hello my name is kyle and im about to leave for basic in a couple months... my Mos is 25S. i know NOTHING about this job. if anyone can just give me some heads up or info on it that would be much appreciated... =]
thanks

also... does anyone have any specific information on 1 Charlie? or the differences between strategic/tactical? im getting a lot of very vague answers from many of the other posts... any help would be greatly appreciated...
thanks

I'm currently in the 25S school. I remember having the same problem before shipping to basic. I could find very little information about this MOS.

The job you actually end up doing will depend on your specialty track (tactical or strategic). If they designate you (you have no say in the matter) as a tactical 25S, you'll be working with a mobile satcom platform (basically a HMMWV with a shelter on the back and a small satellite dish). Your job duties in garrison will mostly be to train and perform upkeep on your equipment/vehicle. When deployed, you'll spend your time in the FOB. You'll establish your satellite link and get communication flowing, then sit back and make sure everything continues to work properly.

If you get the strategic specialty, you'll be working at a fixed facility with very large satellite dishes. When you arrive to your duty station, all of the links will be established. Your job will be to perform scheduled maintenance/checks, monitor the satellite link and respond to any problems, and make changes to configuration when needed.

The satellite controllers (1C or "one chuck") work in facilities that control the satellites themselves. They monitor what's going through the satellite and respond to any problematic links, handle requests for bandwidth, and things of that nature. The course for 1C is in addition to your speciality track, not a replacement for it, and you can expect to spend nine or ten months here at AIT. The slots for 1C aren't numerous. If you have high enough grades and there is a slot open, you can request it or be recommended for it.

25S Strategic and 25S Satellite Controllers do basically the same job you'd find in the civilian world. Tactical 25S's might not have a direct civilian equivalent, but can easily transition to civilian careers when they get out of the military.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

Keep in mind that due to the sensitive nature of what we do, you'll have a hard time finding really specific details.

When do you ship to basic?

I left Fort Gordon June 4th. First let me say that being held over while I awaited my MRI was not the most fun I have ever had.

What the previous poster said is spot-on. And we can not discuss our training in detail. You will learn all about that when you get there.

I can say that when you get to Ft. Gordon from BCT you will be surprised. When I arrived from Fort Benning in August of last year, I and my whole group were shocked. It can be a laid back atmosphere. Especially coming out of BCT.

It isn't bad really. As much as we tend to complain about it. What you have to do is just basically stay out of trouble. It isn't hard. The 25S isn't hard either. I was my class's Honor Graduate.

You a MOSI sv6er? I should know you then. You would have come in later than I did. Sound like you IET and if you got to B Co in the past few months you know me. Everyone at least knew of me.

And BTW, I still miss some of the guys still up there. You'll love it and hate it there. But it is a good experience for you.

Quick follow up to sv6er. How is the new commander working out? I of course left right before the change of command ceremony. Curious. Haven't talked with many people there lately.

Love it with my unit now though. Completely different than what I was used to with B. Co 551st.