What is a reasonable amount of time to get a response from the Unit Retention NCO in regards to trying to participate in the BEAR program. Does it normally (on average) take weeks or months to get a response from up higher?

Are you having face-to-face conversations, email or phone contact?

Provide me with some basic information (rank, MOS, BASD, and what MOS you want) and I'll give you guidance.

Thank you. I am currently stationed in Belgium and the parent unit is in Germany, so I am limited to mainly e-mail and phone contact. I am a SGT(P), 92A, with a BASD of 19950307. I am trying to reclass to 92Y. I am just trying to stay on top of the situation and ensure that the information is moving up, and not just sitting in someone's inbox. Again, thank you for any guidance.

You can participate in the BEAR Program because:

- Your MOS is balanced (N/N)
- 92Y is on the BEAR Program for PFC through SSG
- 92Y has a BEAR Program C Zone bonus

Ensure you meet the following qualifications so your process will be uneventful.

Unit supply specialists must posses the following qualifications:
(1) A physical demands rating of heavy.
(2) A physical profile of 222222.
(3) Qualifying scores.
(a) A minimum score of 95 in aptitude area CL in Armed Services Vocational aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests administered prior to 2 January 2002.
(b) A minimum score of 92 in aptitude area CL on ASVAB tests administered on and after 2 January 2002 and prior to 1 July 2004.
(c) A minimum score of 90 in aptitude area CL on ASVAB tests administered on and after 1 July 2004.
(4) Normal color vision.
(5) Mandatory formal training.
(6) No documented instances in the last 5 years of conduct which reflects adversely on the character, honesty, or integrity of the Soldier to include:
(a) No conviction by court martial or by any Federal or state court.
(b) No juvenile adjudication by state court.
(c) No punishment under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) caused by incidents that reflect adversely on the Soldiers integrity and lack of trust.
(d) No letter of reprimand, censure, or admonition under the provisions of AR 600-37, chapter 3.
(e) Voluntary confession after proper rights warning according to Article 31(b), UCMJ, or under applicable Federal or state law. Note:
Disqualification under this paragraph is waivable by a military review board.
(7) No other record of disciplinary action under UCMJ or pattern of behavior which indicates a lack of integrity or which is inconsistent with the 92Y position of trust.
(8) No conviction or other adverse disposition for criminal offenses listed as a misdemeanor or felony as outlined in AR 601-210, chapter 4. This criteria is not waivable.

Got it. Now, with all of those things checked out (with positive results), how long would it normally take for the Unit Retention NCO to receive a reply from higher?

If you're dealing with a Reenlistment NCO, it may take some time (they are part-timers).

If you are dealing with a Career Counselor, you should have your extension paperwork in about 2-3 days, MAX.

I've never had a problem getting someone a BEAR extension. These are one of the easiest parts of our jobs.

Thank you. That's what I was thinking about this situation.