Is it a good idea to stay in a more technical MOS then later switch to combat MOS later?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 13:49:43 -0400

I enlisted as a 15p and I have a 4 year contract and I was planning on like later on becoming a combat engineer, mp, or cab scout. I also heard my mos is pretty over strengthed so would that mean reclassing during your first contract would be easier ?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2017 2:21 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 14:21:34 -0400

Personally I would recommend getting you a which gives you legitimate skill sets \ job opportunities for after you get out. Especially if the mos gets you a top secret security clearance.
I currently know about paramedics and security guards making high five figures, some even six figures annually because they have a top secret clearance.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2017 3:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 15:35:35 -0400

What do you want to do? Doing something you like is better then a promotion to something that you don't.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2017 5:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 17:23:00 -0400

15P might be a good segue into Air Traffic Control. Use this time to enhance your skill sets, take correspondence courses, ace your PT test and marksmanship, and find ways to take initiative. When the time comes to go and swap MOSs your unit and command will be behind you. Why do I say Air Traffic Control?

Just like pilots and mechanics, controllers are going to be the next big choke point on the aviation machine. Fairly rewarding career, awesome job, and great benefits. If I ever lose my medical as an aviator, I will go be an Air Traffic Controller.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2017 10:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 22:37:55 -0400

Here is the reality. To make a successful transition to combat arms from a combat service or combat service support MOS, you need to do it early in your career. Simply put, the leadership style is a bit different and soldiers who make this transition as an NCO often have a great deal of difficulty catching up. The problem is if you change out of a technical specialty early in your career, you can loose any advantage of getting that experience once you get out because you don't have the experience level employers want.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 5 at 2017 10:58 PM

LTC John Mohor — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 22:58:21 -0400

PVT Khalil Wallace if you end up in the Army Reserves you'll probably get a couple three MOSs in order to enhance your opportuinities. Just remember the Guard has more Combat Arms while the Reserves have the Combat and Combat Service Support MOSs.
If you're gonna do Combat arms the earlier in your career the better. Just remember it doesn't translate as easier to a civilian job like your current field of endeavor. Do your best in all that you do! Best of luck to you and thanks for serving.

Response by SFC James Heath made Aug 9 at 2017 4:31 PM

SFC James Heath — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 16:31:34 -0400

Get a job that you love getting up in the morning and going to work.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2017 7:15 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 19:15:28 -0400

its always good to keep your current mos however its always fine if you change it when you reclass you still keep both your mos's

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Sep 11 at 2017 8:40 PM

SGT Jim Arnold — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 20:40:23 -0400

I wouldn't do that at all, pick a job and master it. Example:: go to infantry to tech mos, you'll get promotion from the infantry but once you attain that rank you will be nothing more than administrator because you promoted yourself out of the sausage factory. if the opposite then you'll be older and further behind than someone that stayed in combat field, either way it can be done but it will cost you something

Response by SGT Richard Vreeland made Nov 24 at 2017 6:23 PM

SGT Richard Vreeland — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 18:23:18 -0500

When I picks my job it was more based on when I get out of the service which will benefit me the most, not promotions in the service