Do you ever regret your choice of job in the military (MOS, AFSC, etc)?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 12:27:44 -0500

I haven't thought about this in years, but it's been popping back in my head a lot lately as I go through my initial AMEDD officer training.I initially wanted to be a medic and I had the test scores to go that route, but at 17 I just wanted a bonus and a short AIT.I can't help but think about how much further along I would be in my career (physical therapy officer) had I followed my initial route.

Response by SSG Shavonde Chase made Nov 24 at 2016 12:40 PM

SSG Shavonde Chase — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 12:40:38 -0500

I wouldn't say regret but I could have had one that more naturally fit with me such as Human Resource or finance

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 24 at 2016 1:13 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:13:37 -0500

Never, even today I think out of all the choices, Infantry was a wise choice for me. I was an extremely shy introvert before the training and my tour on Active Duty. I learned so much in regards to leadership when NOT to listen to someone in authority or with lots of scare me badges and WHEN TO listen to someone with same. Definitely changed my life for the better. The Recruiter gave me a chance each enlistment time to change the MOS or "choose something better" as he would say. No way, happy where I was.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 24 at 2016 1:17 PM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:17:08 -0500

No...
But If I had it to do again I would have Gone to 91-C (LPN) school in 76...
and PA school in 80

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2016 1:19 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:19:07 -0500

Sometimes, it crosses my mind. But that my friend is hindsight.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2016 1:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:23:15 -0500

I wouldn't say "Regret", more so that I wished I had did more research on it. I like some did was picked my MOS based off of how it sounded. (15R- AH64 attack helicopter repairer). Don't get me wrong I like aviation for now.. but do wish I had looked more into something else.

Response by SPC James Harsh made Nov 24 at 2016 1:36 PM

SPC James Harsh — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:36:22 -0500

Yes, it was more of a running joke though...

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Nov 24 at 2016 1:40 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:40:23 -0500

Nope. I have done 3 different jobs and each got me where I am today. 16 years as a plane inspector, 12 in FM, and the last 5 in the clinic. I would not really do much over again. It all worked out well.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 24 at 2016 1:41 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:41:46 -0500

I had an aviation guarantee when I went to The Basic School (All USMC LT go to learn how to lead and fight a rifle platoon) I enjoyed the infantry training and dropped the guarantee. No Regrets.

When I was deciding to leave the Marine and realized that skills like planning and executing a non-illuminated night attack, fire support planning, and thorough knowledge of all charts and tables related to an amphibious assault didn't translate well into the civilian world, no regrets, but some concern on how I was going to feed, shelter, and clothe my family.

Decided to open my own service business more grateful to 22 year old me for choosing infantry than you can possibly imagine.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2016 1:52 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:52:49 -0500

I loved being a Field Radio Operator. I knew what was going on, and could call for support when needed. No regrets.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Nov 24 at 2016 3:32 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 15:32:27 -0500

No regrets, loved my job!
Though i have occasionally thought "what if", if the Marine recruiter had contacted me first all those years ago, instead of the Navy.

Response by MSgt Richard Randall made Nov 24 at 2016 5:40 PM

MSgt Richard Randall — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 17:40:48 -0500

Nah. Where else could a 21 year old kid get keys, codes and a gun and drive 100 miles through a snow storm in 20 below weather through the prairies of North Dakota at 0330 on Christmas morning in a beat up maintenance van to fix an off alert missile with a nuke on top. (sorry for the run-on sentence) It was glorious!

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Nov 24 at 2016 5:46 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 17:46:41 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member - Regret? No. Wish I could have done something different? Sure.

Don't get me wrong. I loved the job I had while in uniform. Being an Intelligence Analyst gave me exposure and experience to things I never dreamed of. In that regards, I wouldn't change a thing. I was "voluntold" into the INTEL field because my dad had a clearance (Honest John/Little John systems) and my clearance was half complete the day I was born. I had originally wanted to be a firefighter or combat medic. As those are the jobs I've entered after retirement, they would have been more beneficial for follow on employment.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2016 8:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 20:48:17 -0500

11Bravo and no! I learned much that helped me later in college and my professional life!

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Nov 24 at 2016 9:33 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 21:33:33 -0500

I chose an MOS (31M) that I thought would help me after I got out. The recruiter was instrumental in my choice. As I learned AFTER AIT that it was a critical MOS and Vietnam had a great need for that MOS. What we did was set up VHF radio sites on hill tops to establish commo between line units and the rear. I would have rather had something different had I known what I knew after my first year or so. Something to do with helicopters or fixed wing aircraft.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Nov 24 at 2016 9:47 PM

MSgt John McGowan — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 21:47:20 -0500

2LT I learned years ago that there is no do "overs". Live with what you have and make the best of it. Luck to you Sir.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2016 4:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 04:51:48 -0500

All the time, but that's why the Army has over 200 MOS's to possibly re-class into, lol

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Nov 25 at 2016 8:08 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 08:08:40 -0500

2LT Michael Beggs

Welcome to the PT world. I spent 17-years enlisted, not a medic either, but on the line side and those experiences have come in handy when seeing patients to get them back to the line. You will have more understanding what your patients day-to-day is like and how you can get them back to baseline.

Good luck in your career!!!

Response by LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr made Nov 25 at 2016 10:16 AM

LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 10:16:28 -0500

I joined the US Army at 21 and stayed for the next 5 years and 9 months; supply school and a mechanized infantry assignment. Then Fort Gordon and Fort Bragg. I decided that I could be an officer. 30 years later I retired as an Engineer Lieutenant Colonel. No regrets - they are a waste of time and energy

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 25 at 2016 11:21 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 11:21:02 -0500

I do wish I had chosen something more interesting... My MOS stopped being challenging after a year or two... A monkey could do our jobs... It's a lot of hard work, but very little brain activity...

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 25 at 2016 11:38 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 11:38:28 -0500

At times I sometimes wish I chose OCS instead of enlisted 11B when I joined. I'd be a Captain by now. That said, I wouldn't go so far as to say I regret my choice.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Nov 25 at 2016 9:09 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 21:09:51 -0500

No.

Response by SPC Darren Koele made Nov 26 at 2016 9:33 PM

SPC Darren Koele — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 21:33:04 -0500

I don't know if regret is the accurate term, but there is a large part of me that wishes I had done something different. I went in as an Engineer. To be completely honest, I never anticipated the military as a career and was only thinking of job skills for after the military. I learned a lot of job skills in the area of construction equipment operation among a couple others. I was grateful for those. I had briefly entertained the notion of reenlistment during which I considered reclass into another MOS. There was just something in my current MOS that was lacking and still can't put my finger on what it is. Whatever it was, it, along with other reasons, sucked out all my ambition to stay in the MOS and even the military.
It's kind of a shame. I had already taken the DLAB and scored high enough that they asked if I would consider reclassing to linguist. Problem was, that really didn't sound all that exciting to me so I passed. I don't regret it that much, but I also failed to see that maybe there was another occupational specialty that would be more my speed.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2016 12:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 12:27:45 -0500

I don't regret my choices, helping people has always been part of my life whether it was medical or CA, I just wished I had learned about CA long ago

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Nov 27 at 2016 1:44 PM

1SG Al Brown — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 13:44:11 -0500

The Army involuntarily re-classed me twice at the 3 and 10 year career points. You learn to let go of regrets when you're learning a new job, attending new schools and being put in strange new leadership positions.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 27 at 2016 5:22 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 17:22:10 -0500

No two of my MOS's have come in handy over the years.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Nov 28 at 2016 8:56 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 08:56:12 -0500

Not at all. I was placed in my MOS because of the needs of the Marine Corps. I hated it at first, but I grew to love me MOS. I had initially signed up for the Legal career track, but I got put in Maintenance Records instead.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2016 9:45 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 09:45:54 -0500

I wanted to be an MC (Mass Communication Specialist) nut it was overmanned. I just then said whatever I"m qualified to get, I'll take a look. At first I was a bit overwhelmed with the aspect of being a CTT but it wasn't all bad. I got to me a lot of interesting people who are my friends today.

Response by PFC Miles Smith made Dec 2 at 2016 8:22 AM

PFC Miles Smith — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 08:22:23 -0500

As a 92g i loved my job. But as a mechanic i wish i would've Gone the mechanic route. I just spent 2 years in the local community college which gave me invaluable knowledge about automotive systems only to start out as a lube tech. If I had gone the diesel mechanic route in the army i would've got out ready to hit the ground running. While i love cooking the mountain town i live in doesn't want to hire and pay proper kitchen staff so my job will not translate into pay that will feed my family.

Response by CPO Nate S. made Dec 13 at 2016 2:27 PM

CPO Nate S. — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:27:32 -0500

No! Being a Hospital Corpsman gave me great experience. I was able to see and do many things on a host of healthcare projects and process from managing a Pediatric Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in the Western Pacific to assuring the health needs from immunizations to malaria chemoprophylaxsis for > 3,000 operational personnel during our response in GWI. However, I have also learned that my diverse experience is also threatening to some, when is should NOT be!

What we learn in the military is as MSgt Randall suggested "Where else can someone have the keys to........." Some of the things I did early in my naval career as a Corpsman (medic) I know civilian nurses have not ever done. In terms of filling many of the healthcare disparity gaps that now exist in both the VA and in civilian HC at large, that waste of the potential of our military medics and corpsman exiting the service is a travesty.

Finally, I would say that you should start looking 2 years before you get or retire and get the the civilian certifications that will lead to a good post military career. If you are a medic/corpsman there are many that should be considered. Here are some national certifications that a medic/corpsman might consider before then get out:

National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
 CCMA
 CPT
 CMAA
 EKG
 CPhT
 CBCS
 CEHRS
 CPCT/A

National Environmental Health Association
 REHS/RS
 CCFS
 CP-FS
 HHS
 CIOWTS
 AARST-NRPP

Project Management
 PMP®
 CAPM®
 PgMP®
 PMI-ACP®
 PMI-PBA®
 PMI-RMP®
 PMI-SP

For those E6 and especially E7 - E9 project management is a huge need.

Another area for those with a serious interest in IT is the CISSP certification. Many in the IT security field would rather have former military with this certification for a number of reasons. For medics and corpsman having having the CISSP and perhaps PMP combined will make you very marketable in HC IT when communicated properly to such hiring managers.