I am in ROTC and I am having a hard time choosing an MOS to commission. What's your experience?

2020-03-27T16:40:43-04:00

Hello everyone. A little background for you about myself, I joined the North Dakota National Guard right out of high school, born and raised. At the time, I was a band geek so I joined the 188th Army Band. I eventually transferred down to the 34th Army band in the Iowa National Guard. After a couple more years I switched my MOS to 68W and currently serve as a medic. I am about to attend BLC in a couple months and I'll be hitting E5. I am a sophomore in college and attending Army ROTC. Because I'll be hitting MSIII this coming fall semester, I have to contract and therefore I need by MOS chosen. What suggestions do you have?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 4:43 PM

2020-03-27T16:43:29-04:00

You do a wish list then the army tells you which one you get.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 4:45 PM

2020-03-27T16:45:05-04:00

Pick something you’d be interested in learning and depending on what your doing in the civilian side something that would transfer job skills!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 4:50 PM

2020-03-27T16:50:56-04:00

You don't pick an MOS to commission. Once you contract, assuming you are doing SMP, you won't even have an MOS. You'll be a Cadet, and go from 68W to 09R. When you commission, after senior year, that's when you will get a Branch. You'll give them your Branch wish list sometime junior year. Is that what you are asking, what you should Branch upon commissioning?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 4:54 PM

2020-03-27T16:54:20-04:00

I didn't get a choice. The Army can use your previous MOS or your degree to determine a branch or you may get whatever there is a shortage of. You get a wish list not a guaranteed choice.
Good Luck.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 4:55 PM

2020-03-27T16:55:53-04:00

SPC Penman,

Traditional officers (O-grades) don’t have MOS’s, we have AOCs (Areas of Concentration). During your MS3 year, you will be given the opportunity to rank in order of your preference which Army branches you wish to serve in. Some of the branches have specific degree and testing standards that you must meet in order to join.

Your upperclassmen and cadre are there to assist you with the commissioning process. Below is a list of the Army branches with hyperlinks from my alma mater’s ROTC page. I’d encourage you to use the break in training to research all of these branches so that you can make an informed decision when you create your wishlist.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 5:00 PM

2020-03-27T17:00:55-04:00

So I wanted Armor or MP when I commissioned. Was a little upset at getting Signal at first. Over the last 20 years I am glad and enjoy my job. Research the branches but realize you will go needs of the Army. I had a little tech background but decided to work hard no matter what the Army asked of me. Good luck with the next chapter of your career.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 27 at 2020 5:24 PM

2020-03-27T17:24:16-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member you need to break the "MOS" mindset. You will become an officer assigned to a branch. This article is now a little dated with the advent of the market place, but still info on how to make this decision. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-i-choose-an-army-branch-a-framework

I don't think you'll find a band utilization in there. Your prior MOS is irrelevant

How do I choose an Army Branch?: A Framework | RallyPoint

The purpose of this article is to address one of the biggest Rally Point questions among Army ROTC Cadets: I am a with a major in , which branch should I choose? One of my goals is to help you filter through what you will get back. After all, don’t we all turn to the nameless, faceless internet trolls to determine our future? The immediate challenge is that the people responding are well intentioned but generally don’t know you from Adam....

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 27 at 2020 5:24 PM

2020-03-27T17:24:18-04:00

Like everyone else has said it is needs of the Army the exception being medical, legal, and religion. If you really want to chose, chose one of those. I went nursing from being a medic and direct commissioned into the nurse corps.

Response by Alec Roman made Mar 27 at 2020 6:04 PM

2020-03-27T18:04:45-04:00

What is your current major and interest? Also are you planning on making a career out of the Army? This may influence what branch you decide to go since some obviously have more carry over into into the private/civilian sector with the exception of contracting. Certain branches such as MI, Signal, and MP carry well over to other government jobs (FBI, NSA, Etc). You can find a lot of use in civilian jobs with finance, AG, etc. if you want to stay in the army long term then FA, Armor and Infantry are fine just expect limited carryover if you get out (or at least not as good compared to other branches).

For the love of God though do not go Chemical.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Mar 27 at 2020 6:55 PM

2020-03-27T18:55:44-04:00

You are most likely are going to get the predominant branch in your state's National Guard (usually Infantry). With your medic training and experience maybe Medical Service Corps would be a good fit. With what's going on currently we are probably going to expand our Medical assets in the Guard and Reserves anyway. Best of luck and thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 27 at 2020 7:50 PM

2020-03-27T19:50:00-04:00

I would first tell you to google army branches and their definitions.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2020 2:06 AM

2020-03-28T02:06:55-04:00

If you stay Guard you do get to pick. I switched active and they told me what to do.
Take your best guess at it and you can change later. Honestly as an officer most positions will be the very similar regardless of branch.
Good Luck

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Mar 28 at 2020 2:13 AM

2020-03-28T02:13:44-04:00

I would say stay a medic and attempt be a PA warrant officer or go MSC

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Mar 28 at 2020 10:14 AM

2020-03-28T10:14:38-04:00

At this point, learn as much as you can about all the available officer branches. The ND NG has an officer strength manager (OSM) who can tell you what branch vacancies will be available when you would commission. You do not need a branch selected to sign an ROTC contract and your enlisted MOS does not determine what you will do as an officer. Since you are in the NG and soon to be a contracted cadet, you will become a 09R (SMP cadet) when you contract. Try to get assigned to a unit that has a variety of branches so you can see what those officers do. When you get to Advanced Camp, you will have a day to learn about all the branches and when you get back, you would work the OSM to see what is available and submit your preference sheet. So bottomline is that you do not have to worry about a branch right now.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 28 at 2020 11:18 AM

2020-03-28T11:18:34-04:00

We could give you better advice if you completed more of your profile. What will your degree be in? Professional certifications? How about near and mid-term goals?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 28 at 2020 12:18 PM

2020-03-28T12:18:28-04:00

Have you been undergone aptitude testing to determine your strengths?

Response by CPT John Kane made Mar 28 at 2020 5:28 PM

2020-03-28T17:28:07-04:00

My 3 choices were: Armor, TC and Signal. Told I was not medically combat qualified because of my poor eyesight. Took the RA commission, got assigned to the Infantry for 2 years and served as a line platoon leader in a Cavalry Squadron! "What about my eyes?" "We gave you a waiver." So whatever you want as a branch you'll get what the Army wants you to have. Served 6 years in the TC after my "Detail."

Response by SGT Michael Raymond made Jun 1 at 2020 9:59 AM

2020-06-01T09:59:45-04:00

I would encourage you to consider Military Intelligence. It’s like getting on the inside, so you can see what’s really going on and then position yourself from there. Having an intelligence background starts you off with security clearances, all of which support promotions in the future and all options those with clearances and those without. You’ll end of having the very most options possible for your future! It’s the wise strategic career play for sure! I only wanted to be a soldier, my recruiter huddled me into Military Intelligence but after I learned what I learned I AM SO GLAD HE DID!!!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2020 7:17 PM

2020-06-13T19:17:34-04:00

You will go through accessions and receive a branch. Yes, you get a wish list. As you go through this year there’s a series of online aptitude assessments you’ll have to take, then based on leadership assessments, PMS and TAC comments, grades, PT, etc the Army will determine where best to place you. Only some consideration for your major, unless your major is a specialty. If you plan on accessing into the Guard or Reserve, the process is a little different.
As a cadet I asked for ADA and received that, but half my OBC class was OCS and came from the medical fields (as enlisted). I branch transferred to QM/LG as a young captain. If you need more information, you can ask you cadre about the branches or ask them to look me up on global. I’m currently at USACC OIG.

Response by Sgt Jim Mullins made Jun 21 at 2020 1:20 PM

2020-06-21T13:20:50-04:00

Only one MOS Matters, Infantry or in the USMC "GRUNT", 0311.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Oct 26 at 2020 12:43 AM

2020-10-26T00:43:45-04:00

DAH! How about your area of interest you are going to school for? Unless it is underwater basket weaving the military should have something which relates to your potential major.