Re-class to another MOS?

Question

where do I go to re-class?..Re-up NCO? can i do it anytime? i have heard i can do it as long as im not a staff sergeant yet.

I'm trying to go from 19K to 11B

Answer 1

Are you Active Army? Marine? Or Reserves? I'm guessing you are Active Army, besides I went through a reclass while in Army so, that's all the experience I have to base my answer on.
First, I would highly suggest you use your time making friends with and looking for advice for this issue with your reclass NCO and not on a forum such as this. This thing is more of a joke than real-deal advice. With the rare exception of course.
Second, you can only Reclass IF you re-up, you do NOT hold a hot-MOS or you lose a qualifying factor that is necessary to hold your CURRENT MOS.
Re-uping, is pretty simple to understand.
If your currnet MOS is in such need or shortage that it is designated a hot-MOS, then it is too badly in need and you will not be granted a Reclass. If you do NOT hold a hot-MOS and the job you want IS a hot-MOS, then you might get the Reclass, depending on the other qualifications needed for the new MOS.
If your current MOS requires you to have , for example, a security clearence, language proficiency or other skills and you lose that skill or qualification for whatever reason, then you will HAVE to Reclass, unless your chain of command gives you the opportunity to regain your lost skill or qualification.
The very first thing you want to do is go pick up a 'Request for Action' form, I don't remember the actual form number, but in 2000, it was actually called a 'Request for Action' form. It's a general purpose form used to request things like Jump school, Relocations, Air Assault school, etc... You can pick it up at your S1 office, or Admin. office.
Then, make the Re-up NCO your new best friend. They have ALL the inside info. on EVERYTHING!! Besides, depending on the requested MOS, you might have to make an extension on your current enlistment, in which case you will have to pay a visit to your Re-up NCO anyway, like I did. BUT THEY WILL TRY TO REENLIST YOU FIRST!!! Try to stay away from this option, that's why, make him a buddy so he'll help you get what YOU WANT.
You will be asked to list 3 MOS preferences, as the MOS you want most might not be open. Keep in mind, the MOS's that everyone wants get snatched up very quickly, mostly given to new recruits who are enlisting and are 'enticed' with the good jobs. Makes sense don't it?
And finaly, this is A VERY LONG PROCESS!!!!! It took me A YEAR from picking up the request form to starting the new AIT for the new MOS. I even had to get my orders ammended TWICE because of shti that was not done right by the Army. This request goes a long way up the chain for approval. I was stationed OCONUS, outside the continental U.S, or overseas, so that might have added to the time it took. Battalion level Admin. was unable to handle the request when it got aproved at Company level, I guess most requests dont' get that far. So that added to the time delay. You will also be assigned, if approved at Regimental level a Reclass NCO counselor who will handle your problems and questions via e-mail or DSN phone, I also suggest you contact him immediatly to make sure he is aware of your situation and, of course, make him your NEW best friend.
You will encounter several obstacles, so get all your shti together, paperwork and all, and DO NOT TRUST EVERYONE INVOLVED TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!! Know where everything goes next and what the reg's. are. It is in your best interest to learn what your branches' rules are on Reclasses, and keep up with your forms paper trail. Make copies of everything. Try not to give up the original unless they say they have to have it. Everytime you contact someone via paperwork, send ALL your info. with your paperwork. It is so frustrating seeing your forms sent back after waiting for weeks on them because they need your last orders, social, time in rank, clearance, or date of rank.
This is probably alot more than you were expecting, but if you cannot tell by now, my Reclass was a nightmare. Damn the Army's pencil pushers and office chair warmers. It is an experience I will never forget, a year to get approval for a Reclass??!! Can you imagine??!! Shti!! Keep in mind, know what the reg's. are, make copies of everything, send everything EVERYTIME, and most importantly, make everyone you hand your packet to YOUR BEST FREIND!! Even the rude and lazy 'Tyrone's' and 'Lakesha's' you meet at the admin. counters. Let me know if this helps some, and feel free to ask me anything I was unable to answer. Good luck, GOD, GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!

Answer 2

Jeeper_P has given you some good advice, yet he did fail to point out one little detail. You can "work" the system around this time of year. Come 1 October, the Army goes into a new fiscal year, new budgets and new enlistment/reenlistment goals. Now, if you wait til 1 October, the new MILPER messages will start to come out as to in/out calls. It might change for your current MOS. Worst option, but it does work, is to ETS, wait 90-days, then reenlist for your chosen field. Keep in mind that we currently have a 9% unemployment rate here in the States, the Army is taking advantage of that. Thus, talk with your battalion career counselor and see if there is anything you can do.

Answer 3

Go to your re-up NCO. They will give you a better answer. But I can tell you from personal experience that it is possible as I am doing it right now!

Answer 4

I think you can always re-class to 11B. Unless your current MOS is critical or understrengthed. Start with your PAC NCO. Your re-up counseller may know also.

Answer 5

You don't talk to a recruiter, if you want to re-class talk to your retention people, they are the ones who re-class and re-up. And I don't know what branch your in but you can re class as a SSG, the thing is, is your MOS a needed one, and does the MOS you want to go in need someone your rank or are their spots available. Talk to retention!

Answer 6

If you are out of the military, you should have an RE code at the bottum of your DD214. You can go to any recruiters office, they will be more than happy to get you reenlisted. Most likely you won't have to go through bootcamp again either.

Answer 7

Reclass you need to talk with the recruiter... my husband thought about reclassing... However, if you are in a priority MOS, you will only be able to reclass in a priority MOS. Keep that in mind. As for the rank, I'm not sure about that.

Answer 8

MOS is assigned at regiment level. Your company gunny or company clerk can set you up an appointment at regiment to do the paperwork.

Answer 9

Good luck and get it in writing other wise it will say (if available) but I imagine you already know that.

Answer 10

when you re-up, ask what mos is available and see if you can reclass.