Expert: James Bell - 5/6/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hey James! I have been in a little over 9 years and just retrained into 1n0x1 career field. I was a prior 2w1x1. I volunteered to retraining for something new and exciting. I realize now that I hate my new job. I Wanted to know what my options are? Can I go back to my old job? Or do I have to retrain again. I love the military and I just feel that I may need something more fast paced like my old job? Thanks

ANSWER: Dave -

Any time you retrain into a new career field that involves formal training, you incur an Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC): An amount of time you must serve in the new careerfield so the military can recoup the cost of your training.  Depending on the intensity of the training, it could be two to three years.  This is paperwork you should be aware of, as it is a part of the retraining information that is mandatory that you are briefed on and must agree to and sign paperwork to that affect.

Once you have completed your ADSC, you are able to retrain into another job, either back into your old job or into a new field, but the need in the field you are going into must be greater than the field you are currently in.  It wouldn't make sense to leave a field that is short and critically manned to go into a field that is flush with people.

So, in essence to quote an Indiana Jones movie ... choose wisely.

Good luck.

Sincerely,
James Bell


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: James I don't think I ever had to sign this paper you are speaking of? How would I know? Also can I retrain into another career field? Or do I have to do this for 11 more years?

Answer
Your personnel file at the MPF should have all your retraining paperwork, along with any ADSC requirememts.  If you don't have a requirement to meet, then you should be able to retrain.  Also realize that any retraining that may require a PCS also has minimum Time on Station requirements.  I believe that is 24 months.

No, you can't be made to stay in a particular career field for the remainder of your career.  I do believe that after a certain point you would be up against your High Year Tenure, but you wouldn't see that until you are over the 16 year mark.

I would check with the MPF when you check on your ADSC paperwork, and speak with a career service advisor.  They should be able to give you the most up to date information on what options you have open to you.

Again, good luck.

Sincerely,
James