USMC MOS Choices

[99PunisherSVT]

I know this has been posted about a million times, but here is one more.

After years of fighting the urge to jump in I think I'm finally ready to jump in. Boot doesn't scare me; I know it's going to suck and I've faced that fact. I believe my only hesitation at this point is an MOS. I've narrowed it down to a few choices but I'm hoping a few of you on here who have done one of these can sound off and give me some insight.

1. Intelligence Specialist - MOS 0231
2. Reconnaissance - MOS 0321
3. Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting Specialist - MOS 7051
4. Automotive Organizational Mechanic - MOS 3521
5. Motor Vehicle Operator - 3531
6 Air Traffic Controller - 7257

As of right now if I enlist next week I won't ship out until about April of 2012 unless something opens up sooner. Any help would be great guys.

 

[Mustang71]

until more guys come in here Ill give you two websites to check out.

Futurejarheads.org

And the leatherneck.com forums
Both of these websites have a wealth of knowledge which is helpful for people like you and me that are interested in joining the Marine Corps specifically and other branches as well to an extent.

One thing I hear the most is to choose something you think you'd like to do for the next 4 years a least, reguardless of if it has civilian counterparts or not. You seem to have a lot of different choices up there. What intrigues you the most?

 

[Chrome98Cobra]

Look into Aircrew/Crewchief on C-130s, CH-53s or UH-1 Hueys, etc. C-130 guys usually have it pretty good.

Any Aircrew MOS is going to be a 5 year contract though.

 

[JTStreet]

Former comm chief here, active duty from 2002-2006.

If you work well under pressure and have no suicidal tendencies (I'm completely serious) I would suggest becoming an air traffic controller.

Four years in the Corps as an ATC, and you will get out making well over six figures a year.

The rest of those MOS's are not very marketable in the civilian sector.

 

[jliddle]

I can only comment on the Recon MOS.

How is your physical fitness? Swimming?

Recon has very high fitness standards and a minimum gt score on the asvab of 105. Openings in the 0321 field are very limited as well.

Recon was my first MOS pick.

Good luck!

 

[slow2002gt]

Only 7051 and 3521 I can comment on knowing a few of my buddies in it.
3521 nothing more then a gear turner you do get deployed alot and will be in alot of convoys etc they do see there own fair share of action. If you dont make it into recon 3521 is the closest youll see to being deployed more then you would like out of the rest of the list you have.
7051s do a whole lot of training but tis very boring at the same time you wait around for something to happen. easiest way I can can compare them to is being a firefighter.

 

[MyStIcHrOmE 04]

I am in Logistics, and I picked up SSgt in 7 years on the dot. Intel promotes a hell of a lot faster. The other MOS's..... SLOW SLOW SLOW. If being promoted isn't as huge concern, and you just want a good job I would def. go Air traffic control....

 

[Ande99SVT]

03 is a decent field, but if you can't make the 0321 field, you'll get washed out into the 0311 field, just another ground pounder.

I'm an 0313, LAV Crewman, I picked up Corporal at 3-1/2 years, but majority of your other 03 MOS's pick up slow as ****, excluding 0321, which is a joke. If you can walk straight, you pick up Corporal.

 

[Ryan]

<- Prior 0231.

Go into the 02 field if you have that avialable. It can set you up greatly if you don't plan on making the Corps your life. IMO, I'd stay away from the 03 field if you want something to transfer back to the civilian world.