(Any former military on here?) I'm seeking guidance for choosing an MOS

[sooxies]

Long story short, I am on track for going active duty in May (or earlier) in the Marine Corps.  If anyone could give some advice or short stories about choosing an MOS or what MOS you had and why, etc.  I have lots of hobbies that the Marines offer in regards to jobs but I do want to use as much free time as possible during my service to accumulate college credits.  I'm going in older...add ten years to eighteen.  Very mature.  I know this probably isn't the best place to ask this question due to likelihood of limited former military but I trust everyone on here.    

 

I've heard people say that pick something that would be fun...it's four years of your life go do something people rarely get a chance to do (let's use artillery as an example).  Others that say they picked something specific and landed a great job when they got out or when they got their college degree, etc (I read a story about a gentleman who was a combat engineer).  I know deep down the final say is up to me but I would love to hear stories! 

 

   

[JAG1]

Electricians are getting $125 an hour so I think going somewhere in that direction is a good idea. Also for the most part weather isn't going to ever be an issue when needing dry conditions during work.

[015point9]

(I'm retired 30 plus years military, so the is what my answers are based ) 

First off Congrats on going in.  You'll have some of the best and worst times of your life.  And will work for some of best and worst people. 

 

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 I am on track for going active duty in May (or earlier) in the Marine Corps.

Does this mean you're set on them or have you signed some type of paper work or "locked in" to USMC.  

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I'm going in older...add ten years to eighteen.  Very mature.

So then your age is 28?  I thought cut off was 26 unless you had some skill uncle sam really, really wanted.    

 

Please answer above questions before I answer more.

But overall an MOS with the most transferable skills to civilian life (that you qualify for) is more desirable and portable in the real world. 

[sooxies]

@015point9 Hey thanks for reaching out!  Sorry for the late response. 

 

I'm expecting nothing less than good and bad times.  Whatever challenges I may face... I'll never regret taking that oath.

 

28 is the current limit for the Corps.  As long as you begin recruit training before your 29th birthday then you're all good.  To my surprise, of course a recruiter would never say this, you aren't legally bound to do anything until you step on the yellow footprints at one of the recruiting depots.  I know it's what I want to do by all means but you don't have to ship if you don't want to.  I've been reading a lot of kids' stories online on how they second guess themselves or plans change etc. once they're in the DEP.  Nowadays you sign a "contract" into the DEP (delayed entry program/I'm sure you've heard of it) and patiently wait to ship out. 

 

Recruiters have you pick three fields and they will "do their best" to get you the specific job that you really want. My three were:

 

CC (Supply, Accounting, and Legal)

• 3043 Supply Administration and Operations Specialist

CB (Administrative and Data Specialists)

• 0111 Administrative Specialist

• 7041 Aviation Operations Specialist

CH (Combat Imagery and Social Media Operations)

• 4541 Combat Photographer

Combat photographer I threw in as a filler.  To be honest, I've never worked a desk job and I kind of want to now.  I scored a 70 on my ASVAB and I'm not colorblind so I qualify for any job the Marines offer.  I unfortunately did not pass the hearing test at MEPS so I have to go back down for a retest and then I can officially swear in/enlist (it's just a ceremony and doesn't bind you to a ship date).  You're simply just joining the DEP. 

 

If one thing is for sure, I am saying far far away from the Infantry.  I'll happily be a desk jockey.  You can always change your contract if you want to try something else but that can obviously change your ship date.          

[015point9]

Seems like the Marines has most of your interest.... go for it.  

 

Interesting how life turns out...In 1972 I also went into them using their delayed entry program.  At that time signing up for 2 years was a sure fire way to become an infantryman.  But signing up for more years, the more desirable MOS's were available.  In signed up for 4 years with my understanding the Marines would teach me the trade of heavy equipment operator. Little did I know that "heavy equipment operator" was one of many other MOS's that people signing up for 4 years were assigned to.  About a week before graduating boot camp I was informed that  was assigned to Military Police.  I didn't like that at all and was told I could dispute their assignment after reporting to my first duty station.  Of course that was after going to the Army school at Fort Gordon Ga.  Upon reporting to my first duty station (Camp Pendleton, CA) I checked into what the heck went wrong with my MOS assignment . Sure enough after starring at my initials next to "heavy equipment operator" for a long time, I was directed to bottom of the page which says in fine print, basically states that my desire to become an heavy equipment operator doesn't override needs of uncle sam or  their "investment" of paying the Army for my schooling.  So I learned a valuable lesson at age 18...pay attention the to fine print. Absolutely hated them the first year.  Then some guy by the name of Nixon (also called Tricky ****) had what was called "the western white house".  The Military Police and several other layers of protection, provided security when he was in town.  Super easy and fun when he was in town, except super long hours. (At this time,  women marines were usually pencil pushers only.  Super easy to get a date because they wanted to see the western white house).  Then I actually started to like this police thing. About the same time Calif passed a law that incorporated cities and county's had to meet certain law enforcement standards.  They called it POST or Peace Office Standard Training. Being every piece of federal land has a federal magistrate that works with or administers and enforces law enforcement maters. The Magistrate wanted to have some people through the program, being we were one of many security layers at the western white house.  

Again, Interesting how life turns out... I was one of couple dozen that the USMC paid to go to San Diego Sheriffs academy.  Then later one of these women marines (my pay clerk) I really took a shine to. Then we got married. Talk about civilian transferable skills, I was getting letters in the mail from cities that would inform me of their hiring process.  wondering if I was interested.  (The was not because of me, but the city would not have to pay for the POST training, being somebody (USMC) already did.  At the end of my enlistment I had my fill of police work and got out. (You only get spit on so many times)  Driving a truck sounded fun and so bought a class 8 truck running coast to coast produce back east and dry goods back to west coast. .  Turned out to be a BIG mistake, you can make lots and lots of money but you pay out even more lots and lots of money.  (Lost my ***).  About that time my Mom needed an operation and at this time family leave wasn't even heard of.  My Dad still had to bring in the money and I took care of my Mom. After my Mom got better, I got a job (that was supposed to be part time) delivering freight locally.  As time went on they used me more and more, and I went full time and joined there union, after seeing what their retirement program was. The assist manager was the Commanding Officer of the local Marine transportation reserve unit.  He convinced me to not let my years of active duty service go to waste.  But there was no way I was going to join his unit.  I worked with him everyday and saw the mistakes he made over and over again.  After delivering to McChord air force base for awhile I noticed how the air force takes care of their people.  I signed up for 2 years and loved it.  Any place wide body cargo planes are parked, that place usually has the best support, especially education.  And I keep signing up till they told me I'm to old and they don't want me anymore. I took part in every large operation since 1993 that I could.  Anyways...The Air Force actually stresses education.  Matter of fact...has the only Community Collage of any service that I know of. Check it out  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_College_of_the_Air_Force  

 

Again, Interesting how life turns out... Now back to that woman Marine that was my pay clerk.  For her, the Marines were a way to get out of Lewiston ID.  Nothing against Lewiston area, we love it there...but opportunity with upward progression is some what limited. She finished out her enlistment (at the time only about a third of women finished what they signed up for). Her service training really helped her in getting stuff done in the real world. She started part time as a janitor at a small health care company.  Her small company got bought out by a large national building management firm.  Her new firm paid for some education classes.   She ended up getting couple degrees in building management and got promoted slowly buy surly up the corp ladder.  Hardly anybody else took advantage of the program.  She retired as building manager at one of Seattle's largest hosp's. 

Your first post on the 23rd was one day before our 45th anniversary...So 45 years later still my pay clerk. 

[dripley]

@015point9 Just made 47 years last September. But I think I am the pay clerk at my house. Semper fi. I borrowed that from my Dad. He was Marine back in the early 40's. Tricky Dicky kept me out of the military. #2 in the draft, TD ended it the year I would gone.

[015point9]

@dripley when people find out how long we've been married I always tell him murderers don't serve that long

 

 

[IBMobile]

In '71' I was 1A and my lottery number was 309.  They sent me a new classification card, 4H.  I still have my draft card, didn't burn it, but lost all of my classification cards.     45 years for me last month. 

[dripley]

8 hours ago, IBMobile said:

In '71' I was 1A and my lottery number was 309.  They sent me a new classification card, 4H.  I still have my draft card, didn't burn it, but lost all of my classification cards.     45 years for me last month. 

They were broadcasting the lottery on the radio. I sat in the car listening long enough for them to pull March 6 number one. I turned the radio and clocked in figuring I was pretty safe since the 7th was my b'day. Get home and see the 7th was pulled a minute later as #2. Oh well.

@sooxies Good luck in the military. Its not bad choice at all.  

 

[Scarecrow]

24 years 11B light then mechanized Infantry, got damaged on my last tour overseas, and after I got out of the hospital was told I was being retired.

The key to picking a MOS is to find something YOU would like to do, and if you think you might stay until retirement. I know that not many people think that long term, but if your plan is to do an enlistment and get out, then my advice would be try something different than what you normally would for a career.

 

Keep in mind, the military is not like the commercials you see, and there can be some frustration/boredom. You will meet good and bad people, go places, see things, and do things you never would have. All things considered, I'd still do it again in a heartbeat.

 

Mark 

 

[sooxies]

June 1, 2021 ship date!  This is subject to change as my recruiter gave me a window of March/April/May.  They need to make mission so they will shuffle people around to keep their quotas looking good for each month. 

 

Given this, I may end up selling my 1998.  I have multiple safe and secure places to store it rent free. But, I really hate to insure something that's going to basically sit for four years.   Haven't made up my mind yet.  Truck has a 53 block so I'm not even sure who would buy the thing.  It is a California truck.  Never been in snow/salt and is completely free of rust.         

[015point9]

16 hours ago, sooxies said:

June 1, 2021 ship date!  This is subject to change as my recruiter gave me a window of March/April/May.  They need to make mission so they will shuffle people around to keep their quotas looking good for each month. 

 

 

 

Congrats!!!

 

Correct,  delayed entry good for them and you. 

For them...Having a stable full of recruits to draw from keeps numbers looking good.  

For you...able to plan ahead somewhat.