View Full Version : Getting your specific MOS
So how does one actually go about getting his specific MOS? I just got into the DEP program (could a mod change my account to a Poolee one, please?) and my recruiter handed me a BX contract (05xx/06xx), but it didn't actually specify which job I would get, just that I would be in those fields. What's the process for actually getting the MOS you want, and what are your chances of being selected for it?
If it helps at all, I'm looking to be an 0651 and scored a 97/99 on my ASVAB.
HardJedi
01-07-07, 10:43 AM
you get your MOS assigned to you when you get to your MOS school.
thats it. end of story. You get a field assigned to you, and the Corps does what it wants with you. I can't remember my ASVAB score, but I do remember my recruiter telling me I qualified for any MOS the Corps had. I asked for 03, and got it. When I got to SOI, I was assigned as an 0311 ( obviously, the greatest job IN the Corps):flag:
So there's no way to ask the Corps to assign you a MOS when you get to school, and you are just entirely at their mercy?
SkilletsUSMC
01-07-07, 01:20 PM
For the grunts, we got a wish list, but it doesnt mean they will 100% give you your first wish... I got mine though... 0311 baby!!!!!
konman1
01-07-07, 03:47 PM
You get your MOS when you sign your contract and it is confirmed once you graduate from Boot Camp. I cant think of anyone who didnt get their MOS, that is if you dont rock out of school.
DownAnomaly
01-12-07, 10:39 AM
It's been about 8 years since I went through MOS school so it could've changed some but last I checked it stil went like this.
1. Bootcamp (obviously)
2. MCT, about a week before you graduate MCT they read off everyone's occ-field, this is where they tell you that you're going to beautiful 29 stumps for a few months of school.
3. Graduate MCT and take a bus (west coast) or plane (east coast) to the stumps to wait for your class to pick up.
You don't really get to pick your exact MOS, you're guaranteed an occ-field.
Hope that helps.
Well, lately I've been hearing things about a three-MOS dream sheet that you get rather than just a contract for a field. Any information on that? Two Marines I talked to got that instead.
Sgt Leprechaun
01-13-07, 01:25 PM
Then, pick the 3 jobs you'd most like to do. MOS selection depends alot on "needs of the Corps" at the time you enlist. Obviously, they need more Field Radio Operators than they do, say, Infantrymen. (Believe it or not. Infantry fills up fast).
So, pick the three you like best.
DownAnomaly
01-15-07, 06:34 PM
The only dream sheet I ever saw was for duty stations, and as it turned out it didn't matter anyway because there were 2 slots for Quantico and the rest of us were bound for Oki.
Eagle57
01-16-07, 07:02 PM
While in BOOTCAMP....They will know YOU better than YOU know Yourself.
How do YOU get Picked to be 0311...a GRUNT???
YOU GUESS....(It Isn't Picked Out Of A Hat, or Randomly).
Do YOU think The US Marine Corps are gonna put THEIR BEST to the REAR...or UP FRONT?
What would YOU DO?
Your Abilities, Conduct, Diciplne, Markmanship, and Internal Fortatude will Determine where YOU FIT.
They have only been doing this for the past 231 YEARS.
Good Luck,
God Bless
Your Abilities
The problem is I don't think they check up on your information technology abilities in boot camp, which is the job field an 0651 gets into. I'm worried they'll stick me on radio or wire despite the fact I know I rock hardcore at computers, and therefore should lend my best abilities to the Corps in that aspect.
It's interesting though; two Marines I have talked to have said that they got a sheet that they signed stating that they were guaranteed one of three MOS's. Then there's other Marines that just sign up and are guaranteed an OccFld. What's up with that? And why didn't my recruiter mention the former to me?
Eagle57
01-16-07, 08:05 PM
Look YOU ASKED FOR ADVISE.
IGAVE IT TO YOU.
IT'S SOLID, IT EVEN MAKES SENCE TO A 6th GRADER....BUT YOU WANT TO QUESTION IT...DISPUTE IT...AND/OR HEAR WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR.
I CANNOT HELP YOU ANYMORE.
GO BACK ...READ MY POST ...EITHER TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT...YOU WILL EVENTUALLY SEE...THE HARD WAY.
YOU ARE JUST A NUMBER SON.
GOD BLESS
Echo_Four_Bravo
01-16-07, 08:27 PM
The problem is I don't think they check up on your information technology abilities in boot camp, which is the job field an 0651 gets into. I'm worried they'll stick me on radio or wire despite the fact I know I rock hardcore at computers, and therefore should lend my best abilities to the Corps in that aspect.
It's interesting though; two Marines I have talked to have said that they got a sheet that they signed stating that they were guaranteed one of three MOS's. Then there's other Marines that just sign up and are guaranteed an OccFld. What's up with that? And why didn't my recruiter mention the former to me?
You can only have a guranteed MOS if you are in the reserves. If you go active duty, you pick the field and that is all. You may get to fill out a "dream" sheet but that doesn't promise you anything. If you don't want to be a radio person (and we don't want you either) or wireman, then don't sign an 06xx contract. Simple as that.
There is no need for you to argue with us. We know how things work, you do not-- that is why you're hear asking questions. We can't change the rules, and I doubt any of us would if we could. Either take it as we have it, or go somewhere else. Sorry.
Recruiter-man
01-16-07, 08:36 PM
As the other Marines have said Renian, you are guaranteed an occupational field. Your recruiter should have told you all this though. The Marine Corps will fill the open position in that field that you have chosen. The main thing is that you are going to be part of the finest branch of service that America has to offer. You can not compare any of the other branches to the United States Marine Corps. That’s like comparing Diamonds to Dirt! So be happy that you have made a decision that few men and women have the guts to make in the first place. Take care and Semper Fi future Marine. P.S. Boot Camp is what you make of it and that goes for the four years you spend in the Marine Corps too.
Recruiter-man
01-16-07, 08:37 PM
As the other Marines have said Renian, you are guaranteed an occupational field. Your recruiter should have told you all this though. The Marine Corps will fill the open position in that field that you have chosen. The main thing is that you are going to be part of the finest branch of service that America has to offer. You can not compare any of the other branches to the United States Marine Corps. That’s like comparing Diamonds to Dirt! So be happy that you have made a decision that few men and women have the guts to make in the first place. Take care and Semper Fi future Marine. P.S. Boot Camp is what you make of it and that goes for the four years you spend in the Marine Corps too.
Eagle57
01-16-07, 08:45 PM
Thought here we go again..LOL
Good sound advise...again.
They ask a question, you give them experience, cause you've been there, been fuv*ked, lol, like me and my buddy guarenteed in 1975 to "be together all the way" on the "BUDDY SYSTEM", and didn't see him after we stepped off the bus for 13 weeks!
Never saw or heard from my Great All , Be All, Viet Nam Bush Recruter in my LIFE Again!
Try and help these impressionable recruits, and they tell YOU!
It's this question all, I have my rights generation. Period.
Semper-Fi,
DDR
I didn't see myself as arguing. :P Sorry if that came across that way.
But this:
You can only have a guranteed MOS if you are in the reserves. If you go active duty, you pick the field and that is all. You may get to fill out a "dream" sheet but that doesn't promise you anything. If you don't want to be a radio person (and we don't want you either) or wireman, then don't sign an 06xx contract. Simple as that.
helped a lot. Thank you.
Ok, no disrespect to the other marines, i will handle this, i am an 0656. i was told what my mos was when i checked into MCT, but when i got to 29 palms( fun but you will hate it with a passion), all my friends that were 0656 got put into the 0651 feild, basically your mos depends on the need of the marine corps, your field is pretty much garanteed but mos is not so certain, you will be one of the following
0651-basically a computer specialist... your gonna load windows on computers at school alot
0653- first you either complete 51 or 56 course and this is defence messaging specialist. very important
or
0656- tac.dat.net. specialists, you set up networks on the battlefield and administrate in garrison
ooohh rah
LCpl.Weese :flag:
Thanks, but I feel as I should give you Marines an update.
This whole topic started because I misread my contract. Whoops! For a while there, I thought for some reason a BX contract gave one a 05xx or 06xx job, and was not limited to 0511, 0651, and 0656--the jobs I want. But it is. (Granted, 0511 is the only 05xx job, but there's like 20 06xx jobs, many of which I didn't want)
This was the fabled "three-MOS contract" I was hearing about. They should have just told me that it was the BX contract to begin with. Bah. But hey, my damn fault for misunderstanding my contract.
Weenis--what exactly do 0651's and 0656's do out in the field? Just stay with the tents and work on the computers there? Drive around in a humvee and set up networks around the place?
Big Dog,
Heres the Gouge from a Marine Recruiter. When you enlist in the Marine Corps you sign up for a Program with a couple different MOS under that Program. The Marine Corps can not guarantee you any job unless you enlist in the Marine Corps Reserves. Once you Graduate Recruit Training you will go to MCT. At MCT the Marine Corps will assign you to a field under the Program you enlisted for. I signed up for the Legal Admin field and ended up being an Aviation Operations Specialist (7041) and lifes been good since.
Semper Fi
SSgt Deppen
pretty much but you gotta remember every marines primary mos is a 0311, we are all trained riflemen and if they need bodies for a convoy, anyone can get pulled even a hygeneic equipment operator.
Echo_Four_Bravo
03-06-07, 03:40 PM
Every Marine is a rifleman, but saying that every Marine's primary MOS is 0311 is a bit over the top. A hygeneic equipment operator may know a little about infantry tactics and how to shoot a rifle- but that is a long way from being an 0311.
Colling
03-13-07, 02:42 AM
Renian, in May of 2005 I joined the DEP and signed a BX contract just like you did. I hope your recruiter was kind enough to tell you that is a 5 year contract, as opposed to most MOS's 4 year contract. The BX (Data Systems) contract will put you in an 065X feild. Either a 51 or a 56. I have heard it is the intention of the Marine Corps to combine the MOS's, so don't be too concerned about what you get. I am an 0651, at the 51 school in 29 Palms you learn all about administering a windows network. At the 56 school you learn about the tactical side of the house, setting up the network, more focused on routers and switches.
However, whichever MOS you get be it 51 or 56, is not going to matter, per say. At the completion of your course, the monitor is going to chose where you go for your first duty station. Depending on the needs of the marine corps, you may be a 51 doing the job of a 56, or vice versa. At which point you would have some OTJ training to fill in the gaps of what you didn't learn about at your school.
But all of this is down the road for you, and mostly out of your control, for now, keep working on your pullups.
Semper Fi
Colling
killerinstinct
03-13-07, 08:15 AM
So there's no way to ask the Corps to assign you a MOS when you get to school, and you are just entirely at their mercy?
it is possible. I have seen someone who got in his contract for a specific MOS, it's difficult and need lots of will power but it's doable. Also depends what MOS you want if there are any slots for that MOS open it's a huge complicated thing.
josephplt2008
04-09-07, 01:23 PM
Hey Semper FI Brothers,, I heard a reply that said only reservist get a gaurenteed MOS,, My son is going to join the Corps,,I'm so excited,, can hardly contain my self,, He want to be a 3156 automotive mechanic,, I have an auto repair buisness called MARINE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR and he wants to be trianed in this area to be a part of the buisness,what can I do to get him this MOS, We are getting ready to go to the recruiters and they know me down there, any advice, I just dont want him to get a job as a mechanic working on amphibious assult vehicles like what happened to me, this job has no civilian prospects,i was suspossed to work at motor pool as mechanic.
Things have probably changed since I enlisted but from reading the SSgt's posts maybe not. I joined under the combat arms contract. Combat arms was tanks, artillery, am-tracs, and infantry. Yes an 03 is a combat weapon. I was chosen to go to the 03 field but just as easilly could have ended up in artillery. I am sure there are tighter contracts but when I joined it was to be a Marine and was willing to do anything but drive a desk or sling chow. You can also just roll the dice and go in open contract and take what they give you.
josephplt2008
06-09-07, 09:16 PM
My son is going in Oct, this fall his occupational feild will be mecahnics, He wants 3521 Automotive mech, since I own a Automotive repair business, so when he get out he will have somting to fall back on, what are his chances of getting that mos, his recriuter said, either this or heavy duty equipment, that will not benefit him at all in the automoitve buisness, any suggestions,,