NationStates Jolt Archive

I finally took my physical on Wednesday of last week, and although I have to get an ear lavage before I pass it, I'm pretty much set. With a 91 on my ASVAB and a 114 on the DLAB I'm set for my MOS - 18X - and I'm enlisting into the U.S. Army whenever that ear lavage is finished. I'm pretty stoked. I'm hoping to leave for basic combat training within four weeks (or before), and then I have about two years of training.

I'm pretty anxious to leave!

You're in the army now!
You're not behind the plow!
You'll never get rich
By digging a ditch.
You're in the army now!

:)

Have you done a preliminary PT test w/ your recruiters?

I finally took my physical on Wednesday of last week, and although I have to get an ear lavage before I pass it, I'm pretty much set. With a 91 on my ASVAB and a 114 on the DLAB I'm set for my MOS - 18X - and I'm enlisting into the U.S. Army whenever that ear lavage is finished. I'm pretty stoked. I'm hoping to leave for basic combat training within four weeks (or before), and then I have about two years of training.

I'm pretty anxious to leave!

What the hell is an ear lavege? :confused:

Anyway, good luck, and don't get injured and/or die when you go out on a tour of duty in Iraq, which you probably will unless the Dems end it by next year.

What the hell is an ear lavege? :confused:

Basically, he needs to have his ear canal washed. Probably has a cerumen impaction.

I finally took my physical on Wednesday of last week, and although I have to get an ear lavage before I pass it, I'm pretty much set. With a 91 on my ASVAB and a 114 on the DLAB I'm set for my MOS - 18X - and I'm enlisting into the U.S. Army whenever that ear lavage is finished. I'm pretty stoked. I'm hoping to leave for basic combat training within four weeks (or before), and then I have about two years of training.

I'm pretty anxious to leave!

So what exactly do you want to do in the Army?
Looking for a full career?
Getting some college done while your there?
Any specialty your interested in?
Wanna try OCS?

So what exactly do you want to do in the Army? Looking for a full career?
Getting some college done while your there?
Any specialty your interested in.

18X is Special Forces.

18X is Special Forces.

oh thank you, fancy army talk complicating...hurt small head... :)

, and don't get injured and/or die when you go out on a tour of duty in Iraq,

Could you be any more insensitive?

Basically, he needs to have his ear canal washed. Probably has a cerumen impaction.

Ah. Thank you, Fass.

Could you be any more insensitive?
Sure. I could tell him to go and get himself killed, that he's completely worthless for joining the military so he can kill other people like the hateful, disgusting monster he is, but I don't believe any of that and even if I did I'd never say it.

It was meant as a joking good luck sort of statement, and hopefully Macabees took it as such. If he did not I do apologize. As for you, however, I will not apologize, because the statement was not directed at you, and if you are offended by it that's your own fault.

pfft there is only one army an American should be seen in: http://www.legion-recrute.com/en/

either way, good luck but you ain't in the military yet in experience you may have maybe 6 months to go somewhere long the line you will give up on your dream job and go for another job :)

I also suggest an appropriate thread be made in a few months time for all the NS'ers who have joined the military to post there pics

pfft there is only one army an American should be seen in: http://www.legion-recrute.com/en/


I'm getting that sinking feeling...:(

Good luck matey, I have a bro in the navy ^_^ . Just be safe, and snipe some baddies :sniper:

I finally took my physical on Wednesday of last week, and although I have to get an ear lavage before I pass it, I'm pretty much set. With a 91 on my ASVAB and a 114 on the DLAB I'm set for my MOS - 18X - and I'm enlisting into the U.S. Army whenever that ear lavage is finished. I'm pretty stoked. I'm hoping to leave for basic combat training within four weeks (or before), and then I have about two years of training.


I'm pretty anxious to leave!



congrats and keep your head down.
my kid is army guard at the moment,he went to ft.benning last summer for basic training(brutal in the summer) but had to finish highschool this year.
my partner and best friend just left may 2nd to boot down at benning as well.
my kid goes back to benning after he graduates(august actually) for his ait.
it works out great,cause my friend will finish basic when my kid goes for ait,so they go thru it together,they call it battle buddies.
my friend is best friends with his recruiter,knew him all his life so him and my kid,and the recruiter are all good friends.works out great for them.
they are 11 bravo,but my kid is thinking rangers,and my friend is thinking sniper down the road.
ultimately my son wants to be a cop,but all my cop friends and mil people i know tell me to steer him away from mp..they are glorified jailers now.
the army has a good website to prepare you for boot...i would suggest you check it out,it tells you what to exspect.
it is no joke,at least at ft.benning,my kid looked like he was the walking dead at grad..they all did.

good luck and thank you for your stepping up to the plate during war.

i have no illusions about the war ending anytime soon..even if a dem gets in,i predict we will be there for 10 years,not neccasarily like we are now,but we will be there for quite some time,i'll tell you what i told my son(i bet they send him in september)just be careful,stick together and dont ever get complacent..ever!
good luck again and thank you

Have you done a preliminary PT test w/ your recruiters?

Not yet; my friend who enlisted a couple of days ago is going to do it on Friday since he's leaving by Thursday. So, I assume I do that after I enlist as well.

A few years ago I said that only a fool would join the army while Bush was in office. One of my friends ignored my advice, and a month later the iraqi war began. And yes, he had the "fun" of being sent over there.

So what exactly do you want to do in the Army?
Looking for a full career?
Getting some college done while your there?
Any specialty your interested in?
Wanna try OCS?

I'm going to enlist for six years - or else, that's what I want right now. I will read through all the options available to me before I sign anything. My friend enlisted as 13M (MLRS crew member) and was offered a guaranteed interview with Raytheon - so, if he gets that job he will be set. Maybe they'll offer me something similar, although I doubt it - different job. Regardless, I'm not making plans for 20 years in the military, although it's an option. I will look at what options are available when the time comes (end of first enlistment?).

I do plan to finish my bachelors in mechanical engineering when I get the chance (if ever), and go to OCS. But, I will have to make that decision when the time comes (in many, many years).

i have no illusions about the war ending anytime soon..

Going to Iraq isn't an issue for me at this current point in time. I don't mind going. If my attitude changes when I'm actually there, that's fine - but it's not the case right now.

Good luck to your son. I'm going to Benning, as well, but I heard it's even worse hell during the winter (very, very cold). I'm going during the summer, though. Has your son completed airborne training? If not, maybe I'll see him. Probably not, but maybe. ;)

I've actually been preparing myself physically for quite a while. I swim, run and lift weights regularly. I've been trying to be able to get 100 points on all physical requirements out of boot camp before I even get in. Not close, but I suppose that if I get close then I will be able to do the rest by the end of basic training.

Been doing about 10 miles worth of pain, as well - up and down large hills (what we San Diegans like to call mountains). I'm the guy on the left.

http://a171.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/21/l_2a51969287e5abe4110cae959be3f2aa.gif

My diet has been good, but I've been starting to have my going away parties!

http://a673.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/5/l_6f6768c4abcba914257b381fbc77d800.jpg

A few years ago I said that only a fool would join the army while Bush was in office. One of my friends ignored my advice, and a month later the iraqi war began. And yes, he had the "fun" of being sent over there.

As I said, I don't mind going right now. If my opinion changes, it changes.

I would suggest finish that bachelors first and going to OCS but if that's not an option then I'd say that that's a good choice as long as it's what you want to do. There are too many recruiters trying to push guys into enlisting before OCS just to fill quotas w/o telling you how much harder it is to get a slot at OCS. If your recruiter is trying to push you into enlisted then take a step back and evaluate. Find a different recruiter or if it's like the Marines an OSO. If you decide to enlist and the whole 18x thing works out for you, you won't be going to Iraq any time soon. I would suggest doing some research into that field here: http://professionalsoldiers.com/forums/index.php

I decided that I rather enlist. I prefer to start as an enlisted soldier, and not as an officer. Officership, right now, is not entirely important for me.

I decided that I rather enlist. I prefer to start as an enlisted soldier, and not as an officer. Officership, right now, is not entirely important for me.

If you don't mind me asking why would you rather "start" as enlisted? It is likely that you will never get the opportunity to go to OCS if you take that route.

If you don't mind me asking why would you rather "start" as enlisted? It is likely that you will never get the opportunity to go to OCS if you take that route.

Officership is not a priority for me. If I get my bachelors and if I get accepted into OCS at any given time in my future military career, then good - but if I don't, right now I don't mind. I will have plenty of fun as an enlisted Green Beret (assuming I get through training). Money will probably not be a big issue for me until I grow older and I want to settle down - really, I'm speaking out of my ass, as I don't know what's down the road.

But, at this time, officership is not that important to me.

Officership is not a priority for me. If I get my bachelors and if I get accepted into OCS at any given time in my future military career, then good - but if I don't, right now I don't mind. I will have plenty of fun as an enlisted Green Beret (assuming I get through training). Money will probably not be a big issue for me until I grow older and I want to settle down - really, I'm speaking out of my ass, as I don't know what's down the road.

But, at this time, officership is not that important to me.

Haha, I think your view of military life may be a bit romanticized. SFAS and assuming you make it through SFQC are not going to be fun at all. They will be the worst experiences of your life. You're gonna need at least a 285 or so to even think about getting through SFAS, not that it hasn't been done in the past. And just so you know, with BAH and BAS included, you're going to be making 30,000 tops. I see that you have your mind pretty made up, but I'm just saying that you may look at this decision with regret later on.

But, at this time, officership is not that important to me.

ugh, I'm going to agree with USMC *washes self*

don't be silly please you can do far more good as an officer and generally have a better time both during an after, please take a good hard think unless there is some big pressing issue you should go with trying to be the best you can be..or something

ugh, I'm going to agree with USMC *washes self*

Hehe, about damn time.

Congrats, Macabees, and thanks for your willingness to serve. I'm also going into the Army -- the Army Medical Corps, to be exact. I should find out in a week or two whether they're offering me a commission and a scholarship for the two years I have left in med school.

Be careful. I hope I never have to see you as a patient, but I'm looking forward to being your Army brother.

Watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BS9aykVuzk&mode=related&search=)!

"If you think about it, it's really better that we have them be gay over there than be gay over here." :D

Hey what are the body requirments to enlist like weight height and crap like that

Congrats, Macabees, and thanks for your willingness to serve. I'm also going into the Army -- the Army Medical Corps, to be exact.

:eek: guess who's going to be delivering patients to you...in the event that the Royal and American Medical corps work together (in perfect health of course because I have magic skillz)

Haha, I think your view of military life may be a bit romanticized. SFAS and assuming you make it through SFQC are not going to be fun at all.

Well, obviously, it won't be easy and it will be extremely hard. So? It doesn't make me want to be an officer any more than I already want to be.

You're gonna need at least a 285 or so to even think about getting through SFAS, not that it hasn't been done in the past.

Are you talking about the basic training physical? From what I've researched it's 229, not 285.

And just so you know, with BAH and BAS included, you're going to be making 30,000 tops. I see that you have your mind pretty made up, but I'm just saying that you may look at this decision with regret later on.

I'm expecting to actually make less, although I'm hoping to make some more money after training by taking proficiency exams for a number of languages. Namely, the two languages I learn during training, and Spanish (if accepted) which I am already bilingual in (I am also a citizen of Spain).

Well, obviously, it won't be easy and it will be extremely hard. So? It doesn't make me want to be an officer any more than I already want to be.
Didn't say it would. It's just that you described it as fun and I thought that that was a little funny.


Are you talking about the basic training physical? From what I've researched it's 229, not 285.
Thats good enough to make it to 0 day and get dropped within an hour, not to complete course.


I'm expecting to actually make less, although I'm hoping to make some more money after training by taking proficiency exams for a number of languages. Namely, the two languages I learn during training, and Spanish (if accepted) which I am already bilingual in (I am also a citizen of Spain).
Spanish doesn't get language pay. And you're assuming that you will make it through SFAS and SFQC. Go to the website that I gave you, read, make an account there, read, read, post an intro, read and then maybe ask a question.

Congrats, Macabees, and thanks for your willingness to serve. I'm also going into the Army -- the Army Medical Corps, to be exact. I should find out in a week or two whether they're offering me a commission and a scholarship for the two years I have left in med school.

Be careful. I hope I never have to see you as a patient, but I'm looking forward to being your Army brother.


Congratulations! My friend who joined as 13M wanted to do something similar, but he didn't go to medical school. He's here with me (he leaves in 8 days, so we're just hanging out) and he gives his congratulations, as well!

Hopefully, all us NationStates Army personnel will keep in touch through the game forums.

Hey what are the body requirments to enlist like weight height and crap like that

What's your height and what's your weight? I'm only about 6 lbs less than my maximum of 211lbs. at 74 inches. But, the body fat limit is 26%! :eek: I'm like 15%.

It wouldn't matter saying that i'm only thirteen but lets just say i'm not the leanest but I am balanced between fat and muscle but i'm planning to go to the USNA

It wouldn't matter saying that i'm only thirteen but lets just say i'm not the leanest but I am balanced between fat and muscle but i'm planning to go to the USNA

Good on ya for getting such an early start. I would suggest getting involved in sports like track/x country or wrestling. Also, make sure that you double up on your studying and try to get elected as a class president or captain of a team.

Good on ya for getting such an early start. I would suggest getting involved in sports like track/x country or wrestling. Also, make sure that you double up on your studying and try to get elected as a class president or captain of a team.


Holy crap i'm in Student Body running for VP and i'm a star player on both my Football team and Baseball team

Thanks for the Info

Didn't say it would. It's just that you described it as fun and I thought that that was a little funny.

You know much more than me, so I will agree with you. But, at least in regards to all the physical PTing, I think I'll like it. I've always liked working out hard under the hot sun. I bet it will be hard and I'll probably hate a lot of things, but I don't think it will be too bad.

I guess we'll let time mature me, ey? :D



Thats good enough to make it to 0 day and get dropped within an hour, not to complete course.

Well, the physical requirements for 100 points in the Army are not too difficult. The only thing which I can't get 100 at this time is the 2 mile run. For 100 points I have to make it in 13:00. Right now, it takes me about 14:30 to 15:00, which will get me like 70 points. But, I've been running 5 miles per day so I should be getting this down before I leave. Reminds me of back in high school when I used to run it in 5 minutes.

Nevertheless, I was just pointing out that to qualify you have to get 225, not 285.

Spanish doesn't get language pay.

From the research I've done it's case by case thing, depending on your job, since many people already speak Spanish. Since Spanish is an option for the 18X language training it might count for language pay. We'll see.

And you're assuming that you will make it through SFAS and SFQC.

Of course I am! I rather be optimistic (although at the same time pragmatic), than a pessimist. ;)

Watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BS9aykVuzk&mode=related&search=)!

:D *watches out for fagtosis*

Hey what are the body requirments to enlist like weight height and crap like that

are you sure your asking the right guy what with the royal in the name?

Dude I live in America and i'm proud

GO USA!!!!

are you sure your asking the right guy what with the royal in the name?

He should ask a ranger, given that all Royal Marines are commandos. I didn't catch the 'Royal' though, so the requirements might be more strict. Nevertheless, I'd assume that anybody looking forward to enlisting into the Royal Marines is physically fit to a degree.

You know much more than me, so I will agree with you. But, at least in regards to all the physical PTing, I think I'll like it. I've always liked working out hard under the hot sun. I bet it will be hard and I'll probably hate a lot of things, but I don't think it will be too bad.

I guess we'll let time mature me, ey? :D

Good attitude. Bonus points.



Well, the physical requirements for 100 points in the Army are not too difficult. The only thing which I can't get 100 at this time is the 2 mile run. For 100 points I have to make it in 13:00. Right now, it takes me about 14:30 to 15:00, which will get me like 70 points. But, I've been running 5 miles per day so I should be getting this down before I leave. Reminds me of back in high school when I used to run it in 5 minutes.

Nevertheless, I was just pointing out that to qualify you have to get 225, not 285.

Sounds like you're on track for you physical stuff. And i understand that that 225 is the requirement but if that's all somebody has then they're not going to make it very far.

From the research I've done it's case by case thing, depending on your job, since many people already speak Spanish. Since Spanish is an option for the 18X language training it might count for language pay. We'll see.
We'll I speak spanish and I don't get a dime. You only get the pay if you speak a critical language and currently, Spanish isn't one of them.

Of course I am! I rather be optimistic (although at the same time pragmatic), than a pessimist. ;)

And that's good, just don't plan out your entire future based on something that has a 30% chance or so of panning out.

Nevertheless, I'd assume that anybody looking forward to enlisting into the Royal Marines is physically fit to a degree.

your advised to be able to climb a rope using only your arms

I'm still not sure if that is even human :p

Sounds like you're on track for you physical stuff. And i understand that that 225 is the requirement but if that's all somebody has then they're not going to make it very far.


How many people actually can't make the 71 push-ups by the end of basic? If I could do 50 without working out in two years, how many people can't do 71 after 9 weeks of hell?

We'll I speak spanish and I don't get a dime. You only get the pay if you speak a critical language and currently, Spanish isn't one of them.

That's a shame. What's your MOS? If I get to language training I plan to choose Korean and French - don't know where that will get me. Fortunately, I qualified for all available languages.

And that's good, just don't plan out your entire future based on something that has a 30% chance or so of panning out.

True enough.

How many people actually can't make the 71 push-ups by the end of basic? If I could do 50 without working out in two years, how many people can't do 71 after 9 weeks of hell?
If basic for the Army is anything like Bulldog for Marine nrotc then you're looking at your pft decreasing by the end.


That's a shame. What's your MOS? If I get to language training I plan to choose Korean and French - don't know where that will get me. Fortunately, I qualified for all available languages.
My primary is 0302 and secondary is 0203. If I could get language pay I would probably get it for 0203.

Why are you enlisting?

Hey Macabees -- Good Luck, but give OCS a second and even a fifth reconsideration. I retired out of the Marines in 2000. Air wing all the way. Even as well as our enlisted men were treated, it doesn't even come close to the privilege and opportunity you have as an officer. Not to mention that the pay scale differences are pretty dramatic. It's the difference between food stamps as a married E-3 and spending money as an O-1.

Why are you enlisting?

Read the rest of the thread?

Read the rest of the thread?I did. You talk about your future plans after the military and whatnot, but I don't see anything that can't be accomplished via other methods. Why this particular one?

I did. You talk about your future plans after the military and whatnot, but I don't see anything that can't be accomplished via other methods. Why this particular one?

I'm doing well in college, but for some reason enlisting sounded really appealing to me. Really, the recruiter didn't really have to do anything - in fact, I rarely talk to him (only when I need to get something done). I want to see some adventure.

Good luck and have fun storming the castle.

Well, you come back here in one piece. I really hate to see good young people die for pointless wars.

Well, you come back here in one piece.

That is the general consensus :) ...dnt forget to come back now and again to argue with us on our constantly repeating pointless, and annoying political topics

We wish you the best and good luck

I enlisted a few months ago...gonna be in Field Artillery but if possible I'm gonna switch to 11xray and try and go airborne...They didn't have 11x avaliable when I had my job placement =(..for everyone who doesn't know 11x is Infantry....glad to have you amongst the ranks tho...I leave for Basic the 8th of June...where are you headed to for BT anyways?. I'm off to fort lost in the woods Levenworth =)..

I finally took my physical on Wednesday of last week, and although I have to get an ear lavage before I pass it, I'm pretty much set. With a 91 on my ASVAB and a 114 on the DLAB I'm set for my MOS - 18X - and I'm enlisting into the U.S. Army whenever that ear lavage is finished. I'm pretty stoked. I'm hoping to leave for basic combat training within four weeks (or before), and then I have about two years of training.

I'm pretty anxious to leave!

;)http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/tap.gif;)

I enlisted a few months ago...gonna be in Field Artillery but if possible I'm gonna switch to 11xray and try and go airborne...They didn't have 11x avaliable when I had my job placement =(..for everyone who doesn't know 11x is Infantry....glad to have you amongst the ranks tho...I leave for Basic the 8th of June...where are you headed to for BT anyways?. I'm off to fort lost in the woods Levenworth =)..

Yea, my friend is doing 13M. I'm going to Fort Benning for a while, and then heading out to Fort Bragg.

i heard from my bro's friend said that it really started to suck ass when he got out of training and started actually fighting for the military.

I can certainly see that happening. From the attitude of veterans war is obviously not a good place to be in, no matter how much adventure you're looking for. Right now, I'm not really worried. Be it stupid - OK. I'll get whatever point I will get when it comes time for me to get that point.

Have fun traveling, and pray that they count your trip to Iraq as air miles.

Older men declare war. But its the youth who must fight and die!

Herbert Hoover

Older men declare war. But its the youth who must fight and die!

Herbert Hoover

It's a sin

How many people actually can't make the 71 push-ups by the end of basic? If I could do 50 without working out in two years, how many people can't do 71 after 9 weeks of hell?
It's not just about being able to make the APT scores. They look at so much more than that, but not keeping up on your PT is one of the easiest ways for them to drop you.



That's a shame. What's your MOS? If I get to language training I plan to choose Korean and French - don't know where that will get me. Fortunately, I qualified for all available languages.
Unfortunately French won't get you jack shit either, barring a few special assignments. Korean will. So will Arabic and Japanese. I head to work in a few, I'll try to dig up the list of languages they accept right now. You only make an extra hundred or so for languages, but everything helps right? Make sure you take the DLAB and proficiency tests soonest.

Well done dude.

I spent 5 years in the New Zealand Army, best part of my life

S

Unfortunately French won't get you jack shit either, barring a few special assignments. Korean will. So will Arabic and Japanese. I head to work in a few, I'll try to dig up the list of languages they accept right now. You only make an extra hundred or so for languages, but everything helps right? Make sure you take the DLAB and proficiency tests soonest.


Well, it's not like I have a choice. It's a choice between Spanish, French and Portuguese. I'm already bilingual in Spanish, and I think French will be more useful. In regards to the first language phase I chose Korean.

Well, it's not like I have a choice. It's a choice between Spanish, French and Portuguese. I'm already bilingual in Spanish, and I think French will be more useful. In regards to the first language phase I chose Korean.

I'm not sure I understand. They're mandating you a language course, or those are the only three available right now?

I'm not sure I understand. They're mandating you a language course, or those are the only three available right now?

The way the SF site has it is that there are two different languages you have to learn. The first comprises of several languages that I don't know off the top of my head. These are like Czech, Korean, et cetera. The second 'phase' gives you a choice of Spanish, French and Portuguese. I guess what language you chose in the first 'phase' (they're not called phases, but I can't remember) depends on your DLAB score; I think all languages of the second phase are Category I.

Huh. Interesting. To my knowledge we don't have that setup in the AF. Then again, I didn't enlist.;) And I can't play with SF.

All things considered, you can test in languages you haven't taken official courses for, so don't think that's make or break. If the library at your base is even semi up to par, they have Rosetta Stone courses you can check out free of charge. I'll post the list of special pay languages when I get back tonight.

I went through the 18X program in 2003-2004, and essentially all I have to say is that your PT score is your worth.
If you are serious about pursuing 18x, try to get your 2 mile run under 14 minutes before shipping to basic training, and max push ups and sit ups. You will have to work out on your own throughout many stages of your training. Initially when you get to Benning, you will have anywhere from 4 to 10 days of bs to go through, and no physical exercise. It is during this period that many recruits' previously attained physical fitness level suffers. Work out in the bay when you are not doing anything, do mountain climbers, diamond push ups, any calisthenics you can think of. There are a lot of basic training exercises you can learn about online to get you through it. Later in your basic training cycle (actually OSUT) you will be required to work out on your own to maintain and improve your PT score. After Airborne school, you should be able to max your PT test, otherwise, you will have little chance of even getting to SFAS.
Also, pay attention to Land Nav instruction during OSUT. Although in the pipeline, you will probably get more opportunities, get started early so it sticks in your head. If for any reason you are not able to leave so soon, see if your recruiter will get you the correspondence course materials for Land Navigation.

One note of caution, as I hope you are aware, that ear thing may cause you fail your airborne physical.


And you do know they don't let you drive tanks in the Special Forces, don't you? :p

I
One note of caution, as I hope you are aware, that ear thing may cause you fail your airborne physical.


I just had a lot of wax in my ear.

What happened? Why didn't you complete the program?

-random-

Say, if a handicapped person was to join the army, what would/could they do?

One of the main things in an airborne physical is blowing on some tube and popping your ears. As long as you have it taken care of before you shouldn't have a problem with the wax.

I was hospitalized during training and would prefer not to discuss specifics on an open forum. I did not attend SFAS, but I had already decided I was going to opt out of my 18X contract and take a path to 11B after going through some of the training. During OSUT I spoke to an E-5 who was a "selected non-attend" (someone who was selected during SFAS but opted not to go through the Q course for his own reasons) After speaking with him, another non-drill sergeant in my company who had gone through SFAS, and an active duty Major, I decided I was not ready to take my one and only shot at SFAS and would rather serve as a regular infantryman to gain experience and perspective. My ultimate plan was to apply for SFAS after at least 2 years serving in a line unit or complete my 5 years as an Infantryman. Little did I know I wouldn't get the chance to do either. After I finish my degree I plan to re-enlist, with a medical waiver.


@Maraque: handicapped people are generally not permitted to serve in the military. The only exceptions have been soldiers wounded in action who wished to serve the remainder of their commitment on active duty.

Good luck, stay safe and come back in one piece.

--Goobergunchia's Player

The way the SF site has it is that there are two different languages you have to learn. The first comprises of several languages that I don't know off the top of my head. These are like Czech, Korean, et cetera. The second 'phase' gives you a choice of Spanish, French and Portuguese. I guess what language you chose in the first 'phase' (they're not called phases, but I can't remember) depends on your DLAB score; I think all languages of the second phase are Category I.

You learn the area languages specific to the group that you are assigned to. Each group covers a specific geographical area. 7th group covers S. America and it's languages are Spanish, Portuguese and maybe one other. I would hope that I got in that if I were you b/c of your experience.

Remember to avoid the side of the gun that the bullets come out of.

I'm doing well in college, but for some reason enlisting sounded really appealing to me. Really, the recruiter didn't really have to do anything - in fact, I rarely talk to him (only when I need to get something done). I want to see some adventure.Well, I suppose it would be adventurous, so all I have to say is good luck and take care of yourself.

Kill some Bugs for me, willya? ;)

Thought U.S. Army S.F. only was open to sgt rank and above. Unless your on for OCS, you won't get a shot at the Green Beret for 2 or 3yrs of active service in one of the other combat MOS.

Unless things have changed. (Or if they consider Rangers as S.F. now.)

Anyway, thank you for your willingness to serve. God bless and keep you safe.

Thought U.S. Army S.F. only was open to sgt rank and above. Unless your on for OCS, you won't get a shot at the Green Beret for 2 or 3yrs of active service in one of the other combat MOS.

Unless things have changed. (Or if they consider Rangers as S.F. now.)

Anyway, thank you for your willingness to serve. God bless and keep you safe.

Nowadays, you can go straight to SF after you get through infantry basic and airborne school.

Of course, you still have to pass the SF school...

If you don't pass, you end up in the infantry.

Good luck and thank you for what you are going to do for us. I am confident that as an American soldier you will perform your duties honorably and be a credit to your self, your unit, your nation, and your family. May the Lord bless you so that you may have the strength to overcome adversities and perform the duties that lie before you. Our cause is a right and just one. Thanks again.

Good luck and I hope it will be a good experience for later on in your life.

I've noticed over the years that I've been active that quite a few NSers are serving in various Armed Forces across the world. Would be cool if we could organize a NSGers Serving in the Armed Forces Meeting :p

Good luck man, and don't get hurt! Serve with honor, and know how proud the nation is of you!


Also, does anyone know if the Army still issues cigarettes to the troops?

You're in the army now!
You're not behind the plow!
You'll never get rich
By digging a ditch.
You're in the army now!

:)

XD!! That was great.

Good luck in the army though, I don't think I could ever have the courage to enlist in the Army...so it's nice to see that there are people that do have it ^.^

Thought U.S. Army S.F. only was open to sgt rank and above. Unless your on for OCS, you won't get a shot at the Green Beret for 2 or 3yrs of active service in one of the other combat MOS.

Upon completion of the training you are a sergeant anyways. The training is 1-3 years long. You make E-5 in about 18 months, AFAIK. Or by the end of your training. You skip over E-4.

I don't know how much has changed in the past 3 years but I doubt you skip over E-4 now. You will most likely be promoted to E-4 before attending SFAS, or during SFAS phase I which is what I think they are calling SOPC now, but I'm not sure. But I do highly doubt you will be skipping over E-4
This thread (http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5051924461/m/6861938796) on mil.com has a lot of info about the 18x program and has more up to date info than I do.
Hopefully you have been already been to the socnet forums...

I don't know how much has changed in the past 3 years but I doubt you skip over E-4 now. You will most likely be promoted to E-4 before attending SFAS, or during SFAS phase I which is what I think they are calling SOPC now, but I'm not sure. But I do highly doubt you will be skipping over E-4


Well, skip or not skip, the time as E-4 is 'relatively' short. Whether I skip it or not, I don't think it really matters - but promotion to E-5 by the end of training, I believe, is guaranteed.

Well, skip or not skip, the time as E-4 is 'relatively' short. Whether I skip it or not, I don't think it really matters - but promotion to E-5 by the end of training, I believe, is guaranteed.

Okay, I'm going to make one more argument for going the OCS or if you are only 2 years into college you could even start ROTC (preferably NROTC;) ) and get the rest of college done for free. You can also attempt to make it in SF but you will much more experience going into it which will give you a higher % chance of success. Also, you won't have to worry about the whole E-4 thing cause you'll be 0-1:) . 2 more years of college may not sound too appealing to you right now but in 5 or 10 years you'll realize what a mistake it was not to finish.

It's all bloody alphabet soup in here. I can't make heads or tails of this abbreviated gibberish.

:eek: Mac! I'm USAF, with an EAD of Aug. 7, MOS Cryptologic Linguist! Fancy us both property of Uncle Sam. I wish you the best of luck.

P.S. I beat you on the ASVAB with a 99 :p

Could you be any more insensitive?

Wishing for someone to not get hurt is insensitive?

I finally took my physical on Wednesday of last week, and although I have to get an ear lavage before I pass it, I'm pretty much set. With a 91 on my ASVAB and a 114 on the DLAB I'm set for my MOS - 18X - and I'm enlisting into the U.S. Army whenever that ear lavage is finished. I'm pretty stoked. I'm hoping to leave for basic combat training within four weeks (or before), and then I have about two years of training.

I'm pretty anxious to leave!

Good on you! Try to get into the best unit you can, so you can get more of a positive experience. Aim for Rangers or something equivalent and lean forward into whatever you do. You don't want to come off a few years of pump gas for experience. You can do that in civvie life. The better units also have better morale and more chance of you coming out of wherever you go in one piece, because the people around you are more switched on and want to be there.

Make sure you can run 10 klicks without being completely gassed and work on your pull ups before your go into training, since most people to the pushups but forget about those. Too many people treat the military as a gym they're joining. If you go in really fit and focused you'll be able to enjoy your experienced better than a lot of recruits will.

I finally took my physical on Wednesday of last week, and although I have to get an ear lavage before I pass it, I'm pretty much set. With a 91 on my ASVAB and a 114 on the DLAB I'm set for my MOS - 18X - and I'm enlisting into the U.S. Army whenever that ear lavage is finished. I'm pretty stoked. I'm hoping to leave for basic combat training within four weeks (or before), and then I have about two years of training.

I'm pretty anxious to leave!

So, what language do you think you'll study? My daughter got a 112 on the DLAB and ended up studying Mandarin Chinese. She was striking for crypto-tech, is that close to your MOS?

Well, okay. Be safe, have fun, and don't be killed.

Or else we might have a thread dedicated to you.

Well, okay. Be safe, have fun, and don't be killed.

Or else we might have a thread dedicated to you.

With his high scores on the ASVAB and DLAB, they're not going to put him in the infantry. They're going to train him as an analyst or some such.

No, if he does not make it through the 18x program he will be an 11b, infantryman. If he already spoke Arabic or another high priority language, that would be another story.

Enlisting in the ArmyWhat will you be fighting for? For the same things the Maccabees fought for?

Unfortunately French won't get you jack shit either, barring a few special assignments. Korean will. So will Arabic and Japanese.

Yep, I went with Arabic myself. Became very useful to me in many ways. Also want to add to that above list Farsi for obvious reasons.

Good luck buddy. i just got done with my tech training in the Air Force, hopefully you find your job as interesting as i do mine.

Watch your six

Although I see the necessity of armies, I have serious doubts about the characters which join an army where service is not mandatory. Who else but nationalists and folks with a killing urge would join an army without need?

Although I see the necessity of armies, I have serious doubts about the characters which join an army where service is not mandatory. Who else but nationalists and folks with a killing urge would join an army without need?

And what, pray tell, is wrong with nationalism?

In any case, the military, in general is not a vehicle for killers. Community service is of paramount importance - military personnel donate time, labor, money and intellect to the communities where they serve. If there's a flood, a fire, a storm - you'll find military people lending aid, both as individuals and as part of their units. This is part of their purpose. When my kids joined the Navy, one of the reasons they gave is that they wanted to give back and they felt this was one way they could do so. If you look at the military today, you're not going to find trained killers. You are going to find people who understand teamwork and cooperation, who understand that intellectual force works better than brute force and that brute force is only a final resort. If you want to look at killers, look at politicians.

And what, pray tell, is wrong with nationalism?Everything. It's just one step short of national socialism.

In any case, the military, in general is not a vehicle for killers. Community service is of paramount importance - military personnel donate time, labor, money and intellect to the communities where they serve. If there's a flood, a fire, a storm - you'll find military people lending aid, both as individuals and as part of their units. This is part of their purpose. When my kids joined the Navy, one of the reasons they gave is that they wanted to give back and they felt this was one way they could do so. If you look at the military today, you're not going to find trained killers. You are going to find people who understand teamwork and cooperation, who understand that intellectual force works better than brute force and that brute force is only a final resort. If you want to look at killers, look at politicians.In the end, the army is the killing tool in the hands of the government to create havoc abroad (cf. Iraq). After all the US army is the means to gain military dominance for the US on this planet and to impose US rule in areas that are allegedly the US's enemies.

Although I see the necessity of armies, I have serious doubts about the characters which join an army where service is not mandatory. Who else but nationalists and folks with a killing urge would join an army without need?

It's about brotherhood. I just spent the evening getting fabulously drunk with a bunch of guy s I hadn't served with in 10 years and it was like we'd just been in field with each other yesterday. You just can't make the kind of bonds in civvie life, whether or not you think you can. There's just no comparison. You can't get that kind of shared intensity on civvie street no matter what you do. That's what makes it worth it. Now if you don't mind I'll be seeing what my girlfriend and the spins have in mind tonight. :D

Everything. It's just one step short of national socialism.

In the end, the army is the killing tool in the hands of the government to create havoc abroad (cf. Iraq). After all the US army is the means to gain military dominance for the US on this planet and to impose US rule in areas that are allegedly the US's enemies.

True but the character of the people that join are not necessarily killers nor nationalists necessarily I have known people to join because they did not know what else to do with their life, or because it was the easiest avenue for advancement out of a bad situation (or they thought it was anyways) there are tones of reasons that people join, sure some of them are as you described but many are not

I do not have to agree with their decision it is one I absolutely would not make myself but I am not so simplistic to think that there are not a plethora of reasons for joining (as they see them anyways).

Wow.....that's a real downer...Anyway, Why'd you pick Army? Why not the Marines?

It's about brotherhood. I just spent the evening getting fabulously drunk with a bunch of guy s I hadn't served with in 10 years and it was like we'd just been in field with each other yesterday. You just can't make the kind of bonds in civvie life, whether or not you think you can. There's just no comparison. You can't get that kind of shared intensity on civvie street no matter what you do. That's what makes it worth it. Now if you don't mind I'll be seeing what my girlfriend and the spins have in mind tonight. :D

Bull shit ... your elitism is about as valid as the stiff necked anti military stance's I have made friends as you described in all sorts of walks of life people I would die for and I had no need for the military to archive that friendship. A bond and an understanding were more then enough for me.

I would never join the military while the government and foreign policy objective they serve is inherently reactionary and interventionist, I would only join a military body as part of a popular armed rebellion in favor of my views, nothing else though.

Bull shit ... your elitism is about as valid as the stiff necked anti military stance's I have made friends as you described in all sorts of walks of life people I would die for and I had no need for the military to archive that friendship. A bond and an understanding were more then enough for me.

Your quick to call Bullshit when there is no need to. He had a point and is trying to generalize what it feels to have that bond to guys that you serve with. I can say that my three tank mates I had in Desert Storm are friends for life in many ways that a lot of my other good friends won't be. Something about being with a group of guys while being shot at and surviving that is difficult to match in regular life. I am betting that is what the poster was trying to convey.

In the end, the army is the killing tool in the hands of the government to create havoc abroad (cf. Iraq). After all the US army is the means to gain military dominance for the US on this planet and to impose US rule in areas that are allegedly the US's enemies.

The main reason for existence of the military and it's main task is deterrence. The vast majority of the time the military is not used. It is only there for the purpose of a deterrent to our enemies. If need be it is used to kill the "enemy". The vast majority of the time it is used for other purposes such as humanitarian and deterrence.