Career advice for 88m: OCS, reserves to NG or reclass?

2013-12-28T22:13:56-05:00

I am a reserve soldier. I am not a veteran so I have limited helps coming my way from the army in my attempts to receive an education(Rightfully, so as I have not earned a full GI Bill or other items that come along with active duty service).  My situation:  My hands are tied financially with all the recent cuts to tuition assistance.  I am a college senior who is facing the decision to quit college or make some career moves in order to stay "afloat."  I am an independent student, a "homeless" soldier in the eyes of the state of Pennsylvania, and am struggling to make a way for myself. My parents do not support my efforts to go to college and I have no credit to take out private loans to finish school. After my units annual training at the start of this year, it looks like I will be packing up my belongings and heading in the homeward direction from school.  I have been searching to no avail for jobs through various agencies like Tour of Duty, USAjobs, MOBCOP and countless others but have not even had a call back for an interview.  I volunteered for several deployment opportunities which have all been scratched or filled.  I tried to find positions with the AGR component and nothing has seemed to open up for me.  About a year ago, I was informed after inquiring about active duty jobs that I would need to be airborne qualified to leave my MOS as an 88m.  Due to the new recruiting "business rules."  So, I decided to strive for Airborne school. Simple enough, right? Work hard and move forward! So, I worked hard on getting an airborne school qualifying APFT score, to which my unit replied, "You have to do this consecutively for a while to qualify, we've pushed this score to battalion- its up to them to send you." While that decision is in limbo, I am still struggling to make ends meet and am going to have to move as I stated before to my hometown area until I figure out what I should do. The only other options I could really think of at this point would be getting into an OCS program or finding another MOS in attempts to be relocated to another unit nearer to my H.O.R. or simply to open up other job opportunities until I can finish school.  Because I am so close to my degree, I am ineligible for ROTC.  You need a minimal period of two years to participate and I also believe I just surpassed their age limit of 23. I was also considering making the move to the National Guard from the reserves as their college benefits are a little better.  I do not know how to make that switch or even if it is a wise decision. I would like to graduate college and try to make the military a life long career; I'm just not sure where to go from here. Any suggestions or points of contact for work opportunities/school options at this point are welcomed! Thank you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2013 10:23 PM

2013-12-28T22:23:18-05:00

You may be past the age limit for ROTC but you don't need 2 years left, I would talk to ROTC.

Also search for the PFI website I don't know about 88M jobs but if you can reclass to MP there are open slots for active tours at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2013 11:02 PM

2013-12-29T23:02:47-05:00

In my understanding of switching to active, you do not need to have airborne complete beforehand. So all you would have to do is get a release from the reserves (369 or 368) and talk to your local recruiters to do the rest.

I am a 88M, been in for 10 years and love my job, what other MOS's were you looking into

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Dec 29 at 2013 11:51 PM

2013-12-29T23:51:40-05:00

If you are able to get your degree, OCS may be an option. Without it, you likely won't pass the board these days. Also ensure you have a interim secret, U.S. citizenship, and 110 GT score.

I don't like recommending student loans at all, but have you investigated all funding options with your school's financial aid office? Federally guaranteed loans shouldn't require credit, and could be reimbursed through SLRP (my least favorite incentive).

If you really want to be airborne, your best bet is to transfer to an airborne position. If your BN wanted you to be airborne qualified, they would have scheduled for it at assignment. This is going to be a low priority expense for them in an age of shrinking budgets.

Getting into the RA these days requires you to have the right MOS, pay grade, and SQIs. Airborne may be the key, but next month it might not even matter. If we're looking a year down the road after you consistently demonstrate fitness, get a school slot, and graduate, who knows what the rules may be.

For your job search I am obligated to mention https://h2h.jobs/

The main reason you haven't been looked at for AGR is your rank. Complete WLC, and earn SGT; a much larger section of the force will open up to you.

Lastly, transfers to the Guard are not quick and easy. Expect several months for that process to complete. If you are planning on moving out of state, expect the transfer to be more difficult from within the Guard than the USAR. I am quite biased, but I do not recommend them in your situation.

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Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Mar 19 at 2014 12:34 AM

2014-03-19T00:34:26-04:00

You have lots of options with college. A SPC got out finish college, I was an E-6 then, He came back in as a Field Artillery officer, I seen him as a Major, while I was still a SSG. Do it. Dont think about it no more...just do it.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 29 at 2015 2:55 PM

2015-06-29T14:55:04-04:00

An option to consider while in school is looking at working at the VA (provided if their is one close to you) on a work study program.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 4:27 PM

2015-06-29T16:27:19-04:00

You can always take out a loan to finish your college, or apply for a pell grant. There is no shame in enlisting in the AC for a while and then coming back to finish college, or finishing college during your enlistment and then going to OCS. Also have you spoken to the ROTC people? You are an 88M, have you considered being a truck driver on the weekends? I know that may sound unpalatable(or like a lot of fun) but you've gotta survive to finish your degree. Did you finish using all your TA, because you are supposed to get 4 years... Also start building your credit SPC and see if you can get a co-signer for your loan, possibly a wealthy eccentric aunt or uncle.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-03-18T12:54:42-04:00

I strongly urge you to visit FAFSA and receive the ability to study. Many persons alike have worked hard to focus on study. Degrees are a discipline. One puts off their desires to achieve study and this often reflects our grades. Do not give up. Online makes it possible to earn a degree (discipline).