Jobs Simply

How is a job selected for a recruit in the Marine Corps?

I also understand that Marines entering the field receive MOS 1300, Basic Engineer, Construction, and Equipment Marine. My goal is to be 1371 Combat engineer. How do i go about getting this MOS? I would like to make my way to a combat engineer but i really need details on how i can achieve this. I was told that i am can be in the engineer field but my actual job will be decided close to graduation from boot camp. I really need details on how job selection works in the corps. Thanks to all that answer.

Public Comments

1. The way I understood when my recruiter told me was that you get a certain class of jobs. Like a field of them engineering, admin, nbc, and infantry exct. When you get a field then in basic the assign you a job in that field you picked. Your assigned the job by what they need at the certain time.
2. It depends on the time of year and how many openings there are specifically for that MOS. Depending on how popular it is and how many people want it are your chances. Its not a pull the job title out of the hat thing, but its really iffy. You will be in an engineer feild, but depending on the requirements for 1371 combat engineer and the people already with the job is if you will get htat one or not. Good Luck!
3. You CANNOT select your actual MOS in the Marines, you can only select your MOS FIELD (Unless you are a reservist). When you get to MOS school, you will be assigned to an actual MOS, which you may or may not have a say in. The best you can hope for is to be outstanding in everything you do so that if it DOES come down to a choice between you and someone else for a slot in the school you want, you already have your military test scores on your side (PFT/Pro-Con/ASVAB, etc). That's the bottom line about it, no if's, and's, or but's. I remember answering a question similar to this the other day, if you're looking for someone to tell you how to get guaranteed a specific job, the only answer is a.) join the reserves, or b.) join the army. The needs of the Corps ALWAYS come before what you want.
4. I went in as 1800 field Got Amtracs They just fill slots as needed in the specific MOS as needed given that I was qualified for all 1800 mos's