Regarding the FY19 Retention policy, does volunteering to reclass occur as part of the reenlistment packet/process, or is it a separate 4187?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 17:53:57 -0400

So from reading the new FY19 retention policy (and the FY18 policy for that matter) there is a little caveat under Careerist that says "As an exception: Careerist Soldiers inside the ROW, including those reenlisting under the NCO Career Status Program, may request voluntary reclassification for training into a shortage (Y/N) MOS and if the approved MOS is authorized a Tier 3 or higher bonus as published in the current Selective Retention Bonus (SRB) MILPER Message, the Soldier may be eligible to receive an SRB in conjunction with the reenlistment." I am considered Careerist (Contractual ETS is 10yrs 4mos). My questions are:

1. Does volunteering to reclass occur as part of the reenlistment packet/process, or is it a separate 4187 that must be submitted?

2. If it is a 4187, is that something that I could get approved before I do the reenlistment paperwork, to ensure I am not reenlisting for something that will get denied?

3. The MOS I want is a shortage on the In/Out Calls, but my MOS is also a shortage. The policy doesn't say anything about having to be in a balanced/over strength MOS to use this option, but is there a rule somewhere that would not let me get out of my current MOS?

Thank you very much for your help.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2018 7:39 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 19:39:16 -0400

I’m pretty sure the only way to reclass out of your current MOS is to either be balanced or over strength in the in/out call message.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2018 11:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 23:38:35 -0400

The wording is a bit misleading because a voluntary Reclass is done outside the reenlistment window and inside the reenlistment window it's an Option 3 Army Training reenlistment option. I'd have to check the processing message, but for you the difference is negligible.
When you do a voluntary reclass (not an option 3 reenlistment) you need a 4187. You don't reenlist until after you're approved for training and have a training seat.
Strengths Management will decide based upon the strengths of your MOS and the one you want to go in. This isn't something you can look at yourself unless you're familiar with EDAS, even then there may be other factors that go into your specific choice.