Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/fire support man

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Expert: - 2/20/2008


Question
i plan on joining the marines after i graduate from high school, i took the ASVAB and got a AFQT:82.  i want to enlist and become a artillery fire support man(i heard its also called a forward observer), as far as i know in the marines, people can only enlist in a certain area, but not a specific job.(ex. artillery field rather than fire support man) so my question is, if i were to enlist in the artillery field, what are the chances that i would end up as a fire support man.  and what steps would i have to take inorder to become one.  my recruiter only said that the MOS should be a second priority and becoming a marine should be first.

Answer
Dan:

 First, your recruiter is correct in this regard.   Concern yourself at this point with completing recruit training, THEN worry about MOS school.

 You are correct, you can only enlist for the baseline MOS on active duty, your exact MOS gets assigned based on the needs of the Corps.   

 My suggestion is to talk to some Marines who have this MOS, you might be able to find some here:

www.leatherneck.com/forums

 Sign on, create a profile, and see if there are any Marines or poolees that can give you some pointers.   It's also a good place to interact with other poolees and ask questions.

Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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