I am currently trying to enlist after May 1st and I have questions about getting the MOS I want. I have many friends in the military and I was told by one of my buddies in the Army that if I really want a specific MOS that I am qualified for and its not available to me when I go to MEPS, that I should just tell the people at MEPs and my recruiter no. My father is also retired after 24 years in the Army and he says the same. I was told that if they do not offer it to me and I really want 25B, then I should not enlist unless I can get it. I really want the MOS 25B and I have my heart set on this. I've looked at other MOS's and there are other ones that interest me, but at the same time I think this is the best one for me. Is this good advice?

At the same time, does anyone know my chances of getting this MOS? Also, if anyone has any experience, advice, etc. about this MOS, please share them with me. Thanks to all that help.

I have told others the same thing before. The thing to remember when it comes to enlisting (and reenlisting for that matter) is that its kinda like buying a new house (this is a really bad anology but hey). You know what you want and the recruiter knows what he wants. He has certain MOSs that he needs to try and push, but at the same time you know what you want. Its all a matter of trade offs. If you have your heart set on 25B and have the test scores to back that up, then no reason why you shouldn't put your foot down. But if they tell you theres no way you can get 25B (test score isn't high enough, to many, etc), then you need to know how much if any your willing to budge. Would you settle for something along the same lines (25N is similar to 25B in some ways, and very different in others). Do you want to go Airborne, college money, etc. I know a few months ago there was a big push for more 25B, then even reclassed a large number of people into it. I have no idea what it looks like anymore though. Take the ASVAB, go to MEPS, tell them what you want, and then work with them so you get the best deal for you. Best of luck and if you have any more questions, just ask.

quote:

Originally posted by WO1 Pyro:
(and reenlisting for that matter)

NOT EVEN CLOSE TO REENLISTING

WO1 Pyro, I'd invite you to stay in your lane on the topic of reenlisting.

When a Soldier sees a Career Counselor to reenlist, the Career Counselor should go over all options to which the Soldier is eligible for and if not eligible, explain why not.

The Army Career Counselor is NOT pushing products. We are merely middle men/women for Army policy and regulatory guidance. We don't get rings, medallions or extra bonuses for selling certain programs/jobs. We simply show the Soldier what the Army has to offer ... not just reenlistment either.

This may have been an unintentional slip of the tongue (fingers), but when you place recruiting and retention into the same category, you're making a huge mistake; and doing a disservice to the Soldiers that want to reenlist.

LOL your very right ArmyReup, I did mispeak. All I meant is that when it comes to reuping you know what you want, and you have to decide what you can live with. I know retention NCOs are only the middle man and trust me I appreciate what you guys do (all 3 times for me).

Well I know for a fact I have qualified as far as my ASVAB scores...I have already taken it and that is not a problem. All the qualifications for 25B that I have researched I have met or it is not a problem to meet. I guess what I am really wondering is if for some reason the MOS is not needed at the time of me trying to enlist, should I really put my foot down and wait for it to become available? If it is not available at the time of me trying to enlist and I know for sure I want this MOS, is it wise to wait? I just don't want to enlist in a MOS that I didn't really want and then 2 months later it becomes available...I'm not sure if I have made myself clear but any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Like I said, thats something you really have to decide for yourself. When you go to MEPS tell them what you want and see if its available. If not, tell them some of the other things you would like to do, get more info about them, and then decide if that is what you want to do for the next 3/4/5 years. In the end, only you know what will work out best for you. When I came in, the MOS I wanted wasn't available but 25F was. I ended up signing up, and love my MOS. Like I said though, in the end you have to decide for yourself. Best of luck.

If I were you I would wait. You really dont want to get stuck doing a job you dont like, so waiting or trying another job similar would be best.

Personally being in the Signal community and seeing the direction it is going I would say probably 25S or 25N would be the top MOSes to look for then 3rd choice for me would be 25B. The other 2 have so much better promotion potential than B. Thats just me though (been in signal now for 11 years.)

quote:

Originally posted by SgtStrife:
If I were you I would wait. You really dont want to get stuck doing a job you dont like, so waiting or trying another job similar would be best.

What if the future Soldier had a family and needed the military? Still tell to hold out?

SgtStrife is right. The Army is a good choice, but its not your only choice. Dont get yourself caught up in "just trying to get in". If you have family considerations set those aside till you get what YOU want first. Dont rush, get the job you want and your family will be much happier.