Posted on Jan 13, 2018
Should I re-enlist as a 12C or reclassify to a 91B?
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Currently in my renlistment window and I'm not sure if I want to stay a Charlie or reclass to a 91B?
Reclass
12C: Bridge Crewmember
91B: Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
Re-enlistment
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 16
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Ask your self what do you want to do? Do you want to be an engineer or do you want to be a mechanic? What do you want to do post Army? What is the promotion outlook for both fields? You understand as 91B mechanic you can get sent to units with some damn heavy equipment? How well do you understand mechanical functions, how are you with tools? Do you comprehend the functions of hydro pneumatics, 4 stroke diesel versus two stroke diesels, power flow, electrics, as a new Wrench turner expect to get the greasy grimy chores. Also keep in mind if you get into a unit with a lot of pacing items (high priority items) you may be stuck with staying many extra hours to get that pacing item back up while the rest of the unit went home. If you end up in aviation unit (yes they have ground mechanics as well) your are lower than whale dung in the pecking order. Ground maintenance is used on every ash and trash detail known to aviation, while the flying wenches sleep it out.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thank you sir! I don't really know that much about mechanics, but I don't see how being a bridge crewmemeber can offer me a lot of open doors when I decide to ets... I'm much older than my battles here in korea and I just want to make the right decision for my family. The long hours I understand the November's and other mechanics here leave usually about 1800-1830 everyday and I'm fine with that. I just want to make sure it's a decision that will benefit me once I get out.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
I just finished the 91B AIT in September, and believe me, the whole "do you understand how vehicles work" shouldn't have a significant impact on your decision. Many of my peers and I had never been to a tech school or received any formal education with regards to maintenance or mechanic-ing. The instructors at the school will more than adequately break down everything you will have to learn, then [tell you the answers to] (pronounced "review") each test minutes before you take it. Every single soldier in my class of 42 graduated and went on to their units.
The army, rather brilliantly, has created training manuals/literature that will help to identify and fix issues with equipment; It is perfectly idiot-proof, and will provide step-by-step instruction on everything from how to start a vehicle (-10 level manual) to removing an engine block (-30 or above level manual). There are more diagrams than you can count with details spelled out in a way that a middle-school-level reader could figure it out. The manuals also include diagnostic flowcharts which help single out specific causes of malfunction, allowing you to accurately diagnose the root cause.
Also bear in mind that you won't be on your own when you get to your first maintenance unit. They won't toss you off the deep end with a tool box and ICE kit and say "figure that shit out" (actually they might); You'll have fellow peers and a chain of command who will show you the ropes. Complex issues, like diagnosing electrical failures, will probably end up in the laps of E5's and above, as they've gone back to school to learn how to deal with those complex issues.
I'm a nasty girl, so my four months of experience is equal to the first week (if that) of someone on active duty. I can't tell you how busy you'll be or how quickly you'll get off of work every day. Those specific details will change unit to unit regardless of component. At AIT the instructors said mechanics are the second busiest MOS next to cooks. If you WANT to get rid of your free time, 91B sounds like a good choice for you.
TL;DR- you can figure out the job, but it's very time intensive day to day
The army, rather brilliantly, has created training manuals/literature that will help to identify and fix issues with equipment; It is perfectly idiot-proof, and will provide step-by-step instruction on everything from how to start a vehicle (-10 level manual) to removing an engine block (-30 or above level manual). There are more diagrams than you can count with details spelled out in a way that a middle-school-level reader could figure it out. The manuals also include diagnostic flowcharts which help single out specific causes of malfunction, allowing you to accurately diagnose the root cause.
Also bear in mind that you won't be on your own when you get to your first maintenance unit. They won't toss you off the deep end with a tool box and ICE kit and say "figure that shit out" (actually they might); You'll have fellow peers and a chain of command who will show you the ropes. Complex issues, like diagnosing electrical failures, will probably end up in the laps of E5's and above, as they've gone back to school to learn how to deal with those complex issues.
I'm a nasty girl, so my four months of experience is equal to the first week (if that) of someone on active duty. I can't tell you how busy you'll be or how quickly you'll get off of work every day. Those specific details will change unit to unit regardless of component. At AIT the instructors said mechanics are the second busiest MOS next to cooks. If you WANT to get rid of your free time, 91B sounds like a good choice for you.
TL;DR- you can figure out the job, but it's very time intensive day to day
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I'm going to give you a piece of unsolicited, and probably unhelpful advice:
Do what you want.
It doesn't seem helpful, but you have to look at a lot of factors. What kind of soldier do you want to be? A 12C unit will work hand in hand with the 12Bs, and being surrounded by a true profession of arms will instill discipline, order, and a sense of camaraderie unmatched by many. What do you want out of your career? If you're looking to gain skill useful to your civilian life, becoming an Army Mechanic may open some doors. You have to ask the hard questions, too. Would I be okay deploying as a 12C? Remember you signed on to perform your duty with the intent of defending the US of A. It's a beautiful thing, but also terrifying. I get a lot of questions from my soldiers about reclassing (reclassed myself 6 months ago from 12B to 12R due to unit reconstruction) and I tell them the same thing. Promotions, well-being, and environment can all affect what you think of the Army a year, 5, or 10 from now. Sorry for being long-winded, it just might be a bigger deal than you realize now. I hope it helps.
Essayons, brother.
Do what you want.
It doesn't seem helpful, but you have to look at a lot of factors. What kind of soldier do you want to be? A 12C unit will work hand in hand with the 12Bs, and being surrounded by a true profession of arms will instill discipline, order, and a sense of camaraderie unmatched by many. What do you want out of your career? If you're looking to gain skill useful to your civilian life, becoming an Army Mechanic may open some doors. You have to ask the hard questions, too. Would I be okay deploying as a 12C? Remember you signed on to perform your duty with the intent of defending the US of A. It's a beautiful thing, but also terrifying. I get a lot of questions from my soldiers about reclassing (reclassed myself 6 months ago from 12B to 12R due to unit reconstruction) and I tell them the same thing. Promotions, well-being, and environment can all affect what you think of the Army a year, 5, or 10 from now. Sorry for being long-winded, it just might be a bigger deal than you realize now. I hope it helps.
Essayons, brother.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thanks brother! I just want something that can open a lot of doors for me once I get out. Being a Charlie and having friends who have gotten out they didn't have as many doors open as the mechanics who gotten out. I just want something that will benefit me and my family. I love being an engineer however There are no open school seats that corraspond with my DEROS date in July since I'm in korea. But thanks for responding! Essayons!
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I've read your reply and plain and simple being a mechanic and an experienced one girl me my first four jobs outside the Army after retirement. 1. Civilian control right back in the unit where I was Plt Sgt and for the same benefits plus, and a helluva lot bigger check
2,3: Service Manager for both Goodyear and Tire Kingdom also same benefits as above and bonus pay in top a rather large hourly rate
4. Commercial parts manager for Advanced Auto Parts
2,3: Service Manager for both Goodyear and Tire Kingdom also same benefits as above and bonus pay in top a rather large hourly rate
4. Commercial parts manager for Advanced Auto Parts
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