Contracting NCOs and Contracting Officers are part of a logistical supply plan. These Soldiers create, examine, and monitor contractual agreements between an organization and the vendor who is providing supplies or services to the unit.

51C Contracting NCOs are experts in purchasing goods and services, conducting market research, determining price fair and reasonableness, negotiating, and evaluating suppliers. These Soldiers ensure contractors are remaining compliant with contract guidelines.

Contractual obligations between the United States Government (51C Contracting NCO) and a vendor/contractor support the warfighter. These actions are what provide all materials, from uniforms, chairs and desks, gear to deploy with, military vehicles and weapons. Work as a 51C Contracting NCO is not any different from looking to purchase goods or services online, buying a car, or a home. The Army is looking for the best deal or best value for Army organizations and units, in both garrison and deployed environments.

The USAR 51C training program for service members provides a certification pathway that is unique to the MOS and the military. During the first year of training, Soldiers will learn the fundamentals of contracting via formal training from Defense Acquisition University (DAU) residential courses, online DAU courses, active mentorship from their Reserve command and Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Account (DAWDA) on-the-job training. The majority of Soldiers who are selected for reclassification will be placed on active duty orders at a local contracting office within commuting distance of their residence or preference. The intent of the in-office training is to integrate the Soldier into a contracting office where they will gain practical knowledge to complement their formal resident training.

Soldiers who hold DAWIA contracting certifications prior to being reclassified are not required to complete DAWDF training unless it is advantageous to the Army and it enables the Soldier to progress to the next certification level. Soldiers will be required to complete one (OCONUS) deployment, to gain contingency contracting and operational contracting experience, per one year of DAWDF training. Service members will not receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders – entitlements to be PCS’d for DAWDF training purposes therefore, they must work with their command to secure a training position locally.

TPU Battle Assembly

Aside from traditional Battle Assembly weekends, Troop Program Unit (TPU) drilling for 51Cs is commonly conducted with a reserve unit that is within commuting distance for the Soldier. The geographical footprint of the Army Contracting Command – Army Reserve Element (ACC-ARE) and Defense Contract Management Agency – Army Reserve Element (DCMA-ARE) is vast. To counteract financial expenditures for monthly travel Soldiers typically partner with other units and utilize annual training events to maintain their readiness (e.g., the Army Physical Fitness Test, Height & Weight, basic soldiering skills and tasks). All Soldiers must formally submit a request to Reschedule Training (RST) through their chain of command prior to completing BAs with neighboring units. All RSTs will be reviewed and approved on an individual basis.

DAWIA Certifications

The 51C MOS requires that Army Reservists meet the same DAWIA standards as their Army Civilian and Active Duty counterparts. Therefore, each service member is afforded the opportunity to complete resident reclassification training at the U.S. Army Acquisition Center of Excellence (AACoE) in Huntsville, AL. It is recommended that Army Reservists attend resident training at the AACoE, but they may attend the complete complement of DAU Level I Contracting courses (resident and non-resident) in lieu of the AACoE’s course if approved through proper command channels. Training slots at AACoE and DAU campuses are limited, therefore it is important that each service member track their required training and submit all applications to the Command in a timely manner. Many Army Reserve Soldiers progress into a Contract Specialist (1102) Federal Civilian position upon the completion of their DAWDF training. If Soldiers are currently employed as an 1102, DAWDF orders may not be necessary to meet qualifications, however Soldiers will need to ensure that they meet and maintain their professional and developmental milestones via DAU and professional military education schools. Holding a 1102 position and not utilizing the DAWDF program does not excuse the Soldier from deployments. All reserve 51Cs are expected to maintain a deployable status regardless of the usage of DAWDF funding.

51C NCOs and the AGR Program

There is no USAR 51C NCO AGR (Active Guard and Reserve) program, there are only TPU (Troop Program Units) 51C NCOs. AGR Soldiers who wish to apply to become a 51C will need to be released from Active Duty and will be placed in a regular TPU status.

Reclassification guidance and prerequisites for Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 51C – Acquisition, Logistics & Technology Contracting Noncommissioned Officer.

1. Reclassification Prerequisites to apply for MOS 51C are as follows:

a. Currently, there are no Time in Service (TIS) requirements for Army Reserve Soldiers. The Army Reserves is currently ONLY accepting applications from SGTs and SSGs. SGTs do not have to be promotable, but they must meet qualifications for promotion to the next higher rank including (but not limited to) any required NCOES training, and meet minimum time in service and time in grade requirements (see AR 600-8-19).

b.NCOs must demonstrate successful ratings as a SGT or SSG with the potential to excel, verified by Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Reports (NCOERs) covering FOUR years (or more) preceding the board panel date, not just the last four NCOERs. This includes any DA Form 1059s, Academic Evaluation Reports (AERs). If the NCO does not have enough rated time to provide FOUR years of evaluations, the NCO must provide ALL NCOERs he/she currently has and include any DA Form 1059s, Academic Evaluation Reports (AERs). If the NCO as served as a Corporal, submit all DA Form 4856s to reflect time served as a Corporal.

c. A Senior Rater memorandum for record is required if the NCO’s last NCOER “Thru” date is greater than 6 months prior to the set board date. If the time period between the last NCOER and the board is less than 6 months the Soldier is not required to supply a Senior Rater memorandum for record. The current Senior Rater must address any gaps in rated time, to include the period between the NCO’s last NCOER/AER and packet submission date. The memorandum must provide an honest assessment of the NCO’s overall performance and potential.

d. NCOs must submit a DA 4187 signed by a Company Commander or higher, which includes, but not limited to, statement(s) that the NCO exhibits stability in personal affairs In Accordance With (IAW) Army Regulation 600-20, the NCO meets height and weight standards IAW AR 600-9, and the NCO does not have ANY derogatory information in his/her Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).

e. The Army Reserve Proponenecy Officer will not consider any Soldiers with less than 18 months of time as an NCO.

f. There is no USAR 51C NCO Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program; there are only TPU 51C NCOs. AGR Soldiers who wish to apply to become 51Cs will need to be released from Active Duty and will be placed in a regular TPU status. Soldiers in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) may apply for the USAR 51C NCO Reclassification Board.

g. NCOs with college Bachelors and Masters will only provide a legible copy of both the transcript with conferment date and diploma. (Education Center Memorandum nor Education Plan is not required). NCOs with an Associate’s Degree need to provide a copy of transcripts with conferment date, diploma, AND an Education Plan Memorandum (to present to the board the progress toward a BA degree)

h. NCOs with college credits, but no degree must submit legible copies of all college transcripts with the Education Center Memorandum validating actual number of credit hours without duplicates as well as an Education Plan.

i. NCOs may provide copies of any certification related to contract training, if it applies (e.g., any Defense Acquisition University (DAU) courses). If you have multiple certificates from DAU, only submit your DAU course transcripts.

j. NCOs must show proof they possess a current SECRET security clearance or higher (no interim clearances). The NCOs Unit Security Manager must provide an MFR which verifies a SECRET or higher security clearance.

k. NCOs MUST NOT have any derogatory information in their OMPF, (this includes restricted files). THIS PREREQUISITE CANNOT WAIVED NOR THERE AN EXCEPTION TO POLICIES (ETP).

l. Exhibit stability in personal affairs IAW AR 600-20, including, but not limited to, being able to receive and retain a government credit card/travel card, and single parents must have a feasible Family Care Plan (FCP).

m. NCOs must submit current and last three copies of their APFTs/ACFT scoresheets. Validation of the most current APFT/ACFT will be included in the body of the NCOs DA 4187 signed by the company commander. Soldiers APFT/ACFT scoresheets will be digitally signed by unit First Sergeant in the “Special Instructions” block at the bottom of the DA Form 705. If you do not have a copy of your last THREE APFTs or ACFTs, have the Training Room NCO print out your DTMS records and have that document signed by the unit First Sergeant.

n. If it applies, NCOs must also include a current copy of their DA form 5500s (male) or 5501s (female), Army Body Fat Worksheet, to show they meet height and weight standards IAW AR 600-9. Validation of Army Body Fat Worksheet data will be included in the body of the NCOs DA 4187 signed by the company commander.

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2. NCOs must possess the following qualifications to be AWARDED and MAINTAIN MOS 51C.

a. NCOs must be eligible for reclassification per AR 614-200.

b. Successfully complete 51C reclassification training. MOS 51C is not awarded until completion of training (See DA PAM 611-21).

c. Must be able to obtain and maintain official military passport.

d. NCOs must have a maximum profile (PULHES) rating of 222222. NCOs with a permanent physical profile must submit a copy with their application request.

e. Minimum of a 110 GT Score (NO WAIVER NOR ETP).

f. Be a U.S. Citizen.

g. Possess a security clearance of SECRET or higher (NO INTERIM CLEARANCES).

h. Have a valid driver’s license issued by a U.S. State or Territory.

i. NCOs must maintain their deployable status as outlined in AR 40-501 and AR 600-60.

j. Statement from NCO agreeing to the Service Remaining Requirement (SRR) as outlined in DA PAM 611-21, Chapter 10 (SRR for MOS 51C is 60 months). NCOs MUST serve an additional 60 months upon completion of reclassification training. NCOs must reenlist to meet the 60-month requirement prior to course attendance. NCOs who have not taken action to meet SRR within 30 days of course attendance will be dis-enrolled. Once MOS 51C is awarded, reclassification into another enlisted MOS during the 60-month SRR is not authorized.

k. Forward MOS qualification issues to the CMF 51 Proponent NCO, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center via email to (usarmy.belvoir.usaasc.mbx.nco@mail.mil). Formal training and successful completion of MOS 51C qualification course(s) is mandatory before award of the MOS.

• Army Reserve points of contact are LTC Chanquale Jefferies at 520-671-0088 or email chanquale.t.jefferies.mil@army.mil, SFC Ashley Randolph ashley.s.randolph.mil@army.mil or SFC Rendon, Juan C SFC juan.c.rendon.mil@army.mil.

Step 1

Please send complete reclassification packets with individual documents in PDF format to LTC Chanquale Jefferies, chanquale.t.jefferies.mil@army.mil. For information regarding the Reserve reclassification process you may email or call LTC Jefferies at 520-671-0088 or email SFC Ashley Randolph ashley.s.randolph.mil@army.mil or SFC Juan Rendon, juan.c.rendon.mil@army.mil.

Step 2

All Soldiers will be notified by email regarding approval or disapproval status 30 to 120 days following the conclusion of each review panel. Board results are posted below.

Packets that contain attachments as one file will not be accepted. Each attachment must be in an Adobe PDF format and all information must be legible. Example documentation is provided in the next section. The Soldier will receive a confirmation email from the 51C Proponency team when the application and emailed documentation has been received and validated.

Step 3

Upon acceptance as a 51C, Soldiers will be scheduled for reclassification training and a follow-on assignment. The award of the MOS will be completed after successful completion of training.

MOS 51C Education Memorandum and Transcript
MOS 51C Security Clearance
Career Counselor Memorandum
MOS 51C DA Form 4187
Example Essay Framework
Soldier Reclassification Request
Example Education Plan
SR MFR Example Framework

Required Documents:

• Soldier Record Brief (SRB) or Army Reserve Record Brief with redacted race and gender
• DA 4187 (Signed by your Company Commander)
• All NCOERs
• All Academic Evaluation Reports (DA 1059s)
• Last three APFT/ACFT Score Sheets or DTMS printout (Digitally Signed by unit First Sergeant)
• Army Body Fat Worksheet (DA 5500, Male) or DA 5501, Female (if it applies)
• Current Physical Profile (if it applies)
• Career Counselor Memorandum
• Soldier Reclassification Request
• One Page Essay, “Why I should be selected to become a 51C”
• Security Clearance Verification Memorandum
• NCOs with a Degree: copy of transcripts with conferment date and diploma only
• NCOs with college credits only: Copy of most current transcripts, Education Center Memorandum, and Education Plan Memorandum
• Additional Documentation in .PDF only (i.e. DAU Courses, provide DAU transcripts only)
• Letters of Recommendation (optional)

The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center congratulates the Soldiers listed below for their selection into the 51C military occupational specialty (MOS)—contracting noncommissioned officer (NCO).

51C NCOs have the vital job of not only providing procurement support for anything a unit might need but also serving the commander as a business adviser—ensuring Soldiers get what’s needed on time to support the mission.

Candidates selected for reclassification learn a new craft and gain valuable transferable skills through the training, education and professional development aspects of the MOS. The accession process is competitive but rewarding: Applicants must be at the rank of Sergeant or Staff Sergeant. The NCO contracting corps offers a promising career path and the opportunity to serve in a variety of locations.

For information on the next 51C NCO Reclassification panel, instructions on how to submit a packet or information about 51C reclassification programs, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/military-nco/field51/.

2022 Board Results:

• April 2022