Bragg initiative seeks to recruit much needed 51C Soldiers, officers

By Maj. Douglas N. Ralph, 639th Contingency Contracting Team, Mission Contracting Office - Fort Bragg, N.C.May 9, 2012

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FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- As the U.S. Army reduces in size, reclassification into the acquisition corps may be an option for qualified Soldiers who want to stay in the Army.

In fact, the contracting career field is expected to grow by almost 50 percent of its current population by the end of fiscal year 2013. The career field needs more officers in functional area 51 and noncommissioned officers in the 51C military occupational skill, said Master Sgt. Jason Pitts, senior enlisted advisor, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va.

To capitalize on the situation, the U.S. Army's Expeditionary Contracting Command maintains a partnership with ASC to actively recruit for future 51Cs at Fort Bragg. The installation has almost 60,000 Soldiers and is a prime location for highly qualified candidates, said Lt. Col. Dennis McGowan, director, Mission Contracting Office - Fort Bragg.

During a two-day symposium, Soldiers were briefed, given detailed information on the acquisition corps and what it means to be a member.

Pitts and Sgt. Maj. Leatrice Person, MCO - Fort Bragg, led the effort to pull the Fort Bragg units together for the recruiting effort. They gained support from Fort Bragg's garrison, the 82nd

Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps command sergeants major.

According to Person, ECC pursued multiple avenues to conduct the recruitment. Once the senior leadership was on board, the ECC established contact with all the retention NCOs to get the word out.

While the rest of the Army is shrinking, as are retention benefits, the acquisition corps is growing and providing bonuses, excellent promotion opportunities, advanced civilian schooling,

degree completion, and training with some of the leading U.S. business.

For more information about the acquisition corps or 51C reclassification opportunities, visit the website at: http://live.usaasc.info/career-development/military-nco/career-planningsteps

or call (703) 805-1048.

Related Links:

51C MOS

Army Contracting Command