Anybody on here enlisted or an officer with the Army? I'm almost sure I'm going to go through ROTC while at GMU and then being commissioned after I graduate. I have much respect for those that serve and would love to be able to stand in the same league as them wearing the uniform. If you serve, be it Army or otherwise, do you enjoy it? I'm in pretty good shape, but have some improving to do. Any tips on preparing for it physically? Thanks to all.

Rob

 

This could turn into a long thread. Just make sure you decide what specific jobs you are interested in and talk to people that do them.

Running, pushups, situps, pullups. Do them, quit smoking, avoid caffine and you will be ready for basic.

 

What do you mean this could turn into a long thread? As far as jobs, I'm thinking of something with intel. Either Intel analyst or MI officer.

 

Many people will chime in. I will say that Intel can get you a very good job when you get out. The east coast in particular has many places that seek intel folk.

 

Probably some of the best advice you will hear....

 

im going to tell you straight up, you really dont pick what you want to do. They oretty much assign you. just like my brother, who is in ROTC, will be an Officer in Infantry. Oh, did I tell you, I was in the Navy for 6 years. I played the Military politics... worse than I imagined. But, you will learn a lot, about yourself and others around you, especially about life. Do it if you are really sure this is the thing for you, if you're not a "commitment" type of person, DO NOT. My 2 cents.

 

On the enlisted side you most certainly choose what you want to do. The jobs you qualify for are affected by your ASVAB score and education credentials, plus the resluts of your physical. For officers you do a wishlist of the branches you want and that plus your evaluations are taken in to consideration when assigning your branch. PM me with any questions you have on the process. I am on recruiting at the moment in GA. I have been in for 6 years on Active Duty Army as an Infantryman.

 

That's not always true.

 

Two Words: Air Force!

 

+1
currently in active duty marine corps...i got the job i chose but i kno many people didnt...

that right there is completely true...as of right now...i hate military politics...i hate it so much i hate the marine corps...but i love what i do...so i respect them for giving me the opportunity to do this...so in the end...its really what u want to expect...if u expect to get the training of ur life...and fight for ur country and be all motivated...this is for u...if u just want a job...this is for u...

even though i HATE the marine corps...i dont regret joining...

by the way...u will see how many immature/stubborn people there are in the military...

(most are really retarded as well...like an iq level of a tomato...)

 

Join the military to learn a skill. Give America four good years. Get out and start your life far from the military. I don't regret joining the USAF but I regret giving them an extra 6yrs.

 

I know this is the case with some other services, but when an applicant joins the ARMY he or she always chooses his or her job. The choices available are affected by ASVAB scores, education credentials, physical results, and school availability.

 

LOL I think part of being in the Corps is hating it.

As for the OP, boot is 90% mental, 10% physical. They will take care of the 10%, you have to take care of the 90.

Mind you this is coming from a guy that took the test to join the Army, but I passed, so they put me in the Marines.

Sometimes I look back and wish I had stayed in beucase I would be almost retired by now, but some mornings I wake up and can barely move without a handful of Advil, and I don't regret my choice to get out at all. Your milage may vary.

 

The first thing i learned when I went to bootcamp....
Recruiters Lie.
Second thing I learned in bootcamp....
There are many ****ed up people in this world.
Third thing I learned in bootcamp....
Its not bad at all, I would compare first 4 weeks of bootcamp to 2 a day football practice in HS. Pay attention, just follow the directions and you become THE TOP RECRUIT.
atleast thats what happend to me.

Make sure you do your research.
like GI Bill, College Education Fund. (when they say they give you $50k for college, that means GI Bill + Collge Fund, it is upto 50k, not 50k + GI Bill).
Ask questions. Don't just listen to the recruiter, ask the people who are actually working and have been in military for awhile. When you sign the dotted line, make sure you have the school guranteed, GI Bill, college fund, your bonus and other things you have asked for is on the dotted line. You are signing your life for next 4-8 years (it is upto 8 years, if you served 4 years, that mean you have 4 more years of inactive duty left, and you can get called in anytime!!!) If you have any questions, PM me, I am glad to talk to you about my experience (worked with Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy).

 

The most invaluable thing you can get from any branch of the military is a security clearance. Trying to get one while a civilian can be very hard and expensive. You mentioned intel. Perfect career choice that should require a clearance of some kind. If you can put up with it, do 20 years and retire. Then get a cushy civilian job making six figures all while collecting government benefits. If you can't do that, do your 4 and GTFO.

 

I have been in the Navy for a little over 12 years now. I picked what I wanted to do. In the Navy you don't always get to pick what you want to do because of manning. If there are too many people in one job, you will be offer something else. I would guess is like that for all the services, but I could be wrong. Right now the war will have a say so in what field you will work too. If I could do it all over again, I would have joined the Air Force but then again in the Navy you advance pretty quick though.

If you can adjust to change easily, then you can deal with the military and the politics that come with that. To many changes are thrown at you in to short of a period. The military is not what is used to be. Is looking more and more like a corporation now and getting softer. I hate the politics but I'm over the hump so I'm just going to suck it up and retire at my 20 year mark.

 

Thanks for the insight so far guys. Another question I have is in relation to a story i heard from a friend in the Army. He said that some intel guys get deployed over to Iraq or Afghanistan, but when they get there they don't have adequate resources or workspace to do THEIR job, so they turn into just another infantryman. Does this actually happen or is my friend just misinformed, possibly just hearing rumor? Thanks.

Rob

 

Can't speak for the Army, but in the Corps they drilled into you one single fact. Every Marine is a Rifleman. Your first job is infantry, all else is second.

 

Amen to that. Oh-rah!

 

MOTIVATED! DEDICATED!