Should the Army consider adopting MOS selection like the other branches?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 13:14:36 -0400

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Apr 1 at 2016 1:15 PM

SSG Ed Mikus — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 13:15:47 -0400

whats wrong with the way we do it?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2016 1:50 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 13:50:46 -0400

So, you want the Army to choose your job for you? I'm pretty sure they already do that, in a sense, when they show you the jobs you qualify for. I mean, do you really want to sit there in the MEPS station and be told that you will only get to be Fueler when you have the skills and quals to be a pilot?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2016 3:46 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:46:09 -0400

The Marine Corps tests you, give you a list of choices and you decide. Take it or leave it. I am pretty sure every service does that. Rock out of your school, welcome to the infantry. "0300, congratulations, you made it".

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Apr 1 at 2016 5:08 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 17:08:29 -0400

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member - I hate to answer a question with a question. But... How do you see the other service branches conducting MOS selection that so great varies from the Army? For the enlisted Marine, the ASVAB scores are assessed; and based upon one's performance on that test, the recruit is given a list of opportunities from which to chose. For those that skip this selection ("Open Contract") or perform poorly, the choices are made on their behalf based upon the "needs of the Corps." Officer MOS selection is similar --again based upon performance at The Basic School. At the end of the day, you can count on working less & less in you MOS as you progress through the ranks. And co-lateral billets will, at some point, take you entirely out of your field. Bottom line suggestion: If you don't like what you are doing, bust your back to improve yourself --and your position. Compared to the civilian world, the Army (and other branches) have an unparalleled way of rewarding those who perform --regardless of MOS.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 1 at 2016 5:40 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 17:40:05 -0400

They still go by what the person tested good in, or if he requested a particular MOS. Make sure he is qualified to do that job.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Apr 1 at 2016 11:52 PM

SFC Stephen Carden — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 23:52:17 -0400

The Coast Guard has a program in which a candidate enlists and spends their first year learning basic seamanship, and scoping out the different jobs available to them, then they "strike" or compete for whatever job they find most interesting. The Navy allows people to enlist as "undesignated seamen" and strike for a job after basic training. I wish I had been given the opportunity to enlist and learn more about the different jobs in the Army before I made my choice. I have heard so many people in the Army that were unsatisfied with their jobs because they had bad information or just didn't understand what the job entailed before they enlisted for it. I think being able to come in as a generalist, then pick your specialty later would do wonders for retention.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 12:49 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 00:49:55 -0400

I think you have to elaborate a bit more on this. All branches perform roughly the same way when a new recruit tries to join. You take an ASVAB and you are given options. I am not sure how you are referring to a MOS selection process.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2016 12:06 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 12:06:15 -0400

Do recruits no longer have the option of selecting what MOS they go into, given that they have high enough test scores for what they want? Is that what this question is about?