Sup guys, here is the deal about me, I’m sixteen years old right now and I really want to join the ARNG at 17 because it’s something I want to do for too many reasons to list. If I can get my parents to give me the go, I’ll do it. I’m looking either to enlist as a 31B, 19D, or 19K.

I figure it’s about time I post here because I’ve cruised all over this forum and others, read an uncountable amount of articles on the web and in books, talked to active and retired military personnel, and I amazingly still have some questions.

Well my first question is; I’m living in Hawaii so it’s all light because of the 25th ID which means that the 29th battalion doesn’t have Abrams tanks either. Is it possible to enlist as a 19D and eventually transfer as a 19K in a few years or is it wishful thinking?

Do Cavalry Scouts in the National Guard get to use M1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle or is it mainly just Humvee’s?

Do Armor crewmen only work with M1’s or do they also use Stryker’s?

This may sound dumb, but if you join as a 19D, you’re always in a Cav unit correct? (That’s pretty important to me)

As a 19D in the ARNG, on drill weekends, would you be mainly doing FTX’s? If not, what would you really be doing? Also, since training takes a while, what would I do before I actually complete OSUT? Would I just do what everyone else is?

As a 19D enlisted, what is the chance of getting to carry the 249 on FTX's and things like that?

I keep hearing about soldiers deployed and not doing what they were trained to do; i.e. a 13B doing gate guard duties instead of manning the howitzer. Are 19K’s still using M1’s and Stryker’s or are they working with humvee’s and MMPV’s?

How would they do OSUT? Over two summers?

When at college, I’m gonna join ROTC, if I complete the ROTC program before I serve my 6 years at the guard, what will happen? Will I just be moved up as a 2nd LT into active?

I’m currently in the JROTC program, I know if you complete 2 years you’ll join as an E-2, I’m a LET2 which pretty much means I’m on my second year. If I enlisted after my birthday in March, I wouldn’t have completed the full two years yet; would I be promoted as an E-2 after completing my second year?

Well I think that’s all for now, if I get anymore, I’ll post because you all seem really helpful. Thanks for reading!

quote:

my first question is; I’m living in Hawaii so it’s all light because of the 25th ID which means that the 29th battalion doesn’t have Abrams tanks either. Is it possible to enlist as a 19D and eventually transfer as a 19K in a few years or is it wishful thinking?

Yes, possible- you will have to move to a unit that has the slots.

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Do Cavalry Scouts in the National Guard get to use M1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle or is it mainly just Humvee’s?

The only SBCT is in the PAARNG- I think its the 56th SBCT.

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Do Armor crewmen only work with M1’s or do they also use Stryker’s?

I believe that the MGS crewman are 19Ks.

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This may sound dumb, but if you join as a 19D, you’re always in a Cav unit correct? (That’s pretty important to me)

Not necessarily- the scout platoons in HBCT combined arms battalions (AR/IN) are 19Ds, too. There are also 19D slots in the BCT HQ.

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As a 19D in the ARNG, on drill weekends, would you be mainly doing FTX’s? If not, what would you really be doing?

Probably not every weekend. Sometimes you will handle admin tasks, sometimes you will do weapons qualification, sometimes individual task training, sometimes collective task training.

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Also, since training takes a while, what would I do before I actually complete OSUT? Would I just do what everyone else is?

I was in a "platoon" in my company that basically did common tasks and D&C to prepare for OSUT. I've heard that they have special "units" with drill sergeants for this now, but don't know if its everywhere.

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As a 19D enlisted, what is the chance of getting to carry the 249 on FTX's and things like that?

Depends on your unit and their MTOE. Our CAV doesn't have too many M249s. Each section (2 vehicles) has a TOW, a MK19, an M2 50cal, and an M240. When they dismount, they use the M240. When they are mounted, they usually use the 2 HMGs and mount the M240 next to the MK19. The TOW is available, but we haven't been focused on a heavy armore threat.

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I keep hearing about soldiers deployed and not doing what they were trained to do; i.e. a 13B doing gate guard duties instead of manning the howitzer. Are 19K’s still using M1’s and Stryker’s or are they working with humvee’s and MMPV’s?[quote]
I don't know what an MMPV is, but it will depend on your mission. Most heavy units I've heard about are keeping 1 CO in each BN on M1s/M2s, and the rest of the units are operating as HMMWV (or MRAP) motorized. The SBCTs generally use their Strykers, but augment them with HMMWVs/MRAPs, too.

[quote]How would they do OSUT? Over two summers?

If you have time to go straight through, I would recommend it. If not, you can do the split option, where you do 9 weeks one summer and complete the rest the next summer

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When at college, I’m gonna join ROTC, if I complete the ROTC program before I serve my 6 years at the guard, what will happen? Will I just be moved up as a 2nd LT into active?

You can either break your contract with the ARNG to contract with ROTC, or you can go SMP.

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I’m currently in the JROTC program, I know if you complete 2 years you’ll join as an E-2, I’m a LET2 which pretty much means I’m on my second year. If I enlisted after my birthday in March, I wouldn’t have completed the full two years yet; would I be promoted as an E-2 after completing my second year?

No. You should wait until you complete the second year to sign your contract, in order to get teh qualification in there. If not, you will be promoted based on time in service/time in grade like anyone else.

Thank you sir, I appreciate the prompt response. I've searched out many of the things you mentioned.

[quote]Probably not every weekend. Sometimes you will handle admin tasks, sometimes you will do weapons qualification, sometimes individual task training, sometimes collective task training.[quote]

When you say individual task training, I assume you're not talking about AIT. Could you explain what individual task training is?

[quote]You can either break your contract with the ARNG to contract with ROTC, or you can go SMP.[quote]

This was my main question. So I've done a bit of research on the SMP program. If I owe the ARNG 6 years and ROTC is 4 years, the final years owed to the ARNG will be waived and I will be moved into active?

Out of curiosity, are you a 19D in active or ARNG?

Anyway, I really appreciate the help so far. Thank you

RE: ROTC and National Guard
If you join ROTC, and you contract with ROTC (meaning you commit to graduating college and becoming on officer) your contract will be renewed. If you go active duty after graduation you will have about 6 years. If you decide to go National Guard after graduation you will have 8 NEW years. Meaning you will ETS 8 years after your date of graduation...

Hey I really appreciate the responses guys; so from what I understand, with the SMP, you can go strait to active once done with ROTC and not need to fulfill any remaining years to the guard?

I also got a few more questions

If you are in the SMP program and your unit deploys, is it true that you do not deploy?

When 19K's are deployed, do they work with Armor like M1's and Stryker's or do they end up doing things that isn't their primary specialty like convoy security in humvee's.

And uh, this may sound a little ridiculous, but would you say the brotherhood, camaraderie, and tradition within 19D's, 19K's, and the Army in general is strong? That's a really important factor to me for brotherhood is one of the reasons I'm considering the USMC. I only ask this because the common belief is that brotherhood is stronger within the USMC than the Army but I want to get some actual opinions from some of you guys. Would you go to any lengths for the guys standing next to you?

Well, if you can help me out with any of my questions, I'd very much appreciate it...again

Like I said, I really appreciate all the help so far. Thanks everyone!

If your in SMP, you will not deploy. Not many tankers are in there tanks these days. My first deployment to Iraq in 05 I was in a tank some of the time. My next deployment comin up we are not taking our tanks but will be doing convoy security. It all depends on your units mission for the deployment. We still did plenty of tank training but it is not our mission for this particular deployment.... It depends on your unit about the comaraderie. I was a tanker in the usmc before the guard. Its pretty tight over there but it really depends on the fellas your with. I find the big difference is active duty vs. guard/reserve that builds bonds. acitve you live, work, eat, shoot, sh*t with your bros. In guard/reserve its once a month til deployment time so not as much bonding time. Remember the usmc does not have 19d.

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Originally posted by MikeOC1:
Remember the usmc does not have 19d.

They couldn't handle it.

SCOUTS OUT!!! TWO BAGS FULL!!!

quote:

Originally posted by MikeOC1:
If your in SMP, you will not deploy. Not many tankers are in there tanks these days. My first deployment to Iraq in 05 I was in a tank some of the time. My next deployment comin up we are not taking our tanks but will be doing convoy security. It all depends on your units mission for the deployment. We still did plenty of tank training but it is not our mission for this particular deployment

Thank you sir, that is what I wanted to know!

Well I have one more question guys; like I said, I live on Oahu and there isn't any ACR's or any heavy stuff here, only light so there isn't anyway I can serve in the Guard in an Abrams. I still haven't ruled out 19D but I'm wondering does anybody have a full list of states with 19K slots in their ARNG units? I've searched all over the net. So far all I got is CA, TN (I watched your vid Mike), TX?, and I really don't know any other states. I only ask this cause I'm thinking about a college in a state where I can be a 19K in the ARNG.

Some of you must know and I'd really appreciate the help. YOu all are great! Thanks again

quote:

Originally posted by recon3295:

quote:

Originally posted by MikeOC1:
Remember the usmc does not have 19d.

They couldn't handle it.

SCOUTS OUT!!! TWO BAGS FULL!!!

Hahaha, that's awesome

Yeah, I've pretty much ruled out the USMC at this point. The Army is tough as nails in their own right, after all, they are America's main land fighting force; not to mention Army M1's have the TUSK kit

Hey recon, what does "TWO BAGS FULL" mean? I've looked for a bit and couldn't find the meaning behind it.

Though I still respect the USMC no doubt about that!

Thanks for the responses guys

http://www.globalsecurity.org/.../armor-unit-arng.htm
List of Armor NG units. I was doing research myself into where I would go. I am/was a 19K active for 4 1/2 years, now I'm looking to go guard because Active doesn't want priors for anything but infantry.