First, thank you to the Army Career Counselor on this Discussion Forum, who has responded to my previous questions.

I am an 88N and was thinking of reclassing to become either a 79V Retention and Transition NCO or possibly something in Human Resources. I am a SPC, non promotable, deployed, and transferred from the reserves to active duty last summer. I was told to wait before getting promoted until after I reenlist because its easier as a SPC than a SGT. Can you tell me more about the 79V mos and what "a day in the life of a 79V" would be like, since I may not have the opportunity to "shadow" someone in this field. I want to reenlist but also reclass and would like to know before I choose a new MOS because whatever I choose is what I'm hoping to retire as. Thank You. All Suggestions Appreciated.

79V, Retention and Transition NCO (Army Reserve)

Major Duties. The Army Reserve Retention and transition NCOs (RTNCO) directly impact the U.S. Army Reserve end strength objective by retaining Soldiers. This vital element (end strength) is accomplished by counseling non-participating Troop Program Unit (TPU) Soldiers encouraging participation, referring and leading qualified TPU Soldiers to become warrant officers, Active Guard Reserve (AGR) recruiters (in the TPU) or officers. The RTNCO is an essential part of the unit commander unofficial special staff. RTNCOs provide key information, such as advice on unit strength, issues affecting attrition, transfers into the TPU or Individual Augmentee (IA) unit and recommendations for managing retention and transition support activities.

79V3O. Interviews, counsels and qualifies Soldiers for transfer, reenlistment, extension, and warrant officer; explain benefits and incentives. Prepare reenlistment, extension, transfer, warrant officer forms and documents. Provide career and transition assistance to the Soldiers of the Army Reserve. Conduct professional development programs. Serve as commander’s primary agent for retention, transition, and warrant officer activities.

Your current MOS (88N) is understrength and unless you are an initial term Soldier, you cannot get Option 3, Army Training Reenlistment Option.

If you are an initial term Soldier, you may be offered 42A, Human Resources Specialist because they are currently on the Priority MOS List.

42A always has very high cut-off scores for E5 and E6, so you know.

In order to become a 79V, you will need to complete your term with the Active Army and then transfer to the Army Reserve (79V is a reserve only MOS)
We generally require anyone wanting to be an ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counselor) to be at least E5 with WLC completed.

A day in the life of a V depends on what day it is. It's a different job every time I wake up. Much of the AGR 79V's job revolves around the IRR transfer mission. I'll make phone calls, schedule appointments, drive anywhere to 200 miles (haven't had one further yet) to talk to a soldier and convince them to join a reserve unit. That mission is like selling ice to Eskimos.

Between drills I process reenlistments, request bonus control numbers, and perform my additional duties. I'll also work with soldiers preparing to reenlist and help them correct any disqualifications. I'll work with soldiers applying for direct commission, warrant officer, or AGR positions.

Prior to drill, I compile a list of soldiers due for counseling. I distribute the lists by e-mail and post them as required. I make additional copies for the commanders, 1SG. I pre-print 4856s for the commander's retention interviews and the first line leader interviews because that helps to ensure it gets done.

During drill I sit in on the staff meeting and contribute if they ask and if I have anything to say. My units are pretty good about sending their soldiers to me for interviews so I don't have to spend too much time hunting them down. The rest of the time, I walk around the unit and talk to people. 90% of the 79V's job is bullshitting with the troops. As I talk to them I look for retention barriers, advise them of benefits, recommend career options, and mentor when applicable. Some times I might give a class to the unit or talk to the FRG.
One of my favorite analogies is that a sergeant is like a mother; on that theme the career counselor is something like a social worker.

If you wanted to try 79R, that could be arranged too.

Thank you all for your input. It has been very helpful.
However, I meant to say 79S instead of 79V. I am due to go to the promotion board in a couple of months and was told that if I get promoted before reclassing, I may not be able to get the job i want let alone reclass. So, since I am currently deployed, would it help if I just went ahead and reenlist (I am an initial term soldier) as a SPC/non promotable, and then go ahead to the board that way my contract will already be in place and I wouldnt have to worry about being ineligible to reclassify. Thank you.

If you want to reclass to 79S, Career Counselor, you must meet the following criteria:

(1) Be a citizen of the United States.
(2) Be a high school diploma graduate or have had one year of college.
(3) Possess a minimum GT score of 110, waivable to 100 with a ST score of 100, by CDR, HRC.
(4) Be at least 21 years old.
(5) Be a SGT(P) or SSG.
(6) Be a BNCOC graduate. Actual attendance to the Career Counselor Course is contingent upon completion of BNCOC.
(7) SGT(P) with no more than 10 years time in service. SSG with no more than 12 years time in service and no more than 2 years time in grade at date of application.
(8) Be serving on a second or subsequent term of service.
(9) Be serving as a Retention NCO at company or higher level for a minimum of 6 months, and be recommended by a LTC or higher commander and the first PMOS 79S SGM in command chain, if applicable.
(10) Have completed 1 year of service since reclassification per AR 600-200.
(11) Meet the height and weight standards of AR 600-9.
(12) Meet the minimum physical profile of 132221.
(13) Have no history of lost or bad time on current enlistment or in the past 3 years, whichever is longer (no waiver).
(14) Have no history of drug or alcohol dependency intervention program of any type.
(15) Not be pregnant at time of selection or prior to attendance at the Army Retention NCO Course.
(16) Have no marital, emotional, or major medical problems (to include immediate family members) that would hamper performance as a Career Counselor. (Every effort will be made to assign sponsors enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) to a military installation where definitive medical care is available. This is not, however, a guarantee).
(17) If serving on a dependent restricted tour, waive home base or advanced assignment.
(18) If serving on an enlistment/reenlistment contract, for which a Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) was paid, agree to voluntary recoupment as required by this regulation.
(19) Prior completion of, or scheduled to attend the Mobile Retention Training
Team (MRTT) or Subcourse RR003. Actual attendance to the Career Counselor Course is
contingent upon completion of MRTT or Subcourse.
(20) Soldiers will be required to have 36 months time-in-service remaining upon successful completion of the Career Counselor Course prior to reporting for course attendance.
(21) Prior to arrival, all Soldiers attending the Basic Career Counselor Course must complete the following Army Computer Based Training (CBT)/Smart Force Courses: Any one of the Microsoft Word courses, Any one of the Microsoft Excel courses, Any one of the Microsoft Power Point courses, and One course of their choice.

RECOMMENDATION:
Before you submit a packet for 79S, Career Counselor, talk with numerous actual Career Counselors to see what you're getting into. This is not just a job; you're charged with taking care of hundreds and even thousands of Soldiers' careers.

Is the time is service requirement at all waivable? I had considered looking into 79S after completing my reserve contract (I will have 14 years).

Much of the criteria is waiverable.

We recently had a SFC attend the Basic Career Counselor Course with 14 years in service.

Also, SSGs are understrength according to the In/Out Calls.

If your on assignment instructions can you try to reclass?

No.

hey if u are reclassing in or out of the trans feild make sure that u like your new choise better than the one the u all ready have or u might as well stay where u are at talk to people in the field ask question don't just reclass because u c a big bounus the money don't last forever

Wow, try to use some puncuation in your posts; it'll make it much easier to read.

quote:

Originally posted by bburg:
hey if u are reclassing in or out of the trans feild make sure that u like your new choise better than the one the u all ready have or u might as well stay where u are at talk to people in the field ask question don't just reclass because u c a big bounus the money don't last forever

Future Army writing style