Officer MOS Selection process

[USNAviator]

I'm posting this so anyone who wants to know how an MOS, other than Air and JAG are assigned at The Basic School

BACKGROUND:

One of the most important responsibilities of The Basic School is the assignment of MOSs to lieutenants. The long-term impact of this assignment process has on the welfare of our officers and our Corps is immeasurable; TBS adheres to the highest standards of fairness and consistency, with a firm view towards serving the best interests of the Marine Corps. Prior to 1977, MOSs were assigned based solely on lineal standing at TBS. In 1977, the Commandant of the Marine Corps made the decision to apply a quality spread to the assignment of MOSs. This decision was made to ensure every occupational field received a fair share of the most competitive lieutenants. This policy remains in effect with Officer Assignment Division (MMOA) guidance to TBS stating that one-third of the quotas for each MOS come from the top, middle, and bottom thirds of the company. Within each third, class standing is the primary assignment criteria.

THE NEEDS OF THE CORPS:

The needs of the Marine Corps are the primary consideration used to assign MOSs to lieutenants. CMC (MMOA-3 (Plans, Programs and Systems Support)) provides each Basic Officer Course (BOC) company with an allocation of quotas for each MOS. The quotas are generated by Manpower Plans and Policy Division and are based upon the need to balance structure requirements with available qualified officers in each MOS. HQMC directs that the quotas for each MOS be divided as equally as possible for each one-third of the class.

MOS QUOTA DISTRIBUTION FOR A RECENTLY GRADUATED COMPANY

MOS

TOP 1/3

MIDDLE 1/3

BOTTOM 1/3

TOTAL

0180 Adjutant

1

1

1

3

0203 Ground Intelligence

3

0

1

4

0204 Human Intelligence

1

0

0

1

0206 Signals Intelligence

2

1

1

4

0207 Air Intelligence

2

2

1

5

0302 Infantry

11

12

11

34

0402 Logistics

8

9

9

26

0602 Communications/Data

3

3

3

9

0802 Artillery

6

7

5

18

1302 Engineer

2

3

2

7

1802 Armor

1

1

1

3

1803 Amphibious Assault Vehicle

1

0

0

1

3002 Ground Supply

5

6

6

17

3404 Financial Management

1

1

1

3

4302 Public Affairs

1

0

0

1

5803 Military Police

2

1

1

4

6002 Aircraft Maintenance

1

1

1

3

6602 Aviation Supply

1

2

2

5

7208 Air Support Control

1

1

1

3

7210 Air Defense Control

0

1

1

2

7220 Air Traffic Control

0

1

1

2

7580 Naval Flight Officer

0

1

0

1

7599 Naval Aviator (see below)

0

1

0

1

TOTAL

53

55

49

157

NAVAL AVIATOR MOS DESCRIPTIONS:

• 7557 NAVAL AVIATOR (KC-130)
• 7562 NAVAL AVIATOR (CH-46, CH-53 D/E)
• 7508 NAVAL AVIATOR (AV-8B)
• 7523 NAVAL AVIATOR (F/A-18)
• 7563 NAVAL AVIATOR (UH-1N)
• 7543 NAVAL AVIATOR (EA-6)

INDIVIDUAL DESIRES:

Although the desires of lieutenants are considered secondary to the needs of the Marine Corps when assigning MOSs, in reality, individual choice probably has the greatest impact on final MOS assignments. Most lieutenants (approximately 75%) will receive one of their top three choices. Therefore, it is essential that lieutenants make informed decisions. In addition to making the most of this guide, classroom instruction, and scheduled MOS mixers, lieutenants should make every effort to identify those MOSs which will capitalize on their personal strengths.


MOS ASSIGNMENTS FOR A RECENTLY GRADUATED COMPANY

Choice

Number

Percentage

First Choice

72

49 %

Second Choice

21

13 %

Third Choice

19

12 %

Fourth Choice

12

8 %

Fifth Choice

6

4 %

6th-10th Choice

16

10 %

11th-15th Choice

5

3 %

16th-20th Choice

4

3 %

21st+ Choice

2

1 %

TOTAL

157

STRAW POLLS:

Prior to final MOS selection, lieutenants will be asked to submit their MOS choices in what is commonly referred to as a "straw poll." Essentially, the straw poll is a dress rehearsal for the final MOS selection and will be conducted as described below. In no way will the results of the straw pole resemble the results of the final MOS selection. Not only will most lieutenants change their MOS choices prior to the final MOS selection, but also the lineal list used in the straw poll is arbitrary. Again, the straw pole is merely a dress rehearsal.

FINAL MOS SELECTION:

Final MOS selection is completed at approximately the 14th training week of the BOC. The following process occurs:

• All lieutenants are ranked according to their overall average in Military Skills, Academics, and Leadership. The lineal list minus guaranteed contracts is divided into thirds.
• Lieutenants list all MOSs available to them in order of preference on small tags and on 3 x 5cards. Lieutenants with guaranteed aviation contracts will only list their top 5 MOS choices on 3x5 cards to be used in the event they lose their contracts while still at TBS. Potential aviators must include at least one non-combat arms MOS in their list of 5 choices. All lieutenants will also list in order their geographic preferences (East Coast, West Coast, or overseas)
• The company staff will prepare an MOS board with "pegs" representing the available quotas for each MOS in each third. The entire staff works straight down the lineal list placing each lieutenant’s tag on empty pegs on the board. When a lieutenant’s name is called from the lineal list, his or her SPC will attempt to place that lieutenant’s tag on a peg representing a quota for that lieutenant’s first MOS choice. If all the pegs are full for that MOS (the MOS is closed for that third), the SPC will continue to search for the first open peg in order of the lieutenant’s preferences. The number one lieutenant will receive his or her first choice. Lieutenants near the top of their one-third have the best opportunity to receive one of their top choices. Lieutenants near the bottom of their one-third increment have a lesser chance.
• Once the board is completely filled, the Staff will consider deviating from the lineal list and making changes to MOS assignments if those changes would better suit the needs of the Marine Corps. Such changes are based on the discretion of the Staff and subject to the approval of the Company Commander. The lineal list is used as a general guide, not as an absolute rule.
• The Company Commander will brief the CO, TBS, on potential MOS assignments, identifying those lieutenants who did not receive one of their top three choices. The CO, TBS approves the entire list prior to forwarding to CMC (Code: MMOA-3).
• DCMC M&RA must approve the MOS assignments before they become official. DCMC M&RA may require TBS to change the recommended MOS assignments. For that reason, results of the MOS selection process are not revealed to lieutenants until final approval from DCMC M&RA.

CONCLUSION:

The current MOS selection process has proven to be the most effective way to serve the needs of the Marine Corps while accommodating the desires of those officers involved. Not every lieutenant will receive one of his or her top choices. Therefore, it is essential that the positive aspects and importance of every MOS to the Marine Corps be emphasized and that lieutenants carefully consider their preferences with an open mind.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

This one is now a sticky. Thank you, Commander, for putting this one up.

I'll leave it open for OFFICER COMMENT/INFORMATION ONLY.

Let me say that again...if you are NOT an officer, DO NOT FRAKKIN POST HERE. You don't know what you are talking about. Just that simple.

Failure to follow this rule will result in an immediate ban for the offending party.

[USNAviator]

My pleasure Sgt. Lep. Maybe it will help out some candidates understand the process

Fair winds to all who read this in the future

[UMDStudent24]

Sir, are you currently a staff member here at The Basic School?

[03Mike]

Sir, are you currently a staff member here at The Basic School?

Commander Dan is officially retired.

[ggyoung]

Every time I click on a MOS it comes up "denied"

[DIBLO7]

Try this link: http://www.dbdriven.net/mymos/default.asp

It will give you all the info that was posted above and you can get to the MOS descriptions through it as well.

Also, if you click on the FAQ then the MOS you want info on instead of just MOS Info, you'll get alot more information.