A Few Questions...

[PV1Ford]

Hello, my name is Christopher Ford and I'm a delayed entry 21B from Kentucky whose unit is 206th Co. C Rear and I ship out to OSUT on June 29th to Leonard Wood. Now to my questions, I enlisted on February 27th, 2006 as a 21B, BUT I really wanted 11B with airborne. I found out the closest infantry unit is in London, KY which is 156 miles from my home, and the 206th is 73 miles from my home. Alright my delimma (sp?)...I am willing to drive the extra mileage if I knew I could get my contract changed to 11B with Airborne...any way that is possible, or will I have to go through OSUT and wait til my 6 yrs. are up and then reclassify as an 11B?

Also, I was wandering what do I have to do to get training as a Combat Lifesaver? I know each guard unit has to have atleast one...what do I do to get into such a course? Everything I learn helps me in some way and I want to learn everything :)

Thanks for any and all info,
Christopher Ford

[LRSU_Dog]

You will need to do several things to try to facilitate a change. First contact the Infantry unit and see if they have a slot for you, second contact your recruiter with that information, 3rd keep your current assigned unit informed of what is going on and what your goals are.

As to Airborne, if the Infantry unit can take you, and they are an Airborne unit then you will have a shot - if not, be the best soldier/trainee in Basic and AIT and you will get a shot at it.

On the Combat Lifesaver end, once you are fully trained and qualified your unit will be able to tell you about getting into the CL course. There are normally more than one qualified CL in a unit - if the unit is lacking a CL you may be able to secure training via your motivatioin and desire to be a good soldier and maintain high standards of professional development.

[LRSU_Dog]

Ford, Chevy... Hmm maybe a Dodge... after all Dem Ole Dudes Go Everywhere

[PV1Ford]

oh lord, I knew it was gonna happen, lol well they say they circled the problem with FOrd vehicles, but with this Ford they circled the SOLUTION :) I'm a chevy man all the way though :) LOL. I had read the infantry article about being the best in BCT and getting an airborne slot but does that pertain to Leonard Wood as well? or just Benning?

[Chris89]

That isn't right your a chevy man and your name spells Found On Road Dead.

Chris

[PV1Ford]

LOL i agree chevy is the best, although First On Race Day does stand true :)

[LRSU_Dog]

Well what can I say, I used to have a Jeep, but now drive an Infinity :)

As far as being steller in BCT and AIT, I have not been informed of any reason why going to one training post versus another affects incentive training such as Airborne. However I do know that if you are at Benning, you only have to go accross post from one school to the next... Check with your recruiter on that one for a bette answer than I am providing.

[AbnMtn]

Currently, the use of the airborne course as an incentive for doing well in BCT only applies to Ft. Benning as far as a Guard wide incentives are concerned. Probably has to do more with logistics and finances than any other reason since if you go to BCT at Benning both schools will be colocated at the same Army post.

Individual states may have their own incentives, but since sending someone to jump school comes out of training funds it may be more difficult to offer it by the state. The state will concentrate the fundings on skill training required rather than on skills that are great to have but are not an MOS/unit requirement. I believe an additional reason for the Ft Benning incentive is to entice more applicants to enlist as an 11B which is one of the NGB Top Ten critical MOS's (the cost of this incentive is coincidentally minimized by the co-location of BCT, AIT and Airborne school).

[KYRecruiter]

Ford,
I'm a recruiter in Lexington...email me your info and recruiter's name and I'll get you the information on our Training Liason. She schedules training and might be able to square this away.

SSG Steven Baker
859-433-3745
steven.baker2@usarec.army.mil

[swampfoxhoyt]

first off, it is highly unlikely that as an 11B that you will not be CLS certified. i would estimate that at least 90% of all of us are currently. on the lat move thing. if you want to be a 11B then join as one from the get go. keep in mind that the army is about numbers and once locked into a unit they dont like to loose people. especially once your school trained. not saying that its impossible though. we're always looking for some good shock troopers to come carry the load.:D i think you will find the 11B MOS most rewarding in the fact that you will be among the best the army has to offer as war fighters. be prepared however for a career of deployments and better make sure your home life is squared away. that blue cord doesnt come free. as long as your a performer and not some dirt bag the opportunity for schools and promotions will be there for you in time. one thing we do is make you earn your spot in life. there is something to be said about being an infantryman. good luck

H