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Calgunners in Service This forum is a place for our active duty and deployed members to share, request and have a bit of home where ever they are. |
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California State Military Reserve - Seeking Guidance
Hello everyone,
I'm a technology executive with over 23 years in technology, IT, and information security and hold a Masters Degree. I enlisted in the SMR and am currently an E4 (SPC). I have no prior service. I thought I would have been brought in at a higher rank, but given I have no prior service, I didn't think I had any options. Is it possible as an already enlisted member to get a Direct Commission as an officer or would I need to attend OCS to become an officer? If so, what are the appropriate steps to make this happen? If anyone here is a member of any of the IT or technology units, would love to pick your brain about what your drill weekends are like, roles and responsibilities, etc. Please DM if you are open to talking. Thanks for your guidance. |
#3
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I can't speak directly to the CSMR, but I have seen quite a few folks who were given advanced grade enlistments in the Navy and Coast Guard, and also direct commissioned officers.
It's very important to remember that a military professional must master not only the technical skills of their military occupation, but they must also master the military requirements (service knowledge and leadership skills) of their military grade. Those are two very separate things. Most advanced grade enlistments and direct commission programs are provided to folks who have specific occupational skills required by the military. A lot of these folks fall short in the corresponding military requirements of their grade. In the case of enlisted persons, you generally don't see appointments above E4 and the corresponding military requirements can be learned in relatively short order. It's a different world for officers. You generally only see direct commissions being offered for staff positions. Line officers generally have to follow the traditional accession path to higher ranks. That's not a bad thing for officers. Promotions are extremely competitive and any shortcoming an officer shows in their military performance can really prove harmful.
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If you build a man a fire, you'll keep him warm for the evening. If you set a man on fire, you'll keep him warm for the rest of his life. |
#4
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I can speak somewhat to the Navy's Direct Commission Programs for Engineers, but it is similar for the IP and Crypto fields.
Even if you're brought in via DCO, you will still need to go to ODS (Officer Development School), which is essentially the "fork and knife" portion or phase 3 of the standard line OCS (Officer Candidate School) where you learn customs/courtesies/ranks etc. Timing has changed, but it's around a month at Newport, Rhode Island. For Navy Reserves you will be brought directly in and attached to your unit and drill at your local NOSC (Navy operational support center), and will go to your warfare community's pipeline schools later as part of your annual 2 week drill requirement. Based on your experience description, if you are interested in Navy accessions, you sound like you'd be the best fit for Information Professional. The Navy's officer age accession limit is currently 42, but age waivers are possible, especially for the "scientific" fields. As to paygrade, if you are accepted, you would likely be commissioned as a LTJG/O-2, LT/O-3 is usually reserved for PhD equivalent. I would contact the accessions detailer for more information before you speak to a Navy recruiter, as your local recruiting office is highly unlikely to know specialized DCO commissioning programs and are not incentivized to recruit officers. Also RickD427's points are all valid about military bearing and performance (separate from technical performance). https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-n.../default2.aspx
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Last edited by roll2li; 05-03-2019 at 8:00 AM.. Reason: Didn't drink enough coffee |
#5
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For CSMR, why do you want to be an officer?
They just get more paperwork, liability, and less fun, same pay as enlisted.... Enlisted is where you want to be in the SMR.
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Emotional appeal is a marketing tactic and not a foundation for effective argument. Nulla Fatere, Omnia Nega, Accusatorem Accusa |
#6
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https://www.goarmy.com/army-cyber/cy...g-program.html That said I don't know your age or limitations that prevented you from trying the traditional branches of service. ************** That aside, when you sign that contract (maybe not so much with the CSMR) you are locked in and if you have higher design plans you need to make sure you know the regulations that will allow you to get where you want to be.
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Before there was Polymer there was Accuracy. |
#7
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Snoopy makes a good point. I don’t know what you’d be doing with the CSMRs for IT, but probably not much more than basic help desk stuff. More importantly, with Cyber you might actually do some interesting work. Cyber is a new branch and doesn’t seem to have gotten bogged down with bs.
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#8
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Snoopy has a good point in it. As someone with 17 years Guard and now USAR and have worked with CSMRs you have some choices. BLUF: Direct commission is usually reserved for JAG, Chaplain and Medical Corps, since there are no enlisted options for Bar certified attorneys, Clergy, and Doctors, unless you want to be enlisted. Also, since each of those requires a much higher level of education than a standard BA/BS, the military tries to compensate you by having you bypass the standard routes to "officership" as a way to entice you to go that route. The technology route is a bit different since there are both officer and enlisted positions for a person with your expertise. I would check out OCS and go into the military's cyber field. They're crying for people there and if your certs and everything are up to date, there are some things that you can leverage to get your choice from the officer recruiters.
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--Magazines for Sig Sauer P6 --Walther P-38. Prefer Pre 1945 --Luger P08 |
#9
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I appreciate anyone who is willing to serve in any capacity. As a prior enlisted Soldier, I served under some great officers and a few dreadfully incompetent ones as well. These are my thoughts:
Let's set aside medical, legal, and clergy appointments that have already been discussed. What sort of useful purpose does a non-prior service member, with no BCT, no AIT, no OCS, or any other formal military training have in a commissioned leadership role over ALL enlisted personnel in a platoon, company, etc.? Even an E-1 right out of basic has received a pretty significant breadth of training in DNC, BRM, PT, and all the other fun stuff in their smart books, not to mention that deep 24/7 shock and awe inculcation into military culture. They don't lead anyone, and are treated literally like children until they have earned the right, through tenure and accomplishment, to ascend in rank. My suggestion would be to beef up on basic soldiering skills and military education beyond your academic pedigree. Do that before worrying about what is on your collar and being saluted by people with far more experience who will be expecting you to lead them competently. |
#10
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The army is not going to put bars on his shoulders and sit him in front of a computer and say YOU GO DO CYBER NOW. That's what's contractors are for, or DA Civilians. He's still do BCT in some way, and he'll still have to do his Cyber Officer Branch course, and then the Captains Course for Cyber. He'll only skip OCS which is essentially BCT all over again by on steroids. He won't be leading troops into battle, and would potentially provide professional expertise in a field the military has been completely left in the dust. Those subordinate to him would likely not have nearly the technical expertise he brings to the table. The Army doesn't need it's future cyber coders spinning wheels learning how to zero an M16 and call down a 9-line. A board of officers would look at his packet and decide Up or Down if what he brings to the table is deserving of skipping OCS. Yes, POOF they become 1LTs with a quicker path to CPT, but they also get STUCK THERE longer with the possibility of getting bumped out of the Army for lack of promotion. ******* He needs to dig up the Cyber Direct Commissioning regulations out there. There is a process put in place to award these direct commissions, and they are spelled out in Army Milper Messages or Regulations. They aren't given out willy-nilly. That's what's going to get him there. Not internet forums.
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Before there was Polymer there was Accuracy. |
#11
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In a similar fashion as the Marines, where every Marine is a rifleman first. If he goes Signal Corps, then he will go through the standard BCT/AIT/OCS etc pattern, but that wasn't what we were discussing. That is why he is commissioned as a 1LT and not a CPT, as they used to be. They want the newly stamped LT to do some time getting used to being a Soldier too. In the old days, you'd get CPT if you're stuff was good, but they were noticing that these newly stamped CPTs simply didn't have the "military experience". They were technically proficient, but not militarily. So they bumped it back a notch.
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--Magazines for Sig Sauer P6 --Walther P-38. Prefer Pre 1945 --Luger P08 |
#12
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I will defer to you gentlemen who are still serving, as I have been out for more than 10 years. Snoopy47 and Supersapper are in a far better position to appraise the OP’s question than I am. Thanks to all who have served and those who continue to serve.
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#13
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I wish I could help, been out about 10 years myself. You might need to speak to a recruiter and find out your options.
I would suggest earning your rank rather than being handed rank. I earned my rank as a specialist starting as a private and progressing. I have heard that they are going to toughen the PT standards to 6 events completed in 50 minutes or less with less recovery time between events for 2021 Are you in good shape OP? These new PT tests if implemented will cause more soldiers to be separated. |
#14
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Emotional appeal is a marketing tactic and not a foundation for effective argument. Nulla Fatere, Omnia Nega, Accusatorem Accusa Last edited by ECG_88; 05-15-2019 at 8:17 AM.. |
#15
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Probably less. Hearing about what the test involves, it seems it’s more inline with what Seal’s and Special Forces need to do during training. Implemented with gender neutral testing. No more gender norming. Pushups and sit-ups were no problem for me, sprinting short distances weren’t either. During OSUT, I barely passed the 2 mile run in time allowed. It didn’t get any easier as time went on. Most people are not marathon runners and it seems more like what they expect. Ruck marches and sprinting I can see. I never ran 2 miles in full battle rattle and engaged the enemy, only engaged using short sprints from cover to cover. |
#16
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The mission of the CSMR is to support and help train the guard. We do that by filling admin positions and being instructors. Do you need to be able to run 2 miles to go over PMI at the range?
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Emotional appeal is a marketing tactic and not a foundation for effective argument. Nulla Fatere, Omnia Nega, Accusatorem Accusa |
#17
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What IS the CSMR fitness standard?
The only thing I can find is a Height/Weight standard. I am not finding a fitness test standard for them. Mind you, NOT the National Guard, Reverses, or Active Army. Please provide a link or regulation I can look up and validate the fitness requirements that are tested on an annual basis for the CSMR.
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Before there was Polymer there was Accuracy. |
#18
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Ive never seen anyone with your credentials or even higher enlist higher than an E4. Sergeants lead troops - you need experience to lead troops, not just an education.
And you need to go OCS. IMO - being enlisted, I would redo my time and go OCS. My $.02.
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#20
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Funny, all the rambling about what the OP should do, and no one has noticed that the Commander of the entire CSMR own bio states the following:
***** Major General (CA) Jay M. Coggan currently serves as the Chief Counsel – Cyber Operations for the California Military Department. In this capacity, he is responsible for legal issues in the realm of cyber defense for the California National Guard’s mission of defense support of civil authorities, and the protection of California’s critical infrastructure. https://calguard.ca.gov/wp-content/u...-Biography.pdf ***** I will say though, it falls on the CSMR to be so lacking in information regarding what it is they do, and targeting recruits. It seems if one is interested in the CSMR they have to go a round about way collecting information about what they do, and how to be a part of it. Apparently there is a Cyber element to it and visibility at the highest level.
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Before there was Polymer there was Accuracy. |
#21
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We keep hearing rumors about PT tests, but there is nothing official yet.
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Emotional appeal is a marketing tactic and not a foundation for effective argument. Nulla Fatere, Omnia Nega, Accusatorem Accusa |
#22
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For the last few years, half of it has been supporting the training needs of the guard (range RSOs, Law Enforcement training, Riot Control) and Civil Support(MEMS/FEMA training). The other half is filling in Admin roles such as JAG, Chaplin, and other General Staff at the higher levels. There are a lot of officer paper pushers that have a lot of meetings with guard commanders to leverage CSMR units. I would not be surprised if there was a large Cyber unit in Sacramento, but I have not heard of that in Southern California. It is mostly Installation Security, MP, Communications, Air Crew Support, Medical and Jag down here. Oh almost forgot the maritime component. Wonder if they got any boats yet...
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Emotional appeal is a marketing tactic and not a foundation for effective argument. Nulla Fatere, Omnia Nega, Accusatorem Accusa |
#23
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At my OSUT, everyone was tested at regular army standards in age brackets, regardless of reserves, guard or regular army. It would be safe to assume for any Army connected service would have to follow the APFT. The testing standards if adopted and implemented in 2021 is a DOD requirement, not just for Army. Air Force, the shortest of basic training @ 6 weeks will probably suffer the most among the branches. |
#24
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Some SMR including myself are on paid State Active Duty Orders. I'm a full time state employee and get paid enlisted pay along with housing allowance and benefits.
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"A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box." -Fedrick Douglas |
#25
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Some people get paid if they are working certain duties, but mostly everyone else doesn't get paid. So I was mostly joking that officers get the same pay as enlisted, which is none.
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Emotional appeal is a marketing tactic and not a foundation for effective argument. Nulla Fatere, Omnia Nega, Accusatorem Accusa |
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Emotional appeal is a marketing tactic and not a foundation for effective argument. Nulla Fatere, Omnia Nega, Accusatorem Accusa |
#27
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I know some fantastic CSMRs, but if we can't even get our own Gaurd/USAR/active folks to pass this debacle, how do we expect another organization to pass it? Quote:
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--Magazines for Sig Sauer P6 --Walther P-38. Prefer Pre 1945 --Luger P08 |
#28
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This thread is off the hinges.
OP is CSMR SPC, and wants to be CSMR officer in a Cyber role. While the option was suggested to him, all the sudden it's presumed he'll be going NG/USAR officer. Then somewhere along the line the APFT standards are being thrown in there. It's probably very remote CSMR will roll out any sort of fitness standard beyond initial entry. ********** I'm going to continue to go off topic here: As for the new Army fitness standard, it's MOS specific and gender neutral. You are either combat and held to a higher standard or you are not. My MOS as Quartermaster now has a run time that's on par with women in my age bracket. I will be give essentially 20min to run now. Ignoring the new standards and events, focus on the fact it will need special equipment now. This equipment (two sets) is only going to be issued at the Battalion Level. So the APFT will end up having to be a BN level event taking up and entire weekend. Soldiers will start missing the event simply because there is never any weekend when all 100% are present. We wont be able to issue make ups because we wont have the equipment at the company level. Ignoring the events and injuries, soldiers will simply fall outside the standards simply because they have personal schedules that prevent them from attending APFT events that now take special efforts to execute at the BN level. Schools will get missed, Promotions will get missed. I think the new process will survive, but only because so much other nonsense survives and we "keep pounding" in the face of the nonsense. It's impossible to get someone kicked out for failing to show up, and soon it will be impossible to get them kicked out for APFT failures. APFT will have to become something that eventually just gets commonly waived because of the above mentioned.
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Before there was Polymer there was Accuracy. |
#29
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I especially like how the test is supposed to be done on astro turf. |
#30
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Retention is already a problem. The new people won't want it and the old people won't (or can't) do it. Kiss off the young, new blood and the institutional knowledge.
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--Magazines for Sig Sauer P6 --Walther P-38. Prefer Pre 1945 --Luger P08 |
#31
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The active Army probably wants to purge the ranks of average Joes mistakenly believing that the remaining PT studs are all that is necessary for a pure breed military. When the older experienced technical and tactical experts are medically discharged they might notice problems.
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#32
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It will, at that point, possibly become an event for annual training.
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--Magazines for Sig Sauer P6 --Walther P-38. Prefer Pre 1945 --Luger P08 |
#33
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I had three different AT's my company was parsed out to support. We didn't go as an entire unit. There just isn't a consideration of how this is going to work. There's just so many "required" tasker schools and training folks are using AT funding for they essentially can skip annual training. What's going to happen is essentially only a large minority is going to pass it. Too many are going to have expired record APFT scores the problem will simply have to be ignored. It's going to be treated like Marksmanship. Yes, everyone should get an annual qualification, but it's not the end of the world if you don't, and it only REALLY matters if one is up for promotion presuming it's a year where they aren't waiving requirement anyway. Then if you TRULY need to do it you can probably just hook up with a unit in the area running the event. I'm not saying the current APFT is the way to go, but the most important aspect of it was you didn't need any special equipment and you could take it anywhere.
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Before there was Polymer there was Accuracy. |
#34
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Oh........... so that's why all the equipment never gets the required miles and hours on it, and no one knows how to do their MOS. APFT will be another thing, that just doesn't get done. If astro turf is required that's really going to put a damper on a lot of detachments
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Before there was Polymer there was Accuracy. Last edited by Snoopy47; 05-25-2019 at 3:50 PM.. |
#35
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On a more morbid note, the two problems with this ACFT may very well cancel each other out: With so many injuries and disabilities this thing will cause, there may not be enough people still left to have to worry about the time issue. As far as the yearly training calendar...I agree. Way too much bs. As a Combat Engineer Officer, I haven't seen an EN company blow a demo table in nearly 13 years.
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--Magazines for Sig Sauer P6 --Walther P-38. Prefer Pre 1945 --Luger P08 |
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