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I think I'm ready to Enlist : Idsman SOS
thesupermonkey
Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
Apparently my company isn't doing very well in this economic downturn.
We've lost all of our projects and although I haven't been told this, my usefulness is drawing to an end. I had wanted to enlist after high school but I got sidetracked with the career. Perhaps this is my second chance. I'm both excited and scared. Before I go headfirst into the recruiters office I wanted to be prepared.
I need advice, lots of it...
I'm 22, no college. I have extensive experience with computers.
I'm 6'? 220 with no major medical problems.
I would like to enlist in the service which will allow me the most travel, the best training(weapons), and enough money to pay my few remaining debts(new truck). I understand that I'm going to be taking a significant pay hit (to almost nothing).
How long would I need to serve, minimum?
Are there any fitness requirements I need to meet or train for?
I'm sure there are many other questions I'm not asking so please tell me anything you can.
Thanks,
Adam
Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
We've lost all of our projects and although I haven't been told this, my usefulness is drawing to an end. I had wanted to enlist after high school but I got sidetracked with the career. Perhaps this is my second chance. I'm both excited and scared. Before I go headfirst into the recruiters office I wanted to be prepared.
I need advice, lots of it...
I'm 22, no college. I have extensive experience with computers.
I'm 6'? 220 with no major medical problems.
I would like to enlist in the service which will allow me the most travel, the best training(weapons), and enough money to pay my few remaining debts(new truck). I understand that I'm going to be taking a significant pay hit (to almost nothing).
How long would I need to serve, minimum?
Are there any fitness requirements I need to meet or train for?
I'm sure there are many other questions I'm not asking so please tell me anything you can.
Thanks,
Adam
Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
Comments
SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
Rameleni1
Guns! Guns! Guns!
Edited by - * on 08/21/2002 20:55:20
212 ways to be a soldier. And if you've got high enough ASVAB scores, you can get damn near whatever you want.
For me, 11-Bravo with Airborne and RIP.
I appreciate all the advice, please keep it coming!
Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
Will270win@nraonline.com
Forget can't bring guns there
Harleeman1030@aol.com
Be quiet honey i know what i am doing ...
!!!!!KaBOOM!!!!!
Edited by - harleeman1030 on 08/21/2002 22:20:35
I'm not disgruntled, I'm just realistic, if he wants to travel he needs to go Navy. We are a department of the Navy you know? For what its worth I use to be in the Air Force, you know why I got out of the Air Force? I had to WORK MY @$$ OFF!!! Join the Navy! Man I hate boats. My dad was in the Army, told me I should join the Navy. I hate boats. I joined the Air Force. I hate working THAT much. The Army, well, lets leave that one alone. Go Navy, beat Army. If you dont mind staying in one spot join the Corps. Great uniform and reputation. The Army dresses like slobs. All the horror stories you've heard about the Corps, just that, horror stories, no truth to it. Boot camp is a breeze THESE days. Just start running, be ready to run 3 miles in less than 23 minutes to be competitive, and able to hump a 50 pound pack 8 to 12 miles, and you'll be all set. Gotta love the Corps.
Oh yeah, let me define hump a pack. Walk as fast as you can on a flat road, then put the pack on and pick up the pace by about 15%.
SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
Edited by - robsguns on 08/21/2002 22:54:04
~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
Will270win@nraonline.com
AlleninAlaska
http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com
He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
-- Thomas Paine
So long as I can see land, dont have to go through swells as high as the rails, and can paddle to shore in less than 10 minutes, we'll be fine.
SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
AlleninAlaska
http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com
He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
-- Thomas Paine
Money is obviously a concern for you. You will find that the Army has the most upward mobility due to the sheer size of the force. There are more soldiers (hence more turnover)so there is a need for more leaders and, since they promote from with in, you will get promoted faster in the Army than in any of the other services. I picked up E-6 in less than 5 years. Show me someone from either of the other services that has done this. Actually, there are many people in my current Staff Sergeant course (mandatory course when promoted to E-6) that have made it to this point within 5 years or less.
As far as computer work is concerned they don't take that into consideration when giving you rank before you come in. If you had a degree you could come into the Army as an E-4. There is a "Small Arms Repairer" job in the Army. Don't get suckered into taking that job. It will become repetitive and boring very quickly. You may already meet hight/weight/body fat standards with your current height and weight but you will not know until you go into your recruiting office and have them measure you. What state do you live in? Do you live in the midwest?
Do you have ANY medical history whatsoever? If so, what is it? Do you have ANY law violations in your past including traffic offenses or offenses that were juvenile related that you were told would be expunged/sealed from the record/etc? I'm even talking about parking tickets. If so, what is your history? How are your eyes? Have you ever had any counseling by a psychologist/psychiatrist/family counselor/clergy? If so, what for and when?
These are some of the many questions that you will be asked by the recruiter and these are some of the many questions that need to be answered before anyone can suggest a path for you.
How are you with languages? How does Military Intelligence sound to you? There are all sorts of great jobs within M.I. working with computers or as an interrogator or a signal/imagery analyst. Do you want to go Special Forces someday? If so, I would suggest "13F" (read Thirteen Fox) which is a Forward Observer. Forward Observers have the highest graduation rate from Special Forces training. Cash bonuses may be available depending on what you do and when you go. If you would like to learn a new language and do well on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) and on the DLAB (Defense Language Aptitude Battery) you can pick up the M.I. Linguist job and that comes with one of the highest cash enlistment bonuses. However, you need to have a MINT record because you will need a Top Secret security clearance for that job. They will send people to your hometown to question family/friends/employers. Your options depend solely on a few things. They depend on what you qualify for which nobody (including your recruiter) will know until you take the ASVAB. Take it ASAP to see where you're at. Your options also depend on your medical status/history and any sort of record with the law. The Army will train you with the weapons that you need to use for your particular job. In most cases this includes, at most, the M-16A2, the M249 Machine Gun and the M9 pistol. They teach you what you need to know to shoot it and maintain it and not much more. If you want to be a weapons guru you will have to go Ranger or Special Forces. You need to drop some weight and get into superior physical shape PRIOR to Basic Training if you want to survive the path to either one of these goals. You can get Airborne/Ranger guaranteed to you in a contract. I've been gone for a few months but I know that you could get a Special Forces selection course date guaranteed in your contract before I left for my current training. If you don't cut it somewhere along the way for Ranger or Special Forces you will be a basic Infantryman. You can get Sniper school or Airborne School along the way as an Infantryman.
Your term of service will depend on what you do. Certain fields require longer terms of service. Different jobs in the Army carry different incentives. You will qualify for a minimum of $28,800 dollars for college which is paid out in 36 increments while you are a full time college student. Some jobs carry up to as much as $50,000 when you combine the GI Bill and the Army College Fund. This college money is tax-free and is paid directly to you (not the school) so you can use it how you see fit.
Email me with your ENTIRE medical/law history before you talk to a recruiter. I'll coach you before that happens.
P.S. What state do you live in?
idsman75@peoplepc.com
I thought about you when I had my most recent tattoo work done at a place called "The One-Eyed Blue Monkey".
Those people who see nothing but grey areas, no black and white, are lost in the fog.
Do you like the idea of being "cannon fodder" for the oil companies?
AlleninAlaska
http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com
He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
-- Thomas Paine
As for being a Dept of the Navy - that is backwards. The Navy's primary mission is to project power ashore (that means Marines) so the entire Navy exists to function as floating bus drivers taking Marines to exotic lands where they will meet fascinating natives and kill them.
Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
If you will blame gun makers for every shooting then blame car maker for every car accident.
I live in Houston, Tx.
The only medical problem I've ever had was mild asthma as a child, but that has since gone away. I've had one parking ticket(parking in a firelane) and one speeding ticket. My vision is 20/20 I've never needed any sort of corrective lens. I've never had any counseling.
I'm not sure I'd be cut out for the Army/Marines.
I can't shoot an animal without feeling bad let alone a person.
That's why I was leaning more toward the Airforce or Navy.
It's only overrated when it's readily available...
You'll never be able to transfer that skill to a civilian job.
Take up idsman75 on his offer. and remember............
real men serve in the Airborne!! go 82nd!!
It's only overrated when it's readily available...
Sign him up for Military Police. Send him up here, and I'll hire him. It's something he can use on the outside when he get's out. There are lots of places the Amry will send him, just like the combat arms MOS's. We need good people, and then maybe they will lift the stop loss, and let some of these disgrunteled MP's go home.
Trinity+++
"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."(Proverbs 22:6)
A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand
Live for Peace, prepare for War
Go Army.
Hooah!
quote:
Navy guys sleep in clean bunks.
Yeah, with a Marine.
Navy Sucks, go Air Force
Help stamp out and eradicate superfluous, unnecessary, repetitive redundancy.
If you will blame gun makers for every shooting then blame car maker for every car accident.
What's wrong? You think I'm just trying to keep my character interesting?
Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
Intelligence(Of which I have very little, could always use more).
Counterintelligence Agent, sounds pretty interesting.
Idsman what can you tell me about 97b?
Thanks,
Adam
Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
Is there a limit to how many special schools you can attend?
In other words, could I go to Sniper School and Airborne?
Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
anymore seem to feel this way. They are all take and no give for our
country. We heard the "song and dance" about fighting for the oil
companies, the English, and all excuses for not joining back then also. Seems to me like too many have a yellow sripe down their back
or just cant "spare the time". However dont think about what the
Military can do for you, think about what you can do for your country.
But then, seems like in this new day and age it is old fashioned.
And yes, I hold the Combat Infantry Badge, Battle stars, and Bronze
Star ETC. Good luck in your decision.
As of October 1st of this year the Army will pay 100% of any college tuition for weekend and evening classes that you take. People claim that you don't have time for an education in the Army. Just ask TrinityScrimshaw about that. I worked for him for 18 months. We worked many 24-hour shifts and put in many hours each week but there was one investigator that was always taking at least one college course at any given time. Much of your training can also be evaluated for college credit. My Basic Recruiter Course is worth around 32 semester hours towards a marketing degree. The 100% tuition assistance that you are entitled to while you are in the Army does not touch your GI Bill and Army College fund benefits after you get out. They are completely separate. Ask any sailor who has been in for awhile how long it took for him to make E-6. I did it in less than 5 years. There is a guy in my class right now who made his E-6 in under 4 years. I've known people who did it faster. You can't beat the rapid promotions in the Army. You also do not need a college degree if you want to fly helicopters in the Army. Jobs as an MP are in high demand. All training slots for Military Police are filled until November 1st. My advice to anyone who wants a fat cash bonus and the highest number of jobs (MOS's) to pick from, wait until around the first of February. It's WIDE open then and the bonuses are great at that time of the year.
P.S. If anyone here reading this knows my real name and where I work, please don't tell anyone in Recruiting Command that I said this. Your recruiter will be frustrated if you walk into his office next week and tell him you want to enlist but don't want to do it until February and, regardless of service, you will be receiving phone calls constantly until you do enlist. Just wait until you are absolutely sure that you are ready to go within the next 30 - 60 days. There are often more bonuses available to those that are willing to ship within 30 days but wait for February if this is something that you want.
It's not what you know that gets you in trouble, it's what you know that just ain't so!
I will say that it is brilliant to send your officers off to battle and do all of the dirty work. On the other hand, I'm willing to get my hands dirty.
Edited by - idsman75 on 08/22/2002 19:41:10
Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
You will do good to listen to Akmed Shulam Mohamad. Oopps, I'm sorry I used your real name IDSMAN.
I have a soldier (Army MP) who works for me, and he just signed up for a program where the Army is going to pay for 100% of his college education that he will take on his off time. They even gave him a brand new Lap-Top computer to get him started. It all depends on how your chain of command feels about giving you the time off to do something like this. I am giving him one day off each week, and he usualy has weekends off anyway.
I have worked around the military for over 28 years, and I feel the Army is the best thing going. The Air Force is just a bunch of civilians in uniform, the Navy never stays put, and the Marines are always looking for a ride! Can't say too much bad about the Marines, I worked with some fine Marine MP's while in Korea. My odlest daughter is currently in Navy basic so I have to hold my toung about them too. But, the Air Force is a bunch of pukes that think they are better than everyone else. They do take care of their people, and I guess there is soemthing to be said for that. However, they are quick to chew them up and spit them out when they feel they don't need them any more.
IDSMAN is also right on about the MP's. When I first got assigned to the 410th MP CO at Fort Hood TX in 1977, I was told "Welcome to the 720th MP BN, DON"T UNPACK!" Never spent much time in my barracks. But when we were on a training cycle we were all made to go to a local college and take courses. I got sent to three deloyments while there for just one year, and then I got sent to Germany for three years. While in Germany I was deployed twice. Went back to Fort Hood where I went back to Gremany for deployement. Was in Honduras for six months when my odlest child was born. Went to Korea for a year where I was deployed twice, then assigned to Fort Drum. At Drum my unit always had a platoon that was gone, and it seemed like I was alays in that platoon. Stay away from Fort Drum, the 10th Mountain Div will tear your body apart. If you want to do the physical stuff go to Fort Bragg or Fort Benning. At least there you will be warm while doing it. I would rather have heat stroke then watch a part of my body frezze and fall off!:)
Watch what your being told about waiting till the start of next year. It's good advice, and you could find yourself portecting your interst. It does not hurt to stand on the side line and watch what is going on for a while, and mark my word, there will bo a lot of things going on then.
Good luck with the test.
Trinity +++
"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."(Proverbs 22:6)