How Do I Go About Getting a Second MOS in the National Guard?

2016-01-05T06:54:01-05:00

I am trying to obtain a second MOS or reclass in the National Guard. Currently, I am an 88M hoping to to reclass to 35 series, 35P a Cryptologic Linguist to be precise. little about me, I was born and raised in Iraq. I speak, read and write Arabic Modern Standard, Iraqi, Egyptian, Yemeni and Levantine. I also hold secret level clearance. Can someone explain to me how can I reclass. I believe the Military can utilizing my skills in a much better way. As a DOD contractor, I provided simultaneous interpretation for U.S. officials and senior Iraqi and U.S. officers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 7:17 AM

2016-01-05T07:17:02-05:00

Speak with your local Career Counselor.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 8:13 AM

2016-01-05T08:13:57-05:00

Consult your readiness NCO about reclassifying. Hopefully he/she can find you a slot with that MOS that is a good driving distance for you. Best of luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 8:36 AM

2016-01-05T08:36:37-05:00

You need to look at the Reserve as well. Guard doesn't have much opportunity for language proficiency.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 5 at 2016 8:51 AM

2016-01-05T08:51:42-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member, first of all, I would say that you are a very good candidate.
I was assigned to 165th Signal (Communications MOS).
Then I asked my First Sergeant whether I could change MOS's and become a Sports Director.
He said "no". But my company Commander said yes; and I went to Washington state.
SFC Davie Golden, it is hard to change MOS's and re-enlist in that new MOS. One has to get a good enough evaluation- to change. Fortunately, I had that.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 10:47 AM

2016-01-05T10:47:40-05:00

Challenge #1 - any unit that has 88M slots is very unlikely to have 35P slots. Without positions available, they will not have quotas for school seats, nor a budget to send you, nor any incentive to do so. Your first objective needs to be to find a unit that has such positions, and is willing to train you to fill that position. This is not a short school, so it is a sizeable investment for them. Even units with a need may say no. As noted by others, you might need to look at the Army Reserve to find such an opportunity. Get with a career counselor to determine where (and if) such positions exist in your area.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 5 at 2016 11:00 AM

2016-01-05T11:00:02-05:00

My best advice would be check out the Army Reserve. Contact your local Army Reserve office and let the know what you want and see what's available. I'm guess since the Reserve is more CS/CSS there are better chances there.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jan 5 at 2016 11:15 AM

2016-01-05T11:15:53-05:00

I would suggest a different path. I would first attempt to pick up the 09L (translator) MOS. This should be an easier transition. At the worst case, they would want you to go to the six week school. However, I wouldn't be surprised if an OJT/Prior experience waiver were granted given your background. I am not a HR type, but it would also seem to me the sort of thing you could get added as a secondary MOS without HAVING to move units (they unit may not have a slot, but it would definitely be a good ability to have within the unit, if the cost were not excessive. At least that's how I would see it if a Soldier proposed it to me.)

Once you have the 09L, you will be more likely to be seen by "the system" as a language guy, and compete for assignments in that field, including eventually reclassing to 35P, if you still want to.

Response by BG Robert Enzenauer made Jan 5 at 2016 1:16 PM

2016-01-05T13:16:33-05:00

The "problem" with getting a new MOS is getting into the "school" required for the MOS, and of course the NG to which you are trying to join would have to have a unit with the MOS you are trying to reclass into. Right now, just getting the funds for schools that are REQUIRED (not just nice to have) is the limiting step. But I would question which NG unit has a slot for a 35P.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 2:08 PM

2016-01-05T14:08:44-05:00

I am 35P, I was in the same shoes as your, the first step you need to do, is contact you retention NCOIC and if the slot open, he will direct you in the right path

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 3:41 PM

2016-01-05T15:41:20-05:00

I'm not able to see where you're located on my phone beyong Virginia, but 19th SFG has a presence in West Virginia. There may be opportunities for linguists or at least a 35 series MOS in their support company.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 5 at 2016 3:55 PM

2016-01-05T15:55:48-05:00

Don't forget DoS, USAID, CIA, Homeland security.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2016 9:10 AM

2016-01-06T09:10:09-05:00

In the ARNG there will need to be available (unfilled) positions within your state that you could be assigned to.

How close are you to the end of your current enlistment?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 2:12 AM

2016-01-07T02:12:11-05:00

Biggest issue will be whether your state even has that MOS in its arsenal.

Depending on how large (or small) your state it, it might not be too heavy on MI. That being said, a good tool to use to find out whether slots exist is FMSweb. Even then, though, just because slots exist doesn't mean that there's the funding to pay for those schools, etc.

If your readiness NCO can't help you, you should contact the Retention NCO who is usually staffed at Brigade. They should be able to help you out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 6:17 PM

2016-01-15T18:17:33-05:00

Easy way is to re-enlist into that MOS.
The harder way is to find an opening and get your commander's approval.
If you need to transfer to another unit to find an open slot with the MOS you are trying to reclassified to then you will need approval from both the gaining and losing commanders.

Essentially, you have to find a way to get placed into a duty slot for that MOS to get the school enrollment for a reclass course.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 11:37 AM

2016-01-20T11:37:57-05:00

I hear PSYOPS are looking for a few good men with language skills.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2016 10:17 AM

2016-02-08T10:17:28-05:00

Contact me ASAP I work in the Education and Incentives section of the Virginia Guard. see profile for contact info