My local reserve center is security forces and has some field radio operator billets open. This is what I am hoping to get at MEPs in like two weeks. Will I be in the field? I am guessing so since the name hints it but I am just wondering if there is possibility of being in an office. Is it a cool job? What do you think I will be doing since I will be with a Security Forces unit? Any opinions or anything? Also the ASVAB, it says you have to have an EL score of 90. On about.com it says EL is GS+AR+MK+EL. I can probably do good on the AR and GS. ButI know nothing about mechanics or electronic stuff. I was hoping the Marines would teach me that. Is EL and MK really as important as the other when it comes to getting 0621?
Thanks and happy holidays, stay safe! America supports you!
If you become a radio operator you probably won't have to know too much about why they work, only if they work and how to pass comms. Suggest you post this to the Infantry page and see what the grunts have to say.
Radio operators are assigned to almost every unit in the Corps. At the regimental and battalion levels expect to spend much time in the field. At division or higher single channel radio becomes less important, so expect less field time (and many will say that what higher headquarters does doesn't cout as the field anyway).
The Corps has taught some serious rocks how to operate radios, so don't sweat the technical aspects. While understanding how the electrons flow inside the radio is not required, the best operators do have some clue. They also understand radio propagation theory, so a brain is a welcome bonus.
"serious rocks"? I thought they all went to motor t. We had some pretty sharp relay ops back in the day. Usually woke us techs up in the field for a key to the toolbox.
"The Corps has taught some serious rocks how to operate radios, so don't sweat the technical aspects. While understanding how the electrons flow inside the radio is not required, the best operators do have some clue. They also understand radio propagation theory, so a brain is a welcome bonus.[/QUOTE]
I am a little biased but I think the Field Radio Operator MOS is one of the best in the fleet! I spent my AD with infantry battalions, mostly out in the fields with the rifle companies (I never enjoyed the Bn COC or command group assignments), doing everything that they got to do and then some.
My reserve time was spent mostly with artillery, which involved a bit more of the HQ atmosphere with fire direction and control as well as Battalion command groups but I spent my fair share of time on the gun line with the firing batteries as well. Once you become an NCO, you usually won't hump a radio anymore, you become a watch supervisor mostly....all in all I think I had about as much enjoyment out of being a communicator as anything else.
