MOS's?

[_Questions22_]

I'm new to this forum and I was wondering if someone could help me? I am trying to choose between 4 different MOS's ( 91W, 21B, 15T, and 15R). I have a medical background and I would like to do something dealing with combat also. The recruiter is telling me since I have a medical background I should look at obtaining a second skill. Thats where the 15's are coming in. I want something I'll be able use if my plans for medical school fall through. I have no idea what the jobs listed above are really about. I know what the web sites and recruiters are telling me but I would like to here from someone who has worked in these positions before. Thanks!

[_Questions22_]

Ok, I've decided on either 91W or 21B. Does anyone out there have experience in either one of these feilds? If so, what is it like? Is 21B an 11B with demo? I have a medical background so would it be smart to stick with 91W or try something new? I know its my decision but some input on the MOS's would help. Thanks!

[Doc]

Ok, I've decided on either 91W or 21B. Does anyone out there have experience in either one of these feilds? If so, what is it like? Is 21B an 11B with demo? I have a medical background so would it be smart to stick with 91W or try something new? I know its my decision but some input on the MOS's would help. Thanks!

There is no better job than medic in the Army! Go Medic, you will not regret it!

What is a 21b?

[2ndglance]

21 Bravo is Combat Engineer

[_Questions22_]

Thanks for responding. I am still having trouble choosing an MOS. Simply due to the length of the contract (6 Yrs). Thats a long time to do something you don't enjoy. Thats why I was wondering if anyone could give me some indepth info on the jobs. If there is anyone out there I would like to here from you. Thank You again.

[Shawn F.]

Combat Engineering was something I was looking into. I am joining as well and stuck between a few as well. Where at in NC are you located? Anywhere near Charlotte?

[_Questions22_]

I live near in Winston Salem. Not to far. Still Looking at jobs? I am, and getting tired of looking. I refuse to take just any old job and I guess I'll keep looking as long as it takes. Later.

[Shawn F.]

I am with you on that one man. I don't know what the heck to do... I am beginning to think it's not a good idea anymore but I don't know. It's all between 11B, 44B (metal worker) or something around there. I am wondering if they would let me go up to the Infantry unit here in NC to help me decide.

[_Questions22_]

I had it all figured out until a guy I know told me that this was my chance to gain a second skill. He said he was a Marine for 8 years and when his contract ran out he got out and went to school for truck repair. He started missing the Military so he joined the Army Guard and he repaired trucks, since he knew what he was doing. So he then told me M-F he repaired trucks and one weekend a month he repaired trucks. After a while he got tired of repairing trucks. So he switched MOS's and is now happy.

I was going for 91W (Medic) until he told me that story. Now I'm all screwed up. I went to a Air Guard unit last week for a peek at what they offered. Its kinda the same but no "College First" programs and the unit I went to deploys ALL OF THE TIME.

I don't know what its like to deploy so I can't say I would mind it but I can say I don't want to leave my family. My family doesn't want me to either but its part of the experience. I can just about bet no one in the Military wants to leave there families but if everyone stayed home who would protect the counrty? Who would take care of the next New Orleans or the US conflicts? My uncle asked me today, what are we fighting for in Iraq? Bombs, Guns, to free the people? If its the poeple, when will we know when they are free and what then? I couldn't give him a answer but its questions like these that are making it hard. One half of me wants to go to MEPS tomorrow and the other half is wondering if its good idea. I want the school benifits but I can take a loan out too. See, its a never ending battle. There is always an answer and another question. All I can say is good luck, I know I'll need it, and let me know what you do.

[Shawn F.]

Man I am in the EXACT same boat as you! I am stuck between Infantry, Military Police or Metalworker... I want Infantry but then again I don't want to be sent out and then again I never been so I don't know. I feel that if I do this and get sent out then I am leaving everything here behind like my school, drumming, my job which is building hot rods which is what I really like to do. Then again, you think about it... It's only 3 years, that will go by quick. They say you will be sent out for only one year but I think they are lying. I have talked to some guys and they said they were gone for just about 2 years! I'd like some answers to this. I go to take the ASVAB tomarrow and the recruiter is trying to get me to go to MEPS on Friday.

[TRUEBLUE4LIFE]

Shawn F and Question22....
What do you enjoy doing? what can you see yourself doing? and what are you good at ? belive me I went thru the same thing. I like the birds..anything that had to do with flying ! was for me. I checked where there was the most room to move up the ladder (E-1 THRU E-9) my mos is Avaition ops specialist. I like to go to OCS school after bct and ait. I had the chance to see my coworkers in action saturday morning. It was the best. Maybe you could go to your future unit on any given saturday and see some things in action and maybe have your recuriter give you a tour of your future unit to see how things operate and maybe see something that interest you. It can only help.

[Shawn F.]

I enjoy music such as drumming and recording studio work, working on hot rods and into motorcycles. That's pretty much it. I am thinking Infantry or Aircraft Structural Repair. But thing is, I don't know all about the Aircraft Structural Repair besides just whats on goarmy.com and they might not even have a unit for that here in NC.... If I did infantry then I would try and do airborne school after but then again I don't want to get deployed for a year or two and be away from school and my job and at the same time I wouldn't mind. I have half of the people telling me that if I do infantry then most likely I will get sent out, the other half say no it doesn't matter...

[Echo]

Hi Shawn,

If you haven't already done so... you may want to take a look at this LINK and scroll thru the units that are in North Carolina in order to get an idea as to which ones are near you. Then at the bottom you'll see the the 20 Critical MOS List (that are in addition to the Top 10)

Something you may wish to consider is just how much call there might be in the Guard when it comes to, for example, repairing aircraft structures... you'd definitely get the training for it... but how much of it would you actually get to do??? It's hard to say because it all depends on which unit you join and their "mission" during your tenure there.

It *might* be best to consider 11B for that matter... ? 31B or 21B *might* be good choices for you as well?

One thing about the Top 10 List (besides the BIG bonuses)... is that most units need most of those... Medics, Mechanics, Cooks, Supply... and the troops doin' those jobs... *might* actually have something to do that pertains to their MOS training most of the time... whether they're at a home drill or deployed to Iraq.

It's also good to remember... that for the most part... all the "jobs" pay the same! ;^)

As for your drummin'... how 'bout lookin' into joinin' the 440TH ARMY BAND, PO BOX 2006, MORRISVILLE, 27560????

[_Questions22_]

I'm having trouble due to the fact I work with a Lt. Col. He is my S.O. at work and no I don't work for the military. He is telling me that I should look at ROTC/SMP due to the fact I want to finish school. Not to mention My family wants me to do the same thing in hopes I'll forget about the Military. But I have other guys I work with that are enlisted and they are telling me the best officers were enlisted at some point, and that the things an enlisted soldier sees is something you never forget. My problem is that the enlisted side has better benifits for school but at the same time that is not the only reason I want to join. Its a nice perk but there are other reasons too. If I like the Military I will stay in and go to OCS but if I go to OCS right off the bat it makes every body happy. I know it is my decision but as you can tell I love my family and take what they say to heart (most of the time).

My question is, does the college first program really protect me from deployment? I know it only covers OEF/OIF but will it really cover those or is based on the "Needs of the Military"? Please, don't read into what I'm saying. I will go if called but I would like the chance to finish what I started before that happens. But at the same time I want to do this while I'm still young and don't have a family. If I go in after college as enlisted soldier, would the school benifits cover an advanced degree?

Then there is the job choices. I really wanted to do either combat engineeer, 60 crew cheif, or combat medic. I have never worked in engineering berfore, but I think I would enjoy it, and the 60 job is just plain cool. I have a medical background but I don't know if I really want to do it in the Military world and in my day to day life. I love medicine and everything about helping others but as I said, it might get old and that is the last thing I want to happen since I have spent all 22 years of my life training to be a doctor. See....Hard Choices. It will take time but I'll figure something out. I don't want to put it off to long though. As I said, I won't be young forever and 50 year old Med students don't always fair so well. Thanks for the input and keep them coming.

[groundup]

In my opinion, I think SMP is the best route if you want to become an officer. You will experience enlisted basic training and you will drill as a cadet. You will know what it feels like to be enlisted. With what your friends said about some of the best officers were enlisted first, I'd have to agree with a fair amount of that. Most of my favorite officers have been enlisted prior to being an officer. Like I said, most - that doesn't mean all. You are what you make of yourself. The best officer is the one that listens to his/her Soldiers.

[Shawn F.]

Sorry if I am taking over your thread here man... Anyways, I am in the same boat as him and thinking the same thing about school and having to leave and missing out on things, etc. I read on the band thing but how much do you need to already know to do that? I am thinking of 11B thought but most likely they will send me out doing that am I correct? Thanks a lot for that link too, I have been looking for it for a long time.

[Echo]

Sorry if I am taking over your thread here man... Anyways, I am in the same boat as him and thinking the same thing about school and having to leave and missing out on things, etc. I read on the band thing but how much do you need to already know to do that? I am thinking of 11B thought but most likely they will send me out doing that am I correct? Thanks a lot for that link too, I have been looking for it for a long time.

Unless I'm mistaken... I believe you're replying to my post.

Sure... if you go to a Guard unit as an 11B, you'll probably be assigned to an 11B slot. If you want to be "All You Can Be" and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that... then 11 Bush/Bang Bang *may* be the way to go??? What will you get out of it? Whatever you put into it... the intangible skills you come away with are sure to help you in life... but trying to obtain some sort of technical training *might* be more transferable later on, ie: the aircraft structures school or something similiar... who can really know what the future holds for you???

You've also stated that you like to work on cars. How about 63B-Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic??? You'd gain some techical skills, it pays the BIG bonus, most units have 'em, you'd probably have an actual "mission" to perform most of the time... and most importantly... you'd still be a SOLDIER!!!!

If you are interested in giving the band a try... here's the info I have regarding Army Bands (I think your best shot may be to call the band's NCOIC, but I'm pretty sure you have to be able to read music and you'll have to pass an audition)

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/42r.htm

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/...acasp/bl02.htm

[Shawn F.]

I appreciate that info Echo... In a way I want to stay away from the whole mechanics thing and do something different since when I get out I will be doing that for a full time living most of my life. As for the Army Band I looked into it and yeah I have to do an audition. I can read music and can do a lot of what they ask for but then there are a few things I saw they require that I can't do such as for percussion to play Samba, Latin and some Jazz... I am working on those things now as I play but they take a few years to learn, it's not just something I can hurry and learn in a few months and then go sign up so that is out of the question. My recruiter said I get NO inlistment bonus with the Aircraft Structural Repair which I don't understand why not. But really I want to do Airborne school so I need to figure out if I can do something else besides infantry and do Airborne school. Now is it true that a unit can only get sent out once every 5 years?
Another thing, my recruiter said I can do only 3 years of serving time but I wont get but half of the bonus or something like that.... I am not deciding on an MOS or nothing based on bonus so please don't think I am getting at that, I am just wondering on this. I want to do 3 years and after that if I decide I want to serve more then I will sign for another 3. But I have no clue if I will even like it so that's why only 3.

[Echo]

Hi Shawn,

If you're really set on Airborne... I would suggest that you really give some consideration to going for the gusto... and go Active Duty for 3 to 4 years... with a possible 11X-Infantry/Airborne/ and perhaps an Option 40 (Ranger Contract) enlistment.

You might be assigned to the 82nd, 173rd... or even the 75th Rangers.

If you love it... great... if you don't you're only in for 3 to 4 but you'd probably be serving with some of the best units in the Army. If you decide to get out, you could likely join the Guard at that time if you wanted to keep your hand in it... but it's usually harder to go from the Guard to AD.

At least you'd know you did "your thing"... understand??? Heck... the way it's going with the Guard... you'd probably wind up deployed for quite awhile as it is.

I've read various reports about the amount of deployments and their lengths... but it all boils down to what Uncle Sam wants... right?

Please scroll down thru these bonuses (that have links to the various MOS pages as well)... and check out the Airborne bonus and the various MOSs links that can have an Airborne bonus included towards the bottom of the page.

This is the section on the bonus page I'm referring to... on the actual page there are hyperlinks for each MOS description page:

A $3,000 Airborne Bonus is authorized to non-prior service applicants who are high school diploma graudates (or GED with at least 15 college credits), who score 50 or greater on the ASVAB, and volunteer for Airborne Training with a guaranteed Airborne assignment. The bonus is authorized for the following MOS's: 11X (with Ranger Contract), 13B, 13D,13R, 15P, 21E, 21J, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25M, 25S, 35A, 37F, 42A, 45B, 52D, 63B, 88M, 92A, 92G, 92Y, 96B, and 97E.

Here's more links that should be of interest to you:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/11x.htm

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyt...rnoncombat.htm

Another MOS that you might want to take a look at is 37F-Psychological Operations Specialist... here's a LINK on the Guard site to a video about what they do as well as the link below. The Active Duty Component requires 37F's to be Airborne-qualified... but another reason for bringing it to your attention is the skills you would learn. (They are part of Spec Ops as well)

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/37f.htm

[TRUEBLUE4LIFE]

Echo ..That was Awesome. Well done.

[Echo]

Echo ..That was Awesome. Well done.

Thanks... hopefully it will help Shawn (and anyone else) to try and make the right decision for him.

Obviously none of us have a crystal ball... each person's experiences depend on so many variable factors that all any of us can do is to try and do our best... and hope that everything works out.

One bit of advice... stay out of trouble... by doing the right thing at the right time.

[Echo]

I came across the following discussion about 15P's and the like over on another forum that I frequent... thought you (TRUEBLUE) and Shawn might find it of interest:

http://community.armystudyguide.com/...1/m/8231073471

[TRUEBLUE4LIFE]

I came across the following discussion about 15P's and the like over on another forum that I frequent... thought you (TRUEBLUE) and Shawn might find it of interest:

http://community.armystudyguide.com/...1/m/8231073471

Echo ...Thank you! That was very good. Are you Army and what's your (MOS) Anyway's you always come up with cool information that informs.

[Echo]

No problemo...

I was Regular Army for 3... and then 11 years later I went into the Guard for 7... 41E and then 19E-M48/M60 Armor Crewman

You'll find 41E listed below... I've posted the link so that y'all can take a look and see how the MOS codes have changed over the years, and how some (ie: 11B) have remained the same... and they were different from these back in the 40's and 50's as well... not to mention before then.

http://members.aol.com/warlibrary/vwamos.htm

It's interesting to look back... there's some interesting ones for sure... I wonder what exactly a 25D-Birdie Repairman worked on??? lol... golf swings?

[XxAdriesseNHARNG892xX]

OK...So I was reading this forum and it seems that we may all be in the same boat, because I am still having trouble choosing between which MOS I want to have. I am looking at Military Police (31B) or Medic (91W) I also am looking at firefighter but they dont have a unit in NH. So the best advice I can give people is what I am being told myself, do what you really feel the passion for. If you choose your job in the military and you want a simular job in the real world when you are donw with the military, then choose that MOS related to that job feild. Not all recruiters tell you the truth, some may lie, and others will just try to talk you into what they think is best. Do NOT listen to these people, because it is your job and not theirs. I was looking at MP for a while because of the fact that I was told that MP's was the closest thing to combat, but I may eliminate this because I am finding out this is not always true.