How do I begin the process of rebranching in the Army Reserves due to an overstrength issue (70B)??

2022-03-07T14:24:01-05:00

Hello All, I am a 1LT (70B) in the Reserves and there has been a lot of talk that 70B positions are overslotted by 700% and promotion rates to CPT are abysmal (like under 10%). I currently enjoy my position as a PL for a ground ambulance medic platoon, but I'm hoping to switch my AOC to something with a better trajectory that I would also enjoy. Higher ups are recommending branch transfer to CHEM, TRANS, or LOG, but those all sound undesirable to me and I am currently hoping to transfer to ENG, MI, or CA. That said, I'm not sure of the process or where to begin, no one in my unit seems sure if it is even possible. I have no problem with going back to BOLC if needed. Does anyone know how to begin the process of rebranching?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2022 2:37 PM

2022-03-07T14:37:18-05:00

Hello. You should be getting regular emails from MS Branch office on the instructions, but it’s a very easy packet due to the over strength.

I transferred from MS to MI last year due to this and it was a lot more difficult then. Best of luck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2022 9:13 PM

2022-03-07T21:13:34-05:00

I'm a strong believer in supply and demand.
Here is the link to vacancies. You need CAC access to view it.
https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-375787

I also believe the USAR is the USAR wherever you go. The branch doesn't matter nearly as much as the Unit you are assigned to and their OPTEMPO and how that fits in your civilian obligations and what duties you take on.

I suggest down loading the latest vacancy Excel file and doing a cross tab of vacancies for O3-O5.

Logistics (90A) is 10% of all USAR officer (O3 and above) vacancies across the board. They are 17% of CPT vacancies. MI and ENG are also good paths to get CPT, but their vacancies dwindle twice as fast as LG for MAJ/LTC.

Again, pull the data yourself as location is key to your situation. Also keep in mind there are 01A vacancies (branch immaterial) if you are looking to broaden your horizons.

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Response by COL Bill Gross made Mar 8 at 2022 11:38 AM

2022-03-08T11:38:11-05:00

Well you have to have a friend who is a CW5 who has a friend in USARC HRC, St Louis. But that a story for a different day that won't answer your problem.

Response by LTC Ray Buenteo made Mar 8 at 2022 12:00 PM

2022-03-08T12:00:34-05:00

Transferring out of MSC branch is involved. I transferred out of MSC 70B to civil Affairs 38a in 2002. You will resign your commission and recommission outside the MSC. You will do a conditional release from current branch of service and rebranch in new branch. You do it simultaneously. I signed resignation of my MSC commission and signed commission same time. It is an involved process. Geneva regs governing medical personnel are different from other branches. It’s been awhile and very involved. I actually went Psyop 37A from MSC 70 B first.. at the time Psyop Officer was a functional area. Then I branched 38A so I would be eligible to promote to captain. Well in 2006 big Army made Psyop a branch and all 37A functional area Captains were auto primary branched 37A. I was in Iraq serving as a 38A team ldr and received my new branch but retained 38A as secondary. Worked out because I promoted Major and LTC as 37A while some of my 38A brothers and sisters did not make it first time around. Good luck.

Response by LTC Ray Buenteo made Mar 8 at 2022 12:05 PM

2022-03-08T12:05:21-05:00

Also Psyop 37A and CA 38A officer pipeline is no cake walk. When I branched in 2002 it was a bit physical but I hear now it is demanding