A special program that features automatic promotions to sergeant and staff sergeant for qualified Regular Army soldiers who reclassify to high-priority specialties has an updated menu of options.
The career enhancing opportunities are available under the Special MOS Alignment Promotion Program that was updated June 9.
Despite the drawdown, and an overall slowing of promotions, SMAPP soldiers are promoted to sergeant or staff sergeant one day following successful completion of reclassification training.
However, there is one big catch — most SMAPP jobs have rigorous eligibility criteria, and require applicants to be cleared by the specialty's proponent organization, such as a service school or branch center.
Many of these "by application" MOSs require top-tier scores on military vocational tests, and a trouble-free background for security screening.
Soldiers who apply for the special program must be endorsed by their first lieutenant colonel-level commander, and be fully eligible for re-enlistment, retraining and voluntary reclassification.
Most of the soldiers applying for these priority MOSs can do so without regard to the in/out calls for their current specialty.
While soldiers do not need to be in promotable status, they must meet time-in-service and time-in-grade requirements for advancement to the next higher grade.
For specific criteria and application procedures, soldiers should contact their local career counselor.
Specialties included in the June 9 update to SMAPP are:
Promotion to sergeant
MOS 31D, Criminal Investigation Command (CID) special agent, a military police specialty for soldiers who investigate criminal allegations and offenses against the Army, including felony-level crimes, espionage, treason and terrorism.
Some of the skills taught in the 15-week training course include civil and military laws, investigation procedures, crime scene processing and providing testimonial evidence.
MOS 35L, counterintelligence agent, a military intelligence specialty for soldiers who conduct, or assist in conducting, counterintelligence surveys and investigations to detect, identify, assess, counter, exploit and neutralize threats to the Army and national security.
Soldiers must be eligible for a top secret security clearance, and must complete 35L training and a 12-month probationary period. Also, soldiers must re-enlist or extend to meet the 16-month service-remaining requirement incurred upon graduate and award of the MOS.
Applications must be processed through a soldier's local military intelligence office before being submitted to the Human Resources Command.
MOS 29E, electronic warfare specialist, a high-tech specialty for soldiers who use electromagnetic energy to determine, exploit, reduce or prevent hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Applicants must meet security eligibility for a secret clearance and then qualify to receive a top secret clearance with access to sensitive compartmented information.
MOS 12P, prime power production specialist, an engineer MOS for soldiers who work with power generation and distribution systems for theater commanders.
Applicants must have a GT score of 110 or higher, Tech and Elec scores of 107, completion of high school algebra and a score of 70 percent or higher on the Basic Math and Science Test.
For detailed information about the application criteria, access www.usace.army.mil/primepowerschool.
Promotion to staff sergeant
MOS 51C, acquisition, logistics and technology contracting NCO, a specialty for soldiers who provide operational and contingency contracting support to deployed forces and Defense Department agencies.
Sergeants applying for this Army Acquisition Corps specialty must have a GT score of 110 or higher. Soldiers requiring Advanced Leader Course credit for reclassification must complete Structured Self-Development 2 or the ALC common core course before attending 51C training. The 51C course is the ALC equivalent for this MOS.
Soldiers selected for the 51C SMAPP promotion must re-enlist or extend to meet the 60-month service-remaining requirement for the MOS.
MOS 25D, cyber network defender, a signal MOS being transitioned to the new Cyber branch. For detailed information, access https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/838.
Soldiers must be conditionally accepted by the Signal Center of Excellence before taking the 25D in-service screening test. Soldiers approved for a SMAPP promotion must re-enlist or extend for 36 months following MOS training.
MOS 25E, electromagnetic spectrum manager, a signal MOS for soldiers who develop, produce and distribute the signal operating instructions for units.
For detailed application criteria, interested soldiers should contact their local career counselor. The nine-week MOS training course is conducted at Fort Gordon, Ga.
Soldiers interested in this program should consult MilPer Message 15-172, dated June 9.
