By Staff Sgt. David House
85th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas - Above the zone but below the radar, a little known military occupation specialty, Civil Affairs, is looking to recruit motivated male and female soldiers, enlisted as well as officers. And to do so, the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion here at Fort Hood has developed a program to ensure candidates success.
The program developed and conducted by the SORB concentrates mainly on preparing candidates physically as well as mentally by helping develop a proper mindset in initiating the switch to Civil Affairs and other Special Operation career fields.
“The thing with CA is that many people do not know that we exist,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Bentcliff, a Civil Affairs team sergeant on assignment with the SORB. “So I came down here to help spread the word about who we are and what we do. Most of all, I am able to identify an opportunity within the Army.”
Civil Affairs soldiers are specially trained to work directly with civilian and military organizations of other nations to perform common tasks in support of embassies, nation building and humanitarian assistance all while enabling the civil-military operations of the supported commander.
“Like many others, I had no idea what Civil Affairs was until I heard about when I was attending the Warrior Leadership Course,” said Spc. Robert Golliher, a mechanic assigned to the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. “After learning more about it and what they do I was definitely motivated to switch over.”
Part of the process of becoming Civil Affairs qualified is an initial 10 day assessment followed by the qualification course that can last up to a year along with completing a foreign language course.
“The assessment was much harder than I anticipated,” said Golliher. “Very exhausting, not only physically, but also mentally as they test your ability to think outside of the box and being able to react quickly.”
Golliher credited his success of passing the initial assessment to the physical training program conducted by the SORB. Candidates are put through a strenuous physical training regime from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. which incorporates not only your traditional workout methods but introduces the use of logs, tires and sand bags all built around team work.
“While it is not for everyone it is something that will enable a soldier to not only stay Army in light of the current drawdown but be able to expand their overall knowledge and develop extremely marketable skill sets,” said Bentcliff.
Candidates are also prepared for the day to day operations of Civil Affairs by being selected for a special duty to work at the SORB while awaiting official orders for a class date. Working at the recruiting office, they are not only preparing themselves for the future but are helping pave the way for future candidates.
“Being able to work alongside those that are already Civil Affairs training is a big help in preparing myself,” said Golliher. “I can thank Sgt. 1st Class Bentcliff for answering all of my questions and setting me up for success.”
For others, it is about continuing a tradition.
“Well, I have family that is already in the special operations community,” said Spc. Daniel Sutton. “And after learning about Civil Affairs, I felt it would be a good way to give back to the community, military and civilian.”
Sutton, a heavy equipment operator with the 36th Engineer Brigade, has been in training with the SORB since August and is awaiting a class date in 2014.
“I hear it will be tough but the training we are doing will help prepare me,” said Sutton. “An intense program that will get me physically fit and motivated so that won’t fail my battle buddies or myself. This program will definitely get your mind prepared and get your body prepared. When you come here they will break you off.”
Service members interested in becoming Civil Affairs qualified should contact the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion at 254-288-5324 or drop by their office located on the corner of 42nd Street and Old Ironsides.