I recently reenlisted for six years as a 35S. Not too long ago, I recieved an email from the Civil Affairs recruiter asking me if I was interested in switching my MOS. 38B is a crtical skill and I was told that I could reclass regardless of the in/out calls, but I read the volunteer statement and it says that any "unearned" portion of your SRB must be repaid if reclassed. Technically the SRB for 38B is more than it was for 35S.

How does this work? Do I still have to repay my bonus even if I still serve my remaining time in this enlistment, or am I allowed to keep it since I am transferring to a critical skill MOS?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hey. what is your rank? I know the promo pts for E6 in maxed to SSG as 35S and also for 38B. So consider that when thinking about reclassing. I wouldnt think you would have to repay since you are still active duty and you are still serving the time you reenlisted for.

I'm not too worried about the points. I want to do it for the job. I haven't done anything worthwhile in this MOS, and its not for lack of trying. It's time for a career change. I'm an E-5, but this CA BDE is brand new and its still growing. Their points were actually really low a year ago. So I wouldn't be too concerened about the points right now! Just a natural fluctuation.

Hey trust me I understand. Im trying to do the same. How do your asvab scores look? Have you considering staying MI? How long you been in?

My ASVAB scores are golden. Not to sound cocky or anything but my AQFT was a 93, and my GT was 131...(took the damn thing 5 times)! So i know I'm qualified. MI has been the worst decision of my life. I really want to be around the SOF community. I've talked to a lot of people in that environment and they say that its the way to go, but I want to make sure I can handle the financial hit if I do.

Here is a question for you then....Why not try out for selection?

I'm considering that, but at this point, I know I'm not physically ready for the demands of SFAS. Also, I haven't really sat down and talked to my wife about that decision. Every SF soldier I've talked to sad your spouse has to fully support you in that or your marriage is doomed to failure. So, that's a topic for a different day.

The big Army runs SLOW. What I am trying to tell you is that by the time you actually go through all of the leg work and you have orders sending you to selection, then if you aren't ready in that (almost 6 months) time....then guess what ....you will NEVER be ready. Catch my drift?

For the record Civil Affairs deploys quite frequently as well. I would just go all the way instead of playing just the tip.

Last time I talked to an SF recruiter he had a selection date ready just three weeks later...ITs the SFQC that takes a whike to get...NOT SELECTION! Civil Affairs does deploy frequency, but SF soldiers are also TDY more often when they are stateside than CA people are. Trust me I've done my homework, but the question still is.....What about the BONUS!?! Sorry if I got us off topic, but I still can't find the answer to my original question!

Out of curiosity when was the actual date of selection that was selected 3 weeks later?

I would COUNT on big army to miss paperwork, and your bonus to go under the radar.

Stack your dough in the meantime, but you smell what I am stepping in. It happens in Reserve to Active Duty transfers all the effing time.

A SF recruiter came to Fort Gordon in November of 08 and had a date for selection in Dec! The only thing holding people up was getting teir medical screening done and if they were physically ready. I think SFAS is more localy controlled by SF. Part of the application process is SFAS so its something that must be done before you can even be accepted. Guess that's why the dates come so quick?!

And, from what the CA recruiter told me, he has never seen DA ask for bonus money back, but that they do have the right to do so. It's one of those shoot and pray things! But thanks for the help everyone

You will be required to pay back the bonus money if you do a voluntary reclass to 38B. This is regulation guidance. You can only receive one bonus per zone. It can be determined by powers that be that you dont have to pay back your bonus, but dont hold your breath for this to happen.