Posted on Apr 28, 2021
SGT Geospatial Engineer
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Hi all,



I am currently a 12Y and my reenlistment window opens up in July. I like the work of a 12Y, and definitely want to reenlist and negotiate where I go next, but I am intrigued by the Tier 10 bonus (for E-4) to reclass into 35P/Linguist, as it was the original MOS I wanted and falls more in line with my career path in the Army.



I am wondering if I can reclass to 35P AND negotiate my next duty station?

If I promote to E-5 shortly after reenlisting as a 35P, would it affect my bonus? And if I was to take a broadening assignment as a Defense Attache during my 6 year contract would that void my bonus?

October 2022 would mark two years at my current duty station. To my understanding, I have to complete 2 years in my MOS at the same station, correct?



My ultimate goal is to go 351Z or the WO position for Defense Attache and turn that broadening assignment into a long term career. I feel Linguist is more in line with this but I do hear the promotions are VERY hard to come by as a 35P.



Any insight and help is greatly appreciated!!

V/R,
SPC Tillisch
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SSG Intelligence Analyst
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SPC Tillisch, I admire your aspirations, but remember, of the 35 series jobs, 35P has the second highest attrition rate.

Reclass = needs of the Army, that’s the trade off. A defense attaché isn’t just something you chose to do, it’s reserved for the BEST of the BEST and usually 35F fills the role of the defense attaché.

35P promotes based on language, so points vary drastically. There is also no guarantee you get the language you want.

If you fail = no bonus
If you fail to maintain a 2/2 on the DLPT, you forfeit the remainder of the bonus.

I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND AVOIDING 35P as a reclass option.
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SPC Hongyu Liu
SPC Hongyu Liu
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I highly agree! Avoid 35P unless you are supper interested and talented in that assigned / needed target language.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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The minimum time on station requirements for training is only one year on station. You can request a class date now but your class date has to be after November 2021 or later.

You absolutely cannot request a duty station and training. All training follow on assignments are the needs of the Army. But if you go to DLI it is your gaining branch manager who will place you on your follow on assignment and you can contact them about where you can go.

You can't be a linguist. That MOS is 09L and it's only for native speakers. 35P is a signal intelligence job with a linguistic requirement.

SSG (Join to see) isn't exaggerating what he's saying. 35P is language based and the promotions are tied to which language you're in.

As for your bonus you will keep it as long as you make it through training, and don't get reclassed or kicked out. You'll be reclassed if you don't maintain a 2/2 in your language
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SGT Geospatial Engineer
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Thanks for the feedback SFC!
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SGT Fire Control Specialist
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1. Cannot choose two options for reenlistment (MOS-T class seat & next duty station). However, since its a PCS MOS-T, you can call your new branch once in processed in AIT to see what options you have on the table for next duty station and coordinate with Branch Manager.
2. Before making E5/SGT in your current MOS, I would verify if your reclassing MOS even accepts E5 MOS-Ts, if they do not accept E5s, you would need a grade waiver or else you will be kicked back from 35P AIT and do your contract as a 12Y or renegotiate your contract if you are lucky. If they accept E5s, you MAY continue on reclassing but still need to talk with the schoolhouse if you made need a grade waiver.
3. I’m tracking most cases are minimum 2 years for station time. However, it differs by MOS, assignment, stations, units, conus or oconus. (Ex: some 25 series for FORSCOM is min 3 years). Check with branch or your career counselor.

I cannot speak of other things as I am not a 35 series MOS but these are the things that I wished I have known before I reenlisted for a training seat.
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SGT Geospatial Engineer
SGT (Join to see)
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Thanks so much for this response!
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