Good evening, I am a Police Officer with the United States Capitol Police but still feel an obligation to join the Military, primarily the Marines. Because I am already employed by the Federal Government I plan on joining through the reserves. My main question is if anybody on here knows anything about the 4th Civil Affairs unit in DC. I will be talking with my recruiter on thursday but I figured I might get a head start on collecting info. The main questions I have are 1) What do you learn in AIT and how long is it? 2)Do Marines in Civil Affairs obtain a security clearance, and if so how high of one. And 3) What kind of missions do Civil Affairs Marines have overseas(primarily Iraq)? Any help with this would be great. Again, I'll be seeing my recruiter in 2 days but any advance info would be much apprecated. Thanks in advance. OUT.
Okay "AIT" is and evil Army Term, If you know what is good for you don't use or use it at your own risk. Marines on these boards get very picky. The correct term is MOS school. okay second Civil Affairs is not a MOS(job) it is a name for a specific mission unit. Like Infantry, Artillery, Armor you get the Idea? The Job of Civil Affairs is basically to win the Hearts and Minds of our enemies. So they require a bunch of different jobs. There are plenty of Info about MOS in the Marine Corps on this page feel free and use the find button. also in the stickys on the main wannabe forum there is a link to where and how long the MOS Schools are for each MOS. I am a reservist and I can answer general questions about the Reserve but I can really give you any more specific information about Civil Afffairs. but if you are in the DC area I would also look at reserve units in Virginia and Maryland. If you want you can go to any reserve unit within 100 miles of you residence.
I was deployed with the CAG. It is an MOS just not an MOS that is promotable. You can go to the CAG as your first unit if they have a space available. You will go to any specific MOS that the CAG is needing, electrician, motor-T etc.... You can transfer from other units to the CAG especially if you have a civilian job that has a needed skill set, CPA, Physician, Police officer, construction, teachers etc... Once with the unit you will attend civil affairs training. The civil affairs mission is very broad. Because you have all types of MOSs you are capable of almost any mission. I always saw it as the buffer between the civilian populice and the combat mission. So everyday is something different in Iraq with CA. Security clearances are needed being that you deal with sensitive information, enough said on that. There are CA det. with each unit, they are more hands on in the AO. There are 2 CAG units in the reserves. It was expalined to me that the reserve Marines have a easier grasp of thinking outside the usual "combat box". The mission became bigger so now alot of units mainly, Arty have it as a secondary mission. I hope I helped you. It would not hurt if you contacted someone from the 4th CAG and asked some questions, just do not get freaked out if they will not answer them all. Good luck.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: ruke333,
Thanks to both for the help. That was my bad using the army terms. Now I know for future referance. I'll try and find some guys from the CAG in DC and ask them more specifics. Thanks again for the help!
Originally posted by 13206557: Good evening, I am a Police Officer with the United States Capitol Police but still feel an obligation to join the Military, primarily the Marines. Because I am already employed by the Federal Government I plan on joining through the reserves. My main question is if anybody on here knows anything about the 4th Civil Affairs unit in DC. I will be talking with my recruiter on thursday but I figured I might get a head start on collecting info. The main questions I have are 1) What do you learn in AIT and how long is it? 2)Do Marines in Civil Affairs obtain a security clearance, and if so how high of one. And 3) What kind of missions do Civil Affairs Marines have overseas(primarily Iraq)? Any help with this would be great. Again, I'll be seeing my recruiter in 2 days but any advance info would be much apprecated. Thanks in advance. OUT.
Come see me. CVC-1, 2100-0500
ETA- He works day shift at my section, I will point him in the right direction.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: SCMerle,
I was briefly in the 4th CAG in Anacostia, though a VERY long time ago (1990's), so I would guess they've taken on more responsibilities than they used to.
That said, ditto on everyone else's comments. Also, the way I got info on the unit was to simply show up at the unit and ask. I was in LAV's in Quantico at the time and wanted to do something different, so I sought them out. They happened to have slots open at the time and I had to interview with the CO (a WM Colonel back then). They were a good unit with a unique and challenging mission, though I only drilled with them for a few months before going inactive due to relocation/attending an academy.
Marines on these boards get very picky. The correct term is MOS school. okay second Civil Affairs is not a MOS(job) it is a name for a specific mission unit. Like Infantry, Artillery, Armor you get the Idea? The Job of Civil Affairs is basically to win the Hearts and Minds of our enemies. So they require a bunch of different jobs. There are plenty of Info about MOS in the Marine Corps on this page feel free and use the find button. also in the stickys on the main wannabe forum there is a link to where and how long the MOS Schools are for each MOS. I am a reservist and I can answer general questions about the Reserve but I can really give you any more specific information about Civil Afffairs. but if you are in the DC area I would also look at reserve units in Virginia and Maryland. If you want you can go to any reserve unit within 100 miles of you residence.
