Posted on Jan 13, 2015
SGT(P) Cpe Ncoic
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BLUF: I'm trying to switch from my Primary MOS (56M) back to my Secondary MOS (13B).

The process is somewhat confusing as I am still MOS qualified, why would it be dificult to switch?

I'm and E-5 with 10 years TIS, 6 years Artillery, 4 years Chaplain Corps, 3 deployments as Artillery, and 1 as a Brigade Chaplain Assistant.

The process as its been explained to me:

My ERB, APFT, HT/WT, and last 3 NCOERs is sent to the Field Artillery Proponent for review. If the FA Proponent likes what they see they'll provide a letter of acceptance accepting me back into the Field Artillery. If they don't they'll provide a reason and the entire process stops at this point.

The Letter of acceptance and a 4187 are then sent to HRC through the company/battalion requesting reclass. Based on the in/out calls at the time the packet arrives HRC will make a decision based off of MOS strengths. At the moment both 13B20 and 56M20 are balanced reducing the likelihood that HRC will allow the reclass.

Any insite to the overall process, length, and information on how to accomplish this would be helpful.
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Responses: 3
CW5 Sam R. Baker
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Edited >1 y ago
Reverting is difficult but not totally impossible. What the Army wants is to fill the holes and if your primary is at strength or less, then it is not advantageous for them to allow you to go back. If your secondary IS MORE short than your primary, it is getting to the right person to allow it.

Noticing you are in a promotable status now, additionally it is in your primary MOS, you could be held to your current MOS, seeing that they are both at strength, you will most likely not be allowed to return to your previous MOS. It is not the news you wish to hear, but G1 identifies the holes and HRC fills them, so there is not advantage to returning you at this time.
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SGT(P) Cpe Ncoic
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For those who are curious the following reasons below are a brief insight as to my thoughts.

For starters, career progression; my career goals involve being a Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and to continue working in likeminded leadership rolls. There are more opportunities in the Artillery then Chaplain Corps to advance and serve in said positions.

Secondly, the mission; in the Chaplain Corps it’s about caring for the Soldiers spiritual wellbeing and insuring religious freedoms aren’t infringed upon. The Artillery mission is to put rounds on target as quickly, efficiently, and safely as possible to destroy, naturalize, and halt the Enemy. Both require me to work with people but the one comes with a bigger gun.

Thirdly, the politics; as a Soldier gets promoted they move up in the ranks there will always be politics. Those politics will always thicken as one moves up. An E-7 in the Artillery works from the Platoon up where an E-7 in the Chaplain Corps is an Installation or above asset. I’d prefer to be dealing with Platoon, battery, or Battalion level Politics rather than Installation or Division.

Fourthly, being a leader; In the Artillery you become responsible for as few as 2-4 Soldiers as an E-5. In the Chaplain Corps you’re lucky to have even 2-4 Soldiers as an E-6, and then you still don’t really have tasking authority and you have to staff things through the S-3 or equivalent shop. Working with Soldiers is my passion; I’ve always been the one on the ground executing, leading, or directing Soldiers to accomplish the mission. I’d prefer to stay there as long as possible.
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PFC Chaplain Assistant
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Hey man the only thing I can think of that might hold you up is your rank... are you willing to give up the E-5 and reduce to a 3 or 4? Other than that just do the Army thing and hurry up and wait. Also, it's been what 5 years since you touched any FA equipment? That might hold you back also...
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