Anybody have any information on the 25V MOS (Combat Documentation)?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 00:39:14 -0400

As my contract is slowly but surely starting to reach its end I have considered reenlisting but most likely in a different MOS more specifically 25V. Any information on this MOS would be greatly appreciated .

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2018 12:57 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 00:57:27 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Here is a previous post about the 25V MOS.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-there-an-actual-mos-for-being-a-photographer

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/arts-and-media/combat-documentation-production-specialist.html

Is there an actual MOS for being a photographer? | RallyPoint

I know there is the 25V MOS however I'm better behind the camera more than anything (still and motion picture).

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2018 4:05 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:05:12 -0400

It's the second greatest MOS in the Army. Now, it's hard to get promoted, but promotion it is possible if you put in the work.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Jul 15 at 2018 4:39 PM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:39:58 -0400

PFC Phillips,
Well, I worked as a 25V my entire career, but I can only tell you about the duty assignments I was at. Every duty station has their slight differences than others even though I held the same MOS, but the fundamentals of been a photographer/videographer stay the same. You can look up 25V and it gives you a general description/concept of your duties. If you ever care to look at my profile, I served on various locations and units. I was even an instructor at the Defense Information School located in Ft. Meade, MD where I taught the fundamentals of video and editing. I actually joined as a 25P which was strictly video...still photography was 25S. The Army combined both MOSs and became 25V.
My first duty station was at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, CA which is a training facility for all major combat units. If you like to travel and experience other countries, I would say this is the MOS to do it on. You would see deployments if you are ever assigned to 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera) based right there in Ft. Meade....they deploy all the time. Or you could end up in Ft. Bragg with PSYOPS which they deploy often. I did move around several times but spent the majority of my career at 55th. I spent almost eight years before getting sent to Ft. Campbell, KY to serve with 5th Special Forces Group.
Now, promotions are somewhat difficult due to the fact that this MOS is not as big as others so, points for both SGT and SSG stay high above the 750s mark most of the year. You have to be really aggressive if you want to advance quickly. As far re-enlistment bonuses, I only got one, and was while I was deployed to Iraq in 2004, other than that I never gotten any bonuses. But, don't take my word for it, things have changed since I retired five years ago.
This is just a rough brief of what the MOS pertains to. Again, I can only speak for the places/duty stations I was on. You can look it up like I said above so you can have an idea. Good luck!

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Oct 22 at 2018 11:19 PM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 23:19:03 -0400

I was in when we used conventional film had a lot of fun got to see some cool stuff. Check promotions they were ruff.

Response by SPC Kristina DeRosier made Oct 26 at 2018 11:05 PM

SPC Kristina DeRosier — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 23:05:15 -0400

I'm so sad that this was posted 3 mos. ago! Hope you took it because it truly was the best job in the military! It is what it says! Combat Camera! I was so proud to be part of it! (I still am!) I am no longer in... many of my friend's are! They are of higher rank and doing great thing's! You need to experience it if you can!

Response by SPC Kristina DeRosier made Oct 26 at 2018 11:15 PM

SPC Kristina DeRosier — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 23:15:15 -0400

I do apologize! I tried to respond to you, and I think I may have responded elsewhere!!! ANYWAY: You posted this 3 mos ago! Let me tell you what my Retired SG1 told me, "It's the best job in the Army!" (I wish my body would have held up for it! ) One of my sergeants commented... But, I think you could do great thing's if you chose it. The other PVT that commented... Yeah, his comment too! Hope you chose this MOS. Much luck! "Eye's of the Army!"

Response by SGT James Colbert made Nov 1 at 2019 6:58 AM

SGT James Colbert — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 06:58:30 -0400

I have to echo my colleague SSG Hernandez ..it was a good mos... but you need to be on your toes for promotion points...when i am the otber der 25P / V ..cut iff scores were few and far between..you bee to be in the high 700 to make it back then. I spent most of my career in Hohenfels Germany with the Joint Forces Operation Group- Viper Team. You get your feet wet and the experience you need to go on to the other assignments previously mentioned . I also spent time worki g in Army Video at the Pentagon. It also has to to do with having a good and engaged Branch Manager , who is interested in your career and just doesnt put you where he wants to put you, but puts you in assignments where you can grow as a solider and a up and coming NCO.

Response by SPC Eduardo Guajardo made May 16 at 2020 4:56 PM

SPC Eduardo Guajardo — Sat, 16 May 2020 16:56:23 -0400

The school is in Ft Meade, MD