graduated highschool (questions for military people)

[Shift2xlr8]

Nothing against the Marines or Army as plenty of my relatives have served in both, and one still in; but they both deploy a LOT. So if you join either one, you can pretty much count on spending at least one, if not several, tours in the middle east.

I'm in 101st Airborne Division, one of if not the most well known division in the Army and I've only been deployed for 1yr 8mos out of my almost 4.5yrs in the Army. Don't believe the media or any of the bulls*** you read in the papers or see on TV.

 

[JOMO]

Yeah, it is. They extended "warrior week". haha. Hey, you can laugh at PT all you want, but now that the bars are being raised exponentially, you're going to see a ton of people dropping like flies. Personally, I'm in great shape, but in my opinion, its crazy. How many jobs in the AF actually require you to be in shape?? Very few.

But back to the topic.....[end threadjack] haha

Its 8 1/ weeks for basic since november of last year. More SABC(self aid buddy care) and we also get to train on the M9 and the m16a2 compared to just the m16 in the 6 1/2 week program.

 

[sprinter119]

What about the Coast Guard?..... I have been in for 3 years nothing but good times. My first two years i got school paid for, salary and all my benefits. Guaranteed OCS class as well. Now im 23 with 2 years of college paid BS in psychology and gettin ENS/0-1 pay with three years in cant complain. AND yes the USCG is military we just dont get credit until someone needs us.

 

[NJ MSP]

Its funny you mention the coast guard cause I just pulled their web site up this morning and found that out. Also I heard their school or something is in Cape May, New Jersey only like 3 hours from my house.

 

[JOMO]

And how do you know this? Hmmmm????

j/k

People Iv'e known throughout the years have told me about it. Wrestler's for high school and people I used to know who did steriods do it cause it pulls the water out of your stomach and you can lose about an inch and a half to 2 inches overnight.

 

[Blendercloud]

As a former Marine, I don't think the Marine Corps is for you. There is no offense meant to anyone in what I'm about to post, so please don't take it as such.

Essentially, there are people who want to join the military and then there are people who want to be Marines. Those who wish to join the military are looking at living conditions, seeing the world, education benefits, deployment schedule, so on and so forth. Those who wish to be a Marine are doing so to be a Marine regardless of the signing bonus, horrible living conditions, etc.

United States Marines are the world's shock troops. If you don't want to possibility of living your life truly unselfishly by giving up every comfort you've ever known, then you should choose any branch other than the Marine Corps. On the other hand, if you're someone who would take extreme pride in having endured what 99.5% of the world will never know, my beloved Corps might have you.

I did three trips to Iraq and one to Afghanistan, from the initial invasion to late 2007. If you do indeed have your heart set on aviation, I would recommend the Navy. You will see a lot and will be part of the best combat aviation group in the world.

With all of that said, hats off to the rest of the veterans on these boards. Happy birthday, Americans (whether you're in America or stationed elsewhere). And good luck to you, OP. Humbling yourself to come to the service of others only stands to better you as a person. I wish you well in whichever branch you choose.

 

[bradboyd80]

I'm in 101st Airborne Division, one of if not the most well known division in the Army and I've only been deployed for 1yr 8mos out of my almost 4.5yrs in the Army. Don't believe the media or any of the bulls*** you read in the papers or see on TV.

You're right. You can't believe everything you see on TV. However, my uncle has done I think anywhere from 4-6 tours in the AOR over the last 2 or 3 yrs. 3 months here; 6 months there; 8 months here. Marines and Army deploy more than any other branch, which is what point I was trying to make. Even 20 months out of 4.5 yrs is a lot. Besides that, I work with several army personnel who throughout their career, have done nothing but deploy.

 

[bradboyd80]

What about the Coast Guard?..... I have been in for 3 years nothing but good times. My first two years i got school paid for, salary and all my benefits. Guaranteed OCS class as well. Now im 23 with 2 years of college paid BS in psychology and gettin ENS/0-1 pay with three years in cant complain. AND yes the USCG is military we just dont get credit until someone needs us.

I've have actually never heard anything negative about the Coast Guard. I use to work with them when I was in Alaska, and every one of them told me how much they loved it. I almost wish I would have joined that instead, but I have issues with being in open water. LOL

How is running 11:57 in 1.5mi even possible in basic...almost every AF person I have seen over my 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan has been overweight...so I'm not sure how the AF standards are so high when 70% of their personel are overweight.

You obviously have not seen many AF personnel then....

At least in my building, every single branch has overweight people. Yeah, the AF has more, but what do you expect? We sit in offices and work on planes. We aren't on the front lines as often as th other services.

Ok, so instead of going off topic again, I'll just leave you with a good luck! Whatever decision you make I'm sure will be the best!

 

[GiJoe]

Its 8 1/ weeks for basic since november of last year. More SABC(self aid buddy care) and we also get to train on the M9 and the m16a2 compared to just the m16 in the 6 1/2 week program.

really M9 training... th only time I ever carried an M9 when I was stateside was if I had to pull a heavy weapon... When I was deployed we carried one everywhere, but there are people in the AF that have never seen an M9... and IMO going to the 9mm and the 5.56mm round was one the worst decision they have made...

 

[fastdreams]

How is running 11:57 in 1.5mi even possible in basic...almost every AF person I have seen over my 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan has been overweight...so I'm not sure how the AF standards are so high when 70% of their personel are overweight.


To the kid that made this thread.

Your best bet is to look at AF or Navy, I agree with most the guys in here on that. I'm in the Army and I can tell whoever it was that said Army deploys a lot you are wrong. I had over a year and a half off inbetween my deployments. I just came home from Afghanistan in March 09 and we are not due to deploy again until Spring 2011. I get plenty of down time and we do a lot of stupid s*** but its nothing huge just moving things from containers and fixing trucks, but I'm a mechanic...thats what we do. If you are just wanting the military to go to school, go do Army Reserves. Its your best bet with the least commitment and you still get school benefits. You get the GI Bill and only have to work 1 weekend a month and you won't do anything during that weekend because its 2 days all you will do is more than likely do a PT test (physical fitness) and then chill the rest of the day or do some bulls*** training that is pointless.

If all you want to do is go to college why not apply for Pell Grants or Scholarships? Why even worry about joining the military? My wife is going to school for Registered Nurse she is in her Junior year and not paid a dime to go to school. All I'm saying is if your main goal is going to college, research that before you go to a recruiter looking for help when you haven't done your homework with the college thing. Recruiters will lie and do whatever they have to to make the miltiary sound appealing to you so you'll sign up. I know because thats how I got in the Army, that and the AF told me I couldn't join them because I had bad credit...wtf thats all about I don't know. And the Navy told me I couldn't pick my job that it was luck of the draw...Eff that.

If you want to message me off of this thread for any more help please feel free, the military is a good job if you are looking for a very nice stepping stone to other jobs, but its not for everyone. I'm getting out in 6mos, I've been in for almost 4yrs now and realized its not for me. And you can make a ton of money outside the military through KBR or other organizations that are government contractors.

Good Luck and hope this helps you some.

Maybe you should be a recruiter! Nice post.

I almost made that choice, and I knew and understood inherently, what you put into words so perfectly. I was even getting into the mindset of trying for recon. Then I got attracted to doing techie stuff in the AF and that was it. I don't regret it, but I can't help but think the Marines would have been more fulfilling.

 

[YOUNGMP3]

I have a question I don't mean to thread jack but I just join the USMC on an open contract, can I still chose my MOS or am I screwed?

 

[Blendercloud]

I have a question I don't mean to thread jack but I just join the USMC on an open contract, can I still chose my MOS or am I screwed?

You can refuse to enter even after you sign the papers. You're not actually obligated until you make the trip to boot camp. Even then you're not locked in, but that's a completely different discussion.

Essentially, if you still want to be a recruit for the USMC, you will have to do it by the guidelines of what you have already signed. Unless, of course, you feel that you would like to join another branch instead. I'm sure another branch's recruiter can get you signed up with them, which could negate your contract with the USMC recruiter.

Good luck with that.

 

[MazdaPro03.5]

I knew a few recruits in boot camp back in 1998 that had open contracts and the USMC decided to make them all 0300's (Infantry). Open Contract may put you in an MOS you really do not want to be in and that MOS is USUALLY Infantry.

 

[JDM-P5]

Ok, let me step in here and put a few words in.
I'm in the USAF and have been in since 2001. I've been all over the place & I love it.
Wouldn't have it any other way. Met some amazing people, have seen & done some pretty cool stuff. I met my wife thanks to the AF, and have ties all over the world. I suggest you choose something tailored to your lifestyle. I'm a 2T2 (PORT DAWGS!!!) and support everything from passengers to sending "things" down range. I've been deployed & sent TDY a handful of times (looking to go deploy again in Dec.), so the idea of the AF not deploying is a joke. The PT system is a joke...you can pass if you try hard enough. The "easiest" service has just as much "hardcore" as its sister services. Again, its all in what YOU want to do. Before JOMO went in, he and I had a quick chat and I gave him some perspective on mil-life. For what we do, the $ sucks, but the benefits make up for the rest. Best of luck on your choice. Oh yeah, it's also a small AF, so you are bound to meet someone that knows someone, that knows you.

PS...DO NOT GO IN OPEN GENERAL...you will end up being a SFS cop or Services.
-SSgt. Phillip B.

 

[bradboyd80]

Ok, let me step in here and put a few words in.
I'm in the USAF and have been in since 2001. I've been all over the place & I love it.
Wouldn't have it any other way. Met some amazing people, have seen & done some pretty cool stuff. I met my wife thanks to the AF, and have ties all over the world. I suggest you choose something tailored to your lifestyle. I'm a 2T2 (PORT DAWGS!!!) and support everything from passengers to sending "things" down range. I've been deployed & sent TDY a handful of times (looking to go deploy again in Dec.), so the idea of the AF not deploying is a joke. The PT system is a joke...you can pass if you try hard enough. The "easiest" service has just as much "hardcore" as its sister services. Again, its all in what YOU want to do. Before JOMO went in, he and I had a quick chat and I gave him some perspective on mil-life. For what we do, the $ sucks, but the benefits make up for the rest. Best of luck on your choice. Oh yeah, it's also a small AF, so you are bound to meet someone that knows someone, that knows you.

PS...DO NOT GO IN OPEN GENERAL...you will end up being a SFS cop or Services.
-SSgt. Phillip B.

It all depends on your job man. I've been in over 10 yrs and have only spent a total of 8 months in the desert. All I was trying to say was that we don't deploy as much as the other branches. As for the PT test, get ready for it. Its going to get harder to pass. No more PTL's, so no more "favors" for those who have trouble passing, or might have that extra baggage around the waist. LOL. No, its not hard to pass if you do what you're supposed to do, but then again, they are setting minimums also. Waist cannot be over a certain number; must do minimum pushups and crunches; and must do the run in a certain time; or its an auto-fail.

 

[JDM-P5]

^Of course it depends on your job (deployment-wise)...lol...we run the air field...thus our high(er) depoyment rate.

We'll see how long the new system lasts...seems they change it every few years. Remember the bike test..? lol...bring it back.

 

[bradboyd80]

^Of course it depends on your job (deployment-wise)...lol...we run the air field...thus our high(er) depoyment rate.

We'll see how long the new system lasts...seems they change it every few years. Remember the bike test..? lol...bring it back.

OH come on man....LMAO. You guys (2T2 right?) do not run the air field. Haha. I'm CP by the way....

 

[JDM-P5]

OH come on man....LMAO. You guys (2T2 right?) do not run the air field. Haha. I'm CP by the way....

Oh yeah...we run it...by means of we do all the dirty work and nothing would run correctly w/out our expertise lol!

 

[bradboyd80]

Haha...ok. You load/unload planes. Not hating though. I wouldn't mind having an outdoors job. I don't envy the deployments though. We should probably start a new thread for this though.
To the guy who started the thread.....so what's the word? Any decisions yet?

 

[GiJoe]

Remember the bike test..? lol...bring it back.

I agree with this for some of the lesser deploying fields lol I remember a 200 piund 6 foot dude passing that one lol