How do ARNG officers get qualified in two AOCs?

2015-05-28T13:33:56-04:00

I've heard several ARNG field grade officers tell younger officers to pick up a second branch so that they can have more flexibility in assignments and promotions. However, no one I have asked knows how this is done. Would I need to complete two Captains Career Courses, or just do a different CCC than my BOLC? If I do just one CCC, will I still be viewed as eligible in the original AOC?

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made May 28 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-05-28T13:55:27-04:00

Our commander was a captain and in the engineers. They brought him over to the MP's. So he went through a different CCC again. So I believe that is how it is done Sir. Not for sure.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 1:56 PM

2015-05-28T13:56:22-04:00

I believe it's done through things like branch detail. Or when you pick up CPT you can request a chance of branch then you go through the new branch CCC. That's what I've heard anyway

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 1:56 PM

2015-05-28T13:56:37-04:00

That is how I have seen this happen as some AOCs pretty much dead end at CPT. By going to another AOC Captain's Career Course you would pick up the other branch. I haven't seen anyone return to their old branch but I suppose it is possible.

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 28 at 2015 1:58 PM

2015-05-28T13:58:39-04:00

@1LT (P) Dave Buck

I have four AOC, Signal, Systems Ops, Transportation, Logistics

Transportation can be completed via correspondence course (88B) and then Logistics branch by and additional two week Reserve course at Fort Lee (90A).
Best to discuss with officers in a unit that has a branch. The 99 RSC should be in your area and can address these questions.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 28 at 2015 3:12 PM

2015-05-28T15:12:12-04:00

There are branch qualification courses that are less rigorous than CCC. I remember a few FA folks going through them when the FA unit shrunk and we brought some of them over to MP. Yes there are some that can be done correspondence wise. I did Civil Affairs as a secondary back when because I was in the slot in the S-5, not sure if it's still offered as such.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 8:03 PM

2015-05-28T20:03:06-04:00

Well, as someone who's hoping to go to OCS within the next couple of years this is insightful. I thought once I got through OCS I'd just have to live with whatever branch I get assigned. I mean, I knew there was a wish list, but beyond that I didn't realize I could actually have the option of changing to something else down the road.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 10:16 PM

2015-05-28T22:16:47-04:00

Just do a CCC different than your basic branch. 90A is the way to go now for ARNG officers. Anytime you get assigned somewhere in a BN, if you aren't in your basic branch, request the school so that you will show DMOSQ on the UMR. 2-3 branches is good...4-5 is excellent

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 10:34 PM

2015-05-28T22:34:04-04:00

Gentlemen, is this applicable to the USAR as well or just the ARNG? I've never heard of this multiple AOC path. But then again, I'm a 4 week old 2LT.

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 11:47 AM

2015-05-30T11:47:26-04:00

Depends on your state , I have been infantry for 21 years and no issues, my state has an ABCT in it. A state like Texas or PA, that has multiple BCTs you can stay combat arms the whole time.

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made May 30 at 2015 7:17 PM

2015-05-30T19:17:49-04:00

I have sent multiple officers through CCC even after they completed one
I also have officers who are branch qualified but still maintain the AOC Ie: 74A qualified but maintain an ARMOR aoc

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 4:27 PM

2015-06-10T16:27:19-04:00

It can also be done through Functional Areas. Ask your S1 about it. You won't change branch but in some cases having a specific Functional Area will qualify you to hold a position.

Response by LTC Barry Hull made Jun 11 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-06-11T14:04:07-04:00

different States, different policies. The make up of the state's forces may also drive that. In NC we have a large CBT Arms force but the promotion pyramid is really steep in those units so it is natural for us to transition solid CBT Arms officers to the CS Branches (Usually the Logistics Branch as we also have a Support Bde as well). It is all done through a board process. You need to make you desires know to you COC to get you where you want to go. Have a destination in mind. Now, if you want a second specialty just to pad your ORB, I doubt you will get much traction. The individual states pay to send you to those schools and money is always tight in the NG.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 6:51 PM

2015-07-14T18:51:48-04:00

There are multiple paths. I started out CBRN, and went to that OBC (now BOLC).

Then my BN asked me to reclass to Signal, and so I went to SCCC-L, which was a lead-in course for the signal Captain's Career Course, intended to familiarize non-signal types with the branch duties. It served as a branch qualifier.

Then I moved to a new state, and they wanted logisticians. So I went to a Transportation branch qualifier, picking up that branch, and then to Combined Logistics CCC, picking up that branch.

Pretty much any course that acts as a core course for a branch will also serve as a branch qualifier for it.