Does anyone else have a problem with soldiers being put in duty positions outside of their MOS?

2014-05-23T13:18:43-04:00

I'm an 11B and currently working in my squadron s1.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 1:56 PM

2014-05-23T13:56:56-04:00

Sometimes it can help later on for promotions (E-7 or E-8) boards. but if you are talking about E-1 - E-4 they need to learn their MOS first.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 2:07 PM

2014-05-23T14:07:08-04:00

I don't have a problem with it usually, all the jobs gotta be filled, somebody has to do it.

But where I have a problem is when units pick up females to work in the orderly room. I'm a mechanic and it happens all the time. If the soldier doesn't want it, I'll fight tooth and nail to get them back to the motor pool. Soldiers should learn their job first, but like I said somebody had to do it.

Are there no 42A's in your unit? I suspect your position may be in temporary until they get a new 42A.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 23 at 2014 2:16 PM

2014-05-23T14:16:28-04:00

It would become an issue if the Soldier is in that position for too long. Most likely, he/she will be switched out within a year.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 10:17 PM

2014-05-23T22:17:36-04:00

It doesn't help when the soldier is E1-E4. That soldier needs to learn his/her job. You're just telling that soldier to complete their initial contract and get out of the Army because 90% of the time, that soldier's original 1SG isn't going to do anything to get that soldier back in his company

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 1:48 PM

2014-07-30T13:48:49-04:00

It happened to me when I first got to my unit. They didn't know what to do with me (they didn't understood what I should do with my MOS). So I became the unit Armorer. And kept that position for 2 and a half years until I deployed with a different unit and had to relearn how to do my MOS downrange.
Bad thing about it, I got to Afghanistan, with a new unit that I didn't know anybody and had to learn everything I was supposed to already know.

Good thing about having the Armorer duty, I learned ALLOT about weapons, paperwork, etc. Best part, I was pretty much my own boss. No one could tell me how to run the Arms Room except my CO and he never bothered me, why? Because I ended up having the best Arms Room in the whole battalion. Always had 100% on my inspections, so that kept my CO happy.

It's not always bad to get put on different duty positions outside your MOS. You just have to make the best of it, work hard, and learn your job (whatever job they have you doing) to perfection. Always strive to be best at what you are doing, even if it's not what you signed up to do. Trust me, it will work for your advantage at the long run.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 3:17 PM

2015-02-15T15:17:04-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, You seem like you have long term aspirations in the military and I admire your concerns about getting the training you want. I suspect this is only a temp job. As a SSG, I wish I would have had some time in the 1 shop. Knowing even a little about personnel actions will go a long way when you are an NCO and are asked by one of your future soldiers about how to do some administrative task.

Sure, you are not rolling in the mud on a rainy day; there will be plenty of opportunities to train down the road. Soon you will make SPC or perhaps CPL and be a team leader. This knowledge will be valuable. You won't forget the basic MOS stuff while you do this temp duty. Suck it up and drive on soldier!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 15 at 2015 9:21 PM

2015-02-15T21:21:31-05:00

PFC Nicholas Bryan,

Be like: "The wise old Owl, the less he spoke, the more he saw, the more he saw, the more he knew, oh Soldier, be like that Owl."

General's aides are not working in their MOS. They were selected for their potential to learn. Maybe you were also; Soldier on and learn.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 2:03 AM

2015-02-19T02:03:14-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Mission first. Do you think the S1 function should stop until they have the proper MOS personnel to do the job?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 2:26 AM

2015-02-19T02:26:10-05:00

It is a difficult situation. I hate seeing that but it is a necessary evil. When I see a 11B go straight to a staff shop I feel bad for them. In those early developmental years they are missing out in a lot of the fundamentals. It can have an adverse affect on them. If they don't get any soldier time in and they make it to SGT and pick up a fire team they will lack the knowledge of each individual position. It is not something that can't make up but then if you don't know what don't know you will have a hard time learning what you need to know. This is where mentoring will take place.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 3:02 AM

2015-02-19T03:02:58-05:00

To reiterate what several others have said. In the end do the job that you have been given, and then try to get back on line.
You will, or should, know more about awards and personnel actions than your peers which will make you a better leader for your Soldiers if you retain what you learn while working in the S1 shop.
When there is low-density training or Warrior Time Training try to work something out with your S1 supervisor to get back out there with an Infantry Squad or Team to stay blue in your MOS skills.