MOS Needs/Advice

[StrikeQ]

Short version: I attempted to join the USMC about 5.5 years ago but was PDQ'd due to a non existing medical condition. Tried to overturn but didn't work. I scored a 92 on the ASVAB with a 131 GT.

Fast forward to now, I talked to a recruiter and managed to get the PDQ cleared. I took my ASVAB again yesterday. Scored a 98 with a 143 GT (Saw in another post that 140 was the max, but mine does say 143) other three scores were 131 and up.

No openings (aside from Cook) until Oct/Nov so I can basically get the job of my choice (Recruiter says he can guarantee the job due to DEP). I still have my physical this Monday then I will have the contract/Sworn in portion.

Should I be fortunate to graduate boot camp and earn the title of Marine I will be going in as an E-2 due to Advanced Enlistment. I also plan on applying to the MECEP program once I'm in and eventually earn a commission and become a Marine Officer.

As of now I'm tentatively looking at a Military Police MOS. First and foremost being a Marine is my goal. Given my scores and aptitude I believe I can excel at any position required of me.

What I'm looking for: What MOS's are in demand? Which ones have a hard time retaining people?

Also, aside from the Advanced Enlistment Program, are there any other incentives and/or bonuses I should ask about/look for? Might as well get the best deal I can while at it.

[CplHawk]

What I'm looking for: What MOS's are in demand? Which ones have a hard time retaining people?


From what I've heard, EOD is ALWAYS looking for people and I think it's one of the critical MOS's (short on personnel). But I'm not in that field so from my perspective it's all just hearsay.

[CplHawk]

Also just FYI, if you want to post in these boards, you need to fill out your profile more; otherwise your thread could get deleted.

[jcarter73]

EOD is a critical, 0321's, and 0861's are also critical.

[Marine84]

Ordies RULE baby!

[StrikeQ]

Been trying to look up the EOD, saw some posts stating something about you can't sign up for that MOS? You have to move into it at a later date?

If that is true, what MOS would be best to go in as?

I'll definitely bring EOD up with the recruiter before signing my contract (Although he states as long as I let him know August at the latest I can change my MOS). Was also thinking some type of Intelligence field.

[StrikeQ]

Going to the hotel tonight and MEPS bright and early in the morning. After which (if all goes well) and depending on the time (have an interview about 50 miles away @ 1600) I'll sit down the with Gunny at MEPS and/or my recruiter and talk about some MOS positions.

My main goal once I'm in will be to get accepted to MECEP and eventually earn a commission. At which point I might try for a 0203 or 0302 MOS.

So far I'm looking at:
0211
0231
0321
0656
0861
2336
5811
5819
5821

I know some like the 2336 can't be assigned out of boot, but would try for a lateral at some point

[ttracker65]

1833 is always looking for fresh meat

[JWDevilDog]

0211 is only available to NCOs lat-moving into the MOS. This is true for EOD as well. I don't know about the others in your list off-hand.

You might want to take a look at this thread, regarding 0231:

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77236

[JWDevilDog]

Ok, I did some more research, and out of your list here is what I came up with:

2336 and 5821 are only available to Sergeants lat-moving into the MOS. This might be waiverable to Corporal, I don't know.

0211 and 5819 are available to NCOs lat-moving into (Corporals, Sergeants, sometimes they take Staff Sergeants with waivers).

0656 is only available from Private through Sergeant, which I interpret to mean you would have to change your MOS once you pick up SSgt.

Personally I only know details about 0211, as I am considering lat-moving into that MOS when I get promoted and feel I am ready. It is a very high-tempo MOS, and always in extremely high demand. It is one of the most selective MOS's in the Corps, and as such is incredibly difficult to get into.

[PaidinBlood]

Short version: I attempted to join the USMC about 5.5 years ago but was PDQ'd due to a non existing medical condition. Tried to overturn but didn't work. I scored a 92 on the ASVAB with a 131 GT.

Fast forward to now, I talked to a recruiter and managed to get the PDQ cleared. I took my ASVAB again yesterday. Scored a 98 with a 143 GT (Saw in another post that 140 was the max, but mine does say 143) other three scores were 131 and up.

No openings (aside from Cook) until Oct/Nov so I can basically get the job of my choice (Recruiter says he can guarantee the job due to DEP). I still have my physical this Monday then I will have the contract/Sworn in portion.

Should I be fortunate to graduate boot camp and earn the title of Marine I will be going in as an E-2 due to Advanced Enlistment. I also plan on applying to the MECEP program once I'm in and eventually earn a commission and become a Marine Officer.

As of now I'm tentatively looking at a Military Police MOS. First and foremost being a Marine is my goal. Given my scores and aptitude I believe I can excel at any position required of me.

What I'm looking for: What MOS's are in demand? Which ones have a hard time retaining people?

Also, aside from the Advanced Enlistment Program, are there any other incentives and/or bonuses I should ask about/look for? Might as well get the best deal I can while at it.


Who cares what's in demand? You're obviously qualified, if not humble. Find what interests you and do the shi t outta it. Good luck

[StrikeQ]

Completed MEPS yesterday and am no officially in the DEP with a ship date of 20091026. Current contract is open enlistment since they do not have the job list for the next fiscal year. Once they get that I will change my contract to the MOS I choose. As of now I haven't chosen one.

I've been leaning towards the Intelligence Specialist, but still am undecided. Should I be fortunate to gradaute Boot Camp I plan on applying to MECEP as soon as possible to hopefully earn a commission as a Marine Officer.

[JWDevilDog]

Good signature, by the way. "If you want peace, prepare for war."

Anyway, make sure you read that thread about 0231 that I posted. It will definitely help you make your decision.

By the way, I believe you can't apply for MECEP until you attain the rank of Lance Corporal, maybe even Corporal.

[StrikeQ]

Good signature, by the way. "If you want peace, prepare for war."

Anyway, make sure you read that thread about 0231 that I posted. It will definitely help you make your decision.

By the way, I believe you can't apply for MECEP until you attain the rank of Lance Corporal, maybe even Corporal.

That actually hasn't been the case for at least a few years, or so I've read/heard on this forum and others. Something about a MARADMIN taking precedent over some other regulation? Which states there is no rank requirement. There isn't even a time in service requirement (anymore if there was one).

The Marines have been exceeding their enlistment goals way ahead of schedule to meet there 202,000 Marines. However there is still a huge need for officers so acceptance and requirements for the commissioning programs have been easier to pass. That isn't to say it's been made easier to graduate.

My recruiter stated that currently there is about an 85% acceptance rate into MECEP. With my ASVAB score and having 48 college credits (most likely more with a SMART transcript after MOS school) I believe I have a good shot at getting through.

I apologize is any of the above is false, it is just what I've turned up from my research and talking with my recruiter and the Gunny at MEPS.

I did read that 0231 thread that you posted, it was very enlightening. Working a cubicle type job isn't something I'd gladly choose in my top 3, however the 0231 may be a job I excel at so I'm still leaning towards it at this point.

Recruiter offered to give me the Direct Language Battery Aptitude test I think, which I may take him up on. However a crypto linguist is even lower on the list I'd say.

Still some talks to go with my recruiter and research to be done before I could give a final answer on MOS. I would like an 0302 or 0203 Officer position (I know it's hard/impossible to choose your MOS as an Officer). So with the 0203 I think the 0231 would really help out in.

Your replies are most appreciated.

[devildame]

Pretty sure officers do not have an MOS. They are just officers, in charge of lots and lots of paperwork that all the enlisted do. Or pilots. Why do you want to be an officer? Prestige, money...?...

[PaidinBlood]

Are you serious? Not only do officers have MOS's, but he threw one out there...0203...also 0302...those are just off the top of my head...FYSA SF:usmc:

[devildame]

Are you serious? Not only do officers have MOS's, but he threw one out there...0203...also 0302...those are just off the top of my head...FYSA SF:usmc:

OK! No, I was not joking, but obviously misinformed, and now corrected. I was told that officers do not get MOS designations like enlisted do. Thank you for the check.

[PaidinBlood]

It's all good...Semper Fi :D

[JWDevilDog]

That actually hasn't been the case for at least a few years, or so I've read/heard on this forum and others. Something about a MARADMIN taking precedent over some other regulation? Which states there is no rank requirement. There isn't even a time in service requirement (anymore if there was one).



I have no problem with a poolee correcting a Marine on current affairs in the Corps, but if you are going to do so, be sure you're locked and loaded before you post. For example, giving us the specific MARADMIN would be a good start.



The Marines have been exceeding their enlistment goals way ahead of schedule to meet there 202,000 Marines. However there is still a huge need for officers so acceptance and requirements for the commissioning programs have been easier to pass. That isn't to say it's been made easier to graduate.


The Corps met their goals of 202,000, that is correct. Now that they have met their goal, and that we are officially withdrawing from one of our two fronts, they are already starting to scale down the size of the Corps. So, what you said might be true, I don't personally know about the numbers of officers. But I do know that since they are starting to scale down the Corps, that they likely aren't as pressed for officers as when we were trying to get up to 202,000, for example. Hope this makes sense.



Recruiter offered to give me the Direct Language Battery Aptitude test I think, which I may take him up on. However a crypto linguist is even lower on the list I'd say.


It is Defense Language Aptitude Battery. It is designed to measure you ability to learn foreign languages, in general. There is also the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT), which measures your current proficiency in a given language, if you already think you have a good base in it. The DLAB is the most difficult test I have ever taken.

[devildame]

The DLAB is crazy! I speak Spanish (not native), and a bit of German, even less of Arabic. I like languages, find them interesting, even thought I had a certain aptitude for picking them up. But not according to the DLAB. I don't think there is any way to prepare for this test; even multi-lingual Marines I know have not passed it. My score was only high enough to qualify for a waiver, haha. I was so insulted:)

[StrikeQ]

I have no problem with a poolee correcting a Marine on current affairs in the Corps, but if you are going to do so, be sure you're locked and loaded before you post. For example, giving us the specific MARADMIN would be a good start.

To answer your question no, there is no rank requirement for MECEP. The MCO states that there is, however, the annual MARADMIN overrides the MCO. Paragraph 6.B. says there is no rank requirement. Look at MARADMIN 270/08 or 191/07 for some old examples. It could change in the future but it has been this way for a few years.


Don't believe I've seen one for FY10 posted yet is why I didn't post it.



The Corps met their goals of 202,000, that is correct. Now that they have met their goal, and that we are officially withdrawing from one of our two fronts, they are already starting to scale down the size of the Corps. So, what you said might be true, I don't personally know about the numbers of officers. But I do know that since they are starting to scale down the Corps, that they likely aren't as pressed for officers as when we were trying to get up to 202,000, for example. Hope this makes sense.


Very true, all I can say is what the Gunny at MEPS told me: that the Corps was looking to get to 202,000 Marines by 2012 or so and are already there for their enlisted goals however their officer goals still haven't been met, however they are on track to hit their goal as planned by 2012.




It is Defense Language Aptitude Battery. It is designed to measure you ability to learn foreign languages, in general. There is also the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT), which measures your current proficiency in a given language, if you already think you have a good base in it. The DLAB is the most difficult test I have ever taken.

Thank you for the correction. Currently English is the only language I'm proficient in so I wouldn't need to take the DLPT. As for taking the DLAB I'm still not sure. Wouldn't mind learning another language to go along with the job, though I don't really want to be a cryptologist linguist. Though I'd think there is more than that MOS available while given a second language, that is the one the recruiter indicated when he mentioned the test.

[CHOCTAWBIGNDN]

yat

[CHOCTAWBIGNDN]

:tank: YAT YAS!!! MCM PLT! H&S Co. 3rd AABN!!!!

[JWDevilDog]

Don't believe I've seen one for FY10 posted yet is why I didn't post it.

That's fine. You could very well be right, but I know that many Marines and poolees are interested in the same sort of thing, which is why giving the MARADMIN is helpful. Keep us posted if you learn what it is (I won't be following it as it doesn't pertain to me in the least anymore).



Very true, all I can say is what the Gunny at MEPS told me: that the Corps was looking to get to 202,000 Marines by 2012 or so and are already there for their enlisted goals however their officer goals still haven't been met, however they are on track to hit their goal as planned by 2012.

Well, it follows to reason that if they are downsizing the enlisted portion of the Corps, then it is not necessary to continue to enlarge the officer portion as well. Sustainment should be sufficient, because what happens along down the road when we have much fewer enlisted Marines and a whole heap of officers running around?

I'm not saying you're wrong. Just saying that logically getting more officers while getting fewer enlisted doesn't really work out.




Thank you for the correction. Currently English is the only language I'm proficient in so I wouldn't need to take the DLPT. As for taking the DLAB I'm still not sure. Wouldn't mind learning another language to go along with the job, though I don't really want to be a cryptologist linguist. Though I'd think there is more than that MOS available while given a second language, that is the one the recruiter indicated when he mentioned the test.

As I said, the DLAB is the hardest test I have ever taken. As the Cpl. said, there is no way to prepare for the test. Either you pass it, or you don't. There is no last minute cramming, it is impossible to cheat on, and you can't learn in advance for it.

The MOS fields that a second language might be of use are:
02xx (Intelligence)
26xx (Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare)
27xx (Linguist)

Those are the only fields, that I know of, that might send a large number of their Marines to the DLI to learn another language. Other MOS's might send onesies and twosies to the DLI, but it is not likely for many to be sent.

You can read about them here:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/marinejobs.htm