Hey guys, I just enlisted earlier this month, and will ship to Ft. Benning 6-25 as a 25S. Anyone know anything about this MOS? Thanks

As a 25-S, you basically have 2 core duties you may do...strategic or tactical (I won't get into specifics; you should get this by the time you're MOS-Q'd). Seeing as how you're going to Benning, I think it's a safe bet you're going to go tactical.

As far as that goes, you will also most likely be in an 85 or a 93 van; using one of 3 different sized antennas based off of mission requirement (and assuming that the unit didn't turn in their 20' dish...for your sake, we'll hope they did hehehe).

Ok-basically, it's weekly maintennance and depending on the unit some field time. Back in the rear you'll calibrate the equipment based on local SOP, do standard command maintennance on your vehicles and TACSAT equipment, basic soldiering. When you hit the field, it's normally spending an hour and a half or so to set up and get in your shot, then it's just monitoring and doing whatever training your command dictates (but when you're live on the satellite, the shot comes first).

There are a lot of things within the local unit that will vary things quite a bit...if your unit is prepping for deployment, if they just returned, if they have a localized mission in support of a live communication set-it's actually hard to say. This is just a basic guide on what a 25-S does in broad general terms...as far as more specifics though, I would suggest getting ahold of your receiving unit to find out who your sponsor will be, and have them send you some info.

Good luck in Benning-hope you like it

OH; something I should have caught though...you stated you enlisted ealier this month, and are going to Benning on 6/25 as a SatCom/25-S operator?? It's a nine-month school almost hehehe...clarify this a bit, I might be able to steer this someway that is more beneficial to you.

I meant to write I'm leaving for BCT 15 June, not 25, to Ft. Benning. Then 28 August I head to AIT at Ft. Gordon, 25-S. I'm married with 2 kids, will they be able to come to Ft. Gordon? Or will I eventually be allowed to live off base since AIT is so long? Thanks

Ok; that clears a lot up hehehe...

Your course from what I remember is 8 1/2 months long; the first month is basic electronics training, then basic SATCOM theory for about 4-5 weeks (self paced), followed by a few weeks of strategic SATCOM terminal and equipment courses, and finally a month or so of TACSAT (tactical satellite communications). You will wind up going through security screening during the course, and at about a month out you'll be finalized on what your first duty station will be. Some of this may have changed; I went through the course back in '99 as a prior service soldier.

Anyways; the course is pretty diverse, there's a lot to do in Augusta, GA (the town outside), and from what I saw of the IET soldiers, they were allowed to have their families come and were granted off-post quarters after they completed a certain % of the course...THIS MAY HAVE CHANGED. What you may want to do for this info is to give the branch manager or school house a call for current info regarding bringing your family (you can get the number from the recruiters...not gonna post them online-or try www.us.army.com and check AKO for the info).

Basic suggestions for the course-CAFFEINE IS YOUR FRIEND!!! A lot of the course material can be dry, and some of the terminals you go through will NOT allow you to take ANY course material home due to the security needed for them-so you have to memorize it and pay attention in class. Also, there's a lot of just sitting and referencing materials throughout the course; all of the course is based from info out of the tech manuals, so get to know the basics of how TM's are put together to make this easier. Another fun part is wiring diagrams...you literally get to know your equipment inside and out-you're the one that has to trace the faults to the lowest possible portion and repair it (though sometimes you get civilian support).

If you get a chance and the course seemed fairly easy, try to get a slot for controller school after it (another 8 weeks); the 1-C course is NOT easy by any means, and about 75% of the people that got in failed out after the first couple weeks when I was there. If the regular SATCOM course seemed a bit overwhelming to you in the slightest after the first couple months, don't even bother taking 1-C though.

Can't really think of too much else-good luck in the course and I may see see you sometime in the next few years....our field is a small one (remember that too...you have a HIGH chance of running into people later on in your career-moreso than most other MOS's-so don't burn any bridges in training).

Actually training here at Gordon has changed significantly since you were here in 99. They will find out if they are going strategic or tactical within a few weeks of reporting here, and at the same time, get their first duty assignment. The course is broken into 3 phases. Phase 1 is common signal subjects that all signal MOSs are getting now. Basic electronic theory and that type of stuff, along with a lot of warrior training. Phase 2 is common Satellite subjects, and then finally you will move into either your stretegic or tactical training depending on your assignment. The total course is about 6 months if I recall correctly (not my course so I don't remember everything about it). I would wait till you get here before you make plans on moving your wife and kids. A lot has changed with TRADOC including their policies on that. I am by no means posative, but I am pretty sure that new soldiers are stuck living the in barracks and not authorized to move your family. You will want to talk to your Drill Sergeants first before you spend the money to move them. If you go tactical, in addition to the dishes that you heard about earlier, you will also be learning about the new dishes used in the JNN networks. Without going into specifics, JNN is a very different beast in some ways when it comes to the satellite part then what the army is used to. You will be getting here at the end of summer, but since your going to BCT at Benning, youll be used to the lovely heat and humidity that GA has to offer. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Good info above

Thanks alot for all the information. How do they decide who goes tactical or strategic? Is it based on needs of the Army, and what are the major differences between the two routes?

Also, how comprehensive or challenging is the initial training in the basics of electronics. I have a B.S. in Psychology (May 06)and have worked through college in construction, but I don't have any previous formal training in electronics.

If I'm assigned to the tactical route, I assume I'll be deployed in Iraq. What kind of duties are performed by 25-S's over there? Thanks

Oh yeah, I'm plenty familiar with the scorching heat in the deep south. Arkansas aint no better, trust me. Plus, my family's from Fla.(Ocala and St. Pete). I'm still not excited about going through BCT during the hottest part of the year though.

The choice between tactical and strategic is more or less needs of the army. The difference is the type of sat terminals that you will learn about and then the type of duty assignments you will get. Tactical guys will work with the tactical sat systems. Basicly a shelter mounted on the back of a truck that drags their dish behind them anywhere in the world. Yes that means that eventually you will probably be deployed to some faraway sand box.

Strategic guys work at the fixed big dish terminals or other assignments along those lines. They are nondeployable, but at the same time, they are located all around the world (yes even the desert). Either way, being a 25S will set you up pretty good when it comes time to find a job as a civilian.

In all honesty, I haven't seen what the basic electronics course covers. I imagine its not hugely in depth, but will give you a good broad basic knowledge of electronics. You mentioned that you did construction. Realize that there are some big differences between housing electricity and the electronics that run these systems. Let me know if there is anything else youd like to know.

Two of my roommates here at Fort Gordon are 25Ss, so I will add a few bits based upon what they've told me...

quote:

Then 28 August I head to AIT at Ft. Gordon, 25-S. I'm married with 2 kids, will they be able to come to Ft. Gordon?

Most people will have something in their orders regarding whether or not they could live with family after a certain point.

quote:

and from what I saw of the IET soldiers, they were allowed to have their families come and were granted off-post quarters after they completed a certain % of the course...

Again, best bet is to have it in your orders if you can. Some companies are better about this than others.

quote:

They will find out if they are going strategic or tactical within a few weeks of reporting here, and at the same time, get their first duty assignment.

\
My buddies had to actually wait a few months before they found anything out, in both areas.

Good luck to you. I'm just a 25B with a relatively "short" AIT (21 weeks) and will be outta here on August 21st...

Hey thanks for all the info. I'm now actually in Ft. Gordon and 3 months into the 25S course. Basic at Benning was tough, but I actually liked it alot. Sierra class is going good too, passing everything just fine so far with 80's and 90s. We're in the middle of SMU right now and just finished intro to DCSS (Promina). However, my company, B447 reminds me of a chicken with its head cut off. Life in the barracks was absolutely insane, and I found myself missing the environment at basic due the extreme lack of organization, lack of discipline, and EXTREME overcrowding. Luckily I just got moved off post with my family about 2 weeks ago, which is 100% better. Only 3.5 more months to go.

quote:

Originally posted by WO1 Pyro:
The choice between tactical and strategic is more or less needs of the army. The difference is the type of sat terminals that you will learn about and then the type of duty assignments you will get. Tactical guys will work with the tactical sat systems. Basicly a shelter mounted on the back of a truck that drags their dish behind them anywhere in the world. Yes that means that eventually you will probably be deployed to some faraway sand box.

Strategic guys work at the fixed big dish terminals or other assignments along those lines. They are nondeployable, but at the same time, they are located all around the world (yes even the desert). Either way, being a 25S will set you up pretty good when it comes time to find a job as a civilian.

In all honesty, I haven't seen what the basic electronics course covers. I imagine its not hugely in depth, but will give you a good broad basic knowledge of electronics. You mentioned that you did construction. Realize that there are some big differences between housing electricity and the electronics that run these systems. Let me know if there is anything else youd like to know.

If you're still around, chief, I have several very specific questions.

Please contact me at wd_mason@hotmail.com

If you have questions about 25S I might be able to help as well since I have been a 25S for the last 11 years.

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamstalker:
If you have questions about 25S I might be able to help as well since I have been a 25S for the last 11 years.

i'm probably one of your distant ends.... small world....