whos all in the military?

[beaujt]

Hey guys looking at joining up. Wanna know any insights y'all might have if you've beenthrough the enlistment process? Mostly looking at either the marines or busting my ass to get to be a ranger in the army.

 

[Grunizzle]

Well I'm in the Air Force, I can't say much about them other than the enlistment process. If you have any questions though fire away.

 

[straycat]

Join the AF and you might live longer. It is a long time 'till we are fully out of the mid east. Just go in healthy and make sure if you ever get hurt on duty (as I have been) you keep all your medical records. I am a disabled vet and I have been fighting the VA for a long time!!!
The only regret I have is not getting ALL my medical records when I went to different hospitals in different countries and states I was stationed in for any medical attention for several injuries on duty or in combat training and also for diving injuries and EOD training. The VA seems to have misplaced some of mine or said I have no proof that I was injured other then what I have records of.

Just CYA (cover your ass).

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

I would recommend staying out, but that's just me. My experience is that everything they tell you is a lie, they will screw you over every step of the way, and the only superiors that actually care about you, are the ones that can't do much to help you.

 

[Twizzler09]

The problem with the enlistment process is, that your recruiters went through basic training and AIT at a minimum of 6 years ago, and they come up with new rules and new ways to train almost daily. Thats the curse of TRADOC (Training and Doctrine Command) bases (the ones where you do Basic and AIT at). So if you really want to get a better idea of the recruitment process and what happens afterwards, ask your recruiters if they have someone there thats doing the "Hometown Recruiting Program", and tell them you'd like to speak to them if there is one. Chances are they have one or two Privates that just got out of AIT somewhere nearby thats in the program.

I just recently got out of the Army myself, so I know how it is.

If your aiming to be a ranger, thats gonna be tough. You *MIGHT* get EXTREMELY lucky and get attached to a ranger unit, and if that happens they'll almost definitely send you to Ranger school. But if not, then you'll have to really haul balls at your job and show them that your high speed and can handle yourself....then you'll have to talk to your senior NCO's to get the ball rolling to get you into Ranger school.

Its a long road, and if you go Ranger... be ready to re-enlist. You may not be able to get it until you re-up. Its not uncommon for "schools", such as Ranger School/Airborne/Air Assault, to be part of a reenlistment bonus.

 

[strvger]

i'd think about trying to be a Paramedic in the Air Force. badazz as they come. one of the toughest schools in any branch. and you get the added bonus of being trained to help your fellow soldiers/airmen/marines when they need help the most. just a thought.

 

[beaujt]

Well I guess my next question then is how are the physical requirements to get in? I'm in shape... clean & jerk 250 but I've had shoulder surgery. And how hard is it to get into say airborne school or to be trained as a paramedic? Do you have a lot of choice or do they just tell you what you're gonna do based off ASVAB?

 

[Hopman]

i'd think about trying to be a Paramedic in the Air Force. badazz as they come. one of the toughest schools in any branch. and you get the added bonus of being trained to help your fellow soldiers/airmen/marines when they need help the most. just a thought.

Not to mention that the paramedic skills can easily be used when you get out after you have served your country. There is ALWAYS a need for qualified medical personel.

 

[beaujt]

BTW... I've almost got my bachelors degree and I'm an eagle scout. I know that affects stuff too,right?

 

[03ranger4x4]

i wouldnt suggest the navy, im in, and it sucks!!!!

Just kidding, well partially. It sucks for me now, since all im doing is chipping paint every day since our ship is getting overhauled. But when i actually get to work on equipment as my rate (electronics tech) i enjoy it for the most part.

Couldnt tell you much about any other branch.

Although i went on a coast guard ship, and im kind of wishing i would have looked into that before signing up for the navy. Idk there schedule as far as how often they are underway or what it like. But the looks of it, and from what guys on the ship i was on told me its better then the navy. Certainly more work within what you signed up for, since its a crew of only 18-20 compared to a crew of 300 plus. It seems more of your important then being just another number like bigger ships.

but thats my opinon anyway

 

[03ranger4x4]

Well I guess my next question then is how are the physical requirements to get in? I'm in shape... clean & jerk 250 but I've had shoulder surgery. And how hard is it to get into say airborne school or to be trained as a paramedic? Do you have a lot of choice or do they just tell you what you're gonna do based off ASVAB?

Its a mix of both, but more the asvab tells you what your going to do. I wanted to work on electronics, and after taking the asvab as was able to choose electronic technition, avation electronics technition, or paramedic. The first two made sense, i have no idea why the offered me paramedic, i dont as far as know have any above average medical knowledge, or even an interest to work in that field lol. But i had somewhat of a choice. They ask you what you want to do, and list the jobs closest to what you want according to what the asvab says your capable of.

But for instance if you want to work on nuclear reactors, and your score on the asvab shows that you not smart enough, they wont even offer it to you. They will give you a few choices of (for a lack of better terms) a job that requires less brain capacity.

 

[LearjetMinako]

When the recruiters were trying their best at me. I finally had the nerve to start telling them that I died. I guess it worked until recently. For some reason, when I go back to college, they start calling me again.

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

i wouldnt suggest the navy, im in, and it sucks!!!!

Just kidding, well partially. It sucks for me now, since all im doing is chipping paint every day since our ship is getting overhauled. But when i actually get to work on equipment as my rate (electronics tech) i enjoy it for the most part.

Couldnt tell you much about any other branch.

Although i went on a coast guard ship, and im kind of wishing i would have looked into that before signing up for the navy. Idk there schedule as far as how often they are underway or what it like. But the looks of it, and from what guys on the ship i was on told me its better then the navy. Certainly more work within what you signed up for, since its a crew of only 18-20 compared to a crew of 300 plus. It seems more of your important then being just another number like bigger ships.

but thats my opinon anyway

It seems like mostly us in the Navy that really hate the military. I can count on one hand the number of guys I know that really love it. On the other hand, pretty much every Air Force guy I've ever met loves their job. It may just be a branch thing.

 

[Hopman]

It seems like mostly us in the Navy that really hate the military. I can count on one hand the number of guys I know that really love it. On the other hand, pretty much every Air Force guy I've ever met loves their job. It may just be a branch thing.

I haven't served in the Armed Forces, but I respect those who do with the highest honor.

I get the same vibe from those in the Marines. They love what they do and are proud to have served in the Corps or are proud to do so.

 

[strvger]

do yourself a really BIG, BIG favor... get your degree BEFORE going into service!!! then go in as an officer. the benefits to that are more than worth the wait, imho.

i always thought of services this way:

Navy... electronics and aircraft mechanics training/careers

Air Force... electronics and medical training/careers

Army... medical, aircraft/vehicle mechanics, and management training/careers

Marines... vehicle/aircraft mechanics