As a prior-service 11B looking to reenlist, what are the ups, downs, career advancement opportunities for 74D, 68K, 68S, 68W, 15U?

As a current 68 kilo reservist I am definitely going to recommend 68 kilo. After graduation from fort Sam you will receive an associate's degree from GWU which I just recently completed my bachelor's in lab science. But I did work as a Lab tech right out of school on the civilian side and started at 17.50 an hour. MLT is also an incredibly good stepping stone to nearly any medical program. I chose to do the PA program at FSU after completing my Ba in Lab science. If you get the option I recommend you choose it. School at Fort Sam is challenging though so if you are wanting something easy don't choose 68K. Good luck on whatever you choose
SGT McPherson 68-K

SPC(P) (Join to see) Congratulations on continuing your service. I look at your choices and my first question is which is going to be the best career path for the future. Civilian careers: 68 series are a good option as well as 15U. Career progression or promotions change all the time with the needs of the Army. Look at these jobs and figure the one you actually want to do.

The question I have to ask is what do you want to do with your life? Pick an mos that will help you to achieve your end goal. For me I started as a 91b now it's 68w. I love being a medic and did get to hit my dream of being a flight medic. I used my experience to become a paramedic then a nurse now a nurse practitioner. Best I can say is pick what will help you with your future.

Not only because it was my MOS but because other than signal is the MOS that gives you a lot of options in your civilian life I would recommend 74d depending of what state are you in you have a great opportunity to growth at a decent rate, moreover you will get at least for certifications that you could translate into civilian jobs opportunities or career wise if you want to explore an exciting career opportunity 74d is your best choice you could use to develop working for the private sector, state or federal and with your rank you have an opportunity to join your state CST group civil support team if you pick the national guard good speed and good luck stay green

CBRNE is a highly technical field that can offer you some unique employment opportunities when you get out.

Couple that with a degree in emergency management and if you don't mind relocating you could end up with a starting salary of 6 figures.

Like Hagerty says: consider what you *really* love doing. If you do what you love, you'll never "work" a day in your life. Took me a long time to figure that out.

Now I'm 50 and doing what I do love - emergency management.

My advice on becoming a 74D is that if you're not "flexible", then this mos is not for you. If you don't want to deal with CS gas again, then you should reconsider this mos. 74D is on a similar boat as 68 series. Both require you to do your job, while also doing your unit's job as well, depending on location. But being certified as a 74D qualifies you a surplus of jobs/career opportunities. Being able to react accordingly when a chemical event occurs appeals to quite a lot of people. The pros of a 74D is that they're accepted on every post, while the cons is that they're accepted on every post.

Didn’t see anyone comment on 15U. Spent 12 years as a 15U, it certainly has its ups and downs. As much trash as some talk about aviation it is a heavily deployed branch. During my 12 years of service the longest I spent not deployed was 2 consecutive years. Between PCS, training, and 4 12 month deployments I was always on the move. I am not sure how the optempo has changed since I’ve been out but 15U will certainly keep you busy. If you want aviation. Maintenance experience for the civilian sector this would be the best way to get it. About the only way to get twin engine tandum rotor maintenance experience.

You will get a degree out of the 68 series and there points are low

There are some really great opportunities in the service, but you also have to think about a potential outside career in my opinion. Rad Tech, Bio-medical repair, these are careers that can earn you a decent living on the outside. Also, take all the extra courses you can in the military, small group instructor, Master Resilience trainer, stuff like that will look great on a resume later in life. Even if you never plan to leave the military, plan for the eventuality that something will come up, and remember all those extras are great for promotion boards as well.

As A 74D (CBRN) some good aspects you can transfer to almost any unit that has openings.

You come out with your Hazmat Operations level from their you can get your Tech on the Civilian side.

To get a job most fire departments require fire certs and EMT certs. The MOS alone won't help you find a civilian job alone.

You can expect to do a 92Y job in supply after you do your Chemical duties.

Their is a chance to become part of your local CST team that does pretty awesome missions as a AGR but the postions are pretty hard to get without really studying and networking for that team.