How can you convince a Soldier that the MOS he chose is a good one to stay in?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 18:24:28 -0500

I have a Soldier that says he hates his MOS. I've been in this MOS for almost 12 years. I don't know what to say to him that could convince him to stay in this MOS and not reclass. I have tried explaining to him that in our MOS, you don't do our job in a Cav unit. What would you say to him if he was your Soldier???

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 6:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 18:38:14 -0500

SGT Wanless,

Not sure what you mean by "don't do your job in a CAV unit"? I was in 3-17th CAV at Fort Drum (before they moved to HAAF) (sister Squadron). You're in D-Troop, the maintenance troop of the squadron…you guys don't do hydraulic repairs? You guys just do electronics and armament repairs?

Either way - my advice to that young Soldier would be to do the best job that he can while he is assigned to that unit…regardless of what job they assign him to do.

What made him choose his MOS when he came in? Determine what he likes doing and what motivates him. If he really dislikes his MOS then perhaps re-classing is his best option. IF he's a good Soldier - then as long as we keep him in the Army, doesn't really matter if he keeps the same MOS.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 6:41 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 18:41:47 -0500

I would find out what he wants to do. Just because you enjoy the MOS, doesn't mean it's for everyone. Have him make a list of things he does/doesn't like about the current MOS. Is there another MOS that he would find more rewarding? Is reclassing to that MOS a possibility when he is in his window to re-up? Does he hate the MOS because of the unit and he can't practice the MOS? It is our job as NCOs to know our soldiers. Get to know him and what he wants, so you can be better equiped to give him the right guidance.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 7:49 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 19:49:52 -0500

Reenlist to go somewhere else, great part of the military is, if you don't like where you are, reenlist, if you don't like your leadership, they will eventually change out.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made Feb 3 at 2014 7:58 PM

1SG Eric Rice — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 19:58:52 -0500

In this particular scenario it is not about whether you like the MOS or not and convincing the soldier other wise. The best thing that you can do as a leader is to give the best advice possible and support the SM in whatever decision is made. If the soldier does not like the MOS then ask why. If they would like to re-class to a particular MOS ask why. Once you understand where the SM is coming from weigh the pros and cons of each to give them the resources to make an informed decision. Whatever decision the SM makes you as a leader should support them and set them up for success.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 9:20 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 21:20:29 -0500

His reasoning for not liking the MOS is because we get little to no hydraulics work in a maintenance troop. I have tried encouraging him to reenlist to go to a different duty station and try a unit that is a high maintenance unit like an Aviation Support Battalion. I will definitely talk to him more and try picking his brain and find out exactly what he is wanting out of the Army. Thanks for your advise.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 14 at 2014 3:45 AM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 03:45:58 -0400

If he wasn't happy doing what he is doing I would recommend that he either get out of the Army or reclass into something that he is interested in. No point having someone around that isn't happy you will never get the best/most out of him.

Response by Jordan Gaudard made Sep 14 at 2014 2:25 PM

Jordan Gaudard — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:25:36 -0400

Maybe the Soldier has a point here, if he is in a unit that doesn't do the job like he wants to do the job, let him switch out and go to a different MOS. He can reenlist and go somewhere else, but most likely will return to a unit that doesn't work like he wants. There are points in time where you have to learn the hard way. My question is, what MOS does he plan on going to and why? There is a lot more to changing jobs than doing the MOS at hand.

Response by SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee made Nov 26 at 2014 11:51 PM

SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:51:48 -0500

I jumped between weapons system repair on the AH-1 and 11B/11H. I enjoyed both, but sacrificed promotions as a result. I'm sorry to here that the soldier chaptered out. If he had been given the opportunity to even transfer to the aviation support battalion across Simons AAF, he may have been happy and stayed out of trouble.