Is it possible to reclassify out of an understrength MOS?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 06:55:57 -0400

My window opened approximately 4 months ago to reclassify or reinlist, I have always sought after being a 31K(military working dog handler) or something that will benefit me and my family transferring to a civilian job, after i complete my 20 years. The 31K in and out calls are accepting E-4’s (SPC) non promotable, which i just happen to be. But my mos is restricting me from choosing that MOS which is the job i have wanted since i first enlisted. Is there anything i can do to reclass to 31K? Or am i even aloud to reclass at all? I am currently a 13J(Fire Control Specialist) and i do not enjoy my job one bit.Now with that being said....I love the structure the Army has embedded and the benefits for my family and strive to succeed it has given me and i don’t want to throw it all away because I’m not allowed to change MOS’s. Also my points for August to get promoted to E-5 (SGT) are maxed out at 798.... If i chose to get out, my last day would be 9-11-2019

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2018 7:22 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 07:22:22 -0400

SPC, your question is not my area of expertise so I will stay silent on it. I do what to say this. I appreciate your drive and your positive attitude. You will hear “no" a lot in your military career, for a variety of good and bad reasons. Stay motivated. The military needs people with tenacity. Who knows what doors might open after a short extension or re-enlistment. I promise you I didn’t succeed overnight and I failed a bunch along the way. Show expertise in your current field and be the kind of soldier no-one wants to hold back. Keep us informed of your progress and best of luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2018 7:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 07:44:30 -0400

This may be a blanket answer but no one will give you a more legitimate answer than a current career counselor. If they dont reach out to you on your post, go see yours. Drop in and I'm positive they will be more than willing to answer all of your questions.

Response by SGM Mark Magnussen made Aug 28 at 2018 8:28 AM

SGM Mark Magnussen — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 08:28:41 -0400

Your unit Career Counselors will be able to walk you through the process and advise you on career options and opportunities.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2018 9:21 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 09:21:19 -0400

Only if the the mos you want to go into is also understrengthed. I am an 11B and I'm reclassing into 15W only way I could do that was for the 15W to be also understrengthed. Your retention NCO also has a list of mos's that dont require in n out calls

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Aug 28 at 2018 12:26 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 12:26:54 -0400

How is that I would think you would want a Job that pays alot like myself I went into avation now I work at Boeing and make over 10000.000 a year

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2018 12:40 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 12:40:52 -0400

Allowed*

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2018 2:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 02:30:54 -0400

Let's answer these one at a time:
Can you Reclass? Yes, but you probably can't go into 31K. Your MOS is more understrength and there are almost never training seats for 31K.
You are not promotable so points for August are irrelevant, you need to look at historical trends. You'll find small MOS's like 31K and 13J are slow promoting.
31K won't help you 20 years from now as a civilian. Your experience and leadership will. In that respect, pick a large, fast promoting MOS like 11B, 12B, 13B or 19D.
Everyone wants a highly technical MOS so they "have something after they get out" but they also want to get promoted. Low density MOSs promote slowly, it's a balance.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2018 10:45 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 22:45:33 -0400

ARSOF mos' are open regardless of in/out calls.

Response by Jaycee Adzhari made Aug 5 at 2019 9:52 AM

Jaycee Adzhari — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 09:52:55 -0400

Hello, thank you for you service. I'm supposed to leave for Basic in a few weeks with 13J as my mos, I just wanted to know what the good and the bad of the mos is for you, I've been attempting to search online but couldn't find much. thank you.