Contracting NCOs and Contracting Officers play a critical role in the Army. 51C Contracting NCOs are responsible for creating, reviewing, and managing the contracts that secure the supplies, equipment, and services our units rely on.

These NCOs become experts in market research, purchasing, price analysis, negotiation, and vendor evaluation. They ensure contractors meet all requirements and remain compliant with federal and Army regulations. Their work directly supports the warfighter by ensuring units receive everything, from uniforms and office furniture to deployment gear, vehicles, and weapons systems.

At its core, the job mirrors everyday purchasing decisions – whether buying online, negotiating for a vehicle, or closing on a home, but on a scale that impacts entire formations. The Army depends on 51Cs to secure the best value for units in both garrison and deployed environments, ensuring mission readiness and responsible stewardship of government resources.

The USAR 51C training program provides a certification pathway unique to the MOS and the military acquisition community. During the first year, Soldiers receive foundational contracting instruction through resident courses at Warfighting Acquisition University (WarU), online WarU coursework, mentorship from their Reserve command, and structured on‑the‑job training. Some Soldiers selected for reclassification may be placed on active‑duty orders at a contracting office within commuting distance of their home or preferred location. This in‑office experience is designed to integrate Soldiers into a functioning contracting team, giving them practical skills that reinforce their formal training.

Soldiers who hold DAWIA contracting certifications before reclassification are not required to complete training again unless doing so benefits the Army and supports advancement. Soldiers may also be required to complete (OCONUS) deployments to gain operational and contingency contracting experience.

Troop Program Unit (TPU) Battle Assembly (BA)

Aside from traditional BA weekends, TPU drills for 51C Soldiers are commonly conducted at one of the battalion locations in Austin, Texas or Baltimore, Maryland. Soldiers who live outside this CONUS footprint have the flexibility to conduct BA with an approved Reserve unit or within the 75th Innovation Command structure inside commuting distance. This reduces travel demands while supporting mission readiness.

In addition to monthly BA requirements, Annual Training (AT) events are leveraged to provide real‑world contracting support for Army Reserve mission requirements. These AT periods allow 51C Soldiers to apply their contracting skills in operational environments, directly supporting units while gaining practical experience that reinforces their year‑round training. 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 Army Acquisition School (TAAS) in Huntsville, AL. It is recommended that Army Reservists attend resident training at TAAS, but they may attend the complete complement of WarU Contracting courses (resident and non-resident) in lieu of the TAAS courses if approved through proper command channels. Training slots at TAAS and WarU 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 training. If Soldiers are currently employed as an 1102, military orders may not be necessary to meet qualifications; however, Soldiers must ensure that they maintain their professional and developmental milestones via WarU and professional military education institutions. Holding an 1102 position does not excuse the Soldier from deployments. All Reserve 51Cs are expected to maintain a deployable status.

51C NCOs and the AGR Program

As of 2026, there are USAR 51C NCO opportunities within the AGR (Active Guard and Reserve) program; however, billets are limited.

FY27 Panel Dates
Packets Received: TBD	Panel Dates: TBD

Reclassification guidance and prerequisites for MOS 51C – Contracting NCO.

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 Reserve 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 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 Proponent Officer will not consider any Soldiers with less than 18 months of time as an NCO.

f. As of 2026, there are USAR 51C NCO opportunities within the AGR (Active Guard and Reserve) program; however, billets are limited.

g. NCOs with bachelor’s and master’s degrees will only provide a legible copy of both the transcript with conferment date and diploma. (Education Center Memorandum and/or Education Plan are not required). NCOs with an associate’s degree must provide a copy of transcripts with conferment date, diploma, AND an Education Plan Memorandum (to present to the board the progress toward a bachelor’s 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 Warfighting Acquisition University (WarU) courses). If you have multiple certificates from WarU, only submit your WarU 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 BE WAIVED. THERE IS NO EXCEPTION TO THIS POLICY (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 ACFT/AFT scoresheets. Validation of the most current ACFT/AFT will be included in the body of the NCOs DA 4187 signed by the company commander. Soldiers ACFT/AFT scoresheets will be digitally signed by the 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 ACFT or AFTs, request the Training Room NCO to provide a print-out of your ATIS 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 OR 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 re-enlist 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.

• Army Reserve points of contact are LTC Luis “Lou” Gaitan at 520-669-9541 or luis.a.gaitantovar.mil@army.mil, and MSG Ashley Randolph at ashley.s.randolph.mil@army.mil.

Step 1

Please send complete reclassification packets with individual documents in PDF format to MSG Ashley Randolph, ashley.s.randolph.mil@army.mil for first review. Final submissions are uploaded by the candidate in Career Acquisition Personnel and Position Management Information System (CAPPMIS) for board consideration. For information regarding the Reserve reclassification process you may email or call LTC Lou Gaitan at 520-669-9541 or luis.a.gaitantovar.mil@army.mil, and MSG Ashley Randolph at ashley.s.randolph.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 Proponent 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 Talent Profile (STP)
• DA 4187 (Signed by your Company Commander)
• All NCOERs
• All Academic Evaluation Reports (DA 1059s)
• Last three ACFT/AFT Score Sheets or ATIS 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. WarU Courses, provide WarU transcripts only)
• Resume
• Letters of Recommendation (optional)

The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center congratulates the Soldiers listed below for their selection into the 51C MOS contracting NCO:

SGT Carlos M. MercadoRivera

SSG Wesley A. Petroff

SSG Jason A. Hodges

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