Hi All,
I'm now in DEP and would like to know that could I change my MOS before going to basic trianing. My recruiter told me I cannot change my MOS right now, but I can change it after compeleting AIT for my present MOS. It sounds unreasonable to me. Can someone who has knowledge with changing MOS answer my question? I'd really appreciate it.
Thank you

You know, this question REALLY bothers me.

Dreamstalker, can you please explain this to the community? I hear this from far too many Soldiers when then come to a unit from AIT.

"My recruiter said that I can change my MOS."

Is this a misunderstanding between DEPs and recruiters? Is this a complete lie and deception? Is there any truth behind this and if so, where is the guidance?

Do you mean I can't change my MOS? My recruiter said just like that.

We have a resident expert in the Recruiting field (DreamStalker) and I hope he can answer this question.

I don't want to attempt this question until I hear it from an expert as to the exact details.

Just real quick here, are you going Regular, Guard, or Reserve? It makes a difference.

maybe it's just me, but why even accept the MOS you enlisted for, when you are already wanting to change it before you even get to basic??? sounds like you should have sifted through the jobs a bit more and not let that dude at MEPS force you into something you didn't want to end up doing...

and as far as I know, being regular army, if you recieved an enlistment bonus for the MOS that you enlisted for.. you are not entitled to switch MOS's unless you are wanting a high priority MOS and pay the bonus back..or you have to wait until your re-enlistment window opens up. but i could be wrong, that's what I was told 5 years ago when I came in as a 14J and got a 6k signon bonus for 4 years.. I was told by my recruiter that if i wanted to make the army band(and i'm not going to by my watch) that it was easier to do once in my unit and all that jazz...lol.. boy was that guy tooting a whistle..lmao

Hmm lets see here. This is kind of a loaded scenario. This is also where alot of recruiters go into what is called "the grey area". Can you change your MOS right now? That is really a case by case basis. Things that could effect this are:
1. Did you receive a waiver? (If so what for)
2. What did you score on the ASVAB?
3. How soon to you leave for basic?
It is possible to change your MOS before you leave for basic but I would say 95% of the time you will not get a very good selection now. The jobs they will show you are going to be what are called "the first screen". This causes ALOT of heartache for ALOT of people. The Army has already reserved ALL of your training. From the date you start basic all the way through the date you start AIT. Every person that has enlisted since you has not been able to see that slot because you are filling it. If you change your job most likely that will just be an empty seat in that class because my guess is your too close to shipping out to get it loaded back into the system. Also your recruiter is going to be catching so much hell its ridiculous because he is going to be blamed for you changing your mind. Is it possible for you to change your job after you finish your training and are in the "real" Army? Yes it is and Armyreenlistment can tell you about those programs. Again it does not mean that the MOS you want is going to be there for you then either. Issues like this come up all the time and recruiters will most of the time mention programs that are techically out there but are either very difficult to qualify for or not used very often. Things like All Army sports teams, Army bands, Soldier Show, Green to Gold, and numerous other programs. It is very easy for a recruiter to paint a picture for an individual because of the multitude of programs out there. My advice would be this:
If the job you have now is a complete show stopper and you absolutely WILL NOT fulfill the commitment you have already made then express this to your recruiter and his/her station commander. Hopefully you are not shipping out soon and they will work with you. It will not be a pleasant process but it is possible alot of the time to change your job before you leave. I also would like to remind you that you have given you word and to me my word is something I take very seriously. If yu have any other questions feel free to PM me.

Since you hyped me up so much how did I do Reenlistment? (lol)

I didn't receive a waiver.
I scored around 60 on ASVAB.
I've about 7 weeks before going to BCT.
How about the chance?

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamstalker:
Since you hyped me up so much how did I do Reenlistment? (lol)

GREAT JOB!!! That's why you are the resident expert on Recruiting matters.

I like how you explained from start to finish.

Just to be clear, Soldiers cannot simply change their MOSs after graduation from AIT. They can however change their MOS to an MOS the Army needs when it's time to reenlist (within 24-months from ETS)

Like I said near the end of my post if this is something that is going to prevent you from fulfilling the obligation you already promised to fulfill then you need to talk to your recruiter ASAP. The process can take a little time because you are probably going to end up talking talking to a few different people before/if you actually go back to MEPS to change your MOS.

What if you are done with your AIT training and you have found that you have serious doubts whether you can function in that job. What if the job turns out to be something you know you just can not perform? I am 19 years old and I am in that position right now. I want to serve but I can not do what I have been trained to do without having a serious mental meltdown. I NEED HELP!

What is your current MOS and what's the matter?

If you're more specific, you'll get a more specific answer.

Military Police...It is not anything that I expected. I have serious doubts about being able to shoot to kill on missions. I believe in serving my country and do not want to leave the military but I do not believe that I was cut out for this particular job in the military and on top of that I'm suffering severe back pain which only makes me more frustrated and depressed. I am ready to graduate in a short while and feel completely miserable. At least some rest at home will ease some back pain but not the mental pain.

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but I also have a question about changing my MOS. I am wondering if I can change my MOS while being deployed. I am currently a 63B and I'm trying to switch to 11B. My bonus was 20,000 for 63b, I've heard its the same for 11B now, so that shouldnt be a problem. I am a National Guard Soldier (for now) in the state of Massachussetts. I am currently deployed to Iraq with my unit. I understand my unit needs someone to fill my slot, but I am extending and going to a different unit when they leave. Is there any regulation or policy against me swapping to a combat arms unit and swapping my MOS. I've heard of being able to swap MOS in the field... Any help would be great. P.S. I know I shold be asking my recruiter, or retention NOC, etc. etc. but they haven't been much help so far. Thank you very much.

I'm having a similar issue here as well. Just yesterday I put in a reservation as a 14J and I'll be going to MEPS on Wednesday. What I really wanted was 25B or 25N, but I'm told I'd have to enlist 6 years for these jobs. I'd prefer 4 years or less. I had an AFQT of 83, no college credits and my background is clean. Initially, 14J looked like a good field, though I hadn't listed it as a preference. After some research, I'm not so sure at this point that it would be ideal. I'm a computer guy and programmer by nature

I'd appreciated any suggestions on this matter.