Did you find your "Dream Job" in your Branch of Service? MOS talking.

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:56:52 -0400

We all are proud of what we are, Soldiers, Marines, Sailors or Airmen, we serve with pride every day we put our uniform on. When we were kids, often people asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" A Pilot, a Doctor, a Engineer, a Soldier, etc.

Further than Serving, did you find your dream job in your Branch of Service? Maybe you always wanted to be a Police Officer and today you are a MP (31B), or you wanted to be something related to Medicine and now you are a Health Care Specialist (68W) or even a Medicine Officer.

SSG Robert Burns SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" @

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 17 at 2015 11:08 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:08:56 -0400

I didn't know what my dream job would have been. But I did enjoy the job I had!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 11:43 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:43:29 -0400

There are two overseas billets in Europe that basically don't fit into our career progression. I would personally love to do either but don't want to jeopardize my career by choosing them.

They are the OIC (Officer in Charge) of AIMDs (Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department) in Sigonella and Bahrain.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 17 at 2015 12:08 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:08:55 -0400

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member being honest, I had no direction before I joined the Navy. I didn't know myself well enough to know how to select a rating when I enlisted. I chose SONAR because I thought it sounded interesting. I love flight, and planes and basically all things aviation. Had I thought about that, I would have inquired about doing something that would have put me in an air crew type position if possible. I don't regret choosing SONAR, I had some good times and some bad. I got to do some really great things that I would not have dreamed of before my enlistment. On top of that, I never thought I was actually going to get to a point I would qualify to enlist. Making it through boot camp and hearing my RDC's telling me I had made it, that was when my military dream job hit. I had succeeded where I never thought possible.

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Aug 17 at 2015 12:30 PM

SFC Maury Gonzalez — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:30:05 -0400

Started a 91B10 October 1978 retired as a 91mwm6 is 2002, still doing it now (LPN )

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 1:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:36:14 -0400

Yes I did. I'm a combat cameraman and love my job. It also opened the window to my passion for horse photography.

Response by PO2 John Crutchfield made Aug 18 at 2015 12:59 PM

PO2 John Crutchfield — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:59:25 -0400

I originally joined the Navy to be a Corpsman (I was an EMT prior) in 1987. Due to an unknown medical condition, the Navy took away Corpsman school from me. That was my dream job. However, I finished boot in the top three and was able to pick a school. Only two choices: Data Processing Tech or Mess Specialist. I didn't want to be a cook, so... I got out of the Navy in 1994 due to a RIF. Fast forward to today and I still have a career in IT. It's not my dream job, but it's afforded my family a great lifestyle.

Response by SSG Donald Halcomb made Aug 18 at 2015 2:23 PM

SSG Donald Halcomb — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:23:48 -0400

No not really. Not a lot of jobs out in the civilian world for a experienced 19D Cav Scout. But I spent plenty of time around the transportation platoon and that helped me to gain my CDL's in civilian life aND experience in transportation and logistics.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Aug 19 at 2015 10:57 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 10:57:28 -0400

Yes indeed! It only took 17-years to figure out what I enjoyed the most and physical therapy was the farthest career in my mind. I spent my enlisted career on the line, only interacting with the medics as needed, didn’t seem like a career I would be interested in. During the Gulf War I met my future wife who was a medic and about to graduate form nursing school. She asked what I was interested in doing when my career was over. An easy answer I did not have but I did want to return to work as an FAA Air Traffic Controller, a job I did after my first hitch with the Navy. She encouraged me to call the FAA and inquire. I did make that phone call, after a brief hold they came back onto the phone with my records and offered me a position in New York…now I tell ya a boy from Texas in New York, I don’t think so. I tried to barter my way to DFW Airport, but to no avail and it was New York or nothing else as they needed body’s badly there. So now what?

So my future wife asked me what I thought about medicine and of course I had no inclination for same. I replied I didn’t know anything particular about medicine but I knew there was docs, nurses, dentists, and pharmacist, what else is there to know? She kept trying to draw more info from me, so she asked what my work day would be like. My reply was an 8-5 job, decent pay, weekends and holidays off, and without hesitation she said be a physical therapist. So the journey began.

My journey to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy was long, painful, and humbling. I found a career that opens many doors and provided a second military career as an officer. I am profoundly envious of those individuals in their early 20s who knows this is the career for them, but at the same time I would have missed an entire different and exciting life as a career sailor with shipboard life, and the last 10-years in the Seabees "Can Do".

For those folks considering a career change, do give thought to physical therapy. It is indeed a long educational process but once you obtain your license to practice many different opportunities become available such as private practice, teaching college, research, hospital based care, etc. The beauty of it all that I like the most is you are employable anywhere you can imagine you would like to live. Then there are the patients, they give you so much personal satisfaction with the hard work they put forth and their outcomes no matter how small or great they are….it makes one want to work because you make a difference to so many.

Response by Cpl Tim Linville made Aug 19 at 2015 12:58 PM

Cpl Tim Linville — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:58:41 -0400

No. Not only was my MOS a farce, other than the fact that I PROUDLY and Honorably served, the job training was of no use in the civilian world.

Response by SSG Jocephus Duckworth made Aug 19 at 2015 1:59 PM

SSG Jocephus Duckworth — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 13:59:22 -0400

With the M.O.S I had in the Army ( 12H Construction Supervior ) it hard to find my dream job. From what I've seen in states like Utah and California, most construction jobs are taken up by illegal immigrants which explains why slot of veteran are out of work. Beside all that, my dream job is to create jobs for fellow veterans and still use my management skills and various construction skills all at the same time. My plan was to buy 10 homes just so I can have a job to do the kitchen and bathroom remodel as well as any other remodels that the homes need. Then find a realtor who's also a veteran to manage the properties and have fellow service members as tenants to rent from me. This is my way of taking car of my fellow veterans and fellow service members who are still serving. I have a landscaper who's also a veteran who cuts grass well I would have him cut grass for all ten of my properties. If always said I wish I had 5 million dollars so I can create jobs for my fellow veterans and that my dream job.

Response by SSG Ken Gilder made Aug 19 at 2015 3:42 PM

SSG Ken Gilder — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:42:27 -0400

I sort of backed in to my job and MOS. Originally, 703, then 71R, then changed again, to 46R. I was a broadcaster, and served in Korea, Germany, Vietnam, the Canal Zone, and Thailand.

Response by LCpl Steve Smith made Aug 19 at 2015 5:25 PM

LCpl Steve Smith — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:25:05 -0400

I didn't pick my M.O.S., I went in Open Contract and I got Motor Transport Operator with 3/5. Dream Job? not in the sense that I made Driving My Career when I E.A.S.'d because when I got out Transportation was not something I continued out of service. In the Sense of Job in the Suck? Yes it was a very good fit for me...I loved driving in a grunt unit. The cross training I got just because I was that squads', Platoons', Company's, or Section's Driver was beyond most Marines in the P.O.G. M.O.S.'s Like me. I got NBC Battalion Decon Training, Learned how to set and mix H.E. (Kilo Co. Squad), how to fire a TOW while driving for Weapons Co., I got to shoot a sniper rifle while Driving for STA Platoon, Shoot the SAW, and 50 Cal. plus got to participate in the service cross training with the Green Berets, C.I.A. Force Recon, and Seals. ( Just because I was driving for the Platoon receiving the cross training.) while most Motor T operators didn't want to take advantage of the opportunities that presented themselves I was and still am a person that believes that Knowledge is Power. or that the more I learned the greater chance of survival. Because even though I was a motor T POG I knew that if they needed to replenish the grunts (While in Combat) They might pull from some of H&S Co. if the need was great enough. I got to drive a whole range of small rounds, mortar rounds and all kinds of H.E. So Yes you could say being Motor T for a Grunt Unit 3/5 was the best job I could of ever had in the military for sure. Do to all of the above and that once I got my Trip Ticket and Vehicle on the Road you I was my own Boss. lol

Response by PO3 Greg Eastom made Aug 20 at 2015 12:04 AM

PO3 Greg Eastom — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 00:04:18 -0400

I was Hospital Corpsman for 6 years during the late 80's to 91 when I decided to get out after reading a ad in the Navy Times I found while getting a hair-cut in my ships barber shop. The ad from the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation CDCR was looking specifically for Navy Corpsman for a position called Medical Technical Assistant (MTA) which is a hybrid nurse/peace officer position providing medical to convicted felons in state prison. It started out at $2550 a month to start and that was in 91 so the pay at that time was a little more than the CO of my last ship made as a commander each month and so of course it enticed me to apply! After applying I challenged California's LVN test and passed with no trouble so I was hired by CDC and started in 1992. Fast forward to September 2014 after 22 years with the department I retired on my 50th birthday with a service retirement at the rate of %80 of my pay.
Being able to completely retire at 50 with a pension for the rest of my life was and still is a blessing made possible from my Naval service. I am so grateful to the Navy for the training I received allowing me to raise a family and retire at a age young enough to do whatever I want.! If it wasn't for the Navy who knows where I would have ended up but for sure it wouldn't have allowed me to retire at such a young age! I highly recommended Navy Corpsman to consider applying for CDCR, it was a great career and well worth the effort in my opinion!

Response by MSgt Mike Ash made Aug 20 at 2015 3:03 PM

MSgt Mike Ash — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:03:03 -0400

Actually I did and quite by accident. My "plan" was to join the Air Force, train in either Security Police or Law Enforcement - hit Vietnam for "experience" and after 4 years, get out and join the St. Paul Police. Well, got way-laid by a recruiter ("Can't promise you a job, but with your high scores - 95% - you won't have a problem") and after requesting either job, I was led off to watch movies on becoming an intel analyst. I said "No thanks" and was shipped off to 6 months of training as an intel analyst at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas (yeehaw). I was challenged by the training and determined to be the best damn analyst in the Air Force. Asked my instructor where I should go afer graduation and he said "You need to go where you can apply your skills - Vietnam!" (Only realized later that his ribbons showed he had served 2 tours over there on Monkey Mountain) - But it was 1974 and they ignored my dream sheet request for 'Nam and sent me to San Antonio (HQs) ... i was less than impressed, but then went to Korea and I was hooked. Twenty-one years later, I "retired" from my dream job.

Response by PO2 Charles Gaskill made Aug 20 at 2015 4:14 PM

PO2 Charles Gaskill — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 16:14:23 -0400

When I was in the 9th grade I did a research paper on Aircraft Carriers. As I went through High School several cousins joined the Navy and my Grandfather had been in the Navy so when I went to the recruiter I told him I wanted to be on carriers and I wanted to work on airplanes. I signed up to be an Aviation Electronic Technician and 8 months later I was on my way. I got to work on the Navy's "then" elite fighter the F-14 Tomcat and served on three carriers during a 10 year service. I'm no where near that industry now, maybe if I'd stayed with it after getting out I'd be happier...too late to go back to it now though. Thought of the day, stay with what you love and know!

Response by SFC Jane Neuharth made Aug 20 at 2015 4:15 PM

SFC Jane Neuharth — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 16:15:42 -0400

I wanted to be a cook, I got to be a cook. Hard work and 3 suspenses a day and fun people to work with. Plus I was a goddess in the field. Mess Momma was a title I held in high esteem.

Response by SFC Gary Burress made Aug 20 at 2015 7:13 PM

SFC Gary Burress — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 19:13:56 -0400

When I joined the Army more than 30 years ago, I became a Private and then an Intelligence Analyst. It wasn't what I wanted to do, but the recruiter made it the ONLY job that didn't ship me overseas without my family. The MOS sounded much more exciting than it turned out in my early years. However, after working the MOS for many years and working up to leadership positions, I found that I could make a positive influence on my soldier's futures. That is when the MOS and the Army became my dream job.

Response by PO1 Kevin Arnold made Aug 21 at 2015 9:13 AM

PO1 Kevin Arnold — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:13:12 -0400

I was fortunate enough to be able to pick my MOS after I was in the military. During my service I was a striker to which at first was not that good. However, during boot camp I was able to choose something that I would not have been able to do later on in my career. I was able to choose submarines and yes I did not get the best jobs but I think it gave me the opportunity to make a great choice of becoming a Yeoman.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 10:53 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:53:00 -0400

Absolutely. I joined the Field Artillery for one simple reason. To blow stuff up. And I've loved every minute of it. Leaving Active Duty and joining the civilian world, true there's not a whole lot of jobs for a Field Artilleryman, but I did use the skills learned to excel, and in the National Guard, I've found my Active Duty skills are in very high demand still!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 11:07 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:07:43 -0400

Of course - I mean who doesn't love to walk out in a brisk -20 degree winter, strap on those snowshoes and the ALICE pack on your back and huff into the wilderness for a solid hour. Once that sweat has penetrated all layers of clothing to your gore-tex you get the fine order to dig yourself a hasty, so you take off those mighty stellar snow shoes and dig yourself a little hole. If you weren't sweaty before, now is when it was really pouring. Once that hasty is done you lay down in it and silently guard your perimeter.. as your body temperature drops to normal. Below normal. Until you are freezing so hard due to the sweat has made sure that your body has no natural protection against the biting cold. You are freezing so hard that you start to think you will loose an extremity.

That's when you get the order you have been waiting for. Put those snow-shoes back on, out that ruck on your back and huff back. Home takes longer due to cold soldier bodies now aren't working properly until you have started to sweat again. After a 3 hour ordeal you are back where you started, and you get 20 minutes to change and shower and go do something productive with your day.

I miss these days like hemorrhoids.

Response by Cpl Reginald Zenkewich made Aug 21 at 2015 11:58 AM

Cpl Reginald Zenkewich — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:58:47 -0400

There were no dream jobs when I joined the military in 1965. The dream job was to stay out of Viet Nam.

Response by Capt Christian D. Orr made Aug 22 at 2015 3:02 AM

Capt Christian D. Orr — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 03:02:31 -0400

Well, I first started considering a police career when I was a high school sophomore, and I ended up doing Security Forces (AKA Security Police) in the Air Force. I never got to do actual law enforcement duties during my time in SF, but it was fun for awhile--it indeed had its "Dream Job" moments--before it grew old, and I then parlayed it into a Federal civilian law enforcement career with CBP (whuch also had its "dream job" moments) and ICE for 5 years.....and all of the preceding made it possible for me to get into contracting world that I'm loving so much now.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 8:54 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 08:54:31 -0400

Yes i did. I am a weapons troop 2w1 in the air force and i love my job every day. i have met so many different people and been to a few places and i wouldn't change anything about it. i have been in for 4 years and plan to do many more. You won't find many weapons troops that say they love their job but i can honestly say i do.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Aug 22 at 2015 8:58 AM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 08:58:11 -0400

Honestly growing up I wanted nothing to do with the military. I hated it because my mom was always gone. She was a single mother. I swore I would never join. Then join high school I realized I was doing nothing with my life and needed something else. I tried to enlist as a 11b in the army but I was color blind. Then heard about the Seabees. Best thing that ever happened to me. I loved construction and it was the best fit for me.

Response by SGT Fredrick Ramm made Aug 29 at 2015 4:59 PM

SGT Fredrick Ramm — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 16:59:53 -0400

Armor was my branch, perhaps I was an over paid private, if it was another era, I would have joined the horse cav, but I was really impressed by a PBS Program, years ago, on The Dog Soldiers of Vietnam...these guys did their job, dedicated and well. It was an MOS I missed; I would have worked well, night and day, with these noble creatures...that would have been my team.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Feb 25 at 2016 10:28 AM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 10:28:10 -0500

Kind of, but no. On a Submarine, everyone has multiple jobs and responsibilities. So once my real job was done, I had alternate jobs to do. It was neat as I got to be a photographer, weapon launcher, armed guard, sonar operator, radio operator, EMT, kitchen help (waiter/preparer) etc. Sad really as I didn't have the grades/scholastic acumen to go to Sonar Technician school yet I was able to take and pass the tests on board.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2017 10:17 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 10:17:46 -0400

Nope, sniff... I wanted to be a journalist, aka the public affairs 46-series. I served in the infantry instead because it was the only vacancy available in the summer of 1998. I waited several months prior and spoke to two different recruiters but I got the same bs story every time. Hated every minute of it, but I did my job and went on deployment like a good little soldier.

From my experience it's not so much the job but the people that you work with. You can have the most awesome job but if the people around you suck then your dream job will suck too.

Response by SrA A.A. Hall made May 5 at 2017 12:44 AM

SrA A.A. Hall — Fri, 05 May 2017 00:44:32 -0400

Yes I did. Jet Engine Mechanic specialist w/ FOD repair training. Which lead to lots of TDY's in some great & some crazy places.

Response by PO2 John Crutchfield made May 11 at 2017 1:49 PM

PO2 John Crutchfield — Thu, 11 May 2017 13:49:26 -0400

I went into the Navy a little late at 22 years old. I had just finished EMT certification, but found out that I needed to be 24 to get hired in my city. I decided to join up as a Hospital Corpsman. My goal was to go green. The Navy had other plans. They deemed me unfit for the HM rating due to my tremors in my hands. I was given the opportunity to pick a new rate towards the end of boot. However, there were only two schools available; Mess Specialist and Data Processing Technician. I didn't want to be a cook, so...

After serving in the Navy for six years, I got out and immediately got a job as a batch processor for Unisys. In October 2016, I retired working in IT after 29 total years. I always considered myself an "accidental" IT guy. It wasn't what I set out to do with my life, but I was good with customers.

I recently decided to go back into the workforce. However, I am doing something completely opposite of IT. I start Real Estate school on June 5th 2017. I wouldn't be where I am today without the Navy deeming me unfit for the HM rating.

Response by SSG Ken Gilder made May 18 at 2017 2:57 PM

SSG Ken Gilder — Thu, 18 May 2017 14:57:48 -0400

In 1964, I was fixing radios on armored vehicles with C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 10th Cav, at Camp Kaiser, Korea. AFKN ran desperately short of people, and held open auditions, from Puson, to the DMZ. I was one of the fortunate ones. I was selected because I had no detectable regionalism in my voice. I became a DJ for Armed Forces Radio, and got my MOS changed from 312.10, to 703.10. Picked up the 701.10 as a secondary, after writing some pieces for the Ft. Bragg base paper, after DEROS'ing from Korea.

Later, the 703 and 701 MOS's became 71R and 71Q, and a bit further down the road, turned into 46R and 46Q.

I was on the promotion list for E-7, but the Army was a bit miffed because I had the temerity to have a heart attack. They retired me medically as an E-6.

But, yeah! Being a DJ for Armed Forces Radio, was a "dream job."

Response by PO1 Milton Conkle made May 18 at 2017 5:48 PM

PO1 Milton Conkle — Thu, 18 May 2017 17:48:57 -0400

I may not have my dream job but the skills I learned in the Navy (Boiler Tech) have enabled me to earn a living and take care of my family for over 30 yrs.

Response by TSgt John Hotelling made Aug 5 at 2017 12:16 AM

TSgt John Hotelling — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 00:16:39 -0400

Yes I did as a start fire protection specialist 57130 to 57170 17 1/2 years but ended up medically retired parlayed that for a 29 year career as fire fighter to a Chief. Also expanded out to teaching all phases of hazardous materials instructor even while active duty made a nice chunk of change there. But now the old way injury has me doing nothing but reflecting on a great career. Also I basically had A career at 1 base with a mid time 9 month short tour to Alaska and then back to Loring till retirement. Heck never left the area lol case I'm still here 7 miles from old Loring. I would have gotten my 20 but with base being closed the af had no choice but meb and medically retired...oh well..

Response by Cpl Bill Johnson made Dec 22 at 2017 7:44 AM

Cpl Bill Johnson — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 07:44:30 -0500

I wanted to be at thebtip of the spear, and that is what I did. I was an infantry heavy machinegunner (USMC), and I loved it!

Response by MSgt Scott Howard made Jan 6 at 2018 9:01 AM

MSgt Scott Howard — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 09:01:16 -0500

Yep. Part of the reason I joined USAF is I wanted to work in Avionics. I did. I don't know why it didn't occur to me at the time that all branches have aircraft, but it didnt.

Response by TSgt Wayne Johnson made Feb 14 at 2019 11:36 PM

TSgt Wayne Johnson — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 23:36:06 -0500

Yes I did!!!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 15 at 2021 6:34 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 18:34:12 -0500

I wanted to be a pilot since I was about 10. In 1970 I got my wish when I completed USAF pilot training. Went on to fly C130, the most fun of the transport aircraft, for two tours and over 1500 hours. Also got a chance to teach pilot training where I also learned a lot about leadership. And got to fly a biz jet part time for 3 years. A good gig. Best 16 years of my life. Then I did staff work.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 28 at 2024 3:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 15:29:47 -0500

I want to be the most interesting man in the world. I rode in helicopters and tanks. I have written a couple books. i coach people with PTSD. I am my wife's Iron Chef. Now I am a professional gambler. lol