How does career progression look for a 91D - Tactical Power Generation Specialist? How hard is it to make it to SFC?

2020-07-07T17:03:40-04:00

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Jul 7 at 2020 5:19 PM

2020-07-07T17:19:48-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Great Question, I will say when I came in on AD in 2010 the MOS was over strength. I was not promoted to SGT until April of 2017, I left FT. Stewart as a SPC moving on to my next duty station in 2013. Points were sitting at 790 never. I don't know what happened but in 2017 we had 4 E6's pick up E7 in 2017 same time I got picked up. It does happen but before that happened I had only seen one. So, I know it is few and far between. All I can say is keep at it, and do everything you can to grasp at Promotion Points.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2020 5:39 PM

2020-07-07T17:39:20-04:00

You are much more likely to achieve SFC as a 27D then a 91D.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2020 5:43 PM

2020-07-07T17:43:26-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Maybe you could share your career counselor wisdom for this soldier.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2020 5:46 PM

2020-07-07T17:46:40-04:00

Thank you gentlemen! My husband is going through a MAR2 and he was just informed that he will be reclassed from 19D to 91D. He is currently a SSG which is why we’re pretty concerned with it being a dead end MOS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2020 6:02 PM

2020-07-07T18:02:11-04:00

91D is a terrible MOS for rank progression. You will remain an E5 while watching your peers in the motor pool progress to SSG, SFC and Warrant, all while waiting years for your points to drop.
If you don’t want to be a 27D and you’re looking into the maintenance field I would highly recommend 91B which often does the work of a 91D. 91A and 91S also have good promotions but limited duty stations. 91B - 91L convert your 91X at SFC, meaning all those other MOSs are competing against 91B for 91X spots, and the 91Bs are overwhelmingly selected.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2020 6:53 PM

2020-07-07T18:53:36-04:00

It is good to look far ahead in order to plan out a potential career. Yet, at the same time you need to be looking at making E-5/SGT first instead of 3 ranks ahead. Secure the next rank before jumping ahead. If you are that concerned then look at reclassing to an alternate MOS or dropping a packet MOS. Remember, things are constantly changing within the army. Maybe people will get out and points might drop or who nows. But pace yourself strategically and attend schools along with various other military courses to distinguish yourself from your peers. But, this is simply my opinion on the matter.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jul 7 at 2020 9:10 PM

2020-07-07T21:10:34-04:00

Awful, Just Awful. The old 91D MOS equivalent was 52D. I had a guy that was a SGT E-5 when I went active duty. He had no article 15's etc etc but when I retired E-7 in '93 he had just retired as an E6. The Army wasn't allowing him to re-enlist but he had signed up for a 6 year extension at 14 1/2 years and the Army HR allowed him to go to full 20 year retirement. He was a good guy and knew his stuff but the MOS progression sucked.

Response by SGT(P) Christopher Poole made Jul 9 at 2020 11:04 AM

2020-07-09T11:04:31-04:00

It’s not hard to make specialist, but for career progression/rank promotion. I, personal opinion, don’t feel that it’s that great of an mos & promotion points tend to be maxed out every month.

9/10 you will be assigned to a Sustainment unit (or placed in another branch brigade) and/or company with the opportunity to cross train with other fellow mechanics in the motorpool or will pull many details over actually doing your assigned mos.

Other than that, I’d suggest you to look into other mos options besides 91D unless you desire to work on generator systems in or after your military service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2020 12:16 PM

2020-07-09T12:16:40-04:00

I’m reclassing out of it as we speak. You got solid advice here. I’ve been a 91D for 4 years and it didn’t take me long to realize if I wanted to make a career out of the military there’s no reason for me to struggle as much as I’d have to to just reach SSG. It’s not impossible and people make it. They just usually have 700+ points and make of a small special percentage. Not worth the effort in my opinion and the Soldiers to me left and right (looking at you 91Bs) get promoted with 40 points (basically just have to know how to breathe) and work half as hard as myself. I made SGT at just under 600 points. Definitely follow the advice of the others and look elsewhere. Life doesn’t need to be that difficult.