What MOS's are the best for longterm military career?

2018-09-21T22:16:28-04:00

I'm currently a 68W Spc (P). I enjoy the army but I feel that being a 68W will be a hard stretch to make 20. Which mos is great for longevity in the army?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2018 10:17 PM

2018-09-21T22:17:27-04:00

Which MOS will set me up with best quality of life

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2018 10:25 PM

2018-09-21T22:25:23-04:00

I don't know why you think it's a bad MOS. You can move between different types of combat units(mech, Stryker, airborne, artillery, Infantry, cav, engineers, C Med), research institutions, hospitals, instructor, Drill, Recruiting, clinics etc. Plus it opens the path to further medical training. Whether you want to earn certifications like ATLS, PHTLS or EMT-P or you want to go a commission route for PA, RN, MD, or PT.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2018 10:39 PM

2018-09-21T22:39:47-04:00

Every MOS sets you up for better quality of life. With the exception of a few. However it’s whatever you make of it. Me being a 15R I’m set up to work in the civilian world for places like Boeing’s and Lockheed and Martian. Personally you having medically experience sets you up for far more outside as it does on the inside.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2018 4:50 AM

2018-09-22T04:50:49-04:00

As a 17 year 68W, let me give you some advice:

-68W is generally the easiest MOS among the 68 CMF to get promoted on the enlisted side.

-There is no marketable civilian skill that you earn as part of your regular MOS training, none that pay any real money anyway.

-There aren’t any warrant officer programs, except pilots, that feed from the 68W MOS.

-68Ws spend a lot of their time in the field, making it a slower process to gain civilian education.

You need to weigh the pros and cons before committing long-term to this MOS. As a SPC, you could re-enlist to change your MOS. 68C, 68A, 68P, 68L are all jobs that provide high marketability for civilian jobs.

In addition, if you want to do 20 years (or more), you need to try and get to the officer side. They make exponentially more than us, which translates to a significantly higher retirement check. There are multiple ways to cross over, but other MOSs provide better pathways to do it than 68W.

You can make a career out of it; I did. But take a hard look at what opportunities are out there while your career is still in its infancy. After you figure out which way to go, make a plan on how to get there and get to work.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 22 at 2018 7:08 AM

2018-09-22T07:08:27-04:00

Not sure what to what extent you reference quality of life. However if you mean less field training, or deployments, then yours ranks pretty high. In closing, as you think through this keep in mind that you need to pick an MOS that suits who you are. If you are concerned about Quality of Life in the sense I referenced then combat arms or Ombat Service support is not for you. Thank you for your service.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Sep 22 at 2018 7:19 AM

2018-09-22T07:19:07-04:00

Why do you think it would be a hard stretch to make 20?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 22 at 2018 9:07 AM

2018-09-22T09:07:22-04:00

Mortuary Affairs Ha!

Response by SSG Steven Mangus made Sep 22 at 2018 10:10 AM

2018-09-22T10:10:44-04:00

Any of the 15 series, aviation maintenance..Small community; however, we take care of our own and that extends to civilian life..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2018 11:54 AM

2018-09-22T11:54:05-04:00

Check out IPAP. I feel like a PA would be awesome.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2018 12:12 PM

2018-09-22T12:12:53-04:00

Try 15T and get your A&P while youre in

Response by MSG Les Amaya made Sep 22 at 2018 5:01 PM

2018-09-22T17:01:56-04:00

I'm a 68W and proudly retired as an E8. It's what you put into your career.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Sep 22 at 2018 8:56 PM

2018-09-22T20:56:00-04:00

If it were me, I would stay 68W and see about moving up to maybe pharmacist next? Or move into the WO medical ranks or Officer medical ranks? Not sure what turns you off about 68W is it the medical stuff or other aspects of the job.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2018 12:48 PM

2018-09-23T12:48:31-04:00

Want to stay enlisted ? Check out 68A. Good opportunities on the outside when your done. And, you can become a ghost as it’s one of the few enlisted Medical dept MOS’s that has a warrant officer track. Good Luck

Response by SPC William Weedman made Sep 23 at 2018 3:11 PM

2018-09-23T15:11:14-04:00

You are in a perfect place to decide where you want the 68 CMF to take you. From a guy who 30 years ago was in BCT at Fort Knox KY, I think the best thing the Army did was make NREMT Phase I. It does give you a straight from AD ability to gain employment (depending on the state) instantly or with a little paperwork. On the other hand, during my AD time at E-4 you made a choice stay as a 91B or become a 91C. Today it would probably equate to NREMT-P certification or go to LPN school. I have a friend who retired as an E-8 from the reserve component who told me generally unless you foul up somehow, either direction almost certainly guarantee E-7 but possibly right at the 20 year mark. He thought the LPN route was better as it set you up as you got older and got your E-7 to be a wardmaster in a hospital setting or as an NCOIC of a clinic or as the NCOIC of a bunch of medics in a field unit, but the field units are almost always the NREMT-P types, the LPNs are nearly always issued hospital whites as they gain rank. I suppose the question you need to ask is being assigned almost anywhere the Army has soldiers, wearing camo or whites?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2018 8:12 AM

2018-09-24T08:12:23-04:00

I’m obviously a bit bias here, but any Signal (25) MOS. The growth and evolution of the Signal Corps is continuous and the personal and professional opportunities to learn new skills and operate a variety of cutting edge equipment is remarkable. In the Signal Corp you have the ability to earn civilian sector certifications while advancing your career. Again, I’m bias as a 25W, but if interested check out their career maps on Army Career Tracker.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Sep 24 at 2018 2:59 PM

2018-09-24T14:59:32-04:00

Any MOS in the 18 series or Civil Affairs Career Field.

Response by SGT Erik Dunn made Sep 25 at 2018 10:37 AM

2018-09-25T10:37:29-04:00

Health Admin

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2018 10:17 PM

2018-09-27T22:17:20-04:00

Go nursing!

Response by SGT Doc Hopkins made Oct 4 at 2018 10:21 PM

2018-10-04T22:21:31-04:00

Put in a packet for Ranger or SOAR. Get your Whiskey1 identifier and go spec ops. A SpecOps Medic is a Badass career. I got to work at Halo School.

Response by SSG Ken Potts made Jun 5 at 2021 7:40 PM

2021-06-05T19:40:06-04:00

11B

Response by SSG Rafael R. Rodriguez Sr. made Dec 15 at 2021 9:39 PM

2021-12-15T21:39:09-05:00

You have to think what MOS will helpe when you get out or retire? 88M Truck Driver, or an MP MOS if your going into Law Enforcement.