Based on your MOS(s) and experience, what career path would you advise others coming from similar backgrounds take? Why?

2021-07-21T18:00:17-04:00

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 21 at 2021 6:07 PM

2021-07-21T18:07:33-04:00

Pick the MOS that sounds most endearing.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2021 6:36 PM

2021-07-21T18:36:10-04:00

It often comes down to whether they seek tangibles or intangibles. Experience never hurts. Not bragging, just adding context, but I held a half dozen enlisted and about the same officer MOSs by training and assignment. Primarily a POG in Engrs/Maint, I have limited experience with Combat Arms, other than training with and supporting the trigger pullers. Some should pursue an apprenticeship in the trades while in, if so assigned. All should use/practice self-improvement on ACDU, through programs available. Some just want to be the tip of the spear. Travel & Adventure over steady income in a garrison environment.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Jul 22 at 2021 5:22 AM

2021-07-22T05:22:55-04:00

Find a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2021 6:25 AM

2021-07-22T06:25:25-04:00

Pick an MOS that you feel will have some "outside the military" application. When I enlisted, it was between Air Defense Artillery and Combat Medic. When I joined as a young Soldier, I was convinced I wouldn't want to pursue an extremely long amount education to become a doctor. So that left me one option. While there isn't a ton of places for Missile Defense post military, there are a bunch of contracting jobs within DC/VA/AL/CO.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 22 at 2021 8:39 AM

2021-07-22T08:39:54-04:00

My background was a family history where the men in the family served, so I wanted to do my duty. The other part of that was that I was unemployed at the time and I frankly wanted to see if I was tough enough to be a grunt. So if your background is similar, 11B Infantry is the way to go. If I were looking at it as a career, Infantry promotes faster than any other MOS I can find. You can always reclass at re-enlistment.
I joined to be a soldier. You can always use your educational benefits to learn a civilian career afterwards. Even my time as an Engineer, about half my military career, does not readily convert to a civilian job.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 22 at 2021 1:56 PM

2021-07-22T13:56:14-04:00

Let me caveat that I understand Infantry ain't for everyone. That being said, I did my first 4 1/2 years in the infantry before I crossed over to MI. I honestly believe that those years in the infantry made me an infinitely better MI Soldier and leader. Not only did I have a better understanding and skill with basic Soldier tasks, but I had a far better understanding of what my intel was feeding. It made me able to ask smarter questions, focus on more important details, and consider not only how my intel would be used, but how it would be processed and considered.

For this reason, I would strongly urge anyone who wants to go into a support MOS (not necessarily as important for service support) to take a look at going infantry first, before crossing over. And yes, I understand that re-class is not always an option, especially in certain MOS which are harder to get into. But if it is a viable path, consider it.