Posted on Sep 24, 2020
As a prior service Specialist, is it possible to join the Reserves as a Sergeant with no promotable status or BLC?
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I was a specialist in the active duty army I have been out for about a year now I just recently had a sergeant first class career counselor emailed me about joining the Army reserve in a e5 slot. Is this even possible can I join the reserves as a sergeant with no promotable status or BLC or would I just be a specialist in a sergeant position like a team leader or would I actually wear the rank of sergeant?
Reserves
SGT
88M: Motor Transport Operator
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 15
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The Career Counselor is correct, He can get you into the E-5 SLOT, keyword SLOT. You still have to do the work for the rank. He did not promise the Rank itself, using your own words. Have fun, I did 39 years getting paid to have fun getting free travel and education. Make sure that you read the whole contract before taking the oath
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You can fill two slots up, or one slot down. Your unit once you get there can move you around on the UMR willy nilly once they get you on the books.
Don't worry, you'll have to earn SGT just like anyone else. If he implies you're going to get SGT as part of this deal I think you are being sold a bill of goods.
Don't worry, you'll have to earn SGT just like anyone else. If he implies you're going to get SGT as part of this deal I think you are being sold a bill of goods.
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AS most have already pointed out, you can hold the slot, but that does not give you the rank, even in the reserves you will have to have the schooling for that rank to be eligible for promotion.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Good luck getting schools in the Reserve. There are Soldiers in my Reserve unit that have been there for 3 years and have never gone to school yet.
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Recruiters easily convert to being used car salesmen. Be wary. Position yes, award of E-5 rank will be later.
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You can fill the slot but still have to take the required steps to earn the rank
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The others already hit the nail on the head.
You can be slotted up, but it really doesn't matter at all. You can also be slotted down, and it doesn't matter.
You're a SPC until you submit a packet, get "P" status, and complete BLC.
Also know this, often times, when people are promoted in the Army Reserve, they are often promoted out of the unit they're currently in. We've had several promotion this year, E4-5, 5-6 and 6-7, and only one stayed in the unit.
You can be slotted up, but it really doesn't matter at all. You can also be slotted down, and it doesn't matter.
You're a SPC until you submit a packet, get "P" status, and complete BLC.
Also know this, often times, when people are promoted in the Army Reserve, they are often promoted out of the unit they're currently in. We've had several promotion this year, E4-5, 5-6 and 6-7, and only one stayed in the unit.
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1SG (Join to see)
So true. I was in an E-7 slot with my unit but when I got my E-7 promotion orders I also got transfer orders to another unit.
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SPC (Join to see) Yes, in the Reserves we can slot 2 up 1 down. So, yes they can stick you in an E5 position on the UMR (Unit Maintenance Report). You would not join as a SGT, you have to put in a promotion packet and go on the PPRL before you can become a SGT. You would have to be green across the board meaning HT/WT, APFT/ACFT and all medical meaning not flagged.
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Yep. I got out of active duty as a SPC, did just under three years break in service, decided to join the reserves in January 2020, got promoted to SGT in May 2020
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You can be put into an E5 slot, but you will need WLC/BLC, passing PT & HT/WT & promotion packet to make E5.
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you would be a SPC in a SGT slot until you get promoted. I was a CPT in the guard and transferred into a MAJ slot in the reserves. the benefit here is you are already in a para/line number E5 slot on the UMR so when you become promotable you don't have to find a slot to get promoted into.
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take the slot as an E4. Show you are fit to lead. You'll get promoted, I would say, in a year. All depends how you perform during your first Annual Training. Good Luck.
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You can hold an e-5 slot but that doesn’t make you promotable by an means. You will have so much time to get welcome completed and submit a promotion packet. So if your going to do it make sure you have a wlc course slot. And put together your promotion packet. Board meets twice a year
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A SLOT is a position and line number on the MTOE or UMR (unit manning report). Soldiers can hold slots 2 grades up - doesn't mean they get the rank (automatic promotion). You still need to do the work (i.e. SSD and BLC)
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CSM Clifford Fargason
Based upon the screenshot, here are some of the pros and cons. I don't know where you live, but you want to be able to get to your unit without having to drive a long way. Other than that, if you take a slot in Las Cruces they have plenty of E5 slots. Yes, as others have said, you will have to earn the rank. However, with plenty of slots open you will likely not be bumped should someone in the unit make SGT before you. Chances are also good that you will not be transferred out once you do make SGT. If you take the SPC slot in El Paso, you will more than likely be transferred out once you do make SGT.
The other consideration is the type of unit. The 356th will be a regular PLS unit, so your usual drill activities will be geared toward the mission of a PLS company. That type of unit can be called up for deployment based upon the needs of the military. Personally, I prefered those type of units. The El Paso unit is a support unit for a training unit. Not as likely to get called up for deployment.
The other consideration is the type of unit. The 356th will be a regular PLS unit, so your usual drill activities will be geared toward the mission of a PLS company. That type of unit can be called up for deployment based upon the needs of the military. Personally, I prefered those type of units. The El Paso unit is a support unit for a training unit. Not as likely to get called up for deployment.
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