Lat moving to another MOS?

2015-08-04T04:19:21-04:00

I'm interested in making a lat move to another MOS but my current MOS (Data Network Technician) has a great rate of promotion and would be great in terms of employment possibilities if I decided to do it outside of the Marine Corps but I also dislike doing it. The new MOS I'm wanting to lat move too is pretty useless for the civilian sector (EOD) but it also has a very good promotion rate and I fee like I'd enjoy it more. Do more Marine type things and hopefully get a few deployments in the future. What has been something that people notice when making a lay move? Do you enjoy it more or less? And since it doesn't really compute to the civilian sector very well, how does military experience compute to potential employers if you are older than most college grads but have the same amount of experience? What I really want to do when I get out is be a physical therapist if that helps.

Response by TSgt David L. made Aug 4 at 2015 7:06 AM

2015-08-04T07:06:29-04:00

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member. You won't regret EOD. I can't speak for the Marine program, but we all do basically the same thing, and get all the cool toys. There is contractor work all over the planet. They have been working in Hawaii for years. All over the States as well, in addition to the Gulf countries. If your sharp the USSS and State Dept are always hiring, as are other 3 letter agencies. The LE world is full of opportunities as well. Not worthless unless you don't want to work.

None of this helps you get ready for physical therapist but you can go to school for it when you ETS or retire. Good luck with the move.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2015 2:03 PM

2015-12-21T14:03:31-05:00

I would say follow your heart. I've known many Marines that ended up in MOS's they didn't really like or want, due to the vague contract coverage of MOS's or not understanding what they've signed up for. Most commonly, most of 'us' want to shoot at people and blow shit up vs. being a MIMMS clerk or Bulk Fuel specialist (or Lance-Brigadier Road Guard).
In addition, if Data isn't what you want to do when you get out, it would make sense to get out of it, more fair (although being EOD to only end up in the kinesiology doesn't correlate either). I know quite a few of fellow Cyber Network Operators (as they're called now), and not sure how they passed DTS, but were labeled (within my regiment) as Data Lifting Specialists and counted their days until EAS.... I'll just leave it there.

On the fun side, not sure what your stonger suite is (switching, servers or helpdesk), why would you want to get away from processing SAAR's (same one's over and over), going back and forth with a NMCI/MCI civilian contractor over a simple permission or trouble ticket that could be handled by you if you had the propper permissions (just to reopen the same ticket again), and ordering parts for a printer that is more expensive than the buying a new one and isn't supported by it's manufacturer anymore?!? Don't you just love the thrill and uncertainty, of the same IT BS everyday?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2018 7:57 PM

2018-02-25T19:57:25-05:00

EOD is not useless in the civilian market. There are jobs all over the nation that utilize an EOD background. Lateral moving to MOSs like EOD which is a lat move only MOS is an easier transition than other MOSs as your experience level is the same as your peers. Your experience in the field will be dependent on you. If you want a job in the military that can translate to become a physical therapist i suggest switching to the navy or army as a corpsman or medic.