Posted on Aug 2, 2016
In trying to pick your MOS, what factors aided in your decision?
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I am about to start processing through MEPS and take the ASVAB (again) and I have been trying to narrow down what I want to do in the Army. Its difficult trying to decide however when so many fields look appealing to me.
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Just my opinion, but I would not worry about how it translates to a job on the outside. You can (should) use the GI bill and go to college or a technical school when you're done anyway. Pick a job that sounds like something you want to do; something fun. If that ends up being something you can do in the civilian world, great. You can still get further training or certifications in it later.
You only get one chance to be in the gun club, and it's a young man's game. Don't waste your time doing something "practical" because it sounds like it's good for your future. Blow some shit up.
You only get one chance to be in the gun club, and it's a young man's game. Don't waste your time doing something "practical" because it sounds like it's good for your future. Blow some shit up.
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GySgt Bill Smith
I met a Sgt at Sergeants Course that filtered air for planes or some weird shit. I was like, you do what in the Marines??? We all know water filtration is where all the action is.
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SSG Lonny Self
OK so went in the army in 1976 as a 16c radar operations for missile system I wanted to be a diesel mechanic but a very good recruiter talked me down from my high aspirations nothing against mechs but I got the best job in the army at the time maybe flying helicopters or an ov10 might have rated better but just a little i made E-3 out of AIT and and was a sp4 six mouths later and made sgt in less than three years it was cool job with the longest hr you could "imagine" and lots of drills and training, but we got great meals worked inside most the time and had time to study and take corespondent courses traveled all over the world , when that job ended I went in the engineers but luck ran out and they made us 77w supply water treatment got to say it was a lot of hard time s duty but the mos served me well got down sized after the first gulf war at 17.5 years of service but wait did some time in the guard in water to then seen the light and just berried my self in my work as civilian , i got a job right out of the army in like three months as a waster water operator in training am now retired from that but my water treatment training and a corresponds courses from Berkeley ca got me where I needed to be and a lot more and I must tell you I miss the army and it was hard did not always make scenes but it did server its purpose, and would do it all over again
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For me I chose MP because I wanted to see what being a cop would be like and MPs can go to pretty much any post the army has. Choose something you like and would be fun to do and where you would like to be stationed at.
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Zachary S. first of all, congratulations! Secondly, welcome to the Brotherhood of Arms! Now on to your question ... it really boils down to your goals. Any MOS you chose will serve you well moving forward, as you are about to learn and practice skills that employers desire. These are called "soft skills" and they are things like commitment, dedication and loyalty. Over time, you will become a master problem solver and be able to think your way out of many difficult situations. The skills and experience that are MOS specific all hold value, but the amount depends on what you want out of the Army. Do you want to travel the world? Certain MOS's move around more than others. Are you hoping to be stationed at one spot in particular? Make sure that post has a billet for that MOS. Are you looking to get your schooling knocked out while still on active duty? Look for something less exciting and more stable, so your off-duty time can be spent in school. Only you can answer the question, but RP members can point out things for you to consider when making that choice. As mentioned before - research the job before you accept it! Get your short list together and then come back here and ask more questions. Ask your recruiter to take you on a base tour and set up interviews with people in those MOS's. Have lunch with them, pick their brains, get their contact info and keep in touch for a few weeks. You will be amazed what you can learn.
I am on the fence about transferable job skills in the civilian world. I see the value and think it can add a lot to your resume (especially in terms of experience (10 yrs vs just got your degree)), but the Army can give you the opportunity to do things you will never be able to do as a civilian. Weigh both sides of that coin and decide which you prefer.
Above all else - be the best "You" possible. Attitude is everything and if you go into it with that mind set, you will be miles ahead of the pack!
I am on the fence about transferable job skills in the civilian world. I see the value and think it can add a lot to your resume (especially in terms of experience (10 yrs vs just got your degree)), but the Army can give you the opportunity to do things you will never be able to do as a civilian. Weigh both sides of that coin and decide which you prefer.
Above all else - be the best "You" possible. Attitude is everything and if you go into it with that mind set, you will be miles ahead of the pack!
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Zachary S.
Thanks! I'm looking at potentially making the Army a career, if not though eventually working in the Intel field within the government. I currently have a BA in communications studies, I want to get a masters while in the service.
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SFC (Join to see)
If you have your BA and scored an 84 last time, i'm sure you will score that high again or close to it. Should look at going OCS with your degree. Question? Were you once in ROTC and if so, why didn't you commission from there?
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Cpl Kevin Osborne
SFC (Join to see) - Definitely agree; I would have gone to OCS if I had the opportunity to do it over again. Think of it this way; the military is going to trust you to lead people and be responsible for millions of dollars of equipment with little more than a college degree. Corporate America will expect 10-15 years before even considering to let you do that!
Look on Salary.com and see if there is anything that looks interesting to you. You can never go wrong having a civilian contingency plan if you don't make a career out of the Army, or even if you want to work for the Government after your service. Cyber Security is what is hot right now, along with Project Management.
Personally for me, I was a professional writer and wanted to know how to fix the equipment if something happened when I was conducting sports reporting. For that reason I chose to be a Field Radio Operator. I retook the ASVAB after 3 years in service and then, after my four volunteered in the Reserves as a Small Computer Systems Specialist. The commonality between the two careers was trouble-shooting, and that has helped immensely.
Look on Salary.com and see if there is anything that looks interesting to you. You can never go wrong having a civilian contingency plan if you don't make a career out of the Army, or even if you want to work for the Government after your service. Cyber Security is what is hot right now, along with Project Management.
Personally for me, I was a professional writer and wanted to know how to fix the equipment if something happened when I was conducting sports reporting. For that reason I chose to be a Field Radio Operator. I retook the ASVAB after 3 years in service and then, after my four volunteered in the Reserves as a Small Computer Systems Specialist. The commonality between the two careers was trouble-shooting, and that has helped immensely.
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