Leadership: April 8, 2001

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The Army is reorganizing its Military Occupational Specialty program, reducing the 241 current MOS classifications to 191. The goal is to create soldiers with a broader range or skills who can more easily be assigned to any of several different jobs. One example is the merger of the rocket and cannon fire direction specialists. The program will take over three years to complete. Another change is that command sergeants major who leave that type of job to teach at the Sergeants Major Academy will be allowed to return to the command sergeant major role; under current rules if they leave such a position for any reason they cannot go back. Another change concerns warrant officers. Currently, a staff sergeant is guaranteed that he can remain in the Army until 20 years of service, gaining a pension. If he accepts promotion to warrant officer, however, he can be kicked out of the Army if twice passed over for promotion to the next grade of warrant officer. This makes it hard to convince young sergeants to pursue a warrant career. The new rules will guarantee Chief Warrant 3s to remain in uniform for 20 years.--Stephen V Cole