Well, I just got the news that I am being reclassed as a 35N and I wanted to know if anyone could provide any info as to what the job is like and how tough the school is. I have been told that the school is at Goodfellow AFB and is 15 weeeks long. If anyone could confirm/deny that. I am a prior service E-5 who is currently in the ARNG, so if anyone knows what the school will be like for someone like me in particular that would be helpful.

I just graduated last week, so I can give you some insight.

The course is 26 weeks long. Actually, it is longer than that because they just lengthened it by two weeks. It is a PCS move, so if you have a family, they can move and be with you while you go through school.

The course is tough, but not so much that you should worry about failing out. There are plenty of people that do fail out, but if you pay attention and study, then you should be ok.

PT is every morning from 6:00 to 7:00ish. If you can score 90/90/90 then you can get to be exempt from PT. If you score 80/80/80, then you get to be exempt on M,W,F.

Prior service gets treated much better than IET soldiers. But still mind your military bearing, just not to the extent that you had to in Basic/AIT.

if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Just a few more questions, if you don't mind...

Are you prior service, and did you have family?? My wife and I are contemplating if it would be worth it if she (and my son) go with me, or if it would be better to wait until permanent duty. What is the housing situation, etc.?? Is the school schedule rough for families, and how often are there weekend duties, etc.??

If not, do careerists still stay at the Angelo Inn? Any insights would be appreciated!

Yes, I'm prior service and I feel it would be worth ti to bring your family. The housing on post is nice and convenient. If it is available, I'd take it. You can walk to any place you'll need to be in 10-15 minutes.

A tpyical day is:

6:00-7:00 PT
7:00-8:30 Personal Hygiene / Breakfast
8:30-11:30 School
11:30-13:00 Lunch
13:00-16:30 School

After 16:30, you are typically released for the day. You won't have any weekend or night duties as prior service. Out of any given weekday, you'll only be out of the house about 7 1/2 to 8 hours depending on what else is going on, which is usually nothing.

Thanks for the information!!

My family is coming, but it looks like we will be staying at the Willow Run apartments off-post. I'm glad to hear they don't take up a bunch of your free time, esp. with having a family.

Jebo, how are you doing in the school? I just re-enlisted for 35N yesterday and am heading to Goodfellow next week...

Well, since you ask...

The school is fine, not too difficult if you pay attention and there is little after hours "homework" to do in study hall. Not much else I can say here, but class is from 0830 to anywhere from 1530-1630, and 1.5-2 hour lunch. Like I said, school isn't bad. The unit, however...

When I got here, Tackleberry's description above was fairly accurate. As prior service, you used to show up for PT, go to class, go home after class. Not anymore.

First formation is 0530, so you can march as a company two blocks to the PT pad, where you stand for 15-20 minutes waiting for PT to start. Next formation is 0820, then you march to class. You also march with your class to and from lunch. Next is 1700 formation. Then, you are released for the day. We now have every formation the IET privates do, and you will probably be put in a mixed platoon with the IET'ers.

To get PT exempt, you need a to score 300. Otherwise, a 240 will get you Tuesday off. For the FTX and STX, the prior service used to be trainers and OPFOR...now they are in the mix with the IET'ers. And, if you come up for promotion while here, it probably won't happen. The current philosophy is that a NCO should not be promoted if they have never served in this MOS, regardless if regulation allows it or not and the fact that it is ridiculous to put someone's career on hold just because they have a long AIT. But I am ranting...

Sorry if it looks all negative, but wanted to give you all the info so you can be prepared.

School isn't bad, though...

530 formation? jeez! Do PS live in the barracks or other housing? How is the weather there now? Did you go to another base for inprocessing before Gfellow? If so, what is done there and why does it take two weeks? How big is your class and how many are PS?

I'll have to double check, but I believe single prior service soldiers live in PS barracks...there is the Angelo Inn (the base hotel), but I think that is for TDY'ers. You will probably be PCS, the course is 24 weeks.

The weather is in the low 50's in the morning, and high 80's in the afternoon.

As for going somewhere else for processing...you mentioned 2 weeks, but once you get here, you start class within a week. I'm not sure what else you would need 2 weeks for.

There is a healthy number of PS here, and the classes are fairly small. Can't give too many specifics...

I'm an IETer in 3rd PLT, and I must say it sucks that you 4th PLTers have to form up with us now. The whole restructuring doesn't seem to benefit the PS soldiers in any way.

It's all good, it gives us somebody to do our bidding...

Jebo, my orders say I go to Fort Jackson for two weeks before I get to Goodfellow. My recruiter says I go to Jackson to get uniforms, update records, etc. I am coming from the National Guard and I have ACUs, but I never got any of the dress stuff, so I hope i'll get that at Jackson.

Thanks for answering all the questions too!

How is the chow hall there? Do you and the other PS go hang out after school? How are you working getting your family to Goodfellow? My family is currently in Florida and I definately want to move them up, how is this worked?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LCPLPunk,

I leave today for MEPS, then Jackson, then Goodfellow.....and today is my Birthday too. Of all the days to leave for training..

Happy Birthday and good luck.

The chow halls are OK...but can get expensive if you are not on meal card. They charge ala carte, and there is a 33% surcharge on top.

If you are authorized and want to bring your family, you should call the housing office right now and start making plans. There isn't a lot of base housing, but it looks nice. Off-post apartments and houses are cheap, although you have to look around, as many places are real dumps.

Thanks for the advice. I just got to Jackson last night and i've already been informed that I could be here for at least 4-6 weeks. I wasn't anticipating that length of a stay here, but I guess I have to roll with the punches.

Thankfully i'm in a prior service barracks and have pretty decent liberties so I should be able to call Goodfellow to make arrangements.

My birthday is October 13th as well!

Update OCT28: I'm still at Jackson! The next class starts tomorrow so i'm not getting into that one. I believe the one after this one is November 12th, so hopefully i'll be in that one. If not, it's January....


Do you guys know if the prior service barracks/rooms have paid-internet access like Brighthouse, Roadrunner, etc?

I have a webcam that i'd like to use with my family and military computers won't let it run.

All rooms can get cable internet through Suddenlink. I have it and cable service with the sports package, and it cost around $85 a month.

8 meg cable internet by itself is around $45 or $50 I believe.

Hello all, new recruit here is doing the Jackson/Goodfellow route. Curious what new information can be given as a few months have gone by. Thanks in advance.

*bump*

I am reclassing as well and this is one of the possibilities mentioned. A few quick questions:

First, will I need to take the DLAB to be eligible for 35N? Next, can anyone give me a feel for what an average duty assignment would be? Finally, on goArmy.com it says that NSA, FBI and CIA are all opportunities after retirement, how honest of a statement is that?

I have read through all the threads I can find and I see the normal pros and cons - not just here but everywhere I have found it mentioned - and I am waiting for a response from a friend in the intel branch, I'd just like to make the most informed decision I can.

Anything additional or new would be greatly appreciated.

DLAB is not a requirement for 35N (although there are 35N's with a language). As for job opportunities, I've seen quite a few get hired on by NSA. I have no knowledge about the other two.

quote:

Originally posted by RadTech73:
*bump*

I am reclassing as well and this is one of the possibilities mentioned. A few quick questions:

First, will I need to take the DLAB to be eligible for 35N? Next, can anyone give me a feel for what an average duty assignment would be? Finally, on goArmy.com it says that NSA, FBI and CIA are all opportunities after retirement, how honest of a statement is that?

I have read through all the threads I can find and I see the normal pros and cons - not just here but everywhere I have found it mentioned - and I am waiting for a response from a friend in the intel branch, I'd just like to make the most informed decision I can.

Anything additional or new would be greatly appreciated.