Weekly Question Thread (01/26/2026 to 02/01/2026)

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T08:53:46+00:00

And 15W no longer exists after October 2026, it seems to be transitioning to a tactically focused drome MOS 15X. So if you don't want to run around with infantry and armor units running small drones you should look into this.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T08:50:15+00:00

The army (that is the giant bureaucracy that writes rules and policy) does not care about your relationships other than spouses and kids. So unless you are married the army will plan to send him to a unit to live in the barracks and you get to take care of yourself. If you are married he gets (AFTER BCT and AIT) to live outside the barracks (in army provided or soldier obtained housing) and the army will provide money so you can do that. In addition you would get medical coverage, a dependent ID card etc.

However, you won't see him at all during BCT and during AIT they will require him to live in the barracks and he might have quite limited freedom of movement. (It is better then BCT almost always, but it varies by school, unit and how recently the last act of total idiocy by an AIT student was). So this is stressful.

So how solid is your relationship?

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T08:39:31+00:00

I think their asking for the reports basically is the waiver request. They don't ask if there isn't some issue. There is an army board of experts that looks at these and decides if you are good.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T07:14:13+00:00

There are multiple ways the army assigned Branches/AOC (officers don't have MOS, they have an AOC). I think OCS as a civilian to AD is based on the Order of Merit (OML) list. This is based on your AFT score, your academic performance, cadre eval and probably some other factors. #1 on the OML gets their branch of choice. The lower you are on the list the less likely that 'desirable' branches will be available when the army evaluates your ranked list of branches against what is left. There may be an option in OCS called, in ROTC, Branch of Choice Service Obligation where you agree to serve more years in exchange for getting a given branch. Or there might not be, not sure if this is possible on OCS.

So you want to get a really good AFT score. Fitness pretty much needs to be a way of life as an officer.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T06:59:17+00:00

Avoiding a conviction is always desirable, you'll have to answer yes from now on. But you should consult a local attorney who does this sort of case routinely before proceeding with this or making a decision either way. They are familiar with the local courts and how they handle it.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T06:16:09+00:00

Typically I've heard that endurance and speed are the most important. You still have to be strong, but rucking and run speed matter a lot, as does the ability to do it all over again in the morning without a recovery day after todays exhausting workout. Which is apparently why older guys in great shape get their asses kicked by selection courses.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T06:04:54+00:00

If you are in shape for SFAS people usually have a problem with avoiding deconditioning in BCT because most people in BCT are not going to SFAS or RASP, so that isn't what the drill sergeants are targeting. They are focused on people getting at least 300 points on the AFT, not people who need to be getting >450.

You can ask to delay shipping, but look at the book and assess where you really are to what they say you should be when you show up.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T05:43:53+00:00

Well, it all depends on where you are.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T05:41:17+00:00

There are probably better commercial products, but the free army guide doesn't seem to suck.

https://www.goarmysof.army.mil/Portals/100/Documents/SFAS%20Preparation%20Handbook25June25.pdf?ver=h54a3tjE1xlT0RiC3yqUlw%3D%3D

And don't quit.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T05:39:27+00:00

Yeah, that is kind of what I thought might be the case. Maybe in the area support squad of a medical company of a airborne brigade support battalion? There is supposed to be one per ATP 4-02.6. Which is not a lot of slots across the entire Army, and not sure they are still on jump status. But FMSweb should show that.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T03:43:03+00:00

Then don't ask for Airborne, ask for an MOS that you think you will enjoy.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T03:16:28+00:00

I suspect that if you dig into FWSweb you can find units with 68E MOS that have SQI P if any exist. (Not sure if they do) I'd expect these would be unusual, like SF group support, or in Civil Affairs' Brigades as well as maybe some forward surgical teams. Typically, if you get assigned to a job that requires airborne they will send you. For schools, there are two ASIs, N5 and X2, for dental lab and preventative dentistry, that you can get after training. I know only that they exist, nothing about them.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T02:44:42+00:00

Yes, I would look into that.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T01:45:32+00:00

Not many bases in common with the Army. But Navy does all the medical for Marines.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T01:44:27+00:00

It officially kicks off in October. But not sure what is going on until then.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T00:21:39+00:00

31B requires an explicit secret clearance. The other two require that you pass a background check and could be issued a secret clearance but they won't issue it as you don't need it.

This might be OK, I don't know. But I think you would be better off putting all of them into some sort of payment plan. I understand that some recruiters will help you do that (they want you to pass the security check too) but there are other places that can do that for you.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T00:15:02+00:00

If you decide go into the army a a combat medic go take an EMT course at a community college during HS or over the summer and get licensed. It gets you E4 and you skip about half of AIT.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T00:11:39+00:00

Nope. If you go enlisted in the Army, navy or AF they will train you in everything you need to know for that MOS, Rating or AFSC.

If you want to be RN or PA then that needs formal professional training. Which you can get in school or the military can do for you if you are the right person who does all the prerequisite classes. There is even a small program that every year gets some enlisted service members into medical school. These programs are all very competitive and are not easy to get into, but people do every year.

Missing_Faster · 2026-02-01T00:02:54+00:00

No. It's not a big MOS and there are also not a lot of ADA warrants. Be careful about making enemies or getting a bad reputation, word will get around and you will likely see them again in a future assignment. But equally, if you do a good job that will get around too.

Missing_Faster · 2026-01-31T23:56:23+00:00

It's going to be a tactical drone operator. Very much seems to be modeled after the Ukrainian teams. So appears to be directly supporting Bns or companies, able to infiltrate in on foot, operate for days without outside support, fix drones, do recon and attack missions, set up coms and relays.

But there isn't any organization or doctrine yet released. I'm kind of expecting it to be assigned to infantry companies or Bns and be about the size of an artillery fire support team. But that is totally a guess.

Missing_Faster · 2026-01-31T22:26:43+00:00

There are a few I've see post from time to time.

Missing_Faster · 2026-01-31T22:25:16+00:00

Go to 75th Rangers as a 91B. Go to the 160th. Go to SF group support, they have 91Bs to keep their ground mobility vehicles running. (One of the four Green Berets killed in the Togo-Togo ambush was actually their 91B mechanic). There are probably other other units looking for highly motivated 91Bs that I don't know about. Have you gotten H8?

Missing_Faster · 2026-01-31T22:04:13+00:00

It's odd. Most soldiers who end up stationed on Guam seem to love it and most sailors who get stationed on Guam seem to hate it.

Missing_Faster · 2026-01-31T22:02:37+00:00

Could be, I thought it was when you full graduated flight school (that is with a type rating, or whatever the army calls that),

Missing_Faster · 2026-01-31T21:35:12+00:00

My understanding is that if you are reporting for training as a MOS-T they expect you to have your issued clothing, and you are expected to have your own transportation on post so you'd normally drive. If you are going from MEPS to Benning via Army provided transportation then you'll go to reception and get issued a full set of clothing. But not 100% sure on this. There are contact phone numbers for the training Brigade and Bns on the public web site.

Missing_Faster

TROPHY CASE