What does "branch qualified NCO" mean?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 22:51:08 -0400

I have been looking at options for my next career move, and I see a lot of duty assignments that require an NCO to be branch qualified. I have seen this term applied to officers, but I have no idea what it means when it comes to NCOs.

These duty assignments are positions like instructors at NCOES schools or OC/T over in First Army.

So what does "branch qualified" mean for an NCO?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 25 at 2015 11:33 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 23:33:39 -0400

It means nothing more than being qualified in your respective field. DA PAM 600-25 (U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Guide) discusses it, and uses the term for ALL Soldiers, not just Officers or NCO's.

http://www.apd.army.mil/jw2/xmldemo/p600_25/main.asp

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 4:45 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 04:45:31 -0400

Technically MAJ Carl Ballinger is correct however, there is such thing as a qualified NCO. USR does a great job of confusing us on what qualified really means and some times it is left to the discretion of the commander. Below is what HRC/Branch considers a qualified NCO in regard to assignments and promotion.

- A "branch" qualified SSG in the Department of the Army's eyes is a SSG that has completed the entire ALC requirement and has served as a squad leader or MOS equivalent for 12-24 months.

- A "branch" qualified SFC in the Department of the Army's eyes is a SFC that has completed the entire SLC requirement and has served as a platoon sergeant or MOS equivalent for 12-24 months.

- MSG/1SG and SGM/CSM continue in the same manner as above.

If you follow your career path as your branch has laid out you will automatically "qualify" yourself but, you should definitely pay attention to it as it is relevant for promotion and assignment like I mentioned.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 12:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 12:50:34 -0400

CSM Mike Olson, thank you for the explanation. SSG Michael Hasbun, appreciate the reference material.