Will I get extra money in my paycheck because my job has the "Specialist" word after it (74D)?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:20:42 -0500

I wanted to know if i will get extra money on my paycheck because my job has the "Specialist" word after it, and i am currently in medical school and i was wondering how hard and easy it will be for me to get myself a degree in radioactive or biological (idk) because I don't feel like working on something and studying something else.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 4:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 16:15:49 -0500

No.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 5:42 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 17:42:01 -0500

"In medical school," it implies you've completed a bachelor's degree. Why are you enlisting? Why are you enlisting as an E-4/SPC?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2018 3:19 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 03:19:58 -0500

MOS's...Military Occupational SPECIALTYs are really all military jobs where a soldier with that specific training is a SPECIALIST in that training.

There are several MOS's who are referred as "Specialist" , and tend to be attributed to the more technical jobs. For example, in the Engineering Corp, there are several MOS's in the 12-Series (Engineers). However, some of the more specialized jobs, such as 12P-Prime Power Production Specialist, 12Q- Powerline Distribution Specialist, are "Specialist" MOS because of their nature.

In the Medical Career Field, there are 22 MOS's and they are all based on a separate specialist training and skill set. 68B-Orthopedic Specialist, 68-J Medical Logistics Specialist, 68-R Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist, and of course the 68-W Combat Medicine Specialist. among others.

In the Chemical Corps, there used to be 5 separate jobs that had specific trainings (specialties).

A little background in our MOS. We used to part of the 54-series.

54A: Chemical Operations Assistant, 54B: Chemical Operations Specialist, 54C: Smoke and Flame Specialist, 54D: Army Chemical Equipment Repairman, and 54E: Army Chemical Staff Specialist.

In the late 1980s, the other jobs were folded into 54B: Chemical Operations Specialist. Sometime in the 2000s, the MOS was changed again to the current 74D. (I don't know why they changed it and can't find any info about it.)

My point is, a "Specialist" MOS only implies specific training and not an entitlement to extra pay based on some level of training. There are some MOS's and skills that get extra pay (Special Forces, Jump Qualiifed) but this is a separate area.

Response by SGT Alejandro Sarandrea made Dec 28 at 2018 11:37 AM

SGT Alejandro Sarandrea — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 11:37:22 -0500

look into the special skill identifier of (L3) tech-escort, or 74DL3. If you marry that skill set with a bio-medical degree, in something like microbiology or toxicology, maybe tacking on Airborne and Ranger School you could find yourself with a whole lot of extra pay and some pretty neat assignments. it all depends how BAD ASS you really want to be.

Moreover, as a toxicologist with an operators skill set you could transition into some pretty interesting civil opportunities when your done with the Army.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 28 at 2018 12:55 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 12:55:17 -0500

Absolutely not until you make SPC.

Response by PO2 Andy Seydel made Jan 2 at 2019 8:46 PM

PO2 Andy Seydel — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 20:46:12 -0500

A 74D would get you a good job with an agency like FEMA after you get out if you're qualified for the MOS. A 68W takes a special kind of person. If you can go officer with your college credits I wouldn't pass it up.