What should I do if my MOS is not being utilized or valued in my current unit?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 23:21:01 -0400

For some background information I was stationed at my current unit in a preventive medicine slot, and have been here a year. The problem here is that there is no preventive medicine mission, so instead they have me helping the 68R or Food inspectors. That is all fine and good and I can understand that and understand helping out at times due to to low manpower, however the leadership here expects me to act in a complete food inspector capacity, where they want to try to write a SOP that justifies this and have me go to the ICTL trainings for the Romeo's, when I have not done any of my own MOS training for this full year. Upon talking with my first line who is also the NCOIC for the branch at present, she has informed me that "eventually" things will be taken care of. As a promotable it's disenhartening to be waiting on points and potentially become a SGT in an MOS that I will know nothing about, and be tragically behind on my training or any activity regarding my MOS if this is to keep up for the two remaining years I have in this unit. All advice is appreciated, thank you in advance!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 29 at 2020 11:35 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 23:35:19 -0400

That happens often in strange little used MOS's. Could be worse- Japan is a hell of a lot nicer than Africa.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2020 12:37 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 00:37:12 -0400

Not sure if you're planning to stay in or get out. But being placed into some what unfamiliar may end up becomes useful to add on your resume when you go for civilian job which makes you as all around player. I don't think any soldiers will go by SOP based on where they stationed at. It's all about how much effort you invest yourself from what has given you.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2020 12:39 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 00:39:28 -0400

This is pretty common. If you ever talk to a CBRN Officer they will tell you that they never do anything CBRN but they are usually in the S3 Shop working reports. There isn't a good answer. The unit will try for this unit's mission. They will assume risk in some areas due to focus on the more critical tasks.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2020 1:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 01:12:11 -0400

The truth about support MOS's is that you're critical skill is only critical about 10% of your time is dedicated towards the performance of that skill. You are a Soldier first and a 68S second. Your primary job is to support the mission and some small portion of your time will be spent doing your MOS to support the mission. The rest of your time will be spent doing whatever Soldier task or additional duty the unit requires. Combat arms don't enlist to be training room NCOs, or Key Control, or to do Staff Duty and CQ, Barracks manager, Motorcycle Safety NCO, Unit Movement Officer, HAZMAT, arms room, or any other of hundreds of additional duties required for the unit to function. Without them the unit doesn't function and the mission doesn't get completed. Your job in the Army is not to be a 68S its to be a Soldier who does 68S duties when needed.

As you progress in rank you will he placed into more and more positions that are rank immaterial. Your primary job is to be an NCO and take care of Soldiers. As for not knowing your job, knowing your MOS is mostly an E4/E5 task and there are manuals for any questions you have. Your job will be to manage other Soldiers and train them to do their jobs. Most importantly your job will be to help them fix their problems and teach them how to help their Soldiers so the same.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2020 1:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 01:52:23 -0400

Send me an email.....time now....to [login to see] with as much details as you can in the email and I will answer as best I can.

FYSA, I am currently in Kuwait (9 hours ahead of MST), so my response time will be limited based on my mission(s) here. But I promise that I will respond as soon as I can.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2020 7:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 07:21:13 -0400

I understand this issue all too well as a CBRN NCO; I get tasked with supply and Homeland Tasks all the time.

What I have started doing to remain efficient in my MOS is taking online classes and enrolling in local Chemical Training with other units.

Another point that has helped me was to keep reminding my Unit how valuable my MOS is to their success. My expertise is needed to help pass inspections on Chemical equipment.

You need to communicate to your leadership just how much you are required to ensure your unit succeeds.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Oct 30 at 2020 10:50 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 10:50:16 -0400

Try to make the best of the situation. Get all the training and experience you can. If you want to stay proficient in your MOS I am sure there is some online training you can take in your spare time. As you go through your career you will learn that some assignments are good and others not so good. The key is to prepare yourself for when the good opportunities arise.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Oct 30 at 2020 2:18 PM

SSG Ralph Watkins — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 14:18:21 -0400

I was in a job where we intercepted Morse Signals from other nations. Morse Code was 99% of the time used on the shortwave bands which meant that those signals could carried hundreds if not thousands of miles from the transmitter. We all used to ask about the rationale of when we went tactical CEWI units. Our equipment was not the type that we could hear those types of signals & we did it it pretty close to the front. Finally somebody figured out that the Pentagon saw radio intercept operator & thought we could just as easily do the jobs of the operators who spent a year learning a target language. We just filled in slots that could not be filled with linguists. Like we could just switch from knowing Morse Code & just intercept Korean or Russian. Never expect logic from the Army.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 31 at 2020 6:49 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 06:49:31 -0400

Understand how you feel, until you are PCS ready you should embrace all that comes your way. You have an opportunity to set the example for those of whom you currently support. SOP no SOP your unit can utilize you in any capacity that supports the units mission.

So do your job, take the lead and see your retention NCO. Don’t complain, simply ask when you are eligible to PCS and request an assignment based on unit strength.

Response by SGM Brian Carter made Nov 20 at 2020 12:47 AM

SGM Brian Carter — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 00:47:22 -0500

SPC Tubbs, coincidentally i was stationed in Japan twice. First time as the NCOIC at the MEDDAC Preventive Medicine Activity from 1985 to 1988. We had food service sanitation responsibility, drinking water surveillance, mosquito surveillance, and general preventive medicine program responsibility for Camp Zama, Sagami Depot, and Sagami Hara housing areas, the US counselate in Tokyo, and the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo. When I was there the second time from 1995 to 1998 I was the NCOIC of the Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine - Pacific. We had Pacific theater responsibility for the entire Preventive Medicine, Occupational Health, Community Health, Industrial Hygiene and the rest of the spectrum of preventive medicine. My next PM assignment was Seegeant Major at the Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine in Aberdeen, MD from 2000 to 2002 with worldwide responsibility. All of that was prior to the MEDCOM downsizing which included merging the Army Veterinary Command and the Army CHPPM commands to form the Army Public Health Command. All that said, i do not know how the work of the 63S and the 63R was redistributed at the same time. All of that took place after I retired in 2005. Specifically what work are the wanting you to do that you consider to be 63S duties?

Response by Sgt Dennis Stevens made Jan 26 at 2021 9:56 AM

Sgt Dennis Stevens — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 09:56:36 -0500

Not sure how the Army does things but if I would advise, take the initiative, look for schooling outside, local colleges classes, the more you train the better person you will become. Some of your classes might even work toward a BS Degree. While in the Corps I became a professional student which helped me move up in various MOS's. You might find somewhere to volunteer your time for practical experience, so when you do move into your MOS assigned, your superiors will look on you with great favor and lean on your initiative and leadership skills. Hope this helped.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jan 26 at 2021 7:42 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 19:42:51 -0500

Not sure how they work it in the Army but in the Marines you could sent an AA Form (Administrative Action) to Headquarters Marine Corps and request a transfer. My brother was a 1161 (Refrigeration Mechanic) and wasn't working in his field. He sent in the request and it was approved.

As a last resort (and the Corps hated this), write your congressman. Those that did got action real fast. Like I said, a last resort. That could come back to bite you in the butt if you are planning on making the military a career.

Good luck however you go

Response by SSgt Ricardo Lugo made Jan 26 at 2021 8:41 PM

SSgt Ricardo Lugo — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 20:41:56 -0500

I don't know you but I am going to try to advise you the best I can. I know is difficult to work in a environment where no one is taking granted the work that you are performing during your military carrier. Maybe your not fulltime on your MOS; but remember in basic training are training instructor drill us on the concept of military bearings. For a moment is time to activate this training in your life and be very wise in the decision you take during this time of process of your military carrier. Remember we always join the Arm Forces to serve for the Defense of are Nation. I am not trying to justify what your going thru; the only thing I am tying to open your eyes; that the life of a soldier is not easy to leave. But if you persevere in your duties and past this test of your military carrier; you will gain experience in how to manage difficult moment that a soldier encounters in there carrier. Please be patience in the process, the US Arm Forces is an elite organization that could prepare your entire life to a successful journey. Stay focus on the vision and mission and remember there is a spiritual eyes that always see the sacrifice your doing for the nation that's under God. So God help you in the process and stay safe. "In God we trust / Home of the Brave". Thank you for your service.