Joint he Marines. At least youll get the pride .... even if you end up a cook.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Here's the deal...no matter what, you go to MEPS for your inprocessing, screening etc,and, then, you sit down and get your job. It will be in writing then, no matter what. It doesn't matter when you go....It's the same proceedure. Sounds like it's a selling tactic. Screw it..go ahead and go?  What are you waiting on? it's been over 10 years since i've been in.  at the time i entered, i was promised, and received, my school of choice.  Part way through school, it was announced that the cash bonus for signing up was being rescinded.  In other words, the money they promised me for going to advanced electronics school was not going to be paid.  Do not trust them.   When I was in boot, a guy signed up for service w/ no promise of any school.  He was told that those decisions were made in boot.  He was told (kind of) correctly.  While in boot, he was told he would be a boatswains mate.  Great news for him.  He would spend the next four years chipping paint.  Now there's a skill worth signing up for.   DO NOT TRUST THEM. They will tell you what it takes for you to sign up.  DO NOT TRUST THEM. "Needs of the Army". did you not read the fine print? no.  i did not read the fine print.  it was one of the first of many lessons in my life.  The lesson  learned was: DO NOT TRUST THEM Uh...Yeah...Great..So, he shouldn't sign up then?  Is that what you're saying? "Don't trust the Army" Good advice...Now, what are you saying?  How is he supposed to do MORE to garuntee his job?

i don't care if he signs up or not.  thanks to the internet, the military can now experience Free Market Capitalism and its effects.  If they treat people honestly and fairly, they will sign up.  If they've treated people poorly, others will go elsewhere.  It's what this country is all about, right?

Quoted: It is a bad time to enlist right now. JMO

I'm going to say this as a recruiter, a Soldier, and a former Marine:

If you think a time of war is a bad time to enlist, we don't want you. Not now, not ever.

Nobody in the military gets a paycheck to be a coward.

If you even think that you might have an issue with going to war, keep walking.

They can put an MOS in your contract. It will usually be a career field, and will always be subject to the needs of the Army. Getting it is simple. When you go to MEPS, don't sign without getting the option you want. If they won't give it to you, and you are otherwise qualified, thank them for their time and ask them to contact your recruiter to take you home.

Recruiters are at your mercy. We can only do as much for(or against) you as you are willing to take. If the recruiters you are dealing with won't help you, find another one. If you can't,IM me and I will find you one.

Quoted: Quoted: It is a bad time to enlist right now. JMO I'm going to say this as a recruiter, a Soldier, and a former Marine: If you think a time of war is a bad time to enlist, we don't want you. Not now, not ever. Nobody in the military gets a paycheck to be a coward. If you even think that you might have an issue with going to war, keep walking. They can put an MOS in your contract. It will usually be a career field, and will always be subject to the needs of the Army. Getting it is simple. When you go to MEPS, don't sign without getting the option you want. If they won't give it to you, and you are otherwise qualified, thank them for their time and ask them to contact your recruiter to take you home. Recruiters are at your mercy. We can only do as much for(or against) you as you are willing to take. If the recruiters you are dealing with won't help you, find another one. If you can't,IM me and I will find you one.

 Wasteing your breath.  He does this on all the enlisting posts.

Quoted: Quoted: It is a bad time to enlist right now. JMO I'm going to say this as a recruiter, a Soldier, and a former Marine: If you think a time of war is a bad time to enlist, we don't want you. Not now, not ever. Nobody in the military gets a paycheck to be a coward. If you even think that you might have an issue with going to war, keep walking. They can put an MOS in your contract. It will usually be a career field, and will always be subject to the needs of the Army. Getting it is simple. When you go to MEPS, don't sign without getting the option you want. If they won't give it to you, and you are otherwise qualified, thank them for their time and ask them to contact your recruiter to take you home. Recruiters are at your mercy. We can only do as much for(or against) you as you are willing to take. If the recruiters you are dealing with won't help you, find another one. If you can't,IM me and I will find you one.

that's a hell of a position to put a 17 or 18 y/o in.  i was raised in a family that was above board and honest, almost to a fault.  To expect an 18 y/o to be street savy is unreasonable, and some of these recruiters know it.  Fortunately for me my recruiter was very honest and straight forward.  It was the military organizaiton istself that screwed me.  They need to make a few changes.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: It is a bad time to enlist right now. JMO I'm going to say this as a recruiter, a Soldier, and a former Marine: If you think a time of war is a bad time to enlist, we don't want you. Not now, not ever. Nobody in the military gets a paycheck to be a coward. If you even think that you might have an issue with going to war, keep walking. They can put an MOS in your contract. It will usually be a career field, and will always be subject to the needs of the Army. Getting it is simple. When you go to MEPS, don't sign without getting the option you want. If they won't give it to you, and you are otherwise qualified, thank them for their time and ask them to contact your recruiter to take you home. Recruiters are at your mercy. We can only do as much for(or against) you as you are willing to take. If the recruiters you are dealing with won't help you, find another one. If you can't,IM me and I will find you one. that's a hell of a position to put a 17 or 18 y/o in.  i was raised in a family that was above board and honest, almost to a fault.  To expect an 18 y/o to be street savy is unreasonable, and some of these recruiters know it.  Fortunately for me my recruiter was very honest and straight forward.  It was the military organizaiton istself that screwed me.  They need to make a few changes.

That is definatly true. I have encouraged every potential recruit I have spoken with to research what they are doing on sites like military.com before they make a decision.

Luckily, as a National Guard recruiter, I am typically filling established slots in a unit. My recruits are able to see the job they will be doing and occaisionally meet the people they are to be working with. Thusfar, I haven't had any that had high enough scores to pick from more than a couple of jobs.

I have been recruiting for about 3 weeks now, and have learned one very important thing. Dishonesty here will ruin your pool of recruits. Everyone here knows someone in the Guard, and all of them seem to base their decisions on what these people tell them. If you screw one of them, everyone in town will know about it within a few weeks.

The active duty recruiters don't have to deal with this problem, and are able to be dishonest with little, if any, problem.

That said, it pays to do research, and it pays to read everything you sign. Do not let recruiters push you around, and do not let them pressure into doing anything you aren't comfortable with.

That's why this is such a great place for him to ask questions. A lot of people have been through and know how to direct him better than anyone else. If I had this forum when I joined who knows how things would have turned out for me. Can't say I'm complaining... I got what I wanted but a little moe knowledge would have been a little more power.

Quoted: go in the USMC...it doesn't matter what is in writing to them...they'll promise that you won't go to the war and that is the first place you'll go...

And you base this particular piece of bullshit on what, exactly????????????

Quoted: Always remember RECRUITERS LIE, some worse than others, but they ALL lie

Mine didn't, nor did I know of any who did.

I want all of you who posted on this thread to go to your local recruiter and enlist or re-enlist!  


move out and draw fire!

Quoted: Make em sweat!!! Keep canceling till the end of the month is coming up. If you play your cards right you can get a BONUS and even a free TSHIRT!!! I screwed my recruiter for like 20 carabiner clips and a backpack!!! She got me back tho, about thirty secs into basic training I started to think she got the better part of the deal.

Friggin Navy and Air Force offered me everything, I even took that flight exam for helicopter pilots. But when I saw the Marine in the Alpha's he HAD me hook line and sinker, first he told me I was not tall enough, then he told me I would not pass the physical then he told me I would not pass the medical, man was I fumed. He got me FMF, Infantry 0300. He offered me shit.

Quoted: go in the USMC...it doesn't matter what is in writing to them...they'll promise that you won't go to the war and that is the first place you'll go...but, you'll retire before you get to mid life and you'll have a pension and can start a business and travel and have a whole new life again ...

I could not take more than 4 years. There are a lot of military retirees where I work and I admire them for their patience and perseverance.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Wow - some great replies on here, thanks. So basically I can get everything started with the recruiter, to to MEPS, and then stand my ground until I get my MOS in writing? Sounds pretty straightforward. I'm planning to go for 19D (Cav Scout). I've started off fairly recently on my physical training, as I haven't ran or anything in a while. I'm going to train for two months, basically until I get my EMT-B Cert and my lease is up. I got a 96 on the ASVAB, but I don't know if it's still good (I took it a while ago). *Heh*...Oh..don't worry.  You'll get Cav Scout.  *Heh*.  No worries.......Mr. 96 ASVAB. ok, you got a chuckle out of me there. I'm only grinning 'casue you're vastly over-qualified for being a shooter. If you want to be a shooter...Go be a shooter, bro...Be prepared for a blank stare from your MEPS counselor :) You're smart.  Facts are facts.  It takes a higher ASVAB score to be a 19D than an 11 series.   Think about 11X.  If you can take the training, it's a good path.

Sorry about the late reply.. Fridays are long for me.

I was looking for a long while at going for Ranger, but they require a score of 1 in the eye category. I need correction to be able to see 20/20, so that pretty much screws that idea (for now, at least.. dunno if they would accept a candidate with laser surgery).

I know this sounds bad, but I never signed up for 11X because I doubt I would ever measure up. I've never been tested to the extremes physically and mentally-wise, and I really don't think I have the stuff.  

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Wow - some great replies on here, thanks. So basically I can get everything started with the recruiter, to to MEPS, and then stand my ground until I get my MOS in writing? Sounds pretty straightforward. I'm planning to go for 19D (Cav Scout). I've started off fairly recently on my physical training, as I haven't ran or anything in a while. I'm going to train for two months, basically until I get my EMT-B Cert and my lease is up. I got a 96 on the ASVAB, but I don't know if it's still good (I took it a while ago). *Heh*...Oh..don't worry.  You'll get Cav Scout.  *Heh*.  No worries.......Mr. 96 ASVAB. ok, you got a chuckle out of me there. I'm only grinning 'casue you're vastly over-qualified for being a shooter. If you want to be a shooter...Go be a shooter, bro...Be prepared for a blank stare from your MEPS counselor :) You're smart.  Facts are facts.  It takes a higher ASVAB score to be a 19D than an 11 series.   Think about 11X.  If you can take the training, it's a good path. Sorry about the late reply.. Fridays are long for me. I was looking for a long while at going for Ranger, but they require a score of 1 in the eye category. I need correction to be able to see 20/20, so that pretty much screws that idea (for now, at least.. dunno if they would accept a candidate with laser surgery). I know this sounds bad, but I never signed up for 11X because I doubt I would ever measure up. I've never been tested to the extremes physically and mentally-wise, and I really don't think I have the stuff.

You're right.

A piss-poor attitude like that won't fly in the Rangers.

If you believe you don't have the stuff...You don't have it.

No shame in that though.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Wow - some great replies on here, thanks. So basically I can get everything started with the recruiter, to to MEPS, and then stand my ground until I get my MOS in writing? Sounds pretty straightforward. I'm planning to go for 19D (Cav Scout). I've started off fairly recently on my physical training, as I haven't ran or anything in a while. I'm going to train for two months, basically until I get my EMT-B Cert and my lease is up. I got a 96 on the ASVAB, but I don't know if it's still good (I took it a while ago). *Heh*...Oh..don't worry.  You'll get Cav Scout.  *Heh*.  No worries.......Mr. 96 ASVAB. ok, you got a chuckle out of me there. I'm only grinning 'casue you're vastly over-qualified for being a shooter. If you want to be a shooter...Go be a shooter, bro...Be prepared for a blank stare from your MEPS counselor :) You're smart.  Facts are facts.  It takes a higher ASVAB score to be a 19D than an 11 series.   Think about 11X.  If you can take the training, it's a good path. Sorry about the late reply.. Fridays are long for me. I was looking for a long while at going for Ranger, but they require a score of 1 in the eye category. I need correction to be able to see 20/20, so that pretty much screws that idea (for now, at least.. dunno if they would accept a candidate with laser surgery). I know this sounds bad, but I never signed up for 11X because I doubt I would ever measure up. I've never been tested to the extremes physically and mentally-wise, and I really don't think I have the stuff.

Not with that attitude.

Unless you are really soft, you can make it. I made it through Marine Corps boot camp, and all the other training with asthma, not to mention being completely out of shape.

If you don't believe you can do it, it will be much easier to quit when it gets tough.

If you don't have physical problems, you can be built up physically. The Drill Sergeants at Ft. Benning get thousands of recruits a year that have never wored out or run a day in their lives. They will start you out at a level you can handle and build you up to the level you need to be.

It will be challanging mentally, but again, nothing that millions of others haven't been through successfully.

If you want to be an infantryman, suck it up and be an infantryman. It is hard. In fact, it may be the hardest thing you ever do. But if you can get your mind right, you can get through it.

That said, there is no shame in serving as something besides an infantryman. At least you are serving.  

Quoted: It is a bad time to enlist right now. JMO

Still waiting on why it is a bad time to enlist.  (Marine 0311)

Quoted: Quoted: It is a bad time to enlist right now. JMO Still waiting on why it is a bad time to enlist.  (Marine 0311)

Evidently, he thinks it is a bad time to enlist because of the current war.

I assume that he thinks the only time military service is a good idea is when there is no chance that you may have to earn your pay.

Luckily, cowardice is not contagious.

Goonboss - I know it sounds strange, but it's one of those irrational feelings I get. I'm completely willing to take on something like the Rangers (eye issue?), but the Special Forces has been so completely cloaked in story almost to the point of legend, I just feel like I can't compete.

Quoted: Goonboss - I know it sounds strange, but it's one of those irrational feelings I get. I'm completely willing to take on something like the Rangers (eye issue?), but the Special Forces has been so completely cloaked in story almost to the point of legend, I just feel like I can't compete.

Are you talking about an 18X contract(SF) or an 11X contract(Infantry)?

Regardless, if it is something you want to do, man up and do it. The worst thing that can happen is you do your best and fail. There is no shame in that.

Not doing something that you want to do is a different matter entirely. If you want to do it, you will regret not even trying.

Quoted: I just have a quick question I was hoping one of you might have the answer to. Today I visited my Army recruiting center again, to start the ball rolling on the enlistment process. Time and time again, I've been told to have them put my MOS in writing as a contract, and make it guaranteed that I would get it. Today I was talking to one of the recruiters about guaranteed MOS, and they mentioned a new program they had, which temporarily reserved an MOS for you, but only if you go to MEPS in the next seven to ten days. My question is, is this legit? What did everyone mean when they said to get my MOS in a contract? Does the temporary reservation actually reserve it, or is it a "you might get this, or you might get something else"? Thanks for any replies.

This is true. You take a practice test and then can pick from what jobs you qualify for. Only if you get the same score or better on the real test, can you get that job. As well as passing the physical.
It helps you know exactly when you can ship.

Quoted: A recruiter can not put an MOS specific job in writing. The Job / Guidance counselor is the only person authorized to put a job on a contract. The recruiters job is to get you into the seat at the MEPS station. Where are you located?

Not true anymore. The recruiter actually reserves the training seat now.

Your right he doesnt need to answer you.

He is stepping up to defend our country.

Make sure you select Airborne Infantry

Or if you dont want Infanrty get what you want and if you dont get it walk out of the MEPs station because until you raise you hand you are not obligated to jack.

If you are a HS grad you should be getting a $10-20K bonus more most shortage MOS'es.

Im me if you need help or have any questions.

FREE

Quoted: The kid don't need to answer me, I just hope he thinks hard about it.

Quoted: Quoted: Goonboss - I know it sounds strange, but it's one of those irrational feelings I get. I'm completely willing to take on something like the Rangers (eye issue?), but the Special Forces has been so completely cloaked in story almost to the point of legend, I just feel like I can't compete. Are you talking about an 18X contract(SF) or an 11X contract(Infantry)? Regardless, if it is something you want to do, man up and do it. The worst thing that can happen is you do your best and fail. There is no shame in that. Not doing something that you want to do is a different matter entirely. If you want to do it, you will regret not even trying.

Oops. I meant 18X in those posts, sorry about the confusion. What does 11X do?

Quoted: yes they are trying to trick you by pressuring you to join by giving you a 7 - 10 day deadline to hurry up and get down to MEPS before you lose your chance on getting that guranteed job training never join when they give you a deadline to enlist within the next 7 days, sounds like BS to me once you go down to MEPS you are commited to enlisting that day

Are you just pulling this stuff out of your ass?

I did and they all went to Parade rest and said..SFC you are already in the ARMY

FREE

Quoted: I want all of you who posted on this thread to go to your local recruiter and enlist or re-enlist!   move out and draw fire!

I think Slaughter's afraid they dont have Tampex dispensors at Basic.



FREE

Quoted: Quoted: It is a bad time to enlist right now. JMO Still waiting on why it is a bad time to enlist.  (Marine 0311)

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Goonboss - I know it sounds strange, but it's one of those irrational feelings I get. I'm completely willing to take on something like the Rangers (eye issue?), but the Special Forces has been so completely cloaked in story almost to the point of legend, I just feel like I can't compete. Are you talking about an 18X contract(SF) or an 11X contract(Infantry)? Regardless, if it is something you want to do, man up and do it. The worst thing that can happen is you do your best and fail. There is no shame in that. Not doing something that you want to do is a different matter entirely. If you want to do it, you will regret not even trying. Oops. I meant 18X in those posts, sorry about the confusion. What does 11X do?

11X is the Infantry enlistment option.

Special Forces is tough to get into, but you will have a long way to go before you even get started in that pipeline. Infantry and Airborne training will give you plenty of testing both mental and physical.

Quoted: Goonboss - I know it sounds strange, but it's one of those irrational feelings I get. I'm completely willing to take on something like the Rangers (eye issue?), but the Special Forces has been so completely cloaked in story almost to the point of legend, I just feel like I can't compete.

Exactly.  It is all in your mind.  You feel as though that you are unable to compete, but if you set your mind to it, and prepare yourself physically and mentally you should be able to make it through.  I'm not saying that it is going to be easy, 'cause it won't be, but you will be capable of it.

Not every member of the SF community was a lean-mean killing machine from birth.  For most I believe that it is all a learned skill.  Sure there is talent, but most saw that they wanted it and grabbed for it.  You will always kick yourself if you don't try, you'll never know how it would have worked out.  The worst thing that can happen is that you wash out, but you tried.  You won't have to be a gun show SEAL for the rest of your life either.

BTW: Rangers aren't quite Special Forces

A friend of mine is finishing up AIT with the Army Reserves.  He is/will be an 11B who will be attached to the 415th CA BN in Kalamazoo.  I've been told that Civil Affairs types often have priority when it comes to schools like Airborne and Ranger (not sure if that's true, you might want to look into it).  I think that it comes from the fact that they are often deployed in small groups with other units (including Airborne and Rangers) so the training is made more readily available.

I do know that my friend was offered a shot at Airborne school straight out of basic, even before he went to AIT.  He turned it down because he wanted to be going to school next fall (ROTC).  This is something that I heard pretty much straight from the horse's mouth.  My CAP unit meets at the same Reserve center that the 415th is based out of, so we heard it from the Maj who offered the slot, not from my friend.

You might want to look into Civil Affairs or Psy Ops.  However, you might want to take anything I say with a grain of salt because I have no real military experience (and therefore I might just be speaking out of my @$$). !@#%ing asthma!  After I told an Army recruiter that I had asthma, he was off the phone within 10 seconds.  So asthma is still a big deal for recruiters, at least up until about a year ago.

I know Rangers aren't Special Forces, but my sentence structures might have screwed that one up. To clarify: I definitely would plan for Rangers if my eyesight was a 1 on the physical right now, but be it as it is, I have to plan for something else and go for it if the opportunity arises. If I get the chance for laser eye surgery, and the Ranger school accepts candidates with laser eye surgery, I will sieze that opportunity. SF is a whole 'nother enchilada.

And no, no jobs like that for me. I want to be in the middle of the action (or at least in the general vicinity). That's why I'm leaning towards 19D. Second choice is 91W, third choice is 11B.

Quoted: I know Rangers aren't Special Forces, but my sentence structures might have screwed that one up. To clarify: I definitely would plan for Rangers if my eyesight was a 1 on the physical right now, but be it as it is, I have to plan for something else and go for it if the opportunity arises. If I get the chance for laser eye surgery, and the Ranger school accepts candidates with laser eye surgery, I will sieze that opportunity. SF is a whole 'nother enchilada. And no, no jobs like that for me. I want to be in the middle of the action (or at least in the general vicinity). That's why I'm leaning towards 19D. Second choice is 91W, third choice is 11B.

It would probably be in your best interest to get an airborne-infantry contract if you are serious about being a Ranger or SF soldier. Frequently, the Army will pay for you to get eye surgery.

Ranger Battalion soldiers and Ranger school graduates are not the same thing.

If you can get your vision corrected, do it and try to get a Ranger option contract. This will give you a shot at RIP after Airborne school, and will give you a shot at getting into one of the Batts.

And get that defeatist shit out of your head. You either want it bad enough to give it a shot or you simply don't want it bad enough.

Quoted: Quoted: I know Rangers aren't Special Forces, but my sentence structures might have screwed that one up. To clarify: I definitely would plan for Rangers if my eyesight was a 1 on the physical right now, but be it as it is, I have to plan for something else and go for it if the opportunity arises. If I get the chance for laser eye surgery, and the Ranger school accepts candidates with laser eye surgery, I will sieze that opportunity. SF is a whole 'nother enchilada. And no, no jobs like that for me. I want to be in the middle of the action (or at least in the general vicinity). That's why I'm leaning towards 19D. Second choice is 91W, third choice is 11B. It would probably be in your best interest to get an airborne-infantry contract if you are serious about being a Ranger or SF soldier. Frequently, the Army will pay for you to get eye surgery. Ranger Battalion soldiers and Ranger school graduates are not the same thing. If you can get your vision corrected, do it and try to get a Ranger option contract. This will give you a shot at RIP after Airborne school, and will give you a shot at getting into one of the Batts. And get that defeatist shit out of your head. You either want it bad enough to give it a shot or you simply don't want it bad enough.

Is infantry the only MOS that can go for the actual Ranger Battalion? Say I finish my scout and airborne training. Does that mean I'm not eligible for a Ranger Battalion?

I'm sure you could work your way into the Batts from just about any MOS. However, there are two things that you need to know.

1. Rangers are light infantry. No Bradleys, no Cav, no need for 19Ds.

2. 19Ds are not going to be anyone's first choice for Airborne school.

If you want Airborne, the Infantry is going to be your best shot. I don't think there are any Airborne slots in Cav units, and I am almost certain that there are none in heavy infantry units.

As a 19D, your chancess of getting into a Batt are going to seriously drop if they don't disappear completely.

Quoted: Goonboss - I know it sounds strange, but it's one of those irrational feelings I get. I'm completely willing to take on something like the Rangers (eye issue?), but the Special Forces has been so completely cloaked in story almost to the point of legend, I just feel like I can't compete.

I can't help you with your fear.

Go out and beat it.

Quoted: I think Slaughter's afraid they dont have Tampex dispensors at Basic. FREE Quoted: Quoted: It is a bad time to enlist right now. JMO Harsh Still waiting on why it is a bad time to enlist.  (Marine 0311)

Quoted: Always remember RECRUITERS LIE, some worse than others, but they ALL lie

Mine didn't lie to me.  I also knew exactly what my MOS would be prior to MEPS.  (I went to MEPS once w/my recruiter and then went home because they didn't have the available slot.  My recruiter let me take all the tests I wanted prior to signing anything.  His son was in my Battalion and we became good friends.  He did play patriotic videos every time at I met with him though...

Quoted: I'm sure you could work your way into the Batts from just about any MOS. However, there are two things that you need to know. 1. Rangers are light infantry. No Bradleys, no Cav, no need for 19Ds. 2. 19Ds are not going to be anyone's first choice for Airborne school. If you want Airborne, the Infantry is going to be your best shot. I don't think there are any Airborne slots in Cav units, and I am almost certain that there are none in heavy infantry units. As a 19D, your chancess of getting into a Batt are going to seriously drop if they don't disappear completely.

Well crap. Do the enlistment contracts generally give you a choice of initial station? If so, I'll probably scrounge around the net a bit more and find units that consist of light scouts. I'm pretty much set that I'm going for 19D, the rest is optional. If a Ranger Battalion would take an airborne-qualified 'light scout' (AKA, hoofing it), then I know what my life's goal is.

Quoted: Quoted: I'm sure you could work your way into the Batts from just about any MOS. However, there are two things that you need to know. 1. Rangers are light infantry. No Bradleys, no Cav, no need for 19Ds. 2. 19Ds are not going to be anyone's first choice for Airborne school. If you want Airborne, the Infantry is going to be your best shot. I don't think there are any Airborne slots in Cav units, and I am almost certain that there are none in heavy infantry units. As a 19D, your chancess of getting into a Batt are going to seriously drop if they don't disappear completely. No 19Ds in Ranger Batt.  You may still be able to get Ranger School and, Airborne.  Ask for it at MEPS. Well crap. Do the enlistment contracts generally give you a choice of initial station? If so, I'll probably scrounge around the net a bit more and find units that consist of light scouts. I'm pretty much set that I'm going for 19D, the rest is optional. If a Ranger Battalion would take an airborne-qualified 'light scout' (AKA, hoofing it), then I know what my life's goal is.

No 19Ds in Ranger Batt.  You may still be able to get Ranger School and, Airborne.  Ask for it at MEPS.

Quoted: I just have a quick question I was hoping one of you might have the answer to. Today I visited my Army recruiting center again, to start the ball rolling on the enlistment process. Time and time again, I've been told to have them put my MOS in writing as a contract, and make it guaranteed that I would get it. Today I was talking to one of the recruiters about guaranteed MOS, and they mentioned a new program they had, which temporarily reserved an MOS for you, but only if you go to MEPS in the next seven to ten days. My question is, is this legit? What did everyone mean when they said to get my MOS in a contract? Does the temporary reservation actually reserve it, or is it a "you might get this, or you might get something else"? Thanks for any replies.

Recruiters do not do contracts, MEPS does

Here's how it works:

1) You go to MEPS, get your physical, take the ASVAB, and eventually make it to the Army office...

2) Army office personell go over the MOSes that are available and which you qualify for -you pick one of these. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE CHOICES, YOU CAN ELECT NOT TO JOIN AT THIS TIME, AS YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP YET!

3) It is written into your contract that you are enlisting for MOS (whatever), but if you fail to complete your training you will be reclassified to meet the needs of the Army (eg if you bolo out of 13F (Arty Fwd Observer) AIT they may send you to be a 15G (helo repair))....

3) You sign contract at MEPS (which WILL include the MOS), go to BCT, then AIT, then your unit...

What your recruiter was talking about is his ability to make sure that the MOS you want will be available the day you go to MEPS, so that you can sign a contract for it...

MOS-in-writing is SOP for the Army (due to size and an extreme need for people), but NOT SOP for the other services, with the AF & Navy not being as needy for the people, and the USMC being too small to support such a program....

The only cautionary statement left is that if you are being promised a school (such as, say AIRBORNE) than make sure that is written as well.... Anything they say you 'can do' after BCT or AIT (such as OCS or WOFT - although you can enlist for either (instead of a MOS) if you qualify) should not be expected to happen...

Dude, you need to decide what you want to do. If you want to be a Ranger, start out right and get an 11X contract with a Ranger option. If you ever want to do more than just talk about being in Special Forces, this is probably going to be your best bet. Being in the infantry and being a Ranger will do a damn sight better in preparing you for SFAS and the Q-course than you could ever hope for as a 19D.

I'm still somewhat new to the Army and to Army recruiting, so I'm not completely familiar with all of the available jobs, but I don't think there even is such a thing as a "light scout". Regardless, you aren't going to get a duty station preference in an initial contract, unless you join the National Guard, in which case they will plug you into an available slot that will be more or less predetermined.

You can't have it whatever way you want it. I am telling you this as an honest recruiter. If you want to be a Ranger or an 18-anything, 19D is NOT going to be the best route. You can probably make it to Ranger school one day, but there is still a world of difference between the tab and the scroll.

Quoted: "Temporarily Reserved"= We have it reserved for you until we decide where we are REALLY going to put you. The way to control your destiny in the military is to be the best.  If you're #1 in what you're doing, you get #1 pick of what you will be doing. If you're going to enlist, by all means do so, but no matter what you think might be in writing, bust your ass like you're competing for your very life.  I guarantee that if you have that kick ass MOS lined up, and then are a slug at BMT, you will find yourself sorely mistaken when you think you are keeping your kickass MOS

The Army, by-and-large, does not link performance in BCT to MOSes... They tend to treat contracts as set-in-stone and unless you fail out of BCT (eg get kicked out of the Army) or AIT (get re-classed) you WILL keep your MOS...  

Whereas other services (Air Force, for one) link the award of a job (AFSC, i beleieve they call it) to performance in basic, the Army does not... I joined the Army in November of 04, and everyone came to BCT with their jobs locked in, and everyone was told 'we can't change your MOS, don't ask'....

I have met a few folks who were re-classed for being injured or being too stupid to pass their AIT. 'Injured' was an 11B and is now a 15U (Chinook crewman) in Korea. 'Stupid' is awaiting being kicked out of his 2nd AIT for continuous misconduct.... And of course, myself, who should have known better than to sign up for OCS with zero military experience..... I was going to be an Armor LT, now I'm an E-4 15G...

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Goonboss - I know it sounds strange, but it's one of those irrational feelings I get. I'm completely willing to take on something like the Rangers (eye issue?), but the Special Forces has been so completely cloaked in story almost to the point of legend, I just feel like I can't compete. Are you talking about an 18X contract(SF) or an 11X contract(Infantry)? Regardless, if it is something you want to do, man up and do it. The worst thing that can happen is you do your best and fail. There is no shame in that. Not doing something that you want to do is a different matter entirely. If you want to do it, you will regret not even trying. Oops. I meant 18X in those posts, sorry about the confusion. What does 11X do? 11X is the Infantry enlistment option. Special Forces is tough to get into, but you will have a long way to go before you even get started in that pipeline. Infantry and Airborne training will give you plenty of testing both mental and physical.

As of now, they are enlisting folks to go straight to SF, ergo 18X...

FAIR WARNING:
Like any special program, you had better be able to excel in all aspects or you'll end up re-classed 'needs of the Army' ... So if you bolo a PT test, or get hurt in training, you may find yourself pumping gas or fixing Blackhawk engines.... I have personal experience with this - had I enlisted 19K I'd be in a tank in Iraq (or just coming back) right now... But instead I thought 'I can become a LT right off the bat' and signed up for OCS...

I am now a helicopter mechanic.

Enlisting for SF, like enlisting for officer training or flight school, WILL give you a career kick-in-the-pants (read more rank and pay quicker) if you can make it thru... If you don't,, well... best have 5 other MOSes you'd like to do in mind for your re-class memo...


P.S. SF Isn't what the movies make 'em out to be... You're right about the myth & legend...

The primary mission of SF is to advise/train/lead freindly foreign forces... Yes, they are very capable of ass kicking on their own, but the primary mission is more along the lines of what we saw in Afghanistan, where the Northern Alliance suddenly went from 'barely holding on' to taking over the entire country....

Rangers aren't SF - the Army consideres them a special operations component - they report to SOCOM (as opposed to FORSCOM (Forces Command, the command responsible for 'line' combat units such as 82nd ABN or 3rd INF)) and basically fit the shock-trooper/ass-kicker mission moreso than the actual SF does.... Ergo when you want to capture some warlord in Somolia, you send in Delta & the Rangers... When you want to alter the course of a civil war, or change the government of Afghanistan with minimal overt US troop involvement, then you call SF....

That said, I agree with the above poster - you have a better chance of success if you start out with a contract for 11X & Ranger school (get the school in your contract too, not just the MOS), then go SF when you have some genuine experience under your belt... I know...

Oh, have fun at Benning... You'll get to experience the full range of wonderful Georgia weather ....

Quoted: Quoted: I just have a quick question I was hoping one of you might have the answer to. Today I visited my Army recruiting center again, to start the ball rolling on the enlistment process. Time and time again, I've been told to have them put my MOS in writing as a contract, and make it guaranteed that I would get it. Today I was talking to one of the recruiters about guaranteed MOS, and they mentioned a new program they had, which temporarily reserved an MOS for you, but only if you go to MEPS in the next seven to ten days. My question is, is this legit? What did everyone mean when they said to get my MOS in a contract? Does the temporary reservation actually reserve it, or is it a "you might get this, or you might get something else"? Thanks for any replies. When I enlisted, my Recruiter told me, that due to my extraordinary high intelligence(), I could have any MOS that I desired......he says, "Write down your top three choices here.".....So I do,(all 3 were in the 5900's, Avionics), I joined the Delayed Entry Program, and then off to boot camp I went, 10 months later.......well........about 3-4 days before graduation, when we all found out our MOS's, I get 2818....freaking radio repair.....I'm like "WTF?".......the Senior says, "What did you say?".......I got a free trip to the quarter deck, and became a radio repairman......

Didja go to school at 29 Stumps?? I trained there because I was promised avionics and wound up in freaking radar operators school!

There are a other MOS's in the Ranger batts.  I know a former supply guy (net the supply sergeant, but his assistant whatever their position is), and cook from 2nd batt.  They also need medics too, as well as the admin types at headquarters.  Until it was opened up to all MOS's last year, it was the only way for some MOS's to get into Ranger school.
They all have to be airborne qualified, and go through RIP to get into a batallion.  They also do a lot more infantry type training than any other pogues, almost to the point that they aren't true pogues anymore.  From what the two guys I know told me, they really almost should just get 11B as a secondary MOS.  Hell they know more than a recruit just coming out of OSUT, or a NG MOS qualification course.

Quoted: Quoted: A recruiter can not put an MOS specific job in writing. The Job / Guidance counselor is the only person authorized to put a job on a contract. You SURE about that?  I heard that recruiters can reserve an MOS for you before you go to MEPS.

He is correct...

What the recruiter MAY BE ABLE TO DO is call MEPS and make sure that that MOS will be available for you when you go (assuming you pass physical/ASVAB requirements)....

The 'career counselor' at MEPS is the one who actually makes your contract & puts the MOS (and follow-on schools (eg Ranger and/or Airborne), if any) in...

A final note: The ARMY does not, as a rule, micky-mouse with MOSes like the others - it's standard practice to put your MOS in your contract, and they DO follow that contract.

The only folks who join the Army without a MOS in writing are commissioned officer candidates, there is no equivalent to the MOS-at-basic setup (Air Force) or 'striking' (Navy) in Army terms..

HOWEVER, the 'get it in writing or be duped' schpele DOES apply to (A) BONUSES & INCENTIVES and (B) FOLLOW ON SCHOOLS.

If your recruiter promised you money for something, or a date with the 11th (Airborne or OCS) or 75th (Ranger) make sure that's what's on paper, or it doesn't exist.....

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Wow - some great replies on here, thanks. So basically I can get everything started with the recruiter, to to MEPS, and then stand my ground until I get my MOS in writing? Sounds pretty straightforward. I'm planning to go for 19D (Cav Scout). I've started off fairly recently on my physical training, as I haven't ran or anything in a while. I'm going to train for two months, basically until I get my EMT-B Cert and my lease is up. I got a 96 on the ASVAB, but I don't know if it's still good (I took it a while ago). *Heh*...Oh..don't worry.  You'll get Cav Scout.  *Heh*.  No worries.......Mr. 96 ASVAB. ok, you got a chuckle out of me there. I'm only grinning 'casue you're vastly over-qualified for being a shooter. If you want to be a shooter...Go be a shooter, bro...Be prepared for a blank stare from your MEPS counselor :) You're smart.  Facts are facts.  It takes a higher ASVAB score to be a 19D than an 11 series.   Think about 11X.  If you can take the training, it's a good path.

+1

I got an 85 on the ASVAB and my recruiter tried to talk me out of going Infantry.

Quoted: I just have a quick question I was hoping one of you might have the answer to. Today I visited my Army recruiting center again, to start the ball rolling on the enlistment process. Time and time again, I've been told to have them put my MOS in writing as a contract, and make it guaranteed that I would get it. Today I was talking to one of the recruiters about guaranteed MOS, and they mentioned a new program they had, which temporarily reserved an MOS for you, but only if you go to MEPS in the next seven to ten days. My question is, is this legit? What did everyone mean when they said to get my MOS in a contract? Does the temporary reservation actually reserve it, or is it a "you might get this, or you might get something else"? Thanks for any replies.

Why would you come to the Internet to ask this when you simply could have had the Recruiter explain what this system is. Now you have 4 pages of mostly uninformed responses.

The answer is yes this is for real. The Recruiter makes a MEPS training seat reservation over the internet. My laptop will have a wireless broadband cell card shortly to use for this new system. You only have 7 days to enlist thereafter because if you do not enlist, your Recruiter just locked a Basic/AIT combo that might have been used for another enlistment. Each training seat is $75k. A non shipped seat is something like $15k. People who hesitate over a confirmed seat just possibly made another soldier wait 45days more before they can ship out.

So yes this is legit. Now go sign up.

Quoted: I did and they all went to Parade rest and said..SFC you are already in the ARMY FREE Quoted: I want all of you who posted on this thread to go to your local recruiter and enlist or re-enlist!   move out and draw fire!

awesome!

I enlisted as a 19D on my second trip to MEPS, first trip no school seats where available. With a high ASFAB score the counceler tried to talk me into other more technical MOS, as I was getting up to leave without enlisting for the second time a seat suddenly opened up for 19D OSUT.  If you are qualified you can get the job you want, you may have to wait for new classes to be scheduled (end of fiscal year is a bad time to go) but eventually there will be an opening.
Get jump school, air assault, ect in your contract if thats what you want, almost imposible to go later if you go to a heavy unit.  AFAIK there is no way to know what kind of unit you will go to, jump schools increase the chance of going to a light unit but dosnt ensure it. (had one new troop with shiny new wings get realy disapointed showing up in Gary Owen and seing the Bradleys). As a Cav Scout you can end up on Bradleys, HMMWVs, Strikers or on foot.
If you want to step up to SF they are almost always trying to recruit those already through with training. At Carson I knew two Scouts that went SF (wonder if the one still shaves his chest and dates fat chicks?).

See ya on the high ground.

Quoted: Quoted: I'm sure you could work your way into the Batts from just about any MOS. However, there are two things that you need to know. 1. Rangers are light infantry. No Bradleys, no Cav, no need for 19Ds. 2. 19Ds are not going to be anyone's first choice for Airborne school. If you want Airborne, the Infantry is going to be your best shot. I don't think there are any Airborne slots in Cav units, and I am almost certain that there are none in heavy infantry units. As a 19D, your chancess of getting into a Batt are going to seriously drop if they don't disappear completely. Well crap. Do the enlistment contracts generally give you a choice of initial station? If so, I'll probably scrounge around the net a bit more and find units that consist of light scouts.

That would be 1st, 3rd or 4th ID. 2nd(with the exception of 1 brigade and DivHQ) will be all Stryker BCTs.

Also, you will probably be riding a Bradley.

Quoted: Quoted: A recruiter can not put an MOS specific job in writing. The Job / Guidance counselor is the only person authorized to put a job on a contract. You SURE about that?  I heard that recruiters can reserve an MOS for you before you go to MEPS.

I'ld bet there are certain MOS's that Recruiters can put on the contract for you.  Chronically undermanned MOS's, plain old everyday Infantry, I'm sure there are MOS'sd that are so sad that if a Recruiter can get somebody to agree to, ain't nobody going to try to talk him out of it.