If I get selected to attend OCS, will I keep my MOS that I enlisted with?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 16:07:06 -0500

I'm joining the Army as a E2. Once I make E4, I've been told I should look into becoming an officer. My question is once I graduate OCS will I keep my current MOS or will the Army tell me hey this is what you are doing now. While working my way to E4, I'm going to finish my degree, get air assault, and whatever else I can do to make me look better than the other person. Also, what does a an officer do in the 15T MOS?? I really dont want to be stationed at a desk or in meeting all day. That seems really boring.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Feb 8 at 2020 4:13 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 16:13:52 -0500

You become needs of the Army once commissioned. The only real control you have over that is to be a speciality field the Army hires you directly to such as JAG, Religion, and medical. Junior officers are out in the field with soldiers, most officers do not start pushing a desk until later. If you stay long enough, you will push a desk.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 8 at 2020 4:18 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 16:18:18 -0500

Your work will change. But, what is more important to you, your MOS or being a leader of soldiers? If you are going to be a leader, be a damned good one. Think long and hard, and commit to the decision you make, either way, because whatever you do, the Army and other soldiers need great leaders whether NCO, warrant, or commissioned. Just be the best you are capable of becoming.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 8 at 2020 4:57 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 16:57:00 -0500

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member you really need to research what officers do. They don't do an MOS, they lead in a branch that covers all the MOSs / areas of the branch. 15T is an aviation MOS. Aviation branch officers are pilots. They use Commissioned pilots to command units and serve as staff officers in addition to fly whichever air frames they are qualified on. The warrant officers do the bulk of flying and are the standard bearers for flying experience.

You keep your MOS only as far as that your records will show you were prior service and held MOS whatever. Any schools, qualifications you get like air assault transfer over to your officer career, but otherwise you start over. Your years of service only matter for pay, but not completely for officer retirement. You need to have 10years Active Federal Commissioned service (AFCS) to retire as an officer. Once you branch, that is what you do, whether it is Aviation AV, Ordnance OD, Infantry IN, etc. you branch into one of the 16 accessions branches.

When you attend OCS or ROTC you don't get a guarantee of which branch you get. You get input into it, but the Army ultimately chooses your branch. This article is about to become dated but there are updated links to other updates and related OCS processes. https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/how-do-i-choose-an-army-branch-a-framework

How do I choose an Army Branch?: A Framework | RallyPoint

The purpose of this article is to address one of the biggest Rally Point questions among Army ROTC Cadets: I am a with a major in , which branch should I choose? One of my goals is to help you filter through what you will get back. After all, don’t we all turn to the nameless, faceless internet trolls to determine our future? The immediate challenge is that the people responding are well intentioned but generally don’t know you from Adam....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 5:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 17:06:21 -0500

15T is an enlisted MOS. You'll be branched into whatever officer MOS and branch the Army decides

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 8 at 2020 6:34 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 18:34:46 -0500

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member your profile is pretty blank, so I don't have much on which to base advice. So here's some general thoughts.
-Be the very best you can be at the MOS and duty positions you're assigned to. Learn everything you can about the equipment you're given or required to operate. Know the procedures and processes for your jobs inside and out. Listen to the Sergeants and Officers in your unit so you understand what's expected of you and then move out to get it done. If something is unclear, ask questions. Know the regulations, technical documents, and orders related to your job.
-Keep your appearance and behaviors within standards all the time. Do be the guy who always looks good in his uniform and always shows up on time, in the correct uniform, and with a good attitude.
-Avoid the killer B's. Booze, broads, and bucks. Refrain from drinking excessively, avoid any type of inappropriate sexual behaviors, and be very careful with personal finances and completely avoid misappropriation of Government funds.
-Be honest.
-Then, work on your Bachelors Degree. Take classes leading to a degree that you are interested in, that the Army values, and that could lead to after-service employment.

IMO your officer MOS will depend about 75% on the needs of the Service and 25% on your degree and desires. There are hundreds of stories of Music Majors being assigned to finance and people with Business Degrees being assigned to lead mess-kit repair platoons. You'll have some input to your first MOS, but don't expect too much. Officers work at a different level of leadership and management than junior enlisted or NCOs. As LTs and CPTs they usually work at the tactical level leading organizations with a few to as many as 150 or so Soldiers. They set the direction for the unit to support the larger objectives of the next more senior organization. Some may work in pure CONUS office jobs, but many serve in operational and support units that deploy to the field and may see combat.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 7:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 19:19:08 -0500

It certainly won't be the MOS you will still work in since you will be going from an MOS to an AOC. But, you do get to keep it in the matter of the MOS will stay in your records.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 8:45 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 20:45:42 -0500

No, you will learn your new branch after Squad STX. Around week 8 of 12

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2020 10:24 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 22:24:09 -0500

OCS branching is done off an OML. You put the allocated branch slots in order of preference and you are assigned a branch by the battalion branching board. You could put in a branch packet for your preferred branch also to increase your likelihood of being assigned to that branch.