Assigned or picked units?

[BradC]

When you join, do you get to pick what unit you go to?

Do you get assigned to the closest unit, where the state wants you, or can you pick one?

Thanks!

[Jemmons]

When I was preparing to enlist, my recruiter had already determined where I would be heading. There are a set number of openings for each MOS in each unit, and so the recruiters are looking to fill those specific slots.

My guess is that if there's a particular unit you would like to join, and they have open slots for your MOS, you could probably talk to your recruiter about joining that unit.

[shutterm4]

If your MOS was available in the unit you want to go to, you could pick to go to that unit.

[labellavita]

If you know the unit you want to join, call them and find out if there is a slot for your rank and mos. Then you can get your recruiter to put it in your orders that that is where you wish to go after training. Mine already said my unit in my enlistment papers. My recruiter determined that I would be suited to join that specific unit. I am still with them and love them.

[WIBecky74]

You decide what MOS and unit that fits that MOS. A recruiter may say you have to choose a specific one, but it is ultimatly up to you. With the understanding that not all units have all MOS's. Recruiters have access to a program for your state that can find all open slots in all units. Or if he/she doesnt have that, they have the ability to call each unit and ask them. I told my recruiter I wanted an admin MOS. The day I walked into his office to fill out all the necessary paperwork before going to MEPS he said he found an open medic slot in a very nearby unit. I explained again that I wanted an admin MOS. I sat in that office for over two hours (granted it was over lunchtime and was more diffeicult calling these units and finding someone available to tell him if they had an open admin slot) while he called. He found a possiblilty about two hours away. I was okay with that, but he made one more call and found a unit about an hour away. Each state kinda has a specialty for what kind of units they have. Wisconsin happens to have alot of transportation and artillary units along with a few others. As you move across the country the 'system' kinda makes sense of what kind of units each state has. It really depends on what you are most insterested in, what your ASVAB scores allow you to do, and how far you are willing to travel. If your patriotic enough to take a slot that the recruiter recommends...great...just keep in mind he/she is not taking your best interest into consideration with that. This is an obligation you will have to fulfill and be happy with. After enlisting your choices become less and less, but until then, you hold the ball. My opinion is make the choices for yourself while you still can.

Keep in mind you can choose a unit anywhere in the USA. It does not have to be in your state, but you will have to get there once a month. In Wisconsin if you travel over 50 miles to get there, they will put you up in a motel at their cost.

Look over the list of MOSs. Research them. Make a good choice for yourself.