Window for 35L Packets?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:14:15 -0400

I'm trying to reclass to 35L. But I have have been told that the packet acceptance window is closed and won't be open until February for AD. I am not having to serve on a 12 month extension just to put in my packet. Does anybody know a way I can get around this? My unit is closing down and I really don't want to be on a detail rotation waiting for a class date.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 10:41 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:41:05 -0400

If the SMEs are telling you that the window is closed, then the window is closed. February is 6 months away. Is your ETS coming up soon? I mean, the training is 18 weeks as it is. You're probably going to need to extend for the packet and then more than likely reenlist. What exactly did your Retention NCO/Career Counselor say?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 11:07 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 11:07:45 -0400

Unfortunately, 35L is very competitive MOS to get into, and you have to be willing to either extend or wait in many circumstances in order to reclass (especially for AD). Who told you this? Was it an actual Field Office? If so, you will have to accept this for now, and at the end of the day ask yourself: Do you really want to be an ACI Special Agent?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 1:57 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 13:57:09 -0400

Feb is not that far away.
12 months is not really a long time to coast along on a guaranteed pay check.
Many 35 series MOS's are easy to promote in. However 35L seems to be highly coveted and often has a promotion point threshold of 798.

So if you are going for a highly coveted MOS from a non Intel baseline with limited training dates in a short period of time it's probably not going to happen.

If 35L is your goal in life then you are going to have to compromise, and the easiest way to do that is with time and just keep working the system no matter how long it takes.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 3:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:41:50 -0400

So, the 35L Proponent/Recruiting - who you need an acceptance memo from to reclass - told you that they are not accepting applications right now, and you want to somehow go around them to reclass? How exactly do you suggest you get around the approval authority to get an approval memo?

Counter Intel is very competitive and anyone who meets the prereqs can apply, as opposed to other MOS's where you have to meet In/Out calls. So that means they get a lot of applicants. If you don't want to wait, that's fine. There are other, more dedicated personnel waiting to apply, and others who are in a better position with their career to apply. If the CI Field loses out on the gifts you have to bestow upon them, they will continue on perfectly fine.

Other application MOS's are the same way. Career Counselors usually get evaluated a year or more before they get a letter of recommendation and then they may wait up to a year and a half to go to school. To try out for Ranger Regiment you have to reenlist four years before attending RASP, knowing that if you fail you may be reassigned worldwide, knowing their failure rate is around 70%. I won't even go into what you have to do just to apply to 51C or 25D...

The point is, if it's not worth waiting for, then it's not for you, and that's ok. Many MOS's have intentionally rigorous and difficult selection and recruiting processes to separate the people who really want to be there and are willing to work for it, from the ones who just want to be doing something else. There are other MOS opportunities available for you waiting to be taken.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 6:42 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 18:42:10 -0400

Well, for starters, CI is always looking for young Soldiers who try to “internet” their way around regulation (sarcasm). Second, Army Counterintelligence (ACI) is going through a MASSIVE reform where it is being broken up into a regional alignment. There are several issues with this, which I will not get into here, so the wait for recruiting more qualified agents rests with the settling of this tumultuous situation.

Like most places, a reputation is a hard thing to shake. Please consider this when posting anything on the internet. Words can haunt you, especially when a clearance is concerned. Wait your six months and apply then. ACI isn’t going anywhere. Even if it will look different if/when you get there.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 8:32 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 20:32:28 -0400

This isn't a patience thing. I've been working on my packet since my window opened last year. The issue is that I'm facing a closing battalion on a posy that will no longer supportand permanent party soldiers past July of next year. If I can get a class date, then go hold down a desk till then that's fine. I'm not looking to cheat the system, but if there's a waiver or except request I can do, I'd rather do that then sit around waiting for the army to happen to me. I've been in long enough to know that if you want something from the army, you have to request it.