I'm at Fort Bragg in the 82nd as a medic. Ever since I got to my unit, people have told me countless times to do whatever I can to get out of my unit or I'll be stuck here forever and never do anything better. I'm looking for anyone who can give me any insight into the 83rd CA (Civil Affairs) as I'm looking into CA but not ready for selection without having a back up plan. How is the day to day life? How do medics fare and what do they normally do? How are the deployments like?
Good day, Reddit! I am a veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars answering an undeniable calling to do whatever I can to bring our people home. After I exhausted every tool at my disposal while working from home in the United States i left for Doha, Qatar, in order to spend time face-to-face with officials from the U.S. and Qatar (as well as diplomats from other countries, civilians, and anyone else with even a shred of usable information) in an effort to bring home our allies and their families. I hit dead-end after dead-end with unanswered emails and phone calls, so I decided it would be most effective if I just got into the thick of it. You may have heard that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was a (relative) success, but for very good reasons I did not, at all, buy that rhetoric. Ask me absolutely anything.
EDIT: Everyone, thank you so much for asking your questions. It's 1 am here and my eyes are starting to cross, so I am going to log off for now. When I get back on I will look through the comments to see if there are any unanswered questions that need answers or snarky comments that deserve a retort. Good night and stay safe
EDIT: this is the link to the fundraiser: this is the link.
Please share it if you feel so inclined!
What’s civil affairs like in the guard? I haven’t found a lot on this mos, but from what I’ve seen, there’s a difference between being CA active duty and reserve/national guard.
I’m currently a 14E looking to reclass with my reenlistment. I’m really interested in going after CA or PSYOP but i’m not sure how to prepare for either of those jobs or selection for it. Wondering how far I can go with things coming from ADA, I feel extremely underprepared for any real combat arms job. What training can I do to get physically ready as well as develop skills to make it through the pipeline? Feel like I have more to give in a job where that doesn’t always get you anywhere.
I’m a recent college graduate now pursuing my masters in security studies. After grad school I might want to do reserves or national guard. What should I know about PSYOPS and Civil Affairs if I want to be an officer in the reserves? What’s the training like ? Are there specific people the army look for to fill these types of jobs ?
Hi is anyone in here Civi affairs or Ex? I am an ex 11B did about 3 1/2 years. Had to go into the reserves office and they were talking me into civil affairs. I’m also close to getting my bachelors so I could be 38A. Please I would like to know about this job.
Hi guys. I’ve been interested in this topic for a while now and I had a little convo with my teacher about it, and I want to dig further for more in depth works. Would you know of anything to recommend that touches upon the American military institution and its neutral/uninvolved approach in matters of government?
I understand that the US does have a culture of keeping the military subordinate to the civilian government, but it just fascinates me how the most powerful military in the world has never attempted a coup or forced authoritarian measures on government. It seems very tame and under control.
Hello, Just completed my undergrad and am now in graduate school studying security studies. I am thinking of going into the reserves/national guard after I graduate.
I’ve done my reading on goarmy.com but I wanted to know what the training is like for these jobs from a real person who isn’t a recruiter. What kinds of qualities or skills would help in getting these MOS selection? And if anyone can speak on behalf of there experience it would be much appreciated.
Hey everyone. I'm currently an 11B but looking towards the future and I'm kinda realizing that I would be interested in working at a federal LE agency down the road. I plan on reclassing towards the end othis contract and I am curious as to which of these 3 MOS' would be best to get a job as an agent with somewhere like the FBI, ATF, NSA, etc... 37F, 38B, or 35L. All of which are appealing to me, but I can't figure out which I would enjoy the most and which would be the most beneficial. 37F gets to actually put their feet on the ground and go out with other SOCOM units, which is appealing, 38B gets some experience working with international figures(which I would imagine helps with LE agencies in some way), and 35L seem to have a pretty badass job but there isn't much info out there on them(that kind of goes for all 3 MOS'). I do know that 35L's are considered federal law enforcement agents, which would surely be beneficial when applying for Federal jobs. What do you all think?
Can an officer in the IRR go to the selection course for Civil Affairs and go back to active duty. My rank and MOS doesn’t qualify for Call to active duty, and AGR is not a sure thing.
Currently, I am serving in the US Army Reserve (USAR) as an E4 and my first contract is going to end soon (coming January). I want to continue my military career after this contract.
I reached out to Air Force Reserve Recruiter and they told me that I can start the application once my contract is done OR get a conditional release form signed. The recruiter also told me that it will take up to one year and they have slots (officer) available in my state. Generally, they are very encouraging.
At the same time, I also consulted the Army Civil Affairs direct commissioning program. This is a new program (https://talent.army.mil/job/civilaffairs-reserve/) and I got a message back from the recruiting officer. He prescreened my material (CV + ARB) and said I am qualified for one area and also encouraged me to apply.
It's hard to decide which one to try and I understand that both should be highly competitive programs. I would like to hear your thoughts/ideas/recommendations/suggestions/inputs on this. Thanks for your attention!
Info about my background:
Ph.D. in Aerospace Eng;
Speak a foreign language (passed defense language proficiency test DLPT)
10-year national lab + industry work experience (energy sector)
Hey, currently working on my packet for CAAS. The recruiting site has more than enough information, however the biggest concern I have is if I make it through selection, coming in as a CA Reservist with limited experience. By the time I submit my packet, I’ll be CAQC qualified and airborne school but 0 deployments.
I know I have a long way to go, but people who have gone CA Reserves to Active Duty, would be awesome to hear skills that you wish you could of been better at as a TL? Is it common to be coming in with 0 deployments?
Thank you.
Looking to see if anyone’s been to Civil Affairs lately (in the last 6 months)? What exactly did you do for the obstacle course?
ARSOF recruiters came around and they got me real interested in Civil Affairs selection. Can anyone from that community give me some advice on how to prepare for CAAS and more info on what the job entails? I have a 130+ GT score and can speak 2 other languages if that helps.
FYI I'm 11B, hate my f*cking life and want to do something more interesting and valuable than get smoked to damn near heat catting and do half assed training.
I know this is a long shot, but information on this is scant. I saw where in the 2019 bill that established a more streamlined process for DCs, they included Civil Affairs Officers. The requirements for each of the specialities is 4 years work experience and a matching Masters degree. One of the specialities is ‘Civil Administration’ which does not have verbatim Masters equivalent that I have heard of. I do have a Masters in Public Administration and 8 years experience between Transportation and urban planning along with economic development in the public sector.
I’m also an e-5 11B, so an idiot.
Anyone know anything else on this?
Thanks
In the past week I've seen a few dudes who have had questions about CAAS and I hope this post helps break down what to expect and some info on what to do for training up for it.
CAAS is a 10 selection for Civil Affairs on Camp Mackall. The first and last day are really admin days, so its more like an 8 day selection. You will be assessed both physically and mentally. For the physical gates, CAAS shares similar activities done in SFAS. For example you will get to do the Nasty Nick obstacle course. The main difference between CAAS and SFAS are the "mental gymnastics" that are added. That's all I can say about that.
Attrition: I can only speak for my class, but we had initially 78 people. I estimate it was close to 30 NCOs and 48 Officers. 17 NCOS were selected and about 21 Officers were too. We lost 5 to medical waivers/paperwork issues, 2 females with a UTI, 1 heat cat, 1 toe crush injury, 4 volunteer withdrawals, and 4 integrity violations. I'd also guestimate that there were around 20 people who completed the selection and were non selects.
Prep
PT: Ask your ARSOF recruiter if they have a PT program. If they have one, its typically tailored for SF guys. So, you should be overqualified for CAAS. If not, I suggest getting used to rucking and carrying heavy stuff like a 45 lb kettle bell or a 5 gallon water jug for a couple of miles. Grip strength is key.
Mental: All I'll say is look up LSAT logic puzzles and do some practice ASVAB tests.
Social: Civil Affairs involves socializing with people. If your an introvert and not used to doing things like this, maybe join a toast club or think about applying for PSYOPs. Those guys are weird.
Do's and Don'ts
- Make sure your ARSOF recruiter gives you the most recent packing list. I went through in 2018 and a dude showed up with a packing list from 2015. Safe to say he was missing a lot of gear.
- Engineering tape is not really tape. Get your uniforms in regs with the selection process at your local sew shop. Don't be that guy showing up to CAAS with a role of engineering tape and a sewing kit.
- Be up front and honest with your ARSOF recruiter about medical and behavioral health history. In order to attend CAAS, you may need a waiver. Its better to get turned down/away by the ARSOF recruiter than show up to CAAS without one. Otherwise you may go through the whole selection and they'll wait till the end to tell you. One guy during my selection was there his 2nd time and was forced to withdraw t
Hey everyone, I am noticing between a handful of Reserve CA battalions that solid, qualified and great NCO leadership are either leaving the branch or getting out of the USAR entirely.
I know Reserve CA requires more of a commitment (JRTC, rotations, qualification, etc) on a Reserve Soldier, but what gives? And how do we change it? That Team SGT is critical down range to the teams success.
I’m thinking of doing civil affairs. Was wondering what people thought of it. Anyone who’s an officer, enlisted, reserve can tell me their experience?
I am wondering if it is a crazy idea for a 31 y/o nursing officer to cross over to Civil Affairs. I have been in 12 years, both enlisted and officer. I feel unfulfilled in my current career, kicking around with the idea of IRR. I had recently commented on another post about being over the Army and the shenanigans of ARMEDCOM. However, recently I had a good mentorship talk with a #saltydog who said if I hate the nurse corps, I should consider Civil Affairs. I am looking into it a bit and it seems very cool and maybe just the thing to make me risk 8 more years of the green weenie. Any advice or insights into reason why to or why to not look further?
I know this has been asked a lot on this subreddit and other online forums but a lot of posts are older and things might have changed so I am asking someone who’s currently in CA and has gone through the pipeline somewhat recently.
What exactly does CA A&S consist of? And what is the pipeline after. I’m tracking SERE, Airborne, “Language school” (6 months) but what else?
