Hello all, I'm going into the Corps as a reservist, and was told that because of this, I'll get to choose my specific MOS. Right now I'm trying to decide the 0811 and 0861 positions. Any suggestions or advice would be welcome.
Originally posted by knightmare30039: Hello all, I'm going into the Corps as a reservist, and was told that because of this, I'll get to choose my specific MOS. Right now I'm trying to decide the 0811 and 0861 positions. Any suggestions or advice would be welcome.
Both of these MOS's are physically demanding.
On the 0811 side, you will learn how to set up and operate the M-777 howitzer. Go down to the thread titled "you wanna be a 0811", that is typically in the field stuff, loading and firing. What they dont show is the long hours in the gun park performing preventive maintenance on the guns, when you arent in the gun park, you are in the motor pool performing preventive maintenance on your truck that pulls your gun.
As far as an 0861 goes, preventive maintenance on radios and humvees, and personal weapons. Training, training and more training.
Since you will be in the reserves, its hard to say what your drill schedule will be like. Since I was an 0861, naturally I would recommend that, but see if you can talk with any 0811s and get their opinion.
Thanks! I'm actuall leaning towards 0861. Would you care to provide more details on your experience? I'm not sure how private messaging works on this site, but I can provide an email address.
One other question I had is are the 0861's doing their role over in the Middle East right now, or they filling other roles such as MP etc? Are they out in the fieldor doing desk work?
Originally posted by knightmare30039: One other question I had is are the 0861's doing their role over in the Middle East right now, or they filling other roles such as MP etc? Are they out in the fieldor doing desk work?
I do not know. Let me see if I can track down some 0861s and get back to you.
Hey SCMerle, I came back from MEPS about two weeks ago. I enlisted as a reservist and the Liason marked me down for 0861. I live in Atlanta, so it looks like i'll be drilling in Chattanooga, TN with Battery M 3rd Battalion 14th Marines.
Why are you going into the reserves? Enlist as a regular and get the full enjoyment of the Marine Corps. There's nothing in the world like being a fleet Marine. And if you're 18 and just going in, there's a lot of opportunities once you've been in a few years.
I enlisted into the reserves so I could take the oppurtunity to finish college, then go active. I've wanted to be a Marine for a few years, but I saw no reason not to take advantage of the offered college funds. However, I've been thinking more and more about enlisting as a regular.
I only ask that because once you get in boot camp and your MOS school, you're gonna think the Corps is a lot of fun and wished you'd gone active. You can go to school while you're in, or maybe you should just finish college then go in the Marines. Or quite possibly you're tired of going to school and want to get your life started.
Plus, the Drill Instructors are gonna dog you hard for being a reservist.
I was a 0811/0812 guncrew chief in Mike Battery 3/11. Always in the field. When we weren't doing firing missions or cleaning our gear, we were out humping/running the surounding countryside as infantryman, doing sweeps, security patrols, etc...We mainly ate rations, snakes. A rare hot meal from Battalion was a blessing. We washed-up in our steel pot helmets. The water was also rationed. There were only five men in my crew including the truck driver and myself. We all worked hard, got dirty, got hurt, ached, bled, and had hearing problems. The 155 Towed Howitzer has a powerful kick and requires a lot of work to keep it in-place. When not in the field and back at base camp, we did pt a lot and ran the surrounding hills, including sheep****. If it's action you want and you don't mind getting dirty, then 0811 is the job for you.
My name is Duncan. Like the man said go active duty as an 0811. It was my primary MOS. The work is hard and learning the weapons and supporting weapons is sheer genious. In my time with India Battery they assigned me to local secuirty where I also learend the M2 50 Cal and the M60. They are right about endless maintenance but you can not lay around doing nothing. When you go to the field you can lay the gun 5 times a day do a hip shoot and so on. Lots of time for drill and endless P.T. It's a good part of the Corps. Did it for 10th Matines and the National guards 107th Field Artillery Brigade. You'll lay wire, drive a truck, Learn weapons and enjoy being a field Marine.
Depending on where you live will make the difference in what you do in Reserve Artillery. There are 3 Battalions within 14th Marines. 1st Battalion was deactivated back in 07.
2nd Battalion is fully transitioning to HIMARS( Dont ask me what it is, look it up yourself) I you are slated to be an 0861 with a HIMAR unit, you will be doing Jack Squat. If you go 0811, then you will be trained as a secondary 0814 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. Find out what Battalion you will be going to. If it is 2nd Battalion, I would strongly advise against the 0861 MOS.
