Thinking of Joining the Military? V2 - General

[QUOTE=Apache249;37611071]What do you mean by "getting air assault?" Like being "promoted" to Blackhawks or something?[/QUOTE] People in 101st get Air Assault training because their duty station is an air assault training school and they are in an air assault division.

[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;37611860]People in 101st get Air Assault training because their duty station is an air assault training school and they are in an air assault division.[/QUOTE] But if he's already in it, then why hasn't he had it yet?

[QUOTE=Apache249;37611985]But if he's already in it, then why hasn't he had it yet?[/QUOTE] Usually combat MOS's get priority to get the air assault training, he's not combat and he doesn't regularly perform sling-load ops or rapel on a day-to-day basis as compared to his infantrymen.

I haven't had air assault school yet because literally as soon as I got to my unit we started prepping for deployment. Half the troop is going when we get back though. Since everyone in the division wants a slot for Air Assault School there is quite a wait to get a slot yourself. Just 9 more months and I will be back in the states, then after leave I will put in a request for a slot.

Who knew 18 hour shifts would hurt SO FUCKING MUCH!

[QUOTE=Fhenexx;37611430]I know this is an incredibly vague and probably stupid question, but what exactly is American ROTC like? I mean, how exactly does the whole post-secondary education work? Does the military pick my major? Do I have to do PT training every day? How does the training go while I'm going to college? What if I decide to drop out of ROTC midway if I have second thoughts? Is there a penalty? Can I even do it? Once I go in, am I locked in for however long it takes to get through college plus the 4-8 years of required military service? Is it possible to negotiate where I am deployed? Do you just go to one college or do the classes rotate universities based on deployment or something? I have a lot of other questions, but I'd just like a good overview of it, and I reckon this is the best place to ask it. Can anyone help me out? [editline]10th September 2012[/editline] On a related note, I know DADT has been repealed, but how does the military seem to treat homosexuality in general?[/QUOTE] You pick your major. PT is MWF at my school, though they offer TR PT as well. Training is set up in a 2 hour class and a 2 hour lab, each week. The lab is the field training, the class is out of the book. You can drop ROTC so long as you have not contracted yet, when you contract you are telling the US military that, once you get your Bachelors, you will accept a commission as an officer. Deployment/Branch is determined by a system of points; the better you do in labs and FTXs, and the more extracurricular activities you do, the more points you get towards your commission. Every year, the military puts out how many 2LT slots they have open and where, and those with the highest points get their desired slot, and those with the lowest get what's left over (usually transportation or something like that.) While you are contracted, you cannot be forcibly deployed until you have finished your degree. [editline]10th September 2012[/editline] Also, with homosexuality, In basic we [I]tolerated[/I] that one flamboyant guy, but for the most part, either people looked down upon for it if they are open or seem like it. It's just how the world works though. You're different, people are going to treat you different. I wish it wasn't like that, the soldier in my basic was a good soldier, and he should've been treated a bit better.

I was thinking about joining the military because my grades suck, and don't have much else going for me. Then I found out that I'm not eligible because I have asthma. :suicide: Only seems to be getting worst as I get older, so I don't think I'll be outgrowing it.

If you were thinking about joining the military because your grades suck, then another career choice would be better. Asthma was waiverable at some point, but we needed people then. Now, something worse than having asthma is having bad grades. The military does not want people with poor grades. Poor grades show that you lack dedication. Also, education is valuable in the military. I know that in the Army, it is now pretty much getting to the point where you will need a degree in order to be competitive enough to get promoted to Sergeant. They already upped the promotion points you need. Now, if you really want to do well, you will work your hardest in order to get those grades up. Grades are hugely important for any civilian employment. They are what make you competitive, as well as getting higher levels of education. If you just settle on bad grades, then you are going to be shooting yourself in the foot, and it is a big bullet. [editline]10th September 2012[/editline] Also, about the whole homosexual thing, it really depends on the unit. My unit is fucking amazing, we don't care who you are, what you like, or where you come from. If you do your job to OUR standard then that is good enough for us. Of course, Aviation is a little different than other branches. [editline]10th September 2012[/editline] Sorry if that was extremely blunt.

[QUOTE=Brotha Josh;37615550]I was thinking about joining the military because my grades suck, and don't have much else going for me.[/QUOTE] Are you in college or high school right now? As far as I can tell academic performance in either of those two categories don't correlate to how well you'll do in the military. I went to college for two years myself and didn't like because I was studying a subject I didn't like but found a job in the military that I love, and I'm currently finishing my degree in a related field. SKEEA's right that college education is pretty much required for staying competitive for promotion to E-5 and above, but there are plenty of opportunities to take college courses right on base when you're in. [editline]10th September 2012[/editline] Also no one I've encountered in the military gives a fuck about your sexuality. All of that controversy about having people being openly gay in the military affecting unit cohesion was a bunch of political bullshit. There were several people in my unit that were openly gay even before DADT was repealed and nobody gave a fuck. In combat arms it [i]may[/i] be a little different (I wouldn't really know), but they are our brothers and sisters and arms and who they love or choose to have relations with has nothing to do with how we view them as comrades.

I started reception just before midnight before september 20th, so we got a little speech about how we were the first class going through with it and how nobody gives a shit if you're gay. There were no gay dudes that I know of, but seemingly half the females (Ft Jackson) were lesbians. We actually had a little discussion in our bay about what we would do if they had a gay child, and literally all but 2 people said it wouldn't make a difference, I was kind of surprised.

[QUOTE=WastedJamacan;37615491]You pick your major. PT is MWF at my school, though they offer TR PT as well. Training is set up in a 2 hour class and a 2 hour lab, each week. The lab is the field training, the class is out of the book. You can drop ROTC so long as you have not contracted yet, when you contract you are telling the US military that, once you get your Bachelors, you will accept a commission as an officer. Deployment/Branch is determined by a system of points; the better you do in labs and FTXs, and the more extracurricular activities you do, the more points you get towards your commission. Every year, the military puts out how many 2LT slots they have open and where, and those with the highest points get their desired slot, and those with the lowest get what's left over (usually transportation or something like that.) While you are contracted, you cannot be forcibly deployed until you have finished your degree. [editline]10th September 2012[/editline] Also, with homosexuality, In basic we [I]tolerated[/I] that one flamboyant guy, but for the most part, either people looked down upon for it if they are open or seem like it. It's just how the world works though. You're different, people are going to treat you different. I wish it wasn't like that, the soldier in my basic was a good soldier, and he should've been treated a bit better.[/QUOTE] Thanks a bunch for all the answers; it clears my mind of quite a few things, but I do still have quite a few more questions. For example, how much does my major play into what I get deployed as? Or does it not really play into it at all? Also, how far in do you get contracted? Also I was pretty certain homosexuality was pretty well tolerated in the military, but I just wanted to make sure. Thankfully, I'm not exactly flamboyant so I guess things'll probably work out pretty well hopefully. But thanks to all of you for the answering this, too, though.

Major has no effect on your branch. And what do you mean by "how far in"?

[QUOTE=Fhenexx;37621008]Thanks a bunch for all the answers; it clears my mind of quite a few things, but I do still have quite a few more questions. For example, how much does my major play into what I get deployed as? Or does it not really play into it at all? Also, how far in do you get contracted? Also I was pretty certain homosexuality was pretty well tolerated in the military, but I just wanted to make sure. Thankfully, I'm not exactly flamboyant so I guess things'll probably work out pretty well hopefully. But thanks to all of you for the answering this, too, though.[/QUOTE] The needs of the DOD/Army/Navy/MarineCorps/AirForce influence when you will be deployed. If you have an essential rate/MOS then expect to be deployed. Also once you sign your contract at MEPS you're under contract.

In Russia this thread would've been called "Thinking to escape joining the Military?"

I really want to join the Marines, As long as I can pass basic and the ASVAB they can whip me into whatever shape I need to be in right?

[QUOTE=Zerokateo;37627904]I really want to join the Marines, As long as I can pass basic and the ASVAB they can whip me into whatever shape I need to be in right?[/QUOTE] It is much better to prepare beforehand. The Marine Corps places a huge emphasis on physical fitness, so get ready before you join. Preparing beforehand makes the difference from Boot Camp being either really tough, or fun. Don't be "that guy".

[QUOTE=SKEEA;37628177]It is much better to prepare beforehand. The Marine Corps places a huge emphasis on physical fitness, so get ready before you join. Preparing beforehand makes the difference from Boot Camp being either really tough, or fun. Don't be "that guy".[/QUOTE] I really wouldn't call it fun, at least while you're in it. Yeah in retrospect a lot of it was fun, but while you're in it it just sucks.

[QUOTE=SKEEA;37628177]It is much better to prepare beforehand. The Marine Corps places a huge emphasis on physical fitness, so get ready before you join. Preparing beforehand makes the difference from Boot Camp being either really tough, or fun. Don't be "that guy".[/QUOTE] Well I mean I'll try to be in the best physical shape possible but I don't wan't to be worried about being in shape just to pass basic just for them to not whip me into better shape if that were to occur.

My friend from basic apparently won soldier of the quarter, is that an Army wide thing?

[QUOTE=SKEEA;37616315]If you were thinking about joining the military because your grades suck, then another career choice would be better. Asthma was waiverable at some point, but we needed people then. Now, something worse than having asthma is having bad grades. The military does not want people with poor grades. Poor grades show that you lack dedication. Also, education is valuable in the military. I know that in the Army, it is now pretty much getting to the point where you will need a degree in order to be competitive enough to get promoted to Sergeant. They already upped the promotion points you need. Now, if you really want to do well, you will work your hardest in order to get those grades up. Grades are hugely important for any civilian employment. They are what make you competitive, as well as getting higher levels of education. If you just settle on bad grades, then you are going to be shooting yourself in the foot, and it is a big bullet. [editline]10th September 2012[/editline] Also, about the whole homosexual thing, it really depends on the unit. My unit is fucking amazing, we don't care who you are, what you like, or where you come from. If you do your job to OUR standard then that is good enough for us. Of course, Aviation is a little different than other branches. [editline]10th September 2012[/editline] Sorry if that was extremely blunt.[/QUOTE] It's not just the grades, just at the time I posted that I didn't really feel like typing out all of my reasons for wanting to join the military. It's not that I don't have dedication. I was put into a special education program when I was younger for ADD that I don't actually have. I just have a short attention span, which doesn't really bother me when I'm doing something I want to do. When they realized that I don't actually have ADD, they took me out of the special education classes, and put me back into the regular classes. But those few short years in special ed really held me back, and now I just have a hard time keeping up with the rest of the class. Not only that, but I'm just generally really bad at taking tests. If I study, I still end up with shit test scores. I've tried to do well in school, its fucking hard. I was being dramatic, I don't have shitty grades, but I have grades that won't do me much in the real world. Being optimistic, my current GPA is 2.5. I just started senior year, which is the year that colleges look at the least, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try.

[QUOTE=jaredop;37629201]My friend from basic apparently won soldier of the quarter, is that an Army wide thing?[/QUOTE] generally it's company wide or battalion wide

I am going to the TF No Mercy Soldier of the month boards soon. So are all of my platoon mates. I can feel that SPC waiver slipping away.

[QUOTE=Reserved Parkin;37610297]I appreciate your attempting to be nice, but for me it did give me purpose. Back when I just graduated High school, I was a punk ass little snot. I had no discipline, no car, no money, and my grades were average. After I did 4 years in the .mil, I now have discipline, a clear sense of purpose, financial knowledge, over 15 thousand saved up in my bank from deployments, a car, my own apartment and a good paying job. Oh and I got myself an xbox. Not to mention I made some of the best friends I have ever known. Ones who went to hell and back with me. But yeah, do whatever you want with your life. Just know this: If it weren't for all the fine gentlemen in this thread, the US would draft kids like you out of your little comfy couches and into the war. Remember that.[/QUOTE] I don't doubt for a moment the military does some people good who lack structure in their lives and I'm happy it worked for you. There are however those who are not so lucky. Those who don't come back alive from the wars the west is fighting right now and those like my friends younger brother who at 22, is a complete, mental wreck from his time over there. The poor kid went AWOL after what he experienced and can't even sleep with the light off. As for being drafted and owing the forces something, as much as I'll be happy to admit I couldn't and wouldn't join, I'd also be asking what I'm fighting for. Are we fighting for security? Fighting terror? Giving the middle east democracy? This is not happening and it will never be accomplished through armed conflict. Now I'm sounding like a ranter and I just posted here the other day because its getting tiring turning the news on and seeing yet another young man in his early 20's with a wife and kids getting killed for nothing. Regardless of the fact that I will never meet any of you on here, I would be very sad to find out if somebody on here died in one of those wars. There will be members wanding into this thread, thinking of signing up, please think very carefully about what you are signing up to, it could be the end of your life.

so much negative waves

[QUOTE=fingerinmum;37632693]I don't doubt for a moment the military does some people good who lack structure in their lives and I'm happy it worked for you. There are however those who are not so lucky. Those who don't come back alive from the wars the west is fighting right now and those like my friends younger brother who at 22, is a complete, mental wreck from his time over there. The poor kid went AWOL after what he experienced and can't even sleep with the light off.[/quote] I'm sorry for your friends brother. It can be hard going through life after a traumatic event. I had my share a few weeks ago. Even though I don't deploy often I still operate as though I'm overseas working a mission. I've convinced myself to keep my chin up and press on. Learning through those experiences have taught me that this is real shit going on, with real human beings affected by my said actions. I can't be there side by side with my brothers, but I'm always there to help them with anything they need. When bullets start flying everything else for me becomes less of a priority. Only to make sure my brothers are safe. [quote]As for being drafted and owing the forces something, as much as I'll be happy to admit I couldn't and wouldn't join, I'd also be asking what I'm fighting for. Are we fighting for security? Fighting terror? Giving the middle east democracy? This is not happening and it will never be accomplished through armed conflict.[/quote] I'm slightly confused by that last statement. You're saying that nothing will never be accomplished through this current armed conflict. It's not like they're going to sit down with us to settle this dispute. They're willing to kill themselves and others to prove that they'll go down fighting to the last breath. They always speak of "talks", yes, but whether they're willing to fulfill a settled dispute is beyond me. [quote]Now I'm sounding like a ranter and I just posted here the other day because its getting tiring turning the news on and seeing yet another young man in his early 20's with a wife and kids getting killed for nothing. Regardless of the fact that I will never meet any of you on here, I would be very sad to find out if somebody on here died in one of those wars. There will be members wanding into this thread, thinking of signing up, please think very carefully about what you are signing up to, it could be the end of your life.[/QUOTE] Death is always possible, as soon as the contract is signed you should understand that anything can happen. I know what I signed up for. It's not for me or my goals, it's for the guys on the ground and they're well-being. I don't care if I die a slow painful death. I want them to come back to their everyday lives, their friends, their family. I've been cursed at by civilians for being in the military, always being asked why the hell I joined. It's really difficult to answer because it's too simple of an answer. They'll never understand. I'll leave it at that. But for now it's time for me to go to work, to continue what I love doing.

[QUOTE=l33tkill;37633405]I'm sorry for your friends brother. It can be hard going through life after a traumatic event. I had my share a few weeks ago. Even though I don't deploy often I still operate as though I'm overseas working a mission. I've convinced myself to keep my chin up and press on. Learning through those experiences have taught me that this is real shit going on, with real human beings affected by my said actions. I can't be there side by side with my brothers, but I'm always there to help them with anything they need. When bullets start flying everything else for me becomes less of a priority. Only to make sure my brothers are safe. I'm slightly confused by that last statement. You're saying that nothing will never be accomplished through this current armed conflict. It's not like they're going to sit down with us to settle this dispute. They're willing to kill themselves and others to prove that they'll go down fighting to the last breath. They always speak of "talks", yes, but whether they're willing to fulfill a settled dispute is beyond me. Death is always possible, as soon as the contract is signed you should understand that anything can happen. I know what I signed up for. It's not for me or my goals, it's for the guys on the ground and they're well-being. I don't care if I die a slow painful death. I want them to come back to their everyday lives, their friends, their family. I've been cursed at by civilians for being in the military, always being asked why the hell I joined. It's really difficult to answer because it's too simple of an answer. They'll never understand. I'll leave it at that. But for now it's time for me to go to work, to continue what I love doing.[/QUOTE] Thanks for taking time to construct a well articulated reply rather than the predictable, lazy dumb ratings. Your expressions remind me much of what many soldiers say when interviewed, the others come before yourself and thats the kind of sentiments that would make a better world. What bothers me is the personel as individuals don't seem to question much the politics and motivations of what the armed forces are engaged in. For example, lets look at Iraq. The country is in turmoil and Baghdad is a hotbed of sectarian violence and instability. What we seem to have traded is a vile dictator who killed people but controlled things for a fragmented country with more killings than they had before. The coalition forces have paid a very high price for this and it seems they are paying an even higher price in Afghanistan. Every time a 'raghead' as I'm told they are called, gets killed, it radicalises another 2 or more. Although the putting of ones comrades before your own self is something to be admired, I would be asking what the military is doing in these places, why are they there? Should they be there? Too many say "well we have a job to do and we will do it", you guys need to start asking more about why. Good luck bro, stay alive.

[QUOTE=fingerinmum;37634043] I would be asking what the military is doing in these places, why are they there? Should they be there? Too many say "well we have a job to do and we will do it", you guys need to start asking more about why. Good luck bro, stay alive.[/QUOTE] to partially half-assed answer this they have a job to do and they will do it. we started the conflicts - we're going to end them

[QUOTE=fingerinmum;37634043]I would be asking what the military is doing in these places, why are they there? Should they be there? Too many say "well we have a job to do and we will do it", you guys need to start asking more about why. Good luck bro, stay alive.[/QUOTE] [b]HA HA.[/b] Inquisitive Subordinates. That's not an Army.

[QUOTE=Zerokateo;37628533]Well I mean I'll try to be in the best physical shape possible but I don't wan't to be worried about being in shape just to pass basic just for them to not whip me into better shape if that were to occur.[/QUOTE] Well, I can't vouch for the marines, but the military in general you want to be in at least decent shape before you get to basic. While in BMT, I had the misfortune of spending 2 weeks over at the med hold squadron(after graduating though, thankfully, could've been a fair bit worse). Said squadron is where the so called 'Get Fit' flight is housed, the trainees that are incapable of passing their PT exam. These poor bastards pt 3 times a day, every day, for 30 days until they can either pass the exam and proceed with training, or get seperated. But man, are these the most pathetic excuses of people I'd ever seen. One of the other Holdover Airman(as we were called) went to one of their sessions to encourage and work out with them. He came back pissed off and wanting to kill someone. One of the kids couldn't do 2 pushups. TWO. And apparently he was screaming in feigned agony as he tried to get the second one. So yeah, don't be that guy

I consider myself pretty out of shape, and i can muster up 25-30 push ups without entering "god kill me now" mode. I dont understand how anyone could get to a point in their life where 2 push ups are agony. Does the military kick people out if they fail to reach the expected standard/make zero progress towards it, even with the "get fit"?