Requesting sound advice regarding MOS

[SirRoundSound]

This is my first time posting here, so I have to beg your pardon if I've made any mistakes.

I just talked to my recruiter for the first time the day before yesterday. I can't remember his name exactly, but I remember his rank clearly: Staff Sergeant. I believe it was SSgt Castelneda, but I'm likely mistaken.

He called my cell phone that morning and asked if I was busy and if I wanted to talk in person. I had given my name and phone number to a recruiter at my school over a year ago, so I was surprised that I was being contacted right then, a year later!

Now, I've had my heart set on being a United States Marine for a few years now - it's the only thing I've ever really dreamt of doing, and it remains the only thing I want to do with my life, so naturally I jumped at the chance to talk to a real live Marine! He picked me up from my house in his fancy new 2008 Pontiac and took me to the local recruiting station.

He had me weighed and measured (I was ten pounds overweight), had me try to do a pullup (I could only do one), and he sat me down and asked me if I was interested in taking a practice ASVAB. Well, I had nothing else planned, so he gave me his laptop, sat me down in the next room, and I got to work.

Math has never been my strong suit, so I know I got a few wrong. When I emerged completed, I scored a 69. I have no idea how good or bad that was, but to him, it seemed to be a pretty big deal. He began asking me, "So what did you have your mind set on doing in the Corps?" I told him I had had my heart set on Infantry, and he seemed crestfallen.

He explained to me that Infantry was not something I should do, and he avoided going into details. He asked if I liked working with computers, and I said sure, and I know I'm pretty handy with them. He began listing jobs like Avionics, Supplies Administration, etc, etc. I don't mean to be disrespectful to any Avionics specialists or Supply clerks, but a job involving computers really didn't appeal to me. I had done a lot of research, and Infantry is what really, really spoke to me.

I've always known I would one day be a warrior. The very word sends shivers down my spine and launches me into ridiculous romantic notions of Gladiators, Samurai, Knights on Horseback and, yes, United States Marines. It's what I want to do; I know it. I would even go so far and idealistic as to say it's my destiny.

So when a recruiter tells me that Infantry is not a good idea for me, and isn't what I want to do, it makes me iffy. Suspicious, but at the same time cautious, knowing that he has more experience in this then I do - he's a Marine Corps Staff Sergeant, for crying out loud! He explained that it was the start of what he called the "job picking season" and that the "good" billets were filled based on a first come, first serve basis.

So what I really, really want to know is
1) What do I tell my recruiter, and ask from my recruiter, to make sure I end up with the MOS I want without the possibility of being screwed over
and
2) Is there anybody who has found themselves in my situation who wants to tell me whether I should stay my course, or open myself to new possibilities?

I also lack the knowledge of my recruiter's motivations: Is he paid some kind of commission based on the job I choose? Does he have anything to gain -or lose- by steering me towards these other MOS's?

And lastly, are there any Infantry Marines in particular that would like to advise me based on their own experiences (i.e.: If I have an option at something different, should I take it, or is Infantry worth it?)

I am not yet a Poolee, but it's certainly not far off; I predict that SSgt Castelneda's next visit will be one in which he speaks with my parents about their consent.

Thanks for reading, Marines! Sorry if I messed up anywhere, and sorry if I've been an ignorant kid. I look forward to your responses!

[jrhd97]

Your recruiter is not payed anything for signing up individuals in any MOS. From what we here all 0300 MOS's are closed. Which is funny to us, we've never heard of that happening before.
With a score of 69 you qualify for a good number of jobs ( MOS ). Study up on the ASVAB so when you take the real test you will score higher. The real one is the same as the practice, except the questions are in different orders.
Find out what you are qualified for and find out what they entail. There may be something there you like.
You have some time until you ship, a year or more. In that time you should be able to land an 0300 MOS. Remember, infantry MOS's also include tankers, LAV crewman and such. If you are really set on being a grunt let your recruiter know absolutely that you will not ship or sign with out it on paper. If your dream to be a Marine is as strong as you claim you can chose other MOS's that will still give you the opportunity to get shot at ( MP's , Motor T. drivers, Engineers, etc....)
I was a grunt first and enjoyed it. I became a mechanic later and didn't care for it much.
Stay persistent and hang around here with questions. Just be prepared for the sarcasem thats gonna come your way.

[Backblast]

I am surprised to hear 0300s are a closed billet. I figured if anything there would be a demand for them. I am trying to get back in as a 8513 (Marine Combat Instructor). From what I hear there is a big shortage on SOI instructors so we will see what happens.

As far as advice goes, I would say if you feel this recruiter is leading you on, then find another one in a different town. Try and find a recruiter that was a grunt..this should help you out. It sounds like you have your heart set on Infantry so make it clear to him that you will only be a grunt.

Try not to get impatient as openings pop up all the time. You may have to wait for the job you want but that will be good training for you. Hurry up and wait.

Good to go?

[SirRoundSound]

Thanks Marines. I knew you would pull through for me. :]

I am going to tell my recruiter that I am not willing to enlist until I am guaranteed to be a grunt, and that I want to see it on paper.

I am interested in 0311 Rifleman, especially. I may be incorrect, but from what I understand, I will fill a "03XX" billet upon enlistment, and then I fill in a "wishlist" at the beginning of SOI for the last two digits of my MOS? Is this the only way to select my complete MOS, or is there a way of working through my recruiter to ensure my position as a Rifleman? I'm really not trying to go through Basic and then find that I have to choose a different MOS because all of the 0300's became filled or something.

[Pete0331]

I am interested in 0311 Rifleman, especially. I may be incorrect, but from what I understand, I will fill a "03XX" billet upon enlistment, and then I fill in a "wishlist" at the beginning of SOI for the last two digits of my MOS?


Yes




Is this the only way to select my complete MOS, or is there a way of working through my recruiter to ensure my position as a Rifleman?

No, but there are circumstances where you can change. My ITB class was around 500 Marines. Around 60%-70% were 0311's.




I'm really not trying to go through Basic and then find that I have to choose a different MOS because all of the 0300's became filled or something.

Then sign an 03XX contract, but you may wait for a while before you go to Recruit Training.

[CplKJSpevak]

Every Poolee should read a book called "Sgt. Major U.S. Marines" a biography on Sgt. Maj. Maurice Jacques, the Marine Corps before "MOS's" .......back when they sent you where they needed you, he was a tree trimmer on Guam, Combat Engineer Squad leader (where he led his Marines in combat in Korea) Training NCO, DI, Finally 1st Force recon in Nam.....But was never in the "Infantry Field" as we know it today.....The Marine Corps is what you make it...Don't get THAT hung up on labeling Your status as a Marine because of the MOS your in...

[slimmy07]

Your recruiter is not payed anything for signing up individuals in any MOS. From what we here all 0300 MOS's are closed. Which is funny to us, we've never heard of that happening before.
With a score of 69 you qualify for a good number of jobs ( MOS ). Study up on the ASVAB so when you take the real test you will score higher. The real one is the same as the practice, except the questions are in different orders.
Find out what you are qualified for and find out what they entail. There may be something there you like.
You have some time until you ship, a year or more. In that time you should be able to land an 0300 MOS. Remember, infantry MOS's also include tankers, LAV crewman and such. If you are really set on being a grunt let your recruiter know absolutely that you will not ship or sign with out it on paper. If your dream to be a Marine is as strong as you claim you can chose other MOS's that will still give you the opportunity to get shot at ( MP's , Motor T. drivers, Engineers, etc....)
I was a grunt first and enjoyed it. I became a mechanic later and didn't care for it much.
Stay persistent and hang around here with questions. Just be prepared for the sarcasem thats gonna come your way.


Im a former USMC recruiter (2004-2007) and the UH (infantry)Field/program as its labeled in the recruiting world CLOSES OUT FASTER THAN ANY JOB PERIOD. It is the most souight out MOS field we have. Recruiters simply can NOT add a slot. Each year HQ Marine Corps puts out the number of slots to be opened each year, then its the recruiters job to fill them. MOS Jobs simply cant just be ADDED. Its not funny that they are closed out, nor is it strange. People go to harvard for Law chool, People got to the Marines to be infantryman.

I dont know your situation kid, when you ship etc. etc. but your recruiter is right, UH closes out on a first come first serve basis. So if your a graduate and want to ship ASAP then you probably would have to choose another MOS. Recruiters do NOT get paid any extra in the Corps, and they dont get any extra incentive if you choose a certain MOS. Go ahead and tell your recruiter you have your mind set on going infantry, but i would join ASAP if you can because you seem like your qualified today (other than wieght) , but might not be qualified tomorrow. Good Luck kid.

[CH53MetalMan]

Im a former USMC recruiter (2004-2007) and the UH (infantry)Field/program as its labeled in the recruiting world CLOSES OUT FASTER THAN ANY JOB PERIOD. It is the most souight out MOS field we have. Recruiters simply can NOT add a slot. Each year HQ Marine Corps puts out the number of slots to be opened each year, then its the recruiters job to fill them. MOS Jobs simply cant just be ADDED. Its not funny that they are closed out, nor is it strange. People go to harvard for Law chool, People got to the Marines to be infantryman.

I dont know your situation kid, when you ship etc. etc. but your recruiter is right, UH closes out on a first come first serve basis. So if your a graduate and want to ship ASAP then you probably would have to choose another MOS. Recruiters do NOT get paid any extra in the Corps, and they dont get any extra incentive if you choose a certain MOS. Go ahead and tell your recruiter you have your mind set on going infantry, but i would join ASAP if you can because you seem like your qualified today (other than wieght) , but might not be qualified tomorrow. Good Luck kid.


Since he can only do 1 pullup, how can he be qualified? I know you don't need to knock out 20, but you need a passing score on the PFT.

[slimmy07]

Since he can only do 1 pullup, how can he be qualified? I know you don't need to knock out 20, but you need a passing score on the PFT.

Young men that enlist into the Marine Corps do NOT take a PFT. They take an IST, an initial strength test. They have to do 2 pull-ups run 1 and 1/2 miles in under 13:30 and do 45 sit ups in 2 minutes, keep in mind that these are minimums. This test is completed prior to boot camp and each individual must score the minimum in order to go to boot camp.

[CH53MetalMan]

Perhaps someone will assist him with the second pull-up?

Just kidding, anyone that can get one, can knock out two.

[slimmy07]

Perhaps someone will assist him with the second pull-up?

Just kidding, anyone that can get one, can knock out two.

LOL! That would help the recruiter get him to boot camp. Very true, anyone that can do one can do two.

[SirRoundSound]

Im a former USMC recruiter (2004-2007) and the UH (infantry)Field/program as its labeled in the recruiting world CLOSES OUT FASTER THAN ANY JOB PERIOD. It is the most souight out MOS field we have. Recruiters simply can NOT add a slot. Each year HQ Marine Corps puts out the number of slots to be opened each year, then its the recruiters job to fill them. MOS Jobs simply cant just be ADDED. Its not funny that they are closed out, nor is it strange. People go to harvard for Law chool, People got to the Marines to be infantryman.

I dont know your situation kid, when you ship etc. etc. but your recruiter is right, UH closes out on a first come first serve basis. So if your a graduate and want to ship ASAP then you probably would have to choose another MOS. Recruiters do NOT get paid any extra in the Corps, and they dont get any extra incentive if you choose a certain MOS. Go ahead and tell your recruiter you have your mind set on going infantry, but i would join ASAP if you can because you seem like your qualified today (other than wieght) , but might not be qualified tomorrow. Good Luck kid.

Thank you, Sergeant. This advice has really helped me. My recruiter is calling me again tomorrow to set up a time to come chat with my parents. I am not yet in the DEP, and I still have a year of high school to finish, so I suppose I am at an advantage if I find that all of the Infantry slots are full and I end up needing to wait, which seems quite probable. It would only give me that much more time to prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally.


Perhaps someone will assist him with the second pull-up?

Just kidding, anyone that can get one, can knock out two.

Haha! I admit, just one pullup is pretty pathetic. I think I was just nervous; I know I can probably do 20 if I'm focused enough! But just in case, I've begun a strict program of diet and exercise that I intend to stick to long after I know I can pass the minimum requirements.

Thanks for the advice, Marines! If anyone else would like to add anything, please do! I need all the advice and motivation I can get right now!

[slimmy07]

Kid,
I would DEP now if I were you. Your going to be a senior and now is the perfect time to enlist because you can have first shot at those UH (infantry) jobs. Those jobs are a first come first serve basis and once they fill up there is NOTHING your recruiter can do to open one up. By enlisting now your ensuring yourself a spot. If your foound qualified you can DEP and you have up to a year to go to boot camp and you can also pick your job when the new list comes out. Good Luck

[SirRoundSound]

Just to keep everybody updated, my recruiter came over after dinner to sit and talk with me and my parents. Well, of course he started off on his whole spiel about how I scored high on my practice ASVAB, and said something to the degree of "It is every parent's worry that their son or daughter will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan and risk being injured or killed. Well, because of your son's promising score on the practice ASVAB, he will be able to get a more relaxed job as an Avionics technician, or in Intelligence."

My parents looked at me, because they knew what I wanted to do, and that was my cue to inform SSgt Castelneda that I had had my heart set on Infantry, that I was well-enough informed on this position and had done my research, and that my devotion to filling an Infantry position is to the point that I would not enlist unless it was under an Infantry contract.

So I did.

He continued to try and talk me out of it and even started suggesting to my parents that they shouldn't sign the consent papers unless I chose a non-Combat Arms MOS, but I told him that if they refused to sign the consent papers, then I would simply wait until I turned 18 in May and enlist under an Infantry contract regardless.

He eventually relented somewhat, and said that since my parents were worried about my likely tour(s) overseas, that it would be fair to compromise. We all agreed that I would fill an Infantry MOS for the first two years of my term, and then for the next two years fill a "more relaxed" position. I told them that I had always liked the idea of Embassy duty in the Marine Security Guard Battalion, so it was done. My parents agreed to remain worried, but supportive, and my recruiter agreed to help do everything in his power to set me on the path to becoming an Infantry Marine.

The SSgt informed my parents of the physical I would need, and the FBI background check, and that I would be entered into the Delayed Entry Program. He said he would get Marines returning from boot camp and returning from Iraq to take time to talk to me personally about their experiences and my future.

Mom and Dad went into the kitchen to sign the document, and left me and the SSgt in the living room. I apologized to him for being so stubborn about the whole thing, and he told me not to be sorry, and that "That sort of motivation is exactly what the Marine Corps is about." He told me he was proud.

So that's that. I expect he'll keep in touch.

But I want to thank you Marines for being so helpful. I might have continued to postpone my decision to enter the DEP if it weren't for your help, advice, and information. It gave me the confidence I needed to take the first steps to achieving my dream.

Expect to hear from me as a Poolee in the near future!

Thanks Marines!

[CplKJSpevak]

Good to go! Sounds like you have Pretty Outstanding parents!

[Backblast]

What an intelligent and well written young man you are. I think you will make an outstanding U.S. Marine.

Good luck in your endeavor.

-Backblast-

[jrhd97]

Good to go standing your ground. Good luck.

[Danman]

get a more relaxed job as an Avionics technician, or in Intelligence

Intelligence isnt that relaxed theres Intel Marines going beyond the wire every day... Normaly each intel Marine Goes on patrol 1-3 times a week.... How can you be expected to know and Brief the Terrain and conditions if you never been there?

[SirRoundSound]

Intelligence isnt that relaxed theres Intel Marines going beyond the wire every day... Normaly each intel Marine Goes on patrol 1-3 times a week.... How can you be expected to know and Brief the Terrain and conditions if you never been there?

Sorry, didn't mean to make it seem like I was calling Intelligence a relaxed field. I certainly haven't done enough research into Intelligence to determine how much more difficult it is than other fields; I was just referring to what my recruiter told me and my parents. My apologies.