thedrifter
01-24-09, 06:02 AM
MOS monitors are on their way
Published: Friday, January 23, 2009 2:06 PM CST
Lance Cpl. M. C. Nerl
Combat Correspondent
The Marines of the Combat Center will have a chance to meet with the monitors of their military occupational specialties Monday and Tuesday in building 1707.
All Marines with an End of Active Service date prior to Oct. 10 who are considering reenlistment should make time to speak to their monitors, said Staff Sgt. Xavisus Gayden, the Headquarters Battalion career retention specialist.
“Marines who are already decided on reenlisting or may be on the fence about it should go to the briefing and see their MOS monitor,” said Gayden, a Houston native.
Gayden added, before Marines see their monitor about re-enlistment, they should already have started preparations on their end.
“Before Marines sit down with their monitor, Marines should already have spoken with their battalion career planner about multiple things,” Gayden said. “Marines should know that the monitor’s goal for career retention is primarily duty station. If someone wants to go California, they should request duty stations in California, not all over the place.
“It’s best to pick a state where you want to go, and if you meet the requirements for reenlistment you will be able to get it,” he added. “The monitor’s job is to fill duty stations where the Marine Corps needs them most, and if he can do that and give a Marine where they want, it shouldn’t be hard.”
Gayden said Marines benefit from having a clean record in terms of their behavior and performance marks among other things.
“High marks in their proficiency and conduct, a good PFT [physical fitness test] and no adverse page 11’s or NJP’s [non-judicial punishments] can all play a role in reenlisting,” he said. “If a Marine’s job is closed out, like so many do quickly in the fiscal year, they have to remember they still have the options for special duty or lateral moving.”
Gunnery Sgt. Daniel L. Mintz Jr., the career retention specialist for the Combat Center, elaborated on what a Marine who wants a special duty or lateral move into another job needs to do.
“If you want to go on MSG [Marine Security Guard], security forces, or drill instructor or recruiting duty, you need to meet different prerequisites for the different special duties,” said the Twentynine Palms, Calif., native. “For special duty and even some MOSs, it is required that you have a first class PFT, be financially stable, and for MSG especially if you are a sergeant or below, you cannot be married.”
Mintz added, to lateral move into certain jobs Marines must meet the requirements for the Quality Reenlistment Program.
“The QR may be different from one field to another,” he said. “In a time of war like we are in now, it is important for Marines in 03 [infantry] fields to reenlist, because that is who you fight a war with.”
After requirements are met, Marines who do reenlist can receive many benefits for signing on for another contract, said Staff Sgt. Mario Saldivar, the 1st Tank Battalion career retention specialist.
“Multiple jobs get re-sign bonuses, and points come with reenlistment and special duties,” said the Brownsville, Texas, native. “Marines get more money. They can see more of the Marine Corps if they change stations. That is what the monitor is for, but they try to keep it simple when dealing with many Marines who come back for another four years.”
Saldivar added Marines get lots of opportunities for reenlisting, and continued to recommend the fact those special duties taken on by Marines will help them later for promotion.
“When you reenlist, that’s another four years of commitment in your life,” he said. “You will have many opportunities to go places and do things, but overall with special duties, it helps you get to that next level in rank.”
Saldivar finished with the fact that any Marine who decides to stick around needs to consider what is important for them and their career. He said he feels Marines who want to have an extra competitive edge should look at special duties when reenlisting.
Ellie
Published: Friday, January 23, 2009 2:06 PM CST
Lance Cpl. M. C. Nerl
Combat Correspondent
The Marines of the Combat Center will have a chance to meet with the monitors of their military occupational specialties Monday and Tuesday in building 1707.
All Marines with an End of Active Service date prior to Oct. 10 who are considering reenlistment should make time to speak to their monitors, said Staff Sgt. Xavisus Gayden, the Headquarters Battalion career retention specialist.
“Marines who are already decided on reenlisting or may be on the fence about it should go to the briefing and see their MOS monitor,” said Gayden, a Houston native.
Gayden added, before Marines see their monitor about re-enlistment, they should already have started preparations on their end.
“Before Marines sit down with their monitor, Marines should already have spoken with their battalion career planner about multiple things,” Gayden said. “Marines should know that the monitor’s goal for career retention is primarily duty station. If someone wants to go California, they should request duty stations in California, not all over the place.
“It’s best to pick a state where you want to go, and if you meet the requirements for reenlistment you will be able to get it,” he added. “The monitor’s job is to fill duty stations where the Marine Corps needs them most, and if he can do that and give a Marine where they want, it shouldn’t be hard.”
Gayden said Marines benefit from having a clean record in terms of their behavior and performance marks among other things.
“High marks in their proficiency and conduct, a good PFT [physical fitness test] and no adverse page 11’s or NJP’s [non-judicial punishments] can all play a role in reenlisting,” he said. “If a Marine’s job is closed out, like so many do quickly in the fiscal year, they have to remember they still have the options for special duty or lateral moving.”
Gunnery Sgt. Daniel L. Mintz Jr., the career retention specialist for the Combat Center, elaborated on what a Marine who wants a special duty or lateral move into another job needs to do.
“If you want to go on MSG [Marine Security Guard], security forces, or drill instructor or recruiting duty, you need to meet different prerequisites for the different special duties,” said the Twentynine Palms, Calif., native. “For special duty and even some MOSs, it is required that you have a first class PFT, be financially stable, and for MSG especially if you are a sergeant or below, you cannot be married.”
Mintz added, to lateral move into certain jobs Marines must meet the requirements for the Quality Reenlistment Program.
“The QR may be different from one field to another,” he said. “In a time of war like we are in now, it is important for Marines in 03 [infantry] fields to reenlist, because that is who you fight a war with.”
After requirements are met, Marines who do reenlist can receive many benefits for signing on for another contract, said Staff Sgt. Mario Saldivar, the 1st Tank Battalion career retention specialist.
“Multiple jobs get re-sign bonuses, and points come with reenlistment and special duties,” said the Brownsville, Texas, native. “Marines get more money. They can see more of the Marine Corps if they change stations. That is what the monitor is for, but they try to keep it simple when dealing with many Marines who come back for another four years.”
Saldivar added Marines get lots of opportunities for reenlisting, and continued to recommend the fact those special duties taken on by Marines will help them later for promotion.
“When you reenlist, that’s another four years of commitment in your life,” he said. “You will have many opportunities to go places and do things, but overall with special duties, it helps you get to that next level in rank.”
Saldivar finished with the fact that any Marine who decides to stick around needs to consider what is important for them and their career. He said he feels Marines who want to have an extra competitive edge should look at special duties when reenlisting.
Ellie