thinking about joining the army.

[bluefields88]

well, I'm considering joining the army as a mechanic. I'm jobless and I'm just going to junior college. I'm really on the fence, just considering it really. anyone on here in the service have anything to say?

[Sarge]

Best thing I ever did was join the military. Go for it son....

[ztrouble]

jsut make sure you reseach reasearch research.... then get everything you want in writing in your contract before you sign it... im going AF in march

[ATCharming]

sarge how come u dont help out in my thread lol. (if u do see my thread, dont mind the b.s.)

im kind of in the same situation. tho im only 16, and i have jobs, id still like to join the national guard for all the benefits they provide. id like to see what other ppl have to tell u also

[bluefields88]

I'm thinking mechanic because it's something I would like to do and I think you'd stay on base right?

[Speedy_Gonzales]

imo @ war time .....NO

[ATCharming]

imo @ war time .....NO

but we just pulled out 30k soldiers...

[bluefields88]

but we just pulled out 30k soldiers...

that doesn't matter, they pull some guys out, put some more guys in.

[sgt0704]

honestly, at this point, if you're going to join, go Air Force or Marines. here's why.

Air Force:

Has the hottest chicks. the best living arrangments, and they take care of their people like no one else.. they have decent bases to go to. they have the "community college of the AF." so, essentially, all the schooling you do will be accredited. and they don't deploy to Iraq for 15 months. However, promotions suck. i've seen guys get promoted at decent rate, and i've seen guys remain an E-5 til they reach their 20 year mark. from my understanding inorder to make rank, you have to pass the a written test, as well as have good evals.

the Marines:

the toughest branch. we get the discomforts of the Army and Navy, with the wonderful benefits of Port calls the Navy gets to enjoy. Embassy duty can net you a tour in Australia. Marines get more respect than any of the other branches. and our blues can't be touched.

"No, Navy, even your whites aren't as hot as our blues."

Our chicks are "ok". Our bases aren't the greatest, but their in decent locations. well.. the ones on the west coast are nice. with any rule though, there are exceptions, and 29 palms is definately the exception. that place sucks. our deployments range from 7 months to 12 months. but being a Motor T guy, you're probably going to be on the 7 month tours. you get more responsibility at a lower rank than the other services. i.e. At E-4 you're a CPL... A NCO.. The Army will try to claim the same thing, however, they have more specialist at E-4 than they do Cpl's.

The Navy also makes "Petty Officers" at E-4. but in the Navy, if you're not a Chief "E-7" your rank really doesn't mean shit.. you're just another Sailor scrubbing shit out of the non skid. (i've seen it)

Our promotions aren't based on how well you can take a written test. they're based on a whole Marine concept. So rifle scores, PFT scores and your profeciency and conduct all get factored into your "score" for promotion. we also have "MCI's" (basically Marine Corps Correspondance courses) that you have to do. they are also worth points. how fast or slow you get promoted, is seriously on you. unlike the other branches you have many opportunites every year to get promoted. not just the once a year exam like the other services.

i'm not trying to make this a "The Corps is better than everyone" thread. But what i'm saying is if you're going to do it, do it all the way. Either live the cushy life in the Air Force, or live the real military life in the Marines.

[Speedy_Gonzales]

but we just pulled out 30k soldiers...

Bush prepares for his Thursday night address, in which he’s expected to endorse Gen. David Petraeus’ call to gradually withdraw 30,000 troops from Iraq, which would keep approximately 130,000 U.S. soldiers there by next summer.


only pulling them out little by little

[B34M3R]

Generally you would be on a base, but not always. It really depends on what vehicle/equipment you end up being assigned to.

Personally, I think its a good idea... I very nearly went AF

[sgt0704]

what ever decision you make, good luck..

p.s. i know the Army throws a lot of money around to get people to join. the main thing is, is you join the Marine Corps because you want to be a Marine. Not because the Corps is going to give you a $20k bonus to join.

and remember, that $20k get's taxed like a mother fucker. something like 25%. so you may see $13k of it. and it may turn around to bite you in the ass on tax time. just something to think about...

[sgt0704]

No MOS guarntee's you stay on base. even Being a weather guy, which most time is spent behind a desk doesn't mean you won't go out side the wire. the next group of guys coming our are going to be doing security.. sucks for them...

and being motor t, you may be part of a "contact" team. basically, you go out, and retrieve broken down vehicles.. sometimes having to fix them on the spot, depending on the situation..

[bluefields88]

both my grandpas were in the Air Force in Korea. my mom's dad loaded ammo onto the jets and my other grandpa was a pilot. I have a heart murmur and horrible eye sight, so i definitely couldn't fly a plane. and Marines seem a little too hardcore for me, being the first in and what not. I'm not really worried about being deployed, it's just where I would end up if I were to be deployed. I definitely would not want to be on the front line.

[1flynDO]

I was enlisted and am now an officer. I'm in the guard and was active for 5 years. I am finishing off medical school. Listen the mechanics have long shitty hours in BFE. Good luck getting some credits for it on the civilian side. Google ACES for the army they convert MOS's into credits. Joining was one of the best things I have ever done.

Carlos
2LT MSC
OMSII

[bluefields88]

what's MOS and BFE?

[sgt0704]

dude, the only ones that fly planes in the Air Force is Officers. so dont' think just because you go Air Force, you're going to fly.

they have trucks that need fixed in the Air Force too..

and you say deploying isn't a big deal... and it's not. but when you have the choice of being stuck in this shit hole (iraq) for 7 months, or 15 months, the choice becomes much much clearer.

[sgt0704]

MOS = military occupational specialty ( your job)

BFE = bum fuck egypt (iraq)

don't be an air craft mech.... they work 18 hr days. fuck that....

[sgt0704]

and having a heart murmur, you may not pass the medical screening anyway.. regardless of the branch you choose.

[bluefields88]

clearer indeed