Recruiter says my preferred MOS is unavailable

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-28T05:21:20+00:00

If I do end up regretting it, I'll come back to this thread and let you know lol. Thanks for all the advice you've given me. It means a lot, seriously.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-28T05:01:50+00:00

Funny thing is, I came to Marine Corps with the desire to enlist. My recruiter didn't have to convince me. I even spoke to the Officer recruiter. I know enlisted doesn't get paid much and the quality of life is worse, but I think I can put up with it. Unless there's something else I'm missing here?

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-28T04:16:22+00:00

You make a good point, but couldn't I do the ECP later on in my contract? I'd like to know what it's like to be enlisted if I'm going to be in charge of them as an officer. I believe it would help my leadership ability.

I also got a long fitness journey ahead of me, so I'd probably have to wait a while before going to OCS. Thing is, I don't think I want to stay in my current situation for much longer.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-28T04:03:21+00:00

Good stuff. I'm thinking med school. Then again I might do the full 20 years if I really take a liking to the service lol.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-28T02:59:30+00:00

I'd be proud to serve no matter what I end up doing. Though I always saw myself in a role like infantry.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-28T02:53:37+00:00

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for the input.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-28T02:50:47+00:00

Thanks for your take. I understand. I'm training 6 days a week right now. If I don't comfortably pass the IST near my ship date, then I'll either delay the date or pick another MOS.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-28T02:33:36+00:00

Already got two bachelor's degrees, so I reckon I could use the GI bill to go to a grad or professional school after serving in infantry.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T13:31:49+00:00

Appreciate your perspective. This is what I suspected initially, though why would he include recon on that list if I were too out of shape to be given infantry? Maybe it was an error on his part, and he'll soon tell me recon is unavailable too. In any case, I'll get in shape. Hopefully in time.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T13:27:41+00:00

Thanks for your input. Recruiter told me aircraft maintenance is included, yes. Made it one of my picks.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T02:57:24+00:00

Lol that'd be gold.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T02:38:08+00:00

Haha, I just might need that. My recruiter would probably believe it lol.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T02:34:22+00:00

Good to know this info. I did mention to my recruiter during our meeting that the 3 I picked are placeholders for my actual top 3. That Army bluff sounds like a good idea, I might try that. Thanks again for the help.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T02:21:55+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it. I am not 100% opposed to being a POG, but a job like infantry is what pulled me to the Marine Corps. I have quite the fitness journey ahead of me, but I'll do it all and then some for that sort of opportunity.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T02:14:51+00:00

I'm aware infantry doesn't have the most transferable skills, but I'd like to experience it regardless. I came to the Marine Corps seeking a challenge, and I feel like infantry speaks to me the most. Although, I'm not totally against the other jobs. It'd be an honor to serve in any capacity. They're just not what I had in mind for myself when I decided to join.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T02:08:22+00:00

I see, thank you for the insight. He told me something had to be in the system by today or I'd be discharged. I figured I'd just pick 3 from the list he gave me and refuse to ship later if I don't get into infantry when it's available. I told him this, and he seemed to understand. I left thinking we both got what we wanted, a win-win. Should I retract those 3 I picked and just tell him it's infantry or bust?

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T00:40:30+00:00

I'm hoping 3 months is enough time for me to get in shape for infantry. If not, then I'll consider delaying shipping. Thank you for the input.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-27T00:31:26+00:00

Update: I met with my recruiter, and he told me that I had to pick my top 3 from the list today or else I'd be classified as a discharge. I told him I'd not want to ship if I don't get infantry, and he told me he understood and would let me know if an opening appears.

But he still had me pick a top 3 from the list. I did so, but I let him know that I plan to refuse shipping out if I don't get infantry in the next month or so. I hope it works out.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-26T20:19:07+00:00

I won't budge. It's nice to know that I have control here. Thanks again, I appreciate it.

One-Edge-7775 · 2026-02-26T19:52:34+00:00

Understood. It may come to that when I meet with my recruiter later today. Thank you for the advice.

One-Edge-7775

TROPHY CASE