If I plan on going active duty after college, what are my options in terms of MOS?

PVT Toby Poole — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 02:31:41 -0400

Context: I used to be in the Texas Army National Guard and held the 68W (Combat Medic) MOS, I worded it like that because I was unfortunately discharged during my AIT due to some personal and family problems that were causing some not too severe mental health issues. I am currently back in my home town going to school to earn my bachelor's degree in criminal justice, which I plan on earning before I reenlist. I don't think the actual enlistment part will be a problem, I have an honorable discharge, reentry code of 1, with a JFV separation code for "a condition, not a disability," and no record of any sort of misconduct throughout my short Army career. I am not considered GNPS though, as I passed the 180 day active duty service requirement to be considered prior service, or so I've read.

So my main question is this: If I plan on going active duty after college, what are my options in terms of MOS? I enjoyed the training I went through of being a 68W, but the only reason I never went 31B (Military Police) was that I didn't have my license at the time of my enlistment (kind of dumb, I know) and while the option was available for me to waive it, I wanted to ship for basic as fast as possible so I just chose 68W instead as it was still something I was interested in. I read the prior service business rules and I know it says all MOS are available for selection due to my rank, but from other forums I've read it seems like it comes down to needs of the Army. Does anyone think it's possible that there's a recruiter out there who might pull some strings and get me 31B? Or maybe someone can tell me I'm stressing myself out over nothing and I should have no problem getting an active duty 31B slot?

I've also looked into the 31D (CID Special Agent) enlistment option as well and that would be something I'd definitely be interested in if there's truly no way I could get 31B, and from what I've read that seems a lot more realistic than what I'm currently asking, and once I get my degree I'll have the qualifications for it. Overall, I'd just really hate to have to work in an MOS that I have no interest in, and I still probably wouldn't completely enjoy working in one that I am interested in, and could get a slot for, but wouldn't relate to the law enforcement career I want to have like 68W or the 18 Series (Special Forces). I'll do just about any job for the reserves or guard because I can still be a police officer full time, but the biggest deciding factor for if I go active or not is what MOS I can get.

Sorry for the rambling, hope this isn't too long and any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2018 4:19 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 04:19:55 -0400

1) Focus on your finishing college and getting your degree.
2) Once you have your degree, speak with an Officer recruiter.
3) Please get rid of the (P) next to your rank as the "P" means you are promotable.. From E-1 to E-4, you are advanced. From E-4 to E-5 and going higher, you are promoted. This is not to bust your stuff, but to inform you. Because, if you are out and not back in (yet), then the "P" is unwarranted.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jul 28 at 2018 5:12 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 05:12:46 -0400

Theoretically speaking you shouldn’t have any issues. Nevertheless speak with a recruiter for the latest and greatest and anything specific to your situation. Regarding on MOS selection is about on what you qualify for based on your ASVAB scores and availability based your ship date. Recruiters don’t want to baby sit you while waiting for a school date.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2018 8:36 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 08:36:30 -0400

To answer your question- because you are not MOS qualified, you don’t fall under the business rules as most prior service would. Most if not all would be open to you, BUT the Recruiter can’t show you what is in the system, for PS that is done at MEPS. Hope this helps.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Jul 28 at 2018 2:36 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 14:36:26 -0400

First you need to contact a recruiter to see if you are eligible to reenlist. Then that where you will see where you stand cause you will have to take the ASVAB and go through MEPS again.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2018 8:02 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 20:02:49 -0400

An Active Duty recruiter is probably going to be the biggest subject matter expert on this. Theoretically you should have no real issues keeping you from re-enlisting. 31 series MOS requires a secret clearance. Get your degree, go back in and maybe go officer later!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 28 at 2018 8:22 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 20:22:43 -0400

1. MOS's are at the Need of the Service period. 2. There is no pulling strings, either the MOS is open and has slots or it isn't. 3. The can change from month to moth, based on losses, funding, force structure. Why not check with a recruiter to see what is open, and if your scores are workable?

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2018 10:13 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 22:13:04 -0400

No one should know better than your recruiter talk to them

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2018 12:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 00:35:45 -0400

Without reading our entire question. If you are in college now and planning on receiving a BS or higher degree I would highly recommend the officer route and do ROTC. You can branch into different areas from that You can do 68A med service officer or 31A MP if that is what you want but you would have to go see the commander of the ROTC program at your School if they have one. If not you are going to come in as a Specialist. Not much of an advantage if you are already one and USARC all you to keep your rank. Good luck

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2018 10:31 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:31:46 -0400

I’m a 68W in an MP company (31b) so far I have heard a lot about how they hate their lives I’d recommend going medic over 31b just because of how much I hear them complain we even had some suicides over the stress recently. However if you really want to here I’s what medics usually do vs MP from my experience (MP) cons 1.no one likes you 2.you always see people when they are pissed and have to break up fights 3.you have to keep an emotional distance from ANY calls even ones that make you want to strangle the perpetrator.
(PROS) 1.never get speeding tickets
2. The MP core is very tight night kinda like a small town everyone knows each other 3. You’ll never be out of regs these guys keep each other on point about every minor rule and regulation dayly
Medic (cons) 1. Not much to do
2.you can be in any unit
3. Only time people are happy to see you is when they want something
(Pros) 1.you can sham better than a specialist with a dead mans profile
2. No one wants to piss you off
3. It’s a good starting point in any medical career
I could give more but these are the main ones I’ve seen so far

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 1 at 2018 10:38 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:38:47 -0400

It will depend on what you qualify for and what is the Service's need at the time you apply.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2018 1:38 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 01:38:22 -0400

From what you described, you don’t have the TIS for 31D. Someone mentioned ROTC. If you want to work LE/the road, you typically won’t be as 31A. If documented, a prior “mental health” issue could be a problem when trying to join the MP Corps. Either way, you’re asking questions that need to be made in person to a recruiter. Schedule a sit down and indicate you’re just looking for information/options.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2018 9:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 09:37:17 -0400

Whatever the MEPS tells you they have. The Army is like a corporation, they hire to fill vacancies.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2018 11:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 11:52:50 -0400

It depends on what's available when you go to MEPS.

I joined after college with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. When I went to pick out my job, I was asked what I wanted. I said journalism or public affairs. I was told I'd have to wait six months to go to basic to get that. So I said what else is there...he looks and says the closest thing to journalism he can find is intelligence analyst. I read the description...then I said "what else is there?" He said mechanic or cook. I said I'll take that intel thing. I've been an intelligence analyst the entire 14 years I've been in. I don't mind it. Most of the time.

But I got what was available at the time. You have to see what's available when you get to MEPS.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 22 at 2018 1:13 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 13:13:19 -0400

If you can get a waiver for your discharge code, you can try for whatever they have open at that time.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Mar 18 at 2019 8:55 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 08:55:50 -0400

My recommendation is to talk to the recruiters boss or Station Cdr. The MEPS Guidance Counselor not the Recruiter finds you the Job that the Army needs not the Recruiter.