I am prior service but have been out long enough to reclass. I want to come back in as 88L(watercraft engineer) which is a balanced mos. If I only am interested in this mos will meps make it happen? Is it possible for me to wait for a slot to open. My recruiter says he hasnt dealt with that mos before and it may be hard to get. The bottom line is if I want this mos can I get it somehow?
If they are not offering that MOS, it's not available. Prior service Soldiers are low on the priority list (maybe the bottom) when it comes to coming back in. Let's face it, you need the military more than the military needs you. 88L is a balanced MOS.
You should try to have a few MOSs in your head and request one of them ... don't go with a closed mind.
Let's face it, you need the military more than the military needs you.
Thats not right, its the other way around. He was asking if he could wait so dont play that Army crap of you need us more than we need you. If he really wants that MOS, he can wait until they are ready to offer it to him.
The only people who need the Army are people who cant hack it in the real life.
Posts: 52 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 15 January 2007
ArmyReenlistment is right. Prior service do not get offered anything. They are looked at as people who made a mistake getting out and they are coming back pleading to be let back in. Whether that is the truth is an entirely different story. Take it from someone who did recruitig and ran into this scenario quite a few times. Your best bet is to look at in/out calls and make your list of MOSes that are shortage because there is about a 99% chance that is all they are going to offer you.
Posts: 477 | Location: Ft Gordon, GA | Registered: 11 October 2004
Originally posted by SgtStrife: If he really wants that MOS, he can wait until they are ready to offer it to him.
That's not real good advice ... you have to consider the situation. I'm not putting anyone down here, just stating what happens too many times.
Consider this: If a prior service Soldier could make a decent living outside of the military, why would they come back in? If it's because of pride and honor and all that, why would they "hold out" for a different MOS?
What if the Soldier had life changes when they got out, ie. marriage, births, death and they actually did need the military more than the military needed them?
When giving advice, you should really open your mind to a few more possibilities. Don't just "hold out" for something that may never come true ... you're providing false hope to someone that may not have time for that.
Originally posted by Will25Q: Tell them thats what you want, if they say their is no slots tell them thank you very much and leave
That is what I did.
They wanted me to take my old MOS. I told them no and walked right out of the office and told them to call me when they get something worth while. They came running after me pleading to work something out. We did this little game about 4 times in the same day. They made a few phone calls and finally got me what I wanted.
Posts: 72 | Location: ThE pOiNt | Registered: 25 August 2006
The truth is I dont "need" to come back in. I want to--if I can get this particular job. I am not doing this because I have no options. I am graduating with a bachelors degree in june and have opportunities there. So im afraid I am sticking to this one MOS. I am willing to wait until it opens up, but I havent heard any input as to whether or not thats feasible.
Originally posted by Joseph111: I am willing to wait until it opens up, but I havent heard any input as to whether or not thats feasible.
This a question that truly can't be answered by this board. Why? Well, if we were provided this information by the "Powers that be", you'd find 100s or even 1000s of future Soldiers holding out for that one specific job that's overstrength.
Best of luck to you and I hope you get what you ask for.
If this is my initial re-enlistment and I am active duty serving in Iraq and I want to re-enlist, is it possible for me to re-enlist for an over-strength MOS (68P)? My current MOS is under-stength but I was told that because this is my initial that I could still get out. My window opens next month and I am trying to get as much information about my options as I can.
i was in the same situation when i came back in 02. it wasn't that i was failing in the outside, but i miss what the army was offereing me and decided i wanted to be 88L instead of my old 13B job...basically they were like WE ARE GIVING you 13B and you ship for germany in 2 weeks...said my thank you but goodbye and was walking out...as i was walking out, my old section chief from Riley was working at the MEPS and he got me choice of duty station AND MOS...why oh why did i choose personnel??? God forgive me and get me into 38A
Posts: 10 | Location: Okinawa (Somebody take me away) | Registered: 18 August 2006
Originally posted by Spec4intheBOX: If this is my initial re-enlistment and I am active duty serving in Iraq and I want to re-enlist, is it possible for me to re-enlist for an over-strength MOS (68P)? My current MOS is under-stength but I was told that because this is my initial that I could still get out. My window opens next month and I am trying to get as much information about my options as I can.
You cannot select an overstrength MOS, but you will be offered Option 3, Army Training Option and will be given a list of MOSs you can choose from.
When you are within 24-months from ETS, see your Career Counselor for a print out of what the Army is offering you.
Think about it ... why would the Army send a Soldier to an overstrength MOS; especially if the Soldier is serving in an understrength MOS?