Thinking about enlisting..again.

[Tebow]

Here's what's up. All through middle school and high school I was planning on going into the military with my best friend. He was always my bro, always had my back. During sophomore year he got into weed and got his toes wet with a local gang, never joined though. He went to a different high school for his last 2 years. I still wanted to join with him. During my senior year, June 2009, I learned he had been shot and killed in his basement. When I graduated, I just didn't want to join anymore. There were 2 reasons why, my best friend wasn't here anymore and that hit me like a ton of bricks. Two: at the time, I was worried if I joined, there's that possibility of taking someone's life in combat.

During my senior year I always told my counselor that I was just going to join the military. I didn't plan on going to college. I didn't apply for scholarships. My plan B, was to look for security work. That didn't work out, since I didn't have a job yet, no one called me back. I'm thankful for my parents letting me stay so long, they understood that I was only interested in security work.

When I was going to turn 21, my friend gave me a talk about owning a gun, being mature and other things, including being willing to take a life if necessary. It helped me a lot, since I did get my first gun this past June.

Here's where my questions come in.

I do have 3 tattoos, 1 on my right wrist, it's not big. It's just W.W.J.D. across my wrist. Is a wrist tattoo against any policy?

When I was talking to a recruiter, he asked about any medical issues. I said during early grade school, I had some asthma. It wasn't a problem as I got older. In high school it was gone. If I talk to another recruiter, should I not mention it? Because I don't want that to prevent me from serving my country.

In high school I was looking into all the branches but was leaning towards the Army. The job I was looking at was Military Police but not 100% on it. I heard MP wasn't a good job in the Army. If anyone is/was an MP, could you give some advice? I don't really know about any other jobs. Suggestions + info would be helpful.

Really any info and advice about anything would be greatly appreciated.

-Tebow

 

[CtWest]

I too have been considering. But I have a good job and career plan set, so I was thinking the reserves are best for me. I am looking forward to seeing peoples thoughts.

 

[ryanbr]

Take the ASFAB, see what jobs you qualify for. Remember that Recruiters go to sales school to become a recruiter. My advice is to get a military mos that will transfer to the real world when you get out. Mp may or maynot be a good choice for you. a Technology MOS would be a great thing to get in this day and age I would think.

 

[patience0830]

I think it's the ASVAB(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, maybe?) and consider the Air Force. Better billets, prettier girls, less work, maids. What's not to like? I was Army and I'm still jealous of the zoomies.

If you score well on the ASVAB you can pick a better job. Fire fighter in the AF will peg your excitement meter occasionally. Helicopter Mechanic makes for a lucrative career when you get out. There are tons of options. Make sure that you don't lie to your security interviewer.
They will send a guy in a dark suit and shiny shoes out to ask questions of your closest friends and aquaintances. If your job depends on a security clearance, remember that it mostly doesn't matter what you've done in the past. What matters is that you don't care who knows about it. If you don't want your momma to know about your binge drinking, for example, that would give a foreign agent a lever against you. That is one of the things they want to make sure of. If you lie and they find out, all of a sudden, THEY get to choose where you are gonna serve. And I can guarantee it won't be where you wanted.
Kudos to you for wanting to serve. Keep your mouth shut in Basic Training and remember that it's a head game as much as anything. To see what you're made of and if you'll break under pressure. Smarting off WILL be counterproductive.
Best of luck.

 

[ChaoticMunky]

I'm 26, will be 27 in November and have thought about it as well. Might go take the test just to see what I would score and go from there.

 

[ryanbr]

I think it's the ASVAB(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, maybe?) and consider the Air Force. Better billets, prettier girls, less work, maids. What's not to like? I was Army and I'm still jealous of the zoomies.

If you score well on the ASVAB you can pick a better job. Fire fighter in the AF will peg your excitement meter occasionally. Helicopter Mechanic makes for a lucrative career when you get out. There are tons of options. Make sure that you don't lie to your security interviewer. The will send a guy in a dark suit and shiny shoes out to ask questions of your closest friends and aquaintances. If your job depends on a security clearance, remember that it mostly doesn't matter what you've done in the past. What matters is that you don't care who knows about it. If you don't want your momma to know about your binge drinking, for example, that would give a foreign agent a lever against you. That is one of the things they want to make sure of. If you lie and they find out, all of a sudden, THEY get to choose where you are gonna serve. And I can guarantee it won't be where you wanted.
Kudos to you for wanting to serve. Keep your mouth shut in Basic Training and remember that it's a head game as much as anything. To see what you're made of and if you'll break under pressure. Smarting off WILL be counterproductive.
Best of luck.

Ya sorry hit the f instead of V! Fire fighter def good choice, get the magnesium training then get a DOD firefighter job when you get out! dont forget the navy for tech jobs and yes I am a Marine. I would check out the Seebes too!

 

[boosteds13cc]

I think it's the ASVAB(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, maybe?) and consider the Air Force. Better billets, prettier girls, less work, maids. What's not to like? I was Army and I'm still jealous of the zoomies.

If you score well on the ASVAB you can pick a better job. Fire fighter in the AF will peg your excitement meter occasionally. Helicopter Mechanic makes for a lucrative career when you get out. There are tons of options. Make sure that you don't lie to your security interviewer.
They will send a guy in a dark suit and shiny shoes out to ask questions of your closest friends and aquaintances. If your job depends on a security clearance, remember that it mostly doesn't matter what you've done in the past. What matters is that you don't care who knows about it. If you don't want your momma to know about your binge drinking, for example, that would give a foreign agent a lever against you. That is one of the things they want to make sure of. If you lie and they find out, all of a sudden, THEY get to choose where you are gonna serve. And I can guarantee it won't be where you wanted.
Kudos to you for wanting to serve. Keep your mouth shut in Basic Training and remember that it's a head game as much as anything. To see what you're made of and if you'll break under pressure. Smarting off WILL be counterproductive.
Best of luck.

i had a interview with a person in a nice suit and a odd looking badge for my one buddy who had to get clearance....talking about some odd questions!

 

[gunowner930]

I hate MPs.... Seriously though if that's what you want then that's what you want. You need to sit down and talk to a recruiter about tattoo policies, and you probably should disclose the asthma. If they need to get you in, then they'll get you a waiver for it.

 

[Cavman]

Just remember this. There is nothing in the want adds for a Cavalry trooper, Tanker, Infantryman or artillary. Not even MP will help you much in the civillian sector. If your wanting to just do a one time enlistment pick something that will help you on the outside. If you wanna make a career then pick a good combat mos. You will have more fun. Thats my 2 cents.

 

[repeter1977]

Here's what's up. All through middle school and high school I was planning on going into the military with my best friend. He was always my bro, always had my back. During sophomore year he got into weed and got his toes wet with a local gang, never joined though. He went to a different high school for his last 2 years. I still wanted to join with him. During my senior year, June 2009, I learned he had been shot and killed in his basement. When I graduated, I just didn't want to join anymore. There were 2 reasons why, my best friend wasn't here anymore and that hit me like a ton of bricks. Two: at the time, I was worried if I joined, there's that possibility of taking someone's life in combat.

During my senior year I always told my counselor that I was just going to join the military. I didn't plan on going to college. I didn't apply for scholarships. My plan B, was to look for security work. That didn't work out, since I didn't have a job yet, no one called me back. I'm thankful for my parents letting me stay so long, they understood that I was only interested in security work.

When I was going to turn 21, my friend gave me a talk about owning a gun, being mature and other things, including being willing to take a life if necessary. It helped me a lot, since I did get my first gun this past June.

Here's where my questions come in.

I do have 3 tattoos, 1 on my right wrist, it's not big. It's just W.W.J.D. across my wrist. Is a wrist tattoo against any policy?

When I was talking to a recruiter, he asked about any medical issues. I said during early grade school, I had some asthma. It wasn't a problem as I got older. In high school it was gone. If I talk to another recruiter, should I not mention it? Because I don't want that to prevent me from serving my country.

In high school I was looking into all the branches but was leaning towards the Army. The job I was looking at was Military Police but not 100% on it. I heard MP wasn't a good job in the Army. If anyone is/was an MP, could you give some advice? I don't really know about any other jobs. Suggestions + info would be helpful.

Really any info and advice about anything would be greatly appreciated.

-Tebow

Just to give you the heads up on this, since I am still in the military, and have worked as a recruiter as well. I have been in for around 13 years. Thank goodness I am back in the MP field. Some fair warnings about the job, i case you didnt know, and might not be told. MPs do deploy. I was in Iraq in '04, and my current unit is in Afghanistan right now. I was not able to deploy for medical reasons, but thats another story. Anyway, besides deploying, you will work weekends and holidays. I know that it might not be a big deal to everyone, but some people like those days off, in which case, i convinced them there are other jobs for them. Another fair warning, the military in general is drawing down. I know they are cutting 1/5 of the Army in the next couple years. Not trying to rain on your parade, just give you a heads up.
Good news on your tattoo, I know before that one on your wrist would be just fine, as long as you are able to cover it in a long sleeve/ACU Jacket. Now, personally, I love the job of being an MP. You have garrison (Stateside) missions, riding around in patrol cars, etc. You also have a war time mission (Enemy Prisoners of War, Route Recon, Convoy Escorts), so you will always be learning something and not everyday is the same. Some people hate it, some people love it. If you would like, you can PM on here, and I will be glad to talk to you about more of the goods and bads, or any questions you have. The main thing, besides your ASVAB score, is making sure you find that job that you like. Don't worry about what they are offering bonuses for, or what they want you to take. Take something that every morning when you get up, you feel like you are ripping off the government cause you love the work. That's how I feel with this job for myself. Just depends on what all you want to do. Anyway, feel free to drop me a line, I'll be glad to help you out.

 

[PriestEG]

all this thinking yall are doing and you will end up talking yourself out of it and wasting time when you could be out getting some!! i joing right out of high school and it was the best thing i ever did. the 5 years i spent in the marine corps infantry was the best expierence of my life thus far. the benifits are there: 3 hots and a cot, medical care, semi decent pay, awesome places to go and kill hajis, and the honor that comes with serving the best nation. your only gonna get older so why wait.

no personal expierence with the MP's other than the fact that i never liked them since they thougt they were the cats meow. my opinion is and always will be, if you want to go then go all out and be a grunt.

 

[actaeon277]

Military is like a lot of jobs. You'll hate part of it, and you'll love part of it. You just hope you hate more than you love.

 

[repeter1977]

Military is like a lot of jobs. You'll hate part of it, and you'll love part of it. You just hope you hate more than you love.

think you got it backwards, you hope that he loves it more then he hates it, haha

 

[euby]

A lot of good advise here....only thing I want to add is make sure everything is in writing (contract). But my recruiter said....won't get you very far once your in.

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

In The Same Boat...

So, I have been considering joining the Military, more specifically the Air Force... Anyone have any personal experience? I am 23 and married, debt free (except a mortgage), no kids, and a decent job. But... I'm tired of the same old job, with no room for advancement, and getting bored with coming to work and doing the same thing day after day. I want something that I can do as a career, that will be fun and enjoyable and let me see the world, retiring in my mid 40's not such a bad thought either. Also want to be able to do something that is going to make a difference, not only in my life, but other's lives also, and why not serve this great country at the same time. I almost joined the Coast Guard straight from High School, but ended up moving away from VA where I was born and raised which got me distracted and off the beaten path a little. I've mentioned it to my wife and she knows how military life is as she was raised a Navy Brat, and said she would be supportive of my decision if that's what I chose to do. I know the entire military life has both pros and cons, but I've learned that you have to take the bad with the good, and make the best of a bad situation. I've talked to a few Veterans, my FIL being one of them, and I know the being in the Military is not for everyone, but I think I've got what it takes. I have looked at a few of the AF career choices and have a couple in mind that sparked my interest, however I know that what I want to do would probably not be granted by the AF right out of the gate. Have not talked to a recruiter yet, nor taken the ASVAB to see what kind of jobs I would even qualify for, but have began to think about this more seriously and talk to close friends and family about it. Just thought I'd share my thoughts with INGO and get feedback from those that are military (active and/or retired), and also don't want to start a bashing thread for different branches of the military.

 

[actaeon277]

Chances are, you won't be able to retire with 20 and kick back. Military are underpaid, and retirement is a ercentage.
But you can retire, get a better paying job, then have a much better retirement.

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

I understand and know that the pay isn't that great but the reward and honor along with the benifits of serving the USA beats the heck out of working 40 years at a dead end job.

 

[MAJB Retired]

Take the ASFAB, see what jobs you qualify for. Remember that Recruiters go to sales school to become a recruiter. My advice is to get a military mos that will transfer to the real world when you get out. Mp may or maynot be a good choice for you. a Technology MOS would be a great thing to get in this day and age I would think.

Exactly! Do not talk about the ashma, as it is not an issue. If they find out something in the physical, it is a different issue. Personal opinion..everybody should serve

 

[PriestEG]

all this talk about enlisting, combined with recieving another unit citation in the last week, has got me wanting to REenlist and get back in.. i am starting to miss it more and more as the days go by. the guns, the free ammo, the painfully long runs, yelling at people and getting yelled at, having a brotherhood that runs deeper than the grave, sleeping in the dirt for a few hours a night, and being in far away lands kicking a$$ where it needs to be done!!! all the guts and glory is what im missing

 

[repeter1977]

Well, if anyone wants some info on the Army, I will be glad to try and help out. I know they are not looking much if at all for prior service anymore, but there are always ways in. While I am not in recruiting anymore, Id be glad to help anyone out if thats what they want to do. Good luck for anyone that is looking at coming in, and make sure you try and study up before the ASVAB, as that will determine a lot of things while you are in.