What AOC or branch should I join through a lateral transfer after being a 70B in the NG?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 10:32:12 -0500

I have been 70B for my whole officer career. I do enjoy it, but am about to come to an end of it. In the NG, its pretty much a dead end. What MOS' are best suited for a lateral transfer? Or what MOS would you join at this part of your career?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Dec 17 at 2022 10:36 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 10:36:18 -0500

Maj Marty Hogan can you help with this?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2022 11:01 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 11:01:56 -0500

Honestly, I would recommend you look at any AOC that will not practically guarantee you to be released from service because you're unable to be selected for promotion. 70B is killing folks across all three components. Being National Guard, perhaps look at a Combat Arms AOC. 12A, perhaps. I would recommend you start with the Retention NCO and see if they can assist you in getting pointed in the right direction to see what you qualify for and what is available in your State.

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 17 at 2022 2:54 PM

COL Randall C. — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 14:54:52 -0500

In addition to MSG Private RallyPoint Member's great advice, look across your state - that should inform you about what opportunities are available for you based on MOS.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Dec 17 at 2022 3:54 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 15:54:03 -0500

Thanks for sharing this!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 18 at 2022 9:10 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Sun, 18 Dec 2022 09:10:29 -0500

Since I ended up doing this when I moved to Kentucky, I'll give you my two cents.
First, all of this occurred during the rebuilding 80's, so you mileage may vary.

When I started checking with the Kentucky Guard for a position as a 1LT 11A, the first thing I ran up against was that was a single battalion of Infantry in the State. Not a good place for slots for promotions. They asked if I would be willing to Branch Transfer to the Engineers, they had almost a full Brigade of Engineers, Combat and a Heavy, and were short Officers. I switched and served the rest of my Select Reserve time in various Kentucky Combat Engineer jobs. I don't regret the decision.

My advice is to look at the states you are likely to land in and talk to the IST is those states directly. As SFC Livingston has pointed out, Guard is heavily Combat and Combat Support, so look at where the bulk of the positions are going to be in that state and pick a branch you can live with AND has Officer slots available.

Just as a side note, the Army tends to treat Engineers better than they do Infantry Officers.
The other note is that if you pick Engineer, the math parts of the Advanced Course or Captains Career Choice or whatever they call it today are not easy.