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

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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.

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

Count your blessings

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

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.