Okay, say I want to become an M1A1 crewman specifically. Would I be guaranteed the M1A1 job if I did worse than CWSII on the swim test? I know that in order to be an AAV crewman you have to be at least CWSII. SORTA tanking the swim portion. SEEMS like a way to secure the tank job. Let me know if I'm off, please.
Also, is it very tough to get field 18 in your contract this time of year?
I know I should post this in the wannabe forum (I did), but I wanted to see if I could get some insight from some actual Marine Corps armor crewmen.
Unless things have changed..a current recruiter can correct me if I'm wrong. The enlistment option (CE Infantry Support) which contains AAVs and Tanks also contains Artillery and LAAD Gunners. So bombing your swim qual so you won't get AAV's will not guarantee you will get tanks.
Besides you should try to do your absolute best no matter what the task. This includes swim qual.
I know the infantry support option contains AAVs, tanks, and field artillery, but I have never heard of it containing LAAD gunners. Last time I checked it didn't. However, I would ask the recruiter to be sure. Just ask what MOSs are under infantry support. Tanks is the most difficult MOS to get under infantry support. The reason for this is there are not as many tankers in the Marine Corps as there is AAV crewman and cannon cockers. I initially wanted tanks when I joined but I ended up with AAVs. I don't regret it to this day. It's a great MOS and the new AAV, which will be called the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), will be hitting the fleet hopefully within the next 2 to 3 years (check out this web site http://www.efv.usmc.mil/).
When I was a recruiter(99-02), LAAD Gunner was apart of the infantry support option. Like I said that might have changed. Hell Engineers was part of the Infantry support option when I came in. Things change.
quote:
the new AAV, which will be called the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), will be hitting the fleet hopefully within the next 2 to 3 years
Oh, I see. Someone was telling me you could get "18" in your contract and then go either AAV/M1 from there. Guess not. Damn, they're probably gonna make me a chain puller if I get in.
Hey check it out. I came in with a Combat support contract (08xx, 18xx, 72xx) I somehow got 1812.
Like ABV says... Don't half *** your swim (I thought if i would fail swim 2 it would get me away from LAV's too) but i buckled down and did it anyways just do your best and hope that it comes to you.
its been about a month since the last post on this page but to let you know, bombing your swim qual will not matter in regards to getting aav crewman as an MOS, i only got CWS3 in bootcamp and am now at MOS school to become an AAV crewman, they will just have you qualify for CWS2 while you are here. thats what i had to do
