Do the officers within an MSST get to do all the cool stuff you see on youtube videos like boardings, fast-roping out of helicopters, tactical stuff,etc....or do they ride a desk/push paper while the enlisted men get to actually do the exciting stuff?? If someone can give me a better idea of what it would be like being an officer within an MSST that would be phenominal.
You might have already gotten your answer seeing as how you posted this almost a year ago, but here is an email I sent to an Officer Candidate when he had the same question. Keep in mind that he was a BM1 prior to succumbing to the dark side.
"First of all, congrats on your appointment to OCS. As a former BM1, I'm sure you're asking yourself "why in the hell am I here?" but the good news is, it will all be over soon. So, keep your chin up and try to help out those poor lost souls with no prior experience.
With respect to your questions about the MSST/Sector jobs- either way will be beneficial for your career. Having never served at a sector I can't speak with much authority on what they do on a day to day basis but I can tell you that you will be exposed to a wide variety of CG missions. You'll most likely become one of the Sector Duty Officers and may get to go to SAR school. ( I say may, because it's going to depend on your specific billet, and which sector you go to). Assignment to a sector will definitely set you up for success during follow on tours.
If you get a MSST get ready to hold on tight for 3 years. With your background (STA XPO and PAC TACLET) you'd be a great fit as one of the Detachment OICs.
If you get the Waterside OIC spot you'll have 36 coxswains and crew and possibly 2 chiefs who will report to you. You'll also be responsible for 6 to 8 boats. 6 Defender Class "B" and possible 2 SPC-BTD (a 23' zodiac, primarily used for delivery of the Force Protection team). If you're not already certified, your command would do well to send you to Tactical Coxswain school, which will only add to your already impressive resume. The Waterside Det is the backbone of the MSST program, and you'll see some pretty cool deployments as a result.
If you get the MLE/FP OIC spot it will be a lot like the DTL/OIC position at a TACLET. You'll have about 12-14 folks working for you. You'll head to Camp Lejeune for 6 weeks of firearms and close quarters combat skills training and also come out qualified in Vertical Insertion. After that it's a pain in the butt (well worth it though) to maintain all of your quals. Rappel, VI, CQC, Hook and Climb, and breaching equipment. It's a very high speed type of billet, the problem is there's not really a clearly defined mission set so you get jerked around a lot. I've been the OIC for a bout a year now and I've loved every minute of it.
Like I said earlier, you'll be fine career-wise with either route you choose. It really boils down to what you want to do for the next three years.
I actually posted that note about a week ago So what your saying is that officers in an MSST unit do get to do the exciting hands on stuff?? I have just heard that many CG Officers sit in a command center somewhere and dont get to actually do boardings, vertical insertions, ride in the boats, etc. Rather they send people under them to do it--which is not what I would want.. I want to be right there next to my men in the action. Any input on this?
Most MSST officers spend quite a lot of time dealing with paperwork, discipline and other "Officer like" stuff. You will be able to do some fun stuff, but dont count on doing the "fun stuff" every day...
Thank you for your input here, if you had a second I would love to ask you a couple questions outside of this site. Please send me an email to terrencebone@gmail.com as I cannot check email sent privately on military.com for some reason. I will then reply to you
Originally posted by bm3albo: WHat an MSST officer does........ um I dont know really other than change good solid plans and create a meeting about a meeting,but othwer than that I really dont know what they really do,been at a MSSt for about a year. BM3/2/3 Albo
I was thinking about asking what's up with the 3/2/3 deal, then I read this post!
Maybe I will just sign as former BM2,if its no too complex for some to understand .....and no i didnt get masted or busted at an MSST.I was masted prior to my transfer last year from a Station to a MSST.Still fighting to get my crow back. Fmr BM2 Albo
Best of luck on that Boats! Maybe a little inspiration:
As a Group Command Chief, I found myself sitting with a local OinC (a BMCS) and the Group Commander, an O-6, discussing the 'savability potential' of one of the BMCSs people. When the Capt asked Senior if the lad was savable, the Senior Chief replied "Capt, I made BM2 three times, anyone is saveable."
Originally posted by bm3albo: WHat an MSST officer does........ um I dont know really other than change good solid plans and create a meeting about a meeting,but othwer than that I really dont know what they really do,been at a MSSt for about a year. BM3/2/3 Albo
Thanks for the insight BM3/2/3, your post is extremely helpful. I can certanly see why you have a Commendation Medal.
ELWEPO-sorry if my post offended you,but I havent seen an MSST officer do really anything in almost a year,as for the Commendation Medal,I earned that! I was one of the coxns that evacuated and responded from Station NEW Orleans for Katrina/Rita ...I was at STA NOLA for it all,and I feel that I earned it and shouldnt have to answer anything esle than what I just did and as for being a busted down second that is another story totally unrelated to my opinons of MSST Officers.... Busted down BM2 sends
There are many things that happen behind closed doors that you will not see as a BM3. Most officers will try to shield the crew from a lot of what we deal with. I dont think you have the knowledge to answer the question that was asked and would probably should allow the people who have actually been officers at a MSST answer.
