PSYOP AIT Schedules

[Quarterly Prophet]

Hi, my name is Andrew. I'm currently enrolled in college, but I've finally decided that I'm ready to join the Armed Forces.

Here's my situation. The other day, when my recruiter and I were discussing MOS's, I told him that I was very interested in military intelligence. When we looked at the schedule of AIT classes, it at least appeared that there aren't any available for quite some time (I don't suspect he tricked me or anything, I'm just sayin'.). He repeatedly told me I could always get a transfer to MI at a later date, but I wasn't swayed. I don't have a problem with Bradley mechanics, I just wasn't prepared to be one. Dejected, I left the office.

In the meantime, he's been sending me emails about just how easy I could get transferred to the MOS of my choice, won't take any time at all, just come on down, we'll schedule you for MEPs, of course you won't have to sign up for anything once you're down there, just an overnight visit...

I like him a lot more at the beginning.

ANYWAY, searching online later, I found 37F. Psychological Operations. Everything I wanted to do in MI is right here! My enthusiasm to join the Army is returning, and I'm very excited at the possibility of becoming a part of PSYOP. I meet with my recruiter in a few days, however, so I can't find out if it's available until then.

My question to you guys is about the frequency of AIT for 37F. Do any of you guys have a clue on how often they hold it? I'd rather not have to wait until March to ship out to Basic because the next class is that far out.

And is there any equivelant to PSYOP in the other branches?

I wholeheartedly thank you guys for responding in advance.

P.S. I did the profile. :D

P.P.S (Note: I've already been down to the MEPs center once to do my ASVABs. Apparently I did very well. 99 percentile for the combine math and writing part, at least 110 for all other fields, so it's not scores that are holding me back.)

[Max Power]

There are a couple of threads on here already discussing the differences/advantages of MI v. PSYOP. Do a search, check it out. Lots of good info in those threads.

As for course dates, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you could search for those on the ATRRS web site here https://www.atrrs.army.mil/atrrscc/

PS - Yes you can, here it is for you, I did all the hard work already https://www.atrrs.army.mil/atrrscc/courseinfo.asp?fy=2006&sch=331&crs=243%2D37F10&crstitle=PSYCHOLOGICAL+OPERATIONS+SPECIALIST&phase=

[K9.hazmat]

Take it from someone who believed the recruiter when he said, "it's easy to switch MOS's later on"..... DON'T join based on that theory... Reclassing wasn't an option for me until the end of my 4 year enlistment when they wanted me to re-up.. Get what you want from the beginning..

[panzerkraken]

Agree with K9 totally. Get what you want before you join. AFAIK, there's no equivilant to PSYOP in any of the other branches though. We support the Marines and the Army tactically, and while there's psyop planners in the other branches, there's noone that does the analysis and has the KIND of fun we do.

[Atrax]

Hi, my name is Andrew. I'm currently enrolled in college, but I've finally decided that I'm ready to join the Armed Forces.

Just out of my own curiosity Andrew, are you dropping out of college, or graduating? Sorry if i'm out of line, but either way it seems we're in a similiar position.

[Quarterly Prophet]

Well, dropping out, to me, implies that I can't keep up with the work academically. I like to think of it as kind of pausing my education for a few years.

[Atrax]

Haha damn. Exactly what I say.

[Doogie320]

Out of curiosity, if you want Intel what is wrong with the other branches?

[Quarterly Prophet]

What's wrong with the other branches? Nothing. But PSYOP is what I thought Intel was. Winning hearts and minds is what I want to do. I thought Intel was the only way to do that, but if PSYOP offers me that, I'm not going to argue.

[Doogie320]

Gotcha. Thank you and good luck.

[overlord]

PsyOp/CA AIT are held at Ft. Bragg all the time, the class is 13 weeks (supposed to expand) and usually there is no hold time between classes so it is basically going all the time. I finished in July 2004. So if you need any info on what it is like let me know. I have been back a few times with being a Role Player for the STX/FTX exercises, and working with SWC.

PSY OP/Civil Affairs are the same AIT, the only thing that changes are the classroom and your role in the STX/FTX. Dont get caught up in the CA/PSY Op rivalary, they need each other to operate. The regular Army thinks your the same anyways.

They PT together, Combat Water Survival, Land Nav, Ranges, sleep in the same barracks/rooms, drivers training, NVG training, negotiations training...etc...

Good luck with the L.I.N.E.S. training, log runs, water jog runs, I have never sweated more in my life.

Day 1, 5 mile run at 35 minute pace.
Day 3, Full BDU, rifle run
Day 5, Log Run, shoulders kill like a bastard.

Last Day.....feeling great that you completed one of the most intense AITs the Army has

after that....the rest of the Army thinking your like Public Affairs and had an easy AIT.

Email me with any questions or concerns

[TPD1280]

QP,

With regards to the lovely folks at Recruiting Command, remember these two things:
IF IT IS NOT IN WRITING, IT DOES NOT EXIST.
If it is not specified in your contract IT WILL NOT HAPPEN.

Do not be afraid to walk out of MEPS if you cannot be guaranteed the school/MOS you want. It will become available in the near future.

The folks at USAREC have certain manpower voids they need to fill. That is where the priority goes, and rightly so. That is also where the best treats are if you select one of those MOS's. Filling these slots is a very difficult job. When you sign an enlistment contract, you are obligating yourself for job X, for X period of years. It's a contract. In order to change things on the contract, it has to be in the interest of BOTH parties. If the Army wants to change your MOS mid-contract, they have to make it worth your while to get you to agree. If you want to change things mid-contract, you have to be able to show the Army that it benefits the needs of the Army. And, not just, "I think I could be a benefit because I would be good at it." You would have to be filling a hole the Army desperately wants filled.

All that to say, mid-contract changes are very, VERY rare.

So you need to establish your priority: when you ship, or what you will be doing.

[mara]

PsyOp/CA AIT are held at Ft. Bragg all the time, the class is 13 weeks (supposed to expand) and usually there is no hold time between classes so it is basically going all the time. I finished in July 2004. So if you need any info on what it is like let me know. I have been back a few times with being a Role Player for the STX/FTX exercises, and working with SWC.

PSY OP/Civil Affairs are the same AIT, the only thing that changes are the classroom and your role in the STX/FTX. Dont get caught up in the CA/PSY Op rivalary, they need each other to operate. The regular Army thinks your the same anyways.

They PT together, Combat Water Survival, Land Nav, Ranges, sleep in the same barracks/rooms, drivers training, NVG training, negotiations training...etc...

Good luck with the L.I.N.E.S. training, log runs, water jog runs, I have never sweated more in my life.

Day 1, 5 mile run at 35 minute pace.
Day 3, Full BDU, rifle run
Day 5, Log Run, shoulders kill like a bastard.

Last Day.....feeling great that you completed one of the most intense AITs the Army has

after that....the rest of the Army thinking your like Public Affairs and had an easy AIT.

Email me with any questions or concerns

7 minute miles for five miles? That's a pretty good pace.

[animateddave]

Combat Water Survival

Oh crap, I swim like a 700 pound brick. :(

[Olive Drab]

Oh crap, I swim like a 700 pound brick. :(
ITs not a timed test. Back and forth a few times in a pool with webgear and a rifle doing the breast stroke is easy. trust me on this.

[Atrax]

I had no idea PSYOP AIT leaned to the physical side that much.

[panzerkraken]

it doesn't, all AIT's are like that. The PT was the same as I got at Ft. Gorden the first time I went through AIT, and the programs will be challenging but not impossible. It also varies depending on what the DS team feels like doing.. it sounds like overlord was on Team Owens to me...

[Atrax]

Hmm. I see a recruiter on Thursday so I'll keep all this in mind.

[Quarterly Prophet]

God, if there's one thing I love, it's swimming. Lovelovelove swimming. The best time I probably had at Boy Scout camp besides raising hell across the site was mile swim award.
:confused:
Oh right, we were talking about PSYOP. :D

QP,

Do not be afraid to walk out of MEPS if you cannot be guaranteed the school/MOS you want. It will become available in the near future.



Trust me, I'm not afraid of walking out of MEPS. In fact, I even have a story about it, although I'm afraid I'm rapidly derailing my own thread. The quick version of the story is that my friend was at MEPS to join the Marines, had second thoughts, got threatened by the recruiters who had been very friendly to him only a little while ago, called me, I came down with the business card of my father's lawyer (Let's just say he's a fairly well known mob lawyer), and left with a very relieved friend sitting in the passenger's seat. It's actually a pretty neat story.

ANYWAY, it looks like there will be a spot for me in the April class.

Of course, with every nicely resolved situation, another question arises. Active Component 37F requires Airborne and Language Training. Is there any time inbetween AIT and Airborne to come back home for a day or two, or am I just being overly optimistic?

[SN]

I came down with the business card of my father's lawyer (Let's just say he's a fairly well known mob lawyer),

Your dad in the mob?

[overlord]

There is usually no time, or a few days between AIT and Airborne School, you are better off just going right after, because you will be ready and in shape to do it. The last few weeks of AIT you are out in the field a lot, try to do PT on your own, do the pull up bars near the barracks when you are back in garrison, Airborne is really strict, many people get sent back from the PT Test failing the pull up test.

Team Owens is correct...When did you go through? I ran into him a few months back, he is in 96th now.

I dont believe that all AIT's are like that, most of the people in my unit that aren't 38 qual'ed, their AIT was cake. My cousin who went through Basic/AIT after I did, is an MP and laughed at the shiite we did cause he didnt do any of the crap with logs or swim test we did. But hey, every experience is different and I can only tell you what I went through and my cousins experience.

f you really want to know what people went through, go to the unit for drill, and just hang around. Our unit gets recruits all the time that will sit-in with us to see what it is like, and you can ask about everyones experience. Most of our unit is Civil Affairs Reclass, so they think its "Snival-Affairs", because they went through the 2 week reclass of all class work and two days in the field. But hey, im ok with it.

I have a lot of respect for people that went through the PsyOp/CA AIT, its hard. Plus it is changing where they will have classes till 2100 Hrs, with them starting at 0730hrs. I was just down their with a short sting with SWC and saw the changes they are implementing. Even more field training than we did, which was a lot. A lot more OIF/OEF scenario training.

Lata

[Metalchica]

it doesn't, all AIT's are like that. The PT was the same as I got at Ft. Gorden the first time I went through AIT, and the programs will be challenging but not impossible. It also varies depending on what the DS team feels like doing.. it sounds like overlord was on Team Owens to me...

Team Owens...:D "Get Some"
Good times. (Class 02-03 on the CA side)

I don't think many AITs experience Nasty Nick or do air-ops into Camp Macall for FTX. CA/PSYOP AIT is a unique experience because it is 10-12 weeks long at Fort Bragg, and the only AIT at Fort Bragg. As such, soldiers are held to a higher standard by the DSs. I have not been to another AIT, but have compared notes with other soldiers.

Also, it seems that soldiers who take the short CA reclass course in other locations do not understand many basic concepts about CA's heritage/lineage, or about special operations in general. SSG C started each class with a reading of a MOH citation for heroic Special Forces recipients. Things like that set the tone for training.

[Quarterly Prophet]

Your dad in the mob?

No, but he is in construction. :p

The attorney has represented some of the bigger names in the past 3 or 4 years involving the state corruption scandal as well as the Bridgeport scandal. The men this guy protects are greedy and ruthless. I hate him, but he's supposed to be very good at what he does.

[animateddave]

ITs not a timed test. Back and forth a few times in a pool with webgear and a rifle doing the breast stroke is easy. trust me on this.

That doesn't sound to bad. Got to break the fear sooner or later.

[Olive Drab]

That doesn't sound to bad. Got to break the fear sooner or later.
there was some other stuff too. walking off the diving board blind folded with full gear. i think there was one other test but cant remember. Last time I took it was sept or oct of 03 because I was deployed

[panzerkraken]

No, that's the same test...

and overlord, I was in.... umm.. I don't remember the class number. Whichever class was DS Rose's first cycle. Like september of 03 or something... I'm surprised that O finally gave in, I was talking to him right around when he was going through the nut-roll about changing his MOS and he didn't seem interested in anything to do with CA anymore.. he even offered to go be an infantryman again.

[overlord]

Team Owens...:D "Get Some"
Good times. (Class 02-03 on the CA side)

I don't think many AITs experience Nasty Nick or do air-ops into Camp Macall for FTX. CA/PSYOP AIT is a unique experience because it is 10-12 weeks long at Fort Bragg, and the only AIT at Fort Bragg. As such, soldiers are held to a higher standard by the DSs. I have not been to another AIT, but have compared notes with other soldiers.

Also, it seems that soldiers who take the short CA reclass course in other locations do not understand many basic concepts about CA's heritage/lineage, or about special operations in general. SSG C started each class with a reading of a MOH citation for heroic Special Forces recipients. Things like that set the tone for training.

Some good words spoken there. Nasty Nick. nasty water.
You are so true with the CA reclass not understanding the basic concepts about CA, or special operations in general. When I went through we still read the MOH qoutes/speeches.
Owens seemed like a guy that was happy in misery (not a bad thing). He is tough, rugged and smart as hell.

[Metalchica]

Overlord:

Why keep RUMINT alive? This is not a gossip forum.

I highly suggest you delete your speculation.

[overlord]

Overlord:

Why keep RUMINT alive? This is not a gossip forum.

I highly suggest you delete your speculation.

Sorry, I removed it from my post. Just wanted to know what happened if he made it through or not. Oh well.

[37F5V]

Good luck with the L.I.N.E.S. training, log runs, water jog runs, I have never sweated more in my life.

Day 1, 5 mile run at 35 minute pace.
Day 3, Full BDU, rifle run
Day 5, Log Run, shoulders kill like a bastard.

Last Day.....feeling great that you completed one of the most intense AITs the Army has

after that....the rest of the Army thinking your like Public Affairs and had an easy AIT.



Are you kidding me? What AIT did you go through? I'm right next door (NCOA), know most of the instructors (and D.S.) and don't recall ANY of that. As a matter of fact I've graded a few of their PT tests..... Well, you can figure out the rest.

Later,

John the PSYOP guy next to AIT

[yb]

Overlord,
Are you in the reserves? I am trying to determine if I will be going active duty or reserves for psyop, and am looking for any insight into either end. You mentioned in a previous post that you had been back to Bragg a couple times to help with the STX/FTX and other duties. Did you volunteer for those, and if so, how easy is it to do that? What other training opportunities have you had? Have you been deployed yet? I am very eager to join the army, I just can't decide between going full time or part time.

Anybody else, who has any insight into this, your input would been very much appreciated.

Thanks

[overlord]

Overlord,
Are you in the reserves? I am trying to determine if I will be going active duty or reserves for psyop, and am looking for any insight into either end. You mentioned in a previous post that you had been back to Bragg a couple times to help with the STX/FTX and other duties. Did you volunteer for those, and if so, how easy is it to do that? What other training opportunities have you had? Have you been deployed yet? I am very eager to join the army, I just can't decide between going full time or part time.

Anybody else, who has any insight into this, your input would been very much appreciated.

Thanks

I am in the Reserves. There are many opportunities in PSY OP/CA. Myself, I have been to Germany, JRTC, Bragg for STX/FTX, Desert Enviromental Survival Training (www.faso.navy.mil), upcoming is PDHAS and SERE (check out the site listed) and we have tons of Airborne/Air Assault and a few slots will come down for Sapper Leadership and Ranger school. We have DLI slots, as long as you take the DLAB.
It differs unit by unit, but overall Airborne slots they have a lot of. Once you get into your unit, get a good vibe with your training NCO, and you should be set.
I have many friends in the PSY Op reserves and have gone to the same training/opps that I have had. They even got their German wings at Bragg, while AD prepared for the jump. That doesnt make sense, but oh well.
Remember AD Psy Op, you are guaranteed Airborne and language school.
Hope it helps out.

[Olive Drab]

Why would CA send people to SAPPER school?

[overlord]

Are you kidding me? What AIT did you go through? I'm right next door (NCOA), know most of the instructors (and D.S.) and don't recall ANY of that. As a matter of fact I've graded a few of their PT tests..... Well, you can figure out the rest.

Later,

John the PSYOP guy next to AIT

John,

I went through in early 2004. Graduated July 1, 2004. Some of the DSs that I had were Owens,Coen,Vick,Rose, Zick, cant think of the other 3/4 we had. My total class started with over 110 people (they combined two classes together) Instructors were Mrzo/Boozer/Januz(he is still there)Dirks, graduated i think like 87. Some left Army/got hurt/failed tests (twice)

I can only tell you what my class went through, and many people that have come back recently have had similiar.
Our first Monday, 5 miles with Owens was brutal, about 15 people actually made it with him.

Our class had the highest PT Average they have ever had. 260-270 was the average.
When I went through PSYOP Reclass and the instructors graded our PT tests.

So I guess the log runs/water jugs through the tracks where HMMV training is was worth it. :D

[overlord]

Why would CA send people to SAPPER school?
Sapper/Ranger has opened up to people who support Combat Arms, SF/Infantry get precedent, but slots are available for people if they are open

[Olive Drab]

Sapper/Ranger has opened up to people who support Combat Arms, SF/Infantry get precedent, but slots are available for people if they are open
I Thought SAPPER was for engineer leaders and you needed a base of engineer skills to go through. I Dont see any CA Assault teams needing breachers any time soon. If CA needs an engineer to blow a hole in a school wall so they can hand out candy and clothes, we have problems.


from the sapper homepage

ELIGIBILITY
Male or Female volunteer, Active or Reserve Component officer (0-3 or below including cadets) or enlisted (E-4 (P) or above) of any combat or combat support branch of service with priority of fill to 21B, 19D, and 11B MOS's and combat and combat support branch officers. Enlisted applicant in the grade of E-4 must submit a request for waiver, (endorsed by the individuals company and battalion commanders), to the applicants first (0-6 level) commander in the chain of command. The waiver will include include the most recent APFT results and time served in leadership positions. The approved waiver must accompany the application for admission into the Sapper Leader Course.
I cut out some of the skills that were common to all MOS and left with these.

Construct demolition initiating sets
(STP 5-12B1-SM, 052-193-1312)
Prime Military Explosives
(STP 5-12B1-SM, 052-193-1311)
Identify characteristics of military demolitions and explosives
(STP 5-12B1-SM, 052-193-1313)
Construct demolition firing systems
(STP 5-12B1-SM, 052-193-1310)

Where is a CA soldier supposed to get basic DEMO knowledge without going through the 21B course,work out some drug deal to do a part of the 18C course, or if they were prior infantry and got demo training? Give these slots to the engineers or others who could use them as most people in CA cant meet the pre reqs unless they had an engineer backgorund or demo training.

[Olive Drab]

You are so true with the CA reclass not understanding the basic concepts about CA, or special operations in general. When I went through we still read the MOH qoutes/speeches.
How would you know? Going through AIT at Bragg makes you an expert on the principles of CA? JFK SWC has quality control on the courses and doesnt need you to tell everyone their faults.

[overlord]

How would you know? Going through AIT at Bragg makes you an expert on the principles of CA? JFK SWC has quality control on the courses and doesnt need you to tell everyone their faults.

First of all, calm down. I can only go by my experiences that I have gone through. When there was eight of us in the TOC, and two of us knew the difference between a CMOC and CMO Cell that is a problem. Second of all, I didnt start the comment, I agreed with it.

As for Sapper school, wtf, I didnt make the course offered to CA, I am just telling what is offered. Bitch to the Sapper school people about having Combat Support units going through it. Its not like they are taking up slots of people that need it, the school has open slots not being used so they offered them. If you can have a class of 30, and only 20 show up, they offer them out.

I use/view the bulletin for informative purposes, to help people out and go by experiences/facts. I offer my experience when asked.

[overlord]

If CA needs an engineer to blow a hole in a school wall so they can hand out candy and clothes, we have problems.

If that is all you think CA does is hand out candy and clothes, then I guess you dont understand CA. Does PSY Op just play music too? I have heard that a thousand times.

[Olive Drab]

If that is all you think CA does is hand out candy and clothes, then I guess you dont understand CA. Does PSY Op just play music too? I have heard that a thousand times.
That was me amusing myself with the stereotypes of CA. I know a little about CA and PSYOP.

[Metalchica]

Overlord - Check PMs.

[ilots]

Overlord - Check PMs.
I hope that PM says something like
Roll that "thing" up before you stomp it flat in the dirt.I keed! What fun is CAPOC w/out a little rivalry?


YB
If you'd like to send a PM or post where you are located, I know someone (self included) would be delighted to give you the contact info for the closest RC PSYOP unit. Then you may hear the information from the horse's mouth. The RC units vary greatly; from leg to ABN; from area orientation to wartrace (units they are intended to support); and given such the training varies greatly between units.

I'm sure you will find plenty of willingness to help on the part of PSYOP'ers as every qualified/quality person in the pool = a little less time in the box for all.

Good luck on your decision.

[yb]

Ilots,
I sent you a PM. Thanks for your help.

YB