What MOS should I pick to help me get assigned at Fort Dix, Fort Hamilton, Picatinny Arsenal?

Rafael Luz — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 00:00:59 -0400

1st of all I'm Sorry for my lack of knowledge. I'm just a 28 yo married and green card holder, looking for some more information. I have MEPS in 8 days and I'd like to get a job that could possibly get me stationed in NY/NJ area in my 1st contract, or also not eliminating my chances of getting it when requesting on my dream sheet units. My recruiter said he isn't allowed to share what kind of MOS those units need (He couldn't even confirm if these 3 Units are the only possibilities I have), but I'm hopeful someone can share some valuable information. My beautiful american wife is pregnant and she'd rather giving birth here around her family.
*** My AFQT is 88.
*** I don't have clearance.
*** Bachelor's Degree in Business.
*** Humble and not picky.

Thank you all.

Response by SFC Steven Borders made Jun 2 at 2020 12:12 AM

SFC Steven Borders — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 00:12:11 -0400

Rafael Luz What MOS are you trying to get? As for getting your duty station you want right out the gate is almost impossible. You go where Big Army wants you to go. Because any time of 90 series you can go anywhere IE 91F Army Small Arms/Artillery Repairer. I wish I had a better answer for you, but well on Active you go where the Army needs you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2020 1:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 01:16:42 -0400

You are not going to get stationed at one of those locations. For a multitude of reasons, but basically you will probably never get stationed at one of those locations in your entire career.

Your wife isn’t giving birth for several months. You will be in training for several months and you might not ship to training for several months depending on the job you pick. You might still be in training when your wife gives birth. Or, you can let her stay with her family until she gives birth while you get the housing arranged at your next duty station.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 2 at 2020 11:59 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 11:59:55 -0400

You need to forget about all those posts as an entry level soldier. I commanded Picatinny Arsenal. There are 110 military onPicatinny. Almost all of them are Acquisition and Contracting Officers. There are about 10 very senior EOD NCOs. The Chaplain gets an assistant, also an NCO.

Ft Dix is mostly a reserve training base. There are a handful of senior AGR and AD as part of the Joint Base structure. There is a PM unit there but that would be a lightning strike.

Ft Hamilton has a Garrison with two senior slots, the Recruiting BN all senior people, and the USACE Division, all senior engineers.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 2 at 2020 12:11 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 12:11:57 -0400

Don't hold your breath= Hamilton and the arsenal are specialty spots with few MOS' and probably 0 1st termers. Dix is a training base- again very little for 1st termers after schooling, McGuire/Lakeheurst- USN/USAF- flight training.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2020 7:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 19:50:09 -0400

Welcome to the Army, their is a 99.9% chance you will never see those bases ever in you career. You are needs of the army on your first contract.

Response by SPC Terence Q Burns made Jun 2 at 2020 9:06 PM

SPC Terence Q Burns — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 21:06:55 -0400

I did Basic and AIT at Ft. Dix in the late '70s after one year of college. I heard that it isn't a full training post anymore. But I'll do some research on the fields that just might keep you near home at the bases that you want,

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Jun 2 at 2020 9:21 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 21:21:21 -0400

I was a drill Sgt there from 1981-1983. All dix was training. The 3rd bde was basic training and the 5th bde was AIT. I was a basic training g drill sergeant. I knew a few AIT drills. I know that from time to time the top AIT graduate sometimes got stay at Ft Dix. I have no idea what it’s like now. Usually that assignment was for 1 year if memory serves.

Response by SGT Richard Gocio made Jun 3 at 2020 12:06 PM

SGT Richard Gocio — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 12:06:50 -0400

?"MEPS in 8 days"?, Recruiter "can't share"?. You are already talking to the one person who CAN answer your questions, the Recruiter. As you have seen in the other comments, your dream posting for being home while your wife gives birth, is just that, dream. Hate to sound harsh there but it's true. Your recruiter is the best person to ask all questions about MOS choices and duty assignments. No one else has all the facts concerning your enlistment options and the commitments you have already made. Because you are scheduled for MEPS, you have already committed to something in writing. Follow through with that commitment, and "hope" that your assignments for training allow you to take leave for the birth. If your training is over (what MOS training takes less than the remaining term of the pregnancy? Most likely none, but if you are by some fluke at a permanent duty station), the leave should be granted with no problem. Welcome to Military family life, I hope the best for you and your family. Work hard brother