Need Help! 19K or Cav Scout?

[Syst3matik]

Hey guys! This is my first post on here, but I read quite a bit!. I am leaving this tuesday to go back to MEPS to get my ship date earlier and I was wondering if I really want to stick with M1 Armor Crewman. I was reading on some forums and it sounded like it was a pretty boring job. It sounds like you just sit in the motor pool quite a bit while in the states working on your tank.

I was curious as to what do the Cav Scouts do when they are here in the States? Is it just training all the time till you ship? And which do you think has more free time? Would I rank up faster as a Cav Scout?

Thanks! It would be nice if someone knows the Pros/Cons of each :]

[gunnerm1]

Hey there,

I am not sure what to tell you about being an Armor Crewman in the States, I never did the Stateside tour while on Active Duty. I went to Germany in 1988 and was having so much fun I just extended my tour until I ETS'd in 1992. I am still currently in the National Guard (Activated) as a 19K.

I can tell you this from experience. Sitting next to that 120mm when it goes off is more of a RUSH than any drug you could ever take. Granted I have never tried the drug scene, but they do not make one that can equal that. You might start out as a loader and have to work your way to the gunners slot but it is worth it. I started out as a driver and finally got my gunners slot. IT IS AWESOME!!!!!

I do not know much about the Scouts. We had them in our unit since we are an ACR or were. We used to give them a hard time about it, but that was all part of the fun.

I wish you the best of luck on whatever you decide.

Later

[hughesjw]

Hannibal is a tanker with scout background. I'll make sure he see's your post.

-JWH

[hughesjw]

bump

[Hannibal]

Originally Posted by Syst3matik

Hey guys! This is my first post on here, but I read quite a bit!. I am leaving this tuesday to go back to MEPS to get my ship date earlier and I was wondering if I really want to stick with M1 Armor Crewman. I was reading on some forums and it sounded like it was a pretty boring job. It sounds like you just sit in the motor pool quite a bit while in the states working on your tank.

I was curious as to what do the Cav Scouts do when they are here in the States? Is it just training all the time till you ship? And which do you think has more free time? Would I rank up faster as a Cav Scout?

Thanks! It would be nice if someone knows the Pros/Cons of each :]

They are both great jobs. The only difference between them is the weapons systems you will be working with. As a 19K you will be trained on the M1 Abrams Tank and maybe (if you go to a stryker unit) the Mobile Gun System.

As a scout you will be trained on numerous weapon system from the HUMMVW, the M3 Bradley and the Stryker Recon Vehicle. You will also have more hadns on experience with weapons.

It all comes down to what you want to be on in a few years. As a tanker you are going to be a loader, then a driver and eventually a gunner then Tank Commander. As a scout you will start off as a driver or a gunner and then a TC then section leader. However it widely varies depending on the scout unit you are assigned to and its mission.

I have served with both and I enjoyed both. The key is to make up your own mind because you will be the one actually doing it They are both great jobs and very very rewarding!

-Jason

[Rohrbough]

I'm in the Marines, so i really couldnt tell you exactly what the Army does day in day out. however, i have been a tanker for 13 years, and i wouldnt even think about doing anything else. granted, the maintenance carried out after an operation is long, tedious, and back breaking at times. however, the next time you see a grunt carrying around his weapon, think about it. as a tanker, your weapon carries you. if you go to iraq, which more than likely, you most definitely will, would you rather be in a tank or a humvee??? its all about survival. the tanks over there that have been destroyed are probably less than 15. the humvees over there that have been destroyed??? probably closer to uncountable. just a little something to think about.......

[Syst3matik]

Leaving tomorrow!! then 31 st, I ship out to Knox! Stuck with the M1 Armor Crewman! I can't wait till I get the driver position! thats what I have always wanted to do! :]