[QUOTE=Desert Rat;35826763]I am really liking the idea of being an field artillery crewman (possibly 13M or 13D, but I'm still looking). Just one last question that I'm sure is asked many times but I can't seem to find a definitive answer. Service lengths. I read that for, at least for the marines, you are deployed for a few months at a time then go home for about a year and repeat until your contract is up. Does the same work for the Army? I have a friend whos brother did a tour in the army and isnt going back unless called upon during his 8 year contract.
SKEEA I cannot thank you enough for your suggestion. Ever since you mentioned it I've been thinking a lot about it and I really really like the idea and have a very good feeling about it. You've been a big help to me.[/QUOTE]
I am glad I could help. Every soldier has an initial 8 year contract. It works like this. You have a certain number of years active, and that is the time you will actually be doing your job. The remaining years you are in what is called "ready reserve" in which the Army can recall you back to active service. Don't worry though, you would only be recalled if say something like ww3 happened. Anyways, deployments in the Army are 9 months at the current moment. I am not sure what deployment schedules are like for combat arms jobs though. It depends upon what assignment you get. usually it is a 9 month deployment, then you are home for as long as your unit is what is called "stable" in that it does not have another deployment coming up for a while. I am going to Ft. Campbell next week to go to a new unit, and there are 2 that I might get assigned to. 7-17 air cav which is stable for a few years, or 2-17 air cav which has a deployment in september. Oh and, you are very welcome. The more I can help upcoming servicemembers be prepared for service, the better.
[QUOTE=SKEEA;35826974]I am glad I could help. Every soldier has an initial 8 year contract. It works like this. You have a certain number of years active, and that is the time you will actually be doing your job. The remaining years you are in what is called "ready reserve" in which the Army can recall you back to active service. Don't worry though, you would only be recalled if say something like ww3 happened. Anyways, deployments in the Army are 9 months at the current moment. I am not sure what deployment schedules are like for combat arms jobs though. It depends upon what assignment you get. usually it is a 9 month deployment, then you are home for as long as your unit is what is called "stable" in that it does not have another deployment coming up for a while. I am going to Ft. Campbell next week to go to a new unit, and there are 2 that I might get assigned to. 7-17 air cav which is stable for a few years, or 2-17 air cav which has a deployment in september. Oh and, you are very welcome. The more I can help upcoming servicemembers be prepared for service, the better.[/QUOTE]
So it is for certain after 1 tour I will be recalled for another within my 8 years?
[QUOTE=Desert Rat;35827016]So it is for certain after 1 tour I will be recalled for another within my 8 years?[/QUOTE]
Here is how the contract system works. You have a certain number of years active duty, where you are at a duty station (Army Post) and perform your job. During this time, deployments come up from time to time. For example, I have a six year contract with 2 years ready reserve. If I choose to not reenlist after my six years is up, I will go back to being a civilian, but in those 2 years if world war 3 or red dawn happens, then the Army will recall you back into active service. After those 2 years of ready reserve are up, the Army can't touch you. Now, if you like the Army and you choose to reenlist after your active duty term is up, then you get another contract with an amount of years active. 6 year contracts are usually for people that have very technical jobs like mine. For combat arms it could usually be as low as 2. I am not sure they do that anymore however, and I think the minimum is usually 4. Don't quote me on that though, they still might be doing 2 year contracts with 6 year ready reserve. Hope that clears it up.
[QUOTE=SKEEA;35827737]Here is how the contract system works. You have a certain number of years active duty, where you are at a duty station (Army Post) and perform your job. During this time, deployments come up from time to time. For example, I have a six year contract with 2 years ready reserve. If I choose to not reenlist after my six years is up, I will go back to being a civilian, but in those 2 years if world war 3 or red dawn happens, then the Army will recall you back into active service. After those 2 years of ready reserve are up, the Army can't touch you. Now, if you like the Army and you choose to reenlist after your active duty term is up, then you get another contract with an amount of years active. 6 year contracts are usually for people that have very technical jobs like mine. For combat arms it could usually be as low as 2. I am not sure they do that anymore however, and I think the minimum is usually 4. Don't quote me on that though, they still might be doing 2 year contracts with 6 year ready reserve. Hope that clears it up.[/QUOTE]
Ah so you have six years of active duty and 2 years of ready reserve? Sorry if I'm being kind of stupid haha. I just want to know how long I'll have to be overseas. I don't want to be doing the army all my life.
[QUOTE=Desert Rat;35827918]Ah so you have six years of active duty and 2 years of ready reserve? Sorry if I'm being kind of stupid haha. I just want to know how long I'll have to be overseas. I don't want to be doing the army all my life.[/QUOTE]
It depends. If you get assigned to one of our bases overseas, like the ones in Germany, Italy, Korea, Alaska, or Hawaii, then that will be your permanent duty station for a few years. Chances are that you will be assigned to a post in one of the 48 states that are contiguous though. I got assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky.
I've been told that if you want to make a decent career out of being an infantry NCO, you'll end up in SOF.
[QUOTE=WubWubWompWomp;35832675]I've been told that if you want to make a decent career out of being an infantry NCO, you'll end up in SOF.[/QUOTE]
You never just end up in Special Forces. It is an extremely long and grueling process.
Graduated 11C OSUT at Sand Hill.
[QUOTE=SKEEA;35833952]You never just end up in Special Forces. It is an extremely long and grueling process.[/QUOTE]
I thought I wrote, "you should try to end up in SOF."
Just graduated basic a couple days ago and got to fort lee to start my EOD training in the following weeks. So far it's been pretty nice, although Jackson I think was a bit easier than it should have been.
EOD? That shit's like a year-long AIT.
[QUOTE=SKEEA;35833952]You never just end up in Special Forces. It is an extremely long and grueling process.[/QUOTE]
Well you can get seal contracts right off the bat, same with force recon. Doesn't guarantee that you'll make it, but it's the fastest route to it.
[QUOTE=Desert Rat;35827016]So it is for certain after 1 tour I will be recalled for another within my 8 years?[/QUOTE]
For Marine infantry Active Duty contracts, the standard is 4 years of Active Duty, then 4 years of Inactive Reserve. Like SKEEA mentioned, the 4 years of Inactive reserve will only recall you if WW3 or some bad shit happens (Aliens invade earth.)
Regular combat/non-combat deployments are about 7 months overseas. The time in statesides varies very widely. I've seen guys barely come to the unit and train for only a few months then get deployed to Afghan or Iraq and then we've had guys spend like a year and a half back statesides then deploy. Another thing to mention too, even as a grunt, you might be doing a lot of non-combat deployments. Usually what they call MEUs(Marine Expeditionary Unit.) Basically, you get on a ship with the navy and sail around the world, training with different countries armies, hitting ports, getting drunk, fucking hookers, etc. Usually these days, it's either MEUs or combat deployments straight to Afghan. With the wars winding down though, the MEUs will most likely start increasing.
If you have any other questions (daily life in the grunts, combat, etc.), feel free to hit me up.
Oh and the water part, you only have to do swim qual in boot camp. It's very easy, the lowest level, I think is swimming from one side of the pool and back in Cammies and boots. I forget the specifics. Sometimes though, we do train in the pool, usually jumping off the high dive, treading water, buddy dragging. Our infantry company was also what they call a 'boat company.' We operated with those black rubber zodiac dinghys. For that though, you will be spending alot of time in the ocean swimming and all kinds of shit. Experience varies. Their is one gaurentee: You will get stuck up in bullshit and you will be angry. Usually Garrison crap.
So I got back from my RSP drill this weekend. I worked as a cadre and talked to the recruits about what the fuck to expect from Basic Training. Next month I'll be outprocessed into my actual unit and then I can actually get some work done
[QUOTE=UncleJimmema;35856974]Well you can get seal contracts right off the bat, same with force recon. Doesn't guarantee that you'll make it, but it's the fastest route to it.[/QUOTE]
The thing is, is that if you want to be SF, you can't just say "Well, this has been fun but it's civvy time".
No.
Special Forces are "Special" because they're always on call and rarely think about anything else when in the field.
[QUOTE=Zillamaster55;35857380]The thing is, is that if you want to be SF, you can't just say "Well, this has been fun but it's civvy time".
No.
Special Forces are "Special" because they're always on call and rarely think about anything else when in the field.[/QUOTE]
lol wut? You don't know what it means to be human. Just because special forces guys are the best of the best doesn't mean they sit in the barracks all day when not in the field doing push ups and practicing how to kill people with their thumb. The 3 recon guys and 1 seal I know party hard as shit when they're off duty.
[QUOTE=Zillamaster55;35857380]The thing is, is that if you want to be SF, you can't just say "Well, this has been fun but it's civvy time".
No.
Special Forces are "Special" because they're always on call and rarely think about anything else when in the field.[/QUOTE]
aren't you like 14
don't think that's how it works
[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;35856399]EOD? That shit's like a year-long AIT.[/QUOTE]
Dude, Lee is just the first stage and it's designed to be 10-12 weeks long depending on when you get in your first classes. A few of these guys have been here for 22 and they're finally moving onto the next stage. The drop-outs, we just met one who has been here for 19 months. Quickest way through is to graduate.
[QUOTE=Zillamaster55;35857380]The thing is, is that if you want to be SF, you can't just say "Well, this has been fun but it's civvy time".
No.
Special Forces are "Special" because they're always on call and rarely think about anything else when in the field.[/QUOTE]
All the recon and spec op guys I know rage pretty hard while on liberty lol.
Just got to Fort Campbell on thursday. Pretty cool, still getting my bearings though.
What sort of thing should i bring to basic in terms of toiletries?
[QUOTE=Zamped;36162077]What sort of thing should i bring to basic in terms of toiletries?[/QUOTE]
Don't believe people that say you shouldn't bring them, first of all. Soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving cream, razor, and maybe even a roll of 2 ply toilet paper. Make sure all of these items are in a securable plastic bag. They are going to make you buy a hygiene kit when you are in reception, so you can keep all of your toiletries in that after you get it. Also, baby wipes are great for BCT as well. When they dump out all of your stuff on day zero, you want to keep track of your items.
[QUOTE=SKEEA;36167264]Don't believe people that say you shouldn't bring them, first of all. Soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving cream, razor, and maybe even a roll of 2 ply toilet paper. Make sure all of these items are in a securable plastic bag. They are going to make you buy a hygiene kit when you are in reception, so you can keep all of your toiletries in that after you get it. Also, baby wipes are great for BCT as well. When they dump out all of your stuff on day zero, you want to keep track of your items.[/QUOTE]
They just issued us all of that stuff. It was all sitting in a duffle bag along with a bunch of other random crap that we needed.
Speaking of bags, and this is an odd question that popped into my head, are you able to keep your Backpack/Bag when you are no longer deployed/in the service?
[QUOTE=Zillamaster55;36174367]Speaking of bags, and this is an odd question that popped into my head, are you able to keep your Backpack/Bag when you are no longer deployed/in the service?[/QUOTE]
You're paying for it so yeah.
[QUOTE=InvaderNouga;36178186]You're paying for it so yeah.[/QUOTE]
(as you already know) we actually pay for everything we get when it comes to uniforms, military clothing (with certain exceptions) food, living expenses, etc. It's just it's all taken out before we see it. With base pay I make somewhere around $21,000. Including everything else it's more around $32,000.
My new unit offered me a mission to S. Korea over the summer. Less than a few minutes into my unit I get a chance to go overseas for a few weeks. Sweet.
[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;36178709]My new unit offered me a mission to S. Korea over the summer. Less than a few minutes into my unit I get a chance to go overseas for a few weeks. Sweet.[/QUOTE]
That's p. cool.
[QUOTE=UncleJimmema;36178686](as you already know) we actually pay for everything we get when it comes to uniforms, military clothing (with certain exceptions) food, living expenses, etc. It's just it's all taken out before we see it. With base pay I make somewhere around $21,000. Including everything else it's more around $32,000.[/QUOTE]
Wow, you guys get payed a lot less than the Aussie army guys. Base pay starts at around 50k.
I live on the poverty line, lol. Gotta love junior sailor pay.
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