ArmorJoe

[ArmorJoe]

Hey everyone, I am an Armor Officer about to commission in December. I was in the National Guard for 2 years prior in a Signal Unit. I have been branch detailed Armor from Signal. I have just gotten my AOBC and BOLCII dates starting early Feb. I got my first duty assignment and it is the 1st Armor Training Brigade at Ft Knox.... so I am kind of clueless as to why I would be given that assignment. It seems to be kind of a uh... interesting assignment... BCT and AIT Training is done there along with LTC for ROTC...

[IN THE FACE]

Let me guess.. its "the needs of the Army" that brought you to Ft. Knox huh? Was it even on your dream sheet? Well congrats regardless and welcome.

[ArmorJoe]

needs of the army right, more importantly what does an Armor 2LT do after AOBC at ft knox? I heard a rummor that there was a BCT about to be placed there but I have no clue...

[Skull6]

LOL. The first word that comes to mind is "gopher," but who knows? DA's still planning on moving the Armor School down to Benning--maybe you'll find yourself as some sort of "Planning/ Project Officer's assistant" in this process.

P.S. Make sure to say "Hi!" to Yano for me! ::turret::

[ArmorJoe]

Do I want to know what a Gopher is....

[I274]

You could be assigned to the Training Brigade, or anywhere else on post. – like Skull said, you could be a “project officerâ€

[ArmorJoe]

In my orders it does not give a Unit besides the 1st Armor Training Brigade HQ

Under Duty At my orders say Not applicable...

[Cerebroden]

Lets not get ahead of ourselves now young one.


Hey everyone, I am an Armor Officer about to commission in December.

[ArmorJoe]

haha yeah sorry a little excitement got a hold of me:-)

Any one ever been stationed at FT Knox in the 1st Armor Training Brigade HQ??? I am interested in what I may do there...

[Jake the Skillet]

Here's the heads up about being at Knox for a PCS. Just got through MBOLC and had two buddies who were in the same boat as you. It is a "luck of the draw" deal with you getting Knox, because the guys PCSing there were pretty squared away.

You will NOT be able to get out of those orders for a real unit unless you convince some poor sucker to rade orders. They were assigned to 2/16 Cav (The actual MBOLC unit). They were givin' an array of options as to what they could do at Ft. Knox. They could go on ahead and work for 2/16 Cav if they wanted to. They also said that they could work for 1/16 Cav if they wanted to do that (1/16 supports all 16 Cav Reg. Operations, mostly supporting 2/16, but also supported 3/16 which includes M-BNCOC, M-ANCOC, SLC, ACCC and the Master Gunner School). They were also given the option of working with the 1st Armor Training Brigade. That slot would most likely be a Basic Training Co/Trp XO slot. They are hurting for some help. They hurt so bad that they were even sending some BOLC recycles there as XO's while they wait for their class to start.

And it's true, there's no rumor to it. 1st ID is coming. However no one knows when. The theory behind it is that you'll spend one year working your assignment, and then be assigned to the 1ID Bde when it shows up. They just started building the barracks for their arrival, but like I said, no one really knows exactly when they are showing up.

Just my .02, very unlikely you'll have to worry about the movement of the Armor Center. Last I read was the NLT time for them to be at Benning was Sept. 2010. I wouldn't be suprised if I had to go to Knox for ACCC.

That's pretty much all I know right now.

[ArmorJoe]

Thanks, that helps a lot!

[ArmorJoe]

So what does a Basic Training CO/TRP XO do?

[I274]

So what does a Basic Training CO/TRP XO do?


You run all the admin in the company along with the 1SG.

Write all the discharge paperwork, which includes counseling each trainee considered for discharge.

Conduct all inspections - monthly, quarterly, semiannually, sometimes weekly or daily – fire, safety, CBRN, supply, arms room, dining facility (if you have one), etc

Training officer – supervise, manage training coordination for company – each cycle is pretty routine, but you have to program all the classes, buildings, ranges, transportation, etc so the trainees flow from one place to another smoothly. (you remember any snafu’s when you were a cadet? – that’s because someone didn’t coordinate and follow through.)

If it’s policy to have an officer present at all training (which it should be), then you will be the stuckee most of the time. ‘cause there probably isn’t another officer in the company… it’s just you and the C.O.

Any additional duties that come down for battalion, brigade, or post, will fall on you. – duty officer (up all night making rounds and inspecting – maintaining standards of discipline, health and welfare, and safety.); funeral details; survivor assistance officer; etc, etc.

Being an instructor – giving classes on various subjects. (most classes are taught by the D.I.s, but there are a few that require or recommended be taught by an officer.) You have to be able to step in at any time to assume the duties of the instructor, should someone fail to show up or get sick or whatever.

Taking command in the absence of the C.O. Mostly when he is on leave (guess who is stuck on the holidays), but also when he is called away and YOU are in charge.

Bottom line, there isn’t a better position to learn all the admin stuff that runs the army than in that position; because unlike a TO&E unit (FORSCOM etc), you will probably be the only officer in the company besides the C.O. and will have to learn EVERYTHING. Good preparation for command.

Thank God you are in a maneuver unit – you won’t have to deal with the problems of females.

Sassy should be able to add to this list.

[Sassy05]

I managed to escape holding a TRADOC job. I was a BDE HHB XO. I do know some folks who work at the Artillery Training Center though. A couple of my OBC classmates work in TRADOC now, but most got sent to a unit preparing for deployment. I do know a CPT at Knox who is a training Troop Commander. I'll try to get a hold of him. I'll PM his e-mail address if I can reach him. He's busy being a commander and new husband and father, so he has quite a bit on his plate.

P.S. I274, I might have managed to escape my fate in TRADOC since I branch transferred. I may still end up there once, but at least I won't spend my career there now. ;-)

[ArmorJoe]

Thanks, that was really helpful from both of you :-)

I just hope I can get some PLT Leader time also after this post.

[ArmorJoe]

Quick question that has been annoying me... does time served in the National Guard even while an SMP Cadet count towards years in service when you go on Active duty? As of right now I have over 2 years in...

[Sassy05]

It counts towards your pay, but not your retirement. When you commission, you should be getting paid as a LT with 2 years in.

[CombatCady]

Lets not get ahead of ourselves now young one.


Hey everyone, I am an Armor Officer about to commission in December.

I'm partial to "Cadet Promotable," myself.

[Sassy05]

I'm partial to "Cadet Promotable," myself.

LMAO.

[ArmorJoe]

Okay quick question about my orders email I got about 2 weeks ago. There are some acronmys which I don't understand.

DMSL
DTRASG

Now I just recieved my branch welcome letter which says my first duty station is FT Bliss, TX which is different from my orders to FT Knox.... little help here before I call my branch manager?

[Associate289]

Bliss, Knox, they're practically down the street from each other...

[Un4given]

Lets not get ahead of ourselves now young one.


Hey everyone, I am an Armor Officer about to commission in December.

I'm partial to "Cadet Promotable," myself.
Hahaha! I love this munchkin!


Well I wouldn't mind holding a TRADOC job during my "captains void"... You know that time between commanding and making Major. There's possibilities.

[ArmorJoe]

There are some acronmys which I don't understand. Can anyone tell me what they mean on my RFO???

DMSL
DTRASG

[Sammy Sandbag]

Perhaps if you provide the context that they appear in.

[ArmorJoe]

Well if there was much of a context I would tell you but there really isn't...

DMSL (SOME UNIT)
DTRASG (SOME DATE)

[Skull6]

What I found off a ppt on AKO...

https://www.us.army.mil/suite/doc/6301199

DMSL = Distribution Management Sub-Level (From what I'm told by an NCO in G1, Fort Carson, that this is a portion of a hierarchy of codes that list major command, larger unit & sub-unit for the one on orders--to help the Army track individuals "easier"--but it sure don't sound easier to me!)

There was nothing on AKO for DTRASG, but the G1 NCO I spoke with tells me that this is the "Date of Assignment" (or so he thought.)

[ArmorJoe]

THANKS!!! so I guess if that is the date I report then I have a month between OBC and Reporting to my Unit at FT Knox? Is this leave time?

[Sammy Sandbag]

Is this leave time?

If you take leave it is, as long as you actually finish the course on the scheduled date. But a month sure isn't long. Of course you could always report in and take your PTDY, as long as your unit isn't in need of you right then.

[Skull6]

I'd continue to ask the questions to more knowledgable folk before you go making any plans/ decisions.

That personnel NCO seemed a bit shaky on those definitions, imo.

[ArmorJoe]

Don't worry I am not making any plans that far out anyways. I am just currious as to what is going on. I am sure I will be filled in at Bolc III any how....

[Skull6]

LOL. You're "assuming" you'll be filled in when you get to BOLCIII.

No one's taught you what happens when you "assume" yet? :-D

[ArmorJoe]

If I am not filled in I can always just go over to the 1ATB and ask what is going on. They will for sure know, even my national guard unit was good about helping soldiers inprocessing with questions... sometimes it just took a while to get the right answer...

[Associate289]

dont worry skull, hes got it all figured out

[Un4given]

Found a definitive answer to DTRASG...
DATE REPORTING TO ASSIGNMENT: THE DATE A SERVICE MEMBER HAS BEEN DIRECTED TO REPORT TO A UNIT OF PERMANENT ASSIGNMENT TO BE COUNTED AS A GAIN FOR THE COMMAND. NOTE: EDIT IS YYYYMMDD

[killernurse]

Necromancer....

[Un4given]

Necromancer....
Basically. Thing is, I got my RFO today and seen the acronym on there and remembered this thread because it's one of our most popular keywords on Google. Soooo, I found what it stands for.