Having just DEP'd in I am still in the process of selecting an MOS and I am curious to know if there are any ATC's here who could describe/explain what their job is really like. You know the ups and downs etc. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Also is anyone familiar with the duties of an Expeditionary Air Traffic Controller?
Becarefull, I thought I signed up as ATC but found out when I got to my School that I actually signed up for Crash Crew, Mos's are put into groups and some recruiters do not tell you that, they just put in that group of mos's and tell ya you got it. Plain and simple you have to have exactly in your contract what you want or you may get just put in that group. Then it comes down to when you graduate from Boot Camp they will assign you as they need you...In the end what I got to my school it was full for 6-8 months, they gave me 3 options, 1 wait on the school to open up in the mean time it was mess or maintance for that time, 2 take what they offer me which was any of the air frame schools or, 3 get out on a broken contract....
that was long time ago, just tell your recruiter thats what you want and you will not sign until you get it in writing. DO NOT SIGN UNTIL THEN. If he does not want do this find a new recruiter, DO NOT SIGN WITH HIM.
You can get it if you ask for it, trust us. He is just trying to fill another MOS in that group as it's likely unbalanced. Go talk to another Marine recruiter, do not tell him you have talk to someone else. Tell the new guy that is all you want, tell him you will not take the asvab until you know he can put you into to it. That will get you out of have to give up that you talked to some else for now. Do not sign any thing yet....What city are you in? We might be able to help....Keep in mind it's a numbers game with the recruiters even if they are doing ok on quota's their ego's often over shadow you best interest. Like I said he most likely is trying to balance a unbalanced MOS group. I'll try to find a recruiter to put in his 2 cents....Do not sign anything yet....
Ken is absolutely correct. Unless you are a reservist you CANNOT get a specific MOS guarantee. Your recruiter cant get a specific MOS for you. You enlist in the MOS field. The specific MOS's get sorted out while you're at MCT and those are by the needs of the Marine Corps. Now I have heard of some cases of Marines getting to fill out "dream sheets" which they put down their specific MOS choices but again the needs of the Marine Corps come first. So before you take someone's advice and "Bow up" on a recruiter or go to someone else you need to find out the facts. Recruiters don't have a quota of MOS's they have to fill. The fields are filled on a first come first serve basis. There are only so many slots for each field available and once they're taken that's it unless OPS can do some MOS field trading with other RS's. The only MOS field that actually has somewhat of a quota is the Band and that is based on certain instruments. The only thing a recruiter gets from enlisting an applicant in the band is a harmonica award. Otherwise as long as the applicant is qualified for the MOS field they want the recruiter will try to get it for them. But the recruiter does not have anything to do with what fields are available or not. He gets the word handed down to him. He has nothing to gain from trying to put you into a MOS field.
Originally posted by 17129710: He tells me I can only be guaranteed the MOS category but theres no telling which job under that category I will get?
Can I really get him to guarantee me a specific MOS like the Army Air Force and Navy promise?
My only hang up is I really want to be a Marine not a servicemen of any other branch.
I'm a former recruiter...your recruiter is right. You cannot be guaranteed ATC, just the enlistment program it falls under. The recruiter has no visibility on what MOS's in an option are short or not. You can hold out as long as you like waiting to get ATC, but you will still be waiting long after I retire.
My story, I wanted very badly to be a Tank Crewman, so I enlisted in the Infantry Support option which also contained Arty, AAV's, and at the time Combat Engineers. Guess what I'm a Combat Engineer and I love it.
You're desire to be a Marine should come first, MOS second. If you really want to be an ATC go to a service that can guarantee it.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: ABVGunns,
Originally posted by TomHansen: You can get it if you ask for it, trust us. He is just trying to fill another MOS in that group as it's likely unbalanced. Go talk to another Marine recruiter, do not tell him you have talk to someone else. Tell the new guy that is all you want, tell him you will not take the asvab until you know he can put you into to it. That will get you out of have to give up that you talked to some else for now. Do not sign any thing yet....What city are you in? We might be able to help....Keep in mind it's a numbers game with the recruiters even if they are doing ok on quota's their ego's often over shadow you best interest. Like I said he most likely is trying to balance a unbalanced MOS group. I'll try to find a recruiter to put in his 2 cents....Do not sign anything yet....
Way off the mark here. Yes recruiting is a #'s game however their mission does not reflect how many 03XX,18XX,01XX (except the band, huge kudos are given if you can find a qualified french horn player)etc they put in. Overall end strength is the name of the game. Manpower's job is to balance MOS's
Originally posted by SuicideCharley74: Ken is absolutely correct. Unless you are a reservist you CANNOT get a specific MOS guarantee. Your recruiter cant get a specific MOS for you. You enlist in the MOS field. The specific MOS's get sorted out while you're at MCT and those are by the needs of the Marine Corps. Now I have heard of some cases of Marines getting to fill out "dream sheets" which they put down their specific MOS choices but again the needs of the Marine Corps come first. So before you take someone's advice and "Bow up" on a recruiter or go to someone else you need to find out the facts. Recruiters don't have a quota of MOS's they have to fill. The fields are filled on a first come first serve basis. There are only so many slots for each field available and once they're taken that's it unless OPS can do some MOS field trading with other RS's. The only MOS field that actually has somewhat of a quota is the Band and that is based on certain instruments. The only thing a recruiter gets from enlisting an applicant in the band is a harmonica award. Otherwise as long as the applicant is qualified for the MOS field they want the recruiter will try to get it for them. But the recruiter does not have anything to do with what fields are available or not. He gets the word handed down to him. He has nothing to gain from trying to put you into a MOS field.
My story, I wanted very badly to be a Tank Crewman, so I enlisted in the Infantry Support option which also contained Arty, AAV's, and at the time Combat Engineers. Guess what I'm a Combat Engineer and I love it.
True my kid enlisted going the same route, hopeing to be an LAV crewman.
He ended up getting arty.
I told my recruiter that I wanted to be a Marine Helo Crew Chief.
Well why do you think I asked for a Recruiter to come in and clarify this? Things have changed over the 30 years since I signed up. Never the less thanks guy's for helping out as requested...
Since I am in the DEP and can be for up to a year before being sent to boot camp could I wait until a job slot is open if I have my heart set on one particular MOS?
No. The only way you will get a specific MOS is in the reserves. The only guarantee you will get is one of the MOS's in your enlistment program; no matter how long you wait.
Originally posted by RonMann: I agree Tom but if there isn't a slot for that MOS, then he should hold out till one is open.
Why spend 5 years or more doing something that isn't your 1st choice.
He'll be holding out a long time. Like I said there are no active duty programs that guarantee a specific MOS. The recruiters do not have visibility or any say in what MOS a person gets. The only choice the applicant gets is the enlistment option which contains several MOS's...the current needs of the Corps decide which MOS he gets.
