51C Information

What is a 51C?

Acquisitions. I believe that it used to be an ASI in the 92 series, maybe you can chime in on that one 51C. Where can 51C soldiers get stationed? Are the 51C's the soldiers that can authorize 10 mil on a signature? From the outside looking in thats what is seems like, can't confirm the accuracy though.

51C technically is an Acquistions, Logistics, and Technology NCO.

The stationing system is modeled slightly off of the SF model where there are individual teams as opposed to a traditional unit. The CCT (Contigency Contracting Team) consists of a MAJ, CPT, SFC, and SSG while a SCCT (Senior team) consists of a LTC, MAJ, MSG, SFC. There is a CCT associated with just about every installation Army-wide and usually at least a SCCT with every division.

While we provide support to units, we actually are actually a part of AMC (Army Material Command) under ACC (Army Contracting Command) and further under ECC (Expeditionay Contracting Command) commanded by BG Camille Nichols and CSM John Murray.

As Corvette1140 stated, the MOS used to be filled by Supply individuals who would typically do the job for 2-3 years, then cycle back into the regular, however due to regulatory guidance, and ever-changing acquisition laws, this was not working. The MOS was formed to train individuals, and keep them in the job.

Usually in a garrison enviroment we work out of a DOC (Directorate of Contracting) providing base support for commericial items and services to the organizations on that installation for any item that is outside of the supply chain. This is not a job for individuals who can not work for, possibly get rated by, or possibly supervise civilians in the same field.

While deployed either to theatre or a contigency operation, we perform the same functions. Pretty much if you were in Iraq/Afghan and needed something that was outside the DOD supply chain, either a 51C NCO or a 51C officer did the market research, competed to obtain best value, and procured the item.

On a contingency basis (think Hurricane Katrina disaster relief) we are the first people in and provide all life support function (i.e contract water, shelter, food, transportation). Once it is established, we move to a sustainment phase and eventually work on getting people out.

Upon certification, yes Soldiers are warranted Contracting Officers of the United States and can sign contracts up to their warrant obligating government funds.

The MOS does REQUIRE a bachelors degree within three years of ascession into the MOS. It is also the only MOS I believe with a degree completion program for both the bachelor and master degree levels, this is usually reserved for officers.

Projected end-strength for NCOs is I believe around 350 active Army-wide. Training for the MOS is either conducted at Lackland AFB (small chance) or at the ALMC campus at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. It is a graduate level course and is definetly not your typical military course. It is attended by senior CPT/junior MAJ who swap over to the Acquisition cmf and also by DA civilians. It is considered BNCOC equivalent. The intermediate course is conducted in Huntsville also and is ANCOC equivalent.

Sounds like it has about the same washout rate as Career Counselors. It's a really awesome MOS with excellent opportunity for advancement. 51C what was your feeder MOS into 51C? Did you find that people that weren't associated with 92 series before had an unusually hard time at the school?

I was a 63T/M for the first seven years (Bradley mechanic) and a 88M for the following two years before I swapped over. While I admit the job isn't for everyone, if you don't a) mind dealing with a lot of people outside the Army, b) can deal with numbers and the responsibility that comes with dealing huge amounts of money , then most people will be able to adapt into the job.

It is NOT a job though where someone can come in and expect to sham or have someone else pick up the slack.

Alot of good information, 51C! Thanks for sharing the knowledge about the Army newest MOS.

Well, it was your website that I originally saw it on, and 4 days later my packet was accepted at HRC. Hands-down best military decision I've ever made.

I'm glad to see my website and the system really works.

Thanks for paying it forward and being the recruiting tool for your new MOS.

Interesting MILPER, shows how much they are trying to recruit people..
---
MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER : 09-113
AHRC-EPF-R
SPECIAL MOS ALIGNMENT PROMOTION PROGRAM (SMAPP)

2. THE SPECIAL MOS ALIGNMENT PROMOTION PROGRAM (SMAPP) IDENTIFIES SPECIFIC CRITICAL SKILL MOS SOLDIERS MAY RECLASSIFY INTO TO SATISFY ARMY READINESS REQUIREMENTS. SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEER FOR RECLASSIFICATION INTO ONE OF THE PROGRAM’S DESIGNATED MOS WILL BE PROMOTED EFFECTIVE THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH FOLLOWING COURSE GRADUATION AND AWARD OF THE NEW MOS. THIS MESSAGE WILL BE CITED AS THE AUTHORITY FOR PROMOTION IN THE PROMOTION ORDER.

3. ALL SOLDIERS SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR ENTRY INTO THE SMAPP:

A. DO NOT HAVE TO BE PROMOTABLE, BUT THEY MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROMOTION TO THE NEXT HIGHER RANK INCLUDING NCOES TRAINING AND MINIMUM TIME IN SERVICE AND TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENTS.

...

B. FOR PROMOTION TO STAFF SERGEANT: MOS 51C, ACQUISITION, LOGISTICS, AND TECHNOLOGY CONTRACTING NCO:

(1) MUST BE A SERGEANT; UPON GRADUATION AND AWARD OF THE MOS, SOLDIERS WILL BE PROMOTED TO STAFF SERGEANT.

(2) THE 51C COURSE IS APPROVED AS THE BNCOC EQUIVALENT FOR THE MOS. SOLDIERS REQUIRING BNCOC CREDIT WHEN SELECTED FOR RECLASSIFICATION ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE TRADOC COMMON CORE TRAINING PRIOR TO ATTENDING 51C RECLASSIFICATION TRAINING.

(3) INFORMATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR RECLASSIFICATION INTO MOS 51C CAN BE FOUND AT HTTP://ASC.ARMY.MIL/CAREER/APPLICATIONS.CFM. UPON APPROVAL, SOLDIERS MUST PROVIDE THE APPROVAL MEMORANDUM TO THEIR SERVICING CAREER COUNSELOR TO OBTAIN A RECLASSIFICATION CONTROL NUMBER (RCN). RECLASSIFICATION IS NOT COMPLETE UNTIL THE RCN IS ISSUED BY HRC-ALEXANDRIA.

(4) SOLDIERS INCUR A 60 MONTH SRR UPON GRADUATION AND AWARD OF THE MOS. UPON APPROVAL OF REQUEST FOR RECLASSIFICATION, SOLDIERS MUST TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION (REENLIST OR EXTEND) PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FOR TRAINING.

5. SOLDIERS WHO FAIL TO COMPLETE TRAINING AS SCHEDULED OR BECOME DISQUALIFIED FOR AWARD OF THE NEW MOS OR PROMOTION AFTER ACCEPTANCE INTO THE SMAPP, WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PROGRAM.

Hey, thanks for the information. I'm looking into this.

Questions:
Time between deployments, how many deployments you guys got? 1 yr every 2 yrs or so?

Time for school: Is college encouraged during the duty day etc to get the degree completed? Is there a requirement to what degree I want to complete?

If a person is accepted into the MOS and reclassified, are they still able to put in a packet for say Green to Gold or the AMEDD Nurse Program later on?

Thanks SFC.

I am very much interested in this. I re enlisted a few months ago. Looking back I wish I would have re classed to this. I think I would have been perfect for this job. Its very similar to what i did in the Marines. And some what similar to what I do in the Army. My question is do I have to wait until I am eligible to re-up again in order to re class to this ? I imagine so but just wanted to be sure. I was going to stop by the Material command and ask a few questions since I am here on Belvoir. But that wont be necessary since you are posting all of the info.

quote:

Originally posted by DevilDog 2Soldier:
I am very much interested in this. I re enlisted a few months ago. Looking back I wish I would have re classed to this. I think I would have been perfect for this job. Its very similar to what i did in the Marines. And some what similar to what I do in the Army. My question is do I have to wait until I am eligible to re-up again in order to re class to this ? I imagine so but just wanted to be sure. I was going to stop by the Material command and ask a few questions since I am here on Belvoir. But that wont be necessary since you are posting all of the info.

This action is considered a voluntary re-classification and does not require a re-enlistment to obtain. The only re-enlistment actions involved are a) has to go through you local Career counselor to get counseled on the applicable portions b) have to have at least 60 months remaining after award of the MOS.

quote:

Originally posted by pyroandbozzt:
Hey, thanks for the information. I'm looking into this.

Questions:
Time between deployments, how many deployments you guys got? 1 yr every 2 yrs or so?

Typically the plan is upon reclassification and assignment to your first unit, they try to stabilize you for at least one year with no major deployment (i.e Iraq/Afghan). This isn't to say that you won't go TDY to a short term assignment like NTC, etc. Assignments to Iraq/Afghan are 1 year.

quote:

Time for school: Is college encouraged during the duty day etc to get the degree completed? Is there a requirement to what degree I want to complete?

Both of two BNs I have been in give ample time during the day to do school work. For example, during the last semester I completed three classes and I did the majority of the work during the day.

quote:

If a person is accepted into the MOS and reclassified, are they still able to put in a packet for say Green to Gold or the AMEDD Nurse Program later on?

There is a 60 month SRR for the program. I am not familiar with anyone trying to get out of it.



Thanks SFC.[/QUOTE]

quote:

Originally posted by pyroandbozzt:
Time for school: Is college encouraged during the duty day etc to get the degree completed? Is there a requirement to what degree I want to complete?

Are you asking if you can do college instead of the job you're getting paif for?

quote:

Originally posted by DevilDog 2Soldier:
My question is do I have to wait until I am eligible to re-up again in order to re class to this ?

Like 51C stated, you can submit a voluntary reclasification after you've been approved by the 51C branch.

You will most likely reenlist for 6 years to meet the 60 month service remaining requirement; this will occur before you go to school.

quote:

Originally posted by ArmyReenlistment:

quote:

Originally posted by DevilDog 2Soldier:
My question is do I have to wait until I am eligible to re-up again in order to re class to this ?

Like 51C stated, you can submit a voluntary reclasification after you've been approved by the 51C branch.

You will most likely reenlist for 6 years to meet the 60 month service remaining requirement; this will occur before you go to school.

I will go see my local Career counselor. But I doubt if they are going to let me out of "Old guard" anytime soon but I can still see about it...thanks for the info.

When did you get to the Old Guard? Isn't that a 36-month committment?

Sorry I had a brain fart. Yes it is a 36 month commitment. By the time I get done with this assignment I will have more then 10 yrs active federal service. It was a nice thought but I guess it isn't happening. Thanks for the info.

quote:

Originally posted by DevilDog 2Soldier:
Sorry I had a brain fart. Yes it is a 36 month commitment. By the time I get done with this assignment I will have more then 10 yrs active federal service. It was a nice thought but I guess it isn't happening. Thanks for the info.

They will accept TIS waivers up to 14 years I believe.

While they will entertain TIS waivers, what is the likelihood that they will be approved? Did you personally know anyone above the 10 yr mark that made the cut? I really feel I am cut out for the MOS, but I have some great things lined up with Respiratory Therapy. I go to school for it in a year and my obligation is finished at roughly 14 yrs TIS. My only concern w/ it is SLOW promo. Where if I run into a brick wall I will go 35L, 51C or AMEDD.

quote:

Originally posted by Corvette1140:
While they will entertain TIS waivers, what is the likelihood that they will be approved? Did you personally know anyone above the 10 yr mark that made the cut? I really feel I am cut out for the MOS, but I have some great things lined up with Respiratory Therapy. I go to school for it in a year and my obligation is finished at roughly 14 yrs TIS. My only concern w/ it is SLOW promo. Where if I run into a brick wall I will go 35L, 51C or AMEDD.

When I went through school, out of 12 NCOS present for training, only two of us had under 10 years. The highest I saw was an individual with 16 years. I have a Soldier reporting to me next month with 13 years, so I know for a fact that they are still taking TIS waivers.

Good to know thanks

I am in the course right now being given in D.C., then Huntsville. It is alot of information to retain and alot of responsibility, but it is worth it because of the opportunities available while enlisted and after retirement I think. SGM Jones, the head enlisted 51C, told us they are looking to reclass alot of NCOs within the next two years.
He wants us to tell NCOs about the MOS. If anyone needs the powerpoint slide, send me a text.

Wait until you get to Huntsville for the course down here. First time I've seen people literally crying because of the course work. It is by far the hardest class I've ever had to take. But on a good note, it is designed to help you pass, just like Jae_3 said, it is a huge amount of information over a 9 week period.

Huge opportunities both in and after retirement though.

Sweet Jesus it sounds hard as hell. What would be a good source of info before a person went to the course, like a textbook, AR, or FM? What happens if a person washes out of the course? Do they get one more shot at the class (kind of like a recycle) or do they become needs of the Army and involuntary reclassed? Or do they just go back to their last MOS?

quote:

Originally posted by Corvette1140:
Sweet Jesus it sounds hard as hell. What would be a good source of info before a person went to the course, like a textbook, AR, or FM? What happens if a person washes out of the course? Do they get one more shot at the class (kind of like a recycle) or do they become needs of the Army and involuntary reclassed? Or do they just go back to their last MOS?

There really isn't anything you can study as the course isn't taught to an "Army" standard. It is based off of DAU (Defense Aquisition University) which is a federal standard that all aquistion personnel must adhere by as far as training requirements. This includes Program Management, Test and Development, Software Acquisition personnel etc.

There are courses through DAU that you can take that will cover the material taught in the course, but it won't give you any edge in the class.

While the class is difficult, the way it is graded it is hard to fail out of. I know of only one individual who has failed out in the past year. I'm not sure what happened to him.

You can do extremely poor in the individual exercises, but typically it the groupwork that will carry you through. My group for example, was myself, a SSG, MAJ, CPT, and a DA civilian. We spent a lot of time together over the 8-9 weeks.

The only thing that would concern me would be what would happen if I did not make the cut. Would I be needs of the Army or could there be a second chance?

www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/Docs/ctrrestofus.pdf

This document can provide a basic understanding of what contracting NCOs will do, but it isn't Army specific.

What duty stations are 51C used at?

quote:

Originally posted by Jae_3:
www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/Docs/ctrrestofus.pdf

This document can provide a basic understanding of what contracting NCOs will do, but it isn't Army specific.

While somewhat accurate, this is more oriented towards to the program management and requirements developer (i.e tradoc) side of the house as opposed to the contracting NCO.

quote:

Originally posted by 68X Lumpy:
What duty stations are 51C used at?

While the official stationing plan for the MOS is FOUO, if there was someplace in particular you were asking about or close to, I could answer that. I wouldn't feel comfortable posting a list of the duty stations and units on a public site.

Would you be able to email me to my AKO? It's paul.lomparski@ako.

I am considering 51C as it appears there's a lot of "networking" involved. Looking at possibly TX or WA area.

Could you email me any information as well at darren.terry.freeman@us.army.mil

Thanks.

I have a meeting on Tuesday with the Expeditionary Contracting Command CSM. If anyone has any specific questions they want brought up or a RFI, I will bring it up and try to get back with you.

New MILPER posted today about this..

----

Milper Message Number
09-141


Proponent
AHRC-EPF-M



Title
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SOLDIERS REQUESTING RECLASSIFICATION INTO MOS 51C



...Issued: [17 Jun 09]...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------






1. MILPER MESSAGE 07-211, AHRC-EPF-M, ANNOUNCEMENT OF SOLDIERS REQUESTING RECLASSIFICATION TO MOS 51C, IS RESCINDED EFFECTIVE ON THE ISSUE DATE OF THIS MESSAGE.


2. REFERENCE:

A. AR 600-8-19, ENLISTED PROMOTIONS AND REDUCTIONS.

B. AR 601-280, ARMY RETENTION PROGRAM.

C. AR 614-200, ENLISTED ASSIGNMENTS AND UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT.

D. DA PAM 351-4, US ARMY FORMAL SCHOOLS CATALOG.

E. DA PAM 611-21, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION AND STRUCTURE.

F. MILPER MESSAGE 09-113, SPECIAL MOS ALIGNMENT PROMOTION PROGRAM (SMAPP).


3. AS THE ARMY CONTINUES TO TRANSFORM AND SUPPORT THE OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS, IT IS CRITICAL THAT OUR SOLDIERS SERVE IN CRITICAL SKILLS.


4. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMAND – ALEXANDRIA (HRC-A) IS ACCEPTING VOLUNTEER RECLASSIFICATION REQUESTS FOR MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALITY (MOS) 51C – ACQUISITION, LOGISTICS, AND TECHNOLOGY CONTRACTING NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER FROM SGT (WHO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR PROMOTION TO SSG) THROUGH SFC.


5. IAW AR 600-8-19, PARAGRAPH 3-6E, AND THE CURRENT SMAPP MILPER MESSAGE, UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF 51C RECLASSIFICATION TRAINING, SOLDIERS IN THE RANKS OF SGT AND SGT(P) WILL BE PROMOTED TO STAFF SERGEANT AND RECEIVE BNCOC CREDIT, IF REQUIRED. THOSE SOLDIERS WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED BNCOC MUST CONTACT THEIR UNIT TRAINING NCO TO ENROLL IN THE FORSCOM DISTANCE LEARNING COMMON CORE TRAINING PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THEIR RECLASSIFICATION REQUEST.


6. SOLDIERS APPROVED FOR RECLASSIFICATION INCUR A 60 MONTH SERVICE REMAINING REQUIREMENT AND ARE REQUIRED TO REENLIST/EXTEND PRIOR TO ATTENDING TRAINING.


7. RECLASSIFICATION REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA CERTIFIED MAIL TO USAASC, ATTN: 51C PROPONENT, BLDG 201, 9900 BELVOIR ROAD, FORT BELVOIR, VA 22060. PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION, CONTACT THE PROPONENT AT 703.805.2732 (DSN: 655.2732) TO ENSURE COMPLETENESS AND COMPLIANCE WITH RECLASSIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS.


8. COMMANDERS, CAREER COUNSELORS, SUPERVISORS, AND SOLDIERS SHOULD VISIT THE US ARMY ACQUISITION SUPPORT CENTER WEBSITE AT HTTP://ASC.ARMY.MIL/CAREER/PROGRAMS/NCO/DEFAULT.CFM FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PREREQUISITES, QUALIFICATIONS, AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR REQUESTING RECLASSIFICATION INTO MOS 51C. TIME IN SERVICE WAIVERS ARE ACCEPTED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS; HOWEVER, THE GT SCORE REQUIREMENT OF 110 IS NONWAIVERABLE.


9. SOLDIERS INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING A REQUEST FOR MOS 51C SHOULD CONTACT THEIR LOCAL CAREER COUNSELOR TO DETERMINE THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR RECLASSIFICATION AND FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.


10. POC THIS MESSAGE IS SFC SOU J. LESTER, HRC 51C PDNCO, EMAIL: SOU.J.LESTER@US.ARMY.MIL.

My question is, i want more info on this MOS..My ETS is 2012, now i really want to do this, do I need a college degree? or college credits to be accepted into this MOS? I am confused on this. Also, is there someone that i could talk to, to get accurate information on this at all? I am 35F right now in secondary zone, do i also have to wait until i complete WLC? or can i just submit a package in...I am previous Navy just got back in last august and i wished they would have offered this job to me then....Will i still be able to move around or be stuck in one place pretty much the rest of my career? thank you for your time...

The MOS has a 5 year commitment, upon completion of training and award of the MOS, you are required to either extend or re-enlist to meet this requirement. As WLC is a requirement to be promoted to SSG, I would think you would need to have the class completed. If you have not completed BNCOC, you must complete phase 1 prior to attending reclassification training as stated above in the MILPER.

You are not required to have a college degree to reclass, however you are required to be DAWIA level II certified in contracting within 3 years of MOS award. Level II certification requires a Bachelor's degree with at least 24 hours in a business related field.

This job is not open to individuals who are enlisting through a recruiter.

You will PCS as normal. The majority of the tour lengths are three years and you can be assigned to just about any installation that the Army offers to include Arsenals (i.e Redstone, Pictanny), White Sands, Warren, Mi (TACOM) etc.

If you have any other specific questions, please either post here or PM me and I can give you a call to answer any questions.

Thanks for all the good info for 51C in this topic.

Couple of questions (with bunch-in questions):
a) I got accepted to voluntarily reclass to 51C yesterday (Yayy!). Where is the AIT equivalent held at? How long?

b) I'm currently deployed (for the Nth time) and I'm trying to figure out if I'll get deployed for the Xth time as soon as I finish school. Where are the fresh graduates being sent right now? 51C, do you mind sending me the list where AL&T NCOs are getting stationed? (email: jose(dot)santamaria(at)ako) Thanks!

I'll probably have more questions sometime.

After further reading, I think this answers my first question.

After selection, Active Duty NCOs will attend the US Air Force Contracting Academy,
Mission Airmen Ready Contract Apprentice Course (51C Reclassification Training/BNCOC -
equivalents), Lackland AFB, TX , 8 weeks in a TDY en-route status to their first initial
contracting assignment.

Source: http://asc.army.mil/career/pro...nco/nco_training.cfm