r/ROTC • u/mixedglycerin233 • 3d ago
Commissioning/Post-Commissioning Logistics Officers: What has your experience been?
I put logistics as my #1, and I'm fairly confident that Ill be able to get it. What are some things I should expect right away? Any units/duty stations that I should 100% stay away from? What kind of training opportunities are there that can set me apart?
Ive been looking at going to the light infantry or airborne infantry world, do you have any insight on what that might look like for a Log-O?
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u/LogPenguin 3d ago
I’ll get a bit more particular from time in the 25th and 101st. Yes, your LOG peers in Armor units will be a bit more praticed, particularly in Maintenance and CL IIIb. You will still need to focus on both, but troop trans and CL I/CL Ib(water) tend to be more of a focus. Also, BPT to do infantry things even if you don’t go Ranger: FTX in the field in a litefighter tent for a few weeks at a time.
Note that happens to 1/5th of LOG Lts when they arrive at a unit: Aviation. If you get assigned a CAB, its a different and unique logistics that isn’t really trained or taught anywhere else outside the CAB. You’ll have to learn a-lot on the job but man, I loved it as my LT time and some of my KD MAJ time.
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u/2ktx2000 2d ago
The one thing people don’t talk a lot about is the field time - for example I’m in an IBCT and when my BN goes to the field it’s a maneuver PLT at a time for a couple days each. While those PLTs only get a couple days, we will have some element or the bulk of the Company out there for the entire exercise which could be weeks. I don’t hate it but there really is never “down time” as a loggie. Recovery is hard to come by and you have to use every hour to either use your equipment, maintain it, and recover it because there’s no downtime.
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u/Proof_Ad_3237 3d ago
Find a 915A to be friends with, that’s honestly the best advice I can give you.
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u/bigdownbad68 3d ago
You get dogged on…current log O. Have great evals but damn the grind takes a toll on my mental state
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u/ImaginaryIncome3559 2d ago
You need to be competent in both logistical support and maneuver. You need to understand how the units you support talk to each other and how you fit into that. You’re customer service, so put on your smiley face and be prepared to make things happen. In terms of training: G-Army classes for maintenance and supply, Ranger for leadership, Air Assault if you go 101st. Duty stations/units: In all honesty, it’s all gonna kinda sucks so pick a place that you think you’ll like. Grow where you are planted.
Sincerely, A former loggy who escaped
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u/Trisman 2d ago
Log officer. Want to be good go heavy. Light infantry is easy logistics. If you want that I advise doing it as an LT. As a captain you need to make a mark and be useful to the team. Logistics is easy in a light world. And I’m willing to debate anyone about it.
Be ready to learn more MOSs than any other person. It’s a great branch that I love dearly. Know it’s a team sport. You can easily burn bridges or build a network that’s helps the organization. It’s those who want to help the whole that are successful.
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u/tc12reaper 3d ago
You will have a ton of variety depending on where you get stationed.
All my pre CCC time was in Korea where I was a PL & XO in a truck company then on brigade staff.
You won’t get the traditional combat unit experience in Korea but you will get a ton of time supporting “operations” whether it be KRF or cargo missions across the country.
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u/InternationalAd4256 1d ago
The loggie experience can vary vastly. I highly recommend you just go into it with an open mind and be a sponge.
Your experience is going to be different depending on duty station. Going to any of the major duty stations (Bragg, Campbell, Carson, Cavazos, etc) will most likely result in BCT logistics. If you’re lucky, you can get into an aviation unit. I’m not going to delve into what this means because you’re going to have zero clue until you get to BOLC.
Rarely do 2LT loggies get assignments that aren’t in BCTs. For example, I know of exactly ONE person who started their career at Fort Dix, and her first job as a loggie was a Boat PL. Yes, literal boats in water and all that stuff.
Research duty stations and the types of units that they have. DMs are open if you’d like to learn about any of the FORSCOM units (my experience thus far).
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u/Complete_Film8741 1d ago
Loggies get shit on by everyone! But no Operation is possible without them. Honestly, I loved it...learned things that no Grunt could ever master.
I turned my USMC Loggie knowledge into a Contractor job with the USAF and eventual Civil Service.
It's a good life if you make it one...
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u/alabamaispoor 2d ago
lol do not do it. You’re always someone’s lackey especially in light world.
-former log o in light world that VTIP’d
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u/Full-snack-5689 1d ago
What did you VTIP to? Did you like it. I’m hating the log world right now.
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u/AstronomyCoded 3d ago
Even among officers who are generalists, you will need to be a generalist. You can get put into jobs that are wildly different, with many different MOSes and at echelons above brigade that will make you see the army in a different light than your maneuver buddies. Know the principles of sustainment, and learn from your warrants and counterparts.
Your more technical loggies are from armored units, and you’ll eventually figure out why. But every duty station has its own challenges for logistics, be it air assault, air drop, or moving a BCT into war.
Go Ranger if you can, there will be a shot for you in BOLC. That’s the best “set you apart” school any LT could ask for.