Does the Army Pick the MOS for everyone?

2020-06-11T05:04:35-04:00

On my Picat, I got a 59 AFQT which is pretty average I think. The next day my recruiter gave me a list to pick from with every MOS I Qualified for and I picked my top ten. After that, I went back to MEPS to swear in and they had already picked 11b as my MOS (which was not in the top 10). I Said I Didn't pick 11b and they basically said they picked it for me. It's too late now obviously but I just thought about it do they just pick for everyone whatever the army needs or was I just being an idiot?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 5:15 AM

2020-06-11T05:15:58-04:00

No, you get to choose what MOS you want! That’s one of the main purposes for line scores! Your recruiter supposed to been taken care of you so that MEPS wouldn’t have to choose for you!! I met the requirements to be a MP and got that job! All of my battle buddies got the MOS they requested as well! Maybe there’s something I don’t know, but this the first time I’ve heard of such situation!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 5:42 AM

2020-06-11T05:42:12-04:00

You picked 11B by agreeing to enlist 11B when they picked it for you. You probably made your recruiter a hero. You could enjoy it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 11 at 2020 5:43 AM

2020-06-11T05:43:03-04:00

It is all based on what is available at the time you enlist. There are periods in which a lot are available, and there are stretches where nothing is available based on the number of available recruits.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 8:36 AM

2020-06-11T08:36:26-04:00

You pick your MOS. Your recruiter is like an agent, but also a salesman and HR rep rolled into one. They are supposed to listen to your career goals in the army and try and work to represent you and your wants, but they also must meet the army’s needs.

So if they were doing their job and you gave them a list of your top 10 jobs and you had the line scores to take those MOS then they should have told you that you don’t have to just take what is available, but you can wait to take a job you actually want.

Once you sign though that’s pretty much it and you’re in that MOS.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 10:08 AM

2020-06-11T10:08:03-04:00

I have BS degrees in Chemistry and Physics. MS degree in chemical engineering. I spent 2 years doing chemical warfare research. And the Army made me an MP officer. Go figure.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Jun 11 at 2020 1:32 PM

2020-06-11T13:32:25-04:00

No they don’t. I scored a 60 and TBH they didn’t even give me a list but they just asked me what I wanted to do and I told them the job and I picked my job. I didn’t even know they had a list til a few years ago cause I just went in there and told them what I wanted to do and got it!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 11 at 2020 1:51 PM

2020-06-11T13:51:50-04:00

So I see you're part of the ArNG. National Guard recruiting is a little different than Active Duty. To be in a Guard Unit, you need to fit into a slot in that unit. What priority did you give your recruiter with regard to unit location or a particular type of unit? If you wanted to be in the Guard near your home, you may have very limited choice about the type of unit you can join.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jun 11 at 2020 3:35 PM

2020-06-11T15:35:33-04:00

The way it works is the jobs that you qualify for are based off your ASVAB score. The higher you score, the more jobs you qualify for.

The Army has needs that are constantly changing. At the time you went in there was a need for 11B hence why it was pushed. Now here is what the recruiters and MEPS don't tell you. You can refuse that. They cannot DO squat about it. You cannot be forced to take an MOS you did not want. However it is up to you to say no to it. Because once you sign the dotted line and swear the oath and head out to BCT, that is it...

You have to tell them no, this is what I want. That I did not choose this and will not accept it. Sometimes they try pressure tactics relying on the recruit being naive. Do not allow that to happen.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Jun 11 at 2020 4:04 PM

2020-06-11T16:04:42-04:00

The closest to that I heard was a buddy in OSUT who wanted to fly helicopters or drive tanks. He got the minimum on the ASVAB(I think he was dyslexic, because he always struck me as a pretty smart guy) and was told ‘you can go infantry or the other thing, you don’t want the other thing’.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 7:06 PM

2020-06-11T19:06:42-04:00

Unless you have a guarantee to get you to a school, regardless of service, your MOS is based on your qualifications and the needs of the service. Your handlers may solicit information or any experience you have, but it's mostly filling blanks on T/O funneled down to entrance Command. I put a few in the Solar Program, and did the same myself. Any job under the Sun. Not like USN Nuclear.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 15 at 2020 2:24 PM

2020-06-15T14:24:41-04:00

Why did you sign a contract for an MOS you didn't want?