Has anyone reclassed to 35L, 38B, or 31D? What was the transition like? How did you know it was time to reclass?

I know it s been a while, but I am currently active duty as 11b looking to transit to 31d. I will be attending blc in a month and currently working on a ts. How can I better prepare myself to meet the standards of 31d?

The best thing you can do to prepare is to review the prerequisites and do the research to ensure you can meet them or have the time to achieve them. For example if you dont have enough collage credits make sure you can obtain them in enough time before you get promoted to SSG, because once you make SSG you only have one year to get accepted before you are disqualified.

What are the job responsibilities? How is the training? How long is the initial commitment after obtaining the MOS? What additional schooling opportunities are available?

SGT(P) (Join to see) - The job varies a lot by mission. In a nutshell, you will be expected to be a cultural expert on your area of operations, informing the commander about cultural issues that affect operations and once missions are underway, interfacing directly with the civilian population on matters of mutual concern. This is very generic, mind you. The actual job for me has been vey different each time I have deployed. Everything from Special Operations support to CI to disaster response to capabilities building. Ask me more if you want more detail.

The training is fairly rigorous, conducted by the JFK Special Warfare Center in Ft Bragg. There is a fairly high fail rate due to the cerebral portions and sometimes the physical piece. Most that bolo do so in the lanes portion of training out at Camp McCall. It is physically demanding, but not too bad if you prepare.
Once the CAQC course is done, you'll go to Airborne School (if you haven't yet) and go to DLI for a language course.
Once you're qualified, nearly every school the Army offers is available. You'll be encouraged to go to as many of them as you can to broaden your capabilities.

It is a good job, with a lot of potential for advancement and big bonuses for reenlistment. It is not for everybody, though. It chews up officers in particular. The OPTEMPO is very high.

Any advice for CAAS 1SG? I have a slot for the January selection.

SGT (Join to see) - I'll give you a nugget, as they generally try to keep their training and methods under wraps.
Be aware of misdirection. Nearly every training engagement you'll do will have one or more of them. Best way to successfully manage them is to have a good engagement plan with a secondary person from your team to keep the inevitable distraction occupied.
Don't close a meeting without achieving or at least addressing your objectives.
There will be SF dudes out there to mess with you and keep you on your toes tactically. Be prepared to bug out and secure your "civilian" counterparts when contact happens.

Good luck. Message me if you have specific questions I can answer without selling the farm.

What does a 35L do? How is the training? What additional schooling/training opportunities?

I am in the 38b course now well the language portion now.

SGT(P) (Join to see) - SGT Johnson the school is in Fort Huachuca which will last for about 4-5 months. I was a prior 35M but I am sure there are 35L's here that can give you more detail but I know you can be stationed anywhere in the world ranging from Tactical Units and Field offices

35L's have multiple jobs. If you are assigned to a Field Office, you will likely be primarily giving TARP briefings and participating in CI investigations (as a co-case or case agent). These investigations can be highly sensitive and usually involve a lot of people/systems. Such things that Army CI Agents investigate include potential acts of espionage, support to international terrorism, foreign cyber intrusions, potential foreign IO collection, and other potential acts/instances of insider threats. You may even be tasked to assist in investigative/defensive source operations. In a tactical setting, you may be doing investigations as well but also may be tasked to conduct MCC/CI Source Operations. Highly specialized CI units also do things such as Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures (TSCM), CI Cyber, and offensive CI operations--which are things you may be able to participate in later in your career with additional training and/or experience. Additionally, giving threat briefings, conducting CI analysis/estimates/products, and participating in CI liaison with other intel and law enforcement personnel is regular part of a CI Agent's job. Hope this helps.

Is it tough to go into the Direct CID program for civilians?

It can be. Most of the civilian Special Agents have years of experience. As of my retirement date the only civilian Agents hired by CID were sexual assault investigators or worked for our fraud division. It's not impossible, but its certainly easier to move to CID if you are already enlisted or have a degree and enlist directly for the CID program.

I am currently in the reserves. I already hold a bachelors degree, but I am currently working with a recruiter to switch over to active duty so that I am able to go CID. Is this something that you have heard of or seen anyone do before? I am already an E5. Hopefully they won't take my rank when I try to go active, but is being 31B a requirement before joining CID?

Sp6 that is old. It SSG.

Class wasn't bad 4 week course. Did my at FT dix.

What was the transition like? What were they looking for? How is the job now versus your last MOS?