What can I do if I was accepted for 17C, but all of the classes are backlogged and I am about to hit my RCP?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 May 2020 18:52:26 -0400

I was accepted for 17c (Cyber Operation specialist) MOS for reclass 2 months ago but still have yet to receive a class date. The retention SGT that I was working with is no longer with the unit and now the retention SGT up in battalion is telling me I have to wait until I hit SPC in order to reenlist and to get a class date, due to 5 year RCP as a PFC.

I've been a PFC for 20 months now, and yes I can wait 4 more month for automatic promotion to reenlist and get a class date.

Because classes are already backlogged to next fiscal year I would like to get a slot and pursue my new MOS as soon as possible. But the new Retention SGT is refusing to do a ETP for RCP, what can I do?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2020 7:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:14:38 -0400

How are you about to hit your 5 year RCP as an E3? Your retention is correct, you cannot re-enlist until you are an E4. That's been the policy for a while now. If you were selected for the MOS, you still have to meet the retention requirements of said MOS/AIT. If you complete training and do not have X amount of time left on your contract, the school house is not going to give you a school date until you meet those requirements. There is no ETP for RCP. If you hit 5 years and haven't made E4, then you have a serious issue that should warrant separation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2020 7:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:50:15 -0400

The request for an RCP ETP has to be personally endorsed by your Brigade Commander, as well as your company and battalion Commanders. Which leads to the question: If you're so exceptional to warrant an exception, then why isn't your company commander promoting you with a waiver? By the time the request has routed through the Brigade and then an additional month for the normal processing time for an RCP ETP at HRC, plus another month due to the COVID back log, you might as well have just waited till you pinned.
Classes are not "backlogged". The next fiscal year is 5 months away. You'll need a class date that's at least 90 days later than the date HRC responds to you in order to give you enough time to out process and PCS.

Again, if you are exceptional enough to warrant an exception, then talk to your company commander about getting a waiver