If I’m not good at shooting or with PT, is there any way I can reclass from 11B into an MOS that I will actually enjoy and be useful for?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 20:42:28 -0400

I just got to my unit a few weeks ago. I’m not good at shooting or not good with my PT, so I look like a POS in my unit. Seeing how my job works Im not cut out to be an infantryman. I would love to still be in the army. Is there any way I can reclass into an MOS that I will actually enjoy and be useful for?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 9:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 21:32:53 -0400

You can reclass once you are in your re-enlistment window.

PT can be improved on own with motivation and dedication
Shooting is a perishable skill, practice, you will get better.

Don't give up until you know you have nothing more to give.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 9:39 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 21:39:57 -0400

Both of those are skills that can be learned, give yourself a chance to learn and grow before quitting. Sounds like you need a resiliency class while your at it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 9:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 21:57:16 -0400

When it’s time to reenlist you may have a chance to reclass. It it will be several years until you go to your new training. Until then you still need to do PT and shoot. Shooting and PT are skills you can improve in your own. These are Soldier skills and there will never be a time or an MOS that they are not important.

Ironically, you’ll need those skills even more in other MOSs to get promoted. As an 11B you can still make points for SGT and SSG even if you just meet the minimum and you’ll get promoted. In most other MOSs you’ll have to score close to the max, or even max it out, to make enough points to be competitive for those ranks.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 10:13 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 22:13:42 -0400

What needs to happen is an NCO needs to take you under their wing, and mentor you in getting better at PRT and BRM.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 11 at 2020 10:21 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 22:21:03 -0400

Don’t give up because you aren’t an overnight infantry god. Put in the work and you’ll improve.

But the answer to your question is that you can lateral move to a new MOS but you can’t right out of entry level training. When it comes up for re-enlistment you can switch job fields but the military won’t put you through multiple MOS schools right out the gate until you get a warm and fuzzy.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 10:24 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 22:24:47 -0400

Work on your PT and shooting until they are strengths. Quitting is not an option!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 10:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 22:45:58 -0400

IF you want to be a great 11B you CAN.
If you don’t then find a way to move on and be a great something else.
YOU control your own narrative.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Jun 11 at 2020 11:16 PM

SSG George Holtje — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 23:16:56 -0400

Make the most of your current time until that window opens. Hit the gym, get a pellet gun, you can improve on your shortcomings. A wise 1SG told me “Everybody brings something to the fight”.
If you still decide to reclassify, you will still be the better for it

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2020 11:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 23:24:10 -0400

When the enemy is in the wire, and over running your position, you'll start to shoot real good, and PT comes naturally.
Just coming from a 11Bush

Response by SFC James Cameron made Jun 11 at 2020 11:27 PM

SFC James Cameron — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 23:27:11 -0400

The self worth aspect you’ve mentioned should be addressed. No Soldier I’ve ever had or seen was untrainable. Finding intrinsic motivators will help you. What about the Infantry do you like? Concentrate on the good and embrace the suck during the bad.
Shooting can be addressed in the EST and with repetitive training and reinforcement of the fundamentals.
Daily Unit PT is honestly intended as maintenance, and will not typically make a borderline Soldier a peak athletic performer. You need to push yourself beyond your comfort zone when you work out or you’re simply wasting your time with only going through the motions.
That aside, 11 Series not an easy job and isn’t for everyone. Your performance between now and the window to reclass will have a great affect on your options later as the Army isn’t in the business of maintaining mediocrity.
My advice is to find yourself a mentor, a gym buddy or someone that will push and motivate you without causing undue embarrassment.

Response by SSG Rajeev Kirpalani made Jun 11 at 2020 11:32 PM

SSG Rajeev Kirpalani — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 23:32:15 -0400

Don’t give up, those are skills you can learn with practice. You want to rank up quick stay where you are. If you still decide to reclass wait till your window opens up. Look at the IN / OUT Calls also

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jun 12 at 2020 12:54 AM

SPC James Neidig — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:54:44 -0400

90 percent of both of them are in your mind , with that being said as for shooting sight picture / trigger press and breathing are the key/ as for PT go to the gym and seek guidance form the staff, tell them what your weaknesses are They will help you improve. You have to push yourself and DO NOT GIVE Up !!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2020 1:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 01:02:26 -0400

Challenge yourself. If you lack in skills ask for tips or assistance. Nothing wrong with asking for help. Maybe you will enjoy it more once you gain your experience.

Response by SGT Justin Brothen made Jun 12 at 2020 1:03 AM

SGT Justin Brothen — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 01:03:32 -0400

Speak to your first line. You might be missing just one aspect of shooting. No matter where you go PT, and marksmanship will be important. Seek in person guidance

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2020 7:27 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 19:27:13 -0400

As mentioned, both of your weaknesses can be addressed with more training and a little motivation.

However, if what you are currently doing does not satisfy you maybe it is time to move on. The true key of any organization should be to find people that are good at and love what they do. So if you have desires to do something else I would say go find that thing/mos. On the other hand if you truly do want to be a great Infantryman then it’s time to buckle down and make it happen.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2020 7:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 07:18:23 -0400

You can practice these things and attempt to get better at them.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2020 6:33 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 18:33:39 -0400

You've been in for 3 minutes, you shouldn't expect to be that good. But you did one thing right - you identified your shortcomings. You've been in less than a year, most of which at OSUT. Here's a hint: OSUT does a terrible job at building Soldiers of almost all MOS'. Most training and mastery comes at your unit. Get out of your room more and do PT. Do a nice long ruck on saturdays - rucking builds a lot of muscle groups, and is the base for everything Infantry. While rucking - think to yourself or talk to yourself about marksmanship.
Do you own a weapon - if so go to the range on weekends and practice. They even make targets that will show you what the issue is (squeeze/breathing/sight picture). The Infantry is a very simple, basic job: shoot, move, communicate.
Sounds like you need to do more than what your unit is giving you - get out of your room and practice.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2020 11:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 23:32:21 -0400

1, you shouldn't have chosen infantry if you're going to maintain that mentality. I mean it's pretty inherent that those two things are key pillars of being an infantryman. If it sounds like I'm giving you shit idk, I probably am. But I'll be honest with you, I wasn't the best shot out of OSUT. My first unit, well technically second, gave me all the proper training and I improved drastically, both as a shooter and in PT.

Honest advice I can give you is get with your TL and ask him to help you outside of normal hours to work on PT. Just about all the NCOs I've worked with soldiers after work if it were necessary. As far as shooting goes, ask for as much PMI as you can and if your duty station has an EST trainer ask if your unit is slated to go any time soon.

Out of the two I'd say PT is the easiest because outside of going to a range on your own dime you're kind if limited on how much trigger time you can get. PT is free and much more available. Again, get with your FLL and seek help. PT and shooting are requirements regardless of MOS. Good luck.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2020 9:17 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 09:17:33 -0400

Get with your NCO and tell them you need help...then listen to them.