MOS trouble. Stuck on two.

[GermanBlood]

This is my first post to this website, so let me start by saying I appreciate this site and all the information and help it contains.

As the title suggests I am a POOLEE and I ship out July 13 2009. What I want to do in the Marine Corps is plan and execute unit movement. I am fascinated by the skill and art of this occupation.

I am currently signed up for a Logistics contract. I chose this field because it seems to fall along those lines I spoke about in the above paragraph, particularly a 0431 Logistics/Embarkation Specialist.

However, the job that has recently come to my attention is an 0511 MAGTF Planer. Both of these job descriptions are almost identical and both refer to one another as related jobs. So I am sure you can understand my second thoughts.

My recruiter, a good man and good Marine, tells me to stick with Logistics because it is more hands on. Probably his bias since his job before recruiting was a hummer driver. But I spoke with a Corporal who is a 0511 a week or so ago in person who swears it is the best job in the Corp and I would be an idiot to pass up the opportunity.

Can anyone out there help me out? Possibly some more detail about each job or someone with experience to nudge me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so very much, Semper Fi!:flag:

[richerich]

Hey, have you done all research on the two MOSs? I did a google, and they are different.

Namely, you get a Top Secret Clearance with the 05XX MAGTF, and also, the Psychological Operation NCO MOS is in the same series, something to consider for the future. That seems really cool to me.

Good luck, 05 seems a little more high-tech.

[GermanBlood]

Thank you very much. I spoke with that Corporal again tonight, the MAGTIF Planer, and he almost completely convinced me that’s rout I need to take. However, I haven't decided yet.

[richerich]

Good luck, look forward to an excellent career.

[JWDevilDog]

Welcome to the site. I see you read the rules, as your profile is filled out. We all appreciate that.

Let me start by saying I am an 0481, Landing Support Specialist. That means I am in the Logistics field, and I am on active duty. All this means I am a reliable resource for you.

0481s work closely with 0431s, Embarkers. Allow me to explain to you how the Logistics field works. No one in the Logistics field does troop movement planning on a large scale until you pick up the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Warrant officers and commissioned officers also do this.

When a Marine (both 0431s and 0481s) picks up the rank of Gunny, he becomes an 0491 - Logistics Mobility Chief. 0491s deal with troop movement.

Now, personally if you are inerested in making the Corps a career, a good route to go for you would be 0481 (as it is much more fun and interesting than 0431) until you have been in the Logistics field for 8 years, at which time you are eligible to attempt to become a Warrant Officer 1. Bear in mind there are other requirements to being a WO1, such as at least an associate's degree. After 8 years in the Corps, in Logistics, you will probably be a Staff Sergeant or very close to it. Promotions come very fast in the 04 field, because it is so important to the Corps, and there is a fair amount of work to be done. If you have a 4 year college degree or can get one, you could try for the commissioned officer route. They also deal with the planning aspect in their lower ranks.

Fire alarm just sounded. I will post more soon. Hope this helps so far.

[JWDevilDog]

As an 0431, you will not be doing that much planning. You will construct load plans, which is almost like a blue print of how gear is arranged on a ship, or a plane, or whatnot. You will be doing a lot of that sort of thing. As an 0481 your job is to deal with loading and unloading gear and passengers from ships, planes, helicopters, and sometimes trains. It is much more hands on than 31s, with less "office" type work.

Again, for you the best route would be an eventual Warrant Officer. They are experts in their fields, as well as the Master Sergeants and Master Gunnery Sergeants. The best commissioned officers consult their MSgts and MgySgts and Warrant Officers before making certain decisions. If you are truly interested in this sort of thing, you will unfortunately have to wait some years before you pick up rank. I recommend the WO route, personally. They are exceptional Marines, experts in their fields, and have the most respect out of all of the Marine Corps.

I hope this all makes sense. More questions, fire away.

Info about 0491s:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/0491.htm

[GermanBlood]

Thank you two very much for your feedback, richerich and JWDevilDog.

JWDevilDog, what is your opinion on 0511 MAGTF Planers. This Corporal I have been talking to says he works close to the 0431's and almost gets all the credit for "THEIR" work. He says he pretty much oversees their work and records their process and work. He also tells me he only really has two bosses, an E9 and an O2, and on rare occasions there is a Staff Sergeant present. He also tells me that he has made Corporal in less then two years (he hasn’t been a Marine for two years yet), to my understanding this is a very short time to earn such a rank. Like I say this Corporal has almost got me convinced to switch my general contract with Logistics over to the 05's.

Through your experience, which I admire and appreciate, with the Corps can you tell me any more about 0511? Also, can you think of any reasons why I shouldn't make this decision? I do like the idea of planning shipments and looking at blue prints and I am not afraid of a desk job. Just so long as I can wear the globe and anchor with pride, I will always wear a smile.

[JWDevilDog]

I do like the idea of planning shipments and looking at blue prints and I am not afraid of a desk job. Just so long as I can wear the globe and anchor with pride, I will always wear a smile.

That is a very good attitude to have. Always remember why you joined.

In terms of the 05s, I actually have not had any dealing with them yet. If they work closely with 0431s, then that is why. I am an 81, and we work closely with the 31s. But I haven't dealt with the 0511s, and if I have I haven't known it. So honestly I can't really give you much advice on that.

I read up on 0511s on the below website, though, and it sounds like what you might be interested in. I bet that you probably won't be doing the cool jobs (the actual troop planning) until you pick up at least Corporal. Until then will probably just be doing a lot of admin and paperwork. But it sounds like this Corporal you have been in contact with is a valuable resource. I suggest you continue to talk to him.

Again, you won't be doing much planning in the Logistics field until much later. You have to pick up a lot of rank. With this in mind, I would probably lean more towards 0511, if you can get it.

I would remind you that openings in MOSs are first posted at the beginning of the fiscal year (IE October). That means you will have the highest chances of getting the MOS you want in October or the few months after it. Just something to think about.

Good luck with your decision. The link to 0511 information:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/0511.htm

[GermanBlood]

Thank you again, sir.
You have been a valuable resource and have helped me to get my head together. I do understand that jobs come out in October, so switching my contract may be rough, but I am going to see what my recruiter can do for me. I plan to take my career in the Marine Corps as far as it will take me. I plan on staying for twenty, thirty, or forty years if they will still have me. So like I say, regardless of the job description, I am in it for the long haul.

Semper Fi