Another xray question
 

Hey guys. I swear I searched for x-ray, B-team, x-ray B-team, etc. I found out what a B-team is, but that's not what I was looking for. If you would answer this I'd really appreciate it, if not don't worry about. If you are an xray and get selected, complete all the training, etc. are you put on a B-team then work your way up to an A-team? I'm not saying a B-team is any less then an A-team, I'm just not sure how it works. From what I've researched and found they're kind of different jobs really, as far as one being the support unit to the other.

Thanks guy,
Wil

Slots on the ODA/ODB are filled based on priority and sometimes guys go from the schoolhouse to the ODB.

18X's are no different in this aspect.

ODA, (A Team), 12 guys, they are commanded by a CPT. The XO is an officer also, sometimes a 1LT*, most likely a WO. 10 remaining soldiers are enlisted. 8 of them hold MOSs 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E. 2 soldiers hold an MOS of 18F, one is the INTEL SGT, the other, the Team Sergeant.

ODB, (B Team). It is commanded by the company commander, who also oversees the (6) ODAs under his charge. He is a Major, and experienced ODA leader. His XO is a Capt, sometimes a WO. His Team Sergeant is the company Sergeant Major. The ODB has well experienced 18 series enlisted soldiers, but also employees supply sergeants, NBC NCO, Admins to interface with BN S1, specialty teams, etc.

* The SF officer role on ODA has changed many times over the years. In sort, an ODA will employee 2 officers, one each to command the team in a split team design. That is why there are two for each SF MOS.

Hope that answered your question, remain safe, focus on the 25M target.

Nobody ever does...

Now that was funny.

But I'll play Santa on this one...
Ideally....The ODB or B Tm handles the support and administrative duties for the company. There's generally 15 people on the B Tm, that's made up of a couple of officers, a warrent, and about a dozen enlisted guys (by TO&E anyways). Their job is to help the ODA's prep for deployments, work as SOCCEs, operate the AOB, etc.

From the Team Room's perspective...it takes 6 A teams to support a B Team; 18 A Teams, and three B Teams to support a C team; etc..:D

Thanks guys, appreciate the answers. Stay safe.

Shouldn't be on a B Team until you have done your time on an A Team. How else would you know how to support your Teams (the true function of a B Team)?

Of course, if you are a a supreme douchebag, you might end up on one quicker. :D

I'll disagree with that.

18E's and D's will often find themselves working on a B-Team first. I fell in this example as a new 18E. It actually worked to my benefit, as I was mentored by a senior E prior to moving down the hallway to an ODA. This also allowed the ODA's to get to know my personality, strengths and weaknesses. At the end of my first deployment I had a job with an ODA who wanted me on their team. Good place to learn the ropes before standing on the five yard line IMO.

Bottom Line Last, don't be affeared of the ODB, unless you begin to homestead there,,,

You can disagree, but it doesn't make you any less wrong.;)

Agreed. Similar experience as you.

The other good thing that being on the ODB is that it's a position where you will interact more with the battalion and Group support elements, quickly learning exactly who does what, where to go to get things done, and who's a turd - a good thing to know on a team.

To add...

If the manning can support it, the B-team can always use a few guys to support the experienced ones... They help out with running around and all the stuff that seems to cause the B-team to not have enough time in the day to accomplish that goal of actually supporting the teams.

Typical 1/75 guy response,,,, :munchin

If I was really interested in getting an 18x contract, I'd be focusing all my energies on (1) getting an 18x contract, (2) prepping for SFAS, (3) and getting through the SFQC.

Just sayin'...

Richard :munchin

Most 18E slots
 

Most of the junior 18 series slots in a Battalion are on the A Teams. So it is "Normal" for "most" 18 guys fresh out of the course to go to A Teams when they show up.

But pulling an established guy off an A Team and replacing him with a guy fresh out of the Q right before they deploy is sometimes not the best course of action.

In a case like that SGM's have been known to retain the new guy on the B Team and swap them out after the deployment.

Very true. Of course back in our day, the new 18Es spent time in the SigDet before they arrived in the company.

I think everyone should go to an ODA first. Sadly though with the optempo and manning it's not always possible.