WASHINGTON -- As of Oct. 1, 2018, MOS 46Q and 46R Soldiers from all three U.S. Army components have been combined and re-designated as MOS 46S, Public Affairs Mass Communications Specialist.
Here is some helpful information everyone should know about the MOS convergence:
-What does the Y2/Y3 Additional Skill Identifier mean?
Soldiers who have not been validated as fully-MOS qualified will be given an ASI of "Y2" for 46Qs and "Y3" for former 46Rs, identifying these Soldiers as requiring additional training.
-How can the Y2/Y3 ASI be removed?
Current MOS 46Q or MOS 46R Soldiers in the grade of E-6 and below can become fully MOS qualified through completion of residential courses at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) or during Home Station Training (HST), demonstrating their proficiency in the required 46S Validation Tasks.
-What are the validation tasks?
Current 46Q Soldiers must produce a non-narrative multimedia product.
Current 46R Soldiers must produce a photograph story with photo cut lines.
-Where can the field find the Validation Task Lists?
The Validation Task List are located in a folder titled "MOS 46S Training and Validation Tasks" on the APAC milSuite page: https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/a (CAC required).
-Who can evaluate and assess the validation task list?
A PA Senior NCO (MOS 46Z) will evaluate and assess a Soldier's demonstrated proficiency of the validation tasks. Commanders will validate the task list. The Commander and 46Z will sign and process the Soldier's DA Form 4187 for routing to the APAC group inbox: usarmy.meade.hqda-ocpa.mbx.apac-force-development@mail.mil
-Who approves the DA Form 4187 requesting the removal of the Y2/Y3 ASI?
The APAC Director is the only source for validation and certification of a Soldier's DA Form 4187. APAC will forward all valid and approved DA Form 4187s to the appropriate component personnel agency to identify the Soldier as being fully MOS qualified for removal of the Y2/Y3 ASI.
-When must 46Q/46R Soldiers become fully MOS qualified?
Soldiers will have until September 30, 2021.
-What happens if a Soldier does not complete the MOS 46S Training Standard?
Soldiers who have not completed training by Sept. 30, 2021, will have their personnel record updated with Immediate Reenlistment Prohibition (IMREPR) code 9P (loss of qualification in primary MOS) and will be processed for mandatory reclassification, unless granted a waiver by the APAC director.
-Who can grant an exception to policy (ETP) waiver for the training requirements?
The APAC Director is the sole approval authority for ETP requests.
-What courses will students take at DINFOS to become 46S after Oct. 1, 2018?
All Initial Entry (IET) and accessions Soldiers attending Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course (BPASC) will attend the Electronic Journalism Course (EJC). All IET and accession Soldiers attending the Broadcast Communications Specialist (BCS) Course will be validated by APAC.
These Soldiers will be fully qualified and awarded MOS 46S upon successfully graduating.
DINFOS is currently developing the Military Communications Foundations (MCF) Course, which is scheduled to start Oct. 1, 2019 (FY20). The MCF will be the new MOS-producing course for PA professionals across DOD.
-Will unit authorizations be effected?
The MOS convergence does not impact CMF 46 authorizations. Each authorized billet for E-6 and below will be coded as 46S.
-What happens to our senior NCO MOS?
CMF 46 will continue to retain 46Z -- Public Affairs Supervisor -- at SFC.
-Will Soldiers lose their promotable status if they are not fully MOS qualified by Oct. 1, 2018?
No.
What is the "2R" ASI that Soldiers will find on their ERB?
-All legacy 46R Soldiers will be awarded the 2R ASI (Studio Broadcaster). Beginning in 2020, new 46S Soldiers assigned to 2R ASI coded positions will attend additional training at DINFOS focused on broadcasting skills.
-What if I have more questions?
For more information, refer to MILPER message #18-086 or contact the Force Development Division, APAC, COMM (301)677-7290, DSN 622-7290, or via email at usarmy.meade.hqda-ocpa.mbx.apac-force-development@mail.mil.
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This article originally appeared on the Army Public Affairs Center proponent page on Medium. It has been updated to reflect the current 46S validation process.
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