Posted on Nov 16, 2018
Would it be more beneficial to stay in a unit for my specific MOS?
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I drill with a Chemical unit about an hour and a half away from my home. I've heard of two units that are within a 5 minute drive from my home -one a Civil Affairs and one an Engineer Unit- that have slots open for a 74D. I'm interested in trying to go for those slots out of the convenience of drilling close to home. But would that be beneficial for my Reserve Career? I consider myself one of the more "high speed" personnel in my current unit and I'm hoping to fill in an NCO slot as soon as possible. Would moving to a non-Chem unit hurt my chances of promotion?
74D: Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counselor)
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 6
"But would that be beneficial for my Reserve Career?"
The most important questions here are 'what do you want out of your reserve career? What are your goals?'
The most important questions here are 'what do you want out of your reserve career? What are your goals?'
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SFC(P) (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - Civil Affairs will defiantly help you out. Also check to see if there is a drill Sergeant unit around too. In a CA unit can usually get a lot of slots to different school like Air Assault ect. I would defiantly go check out the CA unit by your house I'm sure they are looking for some young motivated soldiers.
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SSG Carlos Madden
SPC (Join to see) - For promotions it might be wise to stay in your CBRN unit because they always will have slots for you in the next rank, whereas a non-CBRN unit may only have one slot for a 74D and it's usually an E-5 or E-6. The upside there is there probably won't be anyone competing for that slot so if you're the only 74D in the unit (which is likely) you shouldn't have any issues getting it.
Training: It really depends on what kind of training you're interested in. If you're looking for a chance to go so some high speed schools then the CA unit would probably be your best shot. However, if you're looking to make a career as a 74D and like that work environment, then stay in your CBRN unit.
Training: It really depends on what kind of training you're interested in. If you're looking for a chance to go so some high speed schools then the CA unit would probably be your best shot. However, if you're looking to make a career as a 74D and like that work environment, then stay in your CBRN unit.
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Another consideration is upward mobility. How many slots are available that promote to the rank you want to attain? Have you ever considered reclassifying? CBRN is such a small field and promoting can become difficult after a certain time. Trust me, I know because I was CBRN back in the day.
That said, explore your options. Visit the units local to you and introduce yourself. Open a dialogue with them and talk about what's available. Also open a line of communication with your local career counselor.
Most importantly, understand the terms of your current contract. If you received an initial enlistment bonus, you may have to pay any unearned portion back. In certain cases, you will pay it all back if you decide to ditch 74D and reclass to something else.
That said, explore your options. Visit the units local to you and introduce yourself. Open a dialogue with them and talk about what's available. Also open a line of communication with your local career counselor.
Most importantly, understand the terms of your current contract. If you received an initial enlistment bonus, you may have to pay any unearned portion back. In certain cases, you will pay it all back if you decide to ditch 74D and reclass to something else.
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SFC (Join to see)
But, if you wish to stay CBRN, look me up in a few years and we'll get your Warrant Officer packet in. Upward promotions won't be an issue any more.
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Working in a non chemical unit won't hurt your ability to get promoted. The bigger factor once you put in your packet, is your Drill radius. If you have a small (50 mile) radius, then the amount of Chemical E5 slots become less and then become more competitive.
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If they have 74D slots, I'd assume they are for the NBC NCO, aren't they? If so, then maybe you don't get promoted immediately on joining the unit, but if you're in the slot, prove your worth and get the promotion in short order.
Getting that shot, as SSG Madden says, may not be what you want to do. I'd rather be with an engineer unit than civil affairs, but that's just me.
Getting that shot, as SSG Madden says, may not be what you want to do. I'd rather be with an engineer unit than civil affairs, but that's just me.
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How many SGT slots are in those units 5 minutes from your house? Number of SSG slots in those units? Fewer slots may mean less opportunity for promotion.
If you're planning on remaining a 74D, my recommendation is to remain in the Chem unit until you have made SSG and have completed no less than 2 rated periods as a Sqd Ldr. At that point you may want staff time, but you would also want to consider whether any PSG positions would be coming available. Of course that is years down the road, but you should be planning 2 ranks ahead.
My experience was active duty, and if you got in a Chem unit you dropped anchor as long as you could.
Of course, this is if you intend to remain a 74D.
If you're planning on remaining a 74D, my recommendation is to remain in the Chem unit until you have made SSG and have completed no less than 2 rated periods as a Sqd Ldr. At that point you may want staff time, but you would also want to consider whether any PSG positions would be coming available. Of course that is years down the road, but you should be planning 2 ranks ahead.
My experience was active duty, and if you got in a Chem unit you dropped anchor as long as you could.
Of course, this is if you intend to remain a 74D.
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