Questions about my MOS.

[Poolie Lillis]

Alright so this is what happened. When I decided one day I wanted to be a Marine I was going to go for active duty but got cold feet and switched to reserves. I went through MEPS and signed an 8 year contract for The USMC Reserves. Well being as it is, I don't have very many options with enlisting with the Reserves job wise. I wanted to be an Infantry Grunt and still do. I ended up being put down for Combat Engineer for my MOS. I ended up talking to my Recruiters and asked if there was anything closer to basic Infantry besides the Combat Engineer. My MOS was changed to Radio Infantryman? I'm not sure honestly. But I do know that that is not what I want to be. And my recruiter's told me it's too late to get it changed to anything else, they said that I'll have to be in Reserves for 2 years before I can switch to Active duty and hopefully be able to change my MOS to Infantry. Is all of this true? And what exactly does the "Radio Guy" do? How big is the Radio. And if I'm deployed, which I more than likely will be because the Reserves Unit I'll be in will be deploying to Afghanistan sometime next year I was told, how easy of a target would I be? Surely I'm not going to be as mobile if I'm on the field as the regular Marines. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Time Bandit]

It seems like you were very eager to join and didn't do much research my man. Whatever the case your recruiter is most likely telling you the truth. It would be a good idea to talk it over with him/her, they can tell you everything. As far as I know once you sign the contract your in it for good. If you request active they don't HAVE to transfer you over, and if they do transfer you over it could possibly void your contract at least that's what i remember from a similar conversation between a poolee and a recruiter. Nothing is guaranteed.

[Rough Hands]

From what I understand, you just need to have the contract you want by the time you ship to boot camp. Once you sign your contract at MEPS the second time, just before you're sent to recruit training, your contract is final and there's no going back. I could be wrong, but perhaps this thread would be better suited to the 'Ask A Marine' section, even more-so it would just be a good idea to talk to your recruiter or your RSS Commander.

Also, as a Field Radio Operator (at least that's what I'm thinking your MOS probably is? 0621, right?) since you're male, there's a good chance you could end up in an infantry unit. Check out this thread; Radio Operator MOS/Communications (http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88922)


Best of luck to you.

[Poolie Lillis]

Yes I was very eager to join and I did make the mistake of not looking into my job choices. I wish I would've just signed for active duty. But, after the two years is up my recruiter said I can push for Active Duty and maybe get it sooner than that if I really push hard for it. But will I be able to change my MOS then? That'd be nice.

[berts78]

wow. well i went reserves and got 0311 rifleman/infantry. as far as i knw you get the job you want when you are reserves. idk why they told you that you cant be stright infantry bcuz i am and have a friend going tot he buddy system with me and the both of us are stright infantry.