Are 4/40 options becoming increasingly rare?

2019-05-03T13:17:57-04:00

Been working with a good recruiter, she's very passionate about what she does and has done everything to try and secure me an option 4 or 40 for my 11x contract. I qualified for a ton of jobs and she checked in her system, called the ROC, pulled some other magic tricks, and the only job that came with either of the two was for 92r option 40. I mean, if the army's cutting these back to make recruits work for it that's awesome, I got no problem putting in the work to get noticed and awarded the opportunity, but man I dont feel comfortable signing the contract without atleast airborne guaranteed. Just curious if you guys know anything about this? Is the army currently reducing available slots to potential recruits? And do you think I should exercise patience and wait for one to become available, or take the dive into black water and hope it all works out?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2019 1:20 PM

2019-05-03T13:20:52-04:00

Option 40 contract are not any more rare then they were before. There has always been a limited number. Holding Out for an option 40 contract is silly because you can volunteer for rasp in Airborne School. They literally come to Airborne School in recruit from there, and they also go to many AIT training sites and recruit from there as well. Just ask for Airborne in your contract and you can go to rasp.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2019 1:25 PM

2019-05-03T13:25:43-04:00

You might be holding out a long time for that they only have a certain amount and they are usually the first to go. The recruiter should of let you know if you go 11x chances are during OSUT, RASP usually will recruit during that time if you are a PT stud ect you will get a shot. Once you are in 11B it is pretty easy to get to Airborne school and other school. I wouldn't hold your breathe for that contract.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made May 3 at 2019 2:51 PM

2019-05-03T14:51:09-04:00

Are you currently a 2019 high school senior about to graduate, or already a high school graduate? Either way, the training vacancies showing in the system will likely only be June-Sept of this year. The bad news for you is that the Army has been filling the vacancies for that time period with 2019 High School Seniors since last June. Options 4 and 40 for 11X go fast when the Army opens up the Delayed Entry Program for new seniors, who can be in the DEP for up to 365 days. For everyone else, the only vacancies available are ship dates within 90-120 days. So, it is not that that they are that rare, it is that they are all taken for the time period you fit into for a ship date. Also, if you did not get a 50 or higher AFQT on the ASVAB, option 40 will not be an option. If you did get a 50 and fully qualified, then you can stand by and hope for vacancy to open up. Seniors in the DEP that drop out and don't ship will have their training seats put back in the system. Your recruiter will have to periodically check the system. Or, you can wait until after the summer when the window to ship is Sept-Nov. Chances are there will be vacancies for that window because they are not already filled by graduating high school seniors like the summer months. Don't give up, if you are qualified for option 4 or 40, it will shake loose eventually and the more determined you are to hold out for it, the harder they will try to get it versus selling you on a plan b. Good Luck

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2019 9:20 PM

2019-05-03T21:20:08-04:00

I was a 92R but i reclassed, first and for most stay away from rigger at all costs but it’s for you to go to basic and prosper there and earn your airborne or ranger! A lot of my friends had airborne and airborne in their contact and after joining found out they didn’t want to do it and you may not want to do either of them right off the jump as well

Response by PV2 Jd Starr made May 4 at 2019 2:24 AM

2019-05-04T02:24:52-04:00

Say "Thanks, but the Marines told me that I could go Recon, Im going to go talk to them again." Slots will magically open up!!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2019 6:55 AM

2019-05-04T06:55:46-04:00

Riggers...by the sounds of it, you may be too smart, too fit, too squared away to jump on that grenade. Like a good, classy lady, hold out bro and good luck.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2019 2:49 AM

2019-05-05T02:49:55-04:00

SFC Boyd is 100% correct they come to your formation at Airborne Sxhool and ask for volunteers to RASP since it’s practically across the Field