Met a future US Army Soldier

[GCroyle]

Guys,

Goes without saying, it was a terrible week, four Marines and a Sailor made it to the front of the line to Heaven as civilians stepped aside letting them ahead of them while waiting their turn to get in.

But Saturday I met a future Soldier for the US Army and America. We were both watching cars getting worked on at a tire shop, I needed a plug patch and a conversation started. He commented on my Red, White and Blue themed T shirt. The conversation continued and he offered that in a few weeks he was heading to Fort Sill for basic training. Came out that he's just 18 and his chin looked like it had seen a razor a couple of times at most. He had a pride of future duty in his words and of an uncertain future.

I asked his MOS, Fire Support Specialist or forward artillery observer for those of us without a military training.

His car was finished, I stood, shook his hand and wished him well.

Where's the US Flag Icon?

 

[DavidC]

Dave

 

[TFucili]

God Bless all who serve and served.

 

[Tractorat]

How things have changed. Hasnt even been to boot camp yet, but he already knows his mos.

 

[DavidC]

How things have changed. Hasnt even been to boot camp yet, but he already knows his mos.

When I went into USAF in 72 I had my MOS. It has been around for a long time, at least for USAF.

Dave

 

[Tractorat]

Maybe it was different in the air force. At least by 1972. When I went into the marine corps in 1967, we didnt know what our mos was going to be until the end of boot camp (although most of us had a pretty good idea). That was decided by how you did on the testing we did while in boot camp. They did have guarantees for the air wing though. Not necessarily a particular mos, but air wing none the less. I remember at least one guy who was with me in vietnam who had an air wing "guarantee". He was a rifleman just like me. We used to laugh at him and ask him how he liked being in the "air wing". He didnt appreciate that. There were a lot of guys with air "guarantees" that didnt get it.

 

[GCroyle]

To me the MOS is in itself interesting, look it up and its a tough and challenging job. The big issue he like many others is stepping up to serve, us.

 

[Tractorat]

I guess it probably started with the all volunteer army. If someone was going to enlist (when they weren't going to get drafted), they want to know what they will be doing rather than taking it for chance.

Yes, the kid you met has certainly decided on one of the more dangerous mos's in the army. My hat is off to him.

 

[SnoKing]

In the USCG in 1965 it was coming out of boot camp and testing that qualified one for MOS. I had high marks so chose Electronics school. Made E6(ET1) in four, however 2 of those years were at E5. Would have made ETC in four except for a tour in SE Asia for a year and the fact that E5 was a great level. My E5 was a field promotion.

Chris

 

[Tractorat]

We didnt get to chose. And high test scores could have gotten you a more technical mos, but not necessarily. I scored pretty high, but when my name was called........infantry.

The DI called out our names one by one and told us our mos.

xxxx infantry
ssss infantry
dddd electronics
jjjj infantry
eeee infantry
oooo infantry
wwww infantry
iiii cook
eeee tanks
qqqq infantry.
...........

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Thank you one and all that served, especially, to every US Marine.
Had it not been for three very brave young Marines I would probably not be here.

 

[AH64ID]

How things have changed. Hasnt even been to boot camp yet, but he already knows his mos.

The Army now, and for at least 20 years but not sure how long, has you test (ASVAB which was introduced in 1968) before Basic or even contracting. Future soldiers are then given the choice of an MOS based on testing and needs of the Army. Basically you could qualify for a rocket scientist but if the army only needs cooks... well you get the idea.