Enlisting..?

Question

When you enlist in the Army do you get to choose your branch (MP, Armor, Infanty..ect) and do you get to choose your exact job? I dont get why you wouldnt but iv been told you dont usually get the job you go for

Answer 1

When you enlist in the Army, you are given a variety of jobs to choose from. These jobs are selected from your ASVAB score (indicating that you have the ablity to learn that job), and job vacancy (there are only so many slots available per Basic Training Unit). Once you have picked the job that you want, you will be given the standard military contract and a US Army contract. The standard military contract is a DD Form (Dept of Defense Form) that all branches use to show that you have enlisted in the military for a period of "x" years. The US Army contract is a DA Form (Dept of the Army Form) and guarantees the job that YOU selected. It will also list any/all bonuses that you have received.

When I enlisted, I requested to be a MP and to be stationed in Germany. I got both of those guaranteed to me, in writing, on my DA contract. When I was a recruiter, ALL my kids got the job that THEY chose guaranteed on their DA Contract.

Good luck and thanks for thinking of us.

Answer 2

The guys at the Military Entrance and Processing Station (MEPS) are the ones you get you your job and contract. The recruiter just sells you on the Army. I got the exact intelligence job I picked in writing before I left and the only thing on my contract that changed was my class dates. The only time you don't get a guaranteed job is when you sign and "open" (meaning they can put you wherever they want) contract which I trust you didn't do. You always get the job that is on your contract. If you for some reason do not pass the school or are medically unqualified then yes, you will get a new job, but the Army gives you everything you have on your contract. It is up to you to make it through the school though. Last note: if you are not real book smart and did bad on the ASVAB then the Army does not want to offer you much. If they keep jerking you around about jobs it is because you are probably unqualified so keep taking the ASVAB until you do better if this is your problem. Oh, and whoever is giving you this advice might not be familiar with the Army. Giving people branches sounds more like the Marine Corps.

Answer 3

Yes, you get to choose your job and branch! I should know. I just got out after serving 7 years in the Army. Every enlistee has to take a test,ASVAB. It is sort of like a water downed ACT. There are ways to study for it and the better your score, the more jobs you are eligible for. Don't listen to the knuckleheads who don't know what they are talking about. You get a choice of job and sometimes assignment before you leave for Basic Training and the Army has to honor your choice, it is in the enlistment contract. Army is one of the few services which guarantees the job you pick.

Answer 4

When you take the ASVAB, make sure you ace it so that you can pretty much guarantee yourself a good job or at least the job that you would like. Remember, you are joining the service to do what you want. If they say that they cannot offer you the job you desire, leave and go to another recuiter from a different branch of service. Only the marines do not have medical jobs, the navy corpsman is assigned to the marines to do that.

Answer 5

When you decide to enlist, you can get 1 option, usually it's training of choice, although I did have a friend of mine who went in as a M1 Armor crewman cause it was the only job that would guarntee him Germany. But the bottom line is yes, you get to pick your job, and your job will fit under a specific branch.

Answer 6

yes and no. You have to take the ASVAB, which will determine your eligibilty for certain Jobs. there are also other factors, such as color blindness, that can additionally limit your choices. Gender also plays a role. Females are not allowed direct combat jobs, and the slots available to them for certain other jobs are limited. Then you must factor inb the needs of the military and whether or not what you want is available.

Answer 7

You may be able to do as I did, check with the recruiter. I signed up for 11X. Which is any of the infantry positions, they then determine which MOS has the greatest need and slot you in there. This way you have some measure of control over your destiny. The all important rule, make sure it is in the contract.

Answer 8

MOS - Military Occupational Specialty.

Note: The U. S. Army is currently restructuring its designations. Major changes have been made and will continue to be made into 2007.

Answer 9

my brother went into the army thinking he would be able to do the things he picked, that wasn't the case. Don't go in the Army only for that reason if that's what you're hoping for... go to college, then if you still feel that the Army is were you want to be then go, but if not, then at least you got your college education.

Answer 10

When you enlist, you can request a specific MOS or job. Just make sure that your recuiter completes the paperwork and signs it for a garanteed job........ If they don't give it to ya its a breech of contract.....