The old Spec Pay when OT'd question

[OT-Guy]

So, I've read a few topics on this already. Some from this site and some from others. But they are all somewhat convoluted in their final answers as I couldn't find one with my situation.

So let's give it a shot for myself! It's pretty simple, but can't seem to get a direct answer (or I think I'm more right).

Was a PO2 with spec pay 1.

Transferred to another trade, am now a CPL 4.

When I qualify for my Spec 1 again, will I be reverting back to CPL Basic SPEC 1?

It seems rather odd that someone with the time in to achieve CPL 4 should be brought back down to CPL Basic. If a CPL Basic gets his spec pay, he's looking at a decent raise. But if a CPL 4 gets it, he literally gets half that raise?

Anyway! Figured I'd ask here before asking a bunch of clerks from different units for their take on it.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[dapaterson]

CBI 204.03 discusses this:

204.03(5) (Rate of pay - occupational career progression) A non-commissioned member who progresses in their occupational career shall be paid the rate of pay established in the senior Military Occupational Structure Identification (MOSID) in a specialist occupation, for the pay increment and qualifying service for their rank pertaining to the sum of:

the pay increment for their rank in the higher trade group that is nearest to, but not less than, the rate of pay the member was receiving on the day immediately prior to meeting the conditions the senior MOSID; and
the qualifying service accumulated in the member's present rank, including paid acting rank in the junior MOSID in the same occupation,
(TB, effective 1 March 2012)

but not to exceed the rate of pay for the highest pay increment in their new trade group.

204.03(6) (Rate of pay - voluntary occupational transfer) An officer or non-commissioned member who voluntarily transfers to a military occupation, under such conditions as established in orders or instructions issued by the Chief of the Defence Staff, shall be paid the rate of pay established for the member's rank, pay level, new trade group, if applicable, and pay increment determined in accordance with CBI 204.015 (Pay Increments). Once a member achieves occupational qualified status, their rate of pay shall be determined in accordance with paragraph (5) of this instruction.

Note:

With the exception of non-commissioned members transferring directly to the Electrical Technician, Flight Engineer, Marine Engineering Artificer, Marine Engineering Technician or Non-Destructive Technician occupations, a non-commissioned member in receipt of specialist pay who voluntarily transfers to a new specialist occupation will be assigned on the date of the transfer to the Junior subdivision of the new occupation and shall be paid at the standard rate of pay until they are fully qualified in the new occupation. The date of transfer to the qualified subdivision is the date at which both the necessary qualification and rank level have been obtained.

(TB, effective 1 March 2012)

 

[OT-Guy]

I've read this CBI many times, and to be honest... I would make a horrible admin person.

Is there a clear cut answer?

 

[mariomike]

This may help,

Specialist [Spec] Pay Superthread- All Trades- Merged 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/287.0
13 pages.

Perhaps this discussion will be merged with the Super-thread.

 

[Occam]

Based on some of the information in mariomike's link, I'm pretty sure you keep your IPC.  You don't go back into the Spec column until you reach occupationally qualified status.

But yes, that CBI makes my eyes bleed.  Whoever wrote it should be punished by having to write it out by hand a thousand times.

 

[OT-Guy]

That's what I got out of it also.

Once I become Spec 1 again, I go down in IPC.

But reading it again, being in my current OT'd trade for 1 year before my spec pay kicks in, I should be IPC1? Or Basic. I don't know. I can't seem to get a clear answer at work either, other than "You'll be making more as a IPC 0 - Spec 1 than IPC 4. Yes, I'm aware of that. Reading that CBI is not really making much sense.

 

[WestCoaster]

I'll give you my experience so far. Pretty similar circumstances.
I OT'd from the Navy as a PO2 from a spec 1 trade. Spent a little under two years at Cpl IPC 4 before becoming QL5 qualified. By the time my spec pay kicked in, I was being paid at Cpl Spec 1 IPC 2 (by then having 2 years in the trade).
This agreed with how I had read the CBI as well, but I agree that it is a confusing read.
Hope this helps...

 

[Eye In The Sky]

A simple answer;  when I OT'd (spec 1 to spec 1 MOSIDs), once I was QL5 qual'd, my spec pay IPC was calculated from my effective date of OT/entry into the 'new' trade.  However, as you know, there is no 'backpay' associated with the IPC dating back to eff date of entry in the 'new' trade. 

Example.  OT date into Widget Tech - 01 Apr 2015.  complete Widget Tech QL5 - 01 May 2017.  You would be Spec 1, IPC 2 starting 01 May 2017, with your next IPC eff 01 Apr 2018.