MOS Selection Question.

[BrianMc223]

I'm not in DEP yet, hence the "friend" status, but I'm going to join the Marines. I'm only delaying in the interest of physical fitness, as I have some serious work to do first. However, be that as it may I am almost a compulsive planer, and I really want to figure out what MOS I should be going for. I suppose for anyone to help in any meaningful way I have to tell you all a little bit about me.

I'm smart; I got a 93 on the asvab as a junior in high school, 31 on my ACT, that sort of thing. I can improvise and adapt; I am capable of performing tasks without specific orders of how to do it. I love problem solving and tinkering, but I'm not sure if being a mechanic is the best plan as I already know what I'm doing after the Corp. (Obsessive planner and all, it's worth noting it has no marine equivalent so that isn't a factor.) I'm also not sure about being a linguist, but I haven't entirely crossed it out. I'm already bored with computers, after two years of taking classes with them, so I don't want to do that. I've never flown before, but I'm not against the idea, and I really like the idea of parachuting. (Just thought I'd mention that.)

I would really like to go recon, but I realize that is a both a long shot and not something you go right into. There are also the aforementioned physical shortcomings. I considered EOD, but you need to be E-5 or better, so that's out. I'm not really sure what I expect from you guys, I've looked through the MOS list and nothing really jumps out at me. I'm basically just asking for some thoughts. Thanks.

[Marine84]

I'm smart; I got a 93 on the asvab as a junior in high school, 31 on my ACT, that sort of thing.

And THIS makes you stand out in a crowd because........................? Worry about making it through the gates of MCRD alive and able to tell about it afterwards! Until then, research your a$$ off and MAKE A FREAKIN DECISION ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. OR you could go open contract and let the Corps decide where they NEED you.

And I sincerely hope you're on medication for that little OCD thing you got going - if not, GO SEE A DR!

[Sgt D]

Go infantry. It requires a few brain cells to lead in the grunts, and the problem that needs to be fixed is not ever the same. It is a thinking mans game. Also it's right next to recon, if you change your mind. It would be a little easier to get in from the 03 field.

[BrianMc223]

Marine84, I mentioned that because it would be a waste of time to tell me to try and go for 73xx if I only got an 85 gt score. As for the OCD thing, I fail to see how planning constantly is a bad thing.

Sgt D, thank you for a helpfull responce.

[1stRad2671]

You can be a linguist, recon AND jump out of planes. I did.

[Marine84]

As for the OCD thing, I fail to see how planning constantly is a bad thing.

Because there will be times in your life (as well as in the Marine Corps IF you make it IN and THROUGH) where you will highly disappointed because your "plans" don't work out.

[BrianMc223]

1stRad2671, You really did that? Very Cool. May I ask what you sig says?

Marine84, Actually, the thing about planing everything is that i'm very accustomed to my plans failling and I can make up a new plans, in acceptable levels of detail, very quickly. I'd call it more of an asset than a hinderance. Also, it might just be my perception, but you seem to be very combative toward me and I don't understand why. Believe me when I say the only way I would ever not make it through is if I got hurt BAD. I wrestled an entire season with my right thumb injured and next to no gripping power in that hand because of it. I don't have any quit in me, and I don't understand your attitude.

[jetdoc]

Brian, its good to have a plan, just don't over plan, especially in the Marines. A 93 ASVAB may be ok in high school, but check out the scores for each MOS, a 93 is ok...but you were a junior so there is room for beating that score.

I hate to see guys/gals using a lower case "M" when talking about the USMC...a lower case "m" is used when talking about marine animal life, sharks, etc.

Goodluck and keep trying to improve your ASVAB as you know thats the key to a good job in the Marines. Doesn't matter if being a Grunt is your preference or an telephone tech, (which is the highest ASVAB requirement).

MOS/Job TitleASVAB Line Score Required0121 - Personnel ClerkCL=1000151 - Administrative Clerk CL=1000161 - Postal Clerk CL=900231 - Intelligence Specialist GT=1000261 - Geographic Intelligence Specialist EL=1000311 - Rifleman GT=800313 - LAV Crewman GT=900321 - Reconnaissance Man GT=1050331 - Machine Gunner GT=800341 - Mortarman CT=800351 - Assaultman GT=800352 - Antitank Assault Guided Missileman GT=900411 - Maintenance Management Specialist GT=1000431 - Logistics/Embarkation and Combat Service Support (CSS) Specialist GT=1000451 - Air Delivery Specialist GT=1000481 - Landing Support Specialist GT=950511 - MAGTF Planning Specialist GT=1100612 - Field Wireman GT=900613 - Construction Wireman EL=900614 - Unit Level Circuit Switch (ULCS) Operator/Maintainer EL=1000621 - Field Radio Operator EL=900622 - Mobile Multichannel Equipment Operator EL=1000624 - High Frequency Communication Central Operator EL=1000626 - Fleet SATCOM Terminal Operator EL=1000627 - Ground Mobile Forces SATCOM Operator EL=1000811 - Field Artillery Cannoneer GT=900842 - Field Artillery Radar Operator GT=1050844 - Field Artillery Fire Control Man GT=1050847 - Artillery Meteoroloqical Man GT=1050861 - Fire Support Man GT=1001141 - Electrician EL=901142 - Electrical Equipment Repair Specialist EL=1001161 - Refrigeration Mechanic MM=1051171 - Hygiene Equipment Operator MM=851181 - Fabric Repair Specialist MM=851316 - Metal Worker MM=951341 - Engineer Equipment Mechanic MM=951345 - Engineer Equipment Operator MM=951361 - Engineer Assistant GT=1001371 - Combat Engineer MM=951391 - Bulk Fuel Specialist MM=851812 - M1A1 Tank Crewman GT=901833 - Assault Amphibious Vehicle GT=902111 - Small Arms Repairer/Technician MM=952131 - Towed Artillery Systems Technician MM=952141 - Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) Repairer/Technician MM=1052146 - Main Battle Tank (MBT) Repairer/Technician MM=1052147 - Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) Repairer/Technician MM=1052161 - Machinist MM=1052171 - Electro-Optical Ordnance Repairer MM=1052311 - Ammunition Technician GT=1002542 - Communication Center Operator GT=1102621 - Communications Signal Collection/Manual Morse Operator/Analyst GT=1002631 - Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Intercept Operator/Analyst GT=1002651 - Special Intelligence System Administrator/Communicator GT=1002671 - Arabic Cryptologic Linguist GT=1052673 - Korean Cryptologic Linguist GT=1052674 - Spanish Cryptologic Linguist GT=1052676 - Russian Cryptoloqic Linguist GT=1052811 - Telephone Technician EL=1152818 - Personal Computer (PC)/Tactical Office Machine Repairer EL=1152822 - Electronic Switching Equipment Technician EL=1152831 - Multichannel Equipment Repairer EL=1152841 - Ground Radio Repairer EL=1152844 - Ground Communications Organizational Repairer EL=1152846 - Ground Radio Intermediate Repairer EL=1152847 - Telephone Systems/Personal Computer Intermediate Repairer EL=1152871 - Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Technician EL=1152881 - Communication Security Equipment Technician EL=1152887 - Counter Mortar Radar Repairer EL=1153043 - Supply Administration and Operations Clerk CL=1103051 - Warehouse Clerk CL=903052 - Packaging Specialist CL=803112 - Traffic Management Specialist CL=903361 - Subsistence Supply Clerk CL=903381 - Food Service Specialist GT=903432 - Finance Technician CL=1103451 - Fiscal/Budget Technician CL=1103521 - Organizational Automotive Mechanic MM=953531 - Motor Vehicle Operator MM=853533 - Logistics Vehicle System Operator MM=854066 - Small Computer Systems Specialist GT=1104067 - Programmer - ADA GT=1104341 - Combat Corespondent GT=1054421 - Legal Services Specialist CL=1004611 - Combat Illustrator GT=1004612 - Combat Lithographer GT=1004641 - Combat Photographer GT=1004671 - Combat Videographer GT=1005526 to 5566 - MusicianAFQT Score of 505711 - Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) Defense Specialist GT=1105811 - Military Police GT=1005831 - Correctional Specialist GT=1005937 - Aviation Radio Repairer EL=1055942 - Aviation Radar Repairer EL=1055952 - Air Traffic Control Navigational Aids Technician EL=1055953 - Air Traffic Control Radar Technician EL=1055954 - Air Traffic Control Communications Technician EL=1055962 - Tactical Data Systems Equipment (TDSE) Repairer EL=1055963 - Tactical Air Operations Module Repairer EL=1056046 - Aircraft Maintenance Administration Specialist CL=1006048 - Flight Equipment Technician MM=1056061 - Aircraft Intermediate Level Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic MM=1056071 - Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment (SE) MechanicMM=1056072 - Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment Hydraulic/ Pneumatic Structures Mechanic MM=1056073 - Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment Electrician/ Refrigeration Mechanic MM=1056074 - Cryogenics Equipment Operator MM=1056091 - Aircraft Intermediate Level Structures MechanicMM=1056092 - Aircraft Intermediate Level Structures Mechanic MM=1056311 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical/Weapon Systems TechnicianEL=1056312 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Weapon Systems Technician - AV-8EL=1056314 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Avionics Technician EL=1056316 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation Systems Technician - KC-130 EL=1056317 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Weapon Systems Technician - F/A-18 EL=1056322 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical Systems Technician - CH-46 EL=1056323 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical Systems Technician - CH-53 EL=1056324 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical/Weapon Systems Technician - U/AH-1EL=1056326 - Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Electrical/Weapon Systems Technician - V-22 EL=1056331 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician-Trainee EL=1056332 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician - AV-8 EL=1056333 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician - EA-6EL=1056336 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician - KC-130 EL=1056337 - Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician - F/A-18 EL=1056386 - Aircraft Electronic Countermeasures Systems Technician - EA-6B EL=1056511 - Aviation Ordnance Technician GT=1056531 - Aircraft Ordnance Technician GT=1056541 - Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician GT=1056672 - Aviation Supply Clerk CL=1006673 - Automated Information Systems (AIS) Computer Operator CL=1006821 - Weather Observer GT=1057011 - Expeditionary Airfield Systems Technician MM=957041 - Aviation Operations Specialist CL=1007051 - Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue Specialist MM=957212 - Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Gunner GT=907234 - Air Control Electronics Operator GT=1057242 - Air Support Operations Operator GT=1007251 - Air Traffic ControllerGT=1057257 - Air Traffic Controller GT=1057314 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Air Vehicle Operator GT=1057371 - Aerial NavigatorGT=1107381 - Airborne Radio Operator/Inflight Refueling Observer/ LoadmasterGT=110

[jetdoc]

I hate the 5 minute edit feature....Umm, I tried to go back and clean up the MOS mess above but I suppose it was 5 minutes later....oh well.

Here is the link to the ASVAB scores, which you may already have.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marin...lusmcasvab.htm

[BrianMc223]

jetdoc, The "m" was an accident. Thanks for the list.

[jetdoc]

I know you didn't mean anything by it Brian, just trying to help the younger crew out, thats all.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Infantry, Intelligence, etc, come to mind. 1stRad is dead on.

There are more 'cool' jobs out there than you might think. And, BTW, IF you make it through Recruit Training, nobody will give a flying rip what your GT is, no matter the MOS you have. Some of the smartest Marines I've ever known were in the 0311 field. Despite popular misconception, being a Grunt requires far more intelligence and common sense than just marching from point "A" to point "B" in the rain, through mud while being yelled at. (Of course..there is that too...LOL). It takes someone with smarts, good headwork, and a huge dose of common sense to be a small unit infantry leader. The stupid need not apply.

[Marine84]

Also, it might just be my perception, but you seem to be very combative toward me and I don't understand why.

You're correct..................it IS just your perception. I just think it sucks that an 18 year old is "almost a compulsive planner". Jetdoc posted a list of MOSs - take look at them, pick 3 and go see a Recruiter. None of us can give you advice on what you should do as far as MOS and ALL of us in here will swear and be damned that OUR MOS was the best. If you do a search for (and read) all the other threads posted about MOS selection/question/blah, blah, blah......................you'll find everything that we'll tell you - it's what YOU are going to be doing in the next few years, what do YOU want to do?

[jetdoc]

Jason, I agree, if you judge someones intelligence by what their MOS is then you're making a big mistake. Not to mention that the more important part of measuring a person is whats in their heart, what they are made of on the inside, aka, would you share a fighting hole with that person?

I've met plenty of "big dummies" in the Aviation field, and some very intelligent folks in the Grunts, or Cooks, or whatever.

Kim, right on. You guys listen to what Marine84 said, its simple and to the point.

[1stRad2671]

1stRad2671, You really did that? Very Cool. May I ask what you sig says?

Fighting Al-Qa'ida (or Killer of Al-Qa'ida) for the sake of America.
To hell with you mujahidun.

Kind of a play on how they say 'fee sabeel allah' (ﻓﻲ ﺳﺒﻳﻞ) meaning in "God's name/for the sake of God" when they say why they're fighting