Is open contract all that bad?

[DSCorum]

Hello Marines. First let me thank you all for your service to our country. Our debt to you is endless.

My situation is this:
I depped in May, and I leave for PI in March. My asvab is 66 and my line scores are all 115/120+ and my IST is 20 p/u 100 crunches and 8:56 1.5m. I'm working my ass off training and learning my MC knowledge. I'm working to get a 300 pft at boot and I ran a 19 minute 3 mile a few days ago.

I tried punching tickets for and MOS at the recruiting station but I am very limited do to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge from 2 years ago. My recruiter gave me the grim call yesterday that yet again my MOS picks came back unavailable. He explained to me that because of my limited options, his advice was to go in open contract and that if I bust my ass at boot and do very well, I'll make my DI's look good to their superiors. And in return, they will look out for me and try to hook me up with a good MOS. I understand that I would have to work VERY hard for this. He said that open contracts "ain't what they used to be" and it's not the same roulette anymore, especially if I have a lot of green weight with good numbers and quals.

He seems sincere, but I am forever skeptical of a man who gets paid to make numbers happen. I want to be a Marine. Absolutely. But I'm sorry, I do not want to be a cook for 2 years before I can change my MOS.

Do you Marines think going in open contract a bad idea? Plus, I've heard that I am disqualified from the infantry option because of my charge. Is this true? I am going to the office today to talk to my recruiters more, I just wanted to get some opinions from other Marines too.

[ggyoung]

I believe that is a good way to go in. You will be put the Corps can use you to the best of your talents and brains. Most Marines in the past went in open. Good luck to you.

[jairen]

Open contract is kinda like volunteering to be drafted.

[josephd]

it can be good if you keep an open mind and not have a negative attitude about certain MOS's (ie. food service).

[sparkie]

In '69, all was open. I find no fault with that. P-S I believe all cooking is now civilian contract.

[Muhreen4Lyfe]

The first mistake you're making is that thinking a DI has any power over what MOS you get. He doesn't.

Your second mistake is letting the Marine Corps put you wherever it wants. It's basically ASKING for the big green weenie the fvck you.

Tell him to get you a job that you want or you're walking. Get a waiver or do whatever you need to do to get that MOS you want. If an MOS is undermanned, it's for a reason, people probably don't want to enlist as admin or food services, so that's where you'll probably go.

[usmchauer]

M4L is correct in saying that your Drill Instructors have no bearing on what your MOS will be. After recruit training you'll attend MCT, and near the end of MCT you'll recieve your orders and find out what your MOS will be. If I was you, I'd do everything in my power to select a MOS field before I shipped. If you go open contract, there's a shot you may end up with a job you like, but if you have the opportunity to choose something, why roll the dice?

[thewookie]

I went open, I didn't get the original MOS I wanted but I finished my eight years on active duty with 6 MOS's. It's not ideal, but it is what you make it.

[DSCorum]

Thank you all for your replies. I am grateful of your wisdom from experience.

My recruiter suggested that I leave open docs until my 30 day pre-ship to see if anything else opens up. I'll also talk to my head recruiter when I get the chance. Also, I meant no disrespect to Marines with MOS's that I may think are undesirable. And you are right, I should be more open minded about where I take my career. The fear of a "crappy" MOS isn't as important to me as is getting technical skills that I can use in a post military career. But I will look into my situation more thoroughly.

[Marine84]

I went in open contract too. I told my Recruiter I didn't really give a rip what I would be doing, just get me in. I ended up in Ordnance and loved every minute of it.

It's a crap shoot either way.

[SGT BLANCO]

You failed to mention what you are interested in doing MOS wise other than 03. You should look into MOS's that work with 03's or are close. Some ideas are Combat Engineer, AAV's, or Artillery. I would strongly advise not going open contract. Use the chain of command at your recruiting station until you get something in writing even if that entails talking to the SgtMaj or Commanding Officer. Any other help let me know. Also, what state are you from?

[SGT BLANCO]

I would look into other MOS's like Combat Engineer, AAV's, or Artillery. Don't go open contract and use the chain of command if you need to. Talk to the SgtMaj or Commanding Officer to get an MOS and get your parent involved. Going in blind is not recommended. What state are you from? Let me know if I can help you out anymore.

[Vandrel]

AAV's

[sparkie]

Nice pics of Del Mar,,,,,,,,,,

[SSgt Lamie]

When you enlist on an open contract you will be assigned one when you arrive at MCRD. The way you perform at Recruit Training, and your DI's input has nothing to do with the specific job that you are assigned.

Basically what happens is that someone at MCRD, while screening you during the first day or two, will go through the list of jobs that you are qualified for based on your ASVAB scores and what is available. From that you MAY be given the opprotunity to select a job from that list.

Open Contract is not as bad a deal as most people make it out to be. Most people will tell you not to sign up Open because you will end up a Cook or in Infantry, which is completly false. Unless those are the only programs that you qualify for, you will be assigned to a more technical MOS.