What are the best jobs for career longevity, locations, and overall job enjoyability?

SGT Terrell Houston — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:20:23 -0500

I am a prior service Marine who will be joining the Army in a couple of weeks. My options are 11X, 12B, 12C, 12T, 13M, 13P, 14G, 14H, 14P, 14T, 19D, 35T, and 88M.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2018 3:31 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:31:25 -0500

SGT Terrell Houston Your profile shows that you are still active duty? Why are you leaving the Marine Corps and joining the Army?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2018 3:38 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:38:36 -0500

Prior Marine going Army, I think I have more questions for you than answers, but as current 14A and prior 14G I can offer some insight. ADA is the fastest growing branch in the Army and is forward deployed in many places. You will spend a lot of time at FT Sill and will probably see Korea, Germany, Middle East, and other undisclosed locations around the world. Im partial to SHORAD which is more strategic but Patriot and THAAD are great options too. There are Avenger Master Gunner courses and Space if you decide to stick with the branch longer term. A high GT score and Sec clearance is req. for an ADA MOS.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Mar 1 at 2018 3:40 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:40:08 -0500

Well, in general, I enjoyed my time as an Engineer better than my Infantry time, so 12B or 12T would get a vote from me. Advancement is usually pretty good as a 12B, not enough experience with 12C &T's to say. If the Army is there, there are Engineers around somewhere. As a unit and a Duty Station, 82nd Engineers in Bamburg, Germany is good duty.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2018 3:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:47:56 -0500

19D is a fun job. Especially if you end up in a heavy mech battalion. It's definitely a young man's job though. I'm a 15T now and I personally thing that that's the best job in the Army. Especially if you're in a flight company.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 1 at 2018 4:14 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:14:59 -0500

The answer depends on your personal prowess. If you like the field I would go with 11 or 12 or 19, if they have 13B that to would be an option. All of these have great carreer advancement potential
As well. Anyway, I would review them all in detail by grade up to E7 and that should help you to decide. This is truly a personal decision. Welcome to the Army. Thank you for your service.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 1 at 2018 4:41 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:41:58 -0500

Back in the day the 19D was a good mos - trained in a bunch of things - setting up LZ, DZ, call for fire, demolition, security and so on.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Mar 1 at 2018 9:45 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 21:45:41 -0500

Well I am sure you know what 11 series (Infantry) does if you were in the Marines. Only other thing I could caution you about, never met a trully happy 88M (and that is probably why there is a shortage of them). Also, don't know much about ADA but steer clear of the Stinger. The Stinger is a great system that most Infantrymen can qualify on in as little as 6 hours from first touch......BTDT.... (which means you will be bored out of your skull probably with that small part of ADA)............I don't even know if Stinger is a seperate MOS any longer but it used to be.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 2 at 2018 9:51 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 09:51:13 -0500

SGT Terrell Houston Navy Cryptologic Technician, I did it for 21 Years.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Mar 3 at 2018 9:52 PM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 21:52:57 -0500

Locations for civilians is China and India, but in the military, it depends on your MOS and AOC. COL Mikel J. Burroughs,Lt Col Charlie Brown,Col Private RallyPoint Member,Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin,SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4",MCPO Private RallyPoint Member,CSM Michael J. Uhlig

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Mar 5 at 2018 6:40 PM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 18:40:21 -0500

Cyber ops.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2019 8:59 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 20:59:02 -0500

As far as civilian market opportunities go, definitely look into 35T or 12T. You will find either MOS rewarding on many levels. I know this because I have friends from both fields and they absolutely love their job.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Sep 25 at 2021 8:38 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 20:38:11 -0400

Ft. Lewis, Wa. Best tour of duty IU ever had Stateside!