|
As a general comment regarding assignment to a skill specialty (MOS) or a Unit or type of unit, the Army will try to accomodate the soldiers wishes but there are some clear and carefully explained guidelines. First and foremost comes "the needs of the service". Then, there are many specialties that require certain skills, aptitudes, and testing results before the Army will assign you to that specific specialty. If you wish to enlist for a certain unit or type of unit there must be vacancies available to be filled. If you want to join the 77th Transportation Battalion but they are at full strength you might have to be assigned to the 93rd Trans Bn. If you want to be a target acquisition radar repairer but don't demonstrate the skill level and aptitude you might have to be trained as a telephone communication technician if that is where your skills lie.
In my experience (Armored Cavalry) we have a number of skill requirements ranging from the less technically demanding to the area of serious wirehead aptitude. As we are a combat arms type of unit you might expect that it might be harder to attract volunteers to this relatively dangerous type of organization. Actually, we have never had trouble filling our ranks with lots of highly motivated people who represent a broad cross section of society. We are proud of being Cavalry Troopers and would rather be in this outfit than anything else.
So, its not all about only you choosing where you want to go, its more like a mutual selection of where you best fit. Gee, that sounds sort of familiar, doesn't it? Could being a soldier assigned to an appropriate skill specialty be like a prospective new member finding where he fits in and the Chapter offering him a bid through mutual selection! What a thought!
|