Army

[Makveth]

Just a little update about me. I've decided to enlist in the Army as an Information Technology Specialist (25B). Will be shipping out for boot camp after I graduate from college in March. I'm extremely excited since I've always wanted to enlist, but at the same time kinda nervous since I'm leaving everything behind.

Can't wait to get my ass handed to me by the drill sergeant.

[DaCajun]

Just a little update about me. I've decided to enlist in the Army as an Information Technology Specialist (25B). Will be shipping out for boot camp after I graduate from college in March. I'm extremely excited since I've always wanted to enlist, but at the same time kinda nervous since I'm leaving everything behind.

Can't wait to get my ass handed to me by the drill sergeant.

You didn't try to get ROTC or see if your degree can get you an officer program instead of enlisted? Don't let the recruiters lie and try to cheat you out of anything. You should try for officer if you will have a degree.

[smoke]

if your going in as an officer, your not enlisting, your commissioning..

There's a big difference between boot camp, and OCS.

[DaCajun]

if your going in as an officer, your not enlisting, your commissioning..

There's a big difference between boot camp, and OCS.

He said enlisted so I'm assuming they are not giving him a commission.

[David_3033]

I agree 100% with what Cajun said. Officers make a hell of a lot more money. If I had to choose I would of gone OCS but I don't have college so... Think it through before you sign everything. You could always be a mustang though if you do go enlisted and decide don't like it.

[River_Rat_459]

@Makveth - my dad was a recruiter for 14 years, and as a unit administrator I deal with recruiters several times each week. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I have no reason to BS you and would rather see someone provided the facts they want.

[Timmy_2_Tones]

I have to agree with River, DO NOT TAKE THE LIES!!!!! Ask anyone of us and we will give you the straight poop. What is your degree in? It should help you get into OCS regardless. Officer is the way to go, you only have to deal with a few assholes not all of the ass holes, because technically you out rank everyone up too a CSM. I however would not tell that to a CSM. Let us know if we can help I have a great friend that is a recruiter in California, and a great friend that does retention in Kentucky I can ask them anything for you.

[Makveth]

Well it's only an A.S in Computer networking Systems so I can't join as an officer. I will however be starting out as and E-3. It's better than nothing.

[Taino67u]

I think back to my days as a drill when I would corect a recruit on information their Recruiters gave them about he Army and they would look back at me with this dumb founded look on their face. I would look back at them and with a straight face tell them, "Don't blaim me, blaim your recruiter he's the one that lied to you. now suck it up and drive the f#@$ on Soldier". Make dam sure that the info he or she is giving you is 100% acurate. I recomend go see and ask a Active Duty Soldier if you have any in your area, if not go see a Recerve Component Soldier. Once you get down there its too late and make sure all they are promising is on paper not just a smile and a hand shake. Remember a Recruiter is a Car Sales Man in Uniform (not to disrespect any Recruiters out there). You be surprised of the stories I have heard from recruits as to what their Recruiters told them in order to get them in the Army to them you are a number in their Quota nothing more.

[smoke]

Well it's only an A.S in Computer networking Systems so I can't join as an officer. I will however be starting out as and E-3. It's better than nothing.

I was just going to ask that. When I join I had an Associates in Sociology. and got E3 out of bootcamp. I made E4 after school.
and made E5 a year after that. Its not too bad enlisted as an E5.. From there you could go seaman to admiral, which would allow you to finish your Bachelors, and become a maverick. I think you skip Ensign, and go straight to LJG. Not sure what that equates to in the Army.

Is that 1st LT, or Captain in the Army?

[Guest]

LTJG is on O-2, so equivalent of a 1st Lieutenant. I gotta admit though, I'm an officer and we have to put up with just as much bullshit as the next guy. I do think it's the way to go... can't beat the service academy education and the opportunities. The Coast Guard is sending me to grad school next fall. Full-time student, full pay, no uniform!

[RedCon-ONE]

I did 9 years as a EM in the Army years ago. 5 Regular Army and then 4 in the reserves. When I got out of RA I went to collage and finished my Bachelors. During that time I was approached to go OCS but declined. I look back now and sometimes wonder if that was the best decision but at the time I wanted to move on to civilian life so no regrets, just "wonder if's".

Anyway, whichever way you go, I commend you in your decision to serve. So far it was the best decision I've ever made in my life other than proposing to my fiancee'. I remember my time in the Army with more fondness than my time in college. More stories and I actually keep in touch more with my Army buddies than with my college ones. Mostly because we went though more demanding situations together I guess.

Just know that however ready you think you are now, you will be pushed harder than you ever thought you could go both physically and mentally... AND you will succeed. Because the guys next to you in the same uniform will not let you falter or fail just as you will not let them. And when your tour is over and you transition back to civilian life, you will take with you an underlying understanding of life that is only revealed to those who have put on a uniform, picked up a weapon and stood to post.

[Pakman3000]

Here's my take. Whether you decide to join or stick out the next 2 years to get you bachelors is based on your current situation. For me,a factor that influenced me going in were the benefits. I managed to get my AS while going in after highschool since the USAF has the Community College of the Air Force with credits earned by going to local colleges during lunch breaks and while off duty. The tuition was free while active and then I got out and used the GI bill to get my bachelors. I haven't used it yet since CA home prices are ridiculous but the VA Home loan is a huge card up my sleeve and that's coming from a friend of mine who's a home load officer. You have medical coverage, but I was always sceptical after having my wisdom teeth pulled out on 3 different occassions by docs who kept saying they'll take care of the rest at your next base lol. A big reason I joined the reserves after graduation aside from missing being in...The Commissary! Food prices are crazy and you save loads if you have a family.

[RedCon-ONE]

I totally agree with TheLordourGod. I took the same path. In high school, I had all intentions of going to college. I took the SATs and got accepted to University of Washington during my senior year but I also wanted to serve before then and joined the delayed entry program as well. Shipped off to Basic Training 4 days after I graduated. My MOS allow for the Army College Fund as well as the G.I. Bill and if it's offered to you, definitely take it.

Once I got to my first duty station in Germany, it was real easy (and free) to take the college courses and in not time I had my Associates degree in applied sciences. It gave be something to do other than blow all my pay at the bar all the time (Although for some reason I still managed to). When I got out, I reactivate my acceptance to UW and the ACF and GI Bill covered the rest. I don't even have to work as much as the others 'cause the Army covered my tuition, books, with still much left over for food and housing. Plus there's also a lot of private grants available to veterans once you're out.

Now I'm an Architect working on my License and I got to tell you, if you end up with bosses that were prior military, you'll find you'll likely have an instant connection with them.

[Makveth]

Well I want to thank you all for all of your input and support. I had talked to my family when i was 18 but at that time they were pretty non-supportive. Now that I'm 27 and having talked to them for 9 years they are all behind me 100%. It's sad though that a lot of my friends that I've known my entire life think that its and idiotic move, yet the people i've only known for 3-4 years support me. So much for friendship...oh well.

Oh and FYI, you guys rock

[Timmy_2_Tones]

Well I want to thank you all for all of your input and support. I had talked to my family when i was 18 but at that time they were pretty non-supportive. Now that I'm 27 and having talked to them for 9 years they are all behind me 100%. It's sad though that a lot of my friends that I've known my entire life think that its and idiotic move, yet the people i've only known for 3-4 years support me. So much for friendship...oh well.

Oh and FYI, you guys rock

From my experience when I joined. Only the people that truly know you will understand and support a decision of this magnitude. I had friends for 15 years that told me I was an idiot for going into the ARMY, yet I had friends that really knew me and knew my personality well enough they realized that the ARMY is what I was built to do. My own Mother bitched me out when I joined, but the overall point is that you are doing this for you not them, family, friends, any of them. These are the best tips that I can give you when you go off to basic and for your Military career.

Do NOT assume that you know anything, you will get through it better if you let them teach you everything, and then prove that you are able to retain the information and learn the meaning.
Do Not question, NOT IN BASIC. Do whatever the hell they tell you. What they want is someone that can execute an objective, not someone that is questioning what they want you to do.
Be the best Damn Soldier they have ever seen, apply yourself 190% they will see it and they will make it worth your effort.

The ARMY is a cake walk but you won't realize it until you are done. Good luck, and ask me if you have any questions.

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage! Remember those, they are the ARMY core values. L.D.R.S.H.I.P.

[saviger]

Well I want to thank you all for all of your input and support. I had talked to my family when i was 18 but at that time they were pretty non-supportive. Now that I'm 27 and having talked to them for 9 years they are all behind me 100%. It's sad though that a lot of my friends that I've known my entire life think that its and idiotic move, yet the people i've only known for 3-4 years support me. So much for friendship...oh well.

Oh and FYI, you guys rock

If you go the officer route I would recommend a Infantry, or Armor commission. The combat arms commissions will open allot more doors than the support route will. Same for the EM side, I joined the Army with a CNS degree from ITT I went the route of Combat Arms anyway. I just felt the need to shoot things and blow stuff up.
If I had stayed in I would have re classed to a IT guy, or intel. Take from this what you will. But I think you will be better off signing up as combat arms, get the training, the skill sets. You will be a better rounded soldier because of it.

Besides, you will get allot more bling on your Class-As going this route

[sickpuppy79]

should go 11 bang bang i love it at war time but the garrison life sucks at least here in germany ..but hey just keep quiet in basic n u should be good as long as the drill dont know ur name as soon as they know ur name as either a good soldier or bad either way ur screwed so good luck n have a blast

[saviger]

should go 11 bang bang i love it at war time but the garrison life sucks at least here in germany ..but hey just keep quiet in basic n u should be good as long as the drill dont know ur name as soon as they know ur name as either a good soldier or bad either way ur screwed so good luck n have a blast

you have the grammar of a "11 bang bang"

[saviger]

Now I'm an Architect working on my License and I got to tell you, if you end up with bosses that were prior military, you'll find you'll likely have an instant connection with them.

except Tankers, no one likes Tankers.

[River_Rat_459]

should go 11 bang bang i love it at war time but the garrison life sucks at least here in germany ..but hey just keep quiet in basic n u should be good as long as the drill dont know ur name as soon as they know ur name as either a good soldier or bad either way ur screwed so good luck n have a blast

you have the grammar of a "11 bang bang"

ROFL!! LMFAO!

[sickpuppy79]

saviger wrote:

sickpuppy79 wrote:should go 11 bang bang i love it at war time but the garrison life sucks at least here in germany ..but hey just keep quiet in basic n u should be good as long as the drill dont know ur name as soon as they know ur name as either a good soldier or bad either way ur screwed so good luck n have a blast



you have the grammar of a "11 bang bang"



ROFL!! LMFAO!




yea yea yea i knw lmfao lol but get me behind a weapon it does my talking for me lol

[saviger]

lol lets see how you do with my M21.