Too old to retrain or reclass?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 13:14:08 -0500

A friend and fellow service member asked me for advice. He's an E-6, 12 years in service, and is thinking about putting in an application to retrain into a new specialty. He asked me if I thought he was just too old in both age and service to do it. So I'm opening it up to everyone. Do you think at a certain point a service member is just too established or too old to start down the path to a new job? If so, where would you draw the line?

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2014 1:19 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 13:19:17 -0500

I don't think you're ever too old to cross-train. Excelling at a job you've been doing for 12 years is easy. Cross-training to a new career field and excelling there too takes skill and shows that you can do well wherever you go. It's a huge advantage for Airmen competing for SMSgt and Chief.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2014 1:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 13:28:15 -0500

I know the different bracnhes have different criteria for retrain/reclassification but I dont think one is really ever too old in age or service. The most important thing is job satisfaction. If after 12 years you are no longer happy with your job then why shouldn't you be able to retrain into another specialty? Though for the Army, after a certain rank you can no longer reclass into a new specialty. Usually that rank is E-6 because the Army views you as someone ready to be a Senior who's already had a decent amount of time in service and in that current specialty. Even as an E-5 it's difficult to reclassify into a new specialty. Options are very low and most Chain of Command would rather not let you go since you are the NCOIC of that section. But I believe it never hurts to try. The worst thing you can be told is no.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 5 at 2014 1:39 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 13:39:35 -0500

TSgt Pinto - I reclassed as a SFC (E-7) with 17 years time in service.  Learning the new skill set was not difficult.  The difficult part was getting myself to the technical level of my new peers in my new MOS.  The learning curve on that end is steep.  When you walk into your new position, those who are already in place expect a Senior NCO with the technical knowledge equivalent to their rank.  That does not come overnight.  It does come with asking a lot of questions, learning on the job, doing extra "homework" on your own and "swallowing your pride" at times.  I do not regret my move so late in my career.  I enjoy the challenge and it was definitely worth it.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 2:59 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:59:09 -0500

I reclassed when I was a TSgt at 14 years.

You definitely have to stay on your toes and keep up with the more computer-oriented generation, but I never regretted doing so! :)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 4:56 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 16:56:03 -0500

I've been out for 15 years, but it appears that I may be on the verge of (finally) being able to get back in. Unfortunately for me, there is an overload on blue berets in the guard, so I'm looking at reclassing. You're only as old as you believe you are!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 5:18 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 17:18:01 -0500

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member,
I don't think so. Age should never be a reason why you tell someone they are unable to learn something new. I just turned 31 in Jan. I commissioned at the age of 30. I'm new to the career field that I'm in and I think the reason why I do so well is because I want to be great. People just need to have that certain something inside of them to want to excel at things. I just dont think you can ever draw a line and say, well this is the age in which you cant learn anything new. For another example, I had a computer science instructor who-in her late 50's-could run circles around everyone in the class.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jun 20 at 2018 12:51 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 00:51:36 -0400

I went to AIT with a class of young privates as a 49 year old SFC to get a new MOS. I was promoted to MSG about a year later.