Expert: Rod Powers - 6/1/2007

Question
Hi, I'm in the process of joining the national guard. I've always wanted to join the coast guard but they won't help me get waivers for the plate in my arm like the national guard seems really happy to help with. I'm content with joining the guard even though I preferred the other guard. I did well on the hasmap (sorry if i butchered that) and can basically pick any MOS I want. I wanted to choose crane operator, or heavy construction machine operator because I studied construction in college. I know there's a good chance of going to Iraq which I've come to terms with(my parents certaintly haven't) but can(maybe not can rather will) the guard just decide to change what I'd be doing there. For example: My AIT is heavy construction machine operator and then they deploy me to Iraq and decide to have me drive a truck full of supplies around the country(my dad says that extremely dangerous) I know the service is inherently dangerous but I would at least like to have my recruiter be straight up with me when he says my MOS is what I'll actually doing for a job when i go to Iraq?

Answer
Hi Michael,

It very easily could happen. Of all the branches, the Army (this includes the active duty Army, the Army Reserves, and Army National Guard) has the worst reputation of using Soldiers in jobs outside of their normal MOS (Military Specialty), especially when deployed to combat areas, such as Iraq or Afghanistan.

From my "What the Recruiter Never Told You" article(see: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter.htm):

"On the negative side, of all of the services, the Army has the worst reputation for working soldiers in jobs that have nothing to do with what their MOS is. Over the years, I've met dozens of soldiers who were (for example) assigned to drive trucks in the motor-pool, even though their MOS's had nothing to do with vehicles. A while ago, the Stars & Stripes Newspaper published a feature article about an Army Armored Company deployed to Kosovo (without armor) to man security checkpoints. Last year, the Army News Service featured an article about an Army National Guard Supply Company, who deployed to Iraq, and were "re-trained" as a group after arrival in country to perform infantry duties."

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com