For some reason beyond my understanding the Army has seen fit to send back to Fort Sill to attend an AFATADS school. I'm not sure what to expect here and have literally no experience with the AFATADS system. Basically I'm looking for some info on what I can do to prepare for this program and what all to expect.

When your done are they gonna award you a secondary MOS? (13D/13P)

The reasons are obvious. You are a 13F. There are numerous 13F positions in TOCs. Many of the lower enlisted slots are for AFATDS operators/RTOs. I went to AFATDS school about 5 years ago. Nothing is needed to prepare other than saving a little bit of cash for the ****ie bars and beer. Most of the people in the class with me were 13Fs and 0861s.

Rocket guy, no he won't get a secondary MOS. 13F and 13R used to get a F9 ASI, but I am not sure if they still do.

My FSNCOs at BN and BDE level were coded F9 when I left a BCT 3 months ago. I doubt that its changed since then.

Thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it.

Not sure if anyone is going to read/check this after being inactive for so long but I've got a few more questions about the AFATDS school. Now, I recently had shoulder surgery to make it so my arm wouldn't come out of the socket anymore. When I get off my current profile it will have been around 8 months since I've been able to do any serious PT. What can I expect PT wise when I get there? Right now I'm assuming that there will be a PT program comparable to AIT with a PT test thrown in the mix. Second, I've been told by various people in my unit that I will drive my POV down to Sill but this doesn't seem very plausible to me for some reason. It would be nice though, not to have to rely on the taxi services. Lastly, can anyone tell me how long the class day will last? I don't really care about long days or anything, I'm rather used to it. Thanks again for any help

Your unit will pay for your travel- work with your Defense Travel System coordinator to put the right stuff in the system. You can probably choose to drive your POV and get mileage (including 15 or 20 miles/day "in and around" mileage), or a flight, with maybe a rental car. Again, work with your DTS manager, probably in either S3 schools or S4. You will probably stay in the temporary quarters (two high rises, like hotel rooms) while you are there. You will have to pay with a government travel credit card (or your own card) and file when you return for reimbursement. You can have them send the money straight to the credit card. They will direct deposit (just like your monthly paychecks) whatever you get for mileage, etc, if you take your POV.

I highly doubt their is any organized PT during the course- if there is, it will not be part of the cirriculum or count in your final grade- take your profile and you will work within the limits of your profile.

Don't know about the duty days, but I would expect something like 0800-1700.

Try these phone #s to recieve a welcome packet and get info about the school
AFATDS Opr, AFATDS CMD/Stf - DSN 639-6881/4823 or commercial (580)
442-6881/4823

Hooah, thank you sir. I appreciate the information

So did your unit just randomly tell you that you were going? you didn't volunteer or anything?

Yeah, I just got a notification at drill one month about this. Me and my two other FISTers are going though all at different times. Right now though I might not be going. I'm either going to AFATDS school, Annual Training, or finally getting deployed.

What kind of unit are you in?

I'm in an artillery unit but I might be deploying with an MP unit here in the Spring.

They have FISTers in MP units???

I don't think so, I think I might end up relcassing if I get selected to go over. Although a FIST seems like the kind of fellow you'd want around/available for the missions they have in mind for them and even general defense.

I thought they were done using FA Battalions as ILO (In lieu of) MP's. The FA assigned to my MP Battalion were, initially anyway, used for all those general duties, like guard etc. to free up the rest of us "real" MPs to go and do MP things. They went through a quick and dirty MOSQ course that qualified them for the time being, but didn't count as a permanent Secondary MOS - if I remember correctly.
Don't count on them appreciating your highspeedlowdragsuperslicktefloncoatedsuperfister skills and putting them to use. Bring a book...

Oh, there's no we on this deployment unfortunately. It's just me, no one else form my unit, as far as I know, is going with the MP Bn. I volunteered a while back on the state website. I won't count on them using my highspeedlowdragsuperslicktefloncoatedsuperfister skills, I'm bracing myself for a desk job actually. That way I'm prepared for the "worst" eventuality that could hit me. I've got a few books to take over.

Ahaaa...
That's probably a good thing, a filler. We had a hanfull of them - 11Bs, 21Bs etc. We put them on teams and they were just one of the Joes. It can go either way, though. You're at their mercy as far as what they want to do with you.
Bring the 6-30 and some KY; it's a tossup.

quote:

Originally posted by redleg13f:
Bring the 6-30 and some KY; it's a tossup.

I'll just bring both regardless, you never know when you'll need a jug of KY