Would it be more beneficial to stay in a unit for my specific MOS?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 09:23:59 -0500

I drill with a Chemical unit about an hour and a half away from my home. I've heard of two units that are within a 5 minute drive from my home -one a Civil Affairs and one an Engineer Unit- that have slots open for a 74D. I'm interested in trying to go for those slots out of the convenience of drilling close to home. But would that be beneficial for my Reserve Career? I consider myself one of the more "high speed" personnel in my current unit and I'm hoping to fill in an NCO slot as soon as possible. Would moving to a non-Chem unit hurt my chances of promotion?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Nov 16 at 2018 9:53 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 09:53:21 -0500

"But would that be beneficial for my Reserve Career?"
The most important questions here are 'what do you want out of your reserve career? What are your goals?'

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 12:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 12:34:31 -0500

Another consideration is upward mobility. How many slots are available that promote to the rank you want to attain? Have you ever considered reclassifying? CBRN is such a small field and promoting can become difficult after a certain time. Trust me, I know because I was CBRN back in the day.

That said, explore your options. Visit the units local to you and introduce yourself. Open a dialogue with them and talk about what's available. Also open a line of communication with your local career counselor.

Most importantly, understand the terms of your current contract. If you received an initial enlistment bonus, you may have to pay any unearned portion back. In certain cases, you will pay it all back if you decide to ditch 74D and reclass to something else.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 2:44 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 14:44:43 -0500

Working in a non chemical unit won't hurt your ability to get promoted. The bigger factor once you put in your packet, is your Drill radius. If you have a small (50 mile) radius, then the amount of Chemical E5 slots become less and then become more competitive.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 8:17 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 20:17:26 -0500

How many SGT slots are in those units 5 minutes from your house? Number of SSG slots in those units? Fewer slots may mean less opportunity for promotion.
If you're planning on remaining a 74D, my recommendation is to remain in the Chem unit until you have made SSG and have completed no less than 2 rated periods as a Sqd Ldr. At that point you may want staff time, but you would also want to consider whether any PSG positions would be coming available. Of course that is years down the road, but you should be planning 2 ranks ahead.
My experience was active duty, and if you got in a Chem unit you dropped anchor as long as you could.
Of course, this is if you intend to remain a 74D.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 17 at 2018 5:16 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 05:16:38 -0500

Get your college degree and apply for OCS.

Response by SPC K Webb made Nov 17 at 2018 8:14 AM

SPC K Webb — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 08:14:59 -0500

If they have 74D slots, I'd assume they are for the NBC NCO, aren't they? If so, then maybe you don't get promoted immediately on joining the unit, but if you're in the slot, prove your worth and get the promotion in short order.

Getting that shot, as SSG Madden says, may not be what you want to do. I'd rather be with an engineer unit than civil affairs, but that's just me.