Posted on Oct 15, 2015
IRR to Reserve, forced to reclass. Suggestions?
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Oye gents,
Quick overview of my conundrum, I am a 89D20 (EOD) Sergeant, I let my contract lapse after four years due to injury (kind of kicking myself because I was promotable). I've been in the IRR for three years, generally sucking at life on the civilian side. Needless to say I am feeling the itch to be doing more with myself despite attending college and working full time.
A recruiter contacted me the other day out of the blue and asked to meet with me. After the meet and greet, I was ready to be back in, although not active duty, I have built a life for my family where we are. The largest issue I have is that according to the career councilor, there are no EOD units anywhere near Wisconsin (where I reside). I have mixed feeling about reclassing. But if I had to, my ultimate goal would be to drop a warrant officer packet. The only way I can do that is to stay in Ordnance (89D or 89B feeder for 890A). I suppose it would help if I stated my ASVAB scores were 117 across the board.
Here are my main concerns, I don't want to reclass from something so very specialized to a career where I have to compete with everyone and their brother for everything. My goal is to make the most out of the opportunity for professional advancement. I have wanted to become a Warrant Officer for a very long time, my fear now is that I will reclass to something that I will get stuck in, because I will be carrying a permanent profile. The VA has me at 80% disabled due to neck, back and a few other things.
What would my brothers and sisters recommend if you were in the same boat? I mean I am not opposed to reclassing outside of Ordnance, but the opportunity has to be worthwhile. In theory I should still be promotable pending completence of AIT (if the gods allow points to be about what I have currently). As far as I am aware, I should be able to submit a warrant packet pending successful APFT. Is there anything I'm missing?
I appreciate everything in advance.
Quick overview of my conundrum, I am a 89D20 (EOD) Sergeant, I let my contract lapse after four years due to injury (kind of kicking myself because I was promotable). I've been in the IRR for three years, generally sucking at life on the civilian side. Needless to say I am feeling the itch to be doing more with myself despite attending college and working full time.
A recruiter contacted me the other day out of the blue and asked to meet with me. After the meet and greet, I was ready to be back in, although not active duty, I have built a life for my family where we are. The largest issue I have is that according to the career councilor, there are no EOD units anywhere near Wisconsin (where I reside). I have mixed feeling about reclassing. But if I had to, my ultimate goal would be to drop a warrant officer packet. The only way I can do that is to stay in Ordnance (89D or 89B feeder for 890A). I suppose it would help if I stated my ASVAB scores were 117 across the board.
Here are my main concerns, I don't want to reclass from something so very specialized to a career where I have to compete with everyone and their brother for everything. My goal is to make the most out of the opportunity for professional advancement. I have wanted to become a Warrant Officer for a very long time, my fear now is that I will reclass to something that I will get stuck in, because I will be carrying a permanent profile. The VA has me at 80% disabled due to neck, back and a few other things.
What would my brothers and sisters recommend if you were in the same boat? I mean I am not opposed to reclassing outside of Ordnance, but the opportunity has to be worthwhile. In theory I should still be promotable pending completence of AIT (if the gods allow points to be about what I have currently). As far as I am aware, I should be able to submit a warrant packet pending successful APFT. Is there anything I'm missing?
I appreciate everything in advance.
89D: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist
89B: Ammunition Specialist
SGT
Army Reserve
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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Go Medoc bro! 68W. Move on to be a flight medic in the military so you have something to challenge yourself and move forward to. Take 68W and go to paramedic school. Join the fire service as a firefighter / paramedic. You'll love the paramilitary career! Or be a flight medic on the civilian side. Shout out if yiu want any advice on pursuing it.
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SGT Josheua Cooke
Interesting advice, I had always kind of envied all medics because of their marketability on the outside. Don't think that's an option for me currently, but I will ponder on it while I see whats what.
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If you wish to stay EOD, you can certainly do that, you would just have to travel (to whatever state has a slot) for the monthly BTA's. Pay for travel would be done through DTS vouchers (IDT). If you end up reclassing to a different MOS, then you would more than likely lose that P status as the P you currently have is for your current MOS. Based on your statement of 80% disabled, you may not even be able to drop a Warrant packet as I have been under the understanding that WOCS is a physical no joke course. But, talk to the Warrant school house for that answer.
But as for wanting something that is worthwhile, look at all the options that are available to you (and within the state if you don't want to travel for BTAs) and see what sparks a twinkle in your eye. But in all honesty, my only true answer I can provide is to simply go with your gut instinct. That is usually the route that ends up being the correct one anyway.
But as for wanting something that is worthwhile, look at all the options that are available to you (and within the state if you don't want to travel for BTAs) and see what sparks a twinkle in your eye. But in all honesty, my only true answer I can provide is to simply go with your gut instinct. That is usually the route that ends up being the correct one anyway.
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Update:
I was offered a 00G E-6 slot for small arms trainer for a unit. Nice thing is that I keep my MOS and should remain promotable as a result. I know I would have to attend TAITC and SGLTC but I am having a hard time finding material on these schools. Does anyone have any insight? Furthermore, will the unit be able to get me a slot in these courses with a permanent profile?
I was offered a 00G E-6 slot for small arms trainer for a unit. Nice thing is that I keep my MOS and should remain promotable as a result. I know I would have to attend TAITC and SGLTC but I am having a hard time finding material on these schools. Does anyone have any insight? Furthermore, will the unit be able to get me a slot in these courses with a permanent profile?
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COL Vincent Stoneking
SGT Josheua Cooke based on the 00G slot, I have a general idea of the unit you were offered a slot in. I would add the following general thoughts.
TAITC/SGI - There should be no issues whatsoever getting slots. I am not sure if the current configuration is two courses, or if they are currently combined. These are both "schoolroom" courses of short duration. I expect you would go to McCoy for these (and most things). A perm profile will be no issue. As long as you are ADMIN correct as far as APFT, you would be good to go.
With regard to the actual unit, if I am right in my assumption, you will likely find that your EOD background will make you in high demand.
TAITC/SGI - There should be no issues whatsoever getting slots. I am not sure if the current configuration is two courses, or if they are currently combined. These are both "schoolroom" courses of short duration. I expect you would go to McCoy for these (and most things). A perm profile will be no issue. As long as you are ADMIN correct as far as APFT, you would be good to go.
With regard to the actual unit, if I am right in my assumption, you will likely find that your EOD background will make you in high demand.
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SGT Josheua Cooke
COL Vincent Stoneking - I certainly hope this is the case. I was beginning to fear my sudden resurgence in patriotism might have been for not.
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SGT Josheua Cooke
SGT Eric Caldwell - I was actually contacted by a local career counselor and asked to full fill the remainder of my MSO with a unit. Said I would need to get a permanent profile but that the world was oyster. Minus anything that the profile would provide me from like WOCS as I am beginning to understand.
You might not be talking to the right person or your area is heavy in reservists...
You might not be talking to the right person or your area is heavy in reservists...
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