Are the needs of the Army driving MOS choices or did you pick your MOS?

2016-01-28T12:32:54-05:00

There are a lot of discussions about reclassification. Numerous reasons are given for them, advancement, bonus', no available slots in current MOS, no units in Reserve, NG area... Did recruiters direct your choice or did you choose on your own?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 28 at 2016 12:35 PM

2016-01-28T12:35:21-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I picked my MOS of 11B back in October 1974 when I signed my enlistment contract. Of course the assignment of that MOS was dependent of me meeting all requirements. there was a$2500 bonus at that time which was a lot of money for a young private in 1974.
In 1980 while a cadet at USMA, West Point I was designated as an 11A which was my second choice. that too was dependent on me completing IOBC which i graduated from in December 1980.
In 1989 I was trained as an ORSA based on my desires.
In the late 1990's I served as a Logistics Staff Officer in the Pentagon because the Army needed me to serve in that role. From then on I served in the specialty the Army needed

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 12:45 PM

2016-01-28T12:45:19-05:00

During OCS, the Army assigned my branch. I submitted a "top ten" wish list as a part of my OCS application packet, in which the Army assigned me to #10 on my list during "branch week". To bad OML didn't exist at that time. It worked out for the better though, once I became a promotable 1LT, I applied for Civil Affairs and I was selected to attend CA assessment and selection, which I passed and all subsequent schooling. So in short, when I commissioned, the Army chose my branch for me - when I had the opportunity, I chose a branch I felt I was better suited for and would benefit the Army more so.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-01-28T12:54:45-05:00

I originally picked 68W when I enlisted. I was able to get a slot but did not enjoy the field. I was a 68W in an MP unit and found I enjoyed being an MP better. I re-classed and still enjoy my MOS. It has worked out well for me.

Response by SGT Ronald Bacon made Jan 28 at 2016 1:06 PM

2016-01-28T13:06:15-05:00

When I joined I picked my MOS but I was guided to the choice before of a large bonus offered for it. I wanted something in the Field of Technology so Signal Support Systems Spec was something I liked anyways.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 28 at 2016 1:07 PM

2016-01-28T13:07:34-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member A year after Top Gun:

Recruiter: Sure, sure, you can be a fighter pilot. Just come in as enlisted, and then go officer.
Young, dumb, me: Sure! Where do I sign?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 1:59 PM

2016-01-28T13:59:44-05:00

For me, it was both......on all three MOS's I have.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jan 28 at 2016 2:15 PM

2016-01-28T14:15:48-05:00

I asked for 11B at the Baltimore MEPS. The recruiter said the slots were filled and I'd need another job, so I tried for Medic, and was told the same thing. I went through the Ordinance MOS' and none of them were what I wanted, so MP was open and I snatched it up. Great decision, although knowing what I know now, I would've walked out if they couldn't give me 11B until they could. Do the time in combat arms, and then reclass. After being an MP, I loved it, and turned down K9, Airborne school, and an assignment to Italy to become a 74B.......not sure if that was the best choice, but for pay on the outside, I reckon it's not so bad.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 28 at 2016 2:30 PM

2016-01-28T14:30:52-05:00

I was able to choose several AFSC's as preferences, and the USAF assigned me one of them. I scored in the 95th percentile for pilot on the AFOQT test, but my vision kept me on the ground, and I knew beforehand that this would be the case. As a weapons controller I got as close to flying as a ground pounder is able to get.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 2:41 PM

2016-01-28T14:41:54-05:00

I chose my own, thankfully I had a recruiter who actually cared about the soldiers joining and cared about helping them out so they'd enjoy and get the most out of it.

The thing that gets me about "Needs of the Army" is, I think there's a strategical way you could use it. I understand if you need soldiers somewhere then they must go. But I think there could be some option system worked out where the kids who want to join the army and know about what job they want to do, they could pick. And then the ones who can't get a job anywhere else, don't know what to do for income, etc and don't really care about where they work; They get filtered to the Needs of the Army section.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 28 at 2016 2:44 PM

2016-01-28T14:44:40-05:00

In the Marines you pick "Field" (Branch) if you meet the requirements (you have to meet the requirements for pretty much every MOS in it), and then they select MOS based on the needs of the Corps. I selected 02xx/26xx which was Intel/SigInt and was assigned 0231 (out of 0231/0241/0261 & 26xx). Based on the Field you choose, you get assigned a ship date, and when you are completing boot camp they assign final MOS. Our 03xx (Infantry) guys "might" be a little different, because they skip MCT, but the same basic principle applies.

Officers go Air, Law, or Ground Contracts, and are assigned specific MOS within those Fields.

When it really boils down to it "Needs of the Corps first" with the ILLUSION of Choice. Overall a very "fair" system.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Jan 28 at 2016 3:35 PM

2016-01-28T15:35:34-05:00

I was prior-service USN when I enlisted, and at the time, the options for prior service were severely limited, so I chose 14T (PATRIOT Missile Launching Station Enhanced Operator/Maintainer) because it and it's counterpart, 14E (Fire Control) were the only Combat Arms MOSs available to me.

When the opportunity to reclass PSYOP came, I took it, and for the most part, it's a better fit.

I think it's an equitable model: you do your time where the Army needs you, then, if you qualify for something else (better maybe even), go do that. Everybody wins.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 28 at 2016 4:25 PM

2016-01-28T16:25:55-05:00

Buyer beware. I know for a fact recruiters lie. I scored perfect on the ASVAB, 4 year degree in hand. They stated I had only two options: 11B and 19K. I said you have to be fucking shitting me. That's when they stopped treating me like a rock star to treating me like shit. It was not a good experience, in fact it became an indelible experience.

Response by PVT Andrew Burd made Jan 28 at 2016 5:22 PM

2016-01-28T17:22:32-05:00

SSgt at MEPS : "So, what do you want to do?"

Me : "TANKS! I want to drive tanks!"

SSgt at MEPS : "what if I can't get tanks?"

Me : "I guess Combat Engineer so I can still blow shit up"

I really really wanted to drive tanks.. I had my heart set on it. I SHOULD HAVE stood up and said "well I guess we're done talking..."

Response by SSG Thomas Gallegos made Jan 28 at 2016 9:24 PM

2016-01-28T21:24:20-05:00

The end result here is the recruit does not have to sign any papers. If you do not like the job then you wait until the one job you want is available. The military doesn't own you quite yet, lol. The career counselors or recruiters if still enlisted from station can get you the slot you want. They can call and get a spot open. Its not take what you have too. I now because well I was a recruiter. I told all my recruits if they didn't want a combat MOS (haha) not to choose one. They all did. If they asked if they were going to Iraq or Afghanistan I told them more than likely. No reason to lie to get a recruit to enlist.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 28 at 2016 11:31 PM

2016-01-28T23:31:40-05:00

I picked... my MOS... and my branch...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 12:06 AM

2016-01-29T00:06:18-05:00

When I joined I didn't really think there as anything other than Infantry. I knew that there was other jobs but I didn't understand why someone would anything but infantry. For me it was the heart of the Army. My recruiter didn't have much of an issue with that.