Going to school in a few weeks to reclass to a 42A. Would you all have any advice?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 22:07:16 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2016 10:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 22:10:35 -0400

Don't use liquid eraser on the monitors....

Sorry, I couldn't help it with that joke.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2016 10:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 22:20:33 -0400

But for actual advice....while I am no HRC guy, I would say try and beef up on your regs and forms (DD and DA). Also, remember that you will be a reclass NCO. To this, I have KEY pieces of advice with you heading back into TRADOC world. And unless these have changed recently....

1) No alcohol.....regardless of rank and age....is authorized for any Soldier on Student status.
2) Even though you are an NCO, you will be on Student status and you CANNOT attempt (in fact don't even fancy the thought) of correcting an IET that has done wrong. You are not authorized to interact in any way other than classroom training. If you see an IET do anything they shouldn't be doing, you are to only engage them (and if you do BE DAMN SURE YOU HAVE A BATTLE BUDDY WITH YOU) to find out who their AIT Platoon Sergeant is.....then report it to said AIT Platoon Sergeant.

Those are pretty much the 2 main and biggest items I can share. And these two items were told to me when I was in ALC Phases 2 and 3 earlier this year.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Oct 7 at 2016 10:30 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 22:30:08 -0400

what was your Job before and is this Job Over strength are you Going to be sitting on the Promotion List waiting to Get promoted. I knew someone that wanted to reclass to another Job in which He did but promotion never happened so he decide to got a Combat arms mos and got Promoted. so Good Luck let me know how things are Going.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2016 12:59 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 00:59:47 -0400

It is all about referencing. Know where to find the answer in the applicable regulation, and you will be fine. This goes for school AND life as a 42A.
Control F is your friend.
Keep out of trouble, no matter how bored you get. Fort Jackson is full of eyes ever on the lookout to pin a student to the wall.
Good luck!

Response by SFC David Pope, MBA made Oct 12 at 2016 11:35 AM

SFC David Pope, MBA — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 11:35:26 -0400

When I transferred from active duty to the National guard, it was the Admin NCO that made my transition painless. Now 25 years later we are still good friends. Like you it was not his first MOS, as a matter of fact prior to that he was a Special Forces company commander who got rifted for ticking off the wrong General. I won't go into details, but I will tell you he said it was worth it! Remember, you will have the lives of everyone in your unit in your hands, and they know it. Enjoy Ft. Jackson and God Speed Sgt.

Response by SGT Matthew Schenkenfelder made Oct 12 at 2016 12:49 PM

SGT Matthew Schenkenfelder — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:49:43 -0400

My best advice would be to RUN!!!
I knew of guys that were reclassed into admin in my s1 and they were always slammed with work because of that fact. Your shop mates are lazy and ignorant and always looking for ways to get out of work. So good luck with that and good riddance to your soul because your gonna be so busy that you ain't gonna have a life outside of the office.

Response by SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates made Oct 12 at 2016 2:06 PM

SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 14:06:15 -0400

Look to your after army career and work to diversify your knowledge. This is a truly great and rewarding field for those who enjoy taking care of soldiers' issues. I wish I could have kept doing this job after taking off my uniform. Even through frustrating situations, it was the best 8 years I ever had as a professional.

Response by SSG Jeff Beltran made Oct 12 at 2016 3:48 PM

SSG Jeff Beltran — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 15:48:12 -0400

Congratulations on the 42A reclass. (1) Keep an open mind and take what you learn there as a reference point. If you do not have strong soft skills like Word, Power Point, Excel or other Office related programs you will get better at it. Need typing skills? There are plenty of computer programs to help you. Start strengthening these skills. It will save a lot of time dealing with dead lines with quick fingers. :D. 90% of HRC is mental and thinking outside the box with daily solutions, so if you had Combat Arm skills you can use this to your advantage. I went through my reclass in 2009 from Combat Engineer and I had to go through a huge learning curve, but once learned what was needed I excelled. Most important pay attention to details, when you reference and cross reference and keep an open mind to learn. Always save your work and recheck your work and if you have time have a battle double check your work, once you hit your first duty station. You will be the SME regarding ERB updates, Leave's, SGLI's, NCOER's and other S-1 Matter's. Much is expected from you from those who come to your with their S-1 issue's. So be the SME these folks will appreciate and have a higher regard and respect for you in the end. If you have any questions. Use your resource's available on the net. There is plenty of information is out there to glean from, you just have to ask and retain. Also, sign up with the S-1 Net. I Hope this advise has helped. Good luck and May God Bless you with wisdom and knowledge to complete this school and enhance your next career step and life after the military.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2016 10:17 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 10:17:26 -0400

Hey, me too! Where you headed? I'm going to California.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2016 8:45 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 20:45:58 -0500

Roger SGT inbox me

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2016 5:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 17:05:52 -0500

You can forget you are an NCO while in class, and stay away from the AIT Soldiers.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2016 8:30 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 20:30:32 -0500

Just take what you can from the class and then get OJT from others. 42A is such a huge array of taskings you can learn at that school. Once in the position keep regs on your desktop and live for trackers!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2016 10:19 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 22:19:32 -0500

I'm doing my AIT as a 42A right now.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 10:41 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 10:41:30 -0500

How did it go? I go in a few weeks. Did you have a PT test? Some say no some say yes. Did you do height and weight as soon as you got there? Just curious.
Thanks

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2017 2:51 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 14:51:45 -0400

How was the school?

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 9:55 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 09:55:50 -0400

No advice needed. Learn how to control F all AR and you will sail through.

Response by SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates made Jun 19 at 2020 1:53 PM

SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 13:53:46 -0400

Work on a well-rounded profile. In the 42 series you compete against the brightest minds in the Army, all vying for promotion and position. If you take a look at my profile here, you will see some opportunities I was honored to enjoy. My work at a corps HQ was very challenging and stressful, but so very rewarding. To this day, that is the position I filled with the most personal satisfaction. Do your best at whatever you do, and in your own way, you will always go far. I wish you the best.