Can I switch my MOS once I’ve gone green to gold through ROTC?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:20:43 -0500

I’m a junior in high school and haven’t enlisted yet and when my recruiter and I were looking at the different MOS’s for the reserves while I’m in college (simultaneous membership program). He says I should choose the one with the most educational benefits since I’ll be going to college, but I’ll also be in ROTC so I hypothetically wouldn’t need them right? I have my heart set on infantry.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 12:46 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:46:46 -0500

You can choose any MOS now and during your senior year your OML ranking will determine your branch based on your choices. The better you perform over the years (GPA, PT scores, leadership evaluations during LDAC or whatever it’s called now), the better chance you have of getting your first or second choice.

Response by PFC Jim Wheeler made Feb 1 at 2018 3:30 AM

PFC Jim Wheeler — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 03:30:02 -0500

As far as I am aware, Officers do not pick their MOS. They are distributed based on their performance and the needs of the Army at the time of their commission.

It is my understanding that the top performers who would like to be Infantry Officers are very likely to receieve that MOS, though.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 5:54 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 05:54:24 -0500

If you get too %10 in the OML you are guaranteed to receive your top choice of branch, as long as you meet the qualifications for that branch (i.e. AV or EOD). It will have nothing to do with your enlisted MOS. If you have questions about G2G hit me up, I just got through the program last year. Its a great deal.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Feb 1 at 2018 10:01 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 22:01:41 -0500

This is how it works generally for Officers educational wise:
2nd LT to CPT - Bachelors degree.
MAJ - some make it here with a bachelors some not.
LTC - Yeah your going to need a Masters Degree before this rank or at least before COL
GEN - Usually a PhD.
One thing to keep in mind about Officers and Officer conversion. I believe the rule of thumb for the Army is you need to start the Officer program by age 27. I could be mistaken on that because the Army has flipped that age limit all over the freakin place the last 15 -20 years. However I think it is back to 27 (ask your Recruiter).

The Army will generally give you time or a slack assignment so that you do not necessarily have to leave Active Duty to get your Masters Degree or your PhD. General Petreus got his PhD while on Active Duty and the Army gave him some plum assignment so he could do that.