MOS and ALO Question.

[Paintman]

I was reading through the Ranger recruiting webpage, and it mentioned MOS skill levels. For example, they listed Ranger 11-B's as skill level 1-5. I was wondering what this level meant, if it was based on experience, rank, scores on tests, or whatever.
Also, the web page states that Rangers are ALO-1, Personnel Priority Group-1. What the heck is that? I asked a former soldier about it and he couldn't remember.

Thanks a bunch
Chris

[Mac679]

dunno about ALO-1 but to me Personnel Priority Group 1 sounds like that they're among the units that get first dibs on personnel meeting unit qualifications. Perhaps one of the others here will know more definitively.

Mac

[Overland]

Skill levels denote grade for the most part.

For example, as and E-1 through E-4 (non-cpl I think) you are a skill level one. At least I am, maybe I am a slacker. Once you hit E-5 you jump up a skill level.

From what I have seen in the infantry, those who have higher skill levels seem to know a hell of a lot about their MOS. A common misconception of being and infantryman is that it is not hard mentally. As an E-1 through E-3 (maybe E-4) all you need to know how to do is listen to your leaders and some common tasks. As you progress up the ranks, you have to know more tasks. In my last unit we had this E-7 (Sgt Entwhistle, Ranger grad, 101st and Batt if anyone knows him) who could recite AR's by heart and tried to teach our platoon fire matrices. I am a pretty sharp guy and he was confusing even me. He eventually had a bunch of us try and draw up some matrices and implement them on a Company Assault on an Objective (we were fire support). It came off allright, but I was happy that it was not live fire otherwise blue-on-blue would have been the color of the day.

Can any of the BTDT's come up with any other examples of extremely complicated tasks you have to have a grasp on to move up in rank and skill level?

Overland

[Tracy]

Let's not forget the EIB.

That's a sh*t load of tasks that are all evaluated to standard. I got mine on the first try in 1976: 102 hands-on tasks, plus the PT Test, road march, swim test, shooting, orienteering, etc.

Skill Level 1 isn't a drone mode. There's enough Level 1 stuff to keep a squad leader busy training his troops for months...

Skill Level 2 (Fire Team Leader) is where you begin to monitor and train subordinates in Level 1 activities; as well as maintain your own skills.

Skill Level 3 (Squad Leader) is where you begin to REALLY appreciate having having good junior leaders; because YOU have to monitor and train subordinates, train your junior leaders, AND keep your Level 1 AND Level 2 skills in top form.

[TANGOisinKOREA]

We had a running joke about the EIB anyone in Batt will know what it really stands for.

Chas

[Paintman]

So I tkae a skill level "5" is Delta force level or somehting? ( ;
Thanks for the info, I'll read my manuals a bit more thoroughly now.
Just got back from a cross country meet, got my butt kicked... note to self... must run harder...

[Jeff Rambo]

Paintman,

To put it quite simply, SL5 just means your shit has no odor to it.

- Out

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w/ Regards,
Jeff Rambo

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I Want A Four Man Team On A Midnight Run ...

[Overland]

Tracy,

Amazingly, they teach most of the skill level one tasks in OSUT. People can say what they want about discipline and hard work in basic, but the DS's are out there busting ass trying to teach us basic skills. I was studying for EIB and I found the skill sheet (POS?)was mostly basic CTT. Of course the headspacing on the 50 and stuff like that I had never seen before, but I would say that OSUT prepared me well for skill level one tasks.

Overland

[Razor]

Well, you have a point in that those skills are for the most part SL01 and taught in OSUT, but I'd put a wager down that if you were to test each of those trainees immediately following graduation from OSUT that those SL01 skills would still kick most of their skinny little asses. Its not so much that performing those tasks are difficult. Rather, its that you have to perform them to a very detailed standard. It becomes even harder after you've been in a unit for a while and develop habits (good and bad) that aren't part of the accepted standard set forth by the EIB. Those soldiers who excel in their trade, be they conventional or SOF, usually are those who have mastered the basics. All the wazzu skills and kit in the world won't help if you haven't mastered fire and maneuver, BRM, land nav, and a host of other "OSUT" skills.

[LRSC Grunt]

Yes EIB is simular to CTT in a way. However, EIBs standards are not based word for word from CTT. Two totally different standards. Never fails.... some idiot who just recieved a NO-GO from me for not making the standard, protests to the commitee stating that "well the CTT manual says do it this way". http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/rolleyes.gif

[This message has been edited by LRSC Grunt (edited 09-22-2000).]

[Overland]

Razor,

Heard, Understood and Acknowledged.

Overland

[Dark Helmet]

Originally posted by TANGOisinKOREA:
We had a running joke about the EIB anyone in Batt will know what it really stands for.

Chas

Everyone In Bn? http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif

[Sharky]

Dammit! Tack beat me to it! Hey tack, how you get those other smilies up there like that anyway?

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F.I.D.O.