I’m currently active duty marine corps, I’m trying to transfer to the army. The only mos I want is 31k dog handler. How can I do this?

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 01:44:45 -0500

I’m a 5811 eas is November. Terminal would start in September. I tried talking to one recruiter and they told me it was impossible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2021 3:33 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 03:33:50 -0500

Yeah, you probably won't get this MOS. How you can get it is by being extremely lucky. There's a handful of MOS's that have so very few class seats a year that you just tell people no. Not just "probably won't happen", more like "LOL in your face". Also you're prior service so your choice of jobs is even more restricted

Your best chance of doing this MOS is joining a civilian law enforcement agency, working yourself onto their K9 team, and then trying to work yourself into a National Guard unit with a K9 unit and hoping that just maybe, "maybe" you can get slotted into a 31K position. Also, I'm not even sure if the National Guard has 31K's.

On the Active Duty side:show up at the MEPS, let them know you're not fooling around and that that ONLY job you're willing to take is 31K. Leave disappointed. Try again a few months later. Find a recruiter willing to waste hours out of their day taking you to MEPS over and over. Rinse and repeat for months or years on end until you exceed the maximum age for enlisting. Kind of like the lottery, you just keep playing till you realize you've wasted enough of your only non renewable resource - time. Maybe you'll get lucky. After all, SOMEONE out there is becoming a 31K, it might eventually be you. You might be the one to get lucky. But that's also what every old person buying lottery tickets instead of investing in an IRA says.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Mar 12 at 2021 7:21 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 07:21:37 -0500

Any dog training to put into your packet? That would help.

Response by Cpl Johnny Willis made Mar 12 at 2021 8:59 AM

Cpl Johnny Willis — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 08:59:53 -0500

So you're going to get out as an MP just to in the Army to try and be a dog handler. I mean it sounds good - the dog handling part. Contractors overseas are making bank for that spot - but, I would highly advise you just stay in -- if staying in is what you want to do. Getting out, and then trying to go back in but in a different branch is a PITA -- I'm going through it now. If I could advise anyone on getting out or staying in - I will say stay in. Go find your Units S-3, and speak to the school NCO and see if just maybe they have any slots for dog handlers. Maybe you tried that already and I'm not sure about 5811's - but I know they've sent 11's in the past to these courses and I very much am sure that there are spots for MP's. Go to S-3. Find the school NCO, ask. Otherwise, maybe consider doing a LAT move and try a different MOS -- I'm not sure your reasons for wanting dog handler unless you are trying to do contracting later on, then ok, but at the same time dude. If you can get into something with IT .. doing a lat move into that. You'll get a bonus, all your certs, work experience, and easily be making six figures. Just something for your cargo pocket.... Semper Fi.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2021 9:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 09:01:53 -0500

If you’re willing to wait for the slot you might be able to get it, but that wait could be upwards of a year. We’re a small MOS, and seats fill quickly. Going MP first is not the right answer, as we are no longer an additional skill identifier.

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Mar 12 at 2021 12:32 PM

Cpl Benjamin Long — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 12:32:40 -0500

I would assume you talk to the unit career planner...

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2021 1:24 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 13:24:59 -0500

Have you actually looked at ALL the MOS' offered? There's quite a few hidden gems out there besides the 31K. And many that will set you up better for post-service than being an MP....