Expert: John L - 12/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: My son is trying to active army from national guard (Michigan) and they are pretty much telling him the only thing will probably be infantry. He is 92Y right now and he doesn't care if his MOS stays that but he's not interested in being on the front lines either. any suggestions?

ANSWER: Who is telling him infantry only?  If Michigan will release him for active duty, he can negotiate an Active contract with the Army, he doesn't have to go Infantry.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The recruiters for the army are telling him that they dont know what will be available to him when he gets to MEPS but its very likely it will only be infantry and they dont know if they want to bother sending him down there if he wont take that MOS. Like he has no options. He already got the paperwork signed to be released and it will expire on Dec. 24. If he is not active by then he will have to start the process all over again. What should he be saying when he is trying to "negotiate a contract"? Should he try a different recruiter?

Answer
No, when he goes to meps, he doesn't join until he gets a job he wants, he can hold out.  They will give him something other than Infantry.  It is a scam that Active recruiters play.  They don't know what is going to be offered, but it wont only be infantry.  infantry is a SMALL part of the army.

Tell him ot stand firm for a job he wants to do.