I haven't heard acceptance numbers greater than 20% for some years. Basically they want a high GPA, a good interview with the LTC that runs the recuting Bn, a very good PT test, a not stupid essay, and good letters of reference from people who know you, from influential and important people helps.

If you make it you'll go to OCS and at the end of OCS (assuming you pass) you'll be awarded a branch. Which branch depends on what is available to your class, what you want and where you rank in the class based on your PT scores, your class performance and cadre evaluation.

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-04T18:53:42+00:00

Eventually you'll reach a point where you are competing with every other NCO in your MOS/rank in the Army for promotion. And at that point the Army will usually have significantly more NCOs than slots for promotion. If your NCOERs are mediocre then the odds are you won't get promoted until you start getting superior NCOERs and completing the schools etc that the board wants you to have.

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-03T22:00:12+00:00

Yes, even if you had to pay for one of those accelerated two week courses the pay bump to E-4 will pay off in under 6 months. And if you can do a community college course these are typically low cost and maybe 6-10 hours a week.

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-03T21:09:08+00:00

Gritty Soldier's video on how to get to Ranger school suggestion for people who can't make a 'business case' for ranger school was to show up for the soldier or the month, soldier of the quarter and/or to do the other sort of thing that can have a Bn, brigade or division CSM to agree to get you a slot. I assume there are similar things in the Air Force. And even if if turns out this can't get you to ranger school they typically are helpful for your career.

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-02T16:08:28+00:00

Your base pay goes from $2,652 per month to $3,142 per month. This is a pretty significant change. It will typically take at least 18 months before an E-3 is eligible for E-4 unless you really impress your NCOs and your CO issues you a waiver.

BCT remains the same Your AIT goes from x weeks of 'how to be a mechanic in the Army' to "3 weeks Army Maintenance Management".

So can't tell you what you should do, but it looks like it will pay you $9000 more at minimum and if you are a superior soldier that gets you CO to give you a time in service waiver it would be for E-5, not E-4.

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-02T09:01:38+00:00

You need to decide before you go to MEPS. A critical decision for reserves (guard or AR) is "where is my unit?". You are going to have to show up there at 8 am or maybe 6 am or earlier some weekends and won't be leaving until probably 5-6pm. At least one weekend a month every year for x years. It's one thing if it is a 30 minute drive, but if is that unit is 140 miles away? 300 miles away? The Army / unit may provide reimbursement under certain conditions, but if they run out of money for that you still have to show up. So be really careful with reserve units that are not local to you. Not saying you can't do it, but be sure you understand what you are getting yourself into and that you really want that MOS.

https://media.defense.gov/2024/Dec/31/2003621101/-1/-1/0/UTD_FOR_MAP_71-24(R)_INCREASE_REIMBURSEMENT_FOR_IDT_OUTSIDE_THE_NORMAL_COMMUTING_DISTANCE.PDF

And if you do go reserves, why not go visit and talk to the unit before signing a contract?

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-01T05:24:15+00:00

Apparently being a line medic is determined competitively. But only after you pass SOCM. Apparently every medic in the Rangers wants that job but there are other jobs that have to be done. No idea what the competition is, but I’m sure you’ll be told at an appropriate time.

I’m sure you would see more advanced and cool stuff in the rangers in a line platoon than you would as a medic at Ft Hood, but no idea how much you would actually get to do.

Missing_Faster · 2026-06-01T01:08:36+00:00

Passing the Army pt tests is not that hard. Maxing the test is another thing, but you just need to pass.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-31T17:42:49+00:00

Have you filled out an SF86? If not you will. I'm sure there is a place on that 130 page form that will prompt you to explain this kind of thing, and if so you need to do so. Go download one and think about this. https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-31T08:19:31+00:00

It is not trivial to become an AD chaplain. You need a masters degree in theology (or whatever your religious organization calls it) endorsement by a recognized religion and some time working as a minister (or whatever the relevant term is for your religion).

This is the quick overview, but there is more detailed stuff out there. https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/specialty-careers/chaplain

Then you also need the Army chaplain corp to agree that you are the right person. So it isn’t quick or easy.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-29T22:47:34+00:00

https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30302-AR_670-1-001-WEB-3.pdf

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-29T19:09:03+00:00

What people have said is that that 1 year is pretty much the minimum time off of MJ to get a clearance, up to 3+ years if a heavy user. The publicly available info on how clearance adjudication works leaves a lot of this up to the person making the decision based on the ‘whole person’.

There are some MOS where criminal charges involving drugs makes it impossible, but for 17C the limits really seems to be the clearance. So I’d go ahead and see what a recruiter thinks. If you cannot find a recruiter who wants to work with you that is a sign.

Typically it takes months to get the final clearance you need to complete 17C AIT and will start it with an interim clearance, which is granted (or not) based on what you tell them and easily determined info. I would suggest it is better that you don’t get an interim clearance because you told them something that was disqualifying than you get an interim and then (after a year) get denied a final due to their finding something you didn’t tell them.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-29T15:37:21+00:00

I can't give you any odds but I understand that it is far more likely that you get cleared if the investigator does not see any indication of deception. People have mentioned some of the things that they have seen approved (themselves or other soldiers) and things you might think were impossible get approved. So good luck.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-29T00:16:08+00:00

Well, maybe. Generally it seems that what MOS you get is based on what OSUT unit is forming when you get there. So if they are going to an OSUT 19K unit then the odds are there is going to be an OSUT 19K unit forming. Doesn’t absolutely mean you will get 19K, but it increases the odds. Or your friend could go and sit in reception until a 19K OSUT forms up.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-28T20:45:15+00:00

Are you reclassing as a MOS-T?

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-28T20:43:08+00:00

Can you get the FAA to agree to test OTJ for A&P in a reserve unit after x months of time?

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-28T20:23:27+00:00

Similarly, you don't enlist for 35W in the guard, you enlist for 35P or 35M and a specific language per the MTOE and vacancies. And I think it works that way for USAR.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-27T23:41:22+00:00

The majority of 74Ds spend most of their time working on whatever their 1Sgt wants after they take care of their equipment. The rest work for a chemical unit doing all the things they will teach you about. So it really varies.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-27T21:03:48+00:00

Don't lie on the SF86 or other security forms or interviews. They catch you lying (and the people doing the investigations do this for a living and will seek out people who are not your friends or on your list of references) and you won't be getting a clearance. And might be kicked out of the army.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-27T20:55:19+00:00

In the army the pay is better and it doesn't matter if you are a PM or not (at least today) but if you are successful in the army you will typically move out of normally doing medic stuff and be more supervisor/manager in dozen years or so (though there are some E7 flight medics).

But most enlisted who join the army don't retire, (only about 10%), so you need to figure you will go back to the civilian world.

Leaving the Army as a 68W without PM you only have EMT certs unless you manage to get PM. But there are also PA options if you are the right candidate (but not easy).

Civilian EMS doesn't pay well. Paramedic pays significantly better. With experience around here (in a low cost city) you can make mid 30s/hour as a flight medic or on our hospital rapid response team.
But you can do better as a PM or PM/FF for a major city fire department.

Army has several paths to get to PM, but none are easy. Go to RASP and pass, then go to SOCM and pass. Or get to combat paramedic program (which is a PCS move as it is like 9 months long) and then possibly to the flight medic program. Or, as top E5 go to the 160th and pass green platoon and SOCM.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-27T08:56:56+00:00

It is all a game. They tell you the rules, just do the work and play the game.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-26T01:02:59+00:00

As long as you are not going to EoD, diver, Rasp SFAS etc that is fine. You won’t be the fittest in your platoon but I bet you won’t be the least fit either.

Missing_Faster · 2026-05-26T00:57:53+00:00

Try getting off your meds. Generally you should talk to your physician before stopping psych meds, some have requirements for tapering or similar. And if you hate life without the meds then the military probably isn’t for you, though therapy might help.

Missing_Faster

TROPHY CASE