I failed ALC. How can I move on?

2020-02-03T23:52:29-05:00

So I failed ALC as a 91A this past August. I'm not shocked as I have little to no experience as one. I was DA Selected after completing my SSD2. Per regulations, after the failure I was barred by my Commander. With my Commander having previous knowledge of my lack of skill in the MOS, he offered to conditionally lift my bar, as long as my previous CMF(74) would take me back. I have no value to him as I've hardly worked in the position at all, as I was relieved from my duties shortly after reporting to the unit. I talked to my previous branch, and they agreed to do so as long as I could get the bar lifted. My issue is that my SGM seems hell bent on forcing me to go back to 91A ALC. I've read both the AR & DA PAM 601-280, and nowhere does it mention I have to go back to the specific ALC I failed, just ALC in general; which I obviously have to do to progress.

I don't mean to come off as unprofessional or rude, but I don't really see how this is honestly his business. Nowhere in the regulations does it mention the SGM having any impact or influence over my bar proceedings whatsoever; his signature never touches it. This should be between myself, my Company Commander who initiated it, and the Battalion Commander who approved it. What I don't understand is why he would waste Battalion funds to send me back to the school, when I'm just going to reclass anyway and leave the unit. I don't understand his ideology he's been "shorthanded" an NCO for over 2 years and instead of just allowing me to move on with my career he insists on keeping me around. He's going to lose me one way or another, either through reclass or through ETS. I'm obviously preferable to one option more than the other, so I'll do what I can to continue my career.

I'm presently 9 months away from ETS, so I can't attend ALC anyways as I have to have 6 months remaining after graduation. To my knowledge I cannot extend either, because I'm within 24 months of ETS. Even if the extension was possible, I'm at 11 years in March and I believe with a balanced MOS I have until 12 years before I hit RCP. So that means I would have to graduate ALC and get promoted all in 13 months or less, that's a tall order for someone who's never really done the job before at all. I believe that what's best for the Army, my unit, and myself, is that we mutually agree to part ways.

The AR says the bar can be removed by an authority at or higher than the approving authority, so should I just appeal to my Brigade Commander or my first General Officer in the chain? I've previously tried to discuss this with my SGM(who seems to be directly influencing my BC and CC) but he's firm in his position, but again I really don't see how that matters? Should I explore some other options beforehand? The Commander has already signed my memo to lift the bar, and I've honestly just ran out of patience. Any advice would be appreciated.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2020 12:41 AM

2020-02-04T00:41:58-05:00

Man.... There is so much going on here where every single person is just wrong.

First, your company commander can't make it a condition to have your bar removed if you return to your MOS. The choice is not yours, not your old Branch's and not your Commander's. If you want to return to your old MOS you will need an memo from your old proponent, submit a voluntary reclass, and then HRC decides based on the strengths.

Second, you can't return to any ALC while you are barred. You are correct that you cannot be scheduled for ALC if you don't have at least six months to ETS upon graduation. You are incorrect about extending, and you can extend within your reenlistment window. Also, the RCP for a SGT is 14 years, not 12 years. You have plenty of time to extend and get promoted. In addition, once you graduate ALC, it's just a matter of time and points till you promote, so HRC will grant an ETP to extend past your RCP if needed.

As for ALC funding, the unit doesn't fund that, it's funded through MTSA funds. It does not come from unit funds but a centrally billed line of accounting the Army provides for schools.

As for the reclass, if you reclass now it will be a reenlistment for reclass with no training. That's a three year reenlistment. Since your MOS is balanced and your old one is Under strength, it would be approved. However, I've never seen anyone try who had a failed ALC and that could be a show stopper. But, if you don't do it before you hit 11 years and 29 days, it will be too late to do it while you're in your window.

As for your SGM, his place is as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the BN CDR. It is his place to counsel the CDR on things like enlisted progression and it's his duty to have his nose in things like this. The biggest ulissue being that it will take months to receive the 4187 signed by your first General officer in your chain of command to allow you to attend ALC a second time.

As for going above the BN CDR, did you miss the part of the reg that says your BDE CDR is the approval authority to bar someone with over 10 years? Either your bar was incorrectly applied, or you are unaware of who approved it. The appeal authority for you is your division commander. When your bar was approved, you were required to be counseled on it. At that time you had 7 days to appeal the bar. You could certainly write to the division commander, but I would never see a division commander overrule a BDE CDR. If there was an error in the way it was applied or approved, you could bring it to the division IG.

One last thing, changing your MOS will not move you. You will just be a 74D in your same battalion until your branch decides to move you. Which would usually be at least three years on station. Possibly longer if they want you to complete your KD time. Even if you met all the requirements to move immediately, it would be months, or even a year until you PCS.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2020 12:43 AM

2020-02-04T00:43:02-05:00

You need to u understand that CSMs role, He is the Senior Advior to that commander and that commander will usually do as the CSM Advises. ALC is slightly technical and MOS specific but with a "Did not meet Standard" 1059 good luck you will make SSG if the bar is lifted then be QMPd as soon as you are eligible for E7, do yourself a favor and get out at you current ETS, there is no room in the Army for Mediocrity.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2020 11:20 AM

2020-02-04T11:20:27-05:00

Study and go again

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 4 at 2020 12:03 PM

2020-02-04T12:03:39-05:00

If you don't think the Co is not going to listen to his SENIOR adviser SGM/CSM, think you are going to have a very rocky road ahead. Everything on all sides seems to be wrong. Co does not have a lot to do with your MOS, that is HRC, He only controls the bar. Have you had a QUIET sit down with the SGM/CSM about the whys and your career instead of down playing his job? What does HRC say? What does your next higher level of command say?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2020 1:19 PM

2020-02-04T13:19:35-05:00

Jesus so you have 3 mos's??