Army Female Engagement Teams/Cultural Support Team

Specialties Government

Published

Here's a link to an interesting Army opportunity. I heard that they are going to try and push an additional two classes this year for a total of four.

http://www.soc.mil/CST/CST.html

Are the FET and CST essentially the same except that CST is with Special Forces and Rangers vs. being attached to regular combat arms units like the FET?

ETA: Edited out personal info, left this question up as there are ways of answering without betraying opsec.

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Army Medic.. If any of your CST/FET questions are answered please let us know. Did you have to go through a "Selection" process to work the FET you are currently working with? What was that like?

There are a certain number of Females looking to be "HardCore" and this could be the answer. The next time I hear the "Women are as Strong as Men and Im not joining until we are allowed in Combat argument" It would be great to offer them a solution... And telling them something more than " You can enlist & join a FET --the training is hard & strenous."

Some first hand knowledge would be great. I would also like to know what happens if you dont cut the mustard.. Are you sent back to your unit?

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After reading through the websit, this looks like an excellent opportunity to set yourself apart from your peers. Being selected would result not only in great experience, but the kinda combat patch few could bag on.

I imagine its just like SFAS: failure to be selected just results in return to your unit. I wonder if they allow would allow multiple attempts, like SFAS.

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Specializes in ER, NICU.

I believe they will let students repeat for non-selection.

As a reservist I just go back to my unit, not sure about the active duty.

The A&E was hard and strenuous for me, but I do not believe is was anything compared to the what the men go thru at the Q course and it's not to train up woment to become 11B.

I'll know more once the actual CST training starts, right now I'm just waiting for orders.

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I am on a CST. I went throught the selection/assessment and made it. I am currently deployed doing actual female engagement. For those who think we just sit on a FOB, you are mistaken. As far as selection goes, be physically fit and mentally alert at all times. Some females got dropped by failing the pt test. You will wake up early and will go to bed extremely late. Also, although you are being assessed individually you are also be assessed to see how well you work with a team. Its called Cultural Support Team so you will not be alone. Remember if you don't get a long with women this is not for you. Once you've been selected, I suggest you start reading up on what is going on in remote areas of Afghanistan. Learn about NGOs working here as well. It'll help tons. Read up on critical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution, etc. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Oh, and yes you will be sent back to your unit.

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Army Medic..Did you have to go through a "Selection" process to work the FET you are currently working with? What was that like?

There are a certain number of Females looking to be "HardCore" and this could be the answer. The next time I hear the "Women are as Strong as Men and Im not joining until we are allowed in Combat argument" It would be great to offer them a solution... And telling them something more than " You can enlist & join a FET --the training is hard & strenous."

I would also like to know what happens if you dont cut the mustard.. Are you sent back to your unit?

How you're used will depend on your unit

Right now to get on a FET in the conventional Army, I think it mainly depends on if your unit is deploying soon and whether they'd like to use FETs. Doesn't really have a selection process as of now though you should go through some training for it.

ETA: Edited my answer to create a much smaller one that doesn't give out any info that isn't already found in many public articles on the subject in major papers including USA today.

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I have another question...How strict are the cadre about the packing list? I know a few guys from my unit that have gone to selection. For them, the boots were not strict IE Danner/Tactical/Etc variations. Socks? really or is this even checked? Also, it seems that a protractor and compass should be on the list but its not?

I'm sure it sounds a bit weird but I've gone to schools that were strict about certain items and not others. I'd love to know before I start wasting money.

Thanks!

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I am on a CST. I went through the selection/assessment and made it. I am currently deployed doing actual female engagement.

Also, although you are being assessed individually you are also be assessed to see how well you work with a team. Its called Cultural Support Team so you will not be alone. Remember if you don't get a long with women this is not for you.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Oh, and yes you will be sent back to your unit.

Have you run across any problems with any of the females being attached to these majority male units?

ETA: Edited away questions that could lead to answers that would go against opsec. Don't think the one I left would do that as it's a general feeling one and again something that has been talked about in public articles that anyone could see.

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Specializes in L&D, Mother-Baby, Special Care Nursery.

A friend of mine volunteered for this and was told that she is too old! She's only 36. I think it would be an interesting experience myself but I'm currently on another mission that precludes volunteering for this one. Good luck to those of you who do go; it should be different if nothing else!

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Specializes in ER, NICU.
A friend of mine volunteered for this and was told that she is too old! She's only 36. I think it would be an interesting experience myself but I'm currently on another mission that precludes volunteering for this one. Good luck to those of you who do go; it should be different if nothing else!

In my A&S class the oldest was 47 and she got selected. I am 40 and got selected. That said, the reservists and guard may have been a bit more...ahem...mature :D compared to the active duty soldiers.

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Im very interested in being a part of a CST-type program but does anyone know if the Air Force has anything similar? Or if it is just within the Army.

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Specializes in ER, NICU.
Im very interested in being a part of a CST-type program but does anyone know if the Air Force has anything similar? Or if it is just within the Army.

I think it just the Army and the Marines.

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