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

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

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

Thank him!