Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: JunkyII on June 10, 2008, 11:17:53 AM
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At the end of summer I will be enlisting in the Army and I know many of you are in or been in the U.S. Army, and im just lookin for advice on jobs or locations to choose
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Wrong board (this stuff goes in O'Club), but eh.
All I can say is, good luck, and don't get yourself killed. I've got a friend who recently joined the Marines, and I told him the same.
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o sry
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I personally, am getting myself ready for the Airforce. I am in Army ROTC in high school, but it is not what I am looking for. I want a cross between landing on a carrier and on the ground, and for a long time I was crossed between the Airforce and Marines. This is pretty obvious, but I am looking to be a pilot. If you go on the the Army website, they have all of the job offers there.
<S>
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At the end of summer I will be enlisting in the Army and I know many of you are in or been in the U.S. Army, and im just lookin for advice on jobs or locations to choose
You have three catagories:
1. Combat Arms... Infantry, Armor, Artillary or Cavalry (had to sneak the last one in as a former trooper in the 11th ACR)
You will most likely do a tour in the "sandbox" if you are in one of those branches. You will spend alot of time in the "field" training, when you are not deployed.
2. Combat Support... Engineers, Communications, ADA, and many others. In these branches you will spend alot of time training in the field as well, (but not quite as much as the combat arms) and also will spend a tour or two deployed 10-12 time zones away.
3. Combat Service Support... Admin, Logistics and everything else that doesn't fit into catagories 1 and 2. These branches are your basic rear area troops that don't spend as much time deployed and rarely go to the field.
The combat arms are the guys that do the lions share of the fighting. They are the warriors and the rest of the Army supports THEM.
As for locations, I liked overseas assignments best. I did a tour in Korea, and one in Europe. Both were with Combat Arms Units. I had a blast in both places. My unit in Korea was one of the best I served with and my unit in Germany was one of the worst! My experiences with Stateside units was mixed, But I did like Fort Carson, CO and Fort Lewis, WA. I did not enjoy Fort Polk, LA or Fort Hood, TX as much as Carson and Lewis, but part of that might be because I'm a west coast guy... 95 degrees and 90% humidity didn't agree with me.
Good luck in the Army! Start running and dooing pushups NOW! Try to get in good enough shape so that you can do about 100 pushups, and run 2 miles in 16 minutes. Also Fall is a good time for Basic Training... You will find out why later :aok
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Good luck Junky. My 15 yo is planning on doing the same thing when he graduates.
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May I suggest..................
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff107/tymekeepyr/82nd_Airborne_Division.gif)
Followed by some of this...............
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff107/tymekeepyr/RangerTab.gif)
(even though everyone gets to wear the black beret now) :furious
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Junky!
Good luck with the Army. My family has a long tradition of military service dating back to beyond 1492 and the defense of our home land we call the United States. The newest edition is my little cousin who graduated high school last year and is currently in Iraq with the Army. Sadly he says that Iraq is better then the Navajo Reservations.. i'll let you readers figure that one out..
anyways..
Thanks for your service <S>
Yours and everyone else whom served or going to serve.
Navajo
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I could recommend a certain MOS(job), but I may be a little biased. ;)
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Recommend away Ranger. We're looking at linguist but I'm open to suggestions. Wife was a med tech, Brother in Law 1 is a Korean Linguist, Brother in Law 2 has two tours in the sandbox and is now stationed at Ft. Hood doing some kind of training.
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I could recommend a certain MOS(job), but I may be a little biased. ;)
I wonder what you'd be leaning toward... :D
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I enlisted in 2000 as a Military Policeman (go figure). Served 4 years active duty and enjoyed most of the time I was in. You need to decide if you really want to go active or possibly go reserve and get some college under your belt at the same time which is what I am doing now. They both have their benefits it just comes down to how much you want to commit.
That being said, as far as basic training goes... you shouldn't have a problem. Like MAJissue said, start training now and take a training slot in the fall. I did mine during the summer at Ft. Leonardwood, MO and thought I had reached the threshold of hell around late July and early August.
Rules to follow in basic:
1. Be on time
2. Do what they say, when they say it
3. Don't be the guy who gets in trouble
4. Enjoy yourself
The trick to basic is to take it seriously but also enjoy it. It can be the best of times mixed in with some crappy details but hey, thats the Army. Depending on the job you choose you will get to play with some of the most expensive and fun toys the government has. When you are finished training you get to call yourself a soldier. And that is a title that no one can take away from you.
I always like to hear about new people wanting to join. It shows that some people still have the guts to serve their country.
So, <S> to you sir, congratulations and if you have any more questions feel free to PM myself or MAJissue. We would be happy to tell you what your recruiter has forgotten to tell you!
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(http://www.armyrecognition.com/Amerique_du_nord/Etats_Unis/vehicules_lourds/M1_Abrams/M1A2_Abrams/Abrams_M1A2_Main_Battle_Tank_US_Army_05.jpg)
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Thanks for deciding to serve. As a former Army Drill Sergeant, I would suggest listening. Hear what everyone is being yelled at for and don't do that. Listen to the little details that your Drill Sergeants and instructors talk about. Get the soldiers handbook from your recruiter if possible and begin to memorize as much of it as you can. Job choice is personal, what appeals to you? I let someone change my mind and did not enjoy my job, but loved the Army. Attention to the small details is important, from basic military tasks to the wear of your uniform (unbuttoned buttons usually mean lots of pushups :t). Take it serious, but have fun, it is cool to do a lot of the things you get to do in the Army. Being in great shape is not so important as you have the time to do it in training (it does make it easier though). However, don't be so out of shape that you can not meet the Army standards within the basic/AIT time frames. I know I was told "don't volunteer for anything" before I enlisted, but that backfires too often as those who didn't raise their hands usually got a worse duty or smoked for not volunteering fast enough :D. Showing initiative goes a long way.
Once you are settled into your first assignment, start your schooling. Take any and all training you are ever offered, and get as many correspondence and college courses you can knocked out. You may find you're interested in going green to gold later on. Good luck. :salute
Edit: Locations, well some are better than others, it is what you make of them that counts. I liked overseas assignments a lot. Korea and Panama where my favorites. Germany was nice too with many historical sites. It was cool that one of my coworkers, a local national, had been a child in Schweinfurt during WW2, he showed me a lot of photos of the raids, we missed a whole lot... Stateside, the bases were all pretty much the same to me. It depends on your hobbies and such and what is available in the neighborhood. Most posts are near smaller towns, thus limiting activities. Basically the unit is what made a place fun for me or not.
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(http://www.goordnance.apg.army.mil/Web%20photos/odcrest-silvergns.gif)
Ordnance Corp is the way to go, my MOS is 94M. Though you'll have to have a minimum GT score of 110 and endure a school just over a year long. I fix and maintain both air search and artillery/rocket finding radars, currently less than 300 active 94M in the whole Army so its quite an exclusive job to do. Also one of the highest paying jobs outside of the military doing your exact same job without putting your life on the line for that extra pay.
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You've already had some decent advice here. I'd suggest you do some checking on the web about the various Army branches before trying to make a decision. The branch you choose or get will determine your posting locations.
Personally I like Armor and spent almost all of my career in it. I started out as MP for my OBC (Officer basic Course) but transitioned to Armor shortly after.
If you go with Combat Arms or Combat Support you will likely have some interesting times in unusual locations.
Just another side bit of advice. On your first PT test don't go all out and try to impress folks. You will be expected to increase in performance so if you are already trying to max it out you will have a harder time showing improvement. DO get in shape before you get there. It will make the first couple or three weeks far easier on you. Be able to run at least a couple miles before you get there. Try to get to basic before the dead of Winter or the heat of Summer.
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My advice,
Join the Marine Corps instead :aok
:salute
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Ohhh the places you'll see and the things you'll do.
You'll have a great time... just don't b*tch about anything.
Mav is right about the PT test... pass it a lil over standard and kick butt later on towards graduation.
Ft Bragg is the DisneyLand of the Army... everything is there. No lines either and it's all 4 ticket rides. Go Airbourne. Then get all yer Rambo stuff outta the way while you're still young.
Don't hesitate to volunteer for details...soon they'll stop picking you and latch on to the slackards.
When I was an Instructor at U.S. Army Signal School at Ft. Gordon the best way I'd get volunteers was to ask all the students to raise their right hands high... then say I needed 5 volunteers. The first 5 hands that dropped were mine or say the first five hands up don't need to volunteer... slow five got picked. Tricks of the trade. I know a million of them.
Stay sharp, work smart.
Commo is a good field. Aviation is good also. Think ahead.
Did time with the 2nd Armor Cav Regt in Germany... fun times.
2 Tours at Bragg, 3 Tours in Korea and 1 Tour in Germany. Panama was fun also.
Let us know how you're doing.
Mac
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Army? bah! join the navy, which is what i'm planning on doing. :D
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I am joining the Army too( when i graduate in roughly 1 year). I was really looking at the air force for a while. but i dont like school and like more relaxed stuff. so that pretty much ruled out the air force. the marines is strict so not for me (i am not saying the other armed services arn't strict i am just saying the marines are not as relaxed as other branches). Navy and Coast Guard? dont really want to be on a ship in the open seas. so that left me with the army, so i went to www.goarmy.com (http://www.goarmy.com) which is a really neat site that you can interact with and explore what is takes to be a soldier, career paths, BCT, bases... everything! Personaly i believe that no branch is better then the other it is just what is right for you!
Thank you for serving! :salute
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Here is my advice my little swine brother... Get a big flying Pig tattooed on your arm before you head out for basic and take all the POTW traditions and honor with you. Do whatever job you are given to your utmost, I know you will make a good soldier. Good Luck to you and god-speed Junk-meister! :salute
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I am in the Air Force, currently in Iraq working next to the army every day, and all I can say is holy toejam joining the AF instead of the army was one of the best decisions I ever made. The Air Force treats its people sooo much better.
Think real hard about what 15 months in Iraq really means.
Once you decide on a job, find out if the AF has an equivalent and at least hear them out.
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Go Air Force.
"The best places are always where you are going and where you have been."(Grumpy Smsgt. I worked for)
-SR- :aok
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thrila have you had that final interview yet?
I'm heading down your way to dartmouth on the 21st for a week.
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My advice,
Join the Marine Corps instead :aok
:salute
yea
if you like to die fast join Corps..........
if you looking to learn something and stay alive, AF or Navy
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Army? bah! join the navy, which is what i'm planning on doing. :D
VERY smart advice... but im a touch biased...
:lol :lol
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Still waiting for a date to head down the HMS sultan. It's been a very slow process, i handed in my application early december.
Still in leeds at the moment though coincidentally i'm moving back to plymouth on the 21st.
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Good news! the admiralty rang me this afternoon to tell me i'm off on the 30th for pilot aptitude testing. :)
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Good news! the admiralty rang me this afternoon to tell me i'm off on the 30th for pilot aptitude testing. :)
Good luck thrila<S>
Pontous wasn't even a pilot when I was in the RAF.
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Thank you for all the advice and thanks for the luck, sry people in other branchs but the Army is in my blood. Vonmessa i hope to be doin just that Airborne then Ranger school, during which i hope to get a degree and maybe do the green to gold program.
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yea
if you like to die fast join Corps..........
if you looking to learn something and stay alive, AF or Navy
Screw that, I want to become a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps and I plan to make a career out of it. My cousin wants to join the U.S.M.C. too and become a officer leading a rifle company in the field. He wants to make a career out of the Marines too.
People join the Army to pay off their college tuition, people join the Marines to FIGHT. :salute
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just a little food for thought...
The navy has some of the best, and bradest technical training in the military today...
USAF is good too, but training there is a lot more compartmentalized... i.e. if your a jet engine mechanic, all you learn are the jet engines and controls.. In the navy, if your a jet engone mechanic, you learn about the jet engine, controls, fuel systems, lube oil systems, cooling, start systems, etc, etc, etc...
There are benefits and drawbacks to both, but as far as getting a job after the minitary, it seems prior navy are more likely to get called by companies than anyone else.. Maybe its because they know when your on a ship in the middle of nowhere, its YOU that has to be able to fix the problem.... There is no backup, at least immediately.... Therefore, our training is usually more comprehensive, and system based, rather than other branches that tend to use more component based traning..
Just a little food for thought...
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Over 500,000 ARMY soldiers have served at least one combat tour in either Iraq or Trashganistan in the last 4 years, the total Marine force is less than 200,000. Todays Army is nothing like yesterdays Army...
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Screw that, I want to become a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps and I plan to make a carrer out of it. My cousin wants to join the U.S.M.C. too and become a officer leading a rifle company in the field. He wants to make a carrer out of the Marines too.
People join the Army to pay off their colledge tuition, people join the Marines to FIGHT. :salute
:rofl
Learn to spell "Career" and "College" before you work towards one or the other.....kid.
Mac
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:rofl
Learn to spell "Career" and "College" before you work towards one or the other.....kid.
Mac
You're right. At least I don't spell like some people I know. My friend has spelled "neighbor" like "nabor." :rofl
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I think, and correct me if I'm wrong, Awmac did. ;)
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Smells of "Teen Spirit"
Awww he edited it...
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Smells of "Teen Spirit"
Awww he edited it...
:lol
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*hits OSU across the shins with my cane :D
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I respect our Army guys very much! :salute
They're the greatest folks in the world.
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Thank 'e Mom.
*tips hat*
:aok
Mac
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<S> Junky
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Definatly get what you want in writing in your contract. MOS, rank, bonus. You can get airborne school and RIP in there too if you want. You know you can get to PV2 by passing the APFT, and PFC if you get a friend to sign up?
Ask ALL questions you can of your recruiters, even if they seem stupid. Make up some stupid ones just to see how they field them. Trust them not, for their job is to get you to sign.....
Regardless of MOS, plan on being in the sandbox before too long. Its not so bad, but it is really hot over here.
Good luck, and make sure to enjoy your summer!
11B all the way!
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Junky, I was an air traffic controller in the Army. Used to be 93C. I think it's in the 15 series now though. I loved it ~ super fun (because I was at a fixed base tower). Good work outside of the Army after you get out as well. Did that for a few years after the Army ~ better pay, without any of the extra duties. Of course, that was long, long, long before the deployment cycles. Worth considering. :)
Also, sorry for putting this in here for Tarmac. Was gonna put it in a PM to him, but it looks like those aren't working.
Tarmac ~ are you there with Crouse? He & his Wife are my buds. :aok
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Screw that, I want to become a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps and I plan to make a career out of it. My cousin wants to join the U.S.M.C. too and become a officer leading a rifle company in the field. He wants to make a career out of the Marines too.
People join the Army to pay off their college tuition, people join the Marines to FIGHT. :salute
Marines<--- Human Pop-Up Targets... The Navy's Army.
Seriously: To become an officer in ANY branch of service you had better pay attention to math and science in your middle school.
An appointment to The U.S. Naval Academy is the fast track to becoming a USMC Pilot... Good luck getting in THERE!
I take exception tot your smearing the soldiers of the United States Army {"People join the Army to pay off their college tuition,..."} If you had a clue as to what it takes to be a soldier today you would not be making such simple minded generalizations. Coming from a wannabe like you it is a bold faced insult! Shame on you for minimizing the sacrifices that brave ARMY soldiers are making at this very moment, so that you have the freedom to demonstrate the level of your ignorance.
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Pssst...Army :noid
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Well said Maj Issue.
Mac
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A few of you made comments about the Army and Marines going to the sand box or combat zones. They are not the only ones. The Navy has a little blurb in our contracts that is titled Individual Augmentation (IA). This means in a time of need Navy personnel can volunteer or be voluntold to go temporarily to a Army or Marine unit. Basically now it is a inner military draft. I myself was voluntold. I have 15 days left stateside before I go to a Army boot camp of sorts for 2 months. That is followed up by a year in Afghanistan on convoy duty. My job in the Navy is a Aviation Electrician. My point being you can no longer join a service and avoid the war zones. You join a branch you think you'll never see combat and next thing you know your on your way.
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A few of you made comments about the Army and Marines going to the sand box or combat zones. They are not the only ones. The Navy has a little blurb in our contracts that is titled Individual Augmentation (IA).
Yah, I already did an 8 month IA tour in Afghanistan... convoy security.. NOT fun, but the pay is good.. It can happen to anyone...
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Tarmac ~ are you there with Crouse? He & his Wife are my buds. :aok
Nah, don't know a Crouse over here but I'll keep my eyes open. :)
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If you're joining the ChairForce, I was recommended being a P.J.(Basically a cross between a field medic and an airborne soldier) over Xbox Live. I think it's a good option =)
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I have my own experience to draw upon, not that I was in the army. I was in USAF but I also work an airport detail and see our young people by the hundreds flying out to start their military careers. I see two dynamics at work regarding their motivation to serve, as well as had two my ownself.
#1, Is they want to serve their country. #2, Is they want to better themselves.
And another dynamic I see in Internet forums is those that dont join always try and belittle those that do. They say things like, "they only join because they have no other options in life". Or, "they join cause they are to stupid for college". Thats A-typical for the mommies boy who doesnt serve to say.
As far as Police work goes if it were up to me I wouldnt let any new hires thru unless they had military service. The military kids we get have their heads and arses wired together much better and in general become better street cops then a lot of these college weinies.
Thing about the military is they pull mommie out of the equation pretty quick and they aren't real keen on hearing excuses. You have to keep your act wired tight or you'll be standing in front of the man. Its a disciplined life and discipline for a young person just starting out in life is a fine thing.
Anyway Im always impressed by the young pepople I meet who are OTW to their basic courses. They tend to be more mature and motivated then the average 18yo. Or, they shortly will be.
Marines<--- Human Pop-Up Targets... The Navy's Army.
Seriously: To become an officer in ANY branch of service you had better pay attention to math and science in your middle school.
An appointment to The U.S. Naval Academy is the fast track to becoming a USMC Pilot... Good luck getting in THERE!
I take exception tot your smearing the soldiers of the United States Army {"People join the Army to pay off their college tuition,..."} If you had a clue as to what it takes to be a soldier today you would not be making such simple minded generalizations. Coming from a wannabe like you it is a bold faced insult! Shame on you for minimizing the sacrifices that brave ARMY soldiers are making at this very moment, so that you have the freedom to demonstrate the level of your ignorance.
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For joining the army, well, listen to this to get the spirit!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXpF2xMlZyQ
Good luck all :salute
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Join the French Foreign Legion.The pay is good,you learn a new language,and I can guarantee you that it will be the experince of a lifetime.Four five year enlistments,and your good to go.Rank is a little tight,so don't plan on becoming a officer.2nd Para is real good choice,if you can get it.
Legio Patria Nostra
IronDog