Thinking of joining the Army, and thoughts? suggestions?

[Doug]

As the title says I'm thinking about joining the army. I've already taken the test and i'm going for the physical and job placement next wednesday. I was wondering what suggestions people had who have been enlisted what jobs and other things i should consider and look out for?

 

[unclemeat]

Go to College first, and be an officer.

 

[Mike_H]

What are your reasons for joining?

 

[dgibson]

Congrats for helping to defend this country. I've been in the Navy for a little over 9 years, and if I was going to go into another branch, it would have been the Army.

Just make sure that you get a good job. Don't settle for some stupid job because the detailer is just trying to fill a billet.

 

[matey]

join the marine corps dude those guys are cool

 

[JoshC]

Yeah, like ask yourself what Mike H did, what are you joining for. There are several good reasons for joining, but i know kids who have joined in the heat of the moment while watching our forces over seas, and now regret it. Are you going Active duty or National Guard/Reserve. I'm in the Air Force National Guard and would not have gone any other branch, IMO. The AF has the best stuff, spends the most money on their people. I'm not trying to step on any toes here, so please don't take it that way for anyone reading this that is in one of the other 3 branches.

I went in for money for college, that's it really. I've been in almost 6 years now. I've got 2 more on my enlistment. They paid 100% of school and i got the GI Bill and a kicker, so i made $650 a month, tax free, while i was full time in college, plus the money i made during our drill weekend.

I'm not as gun ho as the men and women who are full time. I couldn't stand being away from home that much and that long of a time. Living the way they do, i give it up for them, they have what it takes and i don't. So you have to be sure and get your prorities strait first. You never know where you're going to be or for how long.

 

[Doug]

I'm tired of living at home and working at a dead end job. I've tried college and it's not for me. I'm guaranteed a job in field that is offered to me. Supposedly you can also be gauranteed where you're stationed. I'd love to move out west somewhere but i'm not gonna hold my breath. I think it would be a really good experience for me, If I do choose to goto college down the road there will be money for me to do so. I'm also going to get free training in whatever field I go into and they will transfer over to a civilian job. I also imagine army experience will look good on any resume for any job I apply for down the road. I think it'll help me feel like i'm doing something with my life rather than pissing it away.

 

[smokie700]

Well be sure to get everything in writing, words are just that words. I spent 6 years in the Army. I would say get into a communication job (better pay in civilian world) preferably IT type job. Army is good for the job but A. F. is has better equipment plus better quality of life. Bottom line join for your own reasons but use it to further yourself. You never know you might become a lifer.

 

[stretch]

I signed up about two months ago and ship out for basic Oct. 9th. I got into a medical position, I can't remember what the job title is exactly. I joined for the main reason of college money and free medical training while enlisted. I was trying to go to college while working 3rd shift full-time, 2nd shift part-time and having a family life. It just didn't work (way too much at once.) In my area, as in many others, there are only a few jobs available, most of them being dead enders. I will now get to work in a field that I have wanted to. My end goal is to become a cardiac surgeon, and this is the most viable means to obtaining that goal for me. Don't let the career councilor place you in a job you don't really want just to fill a spot, hold out for what you want. Oh, and do as good as you can on the ASVAB test, it will open up many more opportunities for you. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[rydinhigh]

Whatever you do go Air Force. I was an Army brat and did time in the Army national guard. The Air Force has it so much better.

 

[AlaskanJack]

Absolutely get EVERYTHING in writing. While I was in the Army I heard so many stories from guys that were promised things that they didn't get. In the end its whats on your enlistment contract that matters if something was promised or offered it must be written on that enlistment contract.

Sometimes you can get signing bonuses but not always. The ASVAB test is important to opening up opportunities in certain fields. For sure hold out for the best job you can. Some schools start twice a year and so they will want to direct you towards something where they can get you in sooner.

Just post on here what MOS field they are trying to direct you towards and what you like. We will assist if you need it. Also some jobs will have you out in the field on manuevers a lot more than others. At first field exercises are cool and fun, but later they suck!

 

[Doug]

The recruiter i've been talking to seems to be a pretty decent guy, he's told me about the different option's i have and hasn't tried to get me to do anything i didnt want to do. I got an 86 on the mathematical part of the asvab and i think my 2nd score was a 120 but im not 100% sure. Supposedly there's a decent scores so i could be entitled to a sign on bonus. I'm going to be sure to get everything in writing. I go to the meps center this wednesday so i'll see what they say, i definantly won't let them push me into something i don't want.

 

[smokie700]

Watch out at meps. Your local recruiter is going to be kool but the recruiters at meps are sharks and that is where you sign the actual contract. Don't be naive at meps or you will get f**ked. Treat it like buying a car if you don't get what you want on paper be ready to walk. And you can demand a bonus may not be a big one but you should get at least a 3grand sign on bonus. Always remember that you are a quota for the recruiter and he will say whatever to get you to sign.

 

[97sllim726]

hey doug, i leave monday for basic training, and suggestions i have for u is do not sign anything until u are absoutley sure what it is, i choose to do 19k which is m1abram tanks, but there are a ton of jobs there, there is actually a pamplet that will also tell u all of the jobs that are there, and make sure u get as much stuff as u can, i got all my college loans paid that i have, and a 11,000 dollar bonus, so just make sure u know what ure signing and if ure not sure don't sign. its a big commitment and only do it if it is really what u want, for me i've been a military brat most of my life, with my dad doin 20 years, and it is something i have always wanted to do, and like u i tried college wasn't liking it all htat much and then started looking at what my options were in the army.

 

[dgibson]

Originally posted by Doug
The recruiter i've been talking to seems to be a pretty decent guy, he's told me about the different option's i have and hasn't tried to get me to do anything i didnt want to do

Be careful, they will tell you anything that you want to here. My recruiter told me that I would never be out to sea for more than two weeks straight. Being from Southern AR, you don't see too much about the Navy. Just on my first deployment alone, I spent 52 days straight out to sea. NO WOMEN, NO BOOZ, THAT SUCK!!

 

[KSpride]

the Army

I have been in the Army for 9 years now. I have loved every minute. Like everyone else said, find a job that you might be interested in, then do some research on it. There are a lot of military people on this forum and I am sure between all of us, you can find out something about the job. Definitely get everything in writing, that can not be stressed enough. If you have any questions lemme know, I know quite a few people that have been recruiters and some that are currently.

 

[Crazy5711]

Make sure you look at all the options and ask alot of questions, you don't have to do anything they tell you until you ship out. Once you sign that contract, your in. Make sure you get everything you can. Check with us on everything. Things you may think are on the level may not be what you think. Like has been said "GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING ON THE CONTRACT YOU SIGN" You can easily get screwed out of things that you may really want by thier fast talking. They have to get so many people to join every month. They will try to get you to join as easily as they can. Make them work for it. They want you more than you want to join. Check all the branches. They will offer more to you if they know you are talking to the other branches. The Army is good, probably more time in one place than the other branches, The Air Force will be able to give you more money, more training, better living conditions, and more options when you get out. The Navy has money and options others don't. The Marines will make you work hard, they have the worst living conditions, fewer bases, less money, and you will be gone more than anyone else. I am a Marine and I love it. Marines are the best at what we do. And we're proud of it. We're the toughest, meanest, hardest, drunkest, and most lethal branch of them all. Everywhere we go, the "enemy" always labels us as the ones not to mess with. In desert storm, we were the Black boots, cause the Marines didn't have desert boots like the other branches. In Iraq we were the slick sleeves. When I was over there, I saw how the Army was the target of attacks, but the Marines were left alone. They all know not to mess with a Marine. If you are a Marine, and you are in trouble, like say in a bar fight (happens alot when your a Marine), if there is a Marine in that bar, he will back you up, whether or not he knows you, as long as he knows your a Marine, he'll be at your side, unless he's the one your fighting.

 

[Premier]

LoL gotta love the MARINES. I had a coach that was one, and I also worked with a guy that was in DS1. One thing I noticed is that they always have this funny look in their eye....

Good luck on joining and I hope you can find what you want

 

[FrankRizzo]

Army straightened my act out.
Wife is an officer in the reserves.

Get a good MOS (job) in writing, and get something that transfers to the outside world. Tank Turret repair or Petroleum specialist are not good moves in my opinion.

Marines are a good option - if you wanna be in for life! Go Army and get the better training, money and duty stations. Besides - if you want a more hardcore Army experience, go Airborne, Air Assault (highly reccomended!), Pathfinder or Ranger.

 

[Doug]

I was planning on getting something that transfer's into the real world. I'd like the army to be a jumpstart into a field for me, not something that's gonna make me get more training down the road.