US Army, and Cavalry Scout questions?

[GammaDriver]

A recruiter was explaining the 19D MOS, Cav Scout, but the scenarios he laid out, and the corresponding video, didn't have anything to do with urban warfare, so I'm a bit confused as to how cavalry scouts are currently being used.

While it probably sounds strange, I really want to avoid being deployed and then sitting on my ass (as some Marines complain about - lifting weights all day while the special forces go out in the feild).

If I were to join, it would be as an 'old guy' - 35 y/o with a college degree (English and Communications), so I'd enter as an E-4 I'm told (too old for OCS). I'm not sure, but it seems that it pretty much leaves only the Army available in as far as full-time and age restrictions. Ideally I'd like to get over to Afghanistan, but other than special forces, I'm not aware of other Army MOS's that have a chance of going there. Have any suggestions?

So far I've considered 19D and 21D (diver).

I'd wouldn't mind being stationed over seas, preferably in some place interesting (Germany would be OK, but the Army have better?). I have a feeeling that getting a good stationing is out of the question due to my age and the limitations of the Army. It's the Air Force and Navy who seem to get the better places to go (like Diego Garcia, and various ports).

The main benefits, for me, would be the final paying-off of my college loans, and getting my chance to do my part. It's either going to be the Army or civilian county or local police (but not an M.P.).

Any guidance as to options, and great MOS's, would be appreciated.

[Wakizashi]

.....11B...infantry... the best option if you want to see combat in OEF/OIF (outside of 18 series).... though you most likely will be stationed at the worst bases.... and life is never easy being one....

...but if you are only concerned with being stationed under the sun or enjoying where you are.... perhaps the army isn't for you.... Another thing to think about is.... that as a lowly e4... you will be getting ordered around by guys almost half your age.....I've known quiet a few "old guys" who can't get over it. Just realize what you are getting into.....But.... serving your country is a great honor.... so I understand completely with your wish to serve.

[325rangerCco]

dude if you want combat then go 11b. every 11b pretty much willl go to afghan or iraq. most likely you willl do both. and special forces are not the only ones doing **** bro. in afghan they do a lot trust me but grunts get it done too. good luck to ya old man haha j/k. maybe you can come to my fire team in the duece.... i would give ya an introduction the the infantry. j/k man. gl

[325rangerCco]

oh ya before i forget. 19 deltas are fags.

[RGRBOX]

Hooah on the 11B.. and the CAV eats sh it... go 11bravo, and try to get Airborne at the least in your contract.. maybe even a Rgr Contract. If you get to one of the Jump status units in the Army.. the chances are that you will deply. I think I read where even the 1/25th is going from Alaska, and they're on jump status. The other possibiliy is to go into the 18X program (SF baby) I don't know much about it.. but if you can , and you have what it takes you can get into SF this way.. anyway, good luck from a former 11B and a 37 year old. By the way, anyone hear that the Army has raised the ago to 42 to enlist??

Just one point about the 19D.. I have a friend with 4/73 at Bragg, he's a 19D.. and fom what he's told me the Army is going that way.. I even herad that because the 19D's mission is simular to the Infantry, that the Army is thinking of changing them to 11D.. Infantry Scouts.. sounds good..

[GammaDriver]

oh ya before i forget. 19 deltas are fags.

and I'm supposed to take anything you have to say seriously?



Hooah on the 11B.. and the CAV eats sh it... go 11bravo, and try to get Airborne at the least in your contract.. maybe even a Rgr Contract. If you get to one of the Jump status units in the Army.. the chances are that you will deply. .... The other possibiliy is to go into the 18X program (SF baby) I don't know much about it.. but if you can , and you have what it takes you can get into SF this way.. anyway, good luck from a former 11B and a 37 year old. By the way, anyone hear that the Army has raised the ago to 42 to enlist??

Just one point about the 19D.. I have a friend with 4/73 at Bragg, he's a 19D.. and fom what he's told me the Army is going that way.. I even herad that because the 19D's mission is simular to the Infantry, that the Army is thinking of changing them to 11D.. Infantry Scouts.. sounds good..

RGRBOX, not sure what you're claiming will happen to the 19D's. Are you saying they all may revert to 11D? And why is that a good thing?

Yeah SF would be the way to go, but they have an age cut-off limit of 30.

I think I need to learn more about what equipment the 19D MOS uses and what they do.

[GLax]

no seriously, 19D arent infantry, take it from an 11b in a Cav Squadron full of 19d. sometimes thaey look and smell like infantry, but there is an extreme difference between scout and infantry. you can ask any 11b on here, theres the Army, then theres the infantry, 2 diferent worlds my friend. anyhow, they are talking about making it 11D actually, couple of my new privates were telling me that they were going to be one of the last classes to be trained at Ft. Knox, its moving down to Ft. Benning with all the other infantry guys. it was actually 11d back in vietnam from what i've ben told by some of our "Cav historians" in my unit

[GammaDriver]

Wow. So if I were to join up as a 19D, I'd pretty much be signing up for 11B, and not getting the Ft. Knox training? Damn good to know.

[325rangerCco]

you shouldnt take me serious

[GLax]

whoa whoa whoa, keep in mind these were privates telling me this so dont take it for the word of God, it could happen but it may not. sorry, i worded it wrong

[A Soldier]

Go ahead and go 11B or even 11C if combat is your thing. Also remember that in Iraq lots of other MOS's perform dismounted patrols and searches/raids, so being in a combat arms branch is very wise regardless of which one. Why you might ask? Well if you want a guy covering your ass that you can trust to fight back and stick with you till the end then go Armor, Infantry, FA, or even Engineer (woot). Look into 21B as a MOS, I'm biased but this is a great field, PM me if you have any questions about it.

Ask the recruiter if he can hook up Airborne school for you.

[Hydro]

There's a dude on these boards thats a Cav Scout, AUDIE249 I think he goes by. You could try PM'ing him for some info.

[Buckeye67]

Gamma,

If you'd like more info on Cav Scouts, from Cav Scouts, check out cavalryscouts.com. I always though it sounded like an interesting MOS.

Just to toss a few other ideas out for you to think about, for other jobs that'd get you "outside the wire" - give Civil Affairs (38B) and Psyops (37F) a glance. Also, HUMINT has seen a resurgence since 9/11 and Interrogator/Linguists, or "Human Intelligence Collectors" as 97E's are called these days are in high demand.

Whichever way you go, good luck to you. :)

[RGRBOX]

Being former Infantry, I prefer the Infantry. 11B3V ... anyway, I know a 19D at Bragg, and it seems to be one of the directions the Army is going.. 19D are well trained, and are well trained.. I don't know what all they do, but I do know what an Infantryman does. Like Buckeye67 said, there are other MOS' that see combat.. but I would suggest if you want a combat MOS to go 11 series.. as for 18 series, I had no idea there was a cut off... anyway, there are some 19, and 11 series people on this forum who can give you more insight into these job today.. i did it last 10 years ago, and although being a Grunt hasn't changed much, some of the weapons, and equipment have...

[praetorian6]

Cav Scouts do a lot of Infantry missions, and there is hardly any difference between a 19D and an 11H. When I first got to Campbell in '97 alot of 19Ds were sent there from Ft. Polk as they phased them out (of the Cav Unit there) and reclassed them all as 11Hs. From what I've heard though is that they have done away with 11Hs though. I guess the point is there really isn't that much difference between Cav Scouts and the Infantry, the heavy weapons, anti-armor Infantry anyway.

[GammaDriver]

Thanks for all the great ideas guys. I'm looking into all of it.

[Laconian]

The traditional Cav Scout missions are screen, recon, route survey, pursuit and demonstration, objective overwatch. The cav scout is the commander's eyes and ears they go out and get fresh intel. The infantry mission is to close with and destroy the enemy. That being said, there are similarities to the 2 MOS. Patrolling is patrolling. The cav guys just tend to like to do it mounted. No pun intended.

With the Bde Modular concept, especially in the urban environment, the line will be even more blurred. As stated before, all different types of MOSs are doing combat patrols. I think a tactical MP unit would be a pretty cool place to be, and I'm an old infantry guy at heart.

Ft. Knox is being closed. The Armor School is being moved to Ft. Benning. I've talked to a couple of folks (military and civilian) that work at the 5-sided building and many believe that Armor and Infantry will be merged within 5 years, though there will still be a light infantry.

[RGRBOX]

OMFG!! I pray they never get so stupid, and merged them... the last thig the Infantry needs are a bunch on CDATs running the show.. but it would make Patton Happy...

Though what your saying is strange.. because the way things are going with the military, it seems that light is the direction.. more motorized.. light armor...

[Laconian]

RGRBOX,
When I heard it at a party, beer shot out of my nose. I thought that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. But as it was explained, with the modular concept, the need for straight armor/mech infantry units is long past. The army sees itself now interms of strict combined arms stuff. I asked what the units would be called and "Armored Infantry" or "Dragoons" was mentioned, but that was only speculation. Light infantry units (75th RGR REGT, 10th MTN, 82nd ABN, 101st AASSLT) would stay basically the same. The majority of the force would move towards the Stryker concept, motorized as the old 9th ID was known.

[RGRBOX]

RGRBOX,
When I heard it at a party, beer shot out of my nose. I thought that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. But as it was explained, with the modular concept, the need for straight armor/mech infantry units is long past. The army sees itself now interms of strict combined arms stuff. I asked what the units would be called and "Armored Infantry" or "Dragoons" was mentioned, but that was only speculation. Light infantry units (75th RGR REGT, 10th MTN, 82nd ABN, 101st AASSLT) would stay basically the same. The majority of the force would move towards the Stryker concept, motorized as the old 9th ID was known.

I was at Lewis when the 9ID was Motorized. First they were driving around in Dune buggies, and then Hummers... looked like an interesting idea.. but I like the Stryker concept better. a little bit of armor can't hurt...

anyway, the idea of an 11D is pretty good. at least if they're doing Infantry Ops they can earn the CIB like the rest of the Infantry..

[Yeoman]

OMFG!! I pray they never get so stupid, and merged them... the last thig the Infantry needs are a bunch on CDATs running the show.. but it would make Patton Happy...

Though what your saying is strange.. because the way things are going with the military, it seems that light is the direction.. more motorized.. light armor...

they're looking at the same thing up here RGR. amoured drives/shoots/commands, with the infantry in the back of the AFV's. sounds lame if you ask me.
Greg