How is 31E? What are the pros and cons on this MOS?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 09:59:33 -0400

How is 31e as an mos? I tried doing some research but not many I’ve seen about it. I want to hear from some who is in that mos. what is it like and how do you like it? Pros and cons?

Response by CSM William Everroad made Apr 5 at 2021 10:21 AM

CSM William Everroad — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 10:21:08 -0400

The biggest question I have is why you are looking at INTSPC vs 31B? I ask because, the force will always give you stark differences between how they perceived the job. But the common thread is that if you are looking for skills that transfer into the civilian market, the Army is a pretty good jumping off point. With that said, are you looking at a career in prison operations? On the enlisted side you gain pretty good experience in the day to day, but I would say it will be a good 12 years before you get into the operations side, if then. The civilian pay isn't bad, but there are lots of other technical MOSs if that is what you are looking for.
I would be interested in some of the 31E providing their feedback.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2021 11:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 11:32:22 -0400

The biggest issue with 31B is that you are almost always stationed at just one place - Leavenworth. I understand that you also can't have your phone on you while in the prison so the job itself has some unique stresses as well. The majority of 31Es are stationed at Leavenworth with a few being stationed in Fort Lewis, Guantanamo, and Korea, then heading back to Leavenworth. If you want to spend most of your career in Kansas then this would be a pro, not a con for you.

As for reclass, you can reclass at some point after you've been in the Army. But reclass is complicated and there are less class seats available. If you don't get the class seat you want coming through the MEPS there is even less chance you'll get it as an in service reclass.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2021 5:49 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 17:49:22 -0400

How 31E is as an MOS depends where you’re stationed. I’ve been at JBLM for about 4 years and from my experience the job is not exciting at all. You will spend a lot of time sitting around doing nothing when not working the jail, and even in the jail it’s a whole lot of nothing. Training consist of restraints, escort procedures, emergency exit plannings, searches of prisoners, searches of dormitories. If you’re high speed get ready to become low speed cause a lot of people don’t really come to this job wanting to be super hooah.

*if you go to JBLM these are the pros and cons as a 31E*
Pros:

Chances of deploying are pretty high right now.

If you are doing college this is a good place to handle it cause like I said there’s a whole lot of nothing going on.

You are surrounded by nature. During spring-fall enjoy the weather go out and explore.

A lot of great educational programs and educational centers.

Great SFLTAP program apparently.

Promote fast.

Cons:

It rains for MONTHS everyday until you hit spring.

The amount of nothing happening at work wasting your time is ridiculous. Bring it up all you want but you will find yourself doing nothing majority of the time.

Limited duty station selection from E1-E4.

People promote way too fast, there have been times where a E4(P) just has to breathe to pick up E5. Sounds great but that’s how you get Poor leaders that are not prepared or trained for the responsibility.

The jail comes first always. If you don’t want to end up working 12 hour shifts for shit pay I suggest you get a different job.

Feel free to ask for more, I’m an open book

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2021 9:36 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 09:36:44 -0400

I am a 31E, have been for my entire career. I have been stationed in Cuba, JBLM and Leavenworth and it almost always the same (with the exception of JBLM where you used to cycle out of the facility for training for months at a time).

Cons: 9 times out of 10 until you pick up sergeant, you are going to be sitting in a housing unit twiddling your thumbs

Your schedule is not always consistent

You will be working shift work whether it be day shift or nights

You will come across some asshole inmates that you may have to deal with for anywhere between 8-12 hours a day

Your days off could be during the week and your unit who works 9-5, mon-fri won’t care and you will be called in to take care of whatever they need

Schedule always changes due to manning issues so you can never plan to do anything

You will always work shift for the most part until you make MSG.
Pros:
Fast career progression

Fairly easy job