Military Hotrod Club - OK...Marine MOS. Experience/Opinions

Ok,

So I'm 23. Have a wife and baby. I have a good job, not struggling, but I want a change. I want to serve. I have been wanting to since 18. Was just scared at the time.

I'm healthy, a little out of shape, but boot will help that!lol

So,

I am kinda mixed about what MOS I want.

People tell me to pick something to use when I get out. Others say have fun. Do what makes you happy.

Now, I understand doing something that will cross over to the civilian world, but I also want to have fun.

I plan on doing 20yrs. (although your plans change) So. I dunno if I want to go in the 300 field.

I kinda want combat arms type MOS. I was thinking 1800 field, Tanker. Not so much Amtrakz. But do you really have a choice? (fail at swimming?lol)

Then, was thinking maybe Air Crew. Or Combat Engineer? EOD? Or how about Airboure Delivery Specialist?


I am the type of person, where I get bored with the same ole same ole day in day out. I'd like a little mix up every now and then. Move here, go there. My wife understands that I will be gone on training/deployments,etc

I need something to keep me interested. Action. But then again, they say you may want to shoot and blow shyt up, but you don't want to get shot at.lol

So. With the fellow Devils out there, whats your opinion? I just want to know what I am getting into before I do.

And afterall, I could always take courses, and get a degree in Engineering, or possible try to go Officer.

Thx Guys

7509 is a good one. I'm enjoying it alot. IMHO, anything with the wing is great.

Check out 2171 ...Electro-Optical Ordnance Repair Technician. If you look through it, then you work on it. Night-Vision, Thermal Vision, Scopes...If it's electronic and NOT comm gear... you work on it.
Which means you work on:
Tow Missile
Javelin Missile
Sniper Scopes
Tank Optics and Fire Control Systems
Howitzer Fire Control (optics)
Light Armored Vehicles
^^^This covers the major systems....there are a lot of things not listed...
It pretty much puts you in the middle of everything. You can work with grunt units, recon units, work in a maintenance unit, Defense contractors LOVE to hire 2171's.... the DOD also hires 2171's directly to work as a civilian on the same equipment... for a lot more money... The defense contractors that build some of this equip include, Litton, Northrup, Lockheed, ect... These company's have locations all over the country, so you won't be stuck in one spot after you get out either...

The Marine Corps fun? Don't get your hopes up too high there. I mean it has its moments, but it's not what some make it out to be.

That said, if you have your heart set on it, do something that will carry over to the civilian world. You don't want to be a grease monkey while you're in the Corps. Get a technical job. Of course, that's going to depend on your ASVAB scores. Have you taken it yet?

The Corps is not really about "action". It's a whole lot of "hurry up and wait" as we call it. I don't want to kill all your hopes and dreams, but it's just not like that. Not your first 4 years anyway. And your decision to stay in will change the whole way through, you might feel differently when the time to reenlist comes around.

Military wreaks havoc on family. I've seen too many divorces and guys get out because they aren't spending enough time with their kids. So get a job where you have less chance of getting deployed, like the wing.

Oh yea, and start working out now if you plan on going in. Boot camp will get you in shape, but it will be a whole lot harder if you're not already in shape before you go in. And when you go to talk to a recruiter, take someone with you that has already served. It's less intimidating, and he can answer any questions you might have (something I would NOT trust the recruiter to do honestly).

Sorry if I sound like a downer. I had a shitty enlistment, and I just hate to see guys make some of the mistakes I wish I had avoided. It did pay for my car though. :D

The Marine Corps fun? Don't get your hopes up too high there. I mean it has its moments, but it's not what some make it out to be.

That said, if you have your heart set on it, do something that will carry over to the civilian world. You don't want to be a grease monkey while you're in the Corps. Get a technical job. Of course, that's going to depend on your ASVAB scores. Have you taken it yet?

The Corps is not really about "action". It's a whole lot of "hurry up and wait" as we call it. I don't want to kill all your hopes and dreams, but it's just not like that. Not your first 4 years anyway. And your decision to stay in will change the whole way through, you might feel differently when the time to reenlist comes around.

Military wreaks havoc on family. I've seen too many divorces and guys get out because they aren't spending enough time with their kids. So get a job where you have less chance of getting deployed, like the wing.

Oh yea, and start working out now if you plan on going in. Boot camp will get you in shape, but it will be a whole lot harder if you're not already in shape before you go in. And when you go to talk to a recruiter, take someone with you that has already served. It's less intimidating, and he can answer any questions you might have (something I would NOT trust the recruiter to do honestly).

Sorry if I sound like a downer. I had a shitty enlistment, and I just hate to see guys make some of the mistakes I wish I had avoided. It did pay for my car though. :D


Hey I was a grease monkey and had a pretty good time..lol, but the family part is very true, along with the hurry up and wait......

Here is the best advise anyone can give you..........stay home and take great care of your wife and baby....they are the most important two people in your life!!!!! Trust me.

Oh sry.l left some things out. I swear in Nov.2. Probably won't ship out til march or august though. I have pretty good knowledge and a lot of friends in the military already. Just not Marines, so my recruiter can't bs me too much. As far as in shape. I started running and working out already. Watching my diet, etc. And as far as having fun. No I understand its not all that. I guess I could say fun is what you make of the situation. I fully understand the hurry up and wait. And other bs that comes with military.

Like everyone tells me. The military is what you make of it. It does have its pros and cons. But what doesn't.

Hey I was a grease monkey and had a pretty good time..lol, but the family part is very true, along with the hurry up and wait......

Hey, I had some fun too man. And I was stuck in 29 Palms for 4 1/2 years! Like I said, I didn't mean to sound like a downer. The Corps will probably be the funnest time of my life. I did tons of crazy shit in there.

Oh sry.l left some things out. I swear in Nov.2. Probably won't ship out til march or august though. I have pretty good knowledge and a lot of friends in the military already. Just not Marines, so my recruiter can't bs me too much. As far as in shape. I started running and working out already. Watching my diet, etc. And as far as having fun. No I understand its not all that. I guess I could say fun is what you make of the situation. I fully understand the hurry up and wait. And other bs that comes with military.

Like everyone tells me. The military is what you make of it. It does have its pros and cons. But what doesn't.

Sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck in the Corps, it's a once in a lifetime experience.

Just dont be an 0811 or you'll hate life :D

If you pick the right job the military can be a great time. I have traveled to some awsome places, done some crazy fun things and I get payed pretty dam well for it. Just last month I stayed at the nicest motel I have ever seen and ate some of the best food I have ever had and the Army paid for it all. While I know that my job is not normal it just goes to show that if you pick the right job the military can be a very fun experince. Is it all great of course not, did I have to go thourgh a ton of crap to get where I am at now yes I did. But it was very worth it. It is very hard on you and your family but you wont understand just how hard till you get in.

I do Air Traffic Control and its a great job in the Marine Corps and GREAT when you get out. Any detail questions you have just send me a PM.

I have been in the 03XX field my whole time in. I have 15 years in already and enjoy it! I think that home life thing is what you make of it. It also depends on your wife and family a lot too. Pick a job that you enjoy after you speak to some people that have done it. That way you get first hand experiences and can make an informed decision rather than a blind one. Finishing school up is not a bad option either that way you have a fallback option if the military life is not for you. Plus being an officer can be a good resume builder...

Check out 2171 ...Electro-Optical Ordnance Repair Technician. If you look through it, then you work on it. Night-Vision, Thermal Vision, Scopes...If it's electronic and NOT comm gear... you work on it.
Which means you work on:
Tow Missile
Javelin Missile
Sniper Scopes
Tank Optics and Fire Control Systems
Howitzer Fire Control (optics)
Light Armored Vehicles
^^^This covers the major systems....there are a lot of things not listed...
It pretty much puts you in the middle of everything. You can work with grunt units, recon units, work in a maintenance unit, Defense contractors LOVE to hire 2171's.... the DOD also hires 2171's directly to work as a civilian on the same equipment... for a lot more money... The defense contractors that build some of this equip include, Litton, Northrup, Lockheed, ect... These company's have locations all over the country, so you won't be stuck in one spot after you get out either...

I agree. I'm currently in the Marine Corps, enlisted in 02, and this has been my MOS from that day. I can say that I love my job, and I honestly never get tired of it. Alot of the training will transfer into the civillian world with companies such as Northrup Gruman, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Insight Technology, etc. I started out in an infantry unit (1st BN 8th Mar) and I had a great time.

Only bad thing I can say about this MOS is that I really feel that with alot of the government contracts that have come up in the past few years, and the Corps always switching gear, there isn't a ton of stuff we actually repair seeing as most of it is under warranty now. I manage a 3rd shop right now, and the bulk of our work is warranty repairs and dealing with manufacturers. Oh and promotions past Sgt are kinda slow. Doesn't keep me from loving my job though.

If you pick the right job the military can be a great time. I have traveled to some awsome places, done some crazy fun things and I get payed pretty dam well for it. Just last month I stayed at the nicest motel I have ever seen and ate some of the best food I have ever had and the Army paid for it all. While I know that my job is not normal it just goes to show that if you pick the right job the military can be a very fun experince. Is it all great of course not, did I have to go thourgh a ton of crap to get where I am at now yes I did. But it was very worth it. It is very hard on you and your family but you wont understand just how hard till you get in.


What's your MOS?

OK, I kinda narrowed it down to Tanker or Air Crew.

Does anyone have any experience in air crew?

What's your MOS?

My MOS is 18C

My MOS is 18C

So would you work with the 18X then? Is there a Marines Equivalent?lol

3531 motor-t op.
LOVE IT....sometimes...compared to the other POG jobs out there anyways.
but i have a really good motor pool staff. which will make or break the job.

So would you work with the 18X then? Is there a Marines Equivalent?lol

18C is a Special Forces Engineer and as far as I am concerend being in SF is the best job out there. Seriously if I told you some of the crap I have done in the last week or two no one would belive me. Now dont get me wrong life isnt always like this I have lived in some pretty crappy places but it is trips like this that make it all worth it.:nod:
Is there a reason that you are so set on being in the Corps not that the Corps is bad or anything but have you checked out any other options. I was planning on joining the Marines back when I first came in but looking back on it I feel that I made the right choice. It is not for everyone but it is not a bad way to earn a buck.

So perhaps Marine Recon? hehe

So perhaps Marine Recon? hehe

Well that will kill any family time you wanna have. It is a fun job though! :D

Recon is very cool, I would have done that but the two great kids I have stoped me.

I was 5711 (NBC) Mar 04-Aug 07 with 3/6 had a fun time doing it but got stuck in the S-3 (Training/OPs). Met alot of good people and had a hell of the time in the chamber and in the field. I started working with a Environmental Consulting Firm as soon as I got out. Just think of what you want to do after you get done.

While recon is very good at what they do from what I have seen they dont seem to get to do the type of traveling that we do. The reason that we get to do so many cool trips is because we are always going to different places to train foriegn troops. It helps that I am in 1st Group so our area is Asia and there are some very fun places to go. Bangkok Manilla and Singapore just to name a few. But people are right about not much family time between trips to Iraq and Afghanistan and these shorter ones to Allied coutries. But it is alot of fun. LOL

If you're looking to be an engineer then you should definitely try out the 6xxx MOS's. Most of the schools are accredited so they count towards your degree. I hope your wife has a pretty decent paying job / career and your finances aren't jacked up if you're planning on going in enlisted. If that's not the case, you're setting yourself up for a world of hurt for the first few years... E-2's and 3's don't make that much money these days. Oh, and if you're serious about going to school, do that shit as soon as possible. I know too many people that said the same shit (myself included) that get out with 5+ years of service and nothing to show for it. As for any particular MOS, I suggest anything having to do with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Worst case scenario: You do 5 years and decide the Corps sucks (like that'll happen.... lol). IF you went to school and started on that degree like you said you would, that (with your 5 years of experience) could land you a nice-paying civilian job just about anywhere in the world in 2010. :google: that shit and you'll see what I mean :D But whatever your career choice, I wish you good luck homie :cheers:

While recon is very good at what they do from what I have seen they dont seem to get to do the type of traveling that we do. The reason that we get to do so many cool trips is because we are always going to different places to train foriegn troops. It helps that I am in 1st Group so our area is Asia and there are some very fun places to go. Bangkok Manilla and Singapore just to name a few. But people are right about not much family time between trips to Iraq and Afghanistan and these shorter ones to Allied coutries. But it is alot of fun. LOL

Well we get around just as much as you guys do too. I have been to all those places and more... Plus three desert trips and one more in a a month and a half. With todays environments out there everyone is doing very similar things and joint work out the yin yang.

If you're looking to be an engineer then you should definitely try out the 6xxx MOS's. Most of the schools are accredited so they count towards your degree. I hope your wife has a pretty decent paying job / career and your finances aren't jacked up if you're planning on going in enlisted. If that's not the case, you're setting yourself up for a world of hurt for the first few years... E-2's and 3's don't make that much money these days. Oh, and if you're serious about going to school, do that shit as soon as possible. I know too many people that said the same shit (myself included) that get out with 5+ years of service and nothing to show for it. As for any particular MOS, I suggest anything having to do with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Worst case scenario: You do 5 years and decide the Corps sucks (like that'll happen.... lol). IF you went to school and started on that degree like you said you would, that (with your 5 years of experience) could land you a nice-paying civilian job just about anywhere in the world in 2010. :google: that shit and you'll see what I mean :D But whatever your career choice, I wish you good luck homie :cheers:

E2 with BAH and all those other allowances come out to a pretty decent monthly income. Like $2500 give or take a hundred. Plus not having to pay for medical and that that jazz. But I am certainly not joining for the perks. Its because I want to join.

Actually a little more than I make now with my one job. And we do pretty well.

Toretto is gay ol pro52

Well we get around just as much as you guys do too. I have been to all those places and more... Plus three desert trips and one more in a a month and a half. With todays environments out there everyone is doing very similar things and joint work out the yin yang.

While I knew you guys do alot of traveling I didnt think that you guys made trips like those quite as regularly as us. Thats cool that you do. I know that you guys make lots of trips the the box and the stan. It is crazy who you see doing what these days.

I ended up being an 0811, I had a blast. But then I like blowing things up, and I was good at my job, which really helps. We got to cross train with the infantry, mechanics, motor t, we did a little bit of everything. It's really your attitude that will make the difference, bust your ass, learn all you can, and enjoy it. And btw, I tried to get a tanker seat, but got sent to artillery. They'll put you where they want you. Good luck though, and keep us posted with how things go!

OK, I kinda narrowed it down to Tanker or Air Crew.

Does anyone have any experience in air crew?

i work with a lot of huey crew chiefs in my mos 6154. h-1 airframes mech. what questions do you have? oh and to the guy who said the wing doesnt deploy that often he's either crazy or a boot. we deploy every 11 months for 7 months.

you can't enlist as EOD in the Corps, they require E5.

I was 3533. Served from '98-'02.

DUDE!!!!!!
do u know how to weld or want to??
ask to be a 1316 its a really skate job but we get to do everything but u should look into it!!!!

I hear aircrew school is pretty intense. Alot of swimming and such.

I was curious. If your school isn't far from your home. Can you drive to your school? Not having a vehicle would suck on the weekends and such, if you are aloud to go about that is.

Aircrew can be a great time, however can get boring also. Also swimming is key, you can enlist as a crew chief but if you don’t get a minimum of CWS1 in boot you can be dropped out of the MOS and sent to another Aviation MOS. Check into other 6XXX MOS fields as some in the 61XX can offer the opportunity to become an AO (not sure about 62XX fields) which gives you the ability to fly and be put on flight status without holding the crew chief MOS, and sometimes you can squeak by with a CWS2 qual. :huh: Oh and to the guy that said the wing doesn’t go anywhere much.......What are you fucking high?? I don’t know the rotation of the west coast but east coast and Okinawa sends out a pump every 6 months in addition to ground deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, HOA and don’t forget about the yearly combined forces exercises in Korea, Thailand, and Philippians as well as any humanitarian missions that come along.

6123 Mar 03-Mar 08

im an 0811 and in 29palms i love life. ive been here close to 4yrs also. arty u dont do dhit unless in the field

Ok. Well once again I get a big let down.

My recruiter thought my waivers for traffic tickets and marriage have been approved. Wrong! So now I am just upset.

They told me I have a good chance that I can go reserves. And there won't be a need for my waivers then. Then once I check in I can put a package in for going active.

Now I don't know what to do. I was going to try the Army and get a recruiter who knows the system pretty well and go active in the Army. I really wanted to be a Marine. But Army is always good to.

So my question is. What would any oone of you guys do?

I mean seriously. I want to join pretty bad. And keep being let down. I don't need to join but for someone who Wants to serve and not doing it for a easy out or a paycheck. I'm getting dicked around.

If you like high tech and go fast, I'd go with air wing.The officers treat you better also.Speaking from my personal experiences.I did, and made some life long friends (got to wrench on my car, too).It helped with my civilian career, I never looked back.Wasn't married then tho. $.02

Ok. Well once again I get a big let down.

My recruiter thought my waivers for traffic tickets and marriage have been approved. Wrong! So now I am just upset.

They told me I have a good chance that I can go reserves. And there won't be a need for my waivers then. Then once I check in I can put a package in for going active.

Now I don't know what to do. I was going to try the Army and get a recruiter who knows the system pretty well and go active in the Army. I really wanted to be a Marine. But Army is always good to.

So my question is. What would any oone of you guys do?

I mean seriously. I want to join pretty bad. And keep being let down. I don't need to join but for someone who Wants to serve and not doing it for a easy out or a paycheck. I'm getting dicked around.

He might be lying to you about something. Im a Marine recruiter, if you want to pm me your so called needed waivers, I can tell you if everything looks legit. Your married with 1 kid? Asvab score ect? He might be trying to sell you into a different job if what you want isnt available ect ect.