Exceptions to the above are as follows:
- Critically Short BEAR MOSs. Soldiers requesting reclassification into selected MOS as published by BEAR Program message from Commander, PERSCOM, may request reclassification at any time regardless of the status of their PMOS. In other words, if PERSCOM publishes a special message, listing certain critical BEAR Program jobs that need people right away, the manning of the person's current MOS is not a factor.
- 82nd Airborne. Airborne qualified soldiers assigned to the 82d Airborne Division who possess a MOS that is listed as balanced (N/N) or short (Y/N) in current PERSCOM In/Out Call message, but is over-strength/balanced (N/Y) within the 82d Airborne Division, may apply for retraining into a BEAR Program MOS provided the MOS selected is authorized and a valid requisition exists in the 82d Airborne Division. Upon successful completion of training, the soldier will return to the 82d Airborne Division to work in the new PMOS.
Soldiers, other than initial term soldiers, must not have been alerted for reassignment at the time application is received at PERSCOM. First-term soldiers can apply for the BEAR program, even if they have been notified of pending assignment.
MOS 00B (Diver), CMF 18 (Special Forces - MOS 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E), and CMF 98, (Communciations Intelligence - MOS 98C, 98G, 98H, 98J, 98K) BEAR Program MOS are open to all soldiers regardless of the status of their PMOS. Soldiers applying for MOS 97B (Counter Intelligence Agent) must forward the statement of interview, required essays, SBI packet, and associated forms to MI Branch, Attn: TAPC-EPL-M, prior to submission of the BEAR application. Notification to that effect must be certified by the local counterintelligence office. The local CI officer’s POC and DSN: number must be included.
Soldiers must be qualified for training in the new MOS (i.e., have the required ASVAB score, and/or DLAB Score [if required] and meet any medical requirements for the new MOS). Military members are allowed to re-take the ASVAB for retraining purposes. When the ASVAB is taken in-service, the test is called the "Armed Forces Classification Test," but it is the exact same test as the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) that was taken when first joining the military. If one re-takes the test, the scores that are used for re-training purposes is the LATEST test scores, not the highest.
Soldiers must be recommended for participation in the BEAR Program by the soldier’s immediate commander, with the recommendation based upon personal interview.
The soldier must have completed at least 2 years of active service (12 months for 2-year enlistees) and at the time of application be within 15 months of Estimated Time of Separation (ETS). In addition, soldiers serving in an overseas area must be within 15 months of normal tour completion at the time of application.
Program Details
Soldiers must extend their enlistment so that they have at least 24 months of service remaining, following completion of training. They are not required to reenlist after training, or after the 24 month extension period, but -- if they choose not to, they will not receive the selected reenlistment bonus for their new MOS until they do reenlist (bonuses are not granted for enlistment extensions, only when one reenlists).
- Attendance at a service school will be in one of the following:
- Permament Change of Station (PCS) to a new assignment with Temporary Duty (TDY) enroute to school.
- PCS to school, if training is in excess of 20 weeks.
- Attend school in TDY-and-return to orginal duty station status.
Assignments will be made only to those commands (installations) with a current valid requisition for the MOS in which being trained.
Soldiers should list three assignment preferences on, DA Form 4591-R (Assignment Preferences).
