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This email addresses what I do as an Officer of Marines.
Hey sir- just ran across your webpage, it's really nice.
Just had a question about your MOS, although I wasn't sure if
you are a tanker just filling a billet, anyway, here goes.
I am currently a MECEP at the Ohio State University, I am going
to OCS this summer. My question is what are your thoughts
on your MOS, do you like it, hate it, how was the school?
I was a unit diary clerk for 6 years and have a lot of Admin
experience, I was one of those who would take the DODFMR or
any Pubs binder to the head to read just for fun. I just
didn't want to end up as an 0193. Not that it would have
been bad, I just thought I could do the Corps better as an Officer.
Another concern I was wondering about is about the 0180 being
replaced by the warrant officer 0170, I heard that but didn't
know if it was scuttlebutt or not. Anyway, I really liked
your website and hope you can give me some gouge.
Thanks
Here is my response.
I am a true 0180, trained right out of TBS. I was sent to
1st Tanks as my first duty station.
I like being the Adjutant. First, you are in the loop with
everything that is happening. You hear everything and have an
unusual relationship with some pretty high people, such as the
CO and XO.
Second, you are the holder of a lot of knowledge. Not a
lot of people want to memorize all the "by the book" regulations
about the admin side of the Corps. But when they want it done
right, you are the first person they come to with hat in hand.
Third, there is not specific job description so you end
up doing a huge variety of things. It is never boring because
you are constantly given small missions to juggle and your day
to day expectations are impossible to map. It is fun but a little
overwhelming sometimes.
Fourth, it is a comfortable MOS. You get an office, etc.
Now for some people this would drive them nuts but I am a home/busy
body to begin with so I love it. But the opportunity to do neat
things still come your way. It is like visiting someone with
a baby but not having to change diapers, then leaving when the
baby starts crying. I have had 2 tank rides, been SPIE rigging,
rappelling, gas chamber, rifle range, pistol range, week-long
exercises in the desert, TEWTs (Tactical Exercise Without Troops),
etc. So I still keep up on my warfighting skills. But when I
see someone come into my office wind-blown, dirty, sunburned,
and all-around miserable, I am thankful that I get to go home
ever night mentally taxed but physically tired only from the
PT I choose to participate in.
But the best thing about being an Adjutant is that you entire
existence is to help others. This may sound a little altruistic
but it is true. I get paid to help people and everything that
I do is based on the simple concept that I am there to solve
problems. And they come at you in waves. But you get the opportunity
to help, and I mean really help, people everyday.
The last thing I will point out is that I am ever-aware
of the tendency of those in my position to let the access to
the top go to their head. As you can see, there is a lot of
power involved but in the wrong hands, you could really take
advantage of it and get yourself really hated by those around
you. I am not a tanker but I like to think that the tankers
do not look down upon me. I treat them with respect as I expect
them to treat me. I always remember I am a Lieutenant (not "just
a lieutenant" yet not "the all-powerful Adjutant"). If I ever
find myself feeling better than those officers around me or
a special Lieutenant+, I remind myself that while I do not stand
for being belittled or unjustly insubordinated, I am still a
junior officer playing by the same rules as the others. Some
Adjutants forget that and get wrapped up in the mistaken fantasy
world that they rate special consideration due to the position
they hold. I despise that as much as I despise being looked
down upon by the combat arms officers. Luckily, I have not had
to hold my ground in that aspect yet but I know it will come
someday. I will be ready for the fight.
I have not heard anything about 0170s replacing 0180s. In
fact, 0170s are even more sparse than 0180s. We have not had
one in decades and they are so short, I cannot see them replacing
Adjutants. I hope not, I love "being the Adj!!"
Jason D. Grose
Lieutenant
United States Marine Corps
https://members.tripod.com/~jdgrose115/
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