MOS Regrets?

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:13:19 -0400

After being in the service as long as you have been, and knowing what you know now about MOS's, duties, stations, deployments, etc.; if you had a do-over, would you pick the same MOS? Would you pick a different MOS? Would you choose to not have entered the service at all? What MOS would you join the service for now?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 7:16 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:16:03 -0400

I personally love my job and wouldn't change a single thing. I have had a pretty successful career thus far and still love it.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 7:16 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:16:38 -0400

Yes, absolutely, with no question, 66H was the perfect MOS for me in the places and times in which I served.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 20 at 2014 7:19 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:19:02 -0400

I would not have changed the MOS I finished with, 79S, Career Counselor, the BEST job in the Army. Took a while to get there (since 79S positions start at SSG) but all in all, wouldn't change a thing!

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Aug 20 at 2014 7:23 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:23:02 -0400

My first tour of active duty I was in Air Defense Artillery, my second tour on ad was in supply. Having/wanting to do it over I would have probably chosen a different MOS than supply (92Y). Most likely I would have taken a different route the second tour. Am I sorry I made the choices of MOS that I did, most definitely not. I got to meet and work with outstanding people in both fields. If I were allowed to serve again I would go back in to supply and logistics. I would also have liked to go back to Korea just once to see all the changes over the past 32 years.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 20 at 2014 7:30 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:30:55 -0400

Signal Corps all the way and everyday!

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 7:43 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:43:40 -0400

I signed the dotted line to be 1800 tanks and amphibious tractors, sounded like a cool job driving something that could destroy just about anything in its path. However, due to school availability, I had to change my MOS to 5800 MP's. Though that change made it possible for me to have a great time especially at HMX-1, I think I would have rather stayed with 1800.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Aug 20 at 2014 8:16 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 20:16:27 -0400

I don't know if I would have changed my MOS, except when I was enlisted. I didn't really have much choice because of what was available near my hometown, but if I had my preference, I would have stayed enlisted longer and gone Public Affairs sooner. Or I would have gone into an operational field. But the thing I wish I would have done is gone the active duty route instead of remaining in the reserve.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 8:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 20:46:43 -0400

I don't regret my MOS as much as I regret what the stereotypical assumption is about being an 88M Motor Transport Operator. (You know what I mean, its similar to what Infantry gets- must of scored low on asvab, must be dumb etc etc) I chose it because I don't mind being one of the biggest wheeled vehicles on the road and I love to drive. Only thing I would of changed is choosing a MOS that was more useful in the civilian world, but still having 88M as a secondary.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 20 at 2014 9:44 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 21:44:47 -0400

Wouldn't change a damn thing. Damn good thing to be a CTO. Now the dynamics changed in my Career I came in not that long after the Liberty and Pueblo incident when the Navy was leery of having spooks on ships but I finished by career in TACINTEL which was forwarded deployed on ships. Amazing thing the Navy learned that putting spooks on ships is not a bad thing as long as there are plenty of weapons, just in case someone takes offense to us being there.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 10:07 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 22:07:37 -0400

I would pick the same MOS.

Response by SPC Anthony Taravella made Aug 21 at 2014 12:51 PM

SPC Anthony Taravella — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:51:09 -0400

24 J20. Improved Hawk Pulse Radar Repairman. It was supposed to be a good MOS but it wasn't. My classmates and I spent 9 months at Restone Arsenal. When we got to Germany they used to put us on alert, details. etc. I finally got put in "High Voltage Power Supply Repair" which was not my MOS. A lot of backstabbing in my platoon, too.
When I got out I could not transfer what I had learned to the civilian world. I wish I had been in the Corps of Engineers instead. At least I would have learned how to drive a bulldozer. A lot of taxpayer money was wasted puttng my classmates and myself through school. Sometimes I wish I had been a tanker. At least then I would have gotten to play Army once in a while.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 12:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:54:53 -0400

I only have one regret. I regret that everyone doesn't have the joy of being an Infantrymen.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 21 at 2014 2:01 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 14:01:39 -0400

Fantastic question! I loved my 11M MOS. I reclassed to aviation and later took off for 2 years t attend ROTC. At the 2 year off mark I reentered service to keep my rank (my age waiver didn't get approved). I begged them to let me rejoin as an 11M. You should have seen the look on the recruiter's face. "No one goes from Infantry to aviation BACK to infantry!" "Well, let's make history!" They wouldn't allow it since I already completed our 4 months of aviation BNCOC (at least that was the story they gave me). I was very bummed out but I was able to rejoin and I got Fort Campbell and Air Assault school. If I could join NOW, I would have been a psych tech (not sure of the MOS). Again, Great Question!

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Aug 21 at 2014 2:18 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 14:18:57 -0400

That is a great question! To be honest I am glad to have served and would do it again. Even the assignments I have held and everything... I don't think I want to change it... but there are times I wish I had a more useful MOS... something that would have better benefitted me in the civilian world.

With all do respect to ALL Veterans our military experience doesn't mean jachk**it in the real world. Now some jobs translate better. Technical skills (mechanic, electrician, heavy equipment operator, some admin jobs). But infantry, military police, and the like... mean nothing once you get out.

Sure you can show, leadership, responsibility, able to handle stress, but actual job knowledge or transferable job training... Not to burst anyone's career bubble... be proud of your service but know when you leave and enter the civilian world it's like waking up from the Matrix...

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Aug 21 at 2014 4:43 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 16:43:09 -0400

Great question Cpl Private RallyPoint Member especially from my experience. I started out as an d1833 AAV crewman and then Lat moved into the Comm Maint side of the house after my first tour. If I were to do it again I would probably do the same thing again. Start in a combat arms MOS then switch after a tour. Seeing where my MOS is going in the next few years not sure that I would still become a 2800 but there are other spots to go. I would say the one thing I would do different is that I would have made it a priority to go recruiting or MSG and have that additional experience and possibly attempt to go WO.

Response by Cpl George Goodwin made Aug 21 at 2014 7:07 PM

Cpl George Goodwin — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 19:07:44 -0400

No regrets and no changes. If I had it in me to be a nurse that is one of the best ways to go. Get your retirement as an officer then have lots of opportunity in civilian life. I am a cop through and through so I did good.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 8:40 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:40:34 -0400

I went in open contract and ended up in the wing. When my first 4 years was up, they wanted to move me to a different airframe. I could have taken the orders, but had custody of my younger brother, so I got out. A year and half later, I reenlisted after Kuwait was invaded and they sent me back to the same squadron I was in prior to my first EAS.

I have to admit, I think I would be in the same place I am now had I been a grunt and still happy with the post-Marine Corps choices. Yes, that makes me a POG and I have nothing but respect for grunts.

I almost forgot. During boot camp, a few career councilors pulled me into the duty hut with my senior and offered me linguistics saying I had scored extremely high on the DLAB. I remember asking what I would need to do and they said I would have to extend my current contract for 2 years. I think I had a panic attack in my mind. Boot camp was the wrong place for that offer.

In hindsight I should have taken that MOS over all of them, but I'm still happy that I play with languages all day even if they are programming languages.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Aug 21 at 2014 9:14 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 21:14:43 -0400

My one druther in life.
I did very well on my initial test scores and went to Boot with an aviation guarantee. After additional testing J.D. Travis and I were picked from the series for OCS and flight school. Boot camp was the wrong place to ask, they wanted an additional 6 years. We both turned it down. Travis was killed a few months after we arrived in RVN at 1st Tanks. Lost a good friend.

In hindsight I wish I had taken it. I had a passion for space and astronautics since I was about 4 years old. It was probably my only real opportunity at getting into the space program.

I did manage to get a clock on the moon with some of my contract NASA design work during the Apollo missions. Ah...well.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 23 at 2014 12:15 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 00:15:32 -0400

Is there a high volume ammo expenditure specialist MOS?

Response by SSgt Stephanie Luck made Aug 23 at 2014 1:59 AM

SSgt Stephanie Luck — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 01:59:37 -0400

I would want my same MOS despite the extremely slow promotion rate and constant deployments. I love it and I couldn't imagine doing any other job. I love it so much that after 12 years of doing it, the only thing I love more is now having the opportunity to instruct it and teach it to others. I enjoy seeing other get excited and find as much fulfillment as I have in this job. I'm a 7041 in the Marine Corps. That is Aviation Operations. Love it and wouldn't want any other MOS.

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 30 at 2014 1:13 AM

SPC David S. — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 01:13:50 -0400

If the 19D was not there could jump branch and could fit my big ass into the cockpit an F22 pilot.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2014 7:00 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 07:00:40 -0400

When I signed my first contract, i was offered an intel MOS. I asked my recruiter what that entailed and he truly had nothing to offer. To me it sounded like a desk job and I didn't want to be stuck in some AC box. I opted for logistics and loved my days out in the pouring rain loading planes. I now still prefer to be outside in the harshest of weather than spend a day in an office. Looking back now, that MOS would have likely put me in a better place to get a civilian job, but I don't think I would have enjoyed the work as much as I do now.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Nov 5 at 2014 4:09 PM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 16:09:20 -0500

I have no regrets about being a helicopter mechanic/crewchief. The MOS teaches you how to fix the helicopter, but the knowledge I gained in my units and the chance to crew one, shoot from one, watch people rappel/fast rope/assault from one is better than any other job out there (IMHO). At least for me, anyways. I love working outside, I love to fly and work with my hands. And, the Army pays a little extra for those that crew. As I like to say with arms spread wide..."All this, and beer money, too?!".

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Nov 5 at 2014 10:30 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 22:30:43 -0500

CPL HICKS my brother i would have joined the marine corps anyway at 17 but i would have stayed a GRUNT until i retired...bad mistake i did in 79' switching to the marine corps air wing.

Response by Cpl Kenneth Ledbetter made Nov 6 at 2014 3:18 PM

Cpl Kenneth Ledbetter — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 15:18:35 -0500

I don't remember being given a choice! I tried to get an MOS change before starting parachute rigger's school at Lake Hurst, NJ. My First Sgt. said that if the MC wanted me to be a rigger, I'd be a rigger, no choice.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 2:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:38:43 -0500

Grate questions.

I would change me MOS as often possible!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 12:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 12:23:41 -0500

I might change my mind after my next assignment, but right now there's nothing more depressing to me than 35P-QB

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 12:25 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 12:25:10 -0500

When I first joined I was going to be a UAV operator, but my recruiter talked me out of it saying the Army was giving that mission up to the AF....I still sometimes wish I hadn't switched.

Response by Cpl Kenneth Ledbetter made Dec 12 at 2014 2:46 PM

Cpl Kenneth Ledbetter — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:46:57 -0500

I was told at boot camp that I had been assigned to be a MOS 6064 - Aircrew Survival Equipmentman. One of my drill instructors told me that I'd be a door gunner on a chopper, I thought that was great! Well, when I got to NAS Lakehurst, I found out that I was going to be a parachute rigger. I went to the First Sgt. and requested a change of MOS to Combat Engineer.
I was told that the MC put me where it wanted and I would stay there, and then he said to "get your butt out of my Office and don't let see your face again"! I was in for almost two years and hurt my back loading gear on a C-117 in Iwakuni, Japan and herniated two disc. At that point I was told I had a choice of 6 months light duty or a medical discharge. I took the discharge. I was miserable with boredom most of the time. We had real work for one week out of a month. This was 1972. I guess today it is easier to change, I don't know, you tell me.

Response by LCpl Clif Crosswhite made Dec 12 at 2014 4:43 PM

LCpl Clif Crosswhite — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 16:43:59 -0500

Aurora Colorado it's cold as hell here send me back to Cali

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 9:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 21:15:50 -0500

Yes! Apparently tug boat crewman is a MOS, if I could go back I would pick that no questions asked! That sounds like a awesome job!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 9:39 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 21:39:21 -0500

I would definitely take a different approach into joining the military. I had a friend take me to a recruiter, just to learn some basic education benefits of joining the National Guard. I got a few packets and ended up taking the ASVAB the next day, I qualified for any job I wanted and my exact words to the recruiter were "I want the job that has the biggest bonus and will give me a SLRP incentive." These were the dumbest words to ever come out of my mouth! A month later I left for basic as an E-1 without knowing ANYTHING!!! It was a very dumb decision, but I've learned there are different ways to change MOS's and to pursue different military careers.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 9:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 21:44:04 -0500

I original enlisted to be a geospatial engineer only to get talked into cavalry scout. A week later I got to asking too many questions my recruiter couldn't answer because they were too hypothetical. So I was about to walk out of the door and head over to the Marines until the station chief (CI Agent) starts talking to me about HUMINT and I was hooked ever since. Everything about my career has been good so far I guess. Other than being here un "The Great Place," I'd go back to Campbell and I'd pushed my recruiter to get me an airborne slit

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 10:13 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 22:13:06 -0500

Enlisted in the grunts and I'll finish in the grunts. Embrace the suck!

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Dec 12 at 2014 10:39 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 22:39:44 -0500

Good question... My answer is probably not. I started in the Infantry and regardless of all the tasks we did... I loved it. As a foundational base, it made me the leader/teammate I am today. After I was hurt fast roping, I got reclassed to 88N and subsequently promoted to 88Z... Again... With exception of the injury... No regrets as it gave me a foundation in the Army that the average Infantryman doesn't see... And I got to mentor ( or torment... You call it) a lot of great soldiers that are now SNCO and Field Grade Officers.

And as my dad always said, "We make plans.... And god laughs"

Response by MSG Bobby Usina (Retired) made Dec 13 at 2014 10:32 AM

MSG Bobby Usina (Retired) — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 10:32:37 -0500

Looking back, I do not regret any of the choices I made in my military career. I started my Army career as a 19K and glad to have the combat arms skills I learned from that before I decided to reclass to the maintenance side as a 63S (now 91 series). Now as a maintenance manager and logistician, I am glad for all the experience I have gained through my various assignments and deployments. Go Ordnance!!

Response by SPC Thomas Higgins made Jan 20 at 2015 9:11 PM

SPC Thomas Higgins — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 21:11:14 -0500

I was an NBC specialist(54E). It had its fun points with all the Humv driving and flying around in copters, however, I didn't get to go anywhere from the training school. I permanent partied there and trained all the new folks and foreign allies that came in. I did meet some interesting people and learned some cool stuff from the allies, but I doubt it would repeat if I was to do it again. I would think long and hard a second time around.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2020 3:49 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:49:20 -0500

Love my job as a 91d but it’s just that it’s very hard to get promoted to sergeant And staff sergeant since there are so many deltas and few slots