Driving In The Military

I tend to respectfully disagree. You will take an ASVAB test prior to enlisting. Based on that score, you can then negotiate your MOS/Rating prior to joining. Although it's been awhile, I had a contract with the Navy for my future "rating" prior to joining.

 

Depends on the service, Marines you pick a program which has three MOSes in it that you can end up in. I got exactly what I wanted, but my cousin's husband wanted Combat Engineer, and ended up a HVAC Repairman, as that was what the service needed at the time and it was one of the MOSes in his program.

 

I definitely didn't get that deal. Whether I could have had I been more savvy or scored higher I dunno.
I got third choice, Logistics, and a rather tedious job...0411. First choice I didn't qualify for, second was unavailable I believe.
But that was 35 years ago.
Not a boom time for the military like post 9-11.
But even today I doubt many Marines get a guaranteed job. Guaranteed field maybe.

 

Perhaps I misspoke, I do know the situation I described definately exists within the Navy...provided their is a need on behalf of the Navy. An example: If you want to be a truck driver, you inquire if there are openings available for the "Equipment Operator" rating within the Seabees. If so, you're in like Flynn, unless you don't score high enough for that position. EO positions have notoriously been fairly easy and open in the past. Note: you will drive other equipment other than a Big Rig as we know it...but if you want to drive and get trained, it's a pretty good option...Oh yeah, free college to boot.

 

The Marines only promise you a program, which has several MOSes in it (usually 3). You'll get one of the MOSes in that program for sure, so long as you make it through the school. Which one you get is 100% needs of the Marine Corps. You're recruiter will generally try to look at school seats and time you to get in there, but you won't know what your MOS is going to be for sure until after you graduate Boot Camp. If you're infantry, like I was, you'll find out which Infantry MOS you're getting after the first month of SOI. Though there is a couple new programs out that guarantee you a shot at getting into Recon. You fail any schools, of course, you go open contract and then the Marine Corps will make you whatever they want.

There is a lot of cross training though. Few guys I knew in the Infantry even got certified on the 7 tons and such. I believe that translates to a Class B CDL, but I'm not 100%.

 

Go Navy!

 

Philippines, Olongapo

 

Won't ask what port this is, but the scene sure is familiar. Oh the sea stories we all have. Probably should be it's own thread.