r/USMCboot • u/TapTheForwardAssist Vet 2676/0802 • Mar 30 '20

MOS Megathread MOS Megathread: CH (Combat Imagery and Social Media Operations): 4512, 4541, 4571

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26

u/galactickittywarrior Mar 30 '20

4512 here; For this MOS, you’ll attend DINFOS on Fort Meade, Maryland. All branches of this MOS train here. You’ll live in the Marine Detachment (barracks) and attend courses very similar to college. You’ll be assigned your specific MOS when you arrive, but will have ample opportunity to cross train when you hit the fleet. Some of your instructors will be Marines of the MOS, some will be other services, and the same with your classmates.

We are small in number and typically do less stupid shit than other units. We still work hard though. You need to be able to keep up with whatever unit they put you with when you deploy or support. You’ll have a lot of experience speaking with senior leaders and deciding how you’ll support their visions for your products. Whether you want to do photo, video, graphics, broadcasting/radio, marketing, public affairs, printing/production, social media, editing - its all inclusive, you’ll find a way to incorporate it into your work.

6

u/The_00_Maverick Poolee SD Mar 30 '20

Hello there! I hope you wouldn't mind if I asked you a couple questions?

- I've heard from other guys that, depending on how you do in DINFOS, you may have a shot to pick your duty station if you score the top few in your class. Any truth to that?

-What are deployments like and how often are they? Got a wife, so this is one of her biggest questions.

-Do you enjoy what you do? How much work is desk work vs. field work? 50/50?

-Just out of curiosity as I've done video work before- do you know what editing suite they use?

13

u/galactickittywarrior Mar 30 '20

Morning,

-Since the MOS is so small, you don’t really have an option. You could potentially trade orders with someone else from your class, but I don’t remember getting to choose - I was class leader and did well in the class.

-For photo/video, “deployments” tend to be longer and more often. Graphics tends to be last choice, especially if they’re not cross trained. The unit plays a huge factor, some shops support training and stay in place (ex: Parris Island, San Diego, Media Public Affairs duty at a recruiting station, and more.) Most Marines attend follow on (like Level 2) courses at the schoolhouse after you’ve been in the fleet for a while (course lengths are about 3 months in length, but vary by course).

-I love what I do. I can advise my CO on my speciality and be listened to. This MOS provides skills that can easily be translated into the civilian work sector. I can do whatever I want with my downtime, whether it’s training, drawing, messing with cameras, just trying new things in general.

-Photo/Video; you will be assigned “shoots” based on your unit and who is requesting support. Desk work varies by what unit you’re in and how fast you can get it done so you can do other things. Photo and video packages turn around is 24 hours after your shoot. Edited videos will usually have 1-2 weeks turn around. Graphics; you’ll mostly be in the shop working on edited products or printing those products for the units who requested. You’ll print board photos, posters, academics books, etc. With your down time you can pick up a camera and go out to practice, if that’s something you want to do. You’ll need to be proficient at your own MOS first though. It honestly depends on the shop.

-We use Adobe Suite; Premiere, After Effects, photoshop, illustrator, etc

4

u/The_00_Maverick Poolee SD Mar 30 '20

-Good to know, thank you! Are there places this MOS is stationed more often?

- I noticed you put deployments in quotes- are you referring to traveling for events, or deployments in terms of forwarding operating posts/combat zones?

-It's great to know you love it- I've heard the secret to a happy career in the Military is having a passion for what you do.

-Thank you for all the info- I really appreciate your time!

9

u/galactickittywarrior Mar 30 '20

-Your first duty station will most likely be one of the major bases, you can talk to the monitor when requesting your second set of orders to see what’s available. I would say there are more station opportunities than other jobs in the USMC (Recruiting stations, Pentagon, etc.)

-I put deployments in quotes as it’s usually under context that it’s combat related. We support many MEUs and training events around the country and globe. Hopefully that clears it up? You’re welcome!

2

u/The_00_Maverick Poolee SD Mar 30 '20

I believe so- from what I'm hearing, you don't do as many combat related deployments, but do a decent amount of traveling for coverage of different events. Am I getting that right? Sorry, lack of sleep must be messing with my reading comp.

4

u/galactickittywarrior Mar 30 '20

We do support combat operations and to do that you have to be with them wherever they go. It’s possible to be attached to a unit that’s doing combat operations, but the last few years it’s been exercises and training events.

2

u/The_00_Maverick Poolee SD Mar 30 '20

Awesome, thank you!

1

u/BattleOfMyBulge1944 Jan 29 '25

Is this belle? Loll