Can you change MOS if going from Army Reserve to Active Army?

SFC John Peters CWDP: BES, JSS — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 12:39:29 -0500

I'm curious if a soldier can change their MOS if they transfer from Army Reserve to the active Army?

I am a former Army Recruiter (over 25 years ago) and I know back then that if a soldier wanted to go from Reserve/Guard to active duty...they were not allowed to change their MOS. The logic being that Uncle Sam already paid thousands to train you once and they are not going to spend thousands more to train you again for a different job.

The reason I'm asking is because a friend of mine has a son who's planning to join the Army Reserve in the next couple of weeks (has apparently already reserved his MOS slot). However, his ultimate goal is to go active duty as a tanker. My fear is that he hasn't mentioned this to his reserve recruiter. And if he did...the recruiter is probably lying to him or blowing smoke up his rear end by telling him it's no problem switching MOS's.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Like I said...it's been 25 years since I my dark days of recruiting and I'm sure some things have probably changed.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2020 12:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 12:43:19 -0500

In '96 when I was going Reserves to Active, I had changed my MOS. In fact, I had to change my MOS because apparently there were no open Medic slots at that time so I went in as 12B.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 4 at 2020 12:54 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 12:54:18 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member didn't I see a post from you a while back that RC soldiers transitioning to AD could only select current MOS or a short list of high demand MOSs that they otherwise qualified for?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2020 12:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 12:58:26 -0500

Yes, most often do, you will got to AIT as MOS-T instead of MOS-I

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2020 12:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 12:58:58 -0500

Yes they can switch their MOS when going active, if the Army has a need for the MOS they want.

A better question is why doesn't the kid join the NG as a tanker and then he has the MOS once he goes Active?

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jan 4 at 2020 1:16 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 13:16:06 -0500

He should be a guest at a NG Armored unit and shadow them.. for the weekend.. therefore he can see if he likes tanks... I worked a lot with tanks as a CAV Scout, but only as a standing up TC to move them from Farm to training areas as I was too big to fit inside..I also had problems when they fired... and got hurt and suffered deafness in a firing accident HE round back blast. It take a special person to be a tanker.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2020 3:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 15:19:45 -0500

Sometimes you can change your MOS when switching to active based on needs of the Army. However getting a particular MOS is unlikely. HRC business rules come into play as well.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 8:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2020 20:03:18 -0400

Last rules I had reflected that under 36months TAS, allows some mos changes. May have changed but check with your local RA recruiter. You will be told to come back with a signed 368 from 1st star in line( local garrison cdr for NG). without one, you are just getting info.