Does anyone know if there's a possibility to pick your job in the military after finishing college? How much influence do we have over our roles, ranks, and stations?
Absolutely, pursuing a military career post-college does offer some choice in terms of job selection. Your chosen branch of service usually provides a list of available 'Military Occupation Specialties' (MOS) or ratings (for Navy) that you can select from during the application process. These vary widely, from intelligence and logistics to engineering and healthcare.
It's important to remember, however, that while you may have a preference for a particular role, assignment to that role will still be subject to the needs of the service and your qualifications. For instance, technical roles may require certain knowledge or aptitudes, and aviation roles often have stringent physical and aptitude requirements. Also, some roles may be more competitive than others, meaning the number of available spots could be limited.
Branches of the military do offer officer programs for college graduates, where you could start at a higher rank (usually as an O-1) compared to enlisted personnel. In terms of choosing your station or location, the military does take your preference into account, but ultimately you will be assigned based on the needs of the service. Some branches offer more flexibility in station assignment than others, so it's worth researching this aspect for each specific branch.
Bear in mind that each military branch has its own process and criteria, so it's always a good idea to speak directly with a recruiter from the branch you're interested in as they'll have the most accurate and updated information.
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