What is the safest MOS in the military?

2017-02-13T16:00:00-05:00

Response by SSG Derek Scheller made Feb 13 at 2017 4:00 PM

2017-02-13T16:00:32-05:00

That would really depend on branch of service.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Feb 13 at 2017 4:11 PM

2017-02-13T16:11:34-05:00

Your Kidding right ? Well that leaves out the Marine Corps.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Feb 13 at 2017 4:12 PM

2017-02-13T16:12:44-05:00

White House cook.
Kidding aside, any combat arms job, at least they get training to defend themselves.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 4:14 PM

2017-02-13T16:14:44-05:00

Anything that deals with just paperwork. Maybe a counselor

Response by SFC Stephen King made Feb 13 at 2017 4:15 PM

2017-02-13T16:15:54-05:00

Great Question, as I just sent my Son to basic I actually pondered this exact problem. The answer is a MOS's or jobs are in there own right potentially dangerous. Wartime situation of 15 yrs and counting has shown this to be true. That being said I feel it comes down to the individual that is making the choice to serve. Parents want to ensure safety and security but it's the person making the decision that must express what they want. My Son first wanted EOD which I was happy w/ in the end he choose a different path, which my Wife is happy with.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 4:18 PM

2017-02-13T16:18:33-05:00

I would tell her what I tell all moms who ask that question. Safety is an illusion. You need to let your boy grow up to be a man. In order to do that he needs to take risks and do dangerous things. It's a rite of passage for all men and the reason he wants to join is to test himself. He needs to push himself to find his breaking point and then past that to really know who he is in order to become a good man. So let go of the boy and be proud you raised a good man.

Response by Sgt John Koliha made Feb 13 at 2017 4:19 PM

2017-02-13T16:19:26-05:00

Safest MOS? None such. I was in the Drum & Bugle Corps in Viet Nam, and I came home with a Purple Heart, a Service Connected retirement with a Disability Rating of 40%. No matter what you do (unless there is an MOS of "CONUS only") you are in harm's way.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 4:27 PM

2017-02-13T16:27:52-05:00

Safest MOS is fry-guy at McDonalds. Every MOS, rating, and AFSC in the military runs the risk of being in the thick of things, especially since we've left the days of traditional "front-line" combat in the dust. What does he WANT to do? How long does he want to be in? Find out, and have him imagine himself as a 35-year-old (insert MOS here)... is that something he can imagine himself doing at that age? Eventually, he won't be in any more, whether it's a 3-year hitch or a full career. What skills will that MOS give him for life AFTER the military?

Then, once he can find a career field that truly appeals to him, he needs to find a service that fulfills those needs. An "admin type" in the Navy does different stuff than an "Admin type" in the Air Force... or the Army... or the Marines or Coast Guard. Sometimes the service won't even have those MOSs (medics in the Marines, etc). Once he has an idea about the service branch (or two), then he needs to speak to folks in those branches and in those career fields. Don't talk to Uncle Ernie - he served 20 years ago and life has changed! Don't watch propaganda films in the Recruiters' offices, because they are slanted.

And, last thing - what the hell does mommy have to do with this? If the kid is over 18, they can join without parental consent.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Feb 13 at 2017 4:35 PM

2017-02-13T16:35:21-05:00

Submarines. He'll get more money, make rank quicker, get better training and if the shooting starts, he has 24 nuclear missiles behind him.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 13 at 2017 4:38 PM

2017-02-13T16:38:36-05:00

I would think almost any non flight job in the Air Force would be pretty safe, as would be most shipboard Navy jobs, nobody really screws with an US Aircraft Carrier. OTOH, in non linear warfare, there really isn't a safe job.

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Feb 13 at 2017 4:40 PM

2017-02-13T16:40:06-05:00

I'm going to be straight up honest with you here- there is no "safe MOS". For the record, unless Mom has been living under a rock and (definitely not in Chicago) being a civilian isn't all that safe today either. My husband and I have had "the talk" with all 3 of our kids (1 girl, 2 boys) and told them the same thing. If you want to be a ditch digger, fine, I just demand you are the best damn ditch digger you can possibly be. If they want to serve, support them, cheer them on, worry about them- which, as a parent, I would do no matter what my kids decide. Bottom line, it's their life, their decision.
Semper Fi

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 4:40 PM

2017-02-13T16:40:12-05:00

First, I would ask "What does the boy want?" Mom may want him to be safe, but if she pressures him into taking a job he will end up hating, he will have some resentment for the job and probably mom as well. It basically boils down to it don't matter what mom wants, the boy will pick what he wants, anyway. My mom wanted me to be safe, too, so I picked Medic and then Combat Engineer. So mom didn't get what she wanted but I sure did.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 13 at 2017 4:41 PM

2017-02-13T16:41:29-05:00

Cpl Joshua Caldwell:
I would advise your family friend's son:
that the safest branch of the military (Army) is Special Services*....
[Please advise your family friend's son: that he would still be required to carry a weapon;
in Special Services.]
*with MOS's such as O3C- Recreation Services...I was a Sports Director for dependent youths; in the Army.
Special Services also has MOS's for specialties such as: the Red Cross, the Band, etc.
-With My Very Best Regards to you Corporal...and Good Luck to your family friend's son,
Margaret C Higgins US Army (Ret)

Response by MSgt George Cater made Feb 13 at 2017 4:49 PM

2017-02-13T16:49:56-05:00

Go into Crypto in your chosen branch and work at the NSA.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Feb 13 at 2017 4:50 PM

2017-02-13T16:50:53-05:00

Grunt... you're protected by all your brother grunts who have your 6

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Feb 13 at 2017 4:56 PM

2017-02-13T16:56:30-05:00

Safety is one thing..being able to adapt and prosper is another. You figure out after a few decades that the 1.0 - 1.5 year window is the most critical for a SM being able to adapt to life in the military. If they are doing a job they enjoy it will be much more likely that they will succeed. There is a pamphlet that kids get when they take the ASVAB now. It helps steer them towards the job fields that their individual scores indicate they may be better at.
I'm sure Mom is concerned about Junior facing danger, but that is part of it no matter what. Having him be able to assimilate into the culture and get the best possible experience is also important.
If he ain't happy being a cook, mechanic, admin clerk or whatever he ain't likely to make it through an entire enlistment without some bad juju happening.
Food for thought.

Response by SGT William Howell made Feb 13 at 2017 5:04 PM

2017-02-13T17:04:19-05:00

I am in the same predicament. I have twin 17 year old daughters and one of them wanting to join the Guard to help with college. Her mom wants her to be safe and does not want her becoming an MP like her dad. Me and her have sat down alone and talked about what she wants to do. She wants to do something she feels passionate about and wants a challenge. She is not going to be happy being an admin. I want her to get the same things I received from my military career. It influenced me throughout my life. She is willing to take the road less traveled and is willing to lay down her life for her country. She is going in the MP Corps. I have just not figured out how we are going to tell her mom yet.

I think you need to have a talk with that young man and see what he wants to do. Give him all the information you can, maybe take him for a walk though at the VA. I am sure you guys can find a vet or two that will share stories. Try to explain that death , loss of limbs, or even mental scars are possible. I would also share how we are brothers and sisters in arms and these ties are strong. So strong that unless you actually have done it they will never know what it feels like. Mothers are always going to want their child to be safe, but children are going to have to cut their own path at some point. I would just be as honest as you can and let him decide. Then stand by him when he shares his decision with his family. Good luck.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Feb 13 at 2017 5:05 PM

2017-02-13T17:05:39-05:00

I have never heard of or seen an injured Finance Specialist (73C). Here is a free military anecdote. During the surge in Iraq I was part of a unit that was called up and at the mob station they asked whats your MOS? Some were Infantry, some mechanics, and even a few cooks. All of them became either a driver, machine gunner, or vehicle commander and escorted military convoys from Baghdad to the border of Jordan and back for almost a year.

Response by LCpl Craig D. Pfautz made Feb 13 at 2017 5:07 PM

2017-02-13T17:07:24-05:00

LOL, U MUST BE A COMEDIAN

Response by LCpl Craig D. Pfautz made Feb 13 at 2017 5:09 PM

2017-02-13T17:09:22-05:00

GO STEELERS!!!!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 5:20 PM

2017-02-13T17:20:08-05:00

Cpl Joshua Caldwell I would meet with her son to see what MOS and branch that he would be interested in. You could then help him research his options. Is he thinking of making the military a career? There are potential hazards in any MOS. Is it safe walking down some city streets at night or driving on our freeways?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 5:26 PM

2017-02-13T17:26:08-05:00

try air force flying drones

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Feb 13 at 2017 5:26 PM

2017-02-13T17:26:36-05:00

If someone is joining the military and more focused on being safe, they do not need to enlist. I saw this way too much when I assisted out of a recruiting office. Hand wringing parents worried about their kids instead of letting someone 18+ make their own life choices.

Response by MSG Steve Wiersgalla made Feb 13 at 2017 5:39 PM

2017-02-13T17:39:06-05:00

M1A2 Armor Crewman your surrounded by some of the best armor in the world. Plus you have the armament to sway the outcome of your future. Not to mention it's a lot of damn fun!

There are no safe MOS's. In my opinion let him choose for himself with his families full support. A life with no regret is a life lived to the fullest.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 5:52 PM

2017-02-13T17:52:17-05:00

Cpl Joshua Caldwell there is no such thing as safe anywhere, her son could walk down the street and get hit by a car by accident; but to play along, tell her to send him to the air force or the air force reserve as a non pilot or aircraft related, that should be safe enough

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 5:58 PM

2017-02-13T17:58:50-05:00

Linguist in the Air Force

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 13 at 2017 6:18 PM

2017-02-13T18:18:19-05:00

Of course moms want their kids safe. However mom doesn't get to choose. If you provide "safe" steerage under the guise of being generally honest, then you're doing the kid a disservice. Recommend the even handed route.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Feb 13 at 2017 6:42 PM

2017-02-13T18:42:55-05:00

I've had that conversation with a lot of mothers. Doesn't matter what you say. The kid almost always picks the Infantry at the MEPPs when mom is holding on tight. Time to let go mom.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 13 at 2017 7:27 PM

2017-02-13T19:27:09-05:00

Safe/ Military ,that's an oxymoron ,I think I learned that in High School you know the place I left to join the Army back in 1965 ,then if you wanted to be safe you went to College or Canada,so either one of those two options would be safe for this young man,because the big bad World is still not a safe place,especially if you wear our County's uniform.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 13 at 2017 7:40 PM

2017-02-13T19:40:00-05:00

Safest? Least Likely to be in Harms Way from the Enemy would Probably be a Better Question. My Guess would be Maintenance Tech for a Long Range Bomber. Never have to leave the US.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Feb 13 at 2017 8:01 PM

2017-02-13T20:01:56-05:00

18 series. Tell him to check it out.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Feb 13 at 2017 8:07 PM

2017-02-13T20:07:37-05:00

Large UAV operator. Sit in a dark room somewhere CONUS and watch TV monitors. Wait for someone to say, "push the button" then you push a button.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 8:08 PM

2017-02-13T20:08:01-05:00

If safest MOS is the deciding factor, I'd say the military isn't the right place for him.

Response by SFC Richard Bennett made Feb 13 at 2017 8:33 PM

2017-02-13T20:33:45-05:00

After Nam 11E40 Black Horse I went to 699 Port Construction, and later went to Infantry, retired as 11C. My take on safest MOS 30133a , my first !

Response by MGySgt Rick Tyrrell made Feb 13 at 2017 9:15 PM

2017-02-13T21:15:19-05:00

Let's be realistic no MOS is safe not even a club manager yes we have them. But I have always felt I can get by a car crossing the street just as easy as getting hit buy a bullet on the battlefield. The man upstairs dictates when it's time to go!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 10:24 PM

2017-02-13T22:24:34-05:00

At one time I would have said Admin, Cook, Legal, Band, etc. until I found out how much the mortar, IED, RPG, or weapons fire doesn't care. I remember a conversation I had with a cook about how they were in the middle of getting a meal prepped when they started taking fire. I don't know/remember all the details but rank and mos didn't matter, everyone dropped what they were doing and participated in some fashion.

I've been told by Infantry that even HR has seen action working a checkpoint or in transit, and that the type of warfare we have now your MOS no longer matters and that everyone needs to know how to put rounds down range. Of course him being Infantry reminded me that none of us will ever be as good at it as they are but that we should still know how.

I haven't deployed but with what I do know, it's still probably HR, Legal, or Band. If the time ever comes though you need to know how to use a weapon and remember that you signed on to be a warrior in addition to your job. Ultimately I would say pick what makes you happy, if you're gonna do it then love it.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Feb 13 at 2017 10:29 PM

2017-02-13T22:29:07-05:00

mail clerk?

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 13 at 2017 11:00 PM

2017-02-13T23:00:04-05:00

supply or admin Clerks...

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 13 at 2017 11:11 PM

2017-02-13T23:11:22-05:00

Cpl Joshua Caldwell That is a good question, but in the current world, and the nonlinear asymmetric battlefield we operate in, no ground based MOS are really safe. Perhaps some are safer or more dangerous than others, but all have dangers. I can tell what MOSs are the most dangerous in the current environment, which is different than past wars. I can't speak for the Navy or Air Force, and I am generalizing with regards to our Marine Corps brothers.

Response by SFC Walter Williams, Jr. made Feb 13 at 2017 11:52 PM

2017-02-13T23:52:18-05:00

I feel there is no such thing as a safe MOS. If you join the Armed Forces, the fine print that most people do not read says that you can be put in harms way regardless of your MOS. If that future Armed Forces member is looking for a safe MOS, they do not need to join the military then. Stay a civilian.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2017 12:37 AM

2017-02-14T00:37:09-05:00

13F, give me a reliable radio and a substantial supply of batteries and you won't have to worry about anything within this zip-code.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2017 12:37 AM

2017-02-14T00:37:09-05:00

13F, give me a reliable radio and a substantial supply of batteries and you won't have to worry about anything within this zip-code.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 14 at 2017 5:29 AM

2017-02-14T05:29:44-05:00

The entirety of the Air Force? ;o)

Response by CPT Earl George made Feb 14 at 2017 6:38 AM

2017-02-14T06:38:47-05:00

I would say stenographer. When I was in, they were only assigned to General officers.

Response by SMSgt Roger Horton made Feb 14 at 2017 6:52 AM

2017-02-14T06:52:50-05:00

The Marines have no safest MOS as every Marine is a Rifleman first and foremost. This is as it should be.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 14 at 2017 6:56 AM

2017-02-14T06:56:08-05:00

Probably payroll specialist. Unless you tick off someone, and mess with their pay.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2017 8:13 AM

2017-02-14T08:13:40-05:00

68R all the way! Safest in the military i believe

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Feb 14 at 2017 9:19 AM

2017-02-14T09:19:18-05:00

If I was advising a family member...and knowing that they are probably more likely to die in a car crash than by a foreign fighter's bullet, I would look at the quality of life that each service offers. So, I would probably say Air Force or Coast Guard and in some type of "IT" role. Good luck.

Response by LCpl James Robertson made Feb 14 at 2017 9:29 AM

2017-02-14T09:29:39-05:00

I don't know if there is a safe MOS in the Marine Corps, when I were in every Marine was a fighting Marine. I seen Marines put into infantry from lots of other MOS's. I myself went into the marines for Military Police and served all my time in Infantry.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2017 9:30 AM

2017-02-14T09:30:29-05:00

POG in general is pretty safe. But if you work in finance and mess up you might get fragged anyhow lol

Response by Sgt David Dombrosky made Feb 14 at 2017 9:56 AM

2017-02-14T09:56:20-05:00

64550 Inventory Mngt. Specialist ....USAF

Response by SPC Johnney Abbott made Feb 14 at 2017 11:07 AM

2017-02-14T11:07:37-05:00

There isn't one. Everyone is basically 11B after basic training.

Response by Sgt William Collins made Feb 14 at 2017 11:47 AM

2017-02-14T11:47:06-05:00

The one where you get out alive . . .

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Feb 14 at 2017 12:15 PM

2017-02-14T12:15:39-05:00

Define 'safe'?
I think some MOSs that some might consider safe, would be very dangerous to another sanity?

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Feb 14 at 2017 12:21 PM

2017-02-14T12:21:34-05:00

Discharged!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2017 12:33 PM

2017-02-14T12:33:32-05:00

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the ones that don't deploy.

Response by Capt Joseph Olson made Feb 14 at 2017 12:33 PM

2017-02-14T12:33:42-05:00

JAG officer.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Feb 14 at 2017 1:07 PM

2017-02-14T13:07:52-05:00

Well, I'll plug my 6046 Maint Admin. I think my biggest dangers are sticking my hand in a paper shredder, getting a papercut, and hearing loss from being on the flightline.

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Feb 14 at 2017 1:08 PM

2017-02-14T13:08:41-05:00

These comments are entertaining to such a very simple and direct question. LOL
Admin...there, that's an answer. See how easy that was people? My goodness...his question ain't that serious...lol

Response by SSG Lucas Solie made Feb 14 at 2017 1:09 PM

2017-02-14T13:09:54-05:00

I'm gonna say either Chaplains Assistant or Mortuary Affairs.

Response by SGT Linda Burgess made Feb 14 at 2017 1:56 PM

2017-02-14T13:56:11-05:00

What snowflake asked this question?

Response by SGT Stephen George made Feb 14 at 2017 2:19 PM

2017-02-14T14:19:45-05:00

The Air Force Drone Pilot MOS has got to be safer than Airborne Light Infantry

Response by PO1 John Johnson made Feb 14 at 2017 4:11 PM

2017-02-14T16:11:43-05:00

I think that would be a Coast Guard Yeoman (Administrative Document Specialist) or Store Keeper (Pay & Finances Specialist)! We called them "passengers" when we were underway on our Cutters, and never, ever saw them ashore unless we had a paperwork or pay problem. They had the softest hands in the CG; perfect for shoulder massages after a hard day's work!

Disclaimer: This a "tongue-in-cheek" opinion and may not actually apply to specific individuals; hopefully no one gets butthurt about it!

Response by MSgt Gerald Orvis made Feb 14 at 2017 5:56 PM

2017-02-14T17:56:10-05:00

Back in 1973, I was in the process of reenlisting and was told that I had to lateral move from being an 0351, because the Marine Corps was downsizing after Vietnam and didn't need so many grunts anymore. So I thought about it and thought about it...and thought I might lat move into the PX management field - nice and safe, right? Then I thought that if there was any way Murphy's Law could operate against me, it would, and a stack of suitcases might fall on me and kill me. So I gave up on that and went into something else. I was convinced that there is no really safe MOS in the Corps, where every Marine is a rifleman, and even a PX guy could be thrown into the defensive line.

Response by SPC Sean Martin made Feb 14 at 2017 6:34 PM

2017-02-14T18:34:47-05:00

In all branches, everyone goes through some sort of "Boot Camp/Basic Training"; outside of that, I feel that some sort of Administrative position has got to be one of the safest.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2017 10:27 AM

2017-02-15T10:27:43-05:00

In MEPS they offered me dental assistant, Doesn't seem dangerous.

Response by LTC Gregory Davis made Feb 15 at 2017 10:51 AM

2017-02-15T10:51:09-05:00

Former (fill in the blank)

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 15 at 2017 12:44 PM

2017-02-15T12:44:35-05:00

In general, the entire Air Force except those specialties directly associated with aircraft and the people who operate them. Finance and personnel are the best examples I can think of right off. Maybe musician. Acquisition and contracting is close, but sometimes they are forward deployed to set up support contracts as part of combat service support.

Response by SPC Travis Grizzard made Feb 15 at 2017 9:13 PM

2017-02-15T21:13:03-05:00

Commander in Chief.

Response by CW3 Lysle Seelig made Feb 16 at 2017 3:09 PM

2017-02-16T15:09:29-05:00

JAG maybe...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 11:48 AM

2017-02-18T11:48:37-05:00

The Coast Guard.....lmao. (Just kidding).

Response by SPC Paul Shene III made Feb 18 at 2017 12:54 PM

2017-02-18T12:54:56-05:00

Safest MOS? Cryptography in the Navy --- but their job is super sensitive and very exclusive

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 7:25 PM

2017-02-18T19:25:53-05:00

I would guess Military Intelligence or something in that general area.

I was an ammunition specialist. It wasn't too dangerous of a job but dangerous enough, since dealing with live ammunition and explosives.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 7:34 PM

2017-02-18T19:34:06-05:00

Safest MOS? The answer should be different for everyone. The safest job for someone in the military is going to be the job that they love. EOD, infantry, MP, it shouldn't matter. It should matter that they're doing the job they chose because they were interested in it. If you love your job, then you'll be better off, and you'll easily commit to doing it as best as you can. Doing something you love to the best of your ability is always going to be safer than half assing a job you got stuck in because your mommy convinced you to take it thinking you'd never get deployed.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 7:34 PM

2017-02-18T19:34:40-05:00

According to the USMILITARY.COM

The 8 safest jobs are...

1. Administration and Support Jobs
2. Financial Management Technician
3. Human Resources Specialist
4. Shower/Laundry and Clothing Repair Specialists
5. Legal Jobs
6. Paralegal Specialist
7. Medical Jobs
8. Dental Specialist

I just did a simple search so someone else may get a different list.

Response by Sgt Rob Sermon made Feb 18 at 2017 10:05 PM

2017-02-18T22:05:40-05:00

USN Dental Hygienist? Just havin' fun! God Bless all the Navy "Docs"!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2017 7:17 AM

2017-02-19T07:17:16-05:00

Probably a support MOS in the USAF. I had a friend of mine "deploy" to Germany as an active duty Air Force NCO.

From what I've gathered the individual in question is being pushed into a "safe" job in the military. I would caution this course of action. My mother attempted to do the same thing. I signed up for a non-combat Arms MOS and hated it. It took me all of 9 months to initiate a conditional release and move to a combat arms unit. It's been 10 years now and I couldn't see myself doing anything else.

Response by SGT Luke Wooster made Feb 19 at 2017 9:15 AM

2017-02-19T09:15:09-05:00

Dental hygienist would be my pick. Not sure of MOS code.

Response by Jerry Rivas made Feb 19 at 2017 2:36 PM

2017-02-19T14:36:18-05:00

uhh......Oh yeah.....Be a Navy Corpman.....yeah. Thats the ticket. Exotic cruises on modern ships with every amenity you could want. The worst thing you will ever deal with is a sunburn.......And trust me....The USMC has their very own medics, and will never bother you.

Response by Capt Edward Hannan made Feb 23 at 2017 9:41 AM

2017-02-23T09:41:27-05:00

cryptographers with very high or "eyes only" type of clearance. we cannot afford to place this type anywhere they might possibly be captured.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Feb 23 at 2017 2:54 PM

2017-02-23T14:54:27-05:00

Right now, 13N Lance Missile Crewmember! The Cold War is over.

Response by TSgt Bruce Davis made Mar 1 at 2017 9:32 AM

2017-03-01T09:32:54-05:00

I'm surprised nobody used their Google machine...to research this.
https://www.usmilitary.com/29439/eight-of-the-safest-military-jobs/

Eight of the Safest Military Jobs | USMilitary.com

Military jobs are considered some of the most dangerous jobs around, but it is still possible to find a career in a relatively safe role.

Response by Cpl Joshua Caldwell made Mar 1 at 2017 9:50 AM

2017-03-01T09:50:49-05:00

I wanted to post an update to this topic. I met with both mom and son and I passed a lot of your suggestions. Seriously, I didnt know some of these MOS existed. As the conversation went on, I could see mom opening up, at the same time, I could see that the son was getting interested in some of the less safe MOS's. I sent him out to talk to a recruiter from each branch to see what they have to offer him. He hasn't taken an ASVAB so I have no idea what his skill set is. I fully suspect that he will become a proud RP member at some point in the future.
Thank you all very much.

Response by SFC Richard Bennett made Apr 6 at 2017 1:46 PM

2017-04-06T13:46:23-04:00

11E Retired !

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 6 at 2017 6:49 PM

2017-04-06T18:49:22-04:00

Join the Air Force, what good is a soldier who is afraid of being hurt

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2017 5:07 PM

2017-04-14T17:07:38-04:00

Anything in the Air Force lol jk

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2017 6:35 AM

2017-04-19T06:35:43-04:00

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Response by SrA James Cannon made Apr 19 at 2017 9:30 AM

2017-04-19T09:30:58-04:00

I'd have to guess some admin job at HQ?

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made Apr 21 at 2017 10:00 PM

2017-04-21T22:00:11-04:00

Retired, yes sir, gotta be the safest.

Response by SGT Josh Johnson made Apr 23 at 2017 10:22 PM

2017-04-23T22:22:34-04:00

In my opinion combat MOSs are safer. Not only are you trained to fight and defend yourself expertly, you are surrounded by soldiers who have trained with you. No one soldier can expect to be safe, but a group of soldiers that know what they are doing, have developed a camaraderie with each other, and have each others backs are a formidable force indeed. They are looking for a fight, trained for defense, and know how to handle it.

Response by CPL Kevin Kumpe made Apr 25 at 2017 1:27 PM

2017-04-25T13:27:06-04:00

The most safest job in the military is a lithographer which is a map maker or someone that makes maps I was called back up back in 2008 to do another tour of duty in Iraq and at that time I was 50% service connected with ptsd through the VA and when I went back cause u can't disobey orders the army wanted me to become that and I said no cause I am an infantryman through and through and if I couldn't keep my status as that I wasn't going to do it at all and I told that to a Col. So they marked me as non-deployable and I went back home but not after making 789 dollars for the month I was their and I was an E-4 at the time and retired as an E-4 with 8 years under my belt.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 11:27 PM

2017-04-26T23:27:53-04:00

Basically you are looking for an MOS that is typically considered as a non-deployable MOS. The infantry are out on the front lines with sappers clearing the roads, but almost any MOS can take a mortar in their dome while standing in line for their morning Green Beans. I guess drone pilot. Even computer network personnel deploy. Maybe something in advertising dealing with merchandise and commercials?

Response by PO1 Frederick Smith made Apr 29 at 2017 8:59 PM

2017-04-29T20:59:00-04:00

I was in the Intel field as a Cryptologic Technician, and I was behind the wall for most of my stay in Iraq. So I would have to say I have a pretty safe MOS as a R brancher.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2017 7:15 PM

2017-05-05T19:15:54-04:00

The President's Own...

Response by SSG Wayne Wood made May 15 at 2017 6:37 PM

2017-05-15T18:37:22-04:00

"Safe" is a relative term when you're speaking of the military Just putting on the uniform makes you a target in some places - and not always overseas - as has been mentioned before. Recruiting MIGHT be relatively safe in the broader scheme of things, but when I was in (and I assume it holds today) one just didn't walk in off the street and sign up for recruiter duty - usually one had to be chosen after he or she had paid some dues.

In my experience, no matter how tough or bad someone is or how many bolo badges and patches one has, there's always someone who's done a little more and has more badges. We can all agree that combat arms is among the most inherently dangerous, but I think many of us remember situations where our enemies wouldn't dare take on our grunts because they knew they'd get their clocks cleaned - so they'd go after "soft targets."

And after attacks on recruiters and other "soft" targets in the USA, anyone in uniform can be a target. I would suggest so-called safe jobs are dangerous because they are presumed "safe" and therefore may not be on guard against attack. As someone else has said, if one is looking for a safe job, don't raise your hand.

Response by Sgt Diane Jankowski made May 16 at 2017 5:22 PM

2017-05-16T17:22:03-04:00

Mine was pretty safe. AF 91370. Except that in a pinch we could be classified as medics.

Response by SPC Joseph McBrayer made May 16 at 2017 7:33 PM

2017-05-16T19:33:04-04:00

The simplest answer to your question of a safe MOS? There are no "safe" MOS's in any branch of the military. At the blink of an eye and/or stroke of a pen, ANY service member can find himself/herself in harms way. Period!!!

Response by CPO Manny Perez made May 31 at 2017 7:12 PM

2017-05-31T19:12:30-04:00

If you want a safe job stay home. If you want to live on the edge be a Grunt. If you want to live dangerously go Ranger/Delta/ForceRecon USMC/ParaRescueAF. If you want to be the Best there is Go NAVY and try to be a SEAL Manny Perez HMC (SEAL)

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jun 2 at 2017 1:20 PM

2017-06-02T13:20:00-04:00

It is called ETS.

Response by SPC Woody Bullard made Jun 4 at 2017 8:11 PM

2017-06-04T20:11:00-04:00

Some of my civilian friends who did not serve in the military believe it is just a grown up
version of the"Boy Scouts of America". Now as funny as that may sound to a military veteran
or active duty person it is true and shows the ignorance of too many Americans. While one MOS
can be more dangerous than another there is no safe military MOS. We all started our military
service by going through basic combat training to learn how to kill the enemy soldier. None of
us believed we were joining the boy scouts. I was a MP and I know I was not in as much danger
as a soldier in the Infantry or Airborne Rangers. A cook a clerk or a soldier working in supply could
have a safer MOS than another soldier in a armor unit but they are all soldiers who could find themselves in combat. If you are looking for a "safe" job don't enlist in the military.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 4 at 2017 9:33 PM

2017-06-04T21:33:35-04:00

11Bang-bang. Speaking as a Signal Officer, it's radios and computers that will get you and your career killed faster than a bullet! :-)

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2017 11:53 PM

2017-06-04T23:53:40-04:00

I said it earlier, and nobody seemed to realize it -- The President's Own. The United States Marine Band. They join by audition, do NOT go to boot camp and do NOT perform combat missions.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Band --

"The Marine Band recruits experienced musicians; members are selected through a rigorous audition procedure and must satisfy additional security and physical requirements to be eligible. Selected band members serve under a four-year contract as active duty enlisted Marines and are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and physical standards. They are the only members of the United States Armed Forces not required to undergo recruit training and do not perform combat missions. Also, they are not assigned to any unit other than the Marine Band.

The band members start at the rank of Staff Sergeant, and wear rank insignia with a lyre replacing the normal crossed rifles. Commissioned officers are drawn from the band, although drum majors are career Marines and are selected from Fleet Marine Force bands, as they are responsible for the military development of the band's members. As of 2010, the USMC spends about $10 million annually to support the band."

Now -- if you want to be in the Marine Band, you better start spending a LOT of time in the practice room.

United States Marine Band - Wikipedia

The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States. Today, the Marine Band also includes the Marine Chamber Orchestra and Marine Chamber Ensembles.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Jun 6 at 2017 5:03 PM

2017-06-06T17:03:59-04:00

I don't know about safe a MOS, but if you want a safe assignment I'd shoot for being a member of the JCS looks to be a pretty sweet billet.

Response by SSG Joye Howell made Jun 7 at 2017 10:35 AM

2017-06-07T10:35:31-04:00

My friend and fellow veteran was a recruiter at 10th Mountain Division Fort Drum, NY. He was shipped out and fought during Desert Storm... Don't kid yourself, everyone can be shipped out and placed in combat.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2017 1:03 PM

2017-06-07T13:03:02-04:00

Finance Specialist would get my vote.

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Jun 9 at 2017 12:27 PM

2017-06-09T12:27:36-04:00

I would think Band.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Jun 9 at 2017 8:56 PM

2017-06-09T20:56:40-04:00

Supply. Rear supply. Domestic rear supply.

Response by CPL Bryan Claeys made Jun 13 at 2017 11:31 PM

2017-06-13T23:31:08-04:00

Safest MOS? Probably Champlain's assistant. Most badass and fun MOS? Cavalry Scout.....

Response by MSgt Fred Gottshalk made Jun 15 at 2017 8:49 PM

2017-06-15T20:49:29-04:00

C..I. V. 0000. If that is the one you want-GET OUT!!

Response by 1LT Rich Voss made Jun 16 at 2017 4:09 AM

2017-06-16T04:09:26-04:00

Completely serious here. And this is only "possible", okay. Whatever the current MOS is for Chaplain or Chaplain's Assistant. Although, these days, perhaps not so much.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2017 9:56 AM

2017-06-16T09:56:23-04:00

MOS 000-00 - RETIRED

Response by PO2 Gerry Tandberg made Jun 16 at 2017 12:55 PM

2017-06-16T12:55:56-04:00

I've met many in my tour of duty, and later as a civilian whom thought they were in a relative save MOS, and were injuried in an accident. As an Aviation Electrician we were constantly in potential harms way...especially on a flight deck. The truth is your safety is never guaranteed. If you are in a combat MOS pay attention to your schooling/training which reduces your chance of getting wounded. In a technical MOS paying attention to your school/training is your ticket to staying safe. Pay attention to red flags, follow-up on a hunch, and when in doubt, proceed with caution.

Response by SPC John Gifford made Jun 16 at 2017 6:30 PM

2017-06-16T18:30:16-04:00

I thought supply would be a safe choice, RIGHT!!

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2017 1:42 PM

2017-06-17T13:42:26-04:00

1N4A Computer Network Analyst. They're officially "deployable" if you can find a deployment for a computer analyst.

Response by CW2 Donald Kempf made Jun 18 at 2017 11:30 AM

2017-06-18T11:30:46-04:00

The safest job in the military is the one you are good at doing. More than anything being technically proficient in your job and at being a good soldier in general is some of your best protection. Being able to do your job and lead others and to be of your tactically aware of your situation and savvy enough to keep yourself out of bad situations is your best defense. I choose a combat service support position as I didn't want to be on the front lines all the time, but I still ended up in a forward position flying an airborne gas station and refueling aircraft in the Iraqi desert ahead of the ground forces. So, but being able to fly that helo safely and get in and out by good planning the ingress and egress I lived to talk about it years later.

A Safe job in the Army doesn't exist, but you can make yourself safer by being the best soldier you can be. There aren't any guarantees in life and that is especially true in the army, just read paragraph 3b (or it's current iteration) that says something to the effect of: "All guarantees in this contract are subject to change due to the needs of the army." The only guarantee you have is that that line or something similar is part of your enlistment contract with the military.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Jun 19 at 2017 12:01 AM

2017-06-19T00:01:35-04:00

The Air Force used to have a job called Recreation Specialist. They ran the recreation center, scheduled Tours and Travel, and had a lending closet with just about any sporting game gear you could imagine, like baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, badminton etc. I would have never known about it but I was stationed on Howard Airforce Base in Panama 90-93. The preacher at the local church was retired Air Force, he was asked many times what his job was in the Air Force but he always avoided answering. Finally about five of us were invited to his house for supper. We pressured him for an answer and he finally told us that is what his job was. He said it was the best kept secret in the Air Force because it was so much fun and by the way very safe!

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 19 at 2017 12:19 AM

2017-06-19T00:19:51-04:00

I'm thinking being a Medic in a Ranger Battalion ...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2017 12:50 AM

2017-06-19T00:50:57-04:00

Good morning sir, I agree infantry training does give you the tools to survive, but you and I both know that you secretly want to become infantry on the low sir. Lol........... The best will welcome you with open arms........

Response by SPC(P) Mike Conley Jr. made Jun 19 at 2017 6:20 AM

2017-06-19T06:20:29-04:00

42A human resources

Response by 1LT Erin Berg made Jun 22 at 2017 4:04 PM

2017-06-22T16:04:58-04:00

Being a basic medical-surgical nurse is fairly "safe." ER nurses are more likely to be deployed, while us 66H work in hospital on posts around the country. But I am of the opinion that you shouldn't be looking for safety if you are going to join the military.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2017 12:37 PM

2017-06-23T12:37:52-04:00

I think one must define "safety". Does it really exist?

Response by SGT Randall Smith made Jun 23 at 2017 3:09 PM

2017-06-23T15:09:33-04:00

There is no such thing as a "safe" mos. During TET 1968 the cooks and bottle washers had rifles and were fighting. On one site the radio shack took a RPC and all 3 inside were KIA. On our site the horn tower took a hit. A Spec 5 and his assistant climbed the tower while taking fire and re wired the horn so we had commo. Every one had a safe MOS.

Response by CPO Bill Penrod made Jun 25 at 2017 10:45 AM

2017-06-25T10:45:13-04:00

Makes little difference what about what your mos is. Your duty station is what matters. First might be a MCAS in California. A year later your shitz might be hitting the fan in the middle East....

Response by PO3 Albert Hyde made Jun 27 at 2017 3:22 PM

2017-06-27T15:22:27-04:00

Detailers in Washington DC

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Jun 30 at 2017 8:09 PM

2017-06-30T20:09:03-04:00

actually my mos 26v was fairly safe, the only danger I faced was the Saudi drivers between the Air Base and the USAMITM compound or an a electrical shock if I wasnt paying attention or some one rang the phoneline I was working on

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Jul 4 at 2017 11:56 AM

2017-07-04T11:56:09-04:00

I would have to say 71L, admin clerk. I used to date one. Very, sweet, innocent girl. In 2 years she was able to complete 2 years worth of college courses. No extra duties, no deployments, no alerts, & she got to spend one night in the field one time. All of her friends seemed to be like from a secretarial pool. However, it was her MOS & position that was safe. I've known people in the same MOS that went to every course they could go to & even one young female 71L who was attached to the SF while fighting rebels in the jungles in some far off place. I'm sure there are people with combat arms MOSs that have some cushy assignment someplace that keeps them safe too.

Response by SGT Kyle Bickley made Jul 6 at 2017 3:17 PM

2017-07-06T15:17:57-04:00

Don't join!

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Jul 8 at 2017 9:49 AM

2017-07-08T09:49:03-04:00

Depends on the branch of service. As mentioned already, a band member received a purple heart and disability. You see, in the Marine Corps everyone is trained as a rifleman first and then some go off to "A" school for technical training. When I was in Vietnam, my hooch was next door to the 1st Marine Air Wing band. Their other job was to protect the commanding general when we came under attack, which happened often. I had friends who were fellow communications center men who were sent out on patrols from time to time. In the Wing where I was at, we didn't go out on patrols in the bush, but we had to spend time in Zulu Platoon when we got there and patrol the area around the air strip.

When I was in Iraq with the Army NG, everyone in my unit did time out on the road on security duty traveling from Camp Taji to any number or other FOBs in the country. Then we had our parent headquarters unit where none of them ever went out on the road.

I have no clue about the sailors and airmen. Never dealt with them in Iraq, but I did spend a night with a CB unit in Nam and they did a hell of job protecting the perimeter the night I was there.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Jul 9 at 2017 3:43 PM

2017-07-09T15:43:23-04:00

Safest MOS is the one that fulfills ones call.

Do what you were made to do.

Any other path is at best noise, at worst dangerous.

Follow your call.

Response by Sgt Michael Clifford made Jul 10 at 2017 6:49 AM

2017-07-10T06:49:49-04:00

That might have been the fact at one time but in recent years there seems to be a greater threat to recruiters and recruiting stations by home grown jihadists than there ever was.

Response by SPC Makissa Lewis made Jul 15 at 2017 8:24 AM

2017-07-15T08:24:39-04:00

There is no safe MOS in the military since regardless of your job you are a soldier first and that in itself is dangerous.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 16 at 2017 10:14 PM

2017-07-16T22:14:55-04:00

Cpl Joshua Caldwell: I served in O3C (Special Services) as a Sports Director. We still had to carry M-16's; however, to me, that was the safest branch of the military. Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired

Response by SFC Charlie Jones made Jul 17 at 2017 6:31 AM

2017-07-17T06:31:05-04:00

If you are worried about being safe then take their drivers license away from them and never pit them in vehicle.
Statistically speaking, they ar much more likely to die in an automobile accident than a combat zone.

Response by SGT Liz Georges made Jul 18 at 2017 8:46 PM

2017-07-18T20:46:21-04:00

68P, Xray Tech, is pretty safe, as are most of the ancillary medical jobs (optometry tech, dental tech, lab tech, mental health tech, etc), along with biomedical equipment tech, I think maybe that was 68A, those guys fix our xray equipment and it pays huge civilian money afterwards. Sure there are risks with every job but being assigned to a hospital or ASMC (I was in the Guard), you're not exactly in the line of fire. Medics are assigned to every type of unit so could very well end up being a line medic for an infantry unit, not as safe as a hospital assignment. Test scores gotta be up there for the medical jobs though.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2017 5:04 PM

2017-07-20T17:04:30-04:00

If your not willing to take risk, and make sacrifice, I would say probably just dont join.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 20 at 2017 5:07 PM

2017-07-20T17:07:12-04:00

Safe and Military are two words that do not combine - if you want safety, stay home with Mama and Papa

Response by SSG Russell Cunningham made Jul 22 at 2017 8:21 AM

2017-07-22T08:21:12-04:00

There aint one lol

Response by SSgt James Tadlock made Jul 23 at 2017 9:43 PM

2017-07-23T21:43:17-04:00

Never heard that before, but I never saw one in a bunker either.

Response by SSgt James Tadlock made Jul 23 at 2017 9:45 PM

2017-07-23T21:45:11-04:00

I always dreaded being a cook. ????????I don't know

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 4:17 PM

2017-07-24T16:17:04-04:00

Air Force.

Just kidding. It's hard to say what is the safest job on the modern battlefield. Nest net is to stay away from Combat Arms. Or just don't join if it's that much of an issue.

Response by Cadet 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 5:52 PM

2017-07-24T17:52:00-04:00

recruiter

Response by Sgt William Collins made Jul 27 at 2017 1:15 PM

2017-07-27T13:15:11-04:00

Veteran . . .

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 27 at 2017 1:51 PM

2017-07-27T13:51:31-04:00

It's not a matter of "safety" but a matter of relative "risk". The military is not "safe" as there is always a chance you will get injured or killed performing military tasks, but you can mitigate the "risk" somewhat. Some jobs have less inherent risk than others. CSS jobs are a lot less inherently risky than combat arms jobs.

Response by PFC Roger Goff made Jul 27 at 2017 3:19 PM

2017-07-27T15:19:03-04:00

Not that I support finding safety in military service but back in my day we would joke that basketball dispatcher would be one of the easiest and safest jobs.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jul 29 at 2017 4:50 PM

2017-07-29T16:50:48-04:00

This reminds me of how irate I got when the POGs started whining about PT. A rocket attack doesn't care what your MOS is. I know plenty of"soldiers" who got an education when our firebase was overrun. A month later when it happened again.

If you aren't a shooter, you are a TARGET

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2017 7:30 PM

2017-07-29T19:30:20-04:00

I'm gonna take a SWAG and say 0111, combat admin.

Response by CSM William DeWolf made Jul 29 at 2017 7:50 PM

2017-07-29T19:50:00-04:00

HOOAH! CPT Snell

Response by 1stSgt Nelson Kerr made Jul 29 at 2017 9:41 PM

2017-07-29T21:41:34-04:00

2W2X1 NUCLEAR WEAPONS tech, never going to be in Combat or even within a thousand miles of where they can be taken prisoner.

Response by LCpl Jeff Moore made Jul 29 at 2017 11:43 PM

2017-07-29T23:43:58-04:00

For the marine corp i can see 0241 Imagery Analysis Specialist being pretty safe, along with 2611 Cryptologic Digital Network Technician/Analyst, 44 Legal Services, 55 Music,

Response by MSgt Roger Settlemyer made Jul 30 at 2017 1:09 AM

2017-07-30T01:09:59-04:00

If The Issue is safety, all MOS have a certain amount of Risk. My guess would be (Grave Registration) MOS 92M Their Headquarters are at Dover Air Force Base. They do have a very high PTS which is understamble. They come after the battle and identify the remains. Land Mines can be aproblem. It is a job I would not want any part of. But it's safe.

Response by CW2 Michael Mullikin made Jul 30 at 2017 7:04 PM

2017-07-30T19:04:27-04:00

I always thought highly of MOS 57E Laundry, Bath And Impregnation Specialist; sadly some research disclosed that it was not what I imagined it to be. I attended 7th Army NCO Academy with a young sergeant who thought combat arms troops got all the credit for tough jobs. He was a 03C ATHLETIC INSTRUCTOR/SPORTS SPEC1AST; during the summer he was a lifeguard and during the winter a ski patrolman at the military recreation center at Garmisch, FRG. I know that anyone in the military can be potentially in danger, but these two strike me as about as safe as you can get. Some might say the band, however when in the field the band becomes the headquarters security element.

Response by SPC Ron Walker made Aug 4 at 2017 2:42 PM

2017-08-04T14:42:34-04:00

I would say probably a typist or some administration job. Rare that they would see combat

Response by MSgt Gloria Gray made Aug 5 at 2017 12:48 AM

2017-08-05T00:48:49-04:00

I have just loved reading all these responses. Everyone is so passionate about their own branch. As we should be. In Iraq and Afghanistan there are no clear cut front lines. Everyone is in danger. Sometimes from the very troops we train. I'm enjoying the very lively discussion as well as the personal stories. Keep faith my brothers and sisters.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 5 at 2017 1:38 AM

2017-08-05T01:38:00-04:00

AFSC 13NX

Response by SrA J King made Aug 5 at 2017 9:46 AM

2017-08-05T09:46:59-04:00

President

Response by SSgt Kevin Beckley made Aug 6 at 2017 12:14 AM

2017-08-06T00:14:25-04:00

Let the young person decide for his or herself. The helicopter/soccer mom should just let them be an adult. There is no Safe MOS. When I join the AF my mother wasn't happy but she new I had to do what I wanted. It was time to leave the nest. Now days they want them to be safe, thus causing their children to not be able to cope in the real world.

Response by PO1 Edward Pate made Aug 6 at 2017 7:08 AM

2017-08-06T07:08:00-04:00

To be honest it was a thought that really never occurred to me back when I was going in. I had wanted to be in the military since I was young and understood that its role, despite all the Madison Ave ad hype, is to kill people and break things to defend this nation. Years later a coworkers son was going in the Navy and thought he had a nice safe cushy job. I asked what his rate was going to be and he told me Corpsman. When I informed him that Corpsman are the Corps medics I thought he was going to have a coronary!

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Aug 6 at 2017 9:02 AM

2017-08-06T09:02:12-04:00

Being a civilian working state side on a military installation

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2017 12:17 PM

2017-08-06T12:17:47-04:00

In my opinion one of the Safest MOS' would be Laundry and Bath Specialist. It is an MOS often overlooked. Field Units should appreciate them a lot more than they do. While it may be a safe MOS. It would be a thankless MOS because they provide a much needed service especially to troops in the field.

Response by MSG Don Burt made Aug 6 at 2017 3:36 PM

2017-08-06T15:36:37-04:00

Personally, there is no safe MOS in any of the Military Services if you consider what lies ahead for this country’s service members. As long as we have any form of Terrorism against this country and the men and women who protect the greater good of the USA, then there’s no 100% safe place to be. Once an aggressor has been established, then even the Cooks, Clerks and any other “relatively safe” MOS will be called upon to kill the enemy...killing the enemy is the ultimate job or task for “All” of the Military personnel no matter what they are classified as. That’s the price you pay to be able to live in the GREATEST COUNTRY THE WORLD AS EVER SEEN.

Response by SGT George Duncan made Aug 6 at 2017 6:11 PM

2017-08-06T18:11:26-04:00

civilian privet civilian first class

Response by SPC John Bryson made Aug 14 at 2017 5:27 PM

2017-08-14T17:27:12-04:00

HUA to that GySgt!

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2017 1:32 AM

2017-08-20T01:32:10-04:00

I'd say being a 14T is the safest MOS in the army.

Response by SSgt Christopher Mortell made Aug 21 at 2017 12:08 PM

2017-08-21T12:08:17-04:00

Unless you join and immediately find a way to stay in and be non-deployable, there will always be some risk of going somewhere unsafe. Just putting on the uniform everyday could make someone a target. That said, many support jobs don't deploy often. If you live on base, you'll live in a gated community with 24/7 armed guards. Can't get much safer. Even civilian life carries risk.

Response by SSG Matt Murphy made Aug 28 at 2017 10:27 AM

2017-08-28T10:27:24-04:00

Linguist - USAFSS 20351,USNR CTI-9211,USAR SF 31V3P, USMCR 2643

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2017 10:42 PM

2017-08-28T22:42:35-04:00

Safest is a very relative term in the military are you talking about risk of going to combat, getting hurt in training excercise it really all depends what you mean by dangerous.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Sep 5 at 2017 12:00 AM

2017-09-05T00:00:54-04:00

Be a reservist and apply for MOS producing schools, continually re-class about every two years with a request for "MOS" Refresher training. that way you earn the retirement points needed on the reserve side. and by being in "School" when the unit deploys!!! See, stay safe, get educated, just remember NOT to re-join your old unit upon completion of "refresher training; can't let "Top" know you're scam'n

Response by SFC Joseph Dunphy made Sep 6 at 2017 10:01 PM

2017-09-06T22:01:40-04:00

Being promoted to the rank of retirement

Response by SPC Thom Ryan made Sep 9 at 2017 9:30 AM

2017-09-09T09:30:51-04:00

Safe? If we wanted "safe," we would have joined the Merchant Marine. We were/are trained as combat soldiers first, then our specialties. In wartime, EVERYONE'S on patrol when and if the need arises.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2017 4:09 PM

2017-09-09T16:09:42-04:00

Guitarist MOS?

Response by SSG Diane R. made Sep 9 at 2017 8:09 PM

2017-09-09T20:09:30-04:00

Dad told me, there are no safe jobs in the army when I informed him that I wanted to enlist. So after looking over all the potential MOSs the Army offered I was steered towards Air Defense. First, Safeguard, then Chaparral-Vulcan, and finally Hawk and Patriot. All in all it was a very exciting career.

In 1991 a forward unit of the 3rd Battalion 43rd ADA made contact with the remnants of an Iraqi Republican guard division just south of Basra and got into a fierce firefight. So, there are no safe places in the army.

Response by LTC David Brown made Sep 9 at 2017 8:19 PM

2017-09-09T20:19:20-04:00

I think a Nursing . Get your degree, go in as an officer, not a bad gig! That being said one of the largest group of causalities in DS/DS was a hospital that got hit by a scud.

Response by SGT Todd Miller made Sep 11 at 2017 9:29 PM

2017-09-11T21:29:32-04:00

Chaplains assistant and cook seemed like pretty safe MOS'. I prefer a little more excitement. As far as civilian life, I tell my son that you never know when you're going to get hit by a dump truck. Look both directions before crossing the road. Always be prepared, Semper Paratus. I've learned that it only takes 5 seconds sometimes to separate life from death. Sometimes you make a decision and things happen so quickly that you don't have an opportunity to change your mind. So think before you act. When things happen to you that are outside your control that could result in death, that's when all that military training takes over and you automatically do as you've been trained. My friend, who has problems, shot himself in the head with a large caliber rifle. His Ranger buddy saved his life. That critical medical training came from the military. My wife had a perforated intestine and got septic and almost died. We thought she had the flu. I studied anatomy and slow death kill shots at the Ft. Polk library. I learned about sepsis in the military. That training saved my wife. I was armored cavalry and I learned to drive anything and everything. I have been through car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and road breakdowns. I learned how to drive through hell and fix anything with bubble gum and duct tape if necessary. That training came from the military. It stays with you for life and makes a huge difference. Young people coming out of the military don't seem to realize the other skills they have learned that continue to pay dividends for the rest of their lives. The best part is the government pays for that training, in the civilian world it would cost a small fortune to learn the things we take for granted now.

Response by SSG Alfonso Pagan made Sep 18 at 2017 12:35 PM

2017-09-18T12:35:49-04:00

Recruiter

Response by CPT David Lowe made Sep 20 at 2017 12:29 AM

2017-09-20T00:29:37-04:00

It i is the duty of all service members, no matter what branch or duty, to protect and defend the constitution of our country, to be a riflemen in the heat of battle if so required. From Bunker Hill to the USS Arizona, to Baghdad, service men and women who did not consider themselves combatants died for their country. From cooks to clerks, they fought. We don't join the military to be safe, We join to serve our country. If you are looking for safe, join the peace corps.

Response by LT Eric Reinhold made Sep 20 at 2017 10:57 AM

2017-09-20T10:57:00-04:00

Well, I was a Naval Officer and served in the Supply Corps a Disbursing/Payroll and Food Service Officer. The biggest accidents my enlisted men/women had were self inflicted paper cuts or with food service equipment. As far as branches of the Service, Marines and Army will be the most dangerous. In the Navy the most dangerous have to deal with aviation billets, obviously Special Forces. Then the Air Force. If you go in the Navy, at least at this point we don't have many countries attacking our ships or submarines, so MOS billets associated with those two would be the safest.

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Sep 30 at 2017 10:39 PM

2017-09-30T22:39:28-04:00

Something else that you don't have. And, with current force structure and OPTEMPO, I recommend finding a copy of Battleground, the old WWII movie about the Battle of the Bulge, particularly the battles around Bastogne. Clerks, cooks, drivers and so on were all handed rifles and sent to stop the Waffen SS, and with the help of the 101st, Patton's weather prayer, and their own intestinal fortitude, they did.

Response by MAJ Todd Lamb made Oct 1 at 2017 8:32 AM

2017-10-01T08:32:10-04:00

Amin.

Response by SGT Ivory Brown made Oct 1 at 2017 12:25 PM

2017-10-01T12:25:28-04:00

there's no longer in the rear with the gear Mos's. i once was on route clearance and we had cooks, fulers etc and i myself was a mechanic. never done anything like that and was trained in 2 weeks.

Response by SPC Edward Fraser made Oct 1 at 2017 12:51 PM

2017-10-01T12:51:06-04:00

I'm really a 'dinosaur ' caught between the Korea & Vietnam nightmares, my MOS was "074.10". My DD214 lists that as "Athlete". 3 1/2 years With nearly 3 as TDY to Special Services Infact, that kept me out of Nam when after 5 yrs as a civic I tried to read for Nam in '67 & they wouldn't take me! (In retrospect a blessing I guess) saying they didn't want anyone with an MOS below a 'picket fence' eg. 1.11 Infantry. It mattered not that I was an expert marksman. So, may have actually been a "safe" MOS. But, 15 months in Korea in '59 was hell enough. Those that served at anytime of conflict have my utmost gratitude and deepest respect.

Response by SGM Harvey Boone made Oct 1 at 2017 11:19 PM

2017-10-01T23:19:19-04:00

Bottom line every one is a 11B first. then their Mos Shoot first them do what you do to play. The one that is due respect above the rest is the combat medic.

Response by PO2 Buddy Stewart made Oct 2 at 2017 1:33 AM

2017-10-02T01:33:24-04:00

Well, I don't know that anything is all that safe if the #$@! hits the fan. I knew I wasn't going to run around the woods with a rifle, so I joined the Navy. If they wanted my ass they're were going to have to backstroke out to get me. That being said, I didn't have a lot of faith in my ability to backstroke home if we were sunk. I guess you pick your poison.

Response by SFC Ken Heise made Oct 2 at 2017 3:02 AM

2017-10-02T03:02:38-04:00

Civilian

Response by LTC John Bush made Oct 2 at 2017 12:40 PM

2017-10-02T12:40:32-04:00

None are "safe" On my first tour in Vietnam i was concerned I would see no action because i was in a supply unit and then along came TET in 1968 and an intense two day firefight. If safe is your objective try something else. Look at las Vegas on 1 October and tell me where safe is?

Response by 1SG William Svoboda made Oct 6 at 2017 9:27 AM

2017-10-06T09:27:53-04:00

I remember teaching military science at the NCO Academy and talking LIC, (Low intensity conflict) and HIC, (High intensity conflict), and talking about how battle fields develop with clear lines such as the Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT) and Forward Edge of Battle Area (FEBA an intentional or unintentional boundary).
Typical modern conflicts are vastly different, characterized by "war amongst the people", the concept of a "Three Block War", and the presence of an asymmetric, 360° threat from irregular or extremist, terrorist combatants. In those cases, the front line, FEBA, FLOT and FLET are almost conceptual ideas. The term "front line" has come to refer more to any place where bullets and bombs are flying or are likely to fly.
So, now there are no real "safe" MOS' just safer assignments with less (predictable) risks. Risk managers will tell you that all jobs or professions have risks that graduate up a predictable scale and while we can prevent and or minimize them, no job is completely absent of them. Military service is by far no exception however, for me this was my most rewarding career on many levels.

Response by SrA Zo Evans Sr made Oct 10 at 2017 1:53 PM

2017-10-10T13:53:49-04:00

The USAF is definitely safer than some of the other branches, depending on your MOS. However I was a 46250 , that’s a Journeyman Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist for all you non Air Force types. Yes, I’ve been shot at, scudded , been in the shit holes in KKMC alongside the Army guys During Desert Storm. Just because a person joins the USAF doesn’t mean they’re not Army or Marine worthy, it’s just that we don’t like being targets.... that makes us kinda special.

Response by SPC Dave Loeffler made Oct 14 at 2017 10:58 AM

2017-10-14T10:58:56-04:00

There is no safe MOS, some have a lesser amount of exposure to hazardous situations. The military is a high hazard occupation. Like policemen and fire fighters its all about location a present duty assignment.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Oct 14 at 2017 7:18 PM

2017-10-14T19:18:48-04:00

Some Clerk position in the Air Force.

Response by SSG Steven Lemon made Oct 19 at 2017 8:00 AM

2017-10-19T08:00:45-04:00

The "safest" MOS is the one that allows you the most opportunities to protect yourself.
The largest single largest loss of life during the Gulf War was when 29 REAR ECHELON men and women were killed when an enemy rocket sruck their barracks miles a way from the "dangerous" fighting

Response by SSG Franklin Briant made Oct 22 at 2017 4:48 PM

2017-10-22T16:48:43-04:00

I retired after 20 years and change. There is no safe job in the military. By the nature of the job it is all dangerous. You are taught to survive the battle field during basic or boot camp. But the truth is anyone can get lucky and hit you at any time. To all our troops how are serving now thank you and have a good life. For those who have served in the past thank you my brothers and sisters.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2017 3:41 PM

2017-10-24T15:41:05-04:00

I would probably say Public Affairs Officer or Human Resources Officer/NCO. But if you REALLY want safe, go for Chaplain/Chaplain Assistant.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 1:59 PM

2017-10-26T13:59:43-04:00

The safest MOS is all dependent upon a number of things, most importantly, what type of enemy we’re fighting and what our GOs think it will take to defeat our enemy. I’ve deployed a number of times while enlisted, once as 92F to Iraq with a support company, but it was during the serge, so we were ALL 11B for the year and 8 mos we were there. It’s not about “safe” it’s about the probability of frequently being put in harms way. The needs of the Military!

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Oct 28 at 2017 3:44 AM

2017-10-28T03:44:15-04:00

I would have to agree with GySgt Gravila. No MOS is safe. Military Police, cooks, aircraft maintainers, truck driver, pilots, clerks, etc., may be considered "safe" by other MOS' but they all have their hazards. Think about it, lifting heavy objects, controlling massive weights at certain speeds, swinging on a rope on the obstacle course. One misstep and your in the hospital for a long visit with yourself.

Response by COL David Turk made Oct 31 at 2017 1:42 PM

2017-10-31T13:42:41-04:00

I can tell what it used to be. Prior to the mid 1970's, there used be a position called "duty soldier"; didn't know the MOS. These were army personnel assigned to a post for the Post commander to use as he saw fit; usually stuff like drivers, post police call,etc. I saw a few who were on a "paint rocks" detail (HQ office entrance way). They did away away with the assignment in the middle 1970's. I assume none of them ever made it past E-4.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Nov 5 at 2017 6:47 PM

2017-11-05T18:47:06-05:00

I was asked that a lot when I was recruiting. I always said a cook. However, our cook almost lost his head when a VBIED went off outside our fob. He was uninjured.

Response by SPC Robert Martinez made Nov 5 at 2017 9:23 PM

2017-11-05T21:23:13-05:00

In my time in the US ARMY our Drill Sergeants that served in the Infantry in the Vietnam Conflict told the recruits you start first in basic training on how to shoot a rifle, shoot small fire arms, fire a M-60 Machine Gun, fire a M-72 LAW, throw a hand grenade, trained to wear a NBC full mask, trained to conceal yourself in any environment, training on how to apply medical attention to wounded soldiers and go through a tough physical training. Basic Training will be your survival tools you are trained on before you take the next step on your MOS job training in case you are in any combat or hostile situation. Just like other posts have mentioned there are no safe MOS's because when it comes down to your survival in a hostile situation you better be ready. So what ever your MOS is in the Armed Forces you were trained to survive and fight.

Response by Megan Pioch made Nov 11 at 2017 3:57 PM

2017-11-11T15:57:49-05:00

Respectfully, there is no safe MOS. Military personnel die during trainings. I know paratrooper cooks who saw combat. Women truck drivers who saw combat when their trucks were ambushed. All of you chose to accept the risk of death - whether you’re inside doing clerical work or out in Special Operations. Before you blast me, remember the dead at Bases like Ft. Hood, the DC Navy yard, Ft. Dix, and Bases OCONUS. People including civilians went to work thinking they were going to have an ordinary day and ended up dead. You all represent the best of US - whether you’re a veteran or actively serving. And people want you dead because you wear/wore the uniform. My friend attended the US Marine Corps Ball in NYC last night with her friend, a USMC Captain. Police were in heavy presence there, protecting our Marines. No matter which Branch you’re in or served in, you’re all worth honoring for your choice. Thank you, and Semper Fidelis. Respectfully -

Response by Cpl James Smith made Nov 11 at 2017 6:10 PM

2017-11-11T18:10:02-05:00

Infantry....that way you always know the odds...just kidding, personally, safety is a lie in general, have you ever driven in rush hour traffic, anywhere, that's dangerous. Going out in public is getting more dangerous..
It is of course the military, a trained fighting force, with all kinds of "jobs" to be had, from admin to grunts, but it is all military...

Response by MCPO Lee Oslund made Nov 12 at 2017 7:25 PM

2017-11-12T19:25:33-05:00

There is no "safest" MOS. Many people think that Navy or Coast Guard, or the Air Force couldn't possibly be dangerous because we're not on the "front line". I was still active duty when the Stark was hit by two Iraqi cruise missiles. Sailors of every MOS (NEC in the Navy) were killed. I rode submarines for my entire career. Anyone who tells you it's the safest place to be has obviously never served on one. (For reasons I will keep to myself that is all I will say).

My father wanted to move us to Australia during the Viet Nam conflict to keep my brothers and I out of the reach of the draft. I enlisted when I was 17 and shipped off to recruit training at 18 years and two months. I'll never regret it, nor will I ever forget the best friends that I lost in the line of duty.

Nothing in this life is guaranteed, not even waking up tomorrow. For me, one of my kids served in the Navy, did one hitch and got out. The other two went to college. Each had their own choice to make, and I insisted that each was able to chart their own course. That, in my opinion, is the best way to go. They make their own decisions, take responsibility for their own decisions, and have the personal satisfaction of knowing that they were able to chart their own path

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Nov 12 at 2017 8:22 PM

2017-11-12T20:22:17-05:00

11B Light Weapons Infantry you don't look that important on the battlefield!!

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Nov 12 at 2017 8:24 PM

2017-11-12T20:24:48-05:00

11B LIGHT WEAPONS INFANTRY YOU DON'T LOOK THAT IMPORTANT ON THE BATTLEFIELD!!!!!!!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2017 10:39 PM

2017-11-14T22:39:19-05:00

12P is very low risk from the enemy, but you play with >4000 volts for a living.

Response by Sgt Warren Terch made Nov 15 at 2017 1:32 AM

2017-11-15T01:32:29-05:00

USMC here, school in Admin, then in Radio. guess what, went to Nam and sat in the door of a chopper with a radio strapped to my back. In the Corps there is no such thing as a "SAFE MOS"

Response by SP5 Chris Del Regno made Nov 16 at 2017 6:13 PM

2017-11-16T18:13:20-05:00

From an old Vietnam era guy, I can say that every person in the military is a soldier first. They might not ever fire their weapons again after basic or AIT training, but there are weapons assigned to them, somewhere, and they are expected to fight when necessary. I was an old army ranger and my buddy was a clerk typist at the same time. He didn't have many bullets fired at him, but there were stories about some cook who got an eggshell in his eye and convinced his company clerk to write him up a recommendation for a Purple Heart for "Shell fragment in left eye." So, I guess even cooking chow can be dangerous sometimes!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2017 5:43 PM

2017-11-17T17:43:36-05:00

Reading the responses on here and most do not have the full grasp of all the facets the Army has. I would say the “safest” by far MOS is 17C. They are not a normal Army MOS and are very restrictive in duties and duty locations. Most will not ever go into a combat zone unless we are in world war 3 which no one would honestly be safe. They will stay out of combat zones and do cyber offense and defense from a location that will give them the access to the resources they need I.e. fast internet. They work mostly with the NSA.

Response by SGT Mark Friedman made Nov 17 at 2017 8:29 PM

2017-11-17T20:29:51-05:00

I am an actor by professional training. A friend of mine who was a professional friend had a son who wanted to join up. Elaine asked me to sit him down and take him through what would go on and what to expect.

This was the late 80s... I was an Army Reserve school instructor. Billy went hard core, much to his mother's surprise, and went 11B

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Nov 19 at 2017 4:25 AM

2017-11-19T04:25:25-05:00

"In the rear with the gear" (Full Metal Jacket)

Response by SSG James Behnke made Nov 19 at 2017 8:20 AM

2017-11-19T08:20:47-05:00

Mortuary Affairs. You sit in a funeral home....

Response by Kathlean Keesler made Nov 19 at 2017 1:25 PM

2017-11-19T13:25:28-05:00

Thank you for sharing this story.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Nov 19 at 2017 1:35 PM

2017-11-19T13:35:42-05:00

I can't think of a "safe MOS/AFSC". Therr's always something that can come out of the woodwork to bite your ass. Weather it's as an admin specialist, bomb loader, or just pumping gas into your car, something is going to bite. Even goig down the stairs in the barracks, you can slip, trip or fall over something as little as a nail.

Response by PO2 Kevin Parker made Nov 19 at 2017 9:45 PM

2017-11-19T21:45:55-05:00

You would think that an Admin type would be the safest, If you were never in the military! The safest MOS in the military is being a civilian and never joining. If you were looking for "safe" you shouldn't be thinking of defending our country!

Response by SP5 Norman McGill made Nov 20 at 2017 10:19 AM

2017-11-20T10:19:20-05:00

Don't think there is any "safe" MOS given the propensity of the Army to wage war. However from my experience I'd say that being a cook or otherwise associated with food service or being in supply in some manner would offer safer working conditions than say being out in the bush looking for the enemy. But even the cooks and the supply people are issued rifles in the field so they are considered combatants too. You could be called upon to actually get in there and fight no matter what MOS you have. When you join the military you lay your life on the line and hope that those in charge of such things know what the hell they're doing.

Response by SP5 Norman McGill made Nov 20 at 2017 10:22 AM

2017-11-20T10:22:35-05:00

Hey you,soldier! Get that entrenching tool down in the hole. It could ricochet a bullet right into your head and it's blocking the view of your field of fire.

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Nov 24 at 2017 10:20 PM

2017-11-24T22:20:36-05:00

More people are killed on the Public Highway then down range or any MOS in the Military. If you want to be truly safe crawl under Mom's rock and prey someone don't step on you. Danger comes when you lest expect it, then it depends on what you do next.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 25 at 2017 11:57 AM

2017-11-25T11:57:51-05:00

Interesting question, though, lol....

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Nov 25 at 2017 12:53 PM

2017-11-25T12:53:05-05:00

I truly think that Every one should be made to serve there country for 3 years and there really isn't any safe MOS. I would love to be able to go back in to serve my Infidb16.5 years I went in at 17.5 years old and really Enjoyed my self.
SSG Mark Franzen
USA Vet

Response by CPL Joseph Hutchinson made Nov 25 at 2017 11:57 PM

2017-11-25T23:57:32-05:00

Whatever a Lieutenant General does. :P

Response by Kevin Courtier made Nov 28 at 2017 12:48 AM

2017-11-28T00:48:39-05:00

Any MOS you are put into is your secondary MOS. All primary MOS's are infantry. Our soldiers are trained for combat. Regardless of their MOS.

Response by SPC David Willis made Nov 28 at 2017 5:01 PM

2017-11-28T17:01:52-05:00

I wouldn't imagine there's any truly "safe" job in the military. That being said if you're flying a drone everyday dropping tomahawks on bad guys from Tampa that's a pretty safe job.

Response by CPT Dent Cermak made Dec 2 at 2017 9:20 PM

2017-12-02T21:20:54-05:00

Safe MOS's? Sure, they DO exist. I entered the Army as an 81C-Cartographoc Drafter in 1969. The only hazard to that duty was getting sun burned or falling off a bar stool at the bar on Wikiki. The BN was on Ford Island and I lived a block off the beach. BUT remember this!! REMF or not, you NEVER read one report of any VC making it East of Diamond Head.

Response by SPC Matthew Errickson made Dec 2 at 2017 9:22 PM

2017-12-02T21:22:03-05:00

Regardless of how dangerous it is. The service gave me many a brother and sister that I can call friend.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Brady made Dec 5 at 2017 3:28 PM

2017-12-05T15:28:38-05:00

Some may think they have one. Little story...in August 1990 I reported to 3rd SFG at Ft Bragg as a Combat Photographer. A day or two after the cease fire of Desert Storm myself and one of our 18E's drove back to Saudi Arabia to pick up some supplies and decided to stop at a festival with a bunch of other Allied personnel. We were eating and listening to a 2LT and a SSG from some Army National Guard unit talk about why they joined and how much they hated being here. The short story was both joined for either education benefits or to have tuition paid off and thought they had safe jobs. Us being in a SF unit had sanitized uniforms. I looked a both of them, laughed and said "Well you just got a good education" and we walked out of the festival.

Point being your MOS may make you think you are safe however, situations changes at all times and you never know when you'll be put in harms way.

Response by MSG Alfred Aguilar made Dec 7 at 2017 6:48 PM

2017-12-07T18:48:56-05:00

Commander-in-Chief...

Response by PO1 Warren Jameson made Dec 20 at 2017 2:51 PM

2017-12-20T14:51:13-05:00

Looking at other stories in the news, I would have to say MARINE DRONE PILOTS... The even have their own Achievement Medal designation, They get a "R" for remote instead of "V" for valor...

Response by COL Dave Sims made Dec 21 at 2017 1:04 PM

2017-12-21T13:04:02-05:00

The safest MOS is one where you have confidence in your chain of command, your training and know that you are serving with a team of dedicated professionals. When you sign on the "dotted line" you are putting yourself in harm's way with unlimited liability. I personally would never jump out of a perfectly good airplane...but chose EOD because of the training and the idea that I was mostly controlling the action. Nowadays for the modern EOD soldier it is tougher because the bad guys have gotten more sophisticated...but I feel that pretty much most folks in our little community think they know how to get the mission done and stay as safe as possible. Lastly -your parents, and especially the Moms, want you to be safe...but when you open the door in the morning "it" is out there anyway. The life lessons you learn in the military will serve you well for a long time.

Response by SPC David Willis made Dec 22 at 2017 10:32 AM

2017-12-22T10:32:08-05:00

Anything with an (R) following it.

Response by PFC John Demilia made Dec 22 at 2017 5:48 PM

2017-12-22T17:48:19-05:00

Being a cook, i was an 11b. So you know i wasnt save

Response by SFC Gary Stanfill made Dec 25 at 2017 3:54 PM

2017-12-25T15:54:58-05:00

I was at Ft Gordon Ga and we had a MOH winner In our unit...I saw him Limping around one day and I ask him what was wrong...He was a snake eater Sf special ops type guy..He spent 2 tours in Nam even got captured and escaped one time...Any way he said he spent all that time in Nam and never got shot..He goes down town August Ga on Broad st and gets shot in the leg....

Response by SSgt Austen Jones made Dec 27 at 2017 10:52 PM

2017-12-27T22:52:14-05:00

I would recommend an specialty that relies for its job on heavy, largely immobile equipment or infrastructure. Something like traditional Air Traffic Control, or MRI Technician. Such roles are unlikely to find themselves under fire due to purely practical considerations. There is not, however, any guarantee against deployment in any specialty.

Response by SPC Allen Schott made Dec 28 at 2017 8:52 PM

2017-12-28T20:52:31-05:00

I was assigned to a Personnel Service Company, still had to qualify at the range, go through physical training. We used to joke about using our Underwood typewriters as a weapon, but most of us learned other skills: rappelling, martial arts. 71H20 goes into a combat unit and is expected to fight.

Response by Cpl David Wolgast made Dec 29 at 2017 6:36 PM

2017-12-29T18:36:06-05:00

The Remington Raiders!

Response by Cpl Robert Robertson made Dec 30 at 2017 6:16 PM

2017-12-30T18:16:47-05:00

Generals" aide??
if you sign the line you best be prepared to die and that is the palin hard truth

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2018 6:42 PM

2018-01-03T18:42:27-05:00

*cough* Coast Guard Yeoman *cough*....

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2018 2:29 PM

2018-01-06T14:29:43-05:00

"Military" and "Safe" are not words that go together.

Response by PO3 Scot Fahey made Jan 7 at 2018 4:27 PM

2018-01-07T16:27:39-05:00

in the military? Senior Exec Service? No eh? I enjoyed SSN. Submarines. good food, we hide with pride, much safer than that ground pounder stuff. sure a serious job, but in terms of Sailors getting injured or killed on the job, it is a safe job. Safer that driving on a highway, a damn sight safer than living America’s 25 Murder Capitals

Response by TSgt Christopher Duemmel made Jan 11 at 2018 9:48 AM

2018-01-11T09:48:14-05:00

I think that there is no such thing myself. I laughed at the young YN/PN who thought that because they were below decks pushing paperwork that they were in a "Safe" rating.... until I reminded them that everyone onboard ship is at risk. Ask the sailors that were on the USS Stark, USS Cole or USS Samuel B Roberts. You never know where the missile or mine will come from....and that doesn't even count the possibility of accidents.

Response by SGT Chris French made Jan 14 at 2018 11:22 PM

2018-01-14T23:22:51-05:00

Bottem line you put on the uniform you take chance one way or another

Response by LtCol George Carlson made Jan 15 at 2018 9:59 AM

2018-01-15T09:59:10-05:00

As has been pointed out, "safest" (an absolute word) is not relevant. Safety in the broadest sense, civilian and military, is a matter of what you are doing and where you are doing it. The 0141 (Admin clerk) in my ground defense platoon in Vietnam was at a much greater risk than the 0311 (Infantryman) in 2d MarDiv, in NC. The mere age group 18-25, is statistically unsafe, so maybe you can just lock you kids away in a bunker in Timbuktu for 8 years.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Jan 22 at 2018 11:51 AM

2018-01-22T11:51:17-05:00

Sp4 Byron Skinner. By most measures Public Relations MOS's, Dental Assistant, Chaplin Assistance, A staff position on a command that never leaves the United States in fact really outside of 11B and 11C really most of the jobs in the military are relatively safe. The Navy is probably the most dangerous service to be in. When a ship goes down the water makes no distinction from gunners mates and Yeomen, they all die. The USAF I would thin is rather rough of Jr. officers who are combat pilots. In the Army the worst position to be in is at base camp when the bell rings and some Lt. Colonel is going through looking for somebody with nothing to do and regardless of the troopers MOS, say get a weapon and get over to the sir strip or over to the vehicle ready area. You could find yourself in some heavy shit that you have never been trained for, I remember a soldier who had a non combat MOS but a Platoon had takes some heavy casualties that day, need bodies for a night ambush patrol, the kid was grabbed, the patrol went hot, he apparently was disoriented and walked in an M-60's fire. Blue on Blue.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2018 10:45 AM

2018-01-27T10:45:58-05:00

79R/S w/ V7 guidance counselor - chill at MEPS and screw over Soldiers

or the 88P T and U, railroad operations - yeah, its a job

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2018 1:21 AM

2018-01-29T01:21:49-05:00

There is NO 'safe place' in this World today, Except in GOD's protection !!! HOORAH !!! I was many times 'safer; in AFG than in the US !!! HOORAH ! My Citizenship Is in Heaven !!! This Is where I want to be !!!
Philippians 3:20-21 (NKJV)
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Response by SrA Joseph Gastrich made Jan 31 at 2018 4:43 PM

2018-01-31T16:43:11-05:00

Air Force 3D0X4 (Computer programmer). We are too valuable to send to any place dangerous.

Response by SGT Stephen Jaffe made Feb 2 at 2018 8:22 AM

2018-02-02T08:22:39-05:00

I enlisted in the US Army in January 1965. I enlisted for four years in a group called The Army Security Agency. I wasn't told what it does, but I would need a top secret clearance. If for some reason I could not be granted a clearance; the army would use me wherever it saw fit. No one knew what MOS they would be assigned until we received our orders after basic training. I was assigned to Ft. Gordon, Ga. for training as a communication center specialist. After traing, I was sent to Japan for two years. When that tour was up (July 1967), I was sent to the 311th ASA Battalion at Ft. Wolters, Texas. I got bored and requested an assignment in Vietnam. I was assigned to the 509th Radio Research Group (ASA not supposed to be there). Landed at Bien Hoa and transported to Long Binh. The 509th had units all over 'Nam, but I was assigned to RRCU-V at Tan Son Nhut Airbase. All ASA personnel were supposed to stay out of combat as much as possible due to our security clearance. We were warned in Japan that foreign intelligence would like to capture us to find out what we knew. It was especially true in 'Nam. Security officers said that 'Charlie' knew who we were and orders 'on high' to try and capture us and send us north. Probably wanted to turn us over to the Russians. During TET '68, we went through small arms fire, mortar and rocket attacks. Tan Son Nhut was in danger of being overun because the Air Force Security folks were running out of people. When we weren't working our shift in the comm center, we were assigned to a reaction platoon. We were issued our M14s and ammo and told when we got the word, we would be moving on line to help defend the base. Fortunately, a 2nd Corps commander by the name of Lt. Gen. Frederick Weyand sent some elements of the 11th Armored Cav. and First Infantry units to help out. In short, if you find yourself in a combat zone; you are subject to being killed at any time. It doesn't matter if you are a mess cook or orderly room clerk.

Response by Cpl Billy Ashworth made Feb 4 at 2018 5:07 PM

2018-02-04T17:07:17-05:00

In the Marines there is no safe MOS we are all Riflemen no matter what your MOS or job you have SEMPER FI

Response by LTC Richard Cooper made Feb 7 at 2018 7:54 PM

2018-02-07T19:54:16-05:00

I would suspect that MOS 92M Mortuary Affairs Specialist would be a pretty safe and fairly quiet MOS.

Response by CWO2 James Mathews made Feb 18 at 2018 4:56 PM

2018-02-18T16:56:35-05:00

Interesting Question! Actually, when enlisting in the Navy and then selecting Submarine School as my selection of a branch of that service, I admittedly had little fear of getting either killed or injured. However, when I later found out that one submarine had sunk with all hands while undergoing testing, and another was very mysteriously severely damaged and sank with all hands, That opened my eyes to the fact that there probably is no place in the military that is totally safe! Perhaps if that worries you, you should select some other service for your country, like being a Boy or Girl Scout Leader for four to twenty years, serve on your local City Council as a Volunteer for four to twenty years, or perhaps even join the Peace Corps for four to twenty years (If it is still in operation?). Fear for your life or for serious injury is nothing new, nor is it anything to be ashamed of, it just is that some people love this country enough to give life or limb to its continuance, and that MUST be an individual choice!
Respectfully Submitted;
Marcus Audens
MCPO TM (SS) [Permanent], CWO-2 [Temorary], USN (Ret.)

Response by SSG Victor Staples Sr. made Feb 24 at 2018 7:24 PM

2018-02-24T19:24:01-05:00

If you're worried about that you're Not one of us.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2018 7:52 PM

2018-02-25T19:52:18-05:00

None, there is no such thing, unless you invented one. Haha

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2018 12:02 AM

2018-02-28T00:02:46-05:00

Drone pilot

Response by PFC Stephen Barnes made Mar 6 at 2018 1:43 PM

2018-03-06T13:43:41-05:00

Response by SFC Walt Dellinger made Mar 27 at 2018 8:59 PM

2018-03-27T20:59:13-04:00

There is no “Safe MOS” you’re at the will of the army. I was a 13D, Fire direction for field artillery, and poof you’re a 31B MP, go to Iraq, patrol Mosul

Response by CPL James Zielinski made Mar 30 at 2018 11:41 PM

2018-03-30T23:41:10-04:00

anything 18 series. If you're in Special Forces in the field, you're befind enemy lines surrounded by indiginous guerilla forces, and the best trained US soldiers ever. Safer than civilian life.

Response by SGM Harvey Boone made Apr 1 at 2018 5:41 PM

2018-04-01T17:41:09-04:00

None you are an 11B first. then your MOS. Get used to it.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 2 at 2018 9:20 PM

2018-04-02T21:20:13-04:00

AF Drone pilot

Response by SPC James Lunn made Apr 6 at 2018 4:14 PM

2018-04-06T16:14:40-04:00

11B. Oh. You said safest? Lol

Response by SGT Donald Howard made Apr 6 at 2018 4:16 PM

2018-04-06T16:16:50-04:00

Define "Safest", I don't think military MOS's can be accurately defined in that way. In my mind, the only half way accurate way to answer the question would be to start with the one's that have the greatest risk to life and limb due to the nature of the MOS and on down the line.

Response by 2LT Ronald Reimer made Apr 1 at 2019 9:59 PM

2019-04-01T21:59:42-04:00

69 FUBAR: General of the Army, (if you mean “safest from dying in combat). If you mean “not get in trouble”, forget that. With the #MeToo accusations, smart phones and social media, I don’t know if there is a safe MOS. Maybe a gold bullion guard at Ft. Knox?