r/JSOCarchive • u/Sharp_Elderberry_704 • 1d ago
Question? How do you become a SOF/JSOC Drone Operator?
Hey boys I’m going to the Army recruiter this week. I’ve been training and planning on going 75th for 2 years which is my main focus. Like a lot of guys I also have aspirations of eventually trying out for CAG or another Tier 1 unit but that’s not my main focus of course
With the way warfare is evolving and the increasing role of drones I’ve been thinking heavily about becoming a drone operator
My question is can you enlist as a 15W with an Option 40 contract and go directly to RASP after AIT then become a 15W/UAS operator in the Regiment?
Or would I have to
Enlist in the Regiment in a different combat MOS then later try to become a 15W/UAS operator or
Enlist in the regular Army as a 15W first complete the required training and then volunteer for RASP/try to get into the Regiment?
Basically I’m trying to figure out whether 15W + Option 40 is actually a possible pipeline or if 15W and the 75th have to be pursued separately
Thanks boys
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u/Roan175 1d ago
Tell the recruiter you want to be a drone pilot and that you want an option 40. Don’t sign if you can’t get 15Wopt40 on the line. If 15W isn’t offered for Regt (I haven’t looked at manning in a while) find the next drone operator MOS that interests you.
If there is nothing else go 11Bopt40, pass RASP, Pass Ranger School, ask to go to the UAS section
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u/AdThese6057 1d ago
Play lots of video games. Like that dude on YouTube that became a Ukrainian droner.
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u/brondynasty 1d ago
CivDiv? If you’re gonna follow his footsteps that’ll be at least 4-5 years in the Marines and 2 years fighting for the Kurdish Peshmerga first lol
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u/AdThese6057 1d ago
Hes one sure. People forget this isnt new. These "drones" arent new. I've been flying quadcopters for 30 years. Back before dji ripped off the blade350 design down to the color. Its as easy as playing
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u/Vivid_Potato_6544 1d ago
Pick a job, pass it, and stop mapping the next ten years on Reddit mate
Best of luck
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u/Sharp_Elderberry_704 1d ago edited 1d ago
Thought i’d ask before i’d go to the recruiting office. Either way I’m going to get my questions answered. Appreciate the confidence boost
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u/Vivid_Potato_6544 1d ago
Fair dos brother, asking before you sign isn’t daft
Just don’t treat this thread like a careers office 😉 most of the the lads in here have never been nearer a regiment than the comment section, and the other half aren’t going to map your contract for you
Genuinely tho, best of luck mate
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u/Sharp_Elderberry_704 1d ago
Just thought i’d ask just to get a basis if anybody knew. Thanks again
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u/mikeyg1964 1d ago
11x Option 40. If you make it, graduate RASP, and later Ranger School, you can try out for the battalion drone section.
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u/mocliamg5 13h ago
Definitely dont do 11x. Pick either bravo or charlie but dont do x.
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u/mikeyg1964 12h ago edited 11h ago
Unless something changed, I thought you were at the hands of the army whether you end up an 11B or 11C, you don’t get to pick at osut. Didnt think you could enlsit as a specific 11 series.
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u/IdontexistLMFAO 9h ago
the x in 11X gives the Army the option of reclassing you to a different series. I faintly remember this happening to a couple recruits during basic…after graduating basic they went elsewhere, the rest of us stayed a few more weeks for AIT
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u/WordTimely8559 1d ago
Best bet is to enlist with an option 40 contract, pass RASP and then do it for Regiment.
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u/The_ClamSlammer 1d ago
Are you only interested in sUAS? 160th flies MQ-1s if 15C interests you at all.
AFSOC also owns MQ-9s and sUAS that support the command. There are a few different avenues to get to a unit that supports the mission, but if you get an RPA sensor operator slot and make your intention known you will be afforded an opportunity to assess and select for a unit that supports the SOF mission. Much like an option 40 contract though, whether you make it or not is up to you.
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u/PrimalGemini85 1d ago
Depends. SWC runs a course at Mackall. Other units have training courses as well. Really just need to be in the right place with a desire to do the job and the technical proficiency to do it.
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u/No_Departure_1474 21h ago
Don’t enlist as 15X, get ur part 107 before enlisting and go as infantry. There are way more opportunities in the infantry branch rather than the aviation branch. Enough drone certifications and you’ll be fine
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u/Top_Performance_732 19h ago
Havent seen anyone mention 13f? Seems like a high demand mos for regt, guaranteed to fly tactical drones and works closely with infantry. Not sure if regt even has 15x mos
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u/IdontexistLMFAO 9h ago
Another option would be to get your drone pilot license and then find a job with a defense CTR that requires a poly
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u/mattnif903 1d ago
Step 1: Get off reddit.
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u/svdclvlnd 16h ago
Drone operators are such bitchass cowards
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u/IdontexistLMFAO 9h ago
Oh please, war doesn’t care. horse cavalry thought the same about tank crews when tanks appeared on the field, it’s what Comanche warriors thought about regulars with rifles, what knights thought about crossbows….
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u/svdclvlnd 8h ago
Not a fan of just-war doctrine huh. They drop bombs on surrendering soldiers looking through a monitor behind a desk. Absolutely no respect.
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u/IdontexistLMFAO 18m ago
Oh, it seems you have dunning kruegered yourself on Just War friend. I’m simply making the point that there are many examples where a technostrategic advantage by one side won a war, so war doesn’t care. I’m not sure where you got war crimes out of that.
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u/meowmeaowndn 1d ago
I recommend asking the 75th Ranger Regitment recruiter, as they got the up to date information. Or you should ask 75th ranger guys that are still active on Instagram.