What are the differences between 36B and 42A?

2020-01-10T01:31:02-05:00

I am less than a year from my re-enlistment window and I have considered to have 36B as an option. I will soon be a specialist and I hold a 124 GT score with college credits on my record. I currently serve as a 91D (Generator Mechanic) and I am looking at my options and opportunities for career progression.

I was considering 36B but I noticed that a few people said that 42A’s are doing more of the 36B work? I’m not sure of how accurate that is, but what does that mean 36B will be an MOS that converts into 42A?

I don’t have too much knowledge on the difference between the two besides on handles finances while the other is HR, but if anyone could give me insight on the two, such as if the mos deploys a lot or not, etc., that would be great.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2020 9:25 AM

2020-01-10T09:25:06-05:00

Just eliminate 36B from your list. The MOS is frequently over strength, meaning Soldiers have to reclass out, and there are never class seats to reclass into it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2020 9:33 AM

2020-01-10T09:33:28-05:00

There is ALWAYS a need for 42A. I've done more 42A stuff than 27D since I've been in. Go ahead and start trying to re-class. If nothing else it's good to have multiple MOS under your belt if you can.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2020 11:54 AM

2020-01-10T11:54:39-05:00

Finance is NOT merging with AG. Don't believe the hype. What's happening is that the military pay mission is moving from Finance to AG, so a lot of military pay will be handled by the 42As. What's left for the 36Bs? Financial Management. Managing the Army's checkbook. Going 36B, you'll set yourself up well to become a CPA if that's what you want.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 10 at 2020 9:54 PM

2020-01-10T21:54:36-05:00

So I google 36B and got bra pictures hahaha

Did you try googling it? 36B Financial Management Technician
Performs duties specific to the following financial management processes: budgeting, disbursing, and accounting for government funds; payment for travel and commercial vendor services; pay support of Soldiers and foreign national employees; and internal control operations.

Who told you 42As were doing the work of 36Bs? I know at one time at least, the strategic vision for 42As and 36Bs would sort of converge because much of the pay changes were based on the actions that crossed the tables of 42As, but that was based on a new merged pay and personnel system. I am going to assume that system does not exist yet. Creating a system like that is a huge undertaking.

36Bs will deploy as a slice of the unit, not the whole unit to support major commands.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2020 12:42 AM

2020-01-11T00:42:55-05:00

Finance is not merging with AG. Let's get that straight. AG will take over our military pay function when IPPS-A comes out but that's it. Military pay is just one of many functions we do. We also have comptroller, vendor pay, disbursing, accounting etc.

Response by SFC Terry Wilcox made Jan 11 at 2020 8:12 AM

2020-01-11T08:12:42-05:00

The difference between 42-A and 36-B - - - Negative 6-C?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2020 10:14 AM

2020-01-11T10:14:40-05:00

Go for 42A....as a 42A you will receive training for both. All S1 have to be knowledgeable in finance and are trained up on finance once they get assigned to a S1. Also 42As are not limited on assignments, we can go everywhere to include other service bases. I’m currently stationed at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida which is located in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Response by CPL Max Miranda made Jan 19 at 2020 11:14 AM

2020-01-19T11:14:31-05:00

There is always more of a need of 42As, there are needed at company, battalion, & brigade levels. While the 36Bs are mostly needed at the brigade level where they handle finance, so like mentioned before if they can't find a spot for you, you will end up doing petty work at your unit. A lot of what the 42As do ends up in finance at the brigade level. The issue is that there is only a small group of them while 42As are required in every company and battalion

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2020 9:35 PM

2020-02-03T21:35:42-05:00

In comparison I would select 36B however it depends on your goals and what your vision is for your career.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 2:31 PM

2020-02-28T14:31:20-05:00

Hi! I've not been in for long, 3 years past November. I can share the bit of knowledge I have. I came in as a 36B and a few months ago I transferred into a 42a unit then got picked up as a 36B AGR. My main reasoning for switching was one, to in the future have the Warrant path available to me as an option. I have seen 42a units deploy more and I feel have more opportunities to advance themselves within the scope of the Army (OCS, WOCS, NCO) but I feel that the quality of the finance schoolhouse and multitude of online trainings has enhanced my management degree. I think your decision for or against is better made on what you see yourself wanting to do in the future. Both will set you up very nicely on the civilian side.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2020 2:38 PM

2020-03-05T14:38:24-05:00

I’m a 42A for my BN S-1 shop currently. If you like paperwork and long hours it’s a great job. It can be very rewarding, and it teaches you a lot about all different types of actions, how to talk to people of every rank, and how to better pay attention to your own paperwork/files. It’s allowed me to better understand all types of things and I personally love the job. I can’t speak much on what 36B’s do, but if you have any more/specific questions you’d like to ask I’m here. I’ve only been at my unit for a year now, but I’ve learned a great deal and am happy to pass on that knowledge.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2020 9:04 PM

2020-06-17T21:04:30-04:00

Hey what did you end up picking?