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

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.

If you want to Fly go fly.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.