Is it possible to reclass AND ask for a unit?

2018-09-24T14:59:40-04:00

Currently, I am serving in a SFG as a CBRN. Love the unit, not the MOS. Recently I've taken interest in reclassing to a 31K Dog Handler. However, I do not want to get throw into some MP unit stuck doing gate gaurd rather than actually do things revolving dogs. Is it possible to renlist for a MOS AND unit? People have told me before you can't reenlist to be in a unit but I know that isn't true, I know multiple people that have reenlisted to be in group or other units. I would rather work in group because I feel like SOF unit work is more meaningful. This is not to shit on anyone elses work place, but from my personal experiences this is how I feel.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 24 at 2018 4:05 PM

2018-09-24T16:05:09-04:00

I am unsure about your concern for gate guard as an MP. I have not seen an installation in forever that is not contracted to Federal Police. Admittedly I have not been to every installation in the Army, but many. The MPs have a mission in Garrison and combat as all other MOS’s. Getting a new MOS and duty station would be challenging to say the least. You can try. Thank you for your service.

Response by SFC James Heath made Sep 24 at 2018 4:20 PM

2018-09-24T16:20:04-04:00

This sounds iffy. First you attend MP School (Ft Leonard Wood, MO) and be awarded the MOS of 31B. Afterwards, you attend Dog School (Lackland, AFB, TX and earn the additional skill idientifier K as a handler. You may have a patrol, bomb, drug, security or tracker dog. Not your choice.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2018 6:42 PM

2018-09-24T18:42:57-04:00

There is a slim chance you could get MOS and Duty Station, but it usually is not not for high requirement fill units like SFABs and Special Ops Command. It’s a hit and miss system that relies more on demand than supply and usually it’s very restrictive...but not impossible. Work with your career counselor and ID a best possible course for your future.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Sep 24 at 2018 11:18 PM

2018-09-24T23:18:54-04:00

I’m pretty certain all of Groups dog handlers are SF guys. I’ll ask the SF Command K9 Program manager. His desk is right next to mine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2018 8:05 AM

2018-09-25T08:05:26-04:00

You have a slim chance reclassing to 31K and an even slimmer chance picking a duty station if if you get the mos. you can always try though.

As far as their duties, K9 doesn’t “work gates.” They may do RAMs (random antiterrorism measures) at gates every once in a while, but that’s by no means their mission. K-9 has their own detachments now and are pulled here are there for deployments. Sometimes conventional and sometimes with SOF units.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2018 12:14 AM

2018-09-26T00:14:25-04:00

No. You can choose one or the other. If you Reclass you will be sent TDY enroute to your AIT and then to your follow on assignment. You'll receive your follow on assignment 90 days prior to your school start date.
That is per retention policy. No, there is no exception, it doesn't matter what you feel about it.
As for the SOF thing - what I told every support kid who came to me - there's no such thing as SOF support MOS. If you want to stay in SF, go earn your beret. The skills you bring to SOF as a support guy are meaningful because you bring big army skills to a small community.
No, you cannot reenlist for a unit. You can request an Airborne assignment at a post where the only airborne assignment is a group.
Also, don't try to be a Group Baby. Those guys make SSG without any real leadership experience and when they have to go back to the regular Army, they get chewed up and spit out or passed over for promotion. If you actually want to be value added to the organization, leave and return later when you have some actual skills and experience to bring to the table.