Volunteer for Mobilization vs. OCS Packet (Advice Respectfully Requested)

[WhiskeyBoarder]

All:

First, I would like to thank all here for their dedicated service, and any assistance that they may be willing to provide.

I am encountering some career options ahead of me. While deciding which to choose is ultimately up to me, I would like to respectfully solicit advice here as I hold the experience based knowledge available on Socnet in high regard.

I was previously Active Duty, having been discharged Honorably in 2005 after two tours of Iraq as a 13F. I left the service to pursue my collegiate degree, and obtained it. I am now an alumnus of the University of South Florida with a B.A. in international and religious studies, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a cumulative GPA of 3.81 (of 4.0). I provide these details only because they are credits to my character that may influence any guidance that you may be willing to provide.

My goal, since graduating, has been to return to the Army I have discovered, however, that current recruiting restrictions have left little options available for prior service individuals with my grade and MOS. Recruiting Command message 10-089 goes into all too much detail in providing these restrictions.

I have been working with my local Recruiter. Unfortunately, because of the manning requirements of the Army having been met in such way, we have found no luck in meeting my goal of returning enlisted to Active Duty.

A contact in Headquarters, Army Recruiting Command, had suggested via phone conversation this morning, that I could put together an OCS packet. As I understand, and was reiterated to me, there is no guarantee that I would be selected as an officer candidate. Moreover, even should I become a candidate, obtaining a successful commission does not guarantee placement back on Active Duty. This, however, is an option that I am considering.

I am also a drilling Reservist in a unit that I have been highly impressed by because of the proficiency and professionalism of its members, Centcom's J2 Detachment 6. While I am not presently MOS qualified in the military intelligence position that the Detachment has me slotted, the unit has indicated that there is a mobilization to Afghanistan being ramped up in which individuals of all grades and MOS may volunteer. As I am passionate about returning to being an active participant in the fight, this is another option that I am considering.

As a side note, my Reserve Detachment had granted me my conditional release to pursue my Active Duty aspirations. The staff at the unit is top-notch and has provided nothing less than full assistance in helping in pursue whatever option I may have available. As for my own qualifications, I recently volunteered for a record PT test with the unit and scored a 296. I believe that members throughout the Detachment hold my soldiering ability in high regard, as do my past Commanders, and would provide recommendations on my behalf, and assistance in making the most of any opportunity that may present itself to me.

Here are my questions:

Are there any TPU Reservists here whom have experience volunteering for an “Involuntarily Mobilization” such as the one I am considering? Would you be willing to share your experience, either here or by PM or other means, and provide your opinion whether this is an option worth following?

Does any one have any pertinent experience with my two options (the OCS packet vs. mobilizing in the coming months), and be willing to provide pertinent information in regards to either that may help me better consider the benefits/drawbacks of either option?

Are there any options available to become more actively engaged in current Army operations of which I am ignorant (outside of the two already being considered)?

I can foresee that the first question that may come to mind for any one considering responding to this post may be ask what I really desire in life. I want to go back to Active Duty by whichever means is possible. However, simply enlisting is currently an option restricted from me. I am a recent college graduate, unemployed, and have nothing tying me down (no dependents or limitations otherwise), and would like to take advantage of this freedom to participant in enhancing my life experience and my participation in defense of my country while I still have the youth and energy to do so. If I had my druthers, so to say, I would enlist with my previous MOS, 13F with an Option 40 contact. I greatly enjoyed all the Army offered to me during my previous enlistment, and only left the service to complete my one other aspiration, my college degree.

Thank you for reading through all of this. I look forward to any advice that can be provided. I want to again thank everyone for their service they have provided here on Socnet and to the defense of their Nation.

Respectfully,

Steve

[Ranger1]

If I had my druthers, so to say, I would enlist with my previous MOS, 13F with an Option 40 contact.

The US Army is a business. Consider it as such. All the re-enlistment regs for prior service are BS and can be overlooked at the drop of a hat by anyone that works at MEPS above an E-6. Trust me. Just like any other corporate procedure, they will do what's best for the business. If they want you and you make it, you'll be in.

If you want an Option 40 contract, you'll get it. All depends on who you know, who you're willing to blow, how long you're willing to wait, and how bad you want it. Plain and simple. You're an experienced 13F already, you're a rare one, so an Option 40 contract is even easier.

Want an Option 40 contract? Recruiters screwing you around? Call 75th Ranger Regiment Recruiting directly. You can find their number through Google.

No one answering their phone because they're the biggest and busiest SOF unit on Earth? Fair enough.

Pack your car, drive, get a bus, hitch-hike or slap a ruck on and walk to Benning (it's been done before, albeit in the other direction all the way to DC, when they took our Berets away) and start doing pushups in front of Regimental Recruiting until someone brings you a RASP contract.

It really is that simple. That is no bullshit. I can't imagine that one Regimental Recruiter, as long as you're not a POS, that wouldn't hook you up with a shot if you walked up to their desk in person. RASP classes are in the hundreds. And your MOS is a rare one.

If you really want it, you'll get it. If you're not a Ranger by Christmas, you didn't ever really want to be one.

And it's my experience that Regiment guys get preferential admission to West Point. Screw OCS if you have that option (although there's nothing wrong with OCS, you just won't be a 'ring knocker' and leave the US MIL on a preferential Ivy League salary). West Point is the true path to the top of the ladder if that's how you want to go.

Good luck.

[Hot Mess]

The US Army is a business. Consider it as such. All the re-enlistment regs for prior service are BS and can be overlooked at the drop of a hat by anyone that works at MEPS above an E-6. Trust me. Just like any other corporate procedure, they will do what's best for the business. If they want you and you make it, you'll be in.

If you want an Option 40 contract, you'll get it. All depends on who you know, who you're willing to blow, how long you're willing to wait, and how bad you want it. Plain and simple. You're an experienced 13F already, you're a rare one, so an Option 40 contract is even easier.

Want an Option 40 contract? Recruiters screwing you around? Call 75th Ranger Regiment Recruiting directly. You can find their number through Google.

No one answering their phone because they're the biggest and busiest SOF unit on Earth? Fair enough.

Pack your car, drive, get a bus, hitch-hike or slap a ruck on and walk to Benning (it's been done before, albeit in the other direction all the way to DC, when they took our Berets away) and start doing pushups in front of Regimental Recruiting until someone brings you a RASP contract.

It really is that simple. That is no bullshit. I can't imagine that one Regimental Recruiter, as long as you're not a POS, that wouldn't hook you up with a shot if you walked up to their desk in person. RASP classes are in the hundreds. And your MOS is a rare one.

If you really want it, you'll get it. If you're not a Ranger by Christmas, you didn't ever really want to be one.

And it's my experience that Regiment guys get preferential admission to West Point. Screw OCS if you have that option (although there's nothing wrong with OCS, you just won't be a 'ring knocker' and leave the US MIL on a preferential Ivy League salary). West Point is the true path to the top of the ladder if that's how you want to go.

Good luck.

That is some of the best advise I've seen on this website:cool: Specially that last part about WP, spot on.

[HighDragLowSpeed]

Don't take this the wrong way because it's said with love but WTF is that drivel on that blog of yours?

You seem desperate and more confused than barney frank at a jamboree.

- You want to go active but dont want to enter as the E4 grade for 13F (which you apparently can from the reg that you quote in your blog)

- You want to volunteer for mobilitzation but aren't sure

- You want to go to OCS but there's no guarantee of active duty

- Someone lent you the $500 application fee for a seat at University of Miami law School (why not honor that goodwill?)

- and this additional jackassery from your blog:

During this week, I have completed applications to:

The University of South Florida Police (2 positions)
The Tampa Police Department
The Federal Air Marshals
A custodial position at the University of South Florida
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Several positions associated with the United States Army Reserve throughout the United States
Panera Bread
The Florida Highway Patrol
The North Dakota Highway Patrol
A security position with the Department of Transportation
A security guard position for the City of Tampa
A detention guard position within the Bureau of Prisons

You seem more than willing to work as a Janitor at your college or retail at the mall but not as an E4 13F? Given that, how can you say that 13F is what you really want to do? My money is on you not being a Ranger by Christmas...or ever.

Is "the man" just keeping you down or something? You need to get your dick out of the dog and help yourself before anyone here can even begin to help you.

[WhiskeyBoarder]

I would like to thank you for the responses received.

All advice, critical or otherwise, is appreciated. I have great respect for the participants on this forum and because of the vast knowledge and experience available, accept and follow our advice fully.

I provided the link to my blog because appropriate advice could only come if I provided full disclosure. There is good reason to be critical of things that I have written there. I have been confused. My goal has been to return to Active Duty, but I had encountered obstacles upon pursuing doing so. Because of this, I had applied to various other agencies, as noted above, because I am currently unemployed and, felt it fiscally beneficial, to keep options open.

Also, I am more than willing to concede rank to return to the Active Duty Army. I may have debated this for a moment when the option was first presented to me, but the debate did not last much longer than that moment.

Again, I appreciate the comments. User, “Kirk” provided the type of response I probably wanted to hear and “HDLS” the response I needed to hear. In different ways, I will use both to continue my fight to return to Active Duty. I am extremely passionate about returning to Active Duty, and the words here have served to only further that resolve. I simply want to give the process the diligence it deserves, and am attempting to take initiative every step in the way in earning the goal I pursue.

Thank you. If there is any additional advice that can be provided, I am open to its receipt. I will do everything in my power to meet “Kirk's” challenge.

If you really want it, you'll get it. If you're not a Ranger by Christmas, you didn't ever really want to be one.

I look forward to one day responding in this thread when my determination and success has cleared all doubt about how badly I want this, and how far I am willing to go in its pursuit.

I greatly appreciate your time, service, and willingness to read and respond to my request for assistance.

Thank you.

[HighDragLowSpeed]

...but I had encountered obstacles upon pursuing doing so.

...felt it fiscally beneficial, to keep options open.

...more than willing to concede rank

..have debated this for a moment when the option was first presented to me, but the debate did not last much longer than that moment.

...I will use both to continue my fight to return to Active Duty.

...only further that resolve.

...give the process the diligence it deserves

...am attempting to take initiative every step in the way in earning the goal I pursue.

...I look forward to one day responding in this thread when my determination and success has cleared all doubt about how badly I want this, and how far I am willing to go in its pursuit.
.

I'll just cut to the chase since I feel like I'm wasting my time here:

Unless there is something blocking that was not mentioned, you could be signed up for active duty as a PFC 13F likely with an Option 40 contract before the end of this week if you *really* wanted to be.

Obviously, you don't.

...and you didnt post the link to your blog, I took the initiative to go and find it

[Hot Mess]

Thank god the internet was in it's infancy when I enlisted.

[HighDragLowSpeed]

I guess that the original poster is still "debating the obstacles to the due diligence process while looking forward to one day attempting to resolve the taking of initiative however far he is willing to in order to clear all doubt about how badly he wants this"

In other words, I guess that he's still living at home with Mom.

[TPD1280]

Nah, he just wants to be wanted. I work with a guy just like him. Loves to tell stories about the different organizations that supposedly courted him, and how CBA he is.

This guy doesn't want to be a Ranger, he just wants to be able to say, "The Rangers asked me to join them, but...blah blah blah."