Posted on Jun 11, 2016
SFC Personnel  Sergeant
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
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Edited >1 y ago
I recognized early I wasn't going to be SMA. Around the time in my career when the Army was making MOS changes of the 11D Scouts to 19E Tankers. I was made a 19G (Sheridan Light Tanker). I wrote a letter disputing the change, reminding the army my career up to that point (I had 'seen' a Sheridan) had been LRRP, Rangers and Blues Platoons. I was told that the Army knew what was good for the Army. I pointed out that the information of the changes (which had been Branch-wide) said I could request to be made 19D (the newer Scout MOS) instead on simply accepting the 19G designation.
I was told, by an S1 Specialist, that I needed to put a statement saying to the effect that my change from 19G to 19D would be for 'the good of the Army'. I told him I figured the army had already made me a 19G because they thought that was best and I didn't want that statement in my request. That he should type the statement exactly as I had written it.
Of the 26 NCOs in my unit that wrote their requests for change from 19G, 19H and 19E to the 19D PMOS mine was the only one that was approved.
My point being, though I retired as a 19D PSG after 20 years (most of my then-peers that remained in service became 1SGs & CSMs), I feel I did not stagnant. I did what I loved.
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SFC Personnel  Sergeant
SFC (Join to see)
8 y
I as well never had the desire to make MSG/1SGT. As I stated in early post I made a deal with the devil: BRANCH, to get an assignment not given to many.
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SFC William Farrell
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SFC (Join to see) I was originally trained as a field wireman when i joined the army on my 17th birthday along with my twin brother and cousin. I wasnt that bright at that time, having hardly went to high school so i guess it was the best training i could get at the time. I did it in Korea and when I went to Vietnam i did everything but, drove a truck, flew door gunner, kept on putting in transfer for a door gunner position. When I left Vietnam and was assigned to Fort Hod Texas, I hated it. Took a three month early out and joined the military police reserve unit as I wanted to get on NYPD. Loved it and stayed with them until i retired.
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MSG Rogelio Watson
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Changing MOS is good, especially when you want to pursue something different and exiciting. I have done it throughout my career and it was rewarding!
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SPC Mike Held
SPC Mike Held
8 y
When I was in the Army there was NO changing from my MOS (35H) because the training was too expensive (36 Weeks at Lowry AFB, Denver, Co), and they would not let others cross train into it because it was over strengthed.
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