How common is it to change your MOS in the Army?

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 02:45:55 -0400

I see on Rallypoint a lot of questions regarding changing MOSs, usually to improve promotion opportunities. How common is it to change your MOS in the Army? How do you think this affects job expertise at the senior enlisted level?

In the Navy while it is not uncommon for Sailors to change to a different rating, it is definitely not the norm, and changing twice is very rare.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2017 2:50 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 02:50:16 -0400

As an example, out of the 5 Chief Petty Officer Selects at my command right now, 1 is in a different rating than he enlisted in, and he was forced to change.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2017 2:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 02:51:30 -0400

All depends on the needs of the Army. If that soldier wants wto continue in that job field after the army is a big factor for most reclass.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2017 3:27 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 03:27:47 -0400

Met an E8 who claimed to have 4 different MOS.
In my field as I understand it, it might be difficult for me to make E5 unless NCO's move up or out or reclass. Or I might have to reclass.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 5 at 2017 4:02 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 04:02:09 -0400

It is actually quite common in the army. There are numerous reasons for the change. A lot of combat arms cats usually get the experience of being a grunt and the quick promotions and then often venture into more specialized jobs that offer the opportunity for civilian employment for when they leave. On the flip side, I've had soldiers who were bored with working desks and came over to combat arms because they weren't getting promoted and they wanted something more exciting. Usually you only see it happen with E5 and below. Many spc types will debate reclassing. But usually around E6 it is difficult to reclass because they just can't toss you in a slot because you won't have the experience. After E6 it is sort of either enjoy your chosen profession or get out.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2017 1:39 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 13:39:48 -0400

Outstanding question SCPO Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 5 at 2017 2:37 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 14:37:58 -0400

It is common in the Army to see one reclass (2 MOSs) , but more so in the Army Reserve National Guard. People move or switch their drill location to get closer to home and change unit and MOS. Many times, the ARNG changes and reflags units. I have seen one unit in my home town go from Infantry to Signal to Field Artillery. That means a unit reclassified en masse.

Additionally, there is a career ladder. As people advance as NCOs, MOSs merge a couple times. Calibrators used to start as 94H, then merge at E8 into 27E which is a TOW missile repairer. The 91A,B,E,S, F, series all eventually merge into 91X then into 91Z.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2017 5:37 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 05:37:04 -0400

I re-classed to a Counterintelligence Special Agent after over a decade in combat arms (mostly in the infantry). Although I love the infantry, I just got tired of being a grunt all the time (and mostly in training, as grunts only truly get to do their jobs in combat environments). In the civilian world I was a police officer and that was also taking up a lot of my time, so as an infantryman now taking on the role of infantry platoon sergeant as a E6, I found myself constantly dealing with Soldier issues and enjoying my drill days less and less.

When I finally made the decision to change it up, I was at the point of either getting out completely or trying something new. And, I am glad I did. have been a CI agent now for over six years and even became a CI Warrant Officer. I finally felt like I found my niche.

That being said, its interesting to note that the enlisted 35L (CI Special Agent) is not a job you can just enter when you first join the Army anyway. Like 31D (CID Special Agent), you can only re-class into the MOS, and must be at minimum an E4(P).

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Aug 7 at 2017 2:09 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 14:09:00 -0400

Its fairly common.

Response by SGT Frederick Smith made Feb 15 at 2020 9:24 AM

SGT Frederick Smith — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 09:24:50 -0500

11c to 11f