Special Warfare: USASOC seeks soldiers in MOS 91W

The United States Army Special Operations Command, or USASOC, is seeking eligible male soldiers in MOS 91W to join the special-operations community as special-operations combat medics, or SOCM. USASOC has critical shortages in 91W, especially in the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, which has more than 20 vacant staff-sergeant and sergeant-first-class positions. USASOC also has SOCM vacancies in the 75th Ranger Regiment, in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and in the 528th Special Operations Support Battalion. Soldiers who fill the SOCM positions will have above-average prospects for promotion, a challenging occupation and a chance for involvement in real-world operations.

A message detailing the prerequisites for the Special Operations Combat Medic Course and USASOC unit assignments was released via the RETAIN System (RMB Message 03-07c) Jan. 13, 2003. The prerequisites for entry into any USASOC unit are as follows:

* Possess a high-school diploma or GED equivalent.

* Be a U.S. citizen by birth or by naturalization.

* Possess, or be eligible to obtain, at least a secret security clearance.

* Have no record of conviction by courts-martial or of lost time to be made good under 10 USC 972 during current enlistment or last three years, whichever is longer.

* Have no record of civil convictions, except minor offenses that would not disqualify a soldier from obtaining a top-secret security clearance.

* Have no personal habits or character traits that would be questionable from a security standpoint, including financial irresponsibility, foreign holdings or interest, heavy drinking, drug abuse, gambling, emotional or mental instability.

* Have a minimum GT score of 100.

* Meet body-composition requirements outlined in AR 600-9.

* Have 36 months remaining in service upon arrival at assignment, unless designated OCONUS tour is less.

* Not be suspended from favorable personnel actions; however, a disqualifying flagging action for a minor infraction is waiverable.

* Be airborne-qualified or be willing to volunteer for airborne training if the position is airborne-designated.

* Be fully MOS-qualified. If there is a disqualifying permanent profile, an MMRB would determine whether the soldier is assignable (deployable) worldwide and whether he can be properly utilized in a USASOC organization.

The Special Operations Combat Medic Course is 24 weeks long (120 training days). SOCM students train side by side with candidates for MOS 18D (Special Forces medical sergeant), and both groups train to the same standard during the SOCM Course. Soldiers must meet the following prerequisites for the SOCM Course:

* Be airborne-qualified or be willing to complete airborne school.

* Have a minimum GT score of 100.

* Hold a medical primary MOS of 91W or 91WN6.

* Have no adverse actions pending that would preclude the processing of a security clearance of secret or higher.

For additional information, contact MSG David O'Neal, 91W/W1 coordinator, at DSN 236-8256 or commercial (910) 396-8256; e-mail oneald@soc.mil, or contact the unit points of contact listed below:

75th Ranger Regiment        SFC Harold Montgomery;
                            DSN 835-5766, comm. (706) 545-5766;
                            e-mail: montgomj@soc.mil.

96th Civil Affairs          SFC Dave Launder;
Battalion                   DSN 239-3652, comm. (910) 432-3652;
                            e-mail: launderd@soc.mil.

160th Special Operations    MSG Cory Lamoreaux;
Aviation Regiment           DSN 635-9416, comm. (270) 798-9416;
                            e-mail: lamoreauxc@soc.mil.

528th Special Operations    DSN 236-6856, comm. (910) 396-6856;
SFC Thomas Wilmot;          e-mail: wilmott@soc.mil.
                            Support Battalion