11B training vs. other MOS's

Hasbeen · 04-06-2006, 03:15 PM

So, as I'm discussing my MOS choices with my fiancee in anticipation of the upcoming re-enlistment, she suggests (and has no military experience) that I should choose something less "dangerous" than 11B. My argument is that in the current conflict (from research, no firsthand experience) there is no "rear" or "support" soldiers of the armed forces that are completely or "more" out of harms way and all are commonly performing infantry roles. I believe that in the likely event of a deployment an infantryman's training will be more beneficial. I blame the Boy Scouts, I like to be prepared. Please weigh in...

Grimmy · 04-06-2006, 05:51 PM

If you deployed.

(Guesses)

As a grunt you'd be with other grunts and grunts, by nature, are much less likely to be caught by surprise by hostile action in a supposedly safe area.

As a grunt you get to talk trash about POGs.

As a grunt you'd have more of an opportunity to actually fight back instead of just having to stand there and take it in the shorts whenever haji decides to throw crap around.

on the other hand, as a grunt you'd not exactly be developing technical skills for a future career outside the military, except maybe as one of the "contractors". But contractors, I do believe, are a more temporary phenominon and probably not the best thing to bank on for the future.

Anyhoo, I'm guessing so I'll shush and let them what's in the Army now provide you with more accurate feedback.

Hasbeen · 04-06-2006, 08:11 PM

Grimmy,

Seems we're of a similar mind....those are my inclinations as well, however I'm not as concerned about learning a technical skill which will be useful in a civilian career. (We all know most combat arms MOS' would be a bad choice in that regard.) I still haven't decided what I'm going to be when I grow up.

Also, even though there is a chance that I will not deploy, its not something that I'm even considering...I understand the consequences of enlisting, and so does she. Thanks for your input, I'm looking forward to other opinions and experiences.

**edited for typos**

**RR691983** · 04-07-2006, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

Also, even though there is a chance that I will not deploy, its not something that I'm even considering...
**edited for typos**

If you're going active it's not a matter if IF you'll deploy, more of when. Believe me you will deploy and when you deploy it'll probably be the one place you don't want to go.

Hasbeen · 04-07-2006, 01:28 AM

Initially, I'm going ARNG so the "if" is a player, though I can't really speak for what the not so distant future holds...perhaps AD at some point.....so understand the "when" of deployment in that respect. Again, I'm currently still waiting on a waiver (have a sit-down with my recruiter tomorrow.) I'm just trying to have what ducks I have control over, in some sort of row.

Grimmy · 04-07-2006, 03:49 AM

Never hurts to go in with a plan, as long as you arent dead set on that plan actually working.

USMC Chuter · 04-07-2006, 04:00 AM

It's true to an extent, that many non-infantry fields will lead you to harms way if deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. I think others on the board will agree that military police and motor transport are two fields in that category that come to mind. Conversely, many MOS's are highly UNlikely to see combat.. For instance, many of the air wing fields won't ever leave the base their stationed at, as well as a number of other support jobs.. The catch-all is indirect fire.. Unless things have changed since I was last deployed, it's frequent and doesn't much care what your MOS is. I say go with whatever interests you most. If you WANT to step in it, go infantry or tanks. If you want to serve your country and your future plans at the same time, go with whatever you have an aptitude for, that interests you. That's my .02.

**RR691983** · 04-07-2006, 04:11 AM

Good post Chuter. Hasbeen, unless you're completely unaware of the current state of affairs in the Guard and Reserve you realize that you're chances of deployment are only a fraction smaller than if you're AD.

Hasbeen · 04-07-2006, 09:17 AM

RR....a very small fraction indeed...I've told my fiancee that it is better to anticipate "when" as opposed to "if." Though it does seem like the overall levels of NG and Reserves are decreasing. Should I bank on that? No, of course not..So, I'm not completely uninformed, just somewhat uninformed.

It was a good post Chuter, it definately reaffirmed somethings I was thinking. I'm now leaning more towards 11B, not for any sort of Hollywood reasons, but because thats where my interest lies, and where I think I can do the most good. I do like to be prepared, but I know that even the best laid plans don't often survive contact with reality.

**Covertness** · 04-07-2006, 02:32 PM

All I gotta say is you best fully recognize the hazards of your chosen profession which ever MOS you choose to pursue. I could have done anything I wanted when I joined. At the time (1983) odds were, there wasn't going to be any serious conflict during the time I was going to be on active duty. However, coming from a military family, I knew never to bet on those odds. I became a Grunt because I wanted the baddest mother fuckers to my left and right should the baloon ever go up.
Statistics are showing that it is the combat arms MOSes, that are receiving the brunt of the casualties today. Again, fully recognize the hazards of your chosen profession. The choice is yours and yours alone. You either hear the call or you don't.

**RR691983** · 04-07-2006, 04:25 PM

What Covertness just said is true, while POG's are still giving all. It's us grunts doing most the dying. Trust me I know the casualties before probably everyone else here.

Hasbeen · 04-07-2006, 04:29 PM

Covertness,

Thanks for the sobering, but realistic post. Its exactly what I needed to hear. The trouble is that I do indeed hear the call. Choosing to answer it in the manner that I see fit is as you say my choice and mine alone, but no less difficult.

Coming from a military family as well, I learned never to bet on the odds that my father or brother or I would not deploy, and I have always understood the consequences and hazards of making that commitment. I can assure you, if on active duty, or activated from the reserves it will come as no surprise. Save having actually experience as so many of you do, thats the best I can do.

Much like you Covertness, I "could" do anything I want, I scored well on the ASVAB, with solid line scores, but I am deciding between 11B and 21B. I'm no action junkie, or wannabe hero, but I think my decision is clear, since the balloon is most definitely up, I want the baddest mother fuckers on both sides, to borrow the wisdom offered by Covertness. Thanks for the information guys, I'm absorbing it all, so feel free to keep it coming.