Posted on Feb 14, 2019
Should I wait for the 11b or pick a different mos?
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I'm trying to join the national guard as an 11b, but they keep dragging their feet and saying there's more paperwork they have to do they didn't know about. It's been four months since I did my physical and took the asvab and I passed both. My recruiter is now telling me I should join as a different mos and then lat move into 11b. Should I wait or choose a different mos? I was thinking 19d.
Posted in these groups: 
11B: Infantryman
11B: Infantryman
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 23
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PFC (Join to see) If 11B is what you want, then wait. Sounds like your recruiter has already made their mission (# of signed contracts) or he/she is trying to get the over-available MOSs filled first. You do have a choice though. If you're not happy with the progress of your packet, call another recruiter in an adjacent city/county. They compete against each other so if you find someone that needs to meet mission, they will have you at MEPS the next day to swear in. Not sure what state you're in but if you're trying to go Ohio Army National Guard, PM me and I'll put you in contact with someone who won't play games. More paperwork for infantry sounds ridiculous. If it was a position requiring an SF-86 Questionaire for National Security Positions then sure there would be more paperwork on your part. An MOS change is extremely unlikely, think about it. If you signed for 6+2 as 19D, then that is what you swore to do and that is what you will do. Choose wisely, 6 years is a long time to dislike your job.
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SPC Erich Guenther
PFC (Join to see) - And the basic bottom line is here the NG has to pay to reclass you from 19D to 11B before you can train as 11B. If they state they are willing to do that with you, you should ask why they are not doing that already with existing NG already enlisted? Such as with 11B's to balance the force? So even with the promise of a Commanders letter they made to you........sounds fishy.
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PFC (Join to see)
SPC Erich Guenther I did ask them that. They said that it's easier to lat move females into infantry than get them in of the street. Considering they haven't enlisted any female off the street into infantry yet it sounds plausible. But it still seems a bit fishy to me.
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CPT (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) easier to lat move than to enlist in the job outright that's available? Does that even make sense? We don't do lat moves, this isn't a union. You can attend an MOS-T course IF the Army has a need for the MOS to be filled (I've done it) (new job with vacancies, special skill, etc.). A paragraph and line number has no preference for gender in an integrated branch (no quotas). Infantry is over-strength, it's not going to happen. I would advise you listen to everyone here, we have no interest in you enlisting in a job you don't want, your recruiter does (mission). If you sign that contract and say "but my recruiter said _______", you're not going to like the response. Your recruiter is not a commander or any type of approving authority when it comes to 4187s. Their job is to put people in. Don't fall for it, wait.
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Never heard of a lateral move from 19D to 11B. Ask your Recruiter to write that promise down on paper and give you a copy (he won't). You accept 19D your probably stuck with it for your entire first enlistment. So don't enlist until you get the MOS that you want.
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PFC (Join to see)
They're saying they can get a letter from the commander saying I can transfer to a infantry unit.
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CPT (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) - Nobody has to abide by their empty promise. If it's this hard to get infantry and you're not even in the Army yet (when you have the choice), imagine how hard it will be to get infantry once you're in. There will not be a single transfer into an over-strength job. Choose wisely.
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SPC Erich Guenther
PFC (Join to see) - OK so Commanders letter in NG, even if the Commander leaves might be good enough if you have a copy, in my view. Generally even if the CO changes that should be worth something. So they said you can transfer to an Infantry unit, did they say you can actually change to an Infantry MOS? So long ago when I was WI ARNG, they had about 6 19D's attached to an Infantry TOW unit (19D's did not like that job and would rather be in a 19D unit vs detachment). The 19D's would Scout ahead of the unit looking for routes to transit and potential fighting positions. So it's possible they can transfer you from a 19D unit to an Infantry unit when a slot opens up.........that promise is a viable one for the NG probrably. What is not as viable is you changing your MOS from 19D to 11 Series because it costs the NG money to do that and they have to make a case to someone why the NG needs to spend the money out of their budget. So be clear with the Recruiter that you want an MOS change not just a unit change. Also, if they tell you this..... it's bull crap they will let you train as a 11B even though your a 19D because there is another regulation that states you must complete a minimum amount of so many drills training in your assigned MOS. I served long ago but I never saw the National Guard move someone from 19D to 11B or vice versa. If the move was easily done you should ask then why they are not moving an 11B to fill the 19D slot and training you as an 11B? Makes sense right? Be careful with what they promise you too. Listen very carefully to what they are promising unit change or MOS change. Up to you, your career. If you feel more comfortable waiting I would still tell you to do that based on some of the reasons above. Also what the 1LT said before me is true for some units it is buyer beware.
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PFC (Join to see)
SPC Erich Guenther okay so, it's an mos change. They can't get me in as any combat job at all, I'd have to go in as artillery. The issue is they haven't gotten any female enlisted in combat arms yet in California but apparently anyone who wants to lat move is moved into combat arms.
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CPT (Join to see) I agree with the ,LT, and the,CPT, the recruiter is trying to get you into one of the harder to fill mos's.
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SSgt Terry P.
PFC (Join to see) - Like you have been advised--you can wait until there is an opening.Lateral moves are difficult.Best i can tell you.
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Go Active if you want combat arms. Not sure about you but I'd rather deploy with the guys that I train with daily versus Joe from 100 miles away that I see once a month. Plus there isn't any good career options as a civilian for part time Infantryman. But ultimately it's your life and your decision so if 11B is what you want in the guard then I would be patient and wait for it. No need to rush to failure.
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SSgt (Join to see)
You'd be surprised, some guard units outshine active. We were worlds better than 1st AD soldiers we were attached to and remnants of 1st ID. Obviously not all units are like that and every Army branch has their strong units and weak ones. I wouldn't trade my guard unit for any active one. Like you said everyone has their own options that work best for them
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Just go Active Duty 11X there’s also a bonus involved and they are needing people
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PFC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) due to the way my life played out so far. I won't be able to take care of all my responsibilities if I'm active.
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SSG (Join to see)
I would join the Reserves then it is easier to do training and go Active if that is your ultimate goal. Go be a Black Hawk mechanic 15T!PFC (Join to see)
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PFC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) thank you for the suggestion sir but I don't want to be a mechanic. I want to be infantry.
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They tried to steer me into MI, said they had no infantry slots left. I said “you’ve got my number, gimme a call when it opens.” Surprisingly as if by some miracle a slot opened as soon as I pushed my chair back from the desk.
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I’m not a recruiter!! Nor would I want you to do what you may not like. Some of these great comments might be the direction you should go or look into. For me tho. I was an 11B and in my head always will be. Experiences are a big thing tho. If you want to run in formation signing about the infintry but not be then wait for that door to open and be the one they sing about. I still remember one morning talking to my team about how my body was broke and maybe change jobs. Then I heard it in a distance. A whole unit sings about myself and the men I stood next too while my eye lashes froze open during PT. The pride I felt made my body just a little less broken!! Also I was active duty. In my opinion the only real way to start as an infantryman. Nothing against guard. But the memories and training and your brothers are an experience alone. Maybe give active duty a look. Shorter time last I once knew and then move on if you feel the need.
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PFC (Join to see)
I did and due to circumstances in my life right now I can't go active duty. But I do want to and hopefully eventually I'll be able to
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2LT Brian L.
so with your circumstances limiting what the Army can get from you it should not be a leap to understand that you will have to wait until the Army needs someone with your limiting circumstances.. point blank... when its available it will happen as Ive read you have shopped around and get told the same thing so... must be the real time situation in the Army needs world so wait until it changes
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Yes wait... or not.... its not a mystery... things within the military move at the rate of the mission... you are not important overall (sorry but its true) if the army does not need something at that moment then... that's how it is. So if you want 11B wait for it to be open because I can assure you that it will be available soon enough. A lateral move is possible if you attend and pass Ranger school then its a personal action form to re class but without that it will not be simple to just change your MOS.. that part is not as simple as they are selling
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Wait for the 11b slot. Honestly if you tell him you won't sign until there is an 11b slot he will find an 11b slot for you. I have never heard of a lateral transfer from 19D to 11B. They are two very different jobs. If you need to, look for another recruiter. But never choose a job you don't want you, you will regret it.
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