My Recruiter steered me away from a combat MOS. What should I do?

William Hay — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:01:38 -0500

I went to talk to my recruiter and he steered me away from a combat MOS to go to a 15 series. This is because I want to fly later on, but I really want to be in the action and not be repairing kinda seems boring. What are your guys thoughts?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 5 at 2018 7:03 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:03:32 -0500

He's trying to take care of you in the long term. Listen to him.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2018 7:04 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:04:17 -0500

Do what you want. Flight school will teach you what you need it doesn't matter your MOS

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2018 7:08 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:08:31 -0500

Go the street to seat route and drop a packet as soon as you can. Worst thing that can happen is you don’t make that first one and you can be enlisted for a while as a 15 series and have a little experience in aviation before dropping another packet. I’m a prior MP with zero aviation knowledge, so it really doesn’t matter where you come from when you make it here.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 5 at 2018 7:21 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:21:18 -0500

There could be several reasons he is pushing you toward that MOS. Regardless of his reasons, you should be able to take any MOS that is available and that you are qualified for. Being in aviation repair does not give you an advantage when it relates to becoming a pilot of any sort. Your aptitude scores and recommendations of leadership will make that determination. Thanks for serving.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 5 at 2018 7:23 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:23:46 -0500

My thoughts are , listen to the Recruiter he is doing his job based on the information you have given him i.e. You want to fly,believe me ,I had the honor some few years ago to meet some chopper pilots and crews who made my journey home from Vietnam in one piece ( more or less) a very enjoyable fact,that's the advice of an old grunt ,for what it's worth.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Feb 5 at 2018 8:01 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 20:01:05 -0500

I heard plenty of soldiers get a MOS cause they didn’t know about other MOS and they thought that’s all they had to do. Go with the MOS you want so you wont regret it later!

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Feb 5 at 2018 10:35 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 22:35:13 -0500

He could be trying to fill a slot and you fit the bill. I had a kid ace the ASVAB and ACT. MEPS pushed hard to get him into the 02 intel field. All he wanted was to be a grunt. So I made him a grunt. You will have the opportunity to put in a package later on. Just don't wait too long.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Feb 5 at 2018 11:43 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 23:43:09 -0500

Didn't I warn you about this before in another thread. There is a USAREC webpage on WOFT (warrant officer flight training) that shows you the feeder MOS's for aviation. Last time I checked it which was about 8 years ago..........11 Series and 19 Series were both feeder MOS' just like the 15 series MOS. So guess who with the smiling face probably pulled a fast one on you?

So I will repeat again what I said in a previous thread. Recruiter will try to steer you away from Infantry and Combat MOS' because you have a high GT Score which is rare for the majority of applicants. So Recruiter will want to steer you towards the high GT Score requirement MOS's and use his dumber applicants for the Infantry openings. That's exactly what happened to me in the 1980's but I resisted and insisted on 11 Series vs being a reed in the wind.

Here you go, do a search on ROTARY WING AVIATOR and look under Feeder MOS. The only one that is 15 Series only is Warrant Officer for Repair of Helos. You said Pilot if I read what you wrote correctly.
http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/Wogeninfo_mos.shtml

U.S. Army Recruiting Command's Warrant Officer Recruiting Information Site

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 12:14 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 00:14:18 -0500

Mr. Hay, I am confused by your comment, "I want to be in the action?" If you want to be in the action join a Police Department in East St. Louis, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Los Angeles, ect and you will instantly be in a war zone. And the term "boring", that is one of the greatest moments in a Soldiers' life. Why, because then you can reflect on all the times that we not so boring. You might think about why you want to join the Profession of Arms as well. This is not Hollywood. Broken minds and bodies are real. Memorials are real. Children growing up without parents are real. Military Service is a calling, it is not a selection into a particular MOS. At the end of the day, we are all infantrymen sworn to defend the ideals of this nation. Good Luck.

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Feb 6 at 2018 6:37 AM

CPT Nicholas D. — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 06:37:33 -0500

“Do what you love, and love what you do.” There are advantages to going 15 series. Your exposure to the Aviation operation will make you accustom to the way things are done. As a maintainer, your systems knowledge on the aircraft SHOULD be pretty good. Lastly, you don’t have to hunt too far to get an Aviator Letter of Recommendation for your WOFT packet. I will also add that 15 series MOS enlisted soldiers are often only 2-3 feet behind the pilots “in the action.” The Crew Chief and Flight Engineers are right there.

With that said, I was never a 15 series enlisted Soldier. Know why? I didn’t want to do that job. Despite the excellent advantages of getting into Aviation earlier and the benefits it would bring, I thought doing something else for 10 years would round my career out more. So chose running around in the woods (desert) with a machine gun and jumping out of airplanes. Absolutely no regrets.

Each of the Army’s Career Management Fields have different cultures and qualities that they will pass on to you. Some are good, some are negative. The Combat Arms arena is going to inundate you with a mindset that you are warrior. There are two types of people in the infantry... people that couldn’t score high enough on the ASVAB to do something else... and people that WANT to be Infantry. The draw back is if you dabble in Combat Arms, you will not excel in it, which means you may not enjoy it as much. An E-4 in Aviation is far more comfortable than an E-4 Cav Scout. They both work hard. But if that Cav trooper is pulling his trigger on a WOFT packet after getting out of Basic a year or two, he spent 1-2 years at the bottom of the rung and never mastered the craft.

You will get out of the Army what you put in. If you aim high, you will score high. AND NEVER NEVER NEVER assume a recruiter is looking out for your best interests. Whoever said that was either pulling your chain or a recruiter themselves. Your military career is your book to write. The chapters you author are up to you. I found it to be an easier transition going from Combat Arms to Aviation versus the other way around. Once you step foot on Rucker for Fight School, you won’t be leaving the cockpit to go eat snakes and crawl in the mud. It’s more fun when you are young.

Bottom line: Do your research, do something you are going to love, and remember that the coolest, funnest, sexiest, most “awesomest” jobs in the Army are always the hardest, most challenging, have the longest schools, and require the most sacrifice of your time, effort, energy, and body. And nothing will supplement your WOFT packet better than a Special Forces tab. Good Luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 8:12 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 08:12:12 -0500

You can still go in i any combat MOS go 11B

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 9:26 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 09:26:22 -0500

William Hay ask around of people you know who are pilots if they agree with the recruiter's suggestion. If they do maybe you should go that way if it will really help. If not then go for what you want. However, NEVER sign anything until you have time to review it and get what you want.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 9:43 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 09:43:29 -0500

I wonder, did you ask your Recruiter why they steered you away from a Combat MOS?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 6 at 2018 9:54 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 09:54:08 -0500

1. It's your choice, not the recruiter. 2. You can sign for any MOS that you qualify for. 3. If you want to fly, what's wrong with WOC? 4. Combat after the adrenaline high, haunts you for the rest of your life.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Feb 6 at 2018 9:59 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 09:59:12 -0500

My recruiter told me the only MOS the Army would offer me, is the Infantry. After nine years, I re-classed to what I actually wanted to do. The nine years were great, but had to move on to bigger and better things for my family.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 10:27 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 10:27:15 -0500

William-Becoming a military aviator is a long and challenging process, but much depends on just "what" you want to fly, and "who" you want to fly for. If you want to fly tactical jets or "most" fixed wing aircraft, you're options are basically Air Force, Navy or Marines. You will need a commission first, as these services draw their tactical aviators from officer ranks. Getting a commission can be accomplished in one of several ways, the most common being OCS, ROTC or one of the service academies. You can, and sometimes are of great benefit to apply to these programs following a period of enlisted service, but it is not required. Bear in mind that age, educational and physical standards are all applied to that process. If you are looking to fly helicopters, and I believe a few select fixed wing aircraft (mostly intel transport) and/ or UAVs, the Army offers Aviation Warranty Officer pipelines:

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer/flight-warrant-officers.html

As others here have already wisely stated, your recruiter may be steering you away from a "combat MOS" in order to put you in the best position for future application to any one of the above detailed programs. Aviators are highly systems oriented, so a background in maintaining the aircraft you may one day fly would be highly valuable. "Combat" MOSs such as Infantry, will be no less challenging, and you'll learn a great deal about teamwork, pushing your limits and leadership...all excellent qualities for a future officer and aviator, but you should seriously consider the time required to attain your goals, and what they may mean for your future.

Here was my path to military aviation:

7th grade to HS graduation: Accumulated the necessary academic, extracurricular and volunteer pre-requisites to apply for ROTC and service academy scholarships. These included Eagle Scout, Civil Air Patrol, American Legion youth programs, and graduating in the top 10% of my HS class.

Application process: Beginning in my junior HS year, began applying, interviewing and competing for Congressional Appointment to service academies, and acceptance into scholarship ROTC programs for all services.

Senior HS year: Offered Army ROTC, Navy ROTC and Naval Academy scholarships. Obtained Congressional appointment to Naval Academy

Naval Academy: Four years of intensive military and academic training culminating in service selection process Junior year at USNA. This involved evaluation of academic GPA (called QPR at USNA), physical fitness and military competency scores, medical evaluation, and interviews with senior officers from aviation community. During senior year, offered acceptance in undergraduate Naval Flight Officer training at NAS Pensacola.

Flight Training: Navy flight school starts with Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API), a rigorous academic and physical "weed out" period involving intensive class work, water survival and egress training, and constant medical evaluation. At end of API received "Up Chit", or medical certification to progress to Primary Flight Training. Primary begins with introduction to the basic trainer (in my time, the T-34C) which included competitive, graded performance for each flight in syllabus. During Primary, I was selected for Tactical aviation (i.e. fighters) based on my academic and physical performance, as well as personal preferences. Upon completion of Primary, students move onto Intermediate, and their first jet aircraft.

I didn't make it any further than that.

Had I, I would've completed the Intermediate syllabus before proceeding to Advanced, then upon graduation and "winging", gone onto the Replacement Air Group (RAG), currently called the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS).

From start to finish, flight school for Navy and Marine Corps (also Air Force) aviators can take up to two years. Tack on the four years of ROTC in college, or one of the Academies, plus the minimum two years of HS work to get there, and you could be looking at as many as eight years towards pursuing that goal. If you succeed, you will also "owe" the service time in exchange; potentially as much as seven years. Paths to a Warrant and Army Aviation may be shorter, but I assume no less challenging or arduous.

After military aviation, a tactical pilot may find commercial aviation a rewarding career; there is a current pipeline shortage of these pilots, and though starting pay is low, hours are long, the long-term rewards can be appreciable. Rotary wing pilots often find careers in law enforcement or rescue aviation operations. Highly skilled rotary wing aviators can also find themselves working lucrative contracts off shore and for other industries. Then again, one can always stay with the military where entre' into one of the elite demonstration squadrons (Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, etc.) can add to one's resume for future applications to test pilot programs and even NASA.

My advice is to decide what you want to be "most"; a combat solider or Marine, professional aviator, or officer. True, if you want the fastest route to "combat", the infantry is likely the best choice...but bear in mind that that too is a long, challenging road, especially if you aspire to elite units such as the Airborne, 75th Ranger Regiment, Special Forces ("Green Beret"), Marine Raiders, etc. My understanding is that you would not be competitive for these units without the years of training and qualification commensurate with E-5 if not E-6 for non-commissioned officers, and O-3 for officers.

Focus on "one step at a time" because much will change as you progress, as will your personal desires and goals. Marriage, children, re-location, deployment cycles...all of these factors may make some choices for you, whereas your own choices may dictate how much (or how little) of the former you can realistically take on. The absolute "worst" things you can do would be to either enter basic training without focus on the immediate tasks at hand...or set out on a long-term goal without all the practical considerations of how to get there.

Best wishes, and good luck.

Flight Warrant Officers

If you have dreamed of becoming a helicopter or fixed-wing pilot, the Army can help you turn that dream into a reality. Warrant Officers fly some of the most exciting, technologically advanced aircraft in the world.

Response by MAJ William Roberts made Feb 6 at 2018 12:19 PM

MAJ William Roberts — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:19:59 -0500

Recruiters are filling the needs of the Army, that's their job. If you really want to fly later on he is actually doing you a favor. I can assure you the infantry can take its toll on you. SOAR needs support too or you can get into an airborne unit so you get to Benning for a bit without getting torn up all the time by being infantry. Sometimes your recruiter is trying to help you reach your end goal without making it too difficult. I loved the infantry and always will but I wont blow sunshine up your butt and tell you it's easy. If you want to fly then I think you should stick to aviation, just my 2 cents worth.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Feb 6 at 2018 1:19 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 13:19:26 -0500

Here's my advice. Do research into what path you want to take and do it. Which path you take is completely on you. Half of what a soldier does in garrison is area beautification. A young private, regardless of MOS, is going to be very familiar with a broom and mop. You will be surprised how often you're waiting on formation to start. Now, this boredom will be punctuated with intense training. This is true for all MOSs.

Response by TSgt Tommy Amparano made Feb 6 at 2018 4:12 PM

TSgt Tommy Amparano — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 16:12:09 -0500

You’ll shoot your eye out kid.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 5:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 17:07:45 -0500

You choose your job. Period. If you can’t even get this part down, you’re gonna have a rough time. This is YOUR life. This is YOUR career. This is YOUR choice.

Response by PO1 Ted Woitazek made Feb 6 at 2018 6:46 PM

PO1 Ted Woitazek — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 18:46:01 -0500

Learn a marketable skill. I don't know what 15 series is, but if it's aviation maintenance, I'd take it. People who flunk out of aviation schools probably get to see plenty of action.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Feb 6 at 2018 7:12 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 19:12:29 -0500

Dude... seriously? If you have the scores to be a throttle jockey do you *REALLY* want to go into Combat Arms?

Firstly... most combat arms stuff is mostly boredom. And mindless repetition. Rinse & repeat.

There *ARE* aspects that require intelligence & creativity... but you mostly don’t get there on a first hitch... or even a second.

Then, to get there you have to bust your ass... and then *JUST* when you can see the end of the rainbow, you wash out of a school, or get a career-ending injury, or flunk a board because you didn’t answer a stupid question ‘correctly’ or didn’t perform an idiotic task ‘right’.

In a word, most *DON’T* get to be the Golden Boys. And why those who do get the respect they get from everybody else.

The recruiter can see & talk to you... i can’t. Maybe he sees something you don’t.

I maxxed my ASVAB. The recruiter made me take the battery twice (the second time while he sat & watched me to make sure i wasn’t cheating). When i told him i wanted Combat Arms, Infantry i swear he went in his office & cried.

I got what i wanted. ALL of it. I’ve been extremely lucky. You might not be.

Listen to your recruiter.

Maybe he just has a quota. But maybe he sees something you don’t.

How lucky have you been in your life so far? Win any lotteries?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 9:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 21:52:06 -0500

Be careful what you wish for. Many of guys have folded in the action. In all honesty if you are considering a non-combat MOS, then you may not really want it. When I went in there was nothing he could say to steer me away from being a grunt and they tried every attempt even telling me there were no infantry slots. When I got up to walk out of MEPS 11 magically opened up.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 6 at 2018 10:18 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 22:18:24 -0500

You mean he twisted your arm. Stand up for yourself or take what they give you

Response by SGT David Whitley made Feb 7 at 2018 12:01 AM

SGT David Whitley — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 00:01:45 -0500

No matter what you want to do in the military, it's mostly akin to "staring into the abyss while eating glass." My recommendation is that you focus that energy and effort into your over-arching goal of flying, and try to grow up real quick and forget about playing soldier with the rest of us broken bodies and education-less cave men. I can't begin to tell you how much I wish I had focused my efforts into getting a degree while attending ROTC on an aviation career path at the age of 18. If you don't feel like you're up to that challenge, then maybe you can enlist in the Army as whatever you want to enlist as, then try to apply to become a warrant officer. Down side is, if you don't get selected warrant, you go back to your unit. If you wash out of flight school for whatever reason, no matter how silly or serious, you'll probably go back to your unit. All I'm trying to say is, if you're going to "stare into the abyss while eating glass" focus that effort to the best outcome, then adjust your fire as life comes at you.
That being said, I don't regret enlisting so that I could run and gun with the boys, but I sure do feel a little pain in my heart when those jets go screaming over, or the UH-60 does a simulated "hot LZ" landing nearby. I am a private helicopter pilot, so I know I can fly. I just didn't put the effort into the "other" education recognized by the military to make that happen for me. Now I'm 28 and out of the military because I lucked out on an ok civilian career. Once I learned my lesson, I was too old to get a degree and still have a chance to apply for any flight MOS, not too mention that rarely do other branches accept prior service from other branches, unless it's reserve duty. Of course, that was just my experience, your's may vary.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Feb 8 at 2018 4:58 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 16:58:19 -0500

In another question you say you enlisted as an 11B. Did that happen after this question?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 5:17 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 17:17:17 -0500

OK, do some research on all the Army jobs. There are lots out there that almost nobody knows about.
Your recruiter can only tell you about jobs and see if you are qualified for service, it is the GUIDANCE COUNSELOR at MEPS that will pick your job with you. Your recruiter can get you a tentative reservation on an MOS. When the recruiter is behind his computer putting in all your info, at one point a screen will come up with everything that you qualify for AND there is an opening for. So, there literally may be only 1 MOS on the list, there could also be 180. You need to look and pick the best one for you. What you want to do, and what you feel best fits your life aspirations. If you want to get out and do real world operations - look at 18X and 37X. The "action" and combat deployments are not all Black Hawk Down and Tears of the Sun. Iraq and Afghanistan, especially now, are BORING. Look at the High school to flight school option, as someone else stated - boom you're a pilot. SF and PSYOPS are constantly conducting missions around the world, just not the "cover me while I move" stuff. Many of the people joining as Infantry, Scout, Tankers are very disappointed because there isn't much of a mission right now for them except to go to Afghanistan and be bored. It's not the wild west.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 10:30 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:30:54 -0500

It’s probably not open and he wants to make a quota, they are real and every recruiter from every service is required to strive or make it. Btw you can still ‘see the shit’ in any MOS depending on how you play your cards. No ones gonna want a lazy ass to come out with em that’s not already in that MOS.

Even as a welder I didn’t have a boring day, there was uneventful days but even thoughts aren’t boring. If your goal is to get shot at, well like the LtCol said, join a police department in the shit hole side of a city and you’ll get your wish. If you thought you were gonna join the infantry and get some Saving Private Ryan or We Where Soldiers action, surprise we aren’t in a nick out drag out war and haven’t been for a long time.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 3:08 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 03:08:39 -0500

Then don't sign.

But your recruiter is right on in this case. the experience you will learn in aviation and the POCs you'll need for recommendations for your flight packet.

Plus the best pilots are always crew chiefs first. because you know ever inside and out of the aircraft.
So...
Quit bellyaching.

Your recruiter is right. (I cant believe just I said that!)

MSG Bo

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 6:00 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 18:00:01 -0500

Like others have said, there’s no barrier to becoming a pilot from enlisted MOS if you meet the physical, moral and aptitude requirements. Aviation maintainers are an undervalued asset. These soldiers work their butts off and without them, the flights don’t happen. Some of our maintainers are part an important part of the flight crew. Personally I wish I had originally enlisted as a UH or CH maintainer and become a crew chief prior to my flying career.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 6:07 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 18:07:01 -0500

As a pilot, your recruiter seems like he’s well intentioned and informed. A majority of my fellow pilots are prior maintainers. Quite a few combat arms as well, we all get tired of walking everywhere.

Response by SPC Dean J. Thompson made Feb 16 at 2018 4:11 AM

SPC Dean J. Thompson — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 04:11:57 -0500

Take the aircraft repair mos and set yourself up for a real high paying job when you get out.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 16 at 2018 12:12 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 12:12:30 -0500

Thank him!

Response by PO2 Michael Galey made Feb 23 at 2018 1:00 AM

PO2 Michael Galey — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 01:00:50 -0500

William are you an adrenaline junky or just swayed by the Hollywood heros in their "combat" roles? I'm a Chaplain District 4 WA VFW and know the hurt the returning vets have and the confusion of their loved ones. 20 suicides a day, homelessness, drug addiction the list goes on. In Vietnam I was a machinist in the Navy worked on small boats like PBR's the two times that i was bored was when I was doing KP (Mess cook in the USN) and cleaning parts. Standing watch with an M-60 seeing ghosts or hearing bubbles by the barges not good on the psyche of a 19 year old. What the LTC said rings true you want trigger time? See those PD's in Detroit,Atlanta, Nashville, St. Louis etc. etc. do a ride a long you'll find out what the saying means. "Hours of boredom followed by minutes of sheer terror!" May you choose wisely and the Lord take a liking to ya!

Response by PO3 William Carrien made Feb 25 at 2018 9:21 PM

PO3 William Carrien — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 21:21:34 -0500

Don't be too anxious to get into a combat situation. It's not all it seems to be. It's not fun. It's death and destruction, it's unbelievable pain, especially if you are on the receiving end of it. Sometimes it is necessary. But don't join if that is all you want. Training may seem boring but also necessary to try to prepare you for your worst nightmare. If you truly want to go aviation, repairing aircraft, go for it. Your job there still saves lives.

Response by Sgt S.P. Woodke made Feb 27 at 2018 10:39 AM

Sgt S.P. Woodke — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 10:39:57 -0500

where there is a will there is a way...In HIS time the desires of your heart will be fulfilled.

Response by SPC David Willis made Feb 27 at 2018 10:43 AM

SPC David Willis — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 10:43:16 -0500

If you really want to be an infantryman go into the infantry. Don't let your recruiter talk you into a slot that's going to make his goals easier to hit, go into a slot that's going to make YOU happy for the next 4-8 years.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 10:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 22:11:36 -0500

Your recruiter is doing the right thing for you if you truly want to “fly” later in life. One day, the Army is going to end for you; it could be one year into your enlistment or 20 years. You don’t want to end up like other soldiers who thought it would be badass to kick down doors and “hunt the bad guys” then leave Army with nothing to fall back on. Go with the 15 series if you want to “fly“. Learn as much as you can while holding that MOS then submit a packet for the warrant officer program to become a pilot.

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Mar 4 at 2018 10:49 PM

MSG Louis Alexander — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 22:49:39 -0500

That’s the problem with young people today, they believe everything is theatrics, a moment of fantasy. Listen let’s be candid here, why do you really want to fly? Have this fantasy of being raging hell in a gunship? A missile or a bullet can take you out as simple as that. Have you experienced the staunch of burning flesh or seen firsthand the agony of actual death? Listen Pal, don’t let fantasy boggle your mind. You want to fly, do it constructively, learn to fly helicopters and become a Warrant Officer. That way you’re between the Officer and NCO Corps good experience. Helicopter pilots are in great demand on the outside, so determine if it’s fixed wing or rotor that you’re interested in. For God’s sake keep your dark side under control. No one with any sanity or reasonableness wants to kill or be killed and it’s like nothing you see on TV or the movies. I still wrestle with demons from 69 – 71 and haven’t had the help I needed, but I survived. Hopefully you’re not like the Rocky, John Wayne and Henry Fonda type. Soldier’s dread war, and so should you. You’re young and vibrant, take your time, research and plan your future.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 4 at 2018 11:37 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 23:37:46 -0500

In case you don't know, there are very few enlists who fly on helos in combat. Having a background as a mechanic will help you greatly as a pilot as you will know what's wrong and how to fix it. Yes, if you really want to, be an Infantryman but it won't make you a better pilot.

Response by Capt Bud Adams made Mar 6 at 2018 2:05 AM

Capt Bud Adams — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:05:07 -0500

Not to be too critical. First let's start with the spelling of your words, get those right first. It is killing me, to see the mistakes. Shoot for what you want. As once a commissioned AF Capt., I flew B-52 (BUFF). When the going is good, it's boring, when not, it's scary. I urge you to follow YOUR dream, not what you see on TV. Believe me, in V.N. when the SAMS come at you, excitement is the last thing on your mind.

Response by SSG Richard Kurr made Mar 7 at 2018 1:02 PM

SSG Richard Kurr — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 13:02:30 -0500

If you get lemons...If you want to end up in a flight warrant position eventually anyway, then take the maintenance job and use it to your advantage. Get some college, get promoted, go to airborne school or other schools., then put that into your packet. I think this is the best way to go. If you aim to get in the "action" lol, it's important to mention that not all pilots are combat platform pilots. Plus, Don't be in a hurry to get you time in a crap hole, trust me I did four long ass combat deployments, and it's not all that is glorified up to be, and I'm not even an 11 series. I commend you for your "hard coreness," but in the end, you have to take care of "you" if you want to meet your goals in the military, those need to be your priority since they won't be anybody else's...

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2018 12:52 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 12:52:41 -0500

My flight schoolclass was full of infantry guys that switched over. If that’s what you want to do then go for it.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Mar 8 at 2018 3:24 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 15:24:36 -0500

Tell your recruiter that.
In 1988, when I went through MEPS in Seattle, the recruiter there wanted to match me up with Supply and Finance positions right out of high school. I had no experience then, although later my career as a civilian would be as a CPA. Did he know something then?

But I told him I was not interested. I said I wanted to be outside and that if we went to war, I wanted to do my part. But not Infantry. So, he matched me up in the 13 series as a Lance Missile Crewmember. After Basic and School, and a brief detour as a Wiredog, I landed in a firing platoon and I had a blast for most of my first tour of duty. Although Assembly & Transport claims to do all the work in a Lance Missile unit, Fire is always on the move! We pick up a round at a spot from and A&T platoon, go to a firing position and set up camouflage in the treeline and wait for a Delta Report. Once that report is received by the Lieutenant, we wait on the appropriate time and then BOOM! We bust out of that treeline at full speed, set up that missile and the pit, launch, and then sprint back to the track and get out of the area over the course of the next five minutes. It was a lot of fun. The job even included an annual trip to Crete, Greece as a contest between the two firing platoons in each battery to fire a live round into the Med And there were awards and medals for the platoon who launched. After that, it was a week of hard partying on Crete complete with cruises and hikes, great food, lots of ouzo and beer. I was a finslapper the first time I went to Crete, and then returned the next year as the Gunner where I won a medal.

Way better than a desk job.

The only drawback was that when war came we were not selected to deploy since we carried nuclear weapons which were not welcomed by General Powell in the Desert Storm theater. But MLRS/ATACMS replaced Lance missiles and they were battle tested and proven in Desert Storm.

Another drawback was we were last priority for Airborne training. However, we were Airmobile, which means that instead of parachutes, we could be dropped behind enemy lines by helicopter and deliver fire that way, and we performed at least one airmobile mission each year.

Despite these drawbacks, Artillery was still the best job I ever had. Great people, strong leadership, fantastic unit.

Response by SSgt Joshua Drobil made Mar 29 at 2018 1:00 PM

SSgt Joshua Drobil — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 13:00:10 -0400

Just remember...it all sounds great, until the bullets start flying your way. I agree with LTC Martin, you want action, join the Police Force. CSM Darieus Z has a very valid point as well, being former AC mechanic...it will help familiarize yourself with aircraft, but it won’t help you fly them. Good Luck in whatever route you choose!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2018 3:16 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 15:16:48 -0400

Just because you join the Infantry does not guarantee you a deployment or if you do deploy you’ll see any combat. You have to realize being in the Infantry can be just as boring as being any other MOS. Take my word from a fellow Infantrymen.

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 6 at 2018 10:53 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 22:53:36 -0400

Have you already signed a contract?
If not, you are still the one calling the shots
Think long and hard before you answer this question. Is it a deal breaker?
Go back and see your recruiter. Tell him/her what you want. If he/she says "no,"

Either walk over to the Marine recruiters desk.
Or
Tell the recruiter to give you a call when some combat arms slots are available. I bet you don't have to wait very long.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2018 11:23 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 23:23:57 -0400

Here's a little secret (sarcasm)...your recruiter has quotas. Not just #s but also slots to fill. The mission comes down from above, based on the needs of the Service. Or at least they used to, so if he's being told to sell Fords he's going to talk down Chevys. Do your own research and then do what YOU want to do, within the choices you qualify for.

Response by SGT Bruce Barber made Apr 8 at 2018 7:40 PM

SGT Bruce Barber — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 19:40:52 -0400

I think it depends on what you told the recruiter when you started looking at jobs in the military. What we're the end all goals you told the recruiter? Did you say I want to go to college and get a degree in xxx? So you told him you want to fly some day? Okay then you would need time to go to school to get college credits to apply for warrant officer to go to flight school. Does that make sense? He is putting you on course to reach your objective that you gave him.

Response by Capt Karlos Nordinsifeller made Apr 9 at 2018 3:27 PM

Capt Karlos Nordinsifeller — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:27:37 -0400

Do what you want- not what your recruiter wants. But understand what you want. I think infantry is a terrible MOS. But I’m only happy when it rains, have a huge straw for sucking it up, and accidentally served as a gun bunny/meat eater/03 thump thump/ little foot for a couple decades. It was ok. Of course support MOS’s are excellent- and everything else is just support :)

Response by SGT Leroy Brown made Apr 19 at 2018 8:15 PM

SGT Leroy Brown — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 20:15:34 -0400

Thank him!

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Apr 27 at 2018 12:42 PM

SGT Charles Bartell — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 12:42:45 -0400

This sounds like your recuiter is is doing the right thing by you.
One you are a Grunt it is very hard to go to change your M.O.S.. If your scores are high enough go Avation become a crew cheif. You still see action and your living conditions are mush better.
If you go this way you will have better oppourtunities to become a Pilot.If that is where you want to go. Also if you find out that the military is not for you. All of the Avation job's in the military cross over in to the out side job market. As well as you can still go into the Guard or Reserves to still serve.
Having spent all of my time in combat arms. It is Great for some, not so for others. Think hard be for you inlist do the right thing for you.

Response by Cpl Kristen King made Apr 28 at 2018 8:01 PM

Cpl Kristen King — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 20:01:34 -0400

Your recruiter is actually doing his JOB. If your ASBAV does not indicate that you fall in that MOS zone, then you should be in an MOS that you have a better score for.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Apr 28 at 2018 9:52 PM

SGT Aric Lier — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 21:52:43 -0400

well the first thing Id do is tell that pog assed pussy to STFU and give you what you want

Response by SPC Travis Grizzard made Apr 30 at 2018 10:55 AM

SPC Travis Grizzard — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 10:55:00 -0400

Do you know why Aviation MOS designators were changed from 67 to 15? Because combat MOS's are 1x. Aviation is a combat MOS, ask any crew chief who has sat in the doorgunner seat.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 8:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 May 2018 20:48:20 -0400

I am a 94R (backshop avionics) being a 15 series will put you in the best possible position to learn the in's and out's of aviation and allow you to get letters of recommendations from your WO's. As long as you're on your game and progressing to be the big fish in your pond you will be good for solid recommendations from your chain of command. The deciding factor if you want to be a pilot will be if you have the balls to fly after you realize the kind of people working on the aircraft. I saw people who have never turned a wrench work on an aircraft and stripped 50+ bolts in a row because they didn't know left losey, righty tighty....I decided not to fly after I saw that. Further more, the best pilots know to the challenge the maintenance techs because he/she knows their life is in the hands of the maintenance tech and technical inspector.

Response by MSG Don Burt made May 6 at 2018 11:50 AM

MSG Don Burt — Sun, 06 May 2018 11:50:51 -0400

What you want and what the Army needs are two different things...don't be so quick for "action" because once you're into it, you'll probably want back to where you were. There's no glory in getting hit by an IED when you're not expecting it. Drop by a Rehab Vet or commercial hospital and talk to the guys who were in "action" and see what they have to say. Patience is a virtue and your time for change will come as the service needs bodies in combat.

Response by SPC Shawn Clarke made May 6 at 2018 1:09 PM

SPC Shawn Clarke — Sun, 06 May 2018 13:09:32 -0400

Bitch slap your recruiter and say "give me 18x" or I walk. LOL

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2018 2:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 May 2018 14:20:45 -0400

15W flies drones, deployment with some and they seemed to love it!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 6 at 2018 5:30 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 06 May 2018 17:30:46 -0400

I’d suggest something...if you want flight, esp Army WOCS, which I’ve heard is a really rough program, your mission is school, not combat, honest. First, you’re gonna be competing with the best not just from civilian or Army, but also other Svcs seeking to go intersections. Second, I didn’t listen when a recruiter tried to steer me right, and have wound up kicking myself for three decades as a result, so, when a recruiter actually takes the time to give you such good advice, take it from one knows, and take the advice, OK? He’s trying to get you a solid grounding for an FAAcairframe and powerplant (A&P) license, of immeasurable help in prepping you on rotary wing technology, I sssure you. Elaborate, associates, bachelors, high school AP credits, hobbies, reading, interests, objectives and motivations beyond flight, so we can all try to help you more effectively and coherently, do a really detailed bio sketch, and thank God you actually got a recruiter, all are good, but one willing to try to educate you on the true path to the Forve, young Luke, take it from Yoda, OZk? View your recruiter as Obi- Wan, young Padean, OK? Send your thoughts, I’ll try to send more later if you want that might help further, OK? Honest, trust me, I’ve been where you want to go, he’s giving you the best possible advice, even if it isnt what you think you want to hear, promise, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 6 at 2018 9:04 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 06 May 2018 21:04:54 -0400

Let !e tell you a true story, I didn't have time to send it before...I was Army ROTC, and went USAF OTS instead. The ISAF officer program recruiter listened very, very carefully to my expressed boomed interests, and explicitly told !e to go next door to see a USAF Boomed Sci Corps (BSC) recruiter to ask about the Bioenviron!ental Negrs (BEEs), which had, among their AFSCs, analogous to MOSs, one for boomed engr, 9124F...I being a total boob, said, nah, that's fine, ljust send me in as a 2825 elec engr, where I wound up in a totally unexpected spot, for the simple reason o didn't have clue one what I was doi g, no idea what I was talking about, no time to askquestoons, and no idea how to ask, who to ask, or where to ask...so, having you !y whole said tale of woe, pls understand, I'm obv glad I went in, it did !e great good, at the same!e time, I wish I'd have done it s!aeter, and taken the time to have done it right, and not bollixed that part up...if the recruiter wants to send you to helicopter maint school based on your express interest, and you really want flight, trust me, do as he says...co flicting goals and aspirations are the doom of many careers, pick o e, settle on it, and then accept that reality...going is the single most important life altering event, more even than !marriage was for us, esp !e, more than getting !y commission, more than finishing undergrad, more than getting my clinical doctorate, though I can't use it any longer due to disability...take the time to really search yourself and decide...once you're in, you have to accept, your function is to do the very nest you can, whoever you are, NOT to ha e thoughts about where you'd really WAMT to be...that's why, before you actually would do, it, and I'm not saying these things to dissuade you, I'm saying them to try to teach you, you need to decide where you want to me, and doing what, to minimize your distraction once in, cause once you're in, you're in, and where you wind up is where you wind up, that's how it really works, if you go in wanting flight, aspiring to flight, with a nagging afterthought of wanting infantry, you're gonna have one foot in one world, your real life day to day world, and one foot in your fantasy world, where you live out your Walter !itty daydreams, honest...there was a boo written by an Erma Bombeck, with a very pithy title, The Gras is Always Greener on the Other Side of the Septic Tank, intended as comedic, however, with more than a grain of truth, I tried for a long, long time to go boomed while I was in, u til I realized why o was there, and what I was there to do, and had agreed to do...your gaining unit doesn't care about your aspirations, your aspirations are your own, not those of your unit, your function is to help your unit, not aspire to being elsewhere, doj g something else...trust !e, I'm telling you the Gods truth, honest, OK? I'm Jere if you want to chat, if you want advice, Glad to suggest what I can, however, believe !e, what I just gave you, teuily, is the very nest life of alp, for anyone joining a service...reme!Ber, the operative word is service, as in to serve...you're a public servant when in, no different than Amy elected official, you need to think of it in that context, and only in that context, trust what I tell you, believe what I tell you, that is, truly, how all the services REALY work, OK? Honest, promise, OK?

Response by Cpl Bob Cloninger made May 7 at 2018 10:53 PM

Cpl Bob Cloninger — Mon, 07 May 2018 22:53:05 -0400

If you end up flying, you'll see more action than you want anyway! Desire, motivation, and ability come in all forms - your recruiter sees a lot of young people, and yours may have steered you to your best fit.

Response by CPL Wolfker Fuchs made May 18 at 2018 6:34 PM

CPL Wolfker Fuchs — Fri, 18 May 2018 18:34:33 -0400

A very simple thing to do William if they are not offering you what you want. In my case, I have a very good ASVAB and they were only offering me those jobs, ones I did not want. I told the recruiter I wanted 19D, he said they did not have it. So fine I got up said I would see them next week. This same routine went on for almost a month until he finally gave me want I wanted. So far as you want to be in the action, I am not too sure what to make of that. My brother was a crew member on a C-130 and they got into some pucker-factor 10 stuff all the time as did I. Turning wrenches can put you in the action it is all a matter of where you are turning wrenches at. If you plan on making the military a career then combat arms is not so bad. If your only planning on one or two tours then I would look at an MOS that is marketable on the Civ world. Hope this helps you and good luck in your future plans.

Response by PFC Baird Ullrey made May 26 at 2018 9:16 PM

PFC Baird Ullrey — Sat, 26 May 2018 21:16:05 -0400

I am fairly sure this oerson is trolling to get people’s dander up.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2018 7:10 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 May 2018 19:10:09 -0400

Send him a dozen roses!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 3:32 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 May 2018 03:32:29 -0400

It's possible that 11X was not available to you. If you want to fly then the recruiter may have tried to give you the best route to reach that goal.

Response by SPC William Weedman made Jun 2 at 2018 2:29 PM

SPC William Weedman — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 14:29:35 -0400

My godson enlisted in the Army Reserve as a helicopter mechanic and within 18 months was deployed to Iraq. He came home showed up once a month then found out a full-time gig as a civilian mechanic was open, he applied and was selected (volunteering for a special project to perform an engine upgrade helped) He went to WOC and is at Fort Rucker learning to fly. It took about 10 years, but he’s a very happy camper.

Response by SPC Athelred Davis made Jun 7 at 2018 5:44 AM

SPC Athelred Davis — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 05:44:05 -0400

Men who thrive in hostile conditions do not need advice from others in determining their future. Go for a 15F if it's still an MOS and available. Then be really nice to your readiness NCO and your command. Maybe once in an aviation unit you can join DART and who knows, maybe you'll get a chance to do something "exciting."

Response by SSG John Eroh made Jun 10 at 2018 7:34 PM

SSG John Eroh — Sun, 10 Jun 2018 19:34:08 -0400

It is harder to transfer out of a combat MOS than a repair MOS as the combat MOSs are usually more shorthanded If you want to fly and be in the action why not go for a flight crew MOS right off the bat. That way you get both. What do you plan on doing after you get out? The Army is good place to get training and experience for later in life. We would joke that the civilian equivalent of infantry was Mafia hit man. The support jobs are just as important as the combat jobs and not always boring. I've had guys in combat MOSs that they didn't get to see much of Germany because they were training so much while as a communications support soldier I got to see and enjoy a lot more than a tourist does. I even got to see some of it in an Army Dodge van on Army gas. Same way in Korea. Also you are more able to take advantage of the many off-duty college courses available at most places. I got my EMT training in Korea.

Response by SGT Paul (Eric) Haines made Jun 26 at 2018 2:49 PM

SGT Paul (Eric) Haines — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 14:49:52 -0400

I unfortunately was a recruiter at one time. Your recruiter’s job is to qualify you for the military service. He doesn’t tell you what jobs you qualify for- the career counselors do that. If you qualify for under water basket weaving, and twenty other jobs, you pick the MOS. A good recruiter will tell you his or her opinion on MOS’s, but that’s all it is: their opinion. Ultimately, it’s your decision. One that you’ll have to live with for at least one enlistment. Who knows? You may love the job you pick, or you might hate it. In which case, you can elect to change your MOS when and if you decide to re-enlist. Good luck, and thanks for stepping up! We need more commuted young people to take their place in the line.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 11:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 11:10:07 -0400

Take the time to thank your Recruiter! Look let's be honest, what are you going to do on the outside with a Combat MOS? Pick a job that will carry you and your future family into the future. Pick a MOS that will give you a return on your time investment on the outside.

Response by SP5 Robert Carter made Jul 3 at 2018 9:00 PM

SP5 Robert Carter — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 21:00:07 -0400

Every man on the line requires seven others behind him for support. That's just for day-to-day support.
I spent my first year as a light 30 gunner and then the next five in electronics. While in Europe I knew that every pilot, copilot, crew chief and passenger who took off in a plane or chopper I had modified or repaired had placed his life in my hands.
Pops

Response by CW2 Roy Allen made Jul 9 at 2018 11:53 AM

CW2 Roy Allen — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 11:53:28 -0400

due to the fact of all the liberals running this country we have no discipline anywhere and the police dept is useless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Response by SP5 Ward Posey made Jul 11 at 2018 9:35 AM

SP5 Ward Posey — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:35:45 -0400

50 years ago, I went from 11B2P as a door gunner to 67U2P on an OJT basis in Viet Nam, we were all part of a crew on a Chinook, all our original door gunners later became crew chiefs and flight engineers as our tour went on. (Those that survived the first few months in country ) I never regretted moving up the ladder. If I had not been shot at the end of my tour, I would have reupped in aviation, with flight school in mind. Even if you don't stay in, you have a good start on a civilian career in aviation. My recommendation, follow that recruiters advice.

Response by MAJ Rj M made Jul 12 at 2018 4:14 PM

MAJ Rj M — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 16:14:35 -0400

I can understand your enthusiam, but to be honest and fair, I think you need to sit down and re-evaluate your priorities. What do you mean by action? Are you lured by the glamour and excitement in Hollywood films, video games, and the so called persona we've built up in the media? Being a solider is at best boring most of the time followed by periods where you're going full throttle. I won't repeat the comments below, but what do you truly expect? Hell isn't that cool when you get right down to it. Then again, its a lesson we all learn in time :-)

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Jul 16 at 2018 12:50 AM

SSG Harry Herres — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 00:50:40 -0400

Be careful for what you wish for. You want action, all I can say is I hope you are up for it. I have seen the greatest wish they were not there. I have seen the meekest kick more butt than allowed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2018 1:52 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 01:52:08 -0400

No matter what MOS you choose, you'll have your fair share of boredom. Infantry is not immune to that, but like every MOS, it has its merits and will help you grow.

My advice, take an MOS that fits your intelligence and your interests and you'll always find something to do... if you pick something that isn't well-aligned you may just end up hating it.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jul 16 at 2018 8:23 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 08:23:09 -0400

Did you raise your hand yet?
If not tell the recruiting commander, "You're not listening."
If so learn from it.

Response by CW4 Ross Miller made Jul 19 at 2018 11:22 PM

CW4 Ross Miller — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 23:22:09 -0400

Me Hay, I was in the Artilary, Helicopter mech/crew chief and then went to Flight School. Listen to LTC Martin, the MSGs and CSM. They are right on! I have a son that was full of piss n vinager too. I supported him fully and swore him in to the Army. He lived his plan-Infantry, Ranger, Special Forces and then finally Flight School. He’s a Night Stalker now, by the grace of God still alive, on his 23d deployment as we speak, not good for everyone that loves him. He asked me one day a few years ago, “ Dad, I’m so tired of my friends dying around me. When does it stop”? “I’m sorry Son. You picked the wrong job for it to ever stop! I’ve been retired for 28 years-and my friends are still dying”!

Response by CPL Allan Suddeth made Jul 24 at 2018 3:01 PM

CPL Allan Suddeth — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 15:01:39 -0400

I appreciate the fact that you feel the urge to fight. But in all honesty your recruiter had probably done you a tremendous favor and you should thank him. 15 series was 67 series when I was in, and I went Combat arms first and was a 19k. Well we all is said and done when you get out. All that a 19k MOS is going to get you is a seat in a tractor trailer or heavy equipment operator. You now have the luxury of learning a skill set that will equip you for a better place in society when you do get out. If you cannot be thankful for that, then maybe you shouldn't have joined the military. That recruiter saw some potential in you besides being a DICK! Dedicated Individual Combat Killer!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2018 8:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 20:54:02 -0400

Don't let a recruiter tell you what job he wants you to do. It's your future. I know plenty of guys that went infantry and that are now warrants flying. You make your own decision and if he continues to screw you around go to another recruiter.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Aug 4 at 2018 4:23 AM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 04:23:23 -0400

Have you ever walked into a car dealership with your dream car in mind, and then when you talk to the salesman he tells you it would take maybe 6-9 months to get that car? "BUT, there's one almost just like it right here in the lot!" It's called quotas and the needs of the Army (or Any Service). Just watch the first half of "Private Benjamin" and you'll get the point. When I saw a recruiter, I knew exactly what I wanted to do (combat medic). I took the ASVAB and qualified for medic (91A). When I went to fill out my preference sheet I wanted to put down medic for all three choices, but the recruiter insisted they all had to be different, so he put down 11B (nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to patch 'em up, not shoot 'em up). He also put down cook. I walked out. Later the recruiter called back and agreed to sign me up for only combat medic. Only do what you want to do. It's an all volunteer military. You will be happier and more likely to make it a career if you're doing something you want to do. Nothing against recruiters, but just consider them used car salesmen - just don't let them sell you that lemon in the corner of the lot! It's YOUR career! Hooah!

Response by CPT Jim Kotva made Aug 15 at 2018 6:24 PM

CPT Jim Kotva — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:24:04 -0400

My recruiter 40 years ago talked me into going into 15 series I was a crew chief on hueys. I am so glad he talked me into it. I got out went to Parks College of Aviation got my Airframe & Powerplant license. I immediately got a job in St. Louis with then McDonnell Douglas. I just stayed in the reserves did over 20 years with the reserves and this past June I have been with now Boeing for 36 years.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Aug 20 at 2018 10:41 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 10:41:54 -0400

If combat you want is better to stay 11b, later down the road you still can apply for warrant officer and do the flight school at fort rucker.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2018 7:42 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 19:42:08 -0400

William Hay if you want excitement get your passport ready and head to South Africa. Fly in to Joberg and then catch a flight to Polkowana. Drive up to Limpopo and get ready for the South African Civil War to begin.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2018 10:12 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 10:12:28 -0400

Aviation is one of the most, if not the most heavily deployed assets in the Army. Especially Chinooks, Attack, and MEDEVAC. Those deployment rotations generally begin the day after their dwell time ends.

I've been in the military for 12 years. I've been a Cav Scout, Military Police, and now, aviation. Aviation has been, by far, the most exciting, pucker inducing thing that I've done in the military.

Go 15T or 15U, get through school, then work your butt off to get into a flight company. Flight companies are the best place in the Army to be.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2018 10:59 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 10:59:19 -0400

Do what you want to do, just realize that it isn't Hollywood. I am an 11C and I just put my warrant packet in a few weeks ago. Having some familiarization with the helicopters as a mechanic should help you as a pilot, but I don't think it will have so much of an impact on getting selected. Having good recommendations and getting an education (associates at least, preferably bachelor's) will give you a much better shot at getting picked up.

Response by SGT Francis Farley made Aug 21 at 2018 1:31 PM

SGT Francis Farley — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:31:35 -0400

Go kiss the recruiter on the lips. If they’d steered me away from a combat MOS, I wouldn’t have been walking with a limp for 50 years.

Response by SFC James Hanebury made Aug 22 at 2018 8:00 PM

SFC James Hanebury — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 20:00:23 -0400

Mr Hay there is an old saying be careful what you wish for as you might get it. I have to agree with LTC Martin I have seen both sides of the face of action in Vietnam and working as a LO in New Jersey. Boring is to be desired in both occupations. Cpl Reed has also hit a solid note as I have experienced much of what he says. On my last tour with the 3rd Infantry Division I was out in the woods for over 200 days, not contusive to a good home life unless you have a good wife. As for the rest combat is for young dedicated troops, but what they don't tell you is down the line it will catch up with you. Go down to a DAV meeting, or American Legion or VFW talk to the old guys with the funny hats. Asked them about Agent Orange, old bullet wounds and PTSD. Speak to the younger veterans ask them about the effects of oil smoke and IEDs see what they have to say. Just possibly you should stay well out of it and count yourself lucky.

Response by SrA John Monette made Aug 22 at 2018 8:52 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 20:52:58 -0400

kids these days. they all wanna be GI Joe. Nobody wants to stay in the back and fix the equipment that GI Joe inevitably breaks. don't be in such a hurry to show how brave you are.

Response by SPC Johnny Ray made Aug 25 at 2018 10:06 PM

SPC Johnny Ray — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 22:06:32 -0400

Take the technical training. You can always go combat arms on your second enlistment. The technical training stays with you for life. Something to fall back on after your service...

Response by SSgt Matthew Johnson made Aug 29 at 2018 12:54 PM

SSgt Matthew Johnson — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 12:54:24 -0400

Oh Man~ Boring?? Infantry .. THAT'S Boring! 99.9% waiting .01% action..
I was a Crew Chief on Pave Low Helicopters. AF Special Ops.- I've been shot at, shot back, landed on ships, landed in the middle of firefights.. rescued people in the desert and mountain tops. AND I got a high paying skill that I can use when I got out.. It ain't all action like a video game kid. and it will be over before you know it... Even if you do 20.. It's better to prepare for your life than prepare to end it. Before you ever knew how awesome it could be.
Just my $1.50 thoughts.. (inflation)

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Sep 4 at 2018 9:52 AM

SGM Jeff Bullard — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:52:43 -0400

doing daily maintenance on the helicopter is just one aspect to be a helicopter crew member. You will be flying with the pilots, and observing them, the helicopter as you do missions. Eventually you may have the opportunity to go to warrant officer school and become a pilot yourself. I have several friends that are aviation SGMs, and CSMs. They really enjoy what they do. IF you don't like your MOS after your do it for your first enlistment then you can change. But the more technical knowledge you have will help you get promoted and when and if you get out these skills will make you very marketable in the civilian world.

Response by SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson made Sep 6 at 2018 3:34 PM

SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 15:34:30 -0400

If you want to be a pilot join the Navy. If you want to fly Med-evac learn to fly a chopper. Otherwise find a new recruiter that will work with you. Most just look to fill gaps, and you don't want to end up in "motor-pool" for your time. Go to School, get a degree in something, get a pilots license in aviation either choppers or air plains and then apply to OCS. Don't be sad and don't be blue, my recruiter screwed me too is actually a normal cadence in the military. Get better choices or a better recruiter! Good luck and when you get in "Thank you for your service."

Response by Sgt Charles Malcom made Sep 9 at 2018 8:22 PM

Sgt Charles Malcom — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 20:22:52 -0400

Mr. Hay: You don't necessarily have to have a infantry, tanks, artillary, etc, mos to be in the action. I was non-combat for 15 years and was called out several times to experience of hearing bullets coming just a little to close. Take your time; you know not what you really want yet. There is no glamour in combat. Ask any veteran who served in the current conflicts, or Nam, or Korea. Take your time.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Sep 13 at 2018 10:26 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 10:26:20 -0400

"I wanna fly later on" You do realize that if you take a job you don't want now, the chances of you flying "later on" are pretty much zero right? If you want to fly, then insist on a flying job right away. Don't wait. Also, join the Air Force.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Sep 16 at 2018 11:34 AM

PVT Mark Zehner — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 11:34:54 -0400

A recruiter will push you to an MOS that needs filling choose what your heart wants you to do or you'll never be happy in your military career! I've seen a few responses about becoming a police officer if you want to see action not a great choice if you want to be safe I was willing to 12 years ago as a police officer.

Response by PO1 Doc Hawkins made Sep 17 at 2018 6:12 AM

PO1 Doc Hawkins — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 06:12:52 -0400

It sucks, almost broke my body and mind. OK some say my mind is broke. You are hungry, tired, bored, then terrified most of the time. You serve when the thermometer says 140 or -25. And you will like it. You will come home to an indifferent public who moved on with your wife or GF seeing a Jody. You will see your best friends get hurt and a few die. More will kill themselves later.

Get the audiobook "HUE 1968 by Mark Bowden". One of the best descriptions of Combat more than I ever experienced. But talking to a Hue survivor who was one of the books subjects it's the way it it.

And if I could do it again I'd do it twice.

Response by SrA Tom Murray made Sep 19 at 2018 7:10 PM

SrA Tom Murray — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 19:10:49 -0400

Where I started was not we're I ended up, apparently your asfab and/or other tests seemed to suggest that you were better suited for mechanics...
Remember that you can and will see various forms of combat in your life...you have to learn to adapt and over come what ever life gives you. Infantry, cavalry, squids, jar heads and chairforce...do not go very far with out someone to maintain and repair.
You would make their jobs possible to complete their mission

Response by SGT Christopher Malloy made Sep 26 at 2018 9:41 PM

SGT Christopher Malloy — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 21:41:47 -0400

I thank God every day that I didn't have to go to war. Spent 9 years 10 months and 23 days. Active duty. When I ETS I became anRN in the ER. And I see how combat takes a toll on lives
If you want to join, then join. If you think it's going to be Stripes then you should stay home. I can honestly say that I would be concerned about someone in a support roll, chomping at the bit to shoot someone. Kind of think you have other things to work on before you wear a uniform.

Response by PFC John Lanni made Sep 29 at 2018 7:45 AM

PFC John Lanni — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 07:45:11 -0400

Work ain't no hobby. We all need a job to provide a good life for ourselves and family therefore gravitate toward the money. There are more repair jobs than there are flying jobs. Money can be made for a good mechanic, maybe not in the military, I don't know, out of the loop. You can make as much as flying but a pilot is limited in flight time where a good mechanic can work overtime and make as much or double what a pilot makes. Flying is cleaner, and you get the glory. It is more dangerous and I want to come home to the ones that I love. I hear what you are saying, serving is a higher calling and money is usually not the main factor. Also a pilot will start off with a higher base pay. In the end, that is up to you. Don't let a recruiter make that decision for you or let him pressure you one way or another. They have slots to fill. If they say they need mechanics, the recruiters are going to find mechanics, that is what they do. Don't let anyone tell you different.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2018 7:57 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 07:57:45 -0400

You can always reclass to a more "in the action" MOS later in your career, nothing you can do to change your MOS now. Repair MOS' offer plenty of knowledge, take advantage and soak it in.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2018 6:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 18:22:39 -0400

Don't let anyone discourage you. It's your choice. I was an infantryman for 9 years. 7 years airborne in the same battalion. The brotherhood is real. I honestly could have never seen myself doing some lowly repair job or clerical work. It's a little different these days, the army in general and the lack of wars. Peacetime Army tends to keep lifers who's only sole care is the retirement. Ask some veterans, the majority of the best leaders I ever had are out now and the below average ones are still in climbing up that ladder. Also, if you want to fly, drop the packet. I wanted to fly too, but didnt have the care to do it in the army so now I fly in the real world. GI bill has paid for all of it from private to commercial.

Response by SGT Glenn E Moody made Oct 4 at 2018 10:38 PM

SGT Glenn E Moody — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 22:38:48 -0400

if you want to fly someday first you have to learn how aircraft works. just like before you get to go to combat you need to learn how to give first aid clean & repair the weapon systems from the smallest to the largest in the MOS. like your rifle pistol arm & disarm mines & most important the NBC gear. like if you are not clean shaved the gas mask wont seal to your face simple things like that are boring but it saves lives just like repairing the aircraft dose. I did 6 years in the infantry never saw combat because of the time I served 1981 to 1987 Reagan was the President I joined because of what he said about the IRAN Hostages. that was happening when he was running for President. he said if I win and the Hostages are not released. he is coming with the full force of the Military. the day he got sworn in IRAN released the Hostages. that was 20 JAN 1981 so I joined took my oath 10 DEC 1981 Russia was the major threat at the time I trained for 6 years to fight against Russia. it never happened. so my point is just because you want to be in a combat MOS dosen't mean you go to combat. sounds like your recruiter is sending you on a good career path not a possible death or disfigurement one.

Response by SPC Phillip Anderson made Oct 6 at 2018 12:02 PM

SPC Phillip Anderson — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 12:02:19 -0400

Even if you have a "combat" MOS there's no guarantee you will be stationed with a unit that gets deployed.
I took a job in "computer repair" and was deployed during Desert Storm with an artillery unit on the line.
You want action, play a video game.

Response by PV2 Edward R Elkins made Oct 7 at 2018 12:26 PM

PV2 Edward R Elkins — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 12:26:01 -0400

I thought I was going to be working at a hospital on a 9 to 5 job as a health care specialist. Little did I know that they combined M.O.S. and I was going to be trained to be a combat medic. This was back in 9/11 crisis in 2003. I only experienced what I did and didn't end up in any combat situations anyways. However many people I meet who did ended up hurt and have wounds and scars , had friends get killed they were working with , ect. The Army seemed this way to me, killing , even for your country is not something to want to do until you get your orders and are there in a combat situation. No one trains to kill someone without being in danger of being killed, even just training some times people are killed and injured by accident. When you fire deadly weapons especially explosives like grenades or canons, you can hardly think about life, to use a weapon that powerful you can hardly think about life while you are using the weapon. Not to mention all your time in your life taken from you because you become a government soldier who's sole purpose is to defend the country. We need as many brave people as we can get in our military to defend our country from our enemies but its not like civilian life, if you feel called to do a combat M.O.S. you can change your M.O.S. when you get in. You might try and get a 300 PT score at Basic Training and then at the end of basic if you do really well at Basic Combat training change your training path to infantry or special forces.

Response by PV2 Edward R Elkins made Oct 7 at 2018 12:35 PM

PV2 Edward R Elkins — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 12:35:13 -0400

As you are there is no way for you to know what combat really is. So if you feel like you might want to do a combat MOS, there are combat medic jobs that are supportive and very important if you have a good enough ASVAB score medics are smart like average 120 to 130 IQ and many higher. I thought I would be doing a 9 to 5 health care specialist job at a hospital and when I got to basic I found out my training path was changed to Combat Medic because of the war they combined the MOS. I went to Fort Benning,GA and got a 300 PT and one of the Drills told me I should change my MOS to infantry and go to ranger school. I thought about it but didn't do it. So possibly work hard at Basic training and if you do well ask to change to infantry or airborne.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2018 4:22 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 16:22:11 -0400

Not all of the combat MOS see "action". If you are looking to fly later, it would be good for you to know how to fix the aircraft you might be flying. You could try something like Military Police or something else. Of course, if you scores are high, then being in a technical position might be a benefit.

Response by SPC Travis Grizzard made Oct 19 at 2018 8:15 PM

SPC Travis Grizzard — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 20:15:25 -0400

Any MOS which starts with a 1, (11, 13, 15, 18, etc) is considered a combat MOS. You want to be where the action is? Don't want to be bored? Like these guys? Think they're bored?

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2018 8:40 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 08:40:22 -0400

If you want to fly, go to college and then go Air Force. It’s your best chance.

Response by LtCol Paul Bowen made Oct 29 at 2018 12:20 AM

LtCol Paul Bowen — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 00:20:57 -0400

The window to be a military Aviator closes at age 26 1/2 years. So look at your timeline...in the 1970s an American High School Graduate could sign up for 4 years...get an Honorable Discharge and then finish 4 years of college to arrive at 26 years of age and be able to step into a Flight School Contract...this is the USMC, Navy and USAF Aviation Commissioning Track.

I cannot speak for the Army. Their Aviation Track is different, includes Warrant Officers and appears to not require the same standards to meet before receiving your wings.

So if your age is 18 then get a 4 year contract in Combat Arms (if such a contract still exists); serve honorably then go to college.

Another path to Aviation before 26 1/2 is to join the RESERVES. Pick a Combat Arms Unit...be in the Gun club. Enroll in college and get into an Officer Candidate Pipeline with an Aviation Contract. Finish college and OCS as an undergraduate an step into a 2ndLt Commission before age 26 1/2.

Response by SGT Scott Swinford made Oct 29 at 2018 9:56 PM

SGT Scott Swinford — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 21:56:31 -0400

I don't claim to be an expert on 15 series but if memory serves me correctly, mechanics become air crew, and unless things have changed a WHOLE lot there is nothing boring about being a door gunner

Response by PFC Jerry Yax Jr. made Nov 6 at 2018 4:08 AM

PFC Jerry Yax Jr. — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 04:08:29 -0500

there could be a number of reasons why he did but one thing is are you the only son of either of your parents

Response by SGT John Graham made Nov 12 at 2018 1:27 AM

SGT John Graham — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 01:27:55 -0500

All jobs are important. BE A SOLDIER FIRST. Combat is not a fun and games experience. It isn't a rite of passage. You may have a MOS but the ARMY will use you as neede.

Response by SGT Robert Martin made Nov 15 at 2018 3:49 AM

SGT Robert Martin — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 03:49:00 -0500

He did you a favor. Although when I joined recruiters had almost nothing to do with what MOS you picked. MOSs were handled at MEPS after your physical. My recruiter asked me what MOSs I was interested in, and showed me short videos of the jobs I was thinking about. He wasn't even aloud in the room when I made my decision. If you were really set on an MOS that would have put you in the action then I'm sure your recruiters thoughts about the best MOS for you wouldn't have had any affect on your choice. Sounds to me like you might have a little buyers remorse. If however you really want to fly then your recruiter helped keep your dream alive. You see the combat MOSs always seem to be in need of more men. As a result it is almost imposible to get a new MOS when your already in a MOS that is short handed.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Nov 18 at 2018 8:13 PM

SPC Steven Depuy — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 20:13:09 -0500

You will never know, but its not call of Duty, you don't get to respawn. My son and my nephew both went in feeling that way, and came home (Thank God) shattered by what they went through. If you have learned to fix aircraft, your much farther ahead than I was being a cavalry scout, or my son being a fister, who basically patrolled 6 nights a week in Iraq and pulled weeds full time at Hood when they were back in the states. Since you didn't go through it, you won't know if you got to survive 5 IED hits like my kid, and you won't have those anniversary dates I watch him go through when friends got killed or wounded badly, or when he had to kill someone. In the end, you were lucky if a recruiter actually put you in a job where you can make a nice living when your time is done.

Response by SFC Wendell Pruitt made Nov 19 at 2018 12:27 PM

SFC Wendell Pruitt — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 12:27:03 -0500

For every gung ho guy enlisting seeking the action like this there are another 10 who were the same way when they enlisted that are screaming "let me out of this its not what I signed up for", It makes far more sense for the recruiter to steer you toward your long term goal of flying than it does to respond to your "Call of Duty video game" view of the world.

Response by SPC Benjamin-Cassie Shirley made Nov 29 at 2018 11:45 PM

SPC Benjamin-Cassie Shirley — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:45:07 -0500

Something you may consider is a quote that has been with me for my career. "No one prays for peace more than the soldier. For in war the soldier stands to lose the most." If you want to be combat arms be combat arms, some of the best interrogators I looked up to came from the infantry. What the recruiter is trying to do is put you in and around the pilots early so you will have the contacts you need for your flight packet. Also if you want to be a pilot you should be able to fill out a flight packet before you join and go strait in if you are selected (unless something changed in the last several years). You have to take charge of your military career / time from day one. Make goals and plans on how to achieve them.

Response by CPT Ray Gilmore made Nov 29 at 2018 11:57 PM

CPT Ray Gilmore — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:57:15 -0500

Willy, you stated "I really want to be in the action...."

No. You really don't.
.....
The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.

Douglas MacArthur

Response by CPL Jeremy Glenn made Dec 1 at 2018 7:24 AM

CPL Jeremy Glenn — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 07:24:37 -0500

If you really wanna fly don’t go in as a mechanic. I did that. By the time I got around to taking the AFAST and starting the fly packet I was so beat up I couldn’t pass Aeromed. I don’t know if they still have it by check into a program called high school to flight school. If not you do a lot better to get at a degree and your private pilot. Fixed wing and rotary are different, but it will give you a foundation.

Response by MSG Don H. made Dec 5 at 2018 3:35 PM

MSG Don H. — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 15:35:29 -0500

You should pay attention to current events; conventional forces, especially combat MOS soldiers are being employed less and less. It was announced yesterday that we are going to meet with the Taliban to try to end the war in Afghanistan. If you want to go into harms way, go special operation or military intelligence. I have deployed more as a 35 series than I ever did when I was as a crew chief. Going 18 series or 35M, 35L or 35N will put you close to where things are happening in places all over the world.

Be careful what you wish for, my son was a medic for an infantry company in 2012 in Southern Afghanistan. He rushed to treat two buddy that stepped on a pressure plate IED. In his effort to treat his buddies, my son stepped on a second IED and lost his right leg below the knee. The bomb torn up his left leg, both arms , knocked him back about 20 feet and left a quarter size piece of shrapnel in his back; the shrapnel just happened to go between the two plates of his body armor. It took 51 units of blood to keep him alive before the medical team at Kandahar could stop all the bleeding. He had to go through 18 separate surgeries. Today, after over two year of being in the hospital and in rehab, he walks with a prosthetic leg, has about 50% usage of his left arm and is covered with scare tissue over 20% of his body. One of the guys that my son rushed to treat lost both legs and can never have kids due to the damage to his genitals.

If you want to be a hero, be a MEDEVAC pilot. Be someone that is in some part responsible for bringing someone's son, daughter, husband or wife, home.

Response by CPL Peter King made Dec 6 at 2018 12:30 PM

CPL Peter King — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 12:30:34 -0500

I can’t speak for the US Army, but in the British Army everyone is a trained infantryman. You then go on to trade training.

The first part of basic is to get you fit, and train you as an infantryman. From there you go on to train for your MOS (anyone feel free to correct me)

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Dec 7 at 2018 5:29 AM

SPC Christopher Perrien — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 05:29:52 -0500

You know helicopter pilots can see a lot of action. More than any little stick-man down on the ground , moves faster too and no mud. I'd do the helo thing , better chow and accommodations than in the "combat arms" on average . But you might be stuck together anyway in a Cav unit overseas or on the same bases.

Repairing stuff good to know on the outside for a jobs, repairing helos good skill for that. "Combat" skills are largely superfluous and you end up working on/repairing vehicles everyday anyway.., be it your tank , SP, cannon , track, whatever that MOS rides/drives.

Response by SFC Gregory Adams made Dec 12 at 2018 5:41 PM

SFC Gregory Adams — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 17:41:51 -0500

Ylou cant get much closer to the action that a combat arms MOS. There are many to choose from Infantry, artillery, Cav Scout, Combat Engineer, Special Forces, Psy-Ops.....and the lsit goes on and on

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Dec 14 at 2018 9:08 AM

CWO2 Shelby DuBois — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 09:08:36 -0500

Maybe he's looking out for your best interest AFTER the 4 yrs is up. Grunt MOS's have changed and there is so much technology involved compared to 30 years ago that it'll make your head spin. But fact is, on a resume, high tech training and experience in avionics, jet engine mechanics or IT makes for a more marketable resume than one that opens with "My job in the military was to locate, close with and kill the enemy."
If you want to be in a profession of arms... you make the best of what's offered and do your best to succeed.
Right now, your job is to pursue the best course of action for you...Once you take that oath, your new job is to do your best...do what your're told, go where you're told and when you're told and be always aware that everyone around you depends on you doing your job to the best of your ability.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 15 at 2018 3:39 AM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 03:39:18 -0500

Spend a day on an ambulance crew. When you see your first victim of serious trauma where parts of their body a missing, mutilated beyond recognition, and people are crying for their mother or begging God to keep them alive, you may feel different.

I have known may combat veteran's from World War II and on. I haven't seen a single one who was glad they were in the action.

I was an infantry officer who never saw combat. I consider myself damn lucky.

Response by MSG John Wirts made Dec 23 at 2018 10:15 AM

MSG John Wirts — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 10:15:00 -0500

I joined the active army 9 days after I graduated from high school. I went into field wire man course 321.10 at the time later redesignated as 36K. I served my three year enlistment in Germany! I ETS'd at Brooklin Army terminal in 1965. I spent 6 years in the Air National Guard as a Comm Specialist/Supervisor operating TTY and switchboard, I left as a TSGT. I joined the Army NG as SSG Crypto Supervisor, i left the Army Guard and joined the Army Reserve as a Recruiter. I transferred to the Test Section of the (91st Div (Training) mos 11B(infantry) with Test Supervisor Certification. I later transferred to 6237 USAR School as a ANCOC Instructor, back to 91st Div as a Committee group Instructor, then back to the redesignated 6237th USARF SCHOOL. I retired in 2005 as a 11B5X instructor. If you want combat arms you can get it, I am proud of my 43 years service, 40 years in the reserves and national guard.

Response by SGT Shane Larson made Jan 1 at 2019 1:32 AM

SGT Shane Larson — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 01:32:02 -0500

There is still some double standards as far as how you are treated if you take a non combat MOS, they idea that it is a team is still Slowly trickling through the Army mind.

Response by LTC John Bush made Jan 1 at 2019 2:00 PM

LTC John Bush — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 14:00:28 -0500

War has been properly described as long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of stark terror. Of the two years I spent in Vietnam the time I saw "action" boils down to a few days, the rest was a grind. I generally considered new arrivals looking for "action" as dangerous. I concur with LTC Martin, become a cop in a hotspot city if you want action.

Response by PO3 William Villalpando made Jan 8 at 2019 8:38 AM

PO3 William Villalpando — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 08:38:27 -0500

Thank him?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2019 9:09 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 09:09:40 -0500

If you want to be an 11B, steer your recruiter back to that path. If your ultimate goal is to go Warrant and put in your flight packet in, ask your recruiter what the specific qualifications for that packet are and what the best way to pursue that path is. It will come down to a choice, but it is YOUR choice to make. Not his/hers.

Response by SSG Phillip Bliss made Jan 9 at 2019 2:46 PM

SSG Phillip Bliss — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 14:46:48 -0500

I’m going to answer this, 1:without reading every comment, 2:As a Retired Army Soldier that was a Recruiter at one time....
First off, I didn’t ‘put in’ many infantry, but I did supply the Army with a platoons worth of 19D Cav Scouts. And no offense to those great young men (combat arms wasn’t yet open to female Soldiers in my time), but it didn’t take much aptitude to qualify for 11B, 19D, and many other combat arms jobs. There wasn’t a recruiting day that went by that one of those positions weren’t available... ok, so maybe we had to call the ROC. but we could always get one of those CA jobs. A 15 series was a far more rare occasion, 1: to have a qualifying applicant 2:A job available. Your recruiter is/was doing you a very huge service. I put a few Soldiers into jobs far different from what they inquired about during my times, and not a single one ever came back with regrets. Of course on the other hand, I didn’t sign any finial contracts, that was between the applicant and a counselor at MEPS. My job selection at the recruiting office was merely a suggestion. For example, I never wanted to put anyone into ‘MP’, usually because every applicant wanted to use it as a steppingstone to go to a civilian police Or letter agency (CIA, FBI, NSA, ATF, SWAT) which, from my knowledge, was not the best way to go. One young man came back from MEPS excited, telling me how he had fulfilled his childhood dream of enlisting as an MP!

Response by SPC Donald Moore made Jan 9 at 2019 10:47 PM

SPC Donald Moore — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 22:47:13 -0500

I spent four years in the Infantry and never saw combat. Even if you get the MOS you think you want, there are no guarantees. One of my room mates from when I was stationed in Germany went to sniper school and subsequently was on a sniper team in Bosnia where the team he was on nearly got overrun by the locals. It was a near thing for them to make it back. They were receiving small arms fire and constantly relocating to avoid being overtaken by the enemy advance. The mission was to separate belligerents but when they are shooting at you and you are shooting back, they are the enemy. Even good snipers can't hold off a larger force for long. They got back, but he still suffers from PTSD because of that and can barely leave his house. Some days he can't even make it out of his room. He and I have talked about it, but it isn't the kind of thing you can fully share.
I understand that you want to serve, but don't think it is a video game where you can come out the other side and not be shaken by the experience. Good luck.

Response by SSgt Ed Hamlin made Jan 9 at 2019 10:56 PM

SSgt Ed Hamlin — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 22:56:42 -0500

My career in the USAF was crash recovery, heavy and flightline maintenance on various DOD acft, along with some special duty positions like Assistant NCOIC Correction Custody and a Recruiter as well.

I'll say this, just because you are maintaining an aircraft, doesn't mean you're not in the mix. The weapons system you are working on is needed where it counts the most, ensuring lives are not lost for US and allied frontline in the dirt. My last unit was 354TH EFS, We flew OA/A-10's. Every guy out there ever ambushed, under heavy fire from our enemies, might not make it home to family and friends if I didn't ensure our A-10's were ready to go on a moments notice.

Stop looking at the little picture and take in the big picture, look at it this way, the guys on the front line, they're the tip of the spear so to speak, then you have the guys who support them they are like the spear head, behind that are people who make up the spear shaft, if any part is missing the tip of the spear will not work.

I wonder why you really joined, those who understand know the life serving in not hollowood at all. its about sacrifice. I, for the most part had an uneventful career 95% of it was every day life, the other 5% was moments of terror and heartache. So, why are you really here, a means to an end? Or do you really want to serve our great nation?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 9:23 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 09:23:54 -0500

Hey man, your recruiter is trying to take care of you especially if you want to go for Aviation. Your focus should be selecting a MOS that you can get the most out of. In the event that you don't want to stay in for your 20, you can use the Army to launch you into a career that you enjoy. That being said, you can always put in a Warrant packet for flight regardless of MOS. At the end of the day, if you've made your mind up that you definitely want to be combat arms, don't let him put you in an MOS that you don't want; the only time that you have decision power over your career is when you are an initial-entry recruit. Don't have any regrets!

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Jan 10 at 2019 1:37 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 13:37:56 -0500

Ask for an Artillery slot. The Good Life!!!! Go Army and Be All You Can Be! Crack! BOOOOOOM!!!! AR-TILLERYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

In 1988 after passing the physical, the recruiter wanted to put me in a noncombat slot and I declined. I told him I would like to be outside and then I told him if war broke out I wanted to be sure to do my part and not behind a desk. But no Infantry, please. So, he suggested a 13 series Field Artillery position. I looked it over, said it looked good and signed!

Response by PO1 Ronald Parker made Jan 10 at 2019 6:48 PM

PO1 Ronald Parker — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 18:48:37 -0500

If you know what you want and your recruiter steers you away from it don't sign up. You need to think of your long term goals. Not being in the Army I am not familiar with MOS's. A family friend just went through helicopter repair school knowing that in the future he wants to become a helo pilot. I am sure he will get chosen ahead of the guy that thought repairing things would be boring. Now he will know what he is flying and will have a better understanding of what to do if a mishap occurs. Plus the recruiter has quotas to fill and that could be why he pushed you to where he did. Things don't happen in the service without proper training. If you do get picked up to become a helo pilot please don't tell them that sitting in a classroom going over the parts of the helo (that you would already know about if you went to the maintenance school) is boring. You may end up there anyways.

Response by CPL Stephen Patterson made Jan 11 at 2019 9:51 AM

CPL Stephen Patterson — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 09:51:37 -0500

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you might start by making your own decisions. First you say you let your recruiter steer you in a direction that he wanted you to go and you went, and now you are on here asking us what to do as if we can save you. Again I'm not saying this to be a smart-ass, but that person looking back at you it from the mirror that's the person you should be talking to about this and that's the person that should make all of your decisions going forward. Best of luck to you, and as a former 11 Bravo or I guess life ever since I ETS as one you'll have a lot of fun if you get to the Infantry but a lot of boring time to and those comments that the guys made about the war part you know it's not just TV anymore.

Response by MSgt Andre Stringer made Jan 11 at 2019 4:30 PM

MSgt Andre Stringer — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 16:30:44 -0500

I was a recruiter and would steer people with very high ASVAB/GT scores into tech fields. Their skills in these support fields are just as important as infantry and are vital. I was a grunt. It is a hard life and it is not for everyone. The people I knew in the Air-Wing did not find repairing aircraft boring and there have been times they had to defend their Air Bases.

Response by SGT Jeff Bush made Jan 11 at 2019 10:02 PM

SGT Jeff Bush — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 22:02:43 -0500

Thank that recruiter. The "action" as you say involves embracing the suck and being in the field in the same smelly uniform for weeks on end sleeping in your own sweat and filth under your own poncho-constructed shelter covered in ticks guarding your perimeter from the opposing forces or (Op-For) and occasionally doing some cool patrols and building clearance.

Response by PO1 David Jordon made Jan 12 at 2019 10:21 AM

PO1 David Jordon — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 10:21:40 -0500

let me tell you something ,kid. i was a structural aircraft mechanic in the Navy. which means i worked on the airframe and hydraulic parts of that aircraft. and i can tell you, it is far from boring. when you have to work 20 hour days to keep your aircraft combat ready. you say you want some action. then don't go in the Army,go in the Navy as an aviation rate. and work the flight deck of an aircraft Carrier on jet fighters or bombers. that job has been rated one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.you want action, go for that. it is the only job where you can stand sill and get killed. and flight hours run day and night. try working on a fighter and have one landing ten feet away from you. or being on the deck when the arresting gear wire breaks and people get their legs cut off in a nanosecond when it whips back and catches them.be next to a fighter that is turning up, and be sicked down the intake of that fighter. the best thing that can happen to you iis that you die. because there isn't much left of you when it's over. or turn to get out of the way of one aircraft and walk into the spinning prop of another. there's your "boring" kid. personally, i don't think you cold handle that 'boring' job.

Response by SGT Andrew Ornelas made Jan 13 at 2019 11:23 AM

SGT Andrew Ornelas — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 11:23:44 -0500

Mr. Hay, ultimately whatever path you choose will have its own benefits and dangers. the question you must ask yourself is what do you feel comfortable looking back on, if you live to do so.... regardless of military service you could breath your last tomorrow, or next week.... live what is in your heart, and you will always be proud of your service.

Response by Lt Col John Plaza made Jan 13 at 2019 6:52 PM

Lt Col John Plaza — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 18:52:37 -0500

Recruiters have many reasons for steering you in a certain direction. If you have a high ASVAB score they are going to steer you towards a job that requires a high ASVAB score because they are harder for the recruiter to fill. If someone with a 98 ASVAB comes in and asks for a job that requires a 35 they will probably try to steer them to a job that requires a high ASVAB. It makes sense. If you want to be a trigger puller stick to your guns. I assume you want to fly helicopters later. Find out what the selection process is and what it values in the process such as ASVAB scores, other standardized test scores (when I wanted to fly I got the Air Force Officer Qualification Test study book and went through it, especially the aviation sections, until I had the damn thing memorized), private pilot license, recommendations, etc. Being a wrench turner on a helo will not give you an advantage in the selection process. Being awesome at whatever job you do will. All jobs in the military are important. The helo doesn't take off without a bunch of excellent, hard working, knuckle busting wrench turners. Pick a job you are passionate about and you will do great. Don't get pushed into something you think you will hate as you will likely not do as well and that will make your chance of getting selected for flight training less. If you want infantry go for it. We need good folks busting knuckles and out on patrol. If you can't do the high school to flight school program (you do know about that right?) pick a job you love, excel at it, find out how the flight school selection process works, work to maximize your application package and cross your fingers. When I came in I wanted to fly F-15s and ended up flying C-130s. Thought I would hate it but I loved it. In time you'll find the greatest challenge is not flying or even combat but being a great leader. Being a great leader is the greatest challenge and the greatest accomplishment. Good luck!

Response by SP5 Michael Cates made Jan 13 at 2019 7:15 PM

SP5 Michael Cates — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 19:15:56 -0500

Feel Lucky? I just went to a friend of mines sons Graduation from Ft.Benning Georgia a few weeks ago he had applied for Combat Medic and is almost through with Training! Destiny will guide him as well as you! Good Luck! Sp/5 Cates

Response by SFC Larry Jones made Jan 13 at 2019 8:51 PM

SFC Larry Jones — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 20:51:21 -0500

Unless things have changed drastically since I retired in 1995 (00R), the recruiter is not the one who determines your MOS--job. That is done by a guidance counselor at MEPS. Now put on your big boy pants, quit whining, and decide whether you really want to wear your country's uniform. Aside to my RP brethren: I spent 11 years in USAREC, most of them as a Station Commander.

Response by MSG William Hesser made Jan 14 at 2019 12:00 AM

MSG William Hesser — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 00:00:08 -0500

Remember BCT stands for Basic Combat Training which is what you do in Basic Training. Then you go to the school for the job you are going to specialize in.
In the time of emergency, you have had basic training in combat condition so when 'all hell' breaks lose, a combat unit can pull you into the line unit to help fight off the enemy. This has happened many times in a combat zone.
I had a clerk typist as my 'ammo bearer' on my M-60 machine gun crew when I was in Vietnam. He was a good soldier and did a good job. The platoon leader awarded him the 11B secondary MOS so he could get his CIB for the combat he was in.

Response by Sgt Clindon Bagwell made Jan 14 at 2019 5:29 AM

Sgt Clindon Bagwell — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 05:29:52 -0500

My recruiter also tried to steer me away from a combat MOS. I didn’t listen and ended up doing 9 years and 5 deployments in the Infantry. Go with an MOS that will give you a transferable skill set because you won’t be in the military forever. If I could go back and do something different I would.

Response by Sgt Mervyn Russell made Jan 14 at 2019 8:15 AM

Sgt Mervyn Russell — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 08:15:44 -0500

Mr. Hay, I'm a combat veteran from the Vietnam war. The wars have changed but the brutality of war has not. Combat will change you in ways that you might not want to see take place. The taking of another human life has no glory in it, there's no pride to be had other than the fact that you served your country. All wars are political. in other word's wars are created by politicians and fought by the poor man. You might want to rethink your motivation for wanting to be in the "action." My best to you in what ever to decide to do.

Response by LTC Gary Earls made Jan 14 at 2019 11:35 AM

LTC Gary Earls — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 11:35:36 -0500

I was shot up three times in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. The enemy could hear us coming from miles away. Almost ten per cent of the names on the Viet Nam wall were air crew members. My grandson in law worked his way up to being a crew chief and now is a full time recruiter and crew chief on drill weekend. Do you have a college degree?? If not start working on that if you want to be a pilot. Go into the Army and get your 15 MOS and then start working on the degree if your long range plan is to be an aviator.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Jan 14 at 2019 2:44 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:44:21 -0500

15 Series flies in the right air-frame, and can be considered a combat arms MOS. What you want is mechanic, which will put you inline to be a crew chief later on down the road, and as a crew chief you will fly with that aircraft, and as a mechanic you may be able to operate as a door gunner.

The bonus to this too, is that if you decide to ply your aviation trade as a civilian, you can go pilot AND mechanic.

Many people have commented about combat after effects, What they missed was telling you that combat in and of itself is boring. There are many people who deploy, and NEVER hear a shot fired in anger. Let alone leave the wire and get shot at. As an air crewman on any type of Helo your chances of getting shot at, and killed, are higher than most MOS' save MP. IN MY EXPERIENCE.

Someone said it well, this is NOT Hollywood. When you watch band of brothers you think these guy were on the line and in combat 24/7 for 3.5 years. read the book. The epilogue will explain that in the time that Easy Company was deployed it spent a total of 4 months on the line or "in combat", that is about 1 month a year.

When you look at platoon, it covers an entire year of a single mans tour in Vietnam, and they had what two major engagements?

Full metal jacket is also based upon a book, that draws form a marines deployment, and there is one engagement.

Jarhead tells the story of a guy deployed in Operation Desert shield/Storm who never fired his weapon. This happened in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and WWII.

My Grandfather was in WWII, he did a single stand up cruise on the USS California before contracting Scarlet Fever and getting discharged.

My Father served in 1965-1967, never deployed to Vietnam.

We had a family friend that served in the Army Air corps in WWII, was stationed in China, and by his own admission, never touched a weapon once. He was also in Vietnam where he earned the purple heart, while moving a piano, and had a mortar round, break some glass that fell on him.

My tour in Iraq had four major actions The two battles for Fallujah, Mosul, and Sadir city during the elections. four major engagements in 13 months of being deployed.

Army life is not like civilian life. We have this mystique of being high speed low drag STRAC guys; and yet we spend an incredible amount of time sitting on our cans waiting for something to happen. THAT is the truth of Army life, and it does not change in combat. The only units that you are going to see non stop action in are in the special operations communities, of which their is an actual aviation regiment.

Your enthusiasm is mostly from being young (i hope), and ignorant. Many of the people who have responded to you probably felt exactly like you when they first enlisted in the military. There is nothing wrong with being excited and eager; But, thinking your going to win a bunch of medals and be a hero, will do only one thing. Get you dead. Look at the awards for people with the medal of honor, you will find the reason it says above and beyond the call of duty, is because most of those guys ARE DEAD.

No one, in their right minds, in any unit wants a hero running around. Makes life hard for everyone, because you can not rely on him to do his job and be where he needs to be, as he is out seeking glory.

The LtC said it best too. The military SHOULD BE a calling. For many it is not. And that calling means you are the unsung hero. The "top" soldiers in the Army, DELTA, perform their jobs in complete anonymity. Guys like Chris Kyle and that Lone survivor guy, are assholes. Both trying to make themselves look like they are super soldiers, looking for public recognition. If doing the job is not enough, do NOT join.

Awards are just as political now as they were in Vietnam. And for every Bronze star that is awarded their are probably 10 that were overlooked, or flat out denied because of politics. You need to understand this BEFORE going into the Army. Doing something that can get you an award is relatively easy just a matter of being in the right place, at the right time; being recognized for it is the hard part.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2019 6:45 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:45:51 -0500

Do the MOS you want to do it. It's your life, your choice, your 3 years. Don't sign anything that's exactly what you want.
If you want to see action, go to 18X and make sure you're physically fit for it.

Response by SPC Michael Redrow made Jan 15 at 2019 11:59 AM

SPC Michael Redrow — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 11:59:55 -0500

You need to go where your passion is. This is going to be your job for 4 to 6 years and reclassifying may not be easy once you’re done MOS training and get to your unit. If you aren’t into fighting stay away from infantry. What ever you like try to look for an mos you qualify for and do that. War is hell, remember that!

Response by SPC Adam Lincoln made Jan 16 at 2019 1:36 PM

SPC Adam Lincoln — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 13:36:42 -0500

Pick what you want and not what he wants. If you want to be “in the action” you have many choices but infantry is probably your best bet. 15 series probably won’t help you in flight school, however you may need recommendations in order to attend WOCS so that would be the easiest way to get to know a few.

Response by SFC Jose Caraballo made Jan 16 at 2019 3:05 PM

SFC Jose Caraballo — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 15:05:18 -0500

As a former recruiter, he's looking at what your future goals are. By "steering" you into a 15 Series MOS; he's attempting to set you up for success. Knowing the equipment that in the future you may be flying will set you apart from the other individuals with only a rudimentary knowledge for the selection process to flight school. Ultimately the decision is yours; which ever MOS you want to select upon taking the ASVAB, passing the physical and what is listed available for the next 90-180 days for enlistment. But I ask that you take into consideration what your recruiter is trying to help you do; which is help you achieve your future goals.

Response by SPC Wil Brown made Jan 16 at 2019 9:42 PM

SPC Wil Brown — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 21:42:48 -0500

ask yourself what you want after your time in the service...an honorable discharge is the same for a clerck or a seal...

Response by SP5 Arthur Ben Ephraim made Jan 18 at 2019 3:23 PM

SP5 Arthur Ben Ephraim — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:23:20 -0500

IMHO, U.S. is transitioning to UCAV, UAS, robot, DNA eugenic War Fighter thus human/humanoid natural birth combat arms MOS needs will reduce-- but they will require maintenance and support MOS.

Response by CPT Jim Kotva made Jan 20 at 2019 10:27 AM

CPT Jim Kotva — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 10:27:57 -0500

Let me tell you my story in 1978 I was a dumb 18 year old had no idea what to do in life. Went to an Army recruiter took the ASVAB the recruiter called me two days later asked me to come talk to him. He told me you blew the ASVAB out of the water you did not get under a 92 on anything what do you want to do in the Army? I told him I did not really know just needed to get out of my parents house. He told me I am not going to put you in for and 11B or a 92W MOS. You need to go into Intel Aviation or something where you can use your mind. I did not consider myself that smart I asked what I could be doing in aviation back them that was part of transportation he told me and I said sign me up. I owe my recruiter a big thumbs up. I got out of active duty went to Parks College of Aviation earned my Airframe & Powerplant License and a B.S. in Aircraft Maintenance Management. I am now making six figures for a large aviation corporation. As LTC Martin I feel was trying to explain to you when you get out of the military there is little demand for a trained killer.

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Jan 20 at 2019 4:03 PM

1SG Patrick Sims — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 16:03:03 -0500

Don't be too hard on your recruiter. In a 15 series, you won't have to sleep in the mud---much. You'll probably get hot meals on a regular basis. You won't have to shit in the woods, like a wild animal. And you're a lot less likely to get shot at. -----Take it from me-----915 days in the Mekong Delta---Navy River Patrol.

Response by PO1 Tom Follis made Jan 21 at 2019 1:55 PM

PO1 Tom Follis — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 13:55:01 -0500

This brings to mind the old question. If a doctor tells me I’m dying of cancer, should I get a 2nd opinion? YES. By all means. I was not Army but, I did spend 3 years as a recruiter. All branches of the military have good recruiters and all have bad recruiters. There are recruiters out there that will tell you anything or what you want to hear. By all means, find another recruiter and get a 2nd opinion. As much as it pains me to say this, being a former recruiter. At the enlisted recruiter level, you’re just another number, a warm body, a contract. If you don’t eat liver, why would you buy it?

Response by PO1 Richard Norton made Jan 23 at 2019 1:23 PM

PO1 Richard Norton — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 13:23:32 -0500

In the military boring is a good thing.

Response by SSG Norbert Johnson made Jan 25 at 2019 2:36 PM

SSG Norbert Johnson — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:36:01 -0500

Perhaps you did not display a propensity toward the combat fields based on your entry scores and probable lack of decisiveness upon initial review. Wanting to be is not the same thing as actually being in a career field, especially in the military. That is why the Recruiter looks to steer you toward a career field that you are more likely than not to succeed. Sometimes that can fail the individual, but you do have an opportunity to discuss this with your command and seek an additional combat related MOS as part of your career development. If you have issues of boredom, then an Infantry MOS may not be a good choice for you.

Response by LCpl Michael Cappello made Feb 3 at 2019 3:28 PM

LCpl Michael Cappello — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 15:28:34 -0500

Join something else where your crying and whining will be accepted. You say that you want to fly. That means that you need to be an officer. If you only want to ride then go for flight crew. If you want something, then work to earn it. If you truly want to be part of a team then allow the recruiter to attempt to do his/her damn job and steer you in the right direction. Anybody can become a "grunt". Usually recruiters will send more people to the grunts than any other field.

Response by SPC Mark Smith made Feb 11 at 2019 12:09 PM

SPC Mark Smith — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 12:09:17 -0500

I wonder where you are at right now? Had I seen this thread a year ago this would have been my response: Everyone wants to be in the action until they are in the action. Being in the Infantry isn't like Call of Duty. Every morning I wake up early to get my joints working. I have a permanent injury in my shoulder and a slight limp due to a bad left knee. I was never in a declared war but all the hard training in harsh environments took a toll on me. When I eventually got out no one wanted to hire me. Why? No job skills. 'Shoots well' isn't something 99% of employers look for. That being said, would I trade my time in the Infantry for any other MOS? No.
Repairing things might seem boring but guess what...who do you thinks repairs most of the things wrong with Infantry vehicles? The Infantry. Who mops floors? The Infantry. Who cleans latrines? The Infantry. Who digs ditches, builds bridges, works on electrical infrastructure and has to be a jack of all trades? Yup, you guessed it; the Infantry. Guess who gets shot at in a war zone? EVERYONE.
Good luck and stay safe no matter what you do.

Response by SPC Steven Nihipali made Feb 12 at 2019 2:33 AM

SPC Steven Nihipali — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 02:33:45 -0500

First off, by the sounds of it... you're an idiot. You're complaining because you're not infantry? Fuck outta here man. You obviously have no idea what it takes to do any kind of job in the Army. Your recruiter should've told you that you're too stupid to join, go suck on a pacifier.

Any one, I mean, ANYONE can go to war. My MOS is non-deployable, but fuck it, the Army told me otherwise. Spent time downrange. Yeah, I even left the wire, every day, few times a day.

I "got into the shit" by being blown up, shot at, finding IED's, etc...

So again, I don't want you in my ranks. You're thinking you're god's gift to video games. Go back to call of duty and leave the desk jobs to those who really can't to serve.

For your info, aircraft crew, get shot at. Blackhawk, chinook, kiowa helicopters aren't just desk job mos's.

Response by MSG James Douglas made Feb 12 at 2019 8:24 AM

MSG James Douglas — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 08:24:15 -0500

This was posted a year ago.....update please Mr. William Hay.....

Response by MSgt Joseph Holness made Feb 12 at 2019 12:45 PM

MSgt Joseph Holness — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:45:53 -0500

Well it's ultimately up to you what you do, but I spent about 7.5 years as an Army Tanker (19E & 19K) because I wanted to be in-action if a war or skirmish broke out somewhere (never saw / experienced any). Ironically, after leaving the Army I joined the Air Force and went into Logistics and Aviation Maintenance. When OEF and OIF came along, I ended up seeing a lot of Action with my last deployment mission being part of an Air Force Expeditionary Force / Personnel Augmentation for Army Convoy Missions via a Gun Truck Platoon in Iraq. Moral of the story is that these days, the dynamics of war has changed to the point that you could see action and / or be located in a Forward Operating Base / Area. Also, I used to be a Private Pilot and if you are interested in becoming a Pilot either military or civilian, learning to work on aircraft is a PLUS.

Response by SFC John Crawford made Feb 12 at 2019 1:47 PM

SFC John Crawford — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 13:47:14 -0500

Get a transferable civilian skill..after some time in, you can try out for the big leagues. Whatever the outcome, you will always be able to get a job as an X-RAy tech or mechanic or whatever...

Response by SGT Montana Crawford made Feb 12 at 2019 6:59 PM

SGT Montana Crawford — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 18:59:48 -0500

Refuse to sign the dotted line until you get what you want. Until you sign, you have all the power. Though, considering how unassertive you seem, maybe combat arms isnt for you.

Response by CW5 Ivan Murdock made Feb 13 at 2019 6:56 AM

CW5 Ivan Murdock — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 06:56:19 -0500

Do what you want to do - recruiters have missions and the needs of the Army are their responsibility. If you truly want a combat MOS, you can seek the Marines as well.

Response by CPO James Owens made Feb 13 at 2019 6:23 PM

CPO James Owens — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 18:23:21 -0500

William, war is hell, not, action. I felt rather like you as a young man and the fighting was in Vietnam. I wound up in a small boat unit in Naval Special Warfare. Innocence is the first casualty in any armed conflict. The, "Coming home, marrying your sweetie, and, living happily ever after was B.S." After a year kicking around I figured out I did not mind putting my ass on the line, but, would rather do it to save lives rather than take them. While in the Navy I worked with a guy that was a "Coastie" first. I wound up in the Coast Guard and became a flight medic. On changing my MOS from Gunnery to Health Service Technician I got to do a lot of search and rescue, shipboard independent duty, clinical and health care administration. They kept me busy for the next twenty four years. Did I miss the action of my old Navy job. Not really as I got to help a lot of people. You may want to at the Coast Guard for "action" as well a meaning for a life in rotary or fixed wing aviation.

Response by SFC Michael Peterson made Feb 15 at 2019 9:10 AM

SFC Michael Peterson — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:10:30 -0500

I joined specifically for Infantry with the Airborne option. My recruiter was accommodating but, when I went to MEPS, the career counselor was pushing Cavalry Scout really hard and told me he didn't have any slots available for Infantry with Airborne School. I said OK and I got up and walked out. I went down the hall, called my recruiter and told him "the career counselor is jerking me around, I'm out of here". He asked what the problem was and, after a more thorough explanation, he asked if I could hive him 15 minutes because his 1SG was on his way. To make a long story short, I left with an Infantry contract with the Airborne option. Don't let them waste your time. If you qualify for the particular MOS you want, don't settle for anything less. Certainly there is another recruiter within 50 miles who needs to make his monthly quota and will be more accommodating. Its not like you're asking for a highly technical job with a very small number of slots.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2019 4:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 16:39:08 -0500

You look kind of young and as an experienced Soldier with years of military and life trials and tribulations, I'll pass some knowledge along if you choose to accept. Don't let ANYONE in ANY circumstance make decisions for you if you have say so in the process. In this case, you need to take a good look inside yourself and be honest about what you want for yourself and what you want out of the situation. If you truly want to be part of the "action" I understand and support you because I wanted the same thing over 15 years ago and joined as an 11B. However, as others have mentioned, the "action" is not as glorious as you may think it to be. There are many ways to serve and every MOS contributes a specific skillset to the overall mission and the overall objective. Also, I recently completed an assignment leading Soldiers in AIT and you'd be surprised how many Soldiers show up claiming to be misguided by their recruiter. I don't believe that will be you because you're seeking knowledge from people who know about this and. i commend you for that. Get the facts before you make a decisions. Thats what good leaders do. I've also reclassed from 11B so I know from personal experience that opportunities will present themselves if you choose to go for an MOS that is not your first choice. Bottom line is if you want to serve then do it bu do something you like and do it and serve honorably.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2019 6:43 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 18:43:44 -0500

Army recruiters are not missioned for specific MOS'. They get credit for number of people put in boots. It doesn't matter if they put in 100 11B or 100 98S. It is your career, choose the job you want. Street to Seat is there for a reason, if it wasn't possible, it wouldn't be a program. Degrees are not required to become a Warrant Officer. If your recruiter is not giving you the honest information, then ask the Station Commander for a different recruiter, better yet tell em you are going to go talk to the Guard or Marines.
Another note, wanting to be "in the action", there's not much action anymore, even for the 11B. If you want action you need to ask for an "Option 40" or MOS 18X contract. Those will get you Ranger and Special Forces, respectively. Rangers see action, SF sees some action, 11B provides security these days for SF.

Response by PFC Liony Leftwich made Feb 16 at 2019 9:45 PM

PFC Liony Leftwich — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 21:45:04 -0500

My advice to you on why he would put you in the position of repairing helicopters for your mos before you switch your mos and become a pilot to fly 1,is only because you have an extra skill under your belt to know how to go about repairing 1 of the things when it only cranks when somebody doing fortnite dance moves or when it can only fly backwards when other soldiers are commissioned to ride with you.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Feb 17 at 2019 1:25 AM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 01:25:15 -0500

I love to joke about everything which is the one way I have to keep my sanity with everything I have dealt with in my my life. I have experienced things which you cannot possibly image. I love to joke that I have two mental problems heightened spatial awareness which means I notice things which the average person does not and eidetic memory so I remember many things the normal person does so I have a lot of fun with it. It is also the stuff of nightmare. I have been a combat soldier and worked the streets as a law enforcement officer so I experienced both I have had friends die in my arms in combat zones and on the street never believe that there is a difference in either place the mental trauma is the same.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Feb 17 at 2019 2:38 AM

CPT Andrew Wright — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 02:38:38 -0500

Your Recruiter is not going to write your contract the Guidance Counselor at MEPS will after you pass the physical. The jobs offered will depend on the needs of the Army and training dates available. Combat Arms (Infantry) is a good choice if you want a little more adventure than hanging around a hangar. Best of Luck!

Response by Sgt David Hardwick made Feb 17 at 2019 3:08 PM

Sgt David Hardwick — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 15:08:59 -0500

Thank him.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Feb 17 at 2019 5:07 PM

CPT Tom Monahan — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 17:07:36 -0500

A pilot needs to know their aircraft inside and out. If you “wrench” for a while you learn the guts of aircraft and will have a better relationship with your Crew Chief and maintenance providers.

Response by MAJ Lee Goehl made Feb 17 at 2019 5:53 PM

MAJ Lee Goehl — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 17:53:47 -0500

The truth is its up to you what you do. If you don't want 15 don't sign. But, don't blame your recruiter for trying to put you in an mos related to your future goals either. In all my service I would never call it boring if you are a professional. If trills are what you seek, perhaps the military isn't right for you.

Response by SGT Michael W Lindley made Feb 18 at 2019 10:48 AM

SGT Michael W Lindley — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 10:48:06 -0500

RECRUTERS ARE LIARS AND CHEATS!!
They will talk you into a position that needs filled not want you want!!
GO INFANTRY AND GO AIRBORNE!!
When you get to the 82ns ABN DIV FT BRAGG NC. Go to the 82ND AVIATION BATTLION SGT MAJOR and request a transfer!! Then of course you have to be trained in the aviation MOS family!!!
GOOD LUCK AND GOD SPEED!!!

Response by Cpl Devan Twilley made Feb 19 at 2019 8:29 PM

Cpl Devan Twilley — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 20:29:01 -0500

It’s your life mine tried to do the same thing but I said listen I’m either going Infantry or I’m not going at all.

Response by Capt Karlos Nordinsifeller made Feb 19 at 2019 11:03 PM

Capt Karlos Nordinsifeller — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:03:39 -0500

Being a cop is like being in combat. Kinda like Having sex is like being a porn star. But you really have to want that lifestyle.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2019 4:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 16:49:05 -0500

I've been a 15 R (AH-64 Attack helicopter repairer) for about 15 years. The job itself has been quite rewarding. I've had experiences and made relationships that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Response by PFC Ian Mease made Mar 12 at 2019 1:16 PM

PFC Ian Mease — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 13:16:47 -0400

I'm a combat arms MOS, and let me tell you, it's nowhere near as exciting as the movies and games make it out to be. Most of my time is spent in the Motor pool, or doing some stupid classes. Trust me, there's a reason he doesn't think you're suited for a combat MOS.

Response by MSG Albert Grounds made Mar 13 at 2019 8:43 AM

MSG Albert Grounds — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 08:43:06 -0400

Being in actual combat is not like a video game. Understand, it is real and you learn fast whether the adrenaline rush means you can cope or freeze in fear. If you understand and accept this, you can always volunteer and change your MOS.

Response by SP5 Dean Cherry made Mar 14 at 2019 3:40 PM

SP5 Dean Cherry — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 15:40:08 -0400

I was a 71h20 personnel specialist in Vietnam and still got into a battle during a sapper attack on my base camp. I think that you will be able to use the skills you learned in the military much better as a mechanic when you get out. While keeping all your body parts intact. Remember the bad guys are using real bullets.

Response by SPC Rob Lewis made Mar 15 at 2019 3:25 PM

SPC Rob Lewis — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 15:25:29 -0400

You are the one signing up. It is your final decision. Do not sign if it is not what you want.

Response by SFC Carlos Gamino made Mar 15 at 2019 3:57 PM

SFC Carlos Gamino — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 15:57:56 -0400

LOL, silly!!! LE is based on your personal knowledge and achievements, not an MOS.

Response by SGT Lloyd Burge made Mar 16 at 2019 11:28 AM

SGT Lloyd Burge — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 11:28:06 -0400

Thank your recruiter! I was a 13F, little skills transferred to the civilian world. When I try to explain to a human resource person what I did in the Army, they don't have a clue what I am talking about.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2019 1:51 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:51:31 -0400

Listen, I am a retired 67C or 72D which is an Environmental Science Engineering Officer for the Medical Services Corps. This is Another way you can fly. It will take you some time but it will give you time to reflect if you really want to do this or not.
You start by joining in the 15 series, in a job you are qualified to do. You get as much knowledge as you can on the function of the helicopter you want to fly. However, get a bachelor's degree I suggest you do something related you flying. It will help you. You can take courses online and get your degree and the Army will pay for it, with the tuition assistance. Because you are already fixing the helicopters and have a great relationship with your SGT, SSG, 1SG, and CC you will get ahead. So, as close to getting your degree drop your packet for a 67J AOC. The 67J is an Officer in the Medical Service Corp that fly the med evacs helicopter missions. Some of us in the med fied call anyone that flies a Med evac, The Warrior Angels, I think the rest of the Army gives them similar names. They may fly Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks, and HH-60M Black Hawks, MEDEVAC. The Helicopters have no weapons and their mission is to get our wounded out of the fighting zone and to medical care as fast and safely as possible. Here is another option.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2019 9:56 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 09:56:04 -0400

If you are really want to fly, why not go Warrant Officer now, as a "street-to-seat"? After Basic you'll go straight to Ft. Rucker for WOCS and then flight school. While the Combat Arms MOS' are essential to the Army, it might be better to train for a marketable skill that you can use after you get out of the Service.

Response by SGT Michael Hardy made Mar 17 at 2019 4:31 PM

SGT Michael Hardy — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 16:31:57 -0400

They have to fill a quote for MOS(s). The combat arms is not for everyone and he may see something in you that combat arms is not for you. Take it from a Human Resources soldier I have seen my fair share of combat. All MOS(s) when I retired were being trained as a combat arms soldier. Army is taking a marine Corp concept of everybody is a rifleman. You also have to look into the mos and see the promotion potential for it. And what you can use on the outside world. I got medically retired after 16 years and did not my act together. I see the folly of my ways I can only give advice you have to make the decision. Do your research on the mos he is suggesting.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Mar 17 at 2019 10:47 PM

1SG Brian Adams — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:47:57 -0400

Advice? Listen to your recruiter....all depends on your aptitude, your commitment, and availability of MOSs...
You will see plenty of action in most or all MOSs...
Again, listen to your recruiter..
Good luck

Response by SSG Mark Lawless made Mar 18 at 2019 2:47 PM

SSG Mark Lawless — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:47:49 -0400

It takes many MOS's to make an Army work. From the cook to the supply clerk to the truck driver. All are needed to make us run smoothly. It's just possible the MOS you wanted had meet it's requirement that month. I spent 20 years in and have been retired for 23 years. I was a radar repairman for the HAWK missile system and I loved every minute. I still find myself missing it even today, so many tears later. Be glad you were able to make a difference.

Response by SGT Adam Winebarger made Mar 18 at 2019 8:30 PM

SGT Adam Winebarger — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 20:30:32 -0400

Well, if you haven’t signed the paper, then you can tell him you want 11b/13f/19d/whatever it is and you won’t sign for a 15 series. But frankly, if you do go Infantry, it’s not like it’s going to be “black hawk down” every single day of your career. Most of your days will be spent doing PT in the morning and cleaning crap in the afternoons. Plus if you’re looking to go warrant and fly helicopters, then knowing how they work might be helpful. But, you know, so what you want. You’re a free man for the time being.

Response by SPC James Bertino made Mar 19 at 2019 10:25 PM

SPC James Bertino — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 22:25:07 -0400

Become a pilot.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 10:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 22:26:15 -0400

If you want to fly, going into 15 series will
Set you up much better. Think of it as hiring from within. While working in an aviation unit, you learn the way the birds work so when you fly them, you know them inside and out. Not to mention when the time comes, you’re more apt to get letter of recommendation for your packet from the pilots you work with. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a flight engineer and flying with them. Chinooks are very much “in the action” from the air...

Response by Maj Martin Smith made Mar 21 at 2019 2:10 PM

Maj Martin Smith — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 14:10:11 -0400

Thank him!

Response by SPC Frankie Bolanos made Mar 22 at 2019 3:04 PM

SPC Frankie Bolanos — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:04:33 -0400

I was in supply. A lot of supply clerks saw a lot of action. So did a lot of people in the motor pool, clerical, etc. Considering your statement, I'm surprised the recruiter talked to you at all.

Response by SSG Chris Furney made Mar 22 at 2019 7:27 PM

SSG Chris Furney — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 19:27:19 -0400

"No one loathes war, so much as the Infantryman." I've regretted being Combat Arms ever since I experienced it. I qualified for almost any job the Army had. Why not be a nuclear medicine tech? Open a chain of mammography clinics afterwards or something. And then- I join the Guard to play laser tag and shoot on the rifle team. What happened? Some damned fool went and started a WAR, for Christ's Sake.

Response by PO2 Patrick Dwyer made Mar 23 at 2019 10:38 PM

PO2 Patrick Dwyer — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 22:38:45 -0400

The military is a combination of 75% hurry up and wait, training accentuate by moments of sheer terror. Embrace the boredom, train like there is no tomorrow, and always be prepared for those moments that may come.

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Apr 10 at 2019 6:06 PM

SPC Robert Bobo — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 18:06:32 -0400

A Combat Arms MOS may be beneficial in the future based on type of position being sought however, all military MOS are respected

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2019 8:30 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 08:30:53 -0400

Thank him.

Response by Sgt David Hutchinson made Apr 14 at 2019 10:25 AM

Sgt David Hutchinson — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 10:25:53 -0400

No smart soldier wants war. If you are joining any branch of the service bc you want to be in the action, kindly do all of us and all of our friends still on active duty a favor and don’t join!

Every single job in the military serves a purpose. If you want to fly then double check and make sure his path he wants to put you on will help you get to your end goal.

Response by SSG James N. made Apr 14 at 2019 11:41 AM

SSG James N. — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 11:41:25 -0400

Why don't you do some research. See what it takes and look at the path and see if you are smart enough. You have two choices. You can be a grunt, or you can be a pog. One is a ton of boring with a little action, the other is all boring with a little action

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Apr 14 at 2019 2:46 PM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 14:46:37 -0400

Become an ER medic in a combat zone and you will see lots of action. Even when stationed @ Andrews AFB it was not boring at all. I provide clinical consultation to vets as far back as Korea. They present layers of trauma from seeing so much death and destruction. Be prepared to kill women, children, and aged like we did during the Vietnam Conflict. In fact more civilians were killed than enemy combatants on both sides combined!

I became a medic to save lives, not take them.
Rich

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2019 2:53 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 14:53:27 -0400

Make it through basic training and AIT first. Then worry about being in the action.
And do some serious growing up in the process.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2019 7:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 19:42:46 -0400

Well just because you’re in aviation doesn’t mean your missing out on “action” or anything and I don’t know what you define as “action.” deployed and stateside as a crew chief on a Blackhawk or a chinook I get to fly in a helicopter, do multiple missions a week, and then there’s aerial gunnery where you qualify with your weapon while in a moving helicopter. That’s pretty good “action” for me. And you have the added benefit of being around pilots who, some, would be more than happy to mentor you into flight school and give you recommendations. So you can go be a ground pounder and get stuck filling sandbags for the majority of your time or you could go fly. It’s a lot more than it’s cracked up to be.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2019 8:26 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 20:26:09 -0400

Maybe your recruiter is looking out for the rest of us.. see what life is like before going gung ho on this.. you might realize that military life isn't what you see on tv..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2019 3:47 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 03:47:32 -0400

Be careful what you wish for. Sadly you would know the truth in these words only after you've stepped through the veil. If you want to fly... stick to that, and your recruiter was right to steer you in that direction. It will be much easier for you to get a warrant officer flight packet to go through as a mechanic than a prior Infantry soldier. Believe me... I'm aspiring flight myself coming from an 11 series. You will know intimately the frame you have worked on from the ground up, and to have that experience would be invaluable. This gives you the ability to make sure your flight chief is on top of his/her game. I too once wanted to know the fray... signed up as an Airborne Ranger. I didn't make it, but I am glad. It was bad enough going over there once let alone multiple times. The guys I came to know and love, who died... leave you with a hole... you think about them every day, and it's not an idealistic thought... you see them how they died. Every. Day. And when you happen to be blessed to not see them a day or two in a row, you feel guilty. You feel guilty that you are experiencing life while they were cut short. Every 4th of July, every Veterans Day, every Memorial day, every single Holiday... you think of them and pay homage. Sometimes you think of the mistakes you've made and you wish it were you who died and they had survived... somehow idealizing their possible ability to live life beyond mistakes or struggles. I love my brothers who've died. I miss them intimately. I blame myself sometimes. But these are thoughts that are unproductive. Cherish your life. Cherish the fact that you are complete, whole, sound, secure. Make peace with the fact that you have your whole life ahead. And fly above the fray. Not saying that flying above the fray makes you immune to the struggle... plenty of pilots get shot down, and plenty of flight crew have picked up casualties they couldn't save. This profession isn't without trauma. I just hope you are ready for it mentally. If not, it may be rough regardless of your chosen path. I wish you luck, as I wish the luck of all the soldiers that have sought my counsel through the years. God speed. See you on the other side.

Response by SFC Scott Parkhurst made Apr 15 at 2019 8:57 PM

SFC Scott Parkhurst — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 20:57:04 -0400

I'm going to be as "nice" as possible here and honest. Although I wasn't with you when you went to see the Recruiter but I find it somewhat odd that he would say that. I have this gut feeling that they might have suggested this because they felt you were not mature enough and also they may have felt that your heart is not in the right place. Joining the Military is a serious thing and a lot of heart felt thought must go into it. I see by your profile picture that you have a pilots license? Or working on one? That's great and all but it takes a hell of a lot more then that to ....being a Soldier. Being in the Army (all branches) is a a very skilled position and we take it very seriously. I (we) need to depend on each other and ALL other Branches of the Service's. So bottom line here is I think the Recruiter feels you need to grow up some more and really think about what you want to do. He was trying to save your life for now.....

Response by SSG John Tromp made Apr 15 at 2019 11:54 PM

SSG John Tromp — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 23:54:12 -0400

You will be genuinely surprised at how many noncombat arms soldiers are in the fight. If you are going 15 series and want to make a differance, I might suggest going into 160th SOAR. you will make a difference wherever you go. NSDQ.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 8:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 08:59:50 -0400

You do what you want to do. Don’t let anyone steer you from it. Keep in mind that you will not always “be in the action” most of the time you will be normal boring stuff regardless of your MOS.

Response by SFC Oddie Brown made Apr 16 at 2019 7:25 PM

SFC Oddie Brown — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 19:25:25 -0400

Your recruiter? Are you sure it wasn't the career counsellor at MEPS? Two totally different guys. Recruiters are discouraged from day one of school to not talk JOBS. Their job is to sell the ARMY. The Career Counsellor who is usually a MSG is the person responsible for getting you to sign the contract. There are times that shortages occur in certain MOS or predictions of shortages are forecast and CCs are encouraged to "sell these jobs" but it is usually Combat Arms MOSs. I would tell you this: if your going to join the ARMY then join. You can have a great career with lifetime friends, travel, education you won't get on any college campus and see some of the best leadership in the world. If you're joining to see the "action" don't waste your time or the recruiters. The action is not like you see in the movies. I hope you join our ranks.

Response by PV2 Ellen Wentzel made Apr 16 at 2019 7:52 PM

PV2 Ellen Wentzel — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 19:52:20 -0400

Do what you feel is best for you. You are young. A lot of people change careers many times in their life.

Response by PV2 Ellen Wentzel made Apr 16 at 2019 7:53 PM

PV2 Ellen Wentzel — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 19:53:25 -0400

You have to go with what you want do to. You are young. Many people changes careers more than once during their lifetime.

Response by Jerry Rivas made Apr 16 at 2019 8:45 PM

Jerry Rivas — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 20:45:22 -0400

Do you really think combat is somehow glamorous? Combat is a great way to get shot all to hell or permanently disabled. You can be nice and safe and bored repairing stuff and then Hadji mortars your repair shop....Suddenly....you are in "The action". Be very careful what you wish for.

Response by SP5 Terry Adams made Apr 17 at 2019 7:51 AM

SP5 Terry Adams — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 07:51:12 -0400

just because you would not be 11b doesn't mean you wont be in the action.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 12:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:33:57 -0400

Imagine this. An infantry unit is conducting a super hooah operation. You get the go to.land and pick them up when they are done. All of the sudden as youre landing youre ambushed.

You as a a few chief ( the guys that repairs) starts laying down suppressive fire with a 240B. A machine pumping out massive amounts of ammo. How much closer do you want to be?

This happened.

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Apr 18 at 2019 8:51 AM

SFC Carlos Cruz — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 08:51:56 -0400

Hay first thing LTC Martin just put it crystal clear, this isn’t Hollywood. If you expect action take his advice. The recruiter has to fill his Quarter where he must fill his position available. Being in action is a ugly word when you see your partner kill or destroy by the enemy. War is no game is another Brother or Sister destroy for life. Take what they give you because becoming a Soldier is a Serious business.

Response by Sgt James Spencer made Apr 18 at 2019 11:43 AM

Sgt James Spencer — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 11:43:44 -0400

If you go into that MOS it will increase your chances of employment in the civilian sector. I was a 15T & 15G in the Army, a 6144 & 6092 in the Marine Corps. I tested for my Airframe & powerplant Certification. My training & experience gave me an uppet hand in interviews &selection. I had a great military career 18 yrs (6 active USMC the rest National Guard)

Response by CPT Lawrence Cichelli made Apr 18 at 2019 1:25 PM

CPT Lawrence Cichelli — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 13:25:10 -0400

This could be because of your ASVAB scores. If someone's score is low they get placed in "front line infantry". Also repair MOS can set you up for a better civilian job after your first term. Also don't forget, you can ask for another MOS if you find that your 15 series MOS isn't working. But remeber the old saying be careful what you wish for, you might get it.

Response by 1SG Chuck B made Apr 18 at 2019 3:09 PM

1SG Chuck B — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 15:09:57 -0400

My recruiter told me a lie he said go airborne and learn to fly...

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I joined, as it was I had an incredibly high GT score and I qualified for every MOS the Army had. I was thinking infantry, a cook or a mechanic, just the way my WWII uncles told me. I had no idea of the different types of schools and jobs that our military had to offer. But I had something that the average Joe didn't have, a recruiter who cared and set me up for a lifetime career. Once I was in I heard over and over from my basic training buddies where they were going afterwards. Of our entire company there were only two of us headed to Ft Gordon for a year of school. I am comfortable today because my recruiter cared and sought a career which could actually serve both the Army as well as once I got out. Fortunately I had enough experience to work as a telecommunications electronics engineer. I too wanted to be where the action was, that action had nothing to do with what I imagined it would be. I had an incredible career. I traveled the world over probably at least a half dozen times. I worked in every continent and dozens of countries including all but two US States. I didn't know how good I had it until it was over.

If your recruiter is worth his weight in salt he will do the same for you. Have him explain in detail what the career aspect and civilian life technical job afterwards offers. You will be very surprised. As far as being where the action is. Sorry but as being naive you unfortunately have no idea what you are saying. I was where the action was, five times over. Of my 21 years nearly 30% of my time was "where the action was." Today as a result I have "PTS," we don't use the "D" because I experienced things that no human should. War is an abomination, an ugly multifaced monster, there are no rules, its an almost continuous combative battle, a tit for tat psychological war that doesn't have a reset like an XBOX. Once your mind reaches its threshold it doesn't just start over like after a game or even a dream or nightmare. Psychological battle wounds become the nightmare that never end. Your mind meaning our human brain is a force that only few understand even marginally. Don't play those games because I promise everyone looses eventually, some just last longer during.

I suggest you speak with a career guidance professional to discus what you think you want versus what you should want. I'd even recommend you talk to a therapist not as an insult but as advice before you take the plunge. Today we have folks going in for the wrong reason. Some of them because of their crimes are spending the rest of their life at a military maximum security prison with no chance for parole because they didn't think they'd get caught. Oddly enough nearly everyone gets caught and today with everyone having a cellphone we have sufficient evidence to convict. So I suggest you get hold of your emotions and do the right thing and not merely feed ones ego.

I pray that these words might make some sense.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2019 7:54 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 07:54:07 -0400

If it’s not an MOS you don’t want to do, tell the recruiter NO. It’s your career and life. Make sure it’s your choice and something you want to do.

Response by MSG Dallas Williams made Apr 21 at 2019 6:32 PM

MSG Dallas Williams — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 18:32:03 -0400

Sounds like you don't trust your recruiter's advise, which is fine. I do not know what his background and experience might be, but I don't think he is attempting to "steer" you wrong. If infantry is where you want to be - make the choice and hope for the best! However, if you take an MOS that puts you on the flight line, you will make connections within the aviation world that you most likely will not make as a grunt on the line. I started out as a Combat Engineer looking to blow things up and get that action you speak of, and I had hopes of transitioning to becoming a pilot. I completed all the necessary items to submit a packet, but never was selected (likely due to my height of 6'4"). My point is this; everything throughout the application process felt like I was an outsider attempting to get in. I had no real connections to the world of aviation, had no associations with pilots, and my MOS had not provided me any technical knowledge of the aircraft I sought to pilot... If are looking to join for action and adventure - go combat arms - and check on the possibility of going SF or Ranger. At a minimum get Airborne school in your contract!

Response by PO3 Michael L made Apr 21 at 2019 7:14 PM

PO3 Michael L — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 19:14:34 -0400

Stay away from any battle position... it’s not a place anymore

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 21 at 2019 7:25 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 19:25:37 -0400

He is look out for you. If you get hurt your plan will be shot. I would go for a mos that has civilian application. Such as diesel mechanic or logistics.I have been offered many Jobs.

Response by SGT Daniel Durkovich made Apr 22 at 2019 3:12 PM

SGT Daniel Durkovich — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 15:12:17 -0400

Young man. The military will make you do what it needs. It's about the needs of the Army not your needs. If they don't have the MOS that you want then get a list if what you qualify for and you can do. I was a tanker and they made me a Medic in charge of a 160 soliders in a tank company to make sure they're combat ready. I wanted to blow shit up and I've been in medicine ever since I got out 25 years ago. Take what you get and make it what you want.

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made Apr 22 at 2019 8:23 PM

SGT Juan Robledo — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 20:23:21 -0400

Maybe your recuiter believes you have a better chance of flying if you learn from the ground up about the equipment and the electrical components of the possible aircraft you might one day fly, but putting that aside your attitude, your qualifications, and vision will play a big part before you even get in the piolt or co-pilot seat, so think as if he is putting you on the right path to your dream job, not steering you away, time will tell if you can actually make the cut, good luck, stop complaining and start with a positive attitude

Response by CPT Alfred Smiley made May 3 at 2019 8:01 PM

CPT Alfred Smiley — Fri, 03 May 2019 20:01:12 -0400

Go to a different recruiting station. All four of my kids served in the military (each in a different branch). Along the way, I learned that each recruiting district is meted out a certain number of slots to fill for particular MOS's. Your recruiter is trying to fill the jobs he or she was assigned to fill. If you come back six months later or try a different recruiting station, you're likely to find they are pushing different jobs.

Response by PVT Cyrel Moore made May 7 at 2019 4:58 PM

PVT Cyrel Moore — Tue, 07 May 2019 16:58:57 -0400

If you want to Fly go fly.

Response by MAJ Albert McCaig made May 13 at 2019 11:31 AM

MAJ Albert McCaig — Mon, 13 May 2019 11:31:15 -0400

With the many MOS positions in the Army, look them over, check out the short definitions and find something you love to do. Otherwise, you'll be miserable. Don't let somebody talk you into something that doesn't give you passion. Keep in mind that what LTC Martin said is true in many ways. Any combat arms branch is usually a hard road. But, there is nothing in the Army that isn't important. As a combat arms officer, I will tell you that there is great personal satisfaction at serving at the sharp end of the spear; but it's tough work.

Response by SPC Jeremy Higginbotham made May 13 at 2019 11:15 PM

SPC Jeremy Higginbotham — Mon, 13 May 2019 23:15:24 -0400

I can see where he's coming from and I think he's probably right. Try to get 15T, that's Black Hawk repairer and it'll give you a lot of chances to fly on them and get on speaking terms with the pilots. Hopefully that'll satisfy your hunger for action and help when you fill out your flight packet. Another thing is that combat arms is pretty boring if you're not deployed. And it's not a good bet that you'll get put on a deployment rotation these days. Also you should google "streets to seats" and click the goarmy.com page that talks about flight warrants. You can join the Army out of high school to be a pilot, but it takes a lot of work on your part and your recruiter's part. Another thing about it is that if you flunk out of Warrant or Flight school you go needs of the Army for however long you signed up, so you could end up being a cook.
But if you still want to do combat arms then straight tell your recruiter that. His job is just to get you in, you'll count towards his quota regardless of what MOS you choose. Once you get to MEPS they may try to get you to do something else if your ASVAB scores qualify you for other jobs, I don't know how they get rated as far as filling quotas. But the same with them, tell them you want to do combat arms. And if anybody tries to make the argument that you're too smart for combat arms, don't listen to them and stand your ground, I know a lot of smart people that are or were combat arms.
But it's up to you. If it's something you really want to do, do you want to be regretting it later in life that you didn't do Infantry or another combat arms when you were in? If you think you'll regret not doing it, then tell your recruiter and MEPS that you've made up your mind and you're going to go combat arms.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made May 15 at 2019 1:41 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Wed, 15 May 2019 13:41:13 -0400

Tell him it is the MOS of our choice or you walk.

Response by PV2 Sammy Salcido made May 16 at 2019 2:12 AM

PV2 Sammy Salcido — Thu, 16 May 2019 02:12:40 -0400

Count your blessings

Response by PFC Meg Meyer made May 16 at 2019 5:44 AM

PFC Meg Meyer — Thu, 16 May 2019 05:44:26 -0400

Recruiters are there to get their numbers. They are not looking out for you.

Response by Pvt Gary Gravesandy Sr made May 16 at 2019 7:39 AM

Pvt Gary Gravesandy Sr — Thu, 16 May 2019 07:39:37 -0400

To God be the Glory! Good morning William. I hope all is well with you and your family! I was a Mechanic in the Marine Corp for over 6 years. That acquired skill helped me so much after discharge. It wasn’t boring at all. I am grateful that I was able to serve my country. Today I work for Department of Veterans Affairs, serving those who served. With a great paying job as a Health Informatics Special and I am also an Associate Pastor at the Church. Now I have over 30 years of government service. I Say all this to let you know, serving your country can be done in many ways. Don’t be so quick to want to see action. My MOS didn’t make me less than being a Marine. I am still a Marine. Once a Marine, always Marine. Also, my oldest son, a Marine, saw combat in Iraq. As a parent, thank he is Home now. Today he is a CPA (accountant). So, you see you never know what God’s plan for your life is. Take your recruiter suggestion. You never know where that recommendation will lead you. God bless your and your family.

Rev. Gary Gravesandy Sr.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2019 5:38 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 May 2019 17:38:13 -0400

go for it..it probably needs bodies.....

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2019 5:39 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 May 2019 17:39:38 -0400

Go for it, get a skill so you can use , being a grunt, well does not offer much when you are discharged

Response by SFC Bob Johnson made May 17 at 2019 2:27 PM

SFC Bob Johnson — Fri, 17 May 2019 14:27:36 -0400

Mr. Hay,
Your desire "to be in the action" is commendable; however, unlike other wars where trench warfare was common practice, in the action can even include what some might consider "fobits". However, fobits are normally the individuals that the are providing the services and goods to ones who chose to "be directly in the fight" (e.g. infantryman, artillerymen, armor, etc.).

In regards to your recruiter "steering you away from a combat MOS to go to a 15 series" was actually showing that your recruiter has integrity and is actually looking out for your good instead of his good, you should thank him. My last assignment prior to retirement was in 16th CAB when they were moved from Alaska to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. I served as the SPO SGM (46th ASB) for a year until ours had graduated from the academy. I learned a lot from the aviators with whom I had the privilege of serving with; I also know a few who had started out in the 15 series prior to transitioning over to the 150 series, they said that their time as maintainers helped make them better pilots.

Of course, it is YOUR choice and yours alone to make. Personally, I would go enlisted as a 15 series and then if you like aviation and can fly then jump into the warrant field, plus you'll likely find some pilots who will mentor, guide and recommend you for the program. Anyhow, good luck...

Response by SSG Dan Hebb made May 19 at 2019 6:43 AM

SSG Dan Hebb — Sun, 19 May 2019 06:43:18 -0400

As I see it this is between YOU and the Recruiter, After all it I your life ,ask the recruiter straight UP why they are steering you away from combat arms. A though take a former member of the military with you, and if they say MONY , DO NOT STOP HEARING WHAT IS SAID, about 85% of people do not hear what is said after that. IT IS YOUR LIFE.

Response by SPC Henry Francis made May 19 at 2019 11:08 AM

SPC Henry Francis — Sun, 19 May 2019 11:08:25 -0400

Mr. Hay, be careful what you wish for... you may get it. As a newly minted 17 year old I joined the Army hoping to go to Vietnam. I thought I wanted to “be in the action” back then. I arrived at my PDS in the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg late in 1972... 3 months after the last unit from the 82nd, the other Battalion in our Brigade, had returned. I was disappointed that I had missed the action. That disappointment lasted for several years after I left the Army... but I was getting older and gaining more wisdom and understanding through those years.

As an old man I can say I thank God that I have not had to deal with those troubles that soldiers who have been in combat do. Today I see such service as a true sacrifice made by the individuals who served. Some knowingly, willingly, others of necessity having been drafted and still others who got there through youthful desires like mine.

Find the MOS that fits you best and serve proudly in it. Then, when you find yourself “in the action” you will be able to expertly provide that key service to your unit that your fellow soldiers are depending upon you to provide.

Nevertheless, you may be one of the very few who God has fit and destined to be in combat. If so, God speed sir.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 1:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 13:33:28 -0400

at some point in time you will ETS or retire. Those combat MOS that put you "in the action" have very little use in the civilian world. Recruiter is trying to do you a favor.

Response by LTC George Morgan made Jun 8 at 2019 6:26 PM

LTC George Morgan — Sat, 08 Jun 2019 18:26:02 -0400

Mr Hay. Go to another location and speak with another Recruiter and don't mention having spoken to a recruiter, plus, don't listen to crap as below. If that was to take hold we would not have an Army! Good luck.

Response by CPT Tony Aguirre made Jun 26 at 2019 9:34 AM

CPT Tony Aguirre — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 09:34:50 -0400

A young man I know wanted 11B but was encouraged to be an aviation mechanic because he would be learning a very marketable skill. He ended up receiving a nice re-enlistment bonus.

Response by PO3 Michael MacKay made Jun 27 at 2019 11:10 PM

PO3 Michael MacKay — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 23:10:05 -0400

A recruiter is just like any other job they have quotas and orders to fill, some time they have more needs in other areas, some times your skill set (right now ability to learn is probably the only thing) and aptitude may lead them to see your benefit to the nation is in other areas than your own personal interests. I wanted to be SEAL, but bad vision and a good brain pan lead me to where the Navy needed me most, so I went there. What MOS do they say you are suited to? Take it as an impartial suggestion of where your potential may best lay. "Action" is in many fields, just not getting shot at and blown up action, but there is hyper excitement in most any field you qualify for, just choose something and decide to give it a go. Once you are there for your first hitch they will know your value and so will you, when your time is near up make the choice to insist on an MOS you want to try in order to get four more years out of you, they are more willing to offer concessions to keep quality people in the force.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Jun 30 at 2019 3:06 PM

SSG Shawn Mcfadden — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 15:06:59 -0400

I have two points of view on this. One point is that during my first tour stationed at Fort Hood(around 1996), one of my fellow NCO's(Not going to mention his name), decides he was going to change his MOS from 92F(petroleum supply Specialist), to 11M(Bradley Crewman). He did this to secure a promotion to E-6. I stayed in the 92F MOS, and got promoted to E-6 in August 2000. Now, point Two is this. My SECOND tour being stationed in Fort Hood, I was assigned to 1-4 Aviation Regiment from 1998-2004. During THAT time, I was DEPLOYED to Operation: Joint Forge(1999), JTF-6(2001), and Operation Iraqi Freedom(2003). The Helicopter Pilots in the Battalion, during those deployments were involved in Peacekeeping Missions, Assisting the Border patrol with Aerial Surveillance Missions, And Convoy Escort, and QRF Missions while in Iraq. As well as other COMBAT missions, I'm not aware of. No Pilots were lost due to enemy fire, but there were TWO that were injured in Iraq during a Maintenance test flight(Names WITH HELD). This unit deployed to Iraq again in 2005. I was not on that one, but I knew TWO of the pilots that lost their lives when their helicopter was shot down(Names WITH HELD). Bottom line is this. REGARDLESS of what MOS you are, you WILL BE EXPOSED to WARFARE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

Response by SFC Steve Renner made Jul 2 at 2019 4:12 PM

SFC Steve Renner — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 16:12:35 -0400

If I've learned one thing it's this. Not everyone, but I'd say 90 percent feel this way. Those who have never been in combat wish they had, and those who have been in combat wish they hadn't

Response by CWO2 David Bertoldo made Jul 4 at 2019 7:43 AM

CWO2 David Bertoldo — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 07:43:35 -0400

thank him for saving your life

Response by SPC Gene Anderson made Jul 10 at 2019 10:11 AM

SPC Gene Anderson — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 10:11:50 -0400

You ought to think him . I was a 13 bravo artillery. Absolutely does not connect to the civilian world. Get an mos that will put you on to a career .in the civilian world.

Response by SSG Rick Austin made Apr 4 at 2020 12:11 PM

SSG Rick Austin — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 12:11:37 -0400

When I was a Recruiter I had some young men who wanted to fly Hueys right out of High School. Of course, no way..but I did steer them towards the mechanical side. That way they learned everything there was to know and always ask your craft operators if they would teach them how to fly...i do not remember ever hearing back from one of those young men that they did not get an opportunity to sit in the front seat and fly the chopper. I know of 2 who went to flight school and both retired as decorated pilots..there is always a way if you just ask..

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Jun 27 at 2021 10:16 AM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 10:16:20 -0400

Did you ask, Wjy?

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Jun 28 at 2021 10:38 AM

Cpl Benjamin Long — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:38:12 -0400

Take charge and tell him him what you want or you walk out the door....