Everything you need to know about prior service

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know about prior service

Here are some of the questions Soldiers interested in reenlisting are asking:

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/frequently-asked-questions.html

Interested in rejoining the military?

Are you nearing the end of your enlistment, but still wish to maintain a connection to military life? Learn the benefits of serving in the Army Reserve.

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service.html

Paratrooper keeps military dream alive in Army Reserve

CAMP BLANDING, Fla. (Aug. 26, 2014) -- "The Army Reserve is a great way to feed that itch," is how a former paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division describes his decision to return to service in the Army Reserve, after a short break.

Spc. Michael Edwards, from Wesley Chapel, Florida, calls the transition the "the best of both worlds." He is currently assigned to the 200th Military Police Command's 810th Military Police Company, in Tampa, Florida.

According to the former active duty Soldier, "You have the opportunity to serve with the U.S. Army on a part-time basis, while also going to school, or fulfilling your role in society and in your community."

Edwards, a self-described late bloomer, said his military career started in 2007.

"I felt like I had something left on the table," he said. "I know people join the military when they are a lot younger, so I figured if I didn't join then, I probably never would."

After spending several years jumping out of military aircraft and deploying into harm's way, Edwards eventually came off active duty to complete his bachelor's degree. He is now halfway through his Master of Business Administration, at Saint Leo University.

"I was able to complete four years of school in two years by using my G.I. Bill benefits with the Yellow Ribbon Program," he said. "After I finished my bachelor's degree, I switched my priorities and took on a full time job, and now I go to school part time."

With that itch needing to be scratched, Edwards drove over to a nearby Reserve center to see what the Army Reserve had to offer.

"Now I am looking at the options to pick up another [military occupational specialty] as a military police Soldier," he said.

Edwards works as claims adjustor for The Hartford insurance company, and has spent the past two weeks on annual training developing new friendships and mentoring the Army Reserve's newest members.

"I love being with Soldiers," he said, while providing security for a medical evacuation helicopter on a landing zone. "I have a lot of experience to bring to the unit, and they have something to teach me as well."

Edwards encouraged others who have left or plan to leave active duty to consider service in the Army Reserve.

"I would definitely look into it," he said, adding that brotherhood and sisterhood in the military cannot be replicated in the civilian sector. "We all miss it eventually. We are all used to a certain way of life, and it's tough to find that in civilian world. A lot of civilians can freak out or get upset over small things, but after one deployment, we have a different view in life and can handle confrontation or discomfort differently than those who have never served."

Sgt. Maj. Bennie Nunnally, the operations non-commissioned officer in charge for the 724th Military Police Battalion, based in Fort Lauderdale, said Edwards has been a great asset to the Army Reserve and Military Police Corps.

"He may think he's old, but his heart is young, and his passion for his country is indescribable," he said. "One day, he's going to be a command sergeant major for the Army Reserve. He has that drive and leadership qualities we, as senior leaders, dream to mentor."

Maj. Gen. Phillip Churn, the commanding general of the 200th MPCOM, said as the Army downsizes, the transition of Active Component Soldiers into the Reserve Components is a win for the total Army.

As the Active Component downsizes, Churn said the total Army will look to the Army Reserve to pick up missions previously handled by the active duty organizations.

Churn said a benefit to joining the Army Reserves is that it gives Soldiers the opportunity to train in career fields not readily available on the active component and more compatible with private industry.

He said the Army Reserve would not only train Soldiers in career fields more compatible with private industry, but will also assist a Soldier with finding a civilian job.

For Churn, a strong Army Reserve family is a key component to the success of a unit. The 200th MPCOM has more than 13,000 Soldiers living in 44 states, and said the number one priority for any leader is taking care of the Army Reserve family before, during and after a deployment.

"Active-duty Soldiers transitioning to the Reserves may keep their families grounded in local communities, while still being a part of the total force," he said. "The private sector can leverage their leadership and technical skills they acquired while on active duty. It's a win for employers, the Army Reserve and their communities."

Whether attending college or beginning a new career, Churn said Soldiers can move forward with confidence in the Army Reserve and create a strong future for themselves, their families and their communities.

Churn said as the Army reduces its forces, those active duty Soldiers would add significant value to the Army Reserve.

"Soldiers get to maintain that spirit of camaraderie that they experienced on active duty, and Soldiers often don't realize how much they will miss being around other Soldiers," he said.

Coming from active duty to the Army Reserve is an avenue to continue their military careers and service to their country, he mentioned.

"It allows us to retain combat readiness that has been hard-earned over more than a decade of war," he said. "That experience is crucial as we face today's global threat environment."

Edwards, whose mother is from the Caribbean and father is from England, said the Army gave him an opportunity to become an American citizen, in 2009.

"Today, I am living the American dream," he said. "Who could ask for anything more?"

 http://www.army.mil/article/132533/Paratrooper_keeps_military_dream_alive_in_Army_Reserve/

 By Sgt. 1st Class Mark Bell

Radiology Specialist (68P)

The radiology specialist is primarily responsible for operating X-ray and related equipment used in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases.

Job Duties

• Perform body section radiography, foreign body localization, prenatal, pediatric, urogenital and radiographic examinations of the digestive, respiratory, vascular and nervous systems
  
• Operate fixed and portable radiology equipment
  
• Prepare, assemble and adjust instruments, materials and equipment
  
• Inspect and perform operator maintenance on radiology equipment

Training

Job training for a radiology specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 24 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice with radiological equipment.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Patient care in radiology
  
• Medical ethics and law
  
• Human structure and function
  
• Principles of radiation protection
  
• Field radiography

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/medical-and-emergency/radiology-specialist.html

Respiratory Specialist (68V)

The respiratory specialist is primarily responsible for helping with the management of a respiratory unit by administering respiratory therapy and performing pulmonary function tests under the supervision of a physician or nurse anesthetist.

The respiratory specialist is strictly an advanced level position. 

Job Duties

• Examining and treating emergency or battlefield patients
  
• Interviewing patients and recording their medical histories
  
• Preparing blood samples for laboratory analysis
  
• Keeping health records and clinical files up-to-date
  

Training

Job training for a respiratory specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 36 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including inpatient care. 

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Emergency medical treatment
  
• Basic nursing care
  
• Understanding of the human body
  
• Minor surgical procedures
  
• Clinical laboratory procedures
  
• Methods for diagnosing diseases

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/medical-and-emergency/respiratory-specialist.html

Immediate Response 14 tests U.S., multi-national EOD, medical skills

POSTOJNA, Slovenia (Aug. 26, 2014) -- The U.S. hosts many field training exercises to simulate scenarios based on actual situations a unit or brigade might face. After a week of academic classes, U.S. service members and multi-national soldiers took the lessons learned from the classroom to respond to disasters in the field as day one of exercise Immediate Response 14 FTX began.

During exercise Immediate Response 14, more than 100 multi-nationals responded to four mass casualty response scenarios here, yesterday. The goal of the field training exercise is to sharpen the skills of the participants in response to a natural disaster.

"This situation is pretty rare where you can work in a real-world situation and see what mistakes you're making," said Pfc. David Muhic, an explosive ordnance disposal, or EOD, expert with the Slovenian Armed Forces EOD platoon. "I learn more by doing hands-on training, because if I do something once, I'm able to pick it up faster than if I sit in a class."

During one scenario, U.S. Navy Sailors and Slovenian EOD soldiers disarmed two pieces of ordnance, which were unearthed by the aftershock of a 7.5 earthquake. The service members were tested on their communication, marking and response techniques.

"The U.S. and Slovenian EOD programs have similar tactics, but I've picked up some security techniques that I can take to future training exercises" Muhic said. "I like the field training because we learn a lot, and it makes the time go by faster."

After the response to mass casualty portion was completed, multi-national medical personnel were tested on their competency to administer level one first aid to role-players, with observer controllers testing them on multiple medical tasks.

Sgt.1st Class Ahmad R. Whitted, an Immediate Response 14 observer and controller with the Joint Multinational Training Center, said his 20-year experience as a U.S. Army medic helped him pass on knowledge that might be beneficial to natural disaster responders.

"Teamwork is key," Whitted said. "When everyone comes from a different background and has a different way of thinking, but falls in line with one person in charge. We all want to work to accomplish the mission. This is one thing everyone can take away from this."

Whitted said he was impressed with how well U.S. service members and multi-nationals overcame language barriers and the receptiveness of multi-national soldiers who are not used to working with other countries.

"In the [U.S.] Army, everyone speaks the same lingo and knows the same doctrine, but with seven different countries and seven different languages, there's a hindrance in communication" Whitted said. "Everyone has come here with the same mindset and has had one goal so it's been awesome just working together and bouncing ideas off one another."

After several hours of training, soldiers who were designated to a specific area of operation met within their respective teams, getting feedback and results from observers who watched their every move.

"With someone else watching me and pointing out what I'm doing wrong, it will help me when we're putting together our after action review, but the knowledge and experience I also got will help make me a better soldier," Muhic said.

Muhic said the experience from the scenario helped in building confidence and he will not only perform better as a soldier, but also as a natural disaster responder if he's ever called to duty.

After a day filled with helicopter medical evacuations, and search-and-rescue team operations, smiling faces and congratulatory handshakes could be seen around the training areas.

"I love it all, just working with people from other nations and coming together to experience the exercise, so when we do respond to any kind of disaster, everyone already has an idea about what to do," Whitted said. "It's just great with everyone knowing their roles and responsibilities."

The skills gained from field training exercises help soldiers when they're deployed to various operations around the world. Some participants of Immediate Response 14 hope they won't ever have to use what they've learned, but will always stand ready to deploy when a disaster hits.

 By Sgt. Gregory Williams, 353rd Civil Affairs Command Public Affairs

  http://www.army.mil/article/132537/Immediate_Response_14_tests_U_S___multi_national_EOD__medical_skills/

ARMY RESERVE PAY CHART, SALARY AND COMPENSATION

MORE THAN JUST AN EXTRA PAYCHECK

In the Army Reserve, you will earn competitive pay to supplement your civilian career.

 http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/benefits/money.html

325th Army Field Hospital Army Reserve Medical Opportunities

The 325th Army Field Hospital in Independence, Mo. has Army Reserve medical opportunities with education benefits, pay, and training. Contact the Army Career Center in Independence at 816-795-0158 or visit the Independence Army Career Center on Facebook.

Operating Room Specialist (68D)

The operating room specialist assists the nursing staff in preparing the patient and the operating room environment for surgery and for providing assistance to the medical staff during surgical procedures.

They also operate the centralized material service and are responsible for preparing and maintaining sterile medical supplies and special equipment for medical treatment facilities.

Job Duties

• Provide assistance to the medical staff during surgical procedures to include the creation and maintenance of sterile fields for surgical procedures
  
• Assist in preparing patients and operating room environment for surgery
  
• Perform various preoperative and postoperative procedures as directed. This does not include the manipulation of tissue (e.g., cutting, suturing, cannulating, grafting, sawing or drilling)
  
• Responsible for the sterilization process, which includes inspecting, cleaning, assembling, warping and sterilizing equipment

Training

Job training for an operating room specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 19 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, which includes on-the-job instruction.
Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Emergency medical treatment
  
• Basic nursing care
  
• Knowledge of the human body
  
• Minor surgical procedures
  
• Clinical laboratory procedures
  
• Methods for diagnosing diseases

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/medical-and-emergency/operating-room-specialist.html

Dental Specialist (68E)

The dental specialist is primarily responsible for assisting Army dentists in the examination and treatment of patients, as well as helping to manage dental offices.

Job Duties

• Prepare dental operatory; select and arrange instruments; measure and record temperature, blood pressure and pulse, and assist dentist during patient exams
  
• Assist with administration of anesthesia, and in placement and removal of sutures
  
• Prepare restorative and impression materials
  
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and operate resuscitative equipment
  

Training

Job training for a dental specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 8 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practicing dental care tasks. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field.

Some of the skills you'€™ll learn are:

• Preventive dentistry
  
• Dental office procedures
  
• Radiology (X-ray) techniques
  
• Dental hygiene procedures

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/medical-and-emergency/dental-specialist.html

Joint Task Force-Bravo helps provide 1,400 Hondurans with medical care

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras (Aug. 22, 2014) -- Joint Task Force-Bravo helped provide medical care to more than 1,400 Hondurans and performed 11 surgeries during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise and Mobile Surgical Team engagement, Aug. 11-15.

The expeditionary Medical Readiness Training Exercise, known as an MEDRETE, team convoyed to the communities of San Juan del Sitio and Correderos, while the Mobile Surgical Team, or MST, group convoyed to the Santa Barbara Hospital to perform the surgeries.

"The communities of San Juan del Sitio and Correderos are greatly under-served medically," said Maj. Daniel Gardner, mission commander and pharmacist with the JTF-Bravo Medical Element. "Some residents received timely and effective treatment for acute conditions that potentially could have produced long-term problems. Examples include antibiotics for acute infections, respiratory treatments, and dental extractions."

The JTF-Bravo team, the Honduran Ministry of Health and the Honduran military worked together to provide preventative medical information, anti-parasitic treatment, much-needed dental services, and a range of primary care services, including treating and controlling a head lice outbreak in San Juan del Sitio.

An unusual case presented to the MEDRETE team required the removal of a bullet located in a man's chest, which had been there for two years.

"The bullet was left over from an incident in 2012, and had worked its way up just under the skin," Gardner said. "The procedure was straightforward and performed under field conditions by a physician assistant and medic."

U.S. Army and Honduran surgeons performed open cholecystectomy, hernia and appendectomy surgeries to include an emergency appendectomy. The operations provided to the under-serviced and impoverished community didn't cost them anything, while the surgical team also helped shrink the surgery waiting list, provided materials necessary to perform some procedures and helped local medical professionals repair medical facilities and equipment.

"These surgeries were provided to the patients at no cost, which helped those who did not have the money to pay," said Maj. Karen Santiago, MST mission commander and medical element chief nurse. "The Santa Barbara Hospital had a 50-patient backlog that was reduced to 39, and they could not perform the hernia surgeries because they didn't have any (surgical) mesh, so we provided it."

Both medical teams commended the Honduran Ministry of Health and military personnel for a job well done, even in the toughest of conditions.

"I was impressed by the high quality performance and professionalism of Joint Task Force-Bravo, Honduran Ministry of Health, and military personnel," added Gardner. "But I was also awed by the profound lack of healthcare resources available in these remote communities, and the ability of the Ministry of Health personnel to stretch those limited resources."

Joint Task Force-Bravo has been conducting medical readiness training exercises since October 1993. They have treated more than 349,000 medical patients, 69,000 dental patients and 14,400 surgical patients throughout Central America.

 http://www.army.mil/article/132493/Joint_Task_Force_Bravo_helps_provide_1_400_Hondurans_with_medical_care/

 By Capt. Steven Stubbs, Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs

SAPPER LEADER COURSE

In the U.S. Army, Sappers are combat engineers or other personnel who support the front-line infantry, and they have fought in every war in American history. A sapper may perform any of a variety of combat engineering duties. Such tasks typically include bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defenses as well as building, road and airfield construction and repair.

 http://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/being-a-soldier/ongoing-training/specialized-schools/sapper-leader-course.html

Combat Engineer (12B)

Combat engineers primarily supervise, serve or assist as a member of a team when they are tackling rough terrain in combat situations. They provide their expertise in areas such as mobility, countermobility, survivability and general engineering.

Job Duties

• Construct fighting positions, fixed/floating bridges, obstacles and defensive positions
  
• Place and detonate explosives
  
• Conduct operations that include route clearance of obstacles and rivers
  
• Prepare and install firing systems for demolition and explosives
  
• Detect mines visually or with mine detectors

 http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/construction-engineering/combat-engineer.html

4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade troops dive into water operations training

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Aug. 25, 2014) -- Soldiers from the 94th Engineer Battalion's Forward Support Company spent a morning outside of their comfort zone, as they conducted a water operations training exercise here, Aug. 14.

Troops from the Forward Support Company, 94th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, were challenged with various tasks, including boat drills and swimming with waterproofed gear.

The water training was a different experience for the participating troops, whose daily tasks primarily deal with transportation, supply, maintenance, and food service support.

"I'm actually terrified of the water," said Spc. Davina Francis, a Ramah, New Mexico, native and light-wheeled vehicle mechanic.

Fear didn't stop Francis, though, as she, along with her fellow Soldiers, paddled a Zodiac inflatable boat out into the waters of the Training Area 250 Lake. They capsized the boat, and then worked as a team to flip it over, and get everyone back into the watercraft.

"It helps to be a well-rounded and trained Soldier in today's Army," Francis said of the experience. "This gives you better insight of what goes on outside of the motor pool."

Capt. Darren Templeton, FSC commander and Greenville, South Carolina, native, pointed out that the reason his Soldiers train, is to maintain trust and build confidence in themselves, their equipment and their leaders.

Judging by the reactions of many FSC Soldiers, the training met the commander's intent.

"If we ever have to do something like this, we know we won't drown and that we can depend on each other," said Pfc. Gerard Jean-Baptiste, a welder and machinist, originally from Orlando, Florida.

The exercise also allowed another group to hone their skills. The Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department's water rescue team not only made sure the Soldiers remained safe as they trained, but the crew also rehearsed their response skills as they rescued Soldiers, who portrayed overboard boaters and swimmers in distress.

"I appreciate the chance to come out here and train and get hands-on experience," said Robert Koeppel, a firefrighter and EMT and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, native, who is in training to be a water rescue technician. "It's a great team-building exercise."

Although the FSC Soldiers were drained from a morning full of rowing and swimming, they enjoyed their day on the water.

Pfc. Orozco Luis, an Oxnard, California, native, joked that his day was probably more interesting than those of his Army fueler brethren who were assigned to different units.

"I'm doing this with a smile on my face," Luis said. "It's not false motivation."

 http://www.army.mil/article/132073/4th_Maneuver_Enhancement_Brigade_troops_dive_into_water_operations_training/

 By Staff Sgt. Mark Patton

Paratroopers, Special Forces Soldiers, Fayetteville community celebrate National Airborne Day

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 20, 2014) -- Young and old alike turned out to celebrate National Airborne day Aug. 16, at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.

The museum lawn was filled with military static displays depicting equipment used on and off the battlefield. Soldiers showcased traditional equipment, such as the Army's Artillery M777 Howitzer and newer technology like the Avenger Air Defense System (AN-TWQ-1), and the Light Military Tactical Vehicle. Vintage jeeps, actors depicting World War II Soldiers, and various static displays showed the evolution of the Airborne from the first official Army parachute jump, which took place on Aug. 16, 1940, through a modern jump on the ASOM grounds during the event.

The celebration opened up with ceremonial music by the 82nd Airborne Division's "All American" band, an airborne demonstration with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command parachute team, the Black Daggers, and the U.S. Army's parachute demonstration team, the Golden Knights, followed by a ceremony and dedication.

In a fitting tribute of the day, organizers dedicated the newest outer loop corridor connecting Fort Bragg to the new I-295 corridor, naming it the Airborne & Special Operations Highway.

Retired Brig. Gen. Tony Tata, now secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, offered opening remarks on the naming of the highway.

"Their incredible commitment and selfless sacrifice will be remembered forever in this road," said Tata, a former brigade commander with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, USASOC deputy commanding general, also offered remarks.

"Just as this highway connects from I-95 to the All American Freeway, it also represents the connections made among our military and civilian communities over the years," he said.

Other speakers included Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson, and the 82nd Airborne Division Commander Maj. Gen. John Nicholson Jr.

Following the sign's unveiling, Soldiers representing both the Airborne and Special Operations community, placed a wreath at the foot of Iron Mike, the iconic 15-foot statue, an airborne Soldier -- who is always watching, waiting and alert; a symbol of the thousands of airborne Soldiers past and present -- on point and ready to defend American liberties.

 http://www.army.mil/article/132129/Paratroopers__Special_Forces_Soldiers__Fayetteville_community_celebrate_National_Airborne_Day/

 By Cheryle Rivas, USASOC

Metropolitan Community College-Longview Community College is an Army Concurrent Admissions College

Metropolitan Community College-Longview Community College is an Army Concurrent Admissions College.  New Soldiers can opt to attend Longview Community College and join the Army Reserves to gain job experience and an education at the same time provided qualifications are met.  Visit an Army Career Center to find the right school and job for your career.

http://www.mcckc.edu/explore/campuses/longview/Welcome.asp

GoArmy.Com

The 43rd Army Reserve Engineers are recruiting to enlist, train, and employ horizontal engineers

The 43^rd Army Reserve Engineers are recruiting to enlist, train, and employ horizontal engineers. Horizontal construction engineers use bulldozers, cranes, graders and other heavy equipment to move tons of earth and material to complete construction projects for the Army.

http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/construction-engineering/construction-equipment-operator.html

Visit an Army Career Center for employment information.