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#53821 - Wed Apr 21 2010 20:07 PM Some SOWT ?'s
TheDon Offline
New Member

Registered: Tue Feb 02 2010
Posts: 84
First just want to say sorry if this stuff has been asked, i have found some stuff but its all in abbreviation or im just not understanding it.

1st?
It seams some/most SOWT's get assigned to army special force teams, is this true and if so are you based on an army base?
2nd?
This ? makes me feel like a moron but what does a SOWT do in a nut shell, i meen i get they predict weather but is this done from a base by reading radar, or are you in the field with a team of other SOWT's, or are you assigned to a SF team from the Air Force or Another Branch.
3rd?
Do SOWT's end up in Combat alot?
4th?
If SOWT's get assigned to a SF team do you get a say in it? Or do you just go were they need you at that time?

Again i am sure these have been answered but all i found i couldn't really understand because most of it was in abbreviations.

Thanks for you time
Wil
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#53830 - Thu Apr 22 2010 11:03 AM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: TheDon]
MMcGon Offline
Operator

Registered: Sun Jan 27 2008
Posts: 154
Loc: STTS
I dont know much but i can help give you a general idea

1st-These are referred to as ODA team's and as far as i know NO you would be assigned to an ODA team while deployed but you wouldn't be based at an army post.

2nd-?? i donno

3rd-With the amount of training you go through i would say yes

4th-Certainly no say in who or what team your assigned to. Your chain of command with put you where your needed. Welcome to the military

hope i gave you correct information. Just my simple experience of being in the Air Force for 7 years now i figure i'm pretty darn close. If i'm wrong someone else please correct me!
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#53831 - Thu Apr 22 2010 13:16 PM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: MMcGon]
Yukon Offline

Operator
*****

Registered: Wed Mar 14 2001
Posts: 927
Loc: Anchorage AK, USA
A current Special Operations Weather person is better suited than me to answering the duties performed at various assignments question and tactical level of employment utilization.

Much about combat weather support for Army battalions and brigades changed considerably ca. 1990 when 23rd AF/AFSOC first identified certain assets supporting the Army Ranger and Special Forces capabilities were designated Special Operations Weather Teams. SOWT duties changed considerably more when SOWT became a distinct Special Operations Weather specialty in the weather (1W) career field ca. 2009 with concurrent announcement some Special Weather Operations manpower position assets will be integrated into the STS unit capability and STS mission taskings. SOW capability is certainly more high speed than the conventional combat weather support the Air Force provides the Army, as stated the required training for award of 3-skill level reflects this.

The official classification description states “May be employed alone or as part of an Air Force, joint, interagency or coalition force, to support Combatant Commander’s objectives and may operate under austere conditions for extended periods”, clearly indicates mission capable status and combat mission ready status is expected. However, the question with the big unknown answer is will future employing situations rely more and more on unmanned weapon surveillance systems and satellite surveillance or will a crisis response require a weather forecaster employed clandestinely to specific target or objective locations to gather weather data to forward to a forecaster? The weatherman can’t change the weather; the weather forecaster only suggests (predicts) what it will most likely be at a given time at a given location in the future. Thus the participating contribute level is considerably different than what PJs and CCT provide.

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#53835 - Thu Apr 22 2010 16:57 PM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: Yukon]
TheDon Offline
New Member

Registered: Tue Feb 02 2010
Posts: 84
thanks for the info so far guys, any more would be alot of help. I can go PJ or SOWT and i would prefer PJ but my recruiter said that because of time and some other stuff i should take which ever opens first.

I found this from a post by SN
"Once Airmen become special operations weathermen, they will be assigned to Hurlburt's 10th Combat Weather Squadron and will be stationed at detachments across the United States."

Is this still current and correct, and are these "detachments" TDY's or will they be a special operartions weatherman's permanent base until moved to another base

Thanks
Wil


Edited by TheDon (Thu Apr 22 2010 18:39 PM)
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#53840 - Thu Apr 22 2010 19:09 PM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: TheDon]
pic Offline
Member

Registered: Tue Oct 16 2007
Posts: 162
Loc: Hurlburt
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#53867 - Sun Apr 25 2010 08:47 AM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: pic]
TheDon Offline
New Member

Registered: Tue Feb 02 2010
Posts: 84
just so the info is over here too

"...First assignment will be to Hurlburt Field, FL.
Detachments are just about gone. Only one left at Fort Campbell, KY......"

Quoted from an operator on the Grayberet forums
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#54254 - Sun Jun 06 2010 08:38 AM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: TheDon]
Optamix Offline
New Member

Registered: Thu Oct 29 2009
Posts: 16
I was able to talk to a SOWT operator about what kind of stuff they do downrange.

He told me a few stories of some situations he was involved in.

If you are worried about it being a more boring career field then you shouldn't be. He is paired with a CCT when he is on an ODA team.

What ever that ODA team has to go do, he goes with them, whether recon or direct action.

They go through JTAC courses also, though obviously that isn't their main emphasis. But he has had to take over for a TACP and call in AC-130 fire before.

He had to disguise himself and the ODA team as Afghani's and take an old van through a village to set up a forward air base and it almost turned hairy when they were stopped coming back through. But they just looked enough out of place that the villagers were warning them about "the military that was up in the mountains".

He got me excited about the career field, I didn't know how involved in front line operations they were. I was afraid I wouldn't get to do anything exciting. He said the CCT teams seem to get all the glory because it is really easy to see the end result. But the SOWT job is just as important as getting the bombs on target.

He showed me his kit that he wears down range and all the equipment he takes with him. It is nothing short of impressive. He gets all the high speed gear.

I can wait to leave for the pipeline for SOWT. I was concerned that it wouldn't be as exciting as CCT/PJ but it will be.

He said the worst thing the Air Force ever did to recruit for SOWT was to put out the "balloon commercials".


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#54292 - Tue Jun 08 2010 12:07 PM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: Optamix]
TheRoad64 Offline
Operator

Registered: Fri Oct 17 2008
Posts: 159
Loc: Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Just be aware SOWT pipeline is a similar level of difficulty to the CCT pipeline.. Both will attend Selection in Medina, both will attend the course at Keesler, SOWT spend approx. nine months there, and can expect to be physically tested every training day.

We have had SOWT trainees show up and feel blindsided that they are experiencing the same level of training as CCT.. train hard.

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#54293 - Tue Jun 08 2010 12:37 PM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: TheRoad64]
TE Offline
PJ/Operator/Admin/RKC
****

Registered: Thu Oct 17 2002
Posts: 3596
Loc: Nellis
TheRoad64 is exactly correct.

From the SOWT CFETP:

Special Operations Weather Career field and pipeline. The decision was made to separate our special operations weathermen into a new career field (1W0X2) with a new initial skills pipeline. The SOWT pipeline consists of 3 new courses. The Special Operations Weather Selection Course at Lackland AFB, TX will assess and train pipeline students exiting BMT and preparing to enter the Special Operations Weather (SOW) Initial Skills Course at Keesler AFB, MS. The core of SOWISC is the weather ISC course. SOWISC adds routine, progressive fitness training and is not an AFSC-awarding course. In week 29, the student will, in addition to meeting weather course graduation requirements, complete an exit standard PT evaluation to assess his ability to meet fitness requirements of enroute training and for the Special Operations Weather Apprentice (SOWA) Course. After leaving Keesler AFB, the 1W012 student will attend Airborne, SERE, water Survival, and Underwater Egress training enroute to Pope AFB. SOWAC is the 3–level AFSC-awarding course for 1W032 and will be where the student is presented his beret.

Individuals are awarded a 3-skill level upon completion of the Special Operations Weather Apprentice Course, at Pope AFB, NC. Apprentices are assigned to the Special Tactics Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL where they will be teamed with experienced trainers for extensive weather weapons system and combat skills upgrade training.

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#54452 - Sun Jun 27 2010 02:17 AM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: TE]
El_Duderino Offline
Operator
*****

Registered: Wed Nov 05 2003
Posts: 234
Loc: around
Optamix- I have not met a single SOWT who has been to a JTAC qualification course, or a JFO course. FYSA- just about every person in SOF can do AC-130 call for fire... not trying to burst your bubble. Just keeping things in perspective.
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#54454 - Sun Jun 27 2010 06:04 AM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: El_Duderino]
Optamix Offline
New Member

Registered: Thu Oct 29 2009
Posts: 16
I talked to one at the Little Rock AFB Battlefield Airman camp that had.

He told me very specifically about it.

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#54464 - Mon Jun 28 2010 07:47 AM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: Optamix]
Optamix Offline
New Member

Registered: Thu Oct 29 2009
Posts: 16
Originally Posted By: Optamix
I talked to one at the Little Rock AFB Battlefield Airman camp that had.

He told me very specifically about it.


After looking into it online it seems that you can attended the JTAC course and not get certified.

This may be where we are missing each other.

SOWT may not get certified in it, but he defiantly went to the course.

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#54468 - Mon Jun 28 2010 12:27 PM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: Optamix]
Yukon Offline

Operator
*****

Registered: Wed Mar 14 2001
Posts: 927
Loc: Anchorage AK, USA
Originally Posted By: Optamix
After looking into it online it seems that you can attended the JTAC course and not get certified.

SOWT may not get certified in it, but he defiantly went to the course.
No certification means official record to back up the claim is likely lacking. AFSC and duty experience doesn’t meet the eligibility requirement for attendance at a Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) accredited, formal JTAC training school (schoolhouse). If he didn’t attend to get basic qualification and certified to perform JTAC duties, why was the time and money invested?

Quote:

2.1.1. Prerequisites for entry into JTAC IQT. The following requirements must be met/accomplished prior to an individual attending a formal JTAC qualification course:

2.1.1.1. Prospective JTACs must have 1 year in a position with operational experience in Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 1C4X1, 1C2X1, 13DXB or be an aircrew member with one year of operational flying experience. Note: Non-USAF individuals must possess the operational or mission ready experience required by the JTAC MOA.

2.1.1.2. Enlisted personnel must possess a 5-skill level in AFSC 1C2X1 or 1C4X1 (USAF only).

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#54469 - Mon Jun 28 2010 13:28 PM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: Yukon]
Optamix Offline
New Member

Registered: Thu Oct 29 2009
Posts: 16
I was just passing along what I was told.

Sorry if it was misinformation.

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#54474 - Mon Jun 28 2010 17:54 PM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: Optamix]
LD1 Offline
New Member

Registered: Sat Oct 30 2004
Posts: 7
Optamix,

A couple things stand out to me in your previous posts. One being that you seem to be extremely interested in obtaining a JTAC qual despite your stated interest in becoming a SOWT. The other being you seem quite excited about the possibility of being attached to an ODA.
Your ambition of becoming a SOWT member is admirable and they certainly have many highly respected professionals serving in special operations and pardon me for saying so but to the casual observer it could appear you're interested in everything about SOWT except performing the weather mission. That would be too bad because that's what they do and they're the only ones in DOD that do it in forward areas. Someone going into SOWT should know that there are some things they DON'T typically do and you should probably educate yourself completely on the profession you're aspiring to.

A few things they don't typically do would be deconflict airspace, control airfields or direct and control air strikes. I'm not saying there aren't any JTAC qualified weathermen out there but I am saying that in my 12 years with the teams I haven't met one yet so that should give you an idea how many are out there. Even if there are a few you should keep in mind that just because one is qualified in a task that doesn't mean one will be employed in combat to perform that task. There's a big difference. A few may also be attached to ODAs but I'd also say those are generally by exception and usually under specific circumstances as I haven't seen many directly attached at the ODA level. I've seen them attached to Special Forces Groups at higher levels however. Once again, I'm sure there have been some who have attached to ODA's but I'm not sure it happens as often as you've been led to believe.

If I were to give you some unsolicited advice it would be to join SOWT for the unique opportunities they provide within SOF and most of all to perform the mission of taking weather observations and providing vital forecasts that help SOF forces plan and execute their missions. Sometimes you may do this as an attached member of a SOF unit during the course of a patrol or reconnissance mission and other times you'll do it from a tent in a rear area and never actually see the area. My point being this, if you want to take part in direct action raids, combat search and rescue, terminal control operations (CAS) or other typical SOF missions on a regular basis you may want to explore other options. SOWT is always in need of dedicated professionals but they also need guys who will be dedicated to their primary mission.

All that being said however, SOWT is continually evolving and who knows what the future could hold for the career field. Just do your homework and don't take one person's experience as gospel. If operators on this site are giving you information and advice you should listen to it. They're trying to be helpful. Good luck in your endeavors.

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#54477 - Mon Jun 28 2010 20:06 PM Re: Some SOWT ?'s [Re: LD1]
Optamix Offline
New Member

Registered: Thu Oct 29 2009
Posts: 16
Originally Posted By: LD1
Optamix,

A couple things stand out to me in your previous posts. One being that you seem to be extremely interested in obtaining a JTAC qual despite your stated interest in becoming a SOWT. The other being you seem quite excited about the possibility of being attached to an ODA.
Your ambition of becoming a SOWT member is admirable and they certainly have many highly respected professionals serving in special operations and pardon me for saying so but to the casual observer it could appear you're interested in everything about SOWT except performing the weather mission. That would be too bad because that's what they do and they're the only ones in DOD that do it in forward areas. Someone going into SOWT should know that there are some things they DON'T typically do and you should probably educate yourself completely on the profession you're aspiring to.

A few things they don't typically do would be deconflict airspace, control airfields or direct and control air strikes. I'm not saying there aren't any JTAC qualified weathermen out there but I am saying that in my 12 years with the teams I haven't met one yet so that should give you an idea how many are out there. Even if there are a few you should keep in mind that just because one is qualified in a task that doesn't mean one will be employed in combat to perform that task. There's a big difference. A few may also be attached to ODAs but I'd also say those are generally by exception and usually under specific circumstances as I haven't seen many directly attached at the ODA level. I've seen them attached to Special Forces Groups at higher levels however. Once again, I'm sure there have been some who have attached to ODA's but I'm not sure it happens as often as you've been led to believe.

If I were to give you some unsolicited advice it would be to join SOWT for the unique opportunities they provide within SOF and most of all to perform the mission of taking weather observations and providing vital forecasts that help SOF forces plan and execute their missions. Sometimes you may do this as an attached member of a SOF unit during the course of a patrol or reconnissance mission and other times you'll do it from a tent in a rear area and never actually see the area. My point being this, if you want to take part in direct action raids, combat search and rescue, terminal control operations (CAS) or other typical SOF missions on a regular basis you may want to explore other options. SOWT is always in need of dedicated professionals but they also need guys who will be dedicated to their primary mission.

All that being said however, SOWT is continually evolving and who knows what the future could hold for the career field. Just do your homework and don't take one person's experience as gospel. If operators on this site are giving you information and advice you should listen to it. They're trying to be helpful. Good luck in your endeavors.


I appreciate that. I was just trying to let the poster(and the other members that were asking questions) that SOWT isn't a boring career field.

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