Do you think a NCO should be able to keep his rank if he transitions to in a different branch in a different MOS.

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 May 2014 20:32:58 -0400

I have known people that have transitioned from the Navy and came to the Army. Not only that they changed their MOS from a support MOS to Infantry. They were SGTs when they transitioned and keep their rank throughout. Should that individual be able to lead a team of Infantrymen in combat without any experience beyond AIT? This applies to more than just Infantry but that's just my experience.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made May 20 at 2014 9:00 PM

SSG Kevin McCulley — Tue, 20 May 2014 21:00:01 -0400

Perhaps, a temporary reduction to see if the troop is worth their salt. If the command feels they are, they can be promoted. The other thing to consider is letting this soldier jump ahead in line of the juniors who have more experience in the field and time in that branch of service. It could be a bit of a disservice to them.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made May 20 at 2014 9:29 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Tue, 20 May 2014 21:29:40 -0400

I went from USMC, to USMCR, to USNR without losing any rank. I got from USNR to USN and lose two. I didn't it was right then, and I don't think its right now

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2014 10:27 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 May 2014 22:27:18 -0400

Ugh. As a Corporal, I had a Sergeant lat move to my MOS (Engineer) from something completely unrelated (admin or supply). In the Corps there are division and group engineers. They "do" the same job, but division generally directly supports infantry ops so we were on the ranges a lot, attached to our infantry platoons, live fire and blowing things up...matter of fact, I never "constructed" anything in my military career, just blew things up.

I found it particularly unnerving and frustrating that this guy was calling the shots in these situations, as a squad leader, without having any knowledge of his new-found trade and very little combat training and no combat experience...with quite a few combat veterans. Of course every training op has its safety measures, but he was one of those who took his rank too seriously, and didn't try to learn from the juniors who actually HAD years of experience. Not only was it dangerous, it made us look bad and we suffered lost confidence.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2014 10:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 May 2014 22:33:55 -0400

Is this more of an issue of having the same respect (although is it really the same across the different services) or about taking what accounts to a pay cut for switching over? Regardless of your personal accomplishments you're not going to lead effectively if you yourself are still learning your own job.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 21 at 2014 5:27 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 21 May 2014 05:27:50 -0400

This is a chain of command issue. If your leadership failed to check the individuals qualifications before arbitrarily placing them in charge of troops in situations that require specific expertise, then your chain has failed you completely.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2014 5:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 May 2014 05:45:22 -0400

I have actually LIVED this question, I was an FC2 when I left the Navy and came in to the Army as a SPC. As much as it was painful to go through, and to have to take that pay cut, and set my career back as far as it did, there is some value to it. There is no way I had the technical knowledge to be an NCO in my field just transitioning over. NO WAY. I know some NCO's in my field that were "Fast Trackers" and all they care about is Rank or "Lickey/Chewey" schools, but don't know how to do their job, and not only do I but my peers look down on them. The Soldiers know they cannot go to them for any job related advice. So yeah, the reduction in rank is important. I don't believe that they would be ready to lead in their job. Just remember, the recruiters make it clear you are going to lose rank when you transition, so it is a voluntary thing, we that transitioned could have just re-upped and stayed in the same branch. So we knew what we were getting into!