Introduction.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » April 28th, 2006, 2:29 am

Welcome to Armyranger.com!

Jim · Post by **Jim** » April 30th, 2006, 10:41 am

Welcome. You are obviously motivated and reasonably articulate. Working in S-2 is interesting and occasionally, you have the chance to take a shit behind your boots. The DEPs will be along to assist you. For the next couple weeks, please study the FAQs, stickies, and memorize the Ranger Creed. PT as much as you can, and STFU. I do not want to see any more postings from you (unless some other Ranger poses a question to you), until you have your enlistment contract. You have been instructed how to coordinate that. Your next entry should be to announce your contract status.

El Dave · Post by **El Dave** » August 21st, 2006, 1:37 pm

Sitrep: I'm in DEP, shipping to Fort Sill (97E) on 20060913. I'm kind of late doing this update as I've been in DEP for several months now, but better now than never. I was unable to secure an Airborne slot at MEPS but hopefully will be able to re-negotiate in BCT or volunteer during AIT.

I understand that the Ranger STB has been stood up or is standing up soon and will likely have 97E slots. Down the road I would very much like to volunteer for it if given an opportunity. I will update this thread as I progress.

Ranger Bill · Post by **Ranger Bill** » August 21st, 2006, 2:24 pm

Congratulations for enisting.

El Dave · Post by **El Dave** » August 21st, 2006, 4:26 pm

From this URL:

http://www.bragg.army.mil/AbnRecruiting ... nifits.htm

If an Airborne volunteer is a Military Occupational Skill (MOS*) of the following list, they are entitled to a $3000.00 Airborne bonus. The volunteer must be a high school graduate and posses an Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score of 50 or higher.

*25B, 25S, 42A, 63B, 88M, 92G, 92Y, 96B, 97E

I could give two shits about the cash bonus, I just want to jump out of planes but based on that information, it would seem as if the Army is short on ABN qualified 97Es.

If you were in my situation, how would you proceed? I've already hounded my recruiter about re-negotiating it (I even argued all day with the career councilor over the course of my two trips to MEPS, just getting my 97E slot took two trips to MEPS) to no avail. Next step from what I gather is to attempt to re-negotiate in BCT, and failing that submit an Airborne packet in the manner described on the aforementioned site. Are there any other avenues I might pursue?

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » August 21st, 2006, 5:04 pm

Congratulations El Dave,
Hope you get what you are going after!
Drive on!

CloakAndDagger · Post by **CloakAndDagger** » August 21st, 2006, 5:56 pm

Welcome El Dave!

I missed your intro the first time around (wasn't online much in April). A 97E, huh? Are you getting a language?

Make sure your security clearance paperwork is straight. Make sure you told the truth in all the blocks; I know very little about your character, so if you, for example, have ever, ever smoked pot, even just a little, or only once, annotate it on the form. If don't annotate it, and they find out (which they will) you won't get the clearance. However, if you're honest, you'll normally be forgiven.

Keep up the PT! You'll need it if you want to petition to go airborne.

Pay attention to detail at all times, you'll need it (especially) for AIT and beyond. Be prepared to be stuck in holdover for awhile after you get to Ft. Huachuca; 97E classes aren't as frequent as many of the others, and the Army's really good about people missing AIT start dates by two or so days.

El Dave · Post by **El Dave** » August 21st, 2006, 6:16 pm

A 97E, huh? Are you getting a language?

They've temporarily suspended the language requirement for now so unfortunately not. I understand that it's almost a given later in my career though (What I've read is that 97Es either have to go learn a language at E5 or reclass to 97B). Given that promotion points are very low right now and the fact that the Army seems to be rather short on 97E Soldiers, hopefully I'll make E5 in my initial 5 year enlistment as long as I keep up my end of the bargain. :D

On the subject of security clearance, I answered truthfully and honestly. My only negatives as far as I am aware were experimental marijuana usage (Less than 5 times, I covered it in depth with the OPM Investigator who interviewed me last week) and a fairly crappy credit history with no current debt other than my car loan which is current. I've been told that I shouldn't have much to worry about getting my Secret clearance so long as I am honest by others who have held them in the past..

CloakAndDagger · Post by **CloakAndDagger** » August 21st, 2006, 7:08 pm

Sounds like you're good to go. Making E-5 won't be too difficult, but don't be overzealous about pursuing that. Concentrate on learning as much as you can about your MOS and soldiering skills first.

42L5V · Post by **42L5V** » August 21st, 2006, 9:34 pm

Personally, I think you're getting screwed by not getting a language, but it's a little late to do anything about that.

You need to do your damndest to go straight through basic training without becoming injured or held over. Like one of the intel guys said, if you are delayed reporting to Huachucha, you'll miss the start of your class and have to wait for the next one.

There used to be airborne recruiters who would come and give briefings at basic training. Of course, the catch was you had to void your current contract - meaning you lose any bonus or other benefits you might have gotten in your initial deal. Weigh your decisions carefully.

Talk to some of the other MI guys (I'm not one) but the majority of 97Es are going to rapid deployment units - places where you just might get a better than average chance for jump school.

Sill, huh? That sucks. I trained many 97's here at FLW for basic.

El Dave · Post by **El Dave** » August 21st, 2006, 10:09 pm

Of course, the catch was you had to void your current contract - meaning you lose any bonus or other benefits you might have gotten in your initial deal.

The only things I got in my contract was the maximum amount ACF/GI Bill and a $3,000 cash bonus. I'd break even if I lost the $3,000 bonus due to the $3,000 ABN bonus. Giving up the ACF would be a no go if it came to that. I will definitely heed your advise regarding this.

On the language issue I'm a bit miffed about not getting one initially but it's pretty much a guarantee in a few years so long as I can score decently on the DLAB.

Talk to some of the other MI guys (I'm not one) but the majority of 97Es are going to rapid deployment units - places where you just might get a better than average chance for jump school.

Since I'm a relatively uninformed DEP could you expand on this further? What exactly is considered a rapid deployment unit (I'm thinking anything from the Ranger Regiment to the 82nd Airborne to the 173rd Airborne or the 25th ID's BCT in Alaska)?

Fishboy · Post by **Fishboy** » August 31st, 2006, 3:36 pm

I know you said you don't care about the money but...............

you only got $3,000 for five years 97E?

hmmmm..........................

Fishboy · Post by **Fishboy** » August 31st, 2006, 3:38 pm

should have only signed for two years,

They give you $30,000 to re-enlist 97E.

hurting for 97E's to say the least,
they pulled me from the IRR and reclassed me.

El Dave · Post by **El Dave** » September 12th, 2006, 10:50 am

I'm leaving for the hotel, shipping out tomorrow. Adios ArmyRanger.com.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » September 12th, 2006, 1:13 pm

El Dave wrote:I'm leaving for the hotel, shipping out tomorrow. Adios ArmyRanger.com.

No, we expect SITREPS on a regular basis.