What happens to a language dependent MOS Soldier with a IMREPR 9P (loss of MOS Qualification reenlistment bar)?

2022-09-24T06:42:18-04:00

Background. I have a language dependent MOS. My DLPT expires at the end of October. I’m currently deployed, and my score will expire before I return to a place where I can test. Per AR 11-6, a 9P reenlistment bar can be emplaced by HRC 60 days after my score expires. The deployment isn’t long enough for a waiver. I also haven’t had language training in over a year. I’m working with my chain of command in trying to get a replacement out here for me so that I can get a language refresher and do a recertification after that. I’m slotted for ALC in January. My ETS is November 2024 and I do not intend to reenlist. 11-6 says if I fail recertification, I have 180 days to pass a recertification. If I fail recertification again, my commander is supposed to process me for “elimination or reclassification.”
Frankly, I will not extend my enlistment for any purpose, to include reclass, because I’m pretty burned out and I’m looking forward to doing other things with my life. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my five years of service. I like to thing I’m a good NCO, I’ve deployed twice now, I’ve been to the cool guy schools, I’ve jumped out of all the aircraft I could have ever asked for, and the people I work under appreciate my work. However, my career is taking a major toll on my family and it’s wearing me thin, so I’ve decided this is just not my forever gig. Two more years of this already seems terribly daunting.
I‘ve only ever scored a 2/2. My language proficiency has gone downhill, and I suspect I won’t pass recertification this time around.

Questions.
1. If my score expires past 60 days or I fail recertification, does HRC automatically emplace the 9P bar or does my commander have to take action?
2. Can I still attend ALC with a 9P bar?
3. If I fail recertification and then fail again after a 180 day remediation period, could I finish my contract without reclassing? Again, my ETS is November 2024.
4. If I am separated due to a 9P reenlistment bar, can I still get an honorable discharge?

I primarily want answers to those four questions. Advice is welcome, but please don’t answer with “just study hard and do your best to pass recertification.” I’m already doing that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2022 12:50 PM

2022-09-26T12:50:55-04:00

HRC doesn't usually place the 9P, your Career Counselor does, but HRC can place 9P as well.
Once you are 9P you are required to be processed for Reclass. You are not qualified in your MOS, so you cannot attend ALC for that MOS.

The new MOS will have an SRR that you have to meet. If you have enough time to meet it, you will attend training. MOS's like 88M and 92Y have a six month SRR, and yes HRC will send you to school to serve those last six months of your contract.

You will be placed in a TDY enroute status and PCS in conjunction with school. Not willing to meet the SRR for a CONUS assignment? HRC will give you a dependent restricted tour like Korea. Not enough time for Korea? HRC will return you to a different unit at your post. Not willing to meet the long SRR for another MI MOS? HRC will give you a short one.

If you are required to meet an SRR and refuse to meet it, HRC will change your MOS to 09U, not qualified in any MOS, and you will be given a new ETS date of 270 days after the effective MOS change. You will ETS as normal, but be ineligible to serve in any reserve component.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2022 2:04 PM

2022-10-03T14:04:28-04:00

Some of this depends on a few different variables. Does your unit have a CLPM? If so, that person should have notified your chain of command of when your DLPT was due and that it would conflict with the deployment. If you are to be deployed during the retesting requirement and they can't get you language training in time before your CLANG DLPT expires then they should have put in an extension for you. You need to talk to your unit's CLPM about what options exist and, if there isn't one in your BN/BDE then go higher. Every installation should have one somewhere. Some of this does fall on you in not ensuring that your test was taken into consideration before deploying but the majority of it all falls on your unit.

If they "can't" do anything to help (usually it's a won't do anything or don't understand how to do something) you might try reaching out to either the language branch manager or your MOS branch manager and see if they have any recommendations. Ultimately, if there is nothing that can be done to rectify the issue and the Army decides to move forward with marking you as delinquent in your language then they can and will reclass you. The branch manager and career counselor are great at finding jobs that need fills that have short schools. Especially given our recruiting shortages.

You are less likely to face an admin separation but it is possible even if unlikely. Most likely they will have you ride out to your ETS date, even if they do reclass you or send you on a dependent restricted tour like Korea and have you return CONUS to clear/out-process.

If you are barred from reenlistment they may likely pull your ALC date. NCOES I believe come with an ADSO to ensure they are getting their money's worth and if your ETS date is not within that time frame then they will likely cut your class date or tell you that you need to reenlist/extend IOT attend.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2022 7:07 PM

2022-10-19T19:07:47-04:00

There should be a waiver for deployment so you don’t lapse. I’d contact your CLPM for the ETP.

Response by SGT Steven Wostenberg made Jan 10 at 2023 5:05 PM

2023-01-10T17:05:37-05:00

I just saw this and while I don't have answers to your 4 questions I am a linguist (speak 4 languages and still fluent in my MI DLI language from 30 years ago) and I can say that if you use Rosetta Stone diligently you can keep your language proficiency up. This may be too little to late. Good luck!