Can anyone tell me if it is true that if you come back in, and the Army doesn't honor all or part of it's agreement to you within a year, you can get out? I served 3 years on active duty from 1987-1990, and came back into the Reserves in 2005. When I came back in, I was supposed to get a bonus, which didn't happen, but that's another topic. Anyway, I was a 29M on active duty, and came back in with a different commo MOS. After getting put back in the IRR, I found a rail unit at Ft. Sheridan and went in with them as an 88T, as my primary civilian job is a railroad signal maintainer. Anyway, to make a long story short, I've been with the unit for over a year now, haven't been awarded my MOS by civial aqcuired skills, can't get slotted for a school, and I'm still an E-3, with new, young soldiers in the unit going around me in rank. Some came in as E-2's after me and are already E-4's. I want to continuer serving, as I wouldn't have come back in now if that weren't the case, but I don't want to put in 17 more years as an E-3 and no chance of a future or advancement in the Army. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Only thing I can tell you is that if you meet all the requirements ie: pt, time in service and grade there hase to be something holding you back as SPC is usally pretty much automatic. Ask your first line supervisor what you need to do as a soldier to meet the requirements for promotion. You can use a 3355-r promotion points work sheet to help see where you are develpmentally. The main thing is to find out what your part is and do it then ask what is next.

Unable to promote due to non-DMOSQ. Tough one. Getting the MOS awarded through CIV skills is a difficult task. Have you put in the paperwork for it and if so where is the paperwork at?

Recently I had a prior service PFC get awarded 63B for CIV skills. It did take some time with all the right people pushing the issue.

Why can't they get you into a school? Funds? You have before you 3 options: transfer to a different unit who does have a slot for you, wait on the CIV skills packet (your SL and 1SG should be helping you push the issue, if not see option 1), or lastly reclass.

My advice would be to call periodically to check on the status of your CIV skills packet. If you have been waiting for more than 6 mos try the other two options. Hate to see the Army lose your valuable experience.

It seems you have the same problem I did comming from the Marines.

My unit kept me non-DMOSQ for a good 3 years even after completing the school, just by not requesting an award order for the MOS.

I ended up checking the UMR for vacancies and reclassed to 74D which allieved a lot of problems.

Also the Army can release you from your obligated service for being non-DMOSQ, but that option is hit or miss. They can discharge you under a general discharge for failing to obligate your contract regardless of fault.