Is it worth staying in as a 92F or better to reclass?

2023-04-03T15:22:44-04:00

I have been a 92F for a good 3 years now (first year and a half in the reserves then went active in 2021) and since march of 2022 I have been the only fueler in my unit. I am wanting to continue with the military for 20 years, but am on the fence on whether or not to promote in my current unit as I am wanting to reclass as a 12B.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 3 at 2023 4:41 PM

2023-04-03T16:41:37-04:00

Only you can make the call on whether you want to switch and what you switch to.

I made the call to switch from Infantry to Communications because it is extremely hard on the mind, body and soul of anyone who attempts to do 20+ in the Infantry. Plus the toll it takes on your family. If you want to do it then do it but you need to look at it honestly. Put the macho aside and make a real call on it.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2023 5:03 PM

2023-04-03T17:03:34-04:00

"Worth" is a hard word to pin down, even if you get the opinion of someone going through a similar set of circumstances to you. What's your criteria for what it's worth? Come up with some and then walk out the pros and cons of your possible routes.

As you have figured out by now the Army is what you make it. In my opinion, it's more important to have a strong commitment or passion for what you do, then it is be promoted and think about things that are "best" for your "career". I enlisted as a cook, found out that was awful, re-classed as a medic and found out that was great. But, I wanted to get my degree and be an officer, so I did that. Then I found out what I was doing as an officer was not really serving Joes, so I am switching to Chaplaincy. No matter which MOS, I am committed to the Army and to serving others.

As one of my oldest and wisest mentors once told me "Get to know YOUR worth, everything else comes to you." (SFC Garcia)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2023 5:43 PM

2023-04-03T17:43:51-04:00

If you think you'll enjoy being an Engineer then it's probably worth it. I enjoyed being a 12B in the National Guard for 5 years, I wanted to stay Engineer when I commissioned Regular Army, the Army had other plans.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2023 11:09 PM

2023-04-03T23:09:56-04:00

I am curious, why do you want to reclass to 12B? Because of the work, opportunity for promotion, you like the excitement of using explosives… etc. I’ve always agreed with the statement that a problem properly stated is already over half solved. It depends on what your key to contentment is. We always need to remember happiness and contentment are two different things. Happiness is momentary while contentment fulfills lives. Many don’t understand the difference.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 4 at 2023 7:22 AM

2023-04-04T07:22:22-04:00

"Worth" is very subjective. I guess it depends on what your end goal is. If it was me I could talk to a career counsellor, might help you figure things out. I also got 12B, really enjoyed it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2023 10:53 AM

2023-04-04T10:53:50-04:00

It's always good to reclass, but do it with a plan.

I personally think that the Reserves and NG are the same no matter what your job is. Your experience is highly dictated by your unit and training optempo. At the end of the day, on a monthly basis we are all doing the same annual briefings and ACFT exams as the main content of our activity.

As for what MOS is best, I'm of the opinion, that the being an MOS and assigned to a unit where that MOS is the main mission of the unit is the best combination regardless of said MOS. You want to be a fueler in a petro company. You want to be a medic in a medical unit, you want to be a Intel guy in an intel BN, ect. The LAST thing an intel guy wants to be is in a NON INTEL unit, then all they do are clearance packets, or "at best" are the ones that get visibility to intel updates so they can brief their unit command staff (but had nothing to do with creating that intel report).

Otherwise, the single billet MOS's assigned to units without the same mission are left our of critical mentorship and MOS task exposure. So while my 92A's had it great in my QM company as supply and sustainment was our mission, my single billet 92F was in the lurch as he was on my books for the sole sake of taking care of our fueling needs within the unit equipment. It was an E4 slot, and there were no E5 slots for him to go to. He'd have to move into a new unit once promoted.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2023 9:16 AM

2023-04-11T09:16:27-04:00

So I’m a 92F In an airborne engineer battalion I work very closely with the 12B and what they do sometimes is very cool and looks fun but many of them wish they choose another MOS as well. They wish they choose something that would help in the civilian world more. If you’re looking to switch to the mos just cause the points are low I wouldn’t do that cause they’re very competitive on who they even send to the board. Find something you love to do and something that would make you valuable to the civilian world. Hope this helps you … and go to to airborne school if you haven’t lol. Have a good day.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Apr 12 at 2023 2:20 AM

2023-04-12T02:20:14-04:00

I have two different opinions on this. 1. You could reclass if there is a better promotion opportunity. I knew someone who reclass from 92F to 11M and got promoted faster than I did. Or 2. You could stay in the 92F and get promoted. When I was in, the MOS was over strength, and I had to max out on everything to make SSG. Don't know what the situation is like now since I retired back in 2008. Either way, I suggest you work on your military/civilian education which will help you in the long run. GOOD LUCK.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2023 7:10 PM

2023-04-12T19:10:07-04:00

92F has many opportunities for advancement. However you will need to decide if you are willing to travel to a new location to accept a promotion. If you are make sure it's annotated on your packet, through ipps. If no travel to a new unit then change Mos to get promotion where you are, but no guarantees.

Response by SP6 Richard Kellar made Apr 21 at 2023 10:34 AM

2023-04-21T10:34:21-04:00

Engineers are the scrap heap of the military, reconsider that.

Response by SFC Sfc Darwin Maring, USA Ret made May 9 at 2023 10:44 AM

2023-05-09T10:44:21-04:00

Me, I was a Mohawk mechanic SP5, got out for 1 year and went back. I took a 2 rank reduction to go to Crypto school and never looked back. Retired from the Army, Hired by Ross Perot at Electronic Data Systems and Computerized the Army on project Viable.

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Jun 18 at 2023 3:24 AM

2023-06-18T03:24:08-04:00

I'll be honest
LOOK BEYOND YOUR MILITARY CAREER.
Get the Army to pay for your CDL. Get your Hazmat Ratings and certs.
Combat Engineer might be a nice change of pace for you, but already being a 92F, might still get you stuck filling tanks.
Both make for well paying jobs, pn the outside, so weigh your options.

Find out about promotability. You wouldn't want to get stuck with high cut of scores.
Go talk to some engineers, and find out how their life measures up to your expectations.
See what you need, to do similar work outside the military.

Response by SFC Steven Powell made Jun 20 at 2023 8:42 AM

2023-06-20T08:42:40-04:00

Change your MOS, but not to a 12B.

Response by CPL Rebecca Lozano made Oct 18 at 2023 2:01 AM

2023-10-18T02:01:39-04:00

Try getting into an aviation unit thats where its at for refuelers. I was in a blackhawk unit i loved it