Enlisting in the Army!

[Tweaky_Tom]

Im seriously considering enlisting into the army for service. I have an awesome job now but don't quite feel satisfied enough. I feel doing something life changing would be good for me. Im 19 so i've still got pleanty of years left. Anybody have any wisdom they'd like to share? Lemme know, <<<Tom>>>:uzi

[redrocket]

More power to ya bro its people like you that have the feel and need to join up that keeps me safe and I say thank you and I'm here to support my troops

[Tweaky_Tom]

Thanks bro. I appreciate the support.

[MasterMan]

::rolls up a news paper:: ::Smacks Tweaky:: "bad, baddd"

no dont go off killing people, over bombs they dont have.. if you want to help people then go work at a old folks home, or help the homless.. thats helping people, and ur not killing in the progress (unless u give the wrong meds to some old lady.. yeah that would be bad)

[Nathan]

Our armies help promote peace throughout the world as well as taking part in humanitarian aid. You would be doing a good and noble thing by joining the armed forces Tom, Good Luck!

[ratm]

Why do you want to join the armed forces though? It will be a life changing experience but do you really want to give up the life you already have? If you want to protect your country and are willing to die to do that then go ahead. I would say though try to figure out what you are unsatisfied about before you join the armed forces.

[UncleBen]

Good luck man, I support whatever decision you make. This is a very honorable decision you are contemplating, and I just hope you do whatever you feel like you need to.

[Tweaky_Tom]

Awesome guys, thanks for the support AND oppinions. That word has passed through my head a thousand times a day NATHAN. "NOBILITY", self sacrifice is a small price to pay (i think) to preserve peace. Im not doing it for spite, or cuz im just not satisfied with my life, im doing it cuz i feel i can do so much better. I feel i could make a difference, as trite as that sounds. Even if it's something small, i can say..."i did that, me" Just thinking about it sounds like the greatest reward in the world.

[Bubba1]

Armed forces is a noble and honorable path, but it's a significant commitment. I'm in no position to tell you whether or not it's the best path for you or if it'll give you the change you desire. What is it about your life that you want to change?

[Tweaky_Tom]

Well, i've never really had a family, some one to take care of me. I've been on my own since 16. It would feel good to be part of something. I just feel like im treading water. I don't know if it's because im so young or the simple fact that i have already conquered every day life and am ready for new challenges. The commitment is my last worry. I have no problem following through with the decisions i make. My only worry is my performance and devotion in that given amount of time.

[Rex]

My older brother joined the Air Force when he was in his mid 20's and is very happy with his decision. He's been in going on 10 or 12 years. Yes, he's seen some rough times over the last few years (Bosnia & Kabul), but he re-upped and I'm proud of his decision to do so. He's a weather man, so he's not seeing any "combat", but the situations are very tenious.

Here's a pic of where he spent s few months last year. I found it on the web when he said he was at Bagram.

We emailed almost daily while he was there.

[CaptainHenreh]

A word to the wise:

Join the Air Force.

A: Basic Training is easier.B: You'll probably never see combat (something like 95% of the AF is support personnel)C: Get EVERYONE'S opinion. Talk to people who are in the military currently (other than your recruiter) talk to people who are ex-military. This isn't a decision to be made lightlyand finally,D: Make your decision on your own. (But I don't see any problems with you doing that. )

Good luck with whatever you do.

[Bubba1]

I think that's great advice. You sound like like an independent, strong willed guy and I have little doubt you will succeed at anything you try. But you need to be pretty sure that a full-time military career is what you want to do before you enlist. There are several military guys on this BB, perhaps they'd share their perspectives.

Good luck.

[Tweaky_Tom]

Again, thanks for the advice and reply's. I've spoken to my best friends brother, he's a captain and loves what he does. He had a lot of helpful advice on the subject. He went to an ROTC program at ASU Phoenix and graduated as an officer. The only people ive heard of hating the militant decision are people who can't cut it, or who made the decision for the wrong reasons. I KNOW i can cut it but i still want to make sure im making the right decision. It sounds right, it feels right, but i just want to make sure. I'd appreciate all the information i can get from you guys, thanks again, <<<Tom>>>

[Stoneage_Turbo]

the airforce is very white collar comapred to the army ,after completeing my service with them and dealign with army people every day i kinda think the army is a more satisfying expereance , i left the airforce feeling very unfufilled that i didnt do enough for my country

but im doing my part again , i work for the dept of vertrans affairs now , helping vets find jobs in a slow economy , and remeber if you join and complete your service the veterans dept will be here for you , we take care of our vets in this country , and thats another thing that makes us great , the 90% of americans that love and appricate our vets for what theve done for the staying power of the american people and there freedom combined with the sense of duty to help the unforutunate countrys that dont know freedom

[Tweaky_Tom]

Yeah, that's one of my personal goals: to make sure i do my part and feel satisfied. Special Forces sounds like a very rewarding experience.

[Rex]

Here's a pic of him "ready for action".

The AF guys may not see as much action, but they get to prepare for it. Wish I could post full size, the choppers in the background are cool.

[Tweaky_Tom]

Any body taken the asvab? I scored a 151. I don't know what that means tho.

[Stoneage_Turbo]

not sure what the 151 is , when i took it ,it broke out into sevral diffrent categorys , dont remeber the overall stuff

seems liek there was 4 sections

elecrticalmechainicalcommunicationsthen there was something else

[Tweaky_Tom]

Coding is the fourth one. 151 was my combined score, my junior year. Im wondering if i should take it again. Considering how much dumber you get after being out of school, i don't know how much better i would do. It's worth a shot tho.

[sammy]

First off...ASVAB scores are only good for 2 years. The different branches of service all use different criteria of scoring the test. The Army uses 10 different categories ( GT, CL, CO, EL, FA, GM, MM, OF, SC, ST) to break down what area you are most qualified in. The Navy also uses the 10 category method, but calls the categories differently. The Air Force uses the same test, but breaks the score down into 4 categories, and the Marines break it down into 3 categories. I was in the national guard for 7 years, then active duty Army for 9 years, and now back in the guard for last 2 years. I am in the process of getting back active duty Army, also. What category was your 151 in, if it was in the GT area congratulations, you are one intelligent son of a gun. And ifthis is the case, and you do join the Army, I hope you don't pick a job that wastes that intelligence.

now in reference to this ****e from MASTERMAN:

"no dont go off killing people, over bombs they dont have.. if you want to help people then go work at a old folks home, or help the homless.. thats helping people, and ur not killing in the progress (unless u give the wrong meds to some old lady.. yeah that would be bad)"

I have spent over 18 years of my life in the military serving my country and guaranteeing that whiny ***, snot nosed, little punks have the right to express their opinions and live their lives as they see fit, and I will continue to do so for as long as I am able. It really saddens me though, to see that the separation from families, hardships and other trials the military has to endure are not more appreciated by the likes of yourself.

Ok, my soapbox lecture is now finished.

[pstickne]

I'm currently in the Army--been in for about 2 years.(This is the time where all 'ya old-timers tell me I haven't seen nothing :-)

It definately wasn't what I was expecting, then again, I work communications in a Field Hospital unit (read that as: we don't do anything/much until we deploy :-). Just came back from Iraq/Kuwait during the summer. It sucks over there to begin with and the Army always chooses the crappiest places (where no-one else wants to live :-) to put camps.

I just have several words of advice--just things I wish I knew.

1) The job you choose _isn't necessarily_ the job you get (and in the end, we are all just 11B's--infantry--anyway :-/). For example, my "real army skill" is working in telephone/data switched networks. My actual job is running/fixing lines (telephone/data), setting up and monitoring FM and HF radio nets (when injured people are coming in we have to inform the medical guys so they can be ready), installing and maintaining a way-to-big LAN, fixing computers (mostly stupid outlook) and trying to get other signal units to give us the outside support we need (this is the problem with not having propper signal units combined/attached.)

2) The Army wants you. They have lots of bonuses and incentives. Don't be afraid to walk away from the jackass who won't give you all he can. It's you choice to join. A general rule is, pick 2 of the 3: initial duty station, choice of job, bonus. But _hold out_ until you get what you want. There is nothing wrong with walking away and going back another day.

3) The Army is what you make of it. Some units do "hoooaa" stuff (go to the field 3 weeks out of the month) while others sit around doing nothing except yearly CTT. Some units deploy. Some don't. Other peoples experiences and views won't necessarilly--and probablly won't--reflect your own.

I don't regret joining the Army, but I'm looking to get out in another 2 :-)

4) There is lots of "stupid ****". Sometimes it sucks. Drive on.

-- When you move 250 thousand soldiers to the middle east, a ****load of them are "support units"--I saw plenty of Airforce/Marines/Army/Reserves/Infantry/Signal/Direct Support/Finance/Postal/Cooks you-name-it.

-- For the Army, the highest _single_ ASVAB score you can get is 130 (or 135? It is one of those two. I'd say 130, but I heard someone say he got a 135--hmm :-/. I got a 129 GT--my lowest score--and was in the 99th percentile).

Choose wisely :-)

[Tweaky_Tom]

Maybe i don't remember right. It was a while ago tho, so that's probably why 151 doesn't sound right. Have they changed it cuz i swear that's what i got. I'll see if i can find it tonight. I don't mean to talk out my A$$ but that's just what i remember.

I was thinking of Army Special Ops: Weapons Seargant/ Engineer/ Communication Seargant. Any thought's on these fields?

And you're absolutely right about walking out and coming back. They're much more willing to work with you when they know it's the deciding factor. Do they/ Can they screw you over tho? Say they're gonna do something and NOT do it?

[Stoneage_Turbo]

2 tours ? my hats off 2 you dude , ive only met 2 vets at work that did 2 tours , and there my bosses

even tho i wasnt around at that time i got tons of respect for the nam vets ,from what ive seens it seems like everyone at the time made it into a hopeless deal , yet a few went right back in and voulnteered to do it ...hoo-ahh

[big jon's 240]

Maybe i don't remember right. It was a while ago tho, so that's probably why 151 doesn't sound right. Have they changed it cuz i swear that's what i got. I'll see if i can find it tonight. I don't mean to talk out my A$$ but that's just what i remember.

I was thinking of Army Special Ops: Weapons Seargant/ Engineer/ Communication Seargant. Any thought's on these fields?

And you're absolutely right about walking out and coming back. They're much more willing to work with you when they know it's the deciding factor. Do they/ Can they screw you over tho? Say they're gonna do something and NOT do it?

151 doesnt sound right (ASVAB). The max overall score you can get is a 99 (unless they changed it since i took it, which wasnt that long ago). The other scores are what they call your "line scores", the most important being your "GT" (general technical) score, which is supposedly your overall intelligence. If your thinking about spec-ops, you have too join as something else first, you cant come straight in as SF anymore. If that is the route you want to take, come in as an 11B, it will best prepare you to go down that road.Dont listen to any of these guys who try and talk you out of it, they have no clue what they are talking about. If you want to know anyting else, just ask, and feel free to email me.Good luck in whatever choice you make.

[initial s14]

whatever you choose.... navy , army, marine airforce etc. .....you will run under UCMJ .. that will strip you off from your civilian rights.... anyway its you... GOODLUCK !

[Tweaky_Tom]

So far i've narrowed it down to 2 years service in the Army. Then enroll in the Green and Gold ROTC program at ASU. Use the scholarships to help me out and then hopefully graduate. Then serve the rest of my term as Special Ops. Intelligence (or work my way up to) in Ft. Huachuca Az. That's what i hope to accomplish. I hope they have the need for someone in that general area. If not. I guess they'll just have to wait for me. : )

[Phax]

I have a lot of respect for everyone who has served our country, and supported the imperialistic ambitions of our leaders. War is one of the underlying philosophies of our country. It is recognized as the best way to galivanize and focus the population, and until a more useful tool for population control comes along, it will continue to be with us. A lot of what our government focuses on is conflict and war, the Cold-War against Communism, the War on Drugs, and now the War on Terrorism (the new Communist equivalent threat to our 'democracy' and God-given right to live as Americans).

In the Army (or any other branch of the service), you'll know that there is always a job out there for you. There are always politicians using the military to advance their own agenda's. (Just look at the ownership / directors of companies awarded contracts to rebuild Iraq, and their relationship to those within power in DC right now). Realize that it's likely where ever you get deployed, you're going to be hated because you've been sent for the wrong reasons. We as American's see our troops as protectors of liberty and enablers of democracy. A lot of the world sees our troops as pawns of an imperialist government, being used as a tool to ensure the rest of the world does what is best for us.

Personally, I'd never join the military. I know people who have, and some of them have enjoyed it. I know people who have served multiple tours in 'nam as Special Forces, and listened to them as they recount how much they hate the government for sending them to do what they did. I've talked to my grandpa who flew bombers in WW2 over Germany and got a couple of medals for being lucky enough to live through things that should have killed him... and listened to his thoughts about how he's seen American policy, both home and abroad, become more fascist and oppressive upon the working class.

A part of me feels bad for sitting here and whining about things, because as some said, he did what he did so that punks like me can sit around and whine. To that I reply, "Thanks for doing what you've done. Thanks to those who continue to do that similar to what you've done. I certainly hope that one day we don't find ourselves facing a world, sick and tired of having to deal with those who do what you did."

Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Syria... all threats to our country. We need more guns, more bombs, more ultra-violent capabilities to protect ourselves from those wanting to do violence to us. Yet, are we ever told what we've done to them, to elicit such feelings of hostility from them? Why deal with the root of the cause, when you can try to suppress the symptoms after the fact?

[Tweaky_Tom]

I feel bad for Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Something not quite right about that much devastation. I've read alot of books about those event's and they are truly heart breaking, no matter how much of a threat they are to us, no one should ever have to go through what those people did. It had to be done tho.

[Tweaky_Tom]

Well, i had my first meating with a recruiter. It was okay i guess. E1's don't make any money but i already knew pay would be low. Still definately something I'll probably end up doing. I started training...for.....basic training. Pushup's and Situps and Running. I started out 50 s-ups, 50 p-ups , and a 1.5 mile run. Didn't do too shabby. Feel good today too!