Does anybody out there have any advice for re-enlistment and switching your MOS?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:26:35 -0400

I am a Petroleum Laboratory Specialist. My window is currently open for re-enlistment and I am interested in switching my MOS to 68K (Medical Laboratory Specialist). I was wondering if anyone out there has any advice or knows anything about this MOS, maybe some advantages or disadvantages? Thanks!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 2:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:34:42 -0400

It's a great job to have. It also has many transferable skills to the outside world. However, it is a somewhat small MOS so you would need to be SERIOUSLY on top of your game to get as much points as possible. School slots can be limited due to the smallness of it. As I know many a 68K, not one of them have anything bad to say about the MOS other than trying for school slots is somewhat difficult. IMHO, I say go for it.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 1 at 2019 2:48 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 14:48:14 -0400

I know nothing about either MOS (Petroleum or Medical Lab). But I DID re-class twice. Let me tell you this. If you are going to do it, DO IT EARLY. My first re-class, I was a young SGT. Moving in to the new field, I had 10 level AIT, I wasn't really behind my peers too much because PLDC (now BLC, I think?) doesn't touch on career field at all. My second reclass, I was a SSG (P), and picked up SFC while in AIT. After graduation, I was a SFC in a field where I only had 10 level AIT knowledge. There were absolutely no allowances from anyone for lack of experience or lack of knowledge. I was expected to know and execute as if I had been a 35M for 10 years, rather than 10 days. Things did NOT go well for the first couple years as I got up to speed. It is true that there was also a ridiculous lack of support from the Warrants and from my peers who could have, theoretically, helped me out, but their lack of support was on me, not on them. At the end of the day, I was unable to properly execute the duties and responsibilities expected of me, and it hurt not only my performance, but also my future assignments and ultimately my ability to get promoted to the next rank.
#LFMF.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 6:43 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 18:43:47 -0400

Let me tell you about Kilo school..

1.) Difficult MOS- AIT is 12 months (6 of intensely crammed classroom teachings and 6 of hands on learning). When I went through in 2016, they had a 40% fail rate.
2.) The most difficult classes that cause the most people to fail are the first two classes you take. The standards have changed to where if you double tap (fail the initial test then fail the retest), you are removed from the program.
3.) If you are Army, they will almost never recycle you (allow you to start the course from the beginning). However, if you are Navy they won’t allow you to flunk our. They keep the people who want to leave and kick out the people who want to stay (from my personal experience)
4.) If you are promotable, you will most likely have to surrender your promotable status to reclass to this MOS (this happened to 2 prior service members in my class- one was a 68W and one was an AirForce E5)
5.) This MOS has an INSANELY high tendency to not promote since it can be extremely difficult to get points while working in the lab. Most labs are understaffed and the Kilos are frequently overworked. I have a hard time getting leave approved occasionally because the turnover rate is so high. Points are mainly earned through boards and maxing out education.
6.) This MOS requires a longer contract than most initially because your AIT is 12-13 months (depending on HBL and if you do recycle).

Benefits:
1.) This MOS will allow you to obtain an AA from George Washington University, a rather prestigious school. You just have to take 2-3 classes with GWU to get the degree.
2.) You will take the ASCP and if you pass, you get an MLT certification that will earn you a decent salary on the civilian side when you transition out, and you get to put MLT on your credentials in your work emails
3.) You’re in a climate-controlled environment MAJORITY of the time (yes, even in field units they make reasonable accommodations to keep the lab up and running at the proper temp)
4.) You have arguable one of the smarter MOS for the Army. This is not an easy job, although some may think all this MOS does is push buttons.

Sorry for the long post, but this is my current MOS. Feel free to reach out if you have questions

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2019 10:24 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 10:24:16 -0400

Can always drop a Civil Affairs packet, we offer the 9 month Special Operations Combat Medic, which is the same course as the SF Medics, SEALs, Rangers, etc..
You could go to CA selection and if you make it continue for CA, if not still reclass to 68K, or even if you get selected, elect to not accept training and switch to 68K.

It's an option

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2019 10:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 10:12:34 -0400

Unless this is what you want to do with your life, I would highly recommend not choosing this MOS. Also, if you are promotable, you are not eligible for this MOS.
68K is an extremely low density MOS with very few NCO positions. It's not uncommon to see an E5 with 10+ years in still struggling to get promoted. In fact, most of the 68Ks I know are former 68Ks who reclassed to get out of an MOS that doesn't promote.
If you know that you absolutely don't want to retire and you want to be a lab tech when you leave the Army, then this is a good job to provide a living wage when you get out and start working on your next career or go to school.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2019 12:43 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 12:43:51 -0400

I’m a 68K. It is very difficult. 6 months of classroom time and practicals at Fort Sam followed by 6 months clinical rotation at a military hospital. Then the Army pays for you to take the ASCP MLT exam to become certified on the civilian side. (You don’t need that to be a 68K in the Army but it is promotion points). The way the classes go are LMED, Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2, Hematology 1, Hematology 2, Urinalysis, Blood bank 1, Blood bank 2, Immunology, Microbiology 1 & Microbiology 2. (I still have my books) Most people fail out of chemistry. After that you’re pretty safe again until hematology. It requires late nights of studying. If you fail a test you retest. If you double tap it you have to go before a board where (I’ve heard, never been) they yell at you. If you double tap 2 tests you go before another board where they decide if you recycle into the next class or get reclassified. Getting recycled isn’t impossible if you have good relationships with your instructors. But if you’re a POS expect to be a truck driver or something. You’ll get a lot of freedom down there Bc it is a long school. You can even bring your family if married. After Fort Sam you’ll get ranked based in your GPA and put in your preference for your next duty station. I went to Fort Campbell for my phase 2. If you’ve ever failed a record PT test or had UCMJ you’re automatically at the bottom on the list. No one in years has not failed a single test. So again, it hard. But I love it.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Apr 3 at 2019 1:13 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 13:13:32 -0400

First of all the MOSes involved need to be in/out call. If your current MOS isn't approved for an out call you are dead in the water. The same goes for 68K in call. If they fall under the in/out call,see if your unit might be able to arrange for some OJT as a 68K. This is a great way to see what the MOS is really about. I've done ride alongs for Soldiers that were interested in re-classing to MP.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 3 at 2019 3:26 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 15:26:54 -0400

The greatest advantage is promotion potential. I believe that there is far fewer senior NCO positions in your current field than the one you are contemplating. Neither one having a lot. Thank you for your service.