Secret Security Clearance Question

[MunkyVsRobot]

The Marine Corps could not care less what you think you could do. The Marine Corps only cares about the Corps not you. Mission accomplishment comes before Troop welfare, we are the only branch where that is the case. Needs of the Marine Corps will always and forever outweigh your needs.

[PhotoOp]

I completely understand sir. However, wouldn't it be better to assign a recruit to a position that would best benefit the Corps? Personally I'm more brains than brawn so I was seeking roles like intel or crbn specialist.

[crazymjb]

That is the purpose of the ASVAB, to identify what you could best do for the military. But there is more to it than that... obviously the clearance being part of it. Advocate for yourself with your recruiter and hopefully they can help out.

Mike

[Tennessee Top]

You are 100% correct. In fact, it's oficial policy to assign positions to recruits that best benefit the Corps. That does not translate to fulfilling the wishes of said recruit (other services do that routinely).

Example of this is balancing MOS populations. Let's say you want to be an intel analyst. But, the Intel Analyst MOS is overpopulated (there are more than the USMC needs at this current time). There is a zero chance the USMC is going to put you in that MOS, and make the overpopulation problem even worse - that is the opposite of benefitting the Corps. Recruiters get their missions (quotas) from their district headquarters (they don't just come up with the MOS's they can offer out of the blue). District headquarters gets their missions from the Manpower Management Branch (personnel) at Headquarters Marine Corps. Those numbers are related to MOS populations in the Fleet Marine Forces and those populations constantly fluctuate (based on how many Marines reenlist, get out, lateral move to other MOS's, etc). One negative consequence of an overpopulated MOS is it slows promotions down.

Bottom line. Your chances of getting a MOS you want are much better if that MOS is underpopulated. You won't even be offered an overpopulated MOS (that field will be closed). You may be offered a contract in a balanced MOS but, the recruiters will be pushing the underpopulated ones first. That's their mission/quota and it constantly changes based on the needs of the Marine Corps - not the individual's needs (what best benefits the Corps).

Good luck.

[PhotoOp]

Thank you very much for the detailed information sir. However, couldn't I just wait it out and delay my ship out date until my desired MOS is available?

[Tennessee Top]

Yes, you certainly can wait (you have up to 365 days to ship, on day 366 you'll be discharged from the DEP). Of course, waiting does not guarantee the MOS you're waiting for will be offered to you (it may be offered to another poolee who has waited longer than you instead). You need to make sure you and your recruiter are on the same page so there is no misunderstanding about your situation.

[PhotoOp]

Thank you sir, will do.