Did your M.O.S. (Military Ocupation Specialty) Carry over into a simular career after the service?

2014-05-06T02:32:56-04:00

Did your M.O.S. offer opportunities that carry over in the civilian sector? If so, did you try to seeking those opportunities or did you go into a completely different career?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 6 at 2014 7:40 AM

2014-05-06T07:40:38-04:00

Absolutely they did. I was a Career Counselor on active duty and am now a County Veterans Service Officer. The knowledge gained as a Career Counselor and the counseling skills all directly relate to VA benefits in a large way.
I knew when I retired that I wanted to try to get a job such as this and was lucky enough to find one is just over a year.
The added plus is that I can assist veterans and their families on a daily basis!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2014 9:02 PM

2014-05-18T21:02:21-04:00

Army medics receive NREMT certificates. An NREMT certificate will get you minimum wage, if lucky, in the civilian world. My current role is in Business Intelligence and Analytics, which has nothing to do with my MOS.

Response by CW3 Michael Danberry made May 19 at 2014 6:10 PM

2014-05-19T18:10:37-04:00

Each MOS I've had will help me when I retire:
88M - Truck Driver
63B - Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic
915A - Mechanic supervisor
255A - "computer geek"

I plan to work with computers / networks / help desk when I retire, but can fall back to any of the other 3 jobs as well. I'll be looking into this more in about 4 years.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made May 20 at 2014 11:30 AM

2014-05-20T11:30:53-04:00

92G Food Service Specialist (enlisted), 88A Transportation Officer.

Currently working as an IT, migrating data from one database to another.

But that's the way I want it. I want two different life styles. That way I don't get burned out doing the same job my whole life.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made May 20 at 2014 11:39 AM

2014-05-20T11:39:04-04:00

I don't know yet I am a 2862 radio technician. While I will be able to get a job doing that it isn't really something I want to do. While I like working in a tech shop I prefer to be in charge running the shop vice working on the bench. I am currently working on my BS in Technical Management and hope that with that and my experience I can get a job that I want.

Response by SGT Isaiah Pacheco made May 21 at 2014 11:40 AM

2014-05-21T11:40:48-04:00

I was a 15F Aircraft Electrician / 15N Avionics Maintainer, in the broad sense of "carry over", no. I also did not wish to continue a career in aviation, but the skills I did learn that involved troubleshooting and deduction have helped me greatly as a software engineer. It took me almost 3 years to transition, because of school involved in my new career path. What I found most important is finding other veterans for help once you are out. The saying is true, "Nobody cares about Veterans more than other Veterans." Use the community for as much support as you can. I found all the support I needed in my college's veteran club, my local VSO (veteran service office), and American Legion Post.

Response by Cpl Charles Broom made May 27 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-05-27T12:11:43-04:00

I was a 0656 (Tactical Network Specialist), and honestly, what I learned in three months at 29 Palms has done me more good in my career that anything I learned getting a 4-year degree. That said, the degree is often a "box to be checked" in the civilian world.

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Jul 1 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-07-01T12:44:33-04:00

91C4PH, 68WM6 or 68C was my mos, just had to change my LPN license from tx to Indiana.

Response by CPT Quentin von Éfáns-Taráfdar made Jul 1 at 2015 6:09 PM

2015-07-01T18:09:59-04:00

Yes! I was an infantry officer who went SF then was given a secondary MOS as civil affairs. After the service I went into banking/business where my acquired skills in back stabbing, throat slitting, deception, etc. came in very handy! :-)

Response by Sgt Michael Penney made Jul 2 at 2015 3:33 PM

2015-07-02T15:33:52-04:00

Believe it or not my MOS, 0341, had plenty of carry over. This may sound shocking to even my fellow grunts, but it did! The planning process for organizing and executing a patrol cycle provided me with all of the knowledge I needed to open and run a business.
The Marine Corps planning process has helped me through the most daunting tasks as a veteran turned entrepreneur. I use this process for every significant business action. (It helps that I have a team of Marines to work with.)
The planning process, BAMCIS, METT-T; these are the tools that every infantryman must learn to become a leader in the grunts. All too often, Marines leave service and all of the knowledge they gained along the way.
I talk about this with fellow Marines and corpsmen seeking guidance through bloodstripes.com. At veteran speaking engagements, I demonstrate how veterans can use the planning process to succeed in any career path.

Response by Sgt Dandrick Gallegos made Aug 6 at 2015 7:06 PM

2015-08-06T19:06:16-04:00

0131/0121 Personnel Admn.. I worked for SSA for 8 years processing claim. Now I'm 5 years at the VA processing claims and now claims process instructor for new employees (GS13).. I would say it has.. admin is admin no matter where you do it..

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2016 1:30 AM

2016-03-12T01:30:53-05:00

My MOS definitely did, and I did carryover (Cyber Chief to Systems Engineer)..

Response by Sgt K D made May 18 at 2018 1:43 PM

2018-05-18T13:43:51-04:00

Notice a pattern here: comments from a MSgt, CWO, CAPT, 1LT, etc. . . I got out after 10 great years as an 0621, and I get told I’m not qualified enough to be a cable guy.