Quoted:
25 yr Army Retiree

I loved it, best experience of my life, get in now and make sure you don't take the blended retirement plan
if you want to retire at 20 yrs.

I'm 47 and retired, as in sitting home on my ass retired.

Good luck, IM me if you have any questions.

free

Quoted:
First off thank you for volunteering.

In order to answer your question I need to know what your ASVAB score was.

if you're going open contract to 50-50 mix. You might end up someplace awesome, you might end up someplace hellish.

If you have a good  score and you joining the Army,  see if you can get into intelligence, drones, communications, crypto, airwing.

Quoted:
1. Do what you want to do in the military.
2. Do not sign for more than 4 years.
3. 1st year, just immerse yourself in the job and Army. Learn everything you can about being a soldier and your job.
4. 2nd-3rd year: Find a college that has a degree program you are interested in. A real college..not some "only online" Bullshit. Start taking online courses for that major at said college with TA. Only take 1 at a time and look at the fucking training schedule.  It will be posted and you will be able to see pretty far down the road if anything is coming up that would prevent you from taking a course.  Also, talk to your team leader and ensure there isn't random shit you aren't tracking because you are new. The goal isn't to complete the degree. The goal is to use the "free money" to get classes done..so when you GTFO, you can finish up the degree quickly.
5.If you do sign the papers, you can start learning basic soldiers skills. Phonetic alphabet, rank structure, proper ways to talk to a superior, both NCO/Officer...
6. Go to the range if you want..but don't take what you learn there as the end all be all. The army has been killing people for a long time. Just take what they say and apply it.
7. Realize now, that you are signing up for a job that you will only do about 25% of the time. The other 75%, as a private, will be spent cleaning, formations, getting smoked, bullshit online courses, and overall dumb shit that has nothing to do with your job.  "It is what it is".  
8. If you go Infantry, realize your life exists in two places. The Barracks, where you clean weapons and do details(busy work). The field...where you are outside, regardless of weather...doing long movements and lots of physical repetitions of different tactics and techniques a squad and platoon employ. It's not easy.
9. Enjoy yourself. Make friends. Don't be an asshole and don't be an angry drunk. Don't be a moral standard bearer and don't be a wierdo that spends all day playing video games online, away from the platoon.
10. Save your fucking money. This is going to be the hardest thing for you to accomplish. Going out every weekend is an easy thing to do. Buying a new car because every single fucking military base is surrounded by people who want your money..and can get it...Don't be that guy.

11. Fuck you...get used to it..fuck stick.

Quoted:


The Army SUCKS.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/156634_10100644930506069_1549130248_n.jpg?oh=f725cc4e9c091c79b2a356b319b42d11&oe=58C7214C
No in reality, it's not for everybody. But if it's for you, nothing else will scratch the itch.

Quoted:
1. Do what you want to do in the military.
2. Do not sign for more than 4 years.
3. 1st year, just immerse yourself in the job and Army. Learn everything you can about being a soldier and your job.
4. 2nd-3rd year: Find a college that has a degree program you are interested in. A real college..not some "only online" Bullshit. Start taking online courses for that major at said college with TA. Only take 1 at a time and look at the fucking training schedule.  It will be posted and you will be able to see pretty far down the road if anything is coming up that would prevent you from taking a course.  Also, talk to your team leader and ensure there isn't random shit you aren't tracking because you are new. The goal isn't to complete the degree. The goal is to use the "free money" to get classes done..so when you GTFO, you can finish up the degree quickly.
5.If you do sign the papers, you can start learning basic soldiers skills. Phonetic alphabet, rank structure, proper ways to talk to a superior, both NCO/Officer...
6. Go to the range if you want..but don't take what you learn there as the end all be all. The army has been killing people for a long time. Just take what they say and apply it.
7. Realize now, that you are signing up for a job that you will only do about 25% of the time. The other 75%, as a private, will be spent cleaning, formations, getting smoked, bullshit online courses, and overall dumb shit that has nothing to do with your job.  "It is what it is".  
8. If you go Infantry, realize your life exists in two places. The Barracks, where you clean weapons and do details(busy work). The field...where you are outside, regardless of weather...doing long movements and lots of physical repetitions of different tactics and techniques a squad and platoon employ. It's not easy.
9. Enjoy yourself. Make friends. Don't be an asshole and don't be an angry drunk. Don't be a moral standard bearer and don't be a wierdo that spends all day playing video games online, away from the platoon.
10. Save your fucking money. This is going to be the hardest thing for you to accomplish. Going out every weekend is an easy thing to do. Buying a new car because every single fucking military base is surrounded by people who want your money..and can get it...Don't be that guy.

11. Fuck you...get used to it..fuck stick.

Quoted:
If you aren't sure, you should probably not join. Not trying to be a dick, just saying it an important decision that should be at your cores resolve.

Quoted:
How old are you?

Quoted:
I just got done talking to an Army recruiter and I told him id join. I didn't sign any papers or anything but I have several waivers to get to. Did I just make a great decision? A fucking awful one? Tell me about your experiences.

Quoted:
Post your address in Basic so I can send you cookies. https://www.dickboxshop.com/products/send-a-dick-box

Quoted:
I read your user name as big gal three times... sorry, I apologize, but it is GD

Quoted:
Recruiter told me officers don't get to dictate their MOS or schools before OCS, but they always get airborne/ranger school and infantry if they want it.
How true is that? I want to do the schools, and don't want to end up doing stupid shit (I like being busy, don't want to get stuck somewhere).

Also, which MOS are best for jobs on the outside?
How do postings go, was told officers spend 3 years and then relocate. Is this with families included?

Quoted:
In regards to your thread title, you didn't do a damn thing.

Quoted:
I was 26 now 35.

I was faced with several medical waivers and scored low on the asvab. One Waiver was for being hypothyroid and not overweight. Two was the hernia surgery at 16. Three was for Raynauds Phenomenon. It's a vascular thing NOT related to stress but according to the enlistment standards, It was not waiverable and claimed to be caused by stress.

It's not for everyone but the moment you step in a recruiters office you better be 100% on board. Don't waste their time.

Quoted:


OP, thank you for your service.

Quoted:
Not a mistake, but you might want to check out all the services so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Quoted:


Can anyone speak to going direct commission into the Army?



I am working with a recruiter now, long process, but I'm older, heavier (only a bit fat, but pretty strong, which is useless on the PT). Have a STEM degree, and 99 asvab, but shit grades.

I'm betting I've got a 50/50 on getting the commission. If they offer it to me, I will most likely take it.



Recruiter told me officers don't get to dictate their MOS or schools before OCS, but they always get airborne/ranger school and infantry if they want it.

How true is that? I want to do the schools, and don't want to end up doing stupid shit (I like being busy, don't want to get stuck somewhere).



Also, which MOS are best for jobs on the outside?

How do postings go, was told officers spend 3 years and then relocate. Is this with families included?

Quoted:
No obligation until you sign....your experience is solely based on you....some love it some hate it

I loved it

Quoted:
Can anyone speak to going direct commission into the Army?

I am working with a recruiter now, long process, but I'm older, heavier (only a bit fat, but pretty strong, which is useless on the PT). Have a STEM degree, and 99 asvab, but shit grades.
I'm betting I've got a 50/50 on getting the commission. If they offer it to me, I will most likely take it.

Recruiter told me officers don't get to dictate their MOS or schools before OCS, but they always get airborne/ranger school and infantry if they want it.
How true is that? I want to do the schools, and don't want to end up doing stupid shit (I like being busy, don't want to get stuck somewhere).

Also, which MOS are best for jobs on the outside?
How do postings go, was told officers spend 3 years and then relocate. Is this with families included?

Quoted:
I just got done talking to an Army recruiter and I told him id join. I didn't sign any papers or anything but I have several waivers to get to. Did I just make a great decision? A fucking awful one? Tell me about your experiences.

Quoted:
OP, thank you for your service.