Can I reclassify from 12Y to 35P and negotiate my next duty station? If so, will a promotion effect my bonus?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 22:18:01 -0400

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

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2021 10:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 22:33:17 -0400

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2021 10:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 22:37:02 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2021 2:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 02:11:13 -0400

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 Private RallyPoint Member 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

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 5:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 17:20:41 -0400

You can't get reclass (school) and duty station of choice (assignment).
If you promote based on your current MOS while in language training or AIT, your bonus will not change; you get what you signed for.

AFAIK, the linguist warrant MOS isn't a thing anymore. However, if you put in ~2+ years performing ANALYST duties (35N) while performing your linguist duties, and are exemplary at both, you MAY be able to go warrant as a 352N. That would require string recommendations from warrants with whom you've served as an analyst, as well as other stuff. It's do-able if you're self-motivated, and have a mind for highly-technical bureaucratic administrative and analytic processing.