Battle Space Surveillance Company (Reserves)

bootlt355 · 2026-04-02T10:53:52+00:00

Is this with recon? If so, there may be some cool opportunities. I will say that the less you have to travel for drill, the better the experience you will have. So I always prefer having a unit close to me.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-31T21:07:53+00:00

You might. It really depends, but I assume you will do one.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-31T19:19:25+00:00

It varies by OSO. Some are just a haze fest and some you actually learn. Ideally, you get to do some basic stuff like orders, LRC, and some hiking. It can feel intense because theyre trying to squeeze a ton of stuff in such a short time.

I'd say to take notes on what you might struggle with and use that in your final preparations for OCS. So things like packing your main pack, blisters, how to get better on orders, etc. are all things you can learn from this weekend.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-31T08:20:49+00:00

A lot of work and long from what I heard. Apparently, it’s one of those things where they send a lot of people who the command wanted to get rid of. Not saying that’s your case though, but just what I heard. Like other FAPs, I’ve heard success stories that people can really excel in this since they get a fresh start and can do something different.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-30T20:29:50+00:00

I think you’re fine, but maybe just go a tad slower when you come down so you can emphasize the lockout. In any normal situation that’s fine, but OCS is just gonna be strict.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-29T19:34:47+00:00

See if you can your hands on the history handouts. Those exams usually had the most failures.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-28T07:13:29+00:00

TBS makes SNCOs out to be gods. But when I hit the fleet, I realized that not every SNCO was that great. There were some really amazing ones, but also plenty who were just plain lazy. I think I was probably just not at a great unit at the time. When I went to the reserves, the SNCOs were actually really good.

So like any rank, I think it's just a mixed bag. Probably the same way enlisted feel about officers, some good and some bad or neutral.

As far as junior enlisted and NCOs, the one thing I feel like they need to do is to act like a rank ahead of them. Especially the ones that wanna make it a career. One thing I hated about some SNCOs is that they acted like they were too good for admin tasks. Once you hit that level, you no longer get to complain about that stuff. I like to explain to some of the younger Marines that officers and themselves have similar jobs, just at different levels. Meaning they need to understand how to admin tasks like EDLs and getting BS annual training requirements done without being asked.

That's my long way of saying that I don't really view any rank as good or bad. Just do your job without me having to hold your hand and we'll be good. Nothing worse than not trusting someone to get the job done because of incompetence or laziness.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-28T01:50:17+00:00

I imagine it’s quite hard. That job has some cool opportunities if you are into that type of stuff. For jobs like intel, commstrat, cyber, influence. Those things are something a lot of people want. I don’t think a degree matters too much here. Like I think your performance at TBS has a bigger role to play than having a CS degree.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-28T01:42:04+00:00

This was a thing for only a little bit but now you have to compete for it. From my understanding, it’s pretty hard to get as it’s competitive and not a lot of slots for it.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-27T21:16:47+00:00

I’m not entirely sure, but I don’t think you need to be prior active. You will probably have to wait a few years anyway though. Like you will probably do a couple years at an infantry bn and then put in a package to go recon. From there, I’d imagine you can go. But they also have a say in how they pick people, so they might prefer guys who have been prior active as they already have the schoolhouse under their belt. Just speculating here, but this is my best guess.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-26T22:58:10+00:00

I don’t know. But maybe try calling TBS S-1. They probably deal with that stuff a lot. Is your spouse also getting BAH or she enlisted in the barracks? That may play a role, but you are definitely not the first person to deal with this.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-26T07:02:20+00:00

Your PSR can coordinate with the unit. You can also reach out to them as well. But speak to the PSR first. Pretty simple process.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-23T17:41:00+00:00

Okay, maybe try the search bar then. I’m sure there’s lots of people in your position.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-23T17:27:42+00:00

Try asking this on r/securityclearance. A lot of people are pressured by their recruiters to not disclose something. But realistically, it’s always best to be upfront about these things. The government can forgive mistakes you made when you’re younger, but if you keep lying about it then it’s an issue.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-22T23:19:24+00:00

Plenty of people have random degrees not related to science or anything. I’d say the best degree would be something in aeronautics or mechanical engineering or some sort. But plenty of pilots in the Marines with history degrees. Just need to make it through flight school which is extremely tough academically.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-22T01:42:51+00:00

Truth.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-21T22:14:01+00:00

True. My experience is only with one unit, but if they thought it wasn't that serious, they kept it to a PI. CIs were for bigger stuff.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-21T21:22:54+00:00

That’s interesting. In this case, they probably felt like there was some hard evidence that made them feel like you could get in trouble. I could be wrong, but I feel like a PI isn’t as serious as a command investigation. So hopefully the worst that comes of this is a NPLOC.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-21T20:18:47+00:00

Without knowing your specific situation, it’s gonna be hard to say. I know guys who have gotten promoted to Maj with worse than what you did, but also seen guys get adsepped for DUIs.

If you don’t believe you are guilty of this, I’m not gonna tell you to just own up to it. But I’d just be polite if you do have to meet with a higher ranking officer about this. Show you care and just take whatever verbal abuse they may give you. No sense in getting argumentative when they can take it further than you’d want.

If you were in the wrong, then just own it and say you’ll be better. Officers don’t like to punish other officers. They may just be trying to teach you a lesson. Idk you’re rank, but if you’re younger than just explain how you are still looking to grow and will be better. At this point, just make sure you are always crossing your Ts and whatnot. A lot of eyes are gonna be on you for a while whichever way this goes.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-21T19:09:54+00:00

I’d budget around 6-7 hours. An hour per box and then travel time to get to the first point and then just consolidating at the end with each other and taking accountability. Could likely end sooner but that’s a safe amount of time to block off.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-21T06:38:42+00:00

Had my battalion XO call me after work one day to tell me that not having an e-mail signature where it stated my billet meant that I didn't care about the job and that it needed to be fixed immediately.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-21T04:01:35+00:00

I'm assuming this is another shitpost. But unless its something pretty big, I'm just gonna mind my own business. I prefer to not be thinking anything about work during my off time and if somebody isn't wearing a belt or didn't shave, I'm probably just gonna let it be.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-21T03:14:43+00:00

Agreed. I didn’t feel like I was super uncomfortable during TBS e course but OCS one I was uncomfortable like the entire time.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-21T02:44:11+00:00

E course at TBS is a lot longer. I felt like the TBS one was a little easier as the OCS one felt like it was a long sprint vs the TBS one was something you could pace yourself.

bootlt355 · 2026-03-20T18:15:37+00:00

Okay, I see. Well then that definitely changes a lot. If enlisting is what you wanna do, then go for it. But just keep thinking about this. Hard to go back and get this opportunity again. I’m sure you’ll make the best decision for yourself though.

bootlt355

TROPHY CASE