Has anyone reclassed from 11b to 15t? How were you treated at your new unit?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 11:03:53 -0400

I have been In 4 years and head out to reclass school in October. Coming from a combat mos I’m wondering what it’s like day to day, and how you were treated coming in to a new unit and new job. I am going to be stationed at fort bliss

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 13 at 2022 1:36 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 13:36:45 -0400

While I did not transition I have been involved with Soldiers who did transfer. 15T is a huge transition, Soldiering is Soldering. Being a crew chief or support will keep you very busy in all environments. Sustaining and maintaining aircraft is a very important role. Ensuring that a bird is flight ready is vital to any mission. Your day to day will be ensuring that they go up, comllete mission, and return home safely. In garrison you have the same details and requirments as you do today. Weapons and motor pool vehicle maintenance. The training schedule will look much the same outside of you MOS. You will do well, keep on Soldiering.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2022 2:31 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 14:31:42 -0400

Not specific MOS advise but keep in mind while you may be a specialist when you get to your first unit that the PFC that has been there for 1 1/2-2 years knows maintenance better than you do be willing to learn from everyone and be willing to learn quickly. But with rank does come privilege so don't be afraid to assert yourself when you do know what you are talking about.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 13 at 2022 4:14 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:14:27 -0400

I was in a similar situation. I lat moved from Infantry to Data Communications with almost 8 years in. The trick is being humble, honest with your self and don't over extend yourself when you don't know the answer to something you encountered in your new field. Just learn everything and don't make waves while you are learning.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2022 10:22 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 22:22:16 -0400

Not MOS specific but transfer advice. I have two prior 11B who have switched to my MOS, 27D.

One is a Specialist and the other a Sergeant, even the SGT takes advice from me. Granted I am the "Senior" Specialist and I've been doing this for several years, both recognized this and utilized me to learn. However on the flip side, I recognized that both of them have years of experience in other areas, so there is a level of respect that we both have for people who have been doing their respective tasks for awhile.

So as you transition just remember that there's going to be PFC's and SPC's with less time in service than you but who can 15T better than you just because of experience, learn from that experience. That's something to take with you everywhere, rank isn't always the be all for knowledge.

Additionally as an 11B, be prepared to answer questions from lower enlisted, NCO's, and officers. Just like you have little to no experience in 15T, others will be curious about the day to day of an 11B. Besides the Grunt and POG jokes we all make of course.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 14 at 2022 10:19 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 10:19:42 -0400

I went from an AD Grunt to a Reserve 88M (truck driver), so I get that there is a transition period you have to adjust to. In fact, you may find it a bit of a culture shock; though I suspect it isn't as severe as when I went from "dress right dress", 11B discipline lifestyle to a more laidback soft skill MOS in a part-time military unit. Review the answers others have given you about dealing with that transition period; they have good insight.

Lastly, I add my 2 cents about Ft. Bliss. I would say that while I haven't been to Bliss in almost 10 years, I will say this, if you talk to legit old-timers or people who have never been there, they will describe Ft. Bliss as Hell's boring front porch. I can't lie, it's stupid hot, so drink lots and lots of water. After all, it IS a desert. None the less, Ft. Bliss in this day and age is not what it used to be. When I arrived, the PX, commissary, movie theater, etc were all small; built for a much smaller sized garrison, but oh man, did they get bigger!

Starting not long before I got to Bliss, they were dropping an average of $1M per day on expansion and improvements to the post, and that went on year after year. Over the years, that has added up to a few billion! Heck, just the new hospital alone, which they started working on while I was still there took them nearly a decade and cost well over a billion dollars!

They built so many amenities while I was there and continued long after I was gone on both the "Main Post" side as well as the "Biggs" (as in Biggs Air Field) or "East Bliss" side. On-post housing is new, newer or (in most cases) rehabbed, and the barracks are newer as well...but then again, you how how soldiers can wear out a barracks building, so keep THAT in mind! The post has so much now to keep you occupied that you cannot be bored unless you want to be bored, to say nothing of what the city of El Paso can provide. Units at Bliss love to make use of the vast training facilities there. If you were to add the training grounds of Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, and Holloman Air Base, you might have the largest training area in the US (or close to). Add to that new/advanced training facilities for vehicle and dismount such as a village MOUT site designed by Hollywood set people (and I think was actually used for filming the movie Fort Bliss).

Good luck with the reclass and PCSing to Bliss!