Posted on Oct 31, 2017
1LT Kevin Chapman
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I've posted a similar thread, but this would be more of an update since I received a bit more of information prior to last question. I'm currently a member of the Louisiana National Guard RSP program. When I initially went to MEPS to finalize my contract, I was offered plenty of jobs and when asked what job I wanted, I asked for 11B. My liaison looked into the system and told me, "there weren't any local units with any slots open." I wasn't aware that I could RSP with the local unit here and be assigned to a unit closer to the University I'll be attending (which is over 300 miles away) after I completed my training. My understanding is it may have slipped my recruiter's mind, that I was moving from the our current city and he didn't inform the Liaison of my departure, and I didn't have the understanding that I could have been placed in a unit closer to the University during that setting. I ended up taking 12W. A few weeks ago I called a few of the units that are closer to the University that I am planning to attend, and two of those units, one an Infantry and the other a Combat Engineer unit both said they'd accept me if I were released from my current unit. Both emphasized that I'd have to reclassify to their respective MOS and that they had slots open. I'm very passionate about switching over and earning the title of an Infantryman. I contacted my recruiter last week and notified him of the situation and he informed me that he would contact the Unit's RSP SSG and request a reno. Basically, after that he told me, "that they could get me switched to a Engineer unit but more than likely it wouldn't be the Unit's that I contacted and that I could switch my MOS once I came back from training." My question is this, just how likely would it be to switch my MOS? I find it impossible to think a new unit would send me off to more additional training solely because I want to be an Infantryman, and especially since they don't have any slots for that MOS in that unit? I am planning on joining the ROTC program once I arrived back, and also to join the SMP. Should I just give up my dream of going for 11B? I'm already currently being sent to Fort Benning, GA for BCT in February. Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Edited 7 y ago
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Responses: 14
SFC John Haymond
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Going from the Reserve/Guard component to the RA can be a bit different than a straightforward reclass from one RA MOS to another, but it can be done. I started out as a 88K in the Reserves, and reclassed to 12B Combat Engineer when I went over to the active component. That required that I go to MEPS more than once, since the first time they were only going to give me my current MOS. Four years later I reenlisted (as a SGT/E-5 and reclassed to 11B, which was my ultimate goal. So if getting into the infantry is your dream, don't give up on it.
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CPL Don Newman
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Go with the engineer mos for now, then if and when decide to go 11B no problem. Its easier to go to 11B than it is to go 11B to any other MOS.
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SSG Recruiter
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Its going to be hard for you to get a Reno USAREC more than likely is not going to want to cancel your current contract for a new one since youve already taken that training seat but its not impossible. Sticking with what you have and finishing out your current contract as a 12W and then re-enlisting with a reclassification to 11B shouldnt be too hard at all upside of that also is it will give you 2 MOS qualications.
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1LT Kevin Chapman
1LT Kevin Chapman
7 y
Thank you for your response Sergeant.
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SSG Recruiter
SSG (Join to see)
7 y
Anytime man. Hopefully it helps.
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MSG Justin Kuchar
MSG Justin Kuchar
7 y
If you want to switch tell them RENO or I dont ship. Lousiana NG? Different animal than USAREC.
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