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Just so Zalight's thread doesn't go off topic anymore.
I'm lookin into the Army, for no real reason except for something to do,
and because I've always wanted to serve my country.
So who else is in/lookin at the military?
Satty101
Options are wide open in the military...the question is which of the vast
numbers of jobs will be available when you complete or are in basic
training?
My ASVAB score was 92. :) Apparently I was in a room full of bafoons
because of the 30 or so guys in the room testing, only myself and one other
guy scored above 70! I was floored.
The Army will put you there if they have an opening for your job
there...otherwise, you're at the mercy of the Army needs. If it's similar
to the AF and things haven't changed too much, you get a "wish list" for
where you'll be stationed initially AND which jobs are available to train
for at the time you're entering. On the job list, I got my last choice.
On the places to go list, I got none of which I chose.
.
.
BavarianWheels
ASVAB was a breeze. I'm looking into the navy or coast guard right now
because my asthma limits me from anywhere else. One of the main coast
guard bases is in st. pete so i'd most likely get stationed in my area.
Gotta wait for a clean drug test though. :doh: Time to get my life back in
order.
99integra
It has always amazed me they consider coast gaurd military (I piss off one
of my friends out here everytime we get on the subject of military or
politics. Military to me is being able to blow shit up, and McCain > Obama
IMO).
But anyways, I go in today to take the actual ASVAB test, and see what I
can do and such.
Satty101
The military is always a good choice I served in the USMC as a combat
engineer 90-93. Basically we built bunkers, bridges, etc..... and on the
fun side we learned how to blow them all up too.
I had great fun got to see the world (well most of Europe) and got money
for college. Which I used to get 2 college degrees.
corbett_auto
Did you go to the gulf war?
Times are different now though...if you sign up, you're basically signing
to go to Iraq.
Zalight
Therein lies the problem with youth. Give me, but don't make me give.
The military is a signing away of your LIFE for at least 4 years and in
return, you're PAID, trained, and taken care of. I don't understand how
anyone that joins doesn't understand this going in. I was amazed at how
many "blind" kids joined just because it was what their dad did and their
grandfather before them, then realize, "Holy shite...there's rules and I
could die!"
.
.
BavarianWheels
Well a lot of people use the military as a gateway to real life; training,
experience, discipline, etc...
All I'm saying is that now it doesn't seem to hold the value as a means to
an end anymore. It seems like if you sign up now, you HAVE to be ready to
go to war...because there is a very high likelihood you will end up in the
desert.
Zalight
And it's a good avenue to take. Many great opportunities in the
military.
You have to be ready anyway...the only difference is that where before we
did lots of training to go,(war games, fake deployments, rediculous bag
inventorys for deployment...) now there's little initial training and more
OJT (on the job training) that is for real.
It's still a great means to an end, but the sacrifice is more real
today...for sure.
.
.
BavarianWheels
Well, I signed up with the Army after talking it over one last time with my
wife, and got the job that I wanted (Which apparently is a very rare job to
have any seats open for training) which is Radar Repairer. Looks like I
deploy for basic in the end of May, have a week to get my haircut, my
equipment (Boots, uniform, etc.) then start up for a 9 week training. After
that I spend a week at home, then go to Fort Sill (I believe) in Alabama
for my 48 weeks of job training, then I get my signing bonus (18K), buy my
next new car (As if I need another), and find out where I'm stationed.
Should be fun. I'm lookin forward to it.
Satty101
Seriously...I hope you get the job. I also was "guaranteed" the job I
wanted when I went in and when I got to Basic and was given my list of
available jobs, my promised job was not available.
Ask yourself this...how is it they know the job is available "in May"...?
While they have an idea of retirements and the end of enlistment for the
masses, they don't know who or how many will be testing to get that "rare"
job should it come available. If it's truly a highly sought after job,
then those already in will get first choice. Do not go in blind. Have an
alternative plan.
I hope you get it and all goes your way, but the reality is this. The Army
will offer you what they have available THAT DAY when they print out the
job listings for the new recruits. They have no way of knowing if you'll
get through boot camp "in time" to fill the spot so they'll put someone in
there asap.
Also...be ready to hurry up and wait!
Did you sign on the dotted line already?
.
.
BavarianWheels
Not yet. I have all my stuff done minus my physical and random ability test
(Damn being at the highest body fat rate acceptable. Now I gotta do 15
pushups in 1 minute (Not hard, I just did 24 in 45 seconds) and 150 up and
downs (Step up and down 12 inches) in 5 minutes.)
Other than that, I have everything else done.
Satty101
You REALLY want to lose that weight before going into Basic. You DON'T
want the added attention for your weight!! Also, we were discouraged from
getting the shaved head before going into Basic...another reason to single
you out. Army and AF basic are similar, but AF is definitely easier and a
few weeks shorter! AF people are treated better...!! I was on a tour in
Honduras at an Army base for a couple of months...the poor Army guys were
always carrying around their full packs (with helmets in tow) and in full
BDU uniform and steel toed combat boots. Us AF guys...BDU sleeves rolled
up, desert combat boots, baseball caps, and air conditioned dorm rooms.
Army guys...hot, humid wooden hootches.
.
.
BavarianWheels
I've been thinking about joining the reserve or guard after school, but I
just have to see what I'm up to then. Also makes a difference if I want to
get a PhD after a masters. I'd also have to see what I could do (history of
asthma and I don't have awesome eyesight). I want to serve; I feel it's the
right thing to do.
Satty, wish you the best of luck. :thumbs:
StiMan
Good luck with it, Satty!
I've certainly never given the Military much thought, but from friends etc
who have served, it seems you're well looked after as far as career
progression etc goes!
Cliffy
Wow good luck man you motivated me to go talk to the recruiter for the
coast guard yesterday and im definately going to give it a whirl. I've
made poor decisions in my short life but this one is going to be a good one
I just know it.
99integra
Good luck, Teggy! :thumbs:
Cliffy
Not really. in between boot camp and MOS training and getting assigned to a
unit things slowed down for a while. But then I went to the Mediterranean
sea for 6 months and we spent sometime on stand-by.
I knew that all of this was a problem when I joined, but I still wanted to
do this on my terms. I wanted to join the branch of my choice and pick my
career path as well. This is why I volunteered, to do it my way.
To anyone thinking of it, I say go for it. At times it can be rough.....
but looking back on it now, I'd trade thoses rough times in a heart beat
for the problem I encounter now on a daily basis.
corbett_auto
Well, got back from MEPS last night. MEPS for those who don't know, is
physical (Which is a LOT more than say a physical for a regular job), and
random screening/briefing. Yeah, this also invloves about 45 minutes of
random exercise, running around a building, and for people who need to take
the ARMs test like I did, add another 10 minutes onto exercise. All in all,
not bad. My thighs kinda hurt, but that's about it. Swore in at the end of
the 11 hour day, (Got there at 6AM, left at 5PM) and came home to bed (I
got 1 hour of sleep the previous night). How fun it was..:ticking:
Satty101
