Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/13/2009

Question
My husband is active duty army and has 2 years before his ETS date. He is wanting to change his mos but isn't sure how to go about it or if he even can. He is wanting to become a veterinary in the long run and wants to change his mos to a vet tech since it would be good experience. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Renee,
Changing his MOS is not easy but it can be done.  If you're still in IET, you must wait until you PCS, then go ask your Company Retention NCO.  Once he successfully completes the training requirements for the job he's in then he's eligible to change.  The reason you can't switch now is you haven't been trained in the job yet, so you obviously don't know from first-hand experience that you don't like it.  The needs of the Army always come first and they probably placed you according to your ASVAB scores plus where they need help.

The Retention NCO has received training, and has access to the regulations that can answer your question for sure.  Also, his Brigade or Division Re-enlistment office has Career Counselors who do this stuff all day long.  They have a list on what jobs are understrength and need people to fill slots.  If Animal Care Specialist is currently undermanned he may be in luck.  However, if his current MOS is also undermanned, he's screwed.

I assume he wants to be a 68T - Animal Care Specialist.  The requirements for this is an ASVAB Score of 95 in aptitude area ST (Skilled Technical), and a Physical Profile Requirement of 222221.  If he is successful he will be sent to Fort Sam Houston, TX for 11 weeks of training.

I hope he makes it.  My daughter is a certified vet tech and absolutely loves her job.  She had to go to school for 2 years at a college in TX, one of the few schools in the country that teach Vet Techs.)
Colonel H