Is it better to reclassify while you are in or after you get out and rejoin?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:40:09 -0400

Is it better to reclass when you are in ETS or get out and join ?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2020 12:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:44:41 -0400

You're better off reclassing while you're still in the Army. It's a whole extra ball of crap when you're prior service rejoining. Your options will be more limited and then there's the whole issue of logistics. You'll ETS, travel somewhere, establish a household, contact a recruiter, redo the MEPS and then wait around till your ship date, then ship to AIT, then to your next duty station and set up there anew.

I've had a few guys get out with the intention of coming back in. It's never the way they expected it to be and the wait is always much longer than expected, and that wait is usually unemployed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2020 12:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:59:04 -0400

I just realized that you're a Reservist so my answer doesn't completely apply.

However as a Reservist it's too easy to reclass. There's no good reason to go through the hassle of accessing again and redoing MEPS

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 22 at 2020 1:01 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 13:01:21 -0400

Are trying to go active duty or just getting another MOS working the Reseves?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2020 1:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 13:12:56 -0400

Your profile says "reserves", as the SFC said once you are out then it's a whole different game.

Now, what surprises me, is if you are coming upon your ETS in the USAR the Retention Office would be hounding you to extend. They should be spelling out your options, and answering your questions.

If you are having trouble getting a transfer, the better game to play is getting into the IRR once your 6 is up. Then finding a unit that will reclass you from there. Then it's technically as easy as TPU to TPU transfer.

Mainly, the "losing unit" would be the IRR, and they really don't care. In fact it is their mission to send you back into Drilling Units. So then you only need to spend your time finding a unit, not spending the time trying to convince your chain of command to let you go.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2020 7:47 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 19:47:27 -0400

If you can't get what you want in the Reserves, you could drop to IRR and go to the Guard. In the NG it is as easy as finding an open slot in a unit that is willing to take you. However, there are some pros and cons between the Guard and Reserves, so do your research.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 23 at 2020 8:13 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 08:13:17 -0400

The question is odd. If you want to stay in, then do that. If you want to reclass and stay in, then do that. If you want to get out, then do that. I wouldn't recommend getting out just so you can reclass while rejoining. That seems like a pointless waste of time for everyone involved. Plus it makes a break in service for no real reason.