What are the pros and cons of reclassification to 27D? What are the daily duties of 27D Paralegal Specialist?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 18:11:25 -0400

What are the pros and cons of being a 27D Paralegal Specialist? My window is opening very soon and I would like to have my ducks in a row before I start requesting and signing. Also, do you have to pull staff duty/CQ? What are the hours on a daily basis? What are the daily duties? What about the weekends? Any information would help.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Aug 28 at 2020 8:13 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 20:13:11 -0400

Just because your a paralegal does not give you any special privileges. As a CW2 at Fort Ord, I had to pull Staff Duty Officer. My battalion commander LTC Ronald V Hite was the youngest LTC is the army. 707th Maintenance Battalion. He was my senior rater. I would have asked to be given any special treatment. Grow Up.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2020 10:20 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 10:20:29 -0400

The biggest CON would be the rank progression. Attaining rank in the 27D realm is very very slow. So slow you could almost guarantee yourself to retire as a SSG.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 3:48 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 03:48:03 -0400

Good morning Sergeant. In accordance with AR 27-1, Section 3-8, paralegals should not perform any duties that would "interfere with their primary duties, such as CQ, range detail, guard duty . . ." From what I have seen in the past year of being a paralegal, most 27D's make E5 in 2-3 years, and E6 shortly after that. E7 in 7 years is also easily attainable. Of course, this is all dependent on you as a Soldier and NCO. Another advantage is BAS. If you are working in Military Justice, you will often be busy with courts-martial during breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner hours, so you will most likely keep your BAS. That's an additional $300+. You will be interacting daily with Attorneys (O-3+), so if you do have an interest in law, they can offer a lot of good insight into the career and the education behind it. Hours are typically 900-1700 with a break from 1130-1300. We don't work weekends unless something is very urgent (rare).

I can't recommend this MOS to you unless you have an actual interest in law. This job requires a lot of critical thinking and attention to detail, as your primary function will be conducting legal research and preparing documents. There is no room for failure in this MOS. If you have any more questions, please feel free to reply to this comment directly.