Human Resources Specialist
Human Resources Specialist
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Help narrowing MOS choices please?
I am a prior service Army NG soldier with a 12 year break. Honorably discharge re1 13E that finished as an E4.
I'm going through the process to get to MEPS and that seems to be going well.
It appears because of my rank at time of ets and my MOS that I will have open options when it comes to the MOS I re-enter with.
I have essentially narrowed my list to: 42A, 36B, 92Y or 27D.
What advice do yall have for me as I work to narrow the list from 4 to 1?
Thanks in advance
I am a prior service Army NG soldier with a 12 year break. Honorably discharge re1 13E that finished as an E4.
I'm going through the process to get to MEPS and that seems to be going well.
It appears because of my rank at time of ets and my MOS that I will have open options when it comes to the MOS I re-enter with.
I have essentially narrowed my list to: 42A, 36B, 92Y or 27D.
What advice do yall have for me as I work to narrow the list from 4 to 1?
Thanks in advance
MOS
42A: Human Resources Specialist
36B: Financial Management Technician
92Y: Unit Supply Specialist
27D: Paralegal Specialist
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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DO NOT take 36B, that’s a dead end MOS on the AD side and you’ll struggle to make enough rank not to get separated at 14 years for RCP.
42A and 92Y are your best options for promotion, diversity, future assignment choices. 27D is a very small MOS, so promotions are harder and you are limited on PCS options when it’s time to move. Every battalion has multiple supply and admin personnel from E1-E7 meaning there is a lot of room for promotion and a lot of choices in assignments down the road.
It really comes down to what type of work do you see yourself enjoying? 27D is a good job if you plan to become a lawyer or are ok with processing Article 15s, court martials and separations. I personally think it takes a specific kind of person to be capable of handling bad people all day like JAG, CID or MPs do
42A and 92Y are your best options for promotion, diversity, future assignment choices. 27D is a very small MOS, so promotions are harder and you are limited on PCS options when it’s time to move. Every battalion has multiple supply and admin personnel from E1-E7 meaning there is a lot of room for promotion and a lot of choices in assignments down the road.
It really comes down to what type of work do you see yourself enjoying? 27D is a good job if you plan to become a lawyer or are ok with processing Article 15s, court martials and separations. I personally think it takes a specific kind of person to be capable of handling bad people all day like JAG, CID or MPs do
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SPC Josh Tharp
If it weren't for a coming baby, 25B would be easier to swallow to start with now. Will a bachelor's in IT help overcome the challenges of not being in the 25 series? Maybe I could consider transitioning from either 42A or 92Y to 25B and then spend some time as 17C or 25D before retirement. Maybe 17C or 25D is too pie in the sky for an end goal, but it would seem if I could make it work somehow throughout my Army career (that I plan to see through to 20-25 year retirement) I would set myself and family up better at that point.
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC Josh Tharp 25B is less than 20 weeks long. Also, you don’t know the start dates for all the courses, so you might not even leave for training until after your baby is born. It’s definitely hard returning to AD with a baby on the way, I did the same thing when I came back on AD and my daughter was born while I was at AIT. I suggest you just ask for a start date that begins after the pregnancy if it’s a serious issue. Reclassing on the AD side can be difficult and time consuming. It can take a year to go to school after you get a class seat, and you might wait 2-3 years to be eligible to reclass. If you intend to reclass to 25B, realistically you are looking at finishing 25B 3-4 years after coming onto AD, on average.
Your bachelor in IT will make you more competitive, but I can’t say whether or not it will be enough to get you selected for either MOS. 17C is an entry level MOS, if you can take it now that would be ideal. None of my guys who have applied have ever been accepted into the MOS, and most of them had some level of IT college, but not a full degree. Programming experience, or education in programming language is preferred.
25D is not an entry level MOS, you’ll need at least six years of service and to be a promotable SGT at the very least to apply. They usually require the Army networking certs ( I think they are called ITM or AIM). Other certs like Sec+ are necessary to be competitive for being selected as well.
Both MOSs are application MOSs meaning you apply and if they like what they see, they accept you. There is no clear guidance on what or who gets accepted or denied and other factors like time in grade, MOS strengths. And time in service also play a factor
Your bachelor in IT will make you more competitive, but I can’t say whether or not it will be enough to get you selected for either MOS. 17C is an entry level MOS, if you can take it now that would be ideal. None of my guys who have applied have ever been accepted into the MOS, and most of them had some level of IT college, but not a full degree. Programming experience, or education in programming language is preferred.
25D is not an entry level MOS, you’ll need at least six years of service and to be a promotable SGT at the very least to apply. They usually require the Army networking certs ( I think they are called ITM or AIM). Other certs like Sec+ are necessary to be competitive for being selected as well.
Both MOSs are application MOSs meaning you apply and if they like what they see, they accept you. There is no clear guidance on what or who gets accepted or denied and other factors like time in grade, MOS strengths. And time in service also play a factor
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SPC Josh Tharp
SFC (Join to see) the more I look at viable options at 37 yo currently - I am wondering if going 42A, working my butt of to get to E6 and then trying for warrant officer might be a better career soldier route than the more convoluted paths discussed earlier?
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC Josh Tharp that is a very good option and 420A warrants have an excellent selection rate. You don’t actually need to be an E6, you just need to have completed ALC. 42A is an excellent MOS with outstanding assignment opportunities, decent promotion, and valuable HR certification programs that are funded by the Army.
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I can't speak fully for the other MOS's but I'm a 42A and I love it. I really like being in customer service and being able to help people update their SRBs (previously ERB), answer their questions about finance, PCSing, etc but I'm a really big people person. The paperwork can sometimes get annoyingly tedious which is obviously unavoidable as Human Resources, but as long as your an organized person it's not too bad.
AIT (mind you this was 6 years ago) was pretty easy in my opinion, didn't have to do much studying. But honestly I don't remember most of AIT, most of every single thing I learned came from on the job training.
Ending up in an S1 shop is what you'd want but you may end up in an HR Company and for the 3 months that I was in an HR Co all I did was details and occasionally learn S1 functions via death by power point. But that was just my experience and other units very well could have better set up.
If you have any specific questions I can try to answer them for you.
AIT (mind you this was 6 years ago) was pretty easy in my opinion, didn't have to do much studying. But honestly I don't remember most of AIT, most of every single thing I learned came from on the job training.
Ending up in an S1 shop is what you'd want but you may end up in an HR Company and for the 3 months that I was in an HR Co all I did was details and occasionally learn S1 functions via death by power point. But that was just my experience and other units very well could have better set up.
If you have any specific questions I can try to answer them for you.
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SPC Josh Tharp
Thanks for your detailed response! Is 42A an MOS that is overstrength? Is it difficult to get to E5 and beyond due to the sheer number of soldiers in that MOS?
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
For the most part it's usually a balanced MOS. At the moment I believe E4 and below might be over strength but I think that's the first time I've seen it over strength since I've been in. I wouldn't say it's a difficult MOS to get promoted in, in fact I'd say it's rather easy; I got promoted to E-5 in just under 4 years. Right now points are actually pretty low with 499 for SGT and 388 for SSG. There's always a need for Human Resources and that's never gonna change. That's another benefit as a 42A: 42A's are needed pretty much everywhere all the time so you have TONS of options for assignments.
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I would personally go 92Y. A lot more potential for employment in the civilian sector when you get out.
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SPC Josh Tharp
Thanks for your reply! If the plan was to remain for 15 years or more prior to retirement then enter the civilian sector, would that change the recommendation? Why 92Y over the other options if you don't mind my asking?
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SSG Elizabeth Koss
SPC Josh Tharp Well, I personally am a 27D. And I can tell you that the jobs as a paralegal outside the military don't pay that well. Supply goes all the way up to a GS15...as does 42A, but then you need to have the civilian certifications as well. 92Y have more ability to go up in the civilian world with less extra schooling.
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