Selected for PSYOP Q Course and USAREC won't release me. Is there anything I can do?

2016-01-26T08:21:06-05:00

So, I recently went to POAS and was selected. I have a tentative date to start the Q course in September of this year. The reason I say tentative is due to the fact I'm on recruiting duty. My 4187 HAS been submitted to USAREC to be released early to attend this course. For those that know USAREC know they don't have to release me.

So here is my question:

I contacted my current branch and sent a 4187 to get ALC prior to me attending this re-class. They told me they won't give me ALC because I am going to be reclassing. I wrote an email back explaining that my reclass is dependent upon me getting released from USAREC early. I don't feel that my career progression should be put on the back burner because I am changing my MOS. If I'm unable to change my MOS then I will be stuck back in my primary MOS and in turn be further behind where I need and want to be. Is there anything or anyone I can contact about getting something done to where I am still able to attend ALC prior to reclassing? Or is it just a dead end?

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 26 at 2016 8:29 AM

2016-01-26T08:29:43-05:00

I have been retired for awhile, but I would suggest speaking to your company commander or using your chain of command to see if they can assist and give you some answers that will help you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 8:37 AM

2016-01-26T08:37:11-05:00

Battalion CSMs sometimes have pull

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 8:37 AM

2016-01-26T08:37:51-05:00

The PSYOP MOS Course counts as ALC, so if you go, which you should since you passed A&S, then the Army would be paying for you to attend two ALCs. I would contact the PSYOP Branch Manager to lean on the USAREC Branch Manager to get your request to release early pushed through. They work in the same building.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 8:46 AM

2016-01-26T08:46:42-05:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Look at it from a different perspective and I am not saying that it's right; USAREC has no motive to let you go early when they got you for 3 years, and your current branch might have no motivation to give that slot to you when you might not even be in the MOS for much longer and he/she can send someone else instead. I suggest that you go thru your 1SG/CSM, maybe they can help.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 11:08 AM

2016-01-26T11:08:18-05:00

Branch should have no pull on this. You send the 4187 to your S-1. It is up to your battalion to pay for your TDY time not branch.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 12:16 PM

2016-01-26T12:16:15-05:00

USAREC will not release you. I went to Civil Affairs AS while in USAREC and I had to complete the rest of my commitment.
Don't bother doing ALC, you'll have to redo it at SWCS. I did ALC for infantry and I had to redo it at SWCS.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Feb 4 at 2016 8:00 PM

2016-02-04T20:00:34-05:00

That's an issue for branch to duke it out with USAREC. But is my humble opinion that the later will not cut you loose. With regards to ALC don't worry about 37 branch will take care of it.