• If you enjoy the forum please consider supporting it by signing up for a NES Membership  The benefits pay for the membership many times over.

Thinking about serving in the military. Any tips or things I should know?

If I were to do it all over I'd go either AF or (gasp)Navy [devil] in a technical field. If you're not the tech type I'd go Army Armorer, do your time and come out looking to sign on with a decent sized(city) PD or better yet transfer to a fed agency(adding military years towards retirement). Can't think of a much better gig than getting to play with a variety of guns all day every day, show up/knock out your day/g o h o m e.

As for your possessions sell them or donate them, no sense in them weighing you down when it all can be replaced later. If you must keep items I'd chuck them in a SECURE storage unit(don't be a cheap prick) until after basic and whatever MOS school you attend.

During basic/boot always keep your stuff locked up. At the end of cycle when you're inventorying your turn in gear things have a tendency to grow feet the instant you turn your back and the cost of replacement comes out of your pocket. Even your "battle" will steal your shit to avoid having to replace something as inexpensive as a poncho.

Lastly, don't be a shitbird. We had our fair share in my company and they all got stuck as road guards directing traffic/giving directions come graduation day while their family/friends were sitting in the bleachers watching the show. Hell, even the brokedicks who were getting recycled or awaiting med. board separation were treated better than that.
 
Last edited:
Rule #1 - how do you know when a recruiter is lying? His lips are moving.

How do I know? Well, you could ask my son. Lol. And I told him. He didn’t listen. And my uncle attempted recruiting back in the 70’s. It was a rude awakening. It’s like any other sales job. Quotas and such.

Possibly the most shocking to me was that my sons recruiter was NOT at his swearing in at MEPS.

Considering you are ready to go, that shouldn’t be a huge issue, but you want to be prepared. If you sign today, you won’t be on the Joint Chiefs when you exit training. Lol

EDIT - son laughed his way thru AF Basic. They couldn’t throw him anything he couldn’t handle.
 
If you choose the Marine Corps., go to boot camp in the winter. P.I. sucks in the summer and don't worry. The D.I.'s aren't allowed to pound on recruits any more. They might march you into the swamp, with the poisonous snakes, or off a pier though. Don't laugh. It's been done.
 
Last edited:
1. Study for the ASVAB. It is not terribly difficult and it is good to be familiar with the format. The higher the score, the more jobs open to you.

2. Basic is not like in the movies or on the History channel when they air an episode called “Navy Seal Hell Week.” The Drill Sergeants would not have their jobs if 90% of their recruits failed Basic.

3. Make sure you talk to the National Guard recruiter. This is a person you will actually see again. I saw mine off and on for 20 years.

4. Currently there are no better educational benefits than the Massachusetts National Guard. Guard does the exact same Basic, AIT, etc. as Active Duty and Reserve and has full-time positions if that interests you.
 
This is my favorite article on the subject:

Columnist John Paradis: What it means to serve — and to ‘embrace the suck’

I’m an outreach specialist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which means I travel throughout New England helping veterans and the general public understand a complex and frequently misunderstood system of benefits and programs.

I also get asked a lot about my own military service, and so over the course of many a conversation, I will get the curious mother or father who will ask if their son or daughter should join the military.

Not knowing anything about their background or what they already know about military service, I usually start with a joke or something light for starters.

“Ever hear of Djibouti?” I’ll ask. “Ja-what?” they’ll respond.

Djibouti is a nation in East Africa, and the site of an American military base and a critical location in the fight against terrorism. It’s one of several places around the world — some great, some not so great — that your kid could be sent to and asked to live and survive in, amid some pretty harsh conditions.

Continues...

Columnist John Paradis: What it means to serve — and to ‘embrace the suck’
 
First things first, decide what you want to get out of the military. Job training. Adventure. Pride. Fraternity. This will dictate what MOS and branch you want to go into. Short answer is you can choose your job so long as you are qualified.

I am very up to date on what the USMC and Army are doing and how they do it. I was USMC reserves 08-14 and have been National Guard since April. The military is of general interest to me so I keep up to date on stuff so I'm happy to answer any specific questions. Thus far I have managed to get everything out of the military I have wanted, but it's not all peaches and sunshine.

Oh, and contrary to what has been stated here PISC is still very much like full metal jacket. Remember boot/basic is not ranger school/BUDS, etc, as long as you don't quit and are in moderately good shape and not retarded you'll be fine. Miserable, but fine. It is also the easiest part of your career. You literally have every minute of your life planned and just have to do as you are told.

Some recruiters lie, some are honest. Just know that you will have the most control over your career at the enlisting stage of the game. Arm yourself with knowledge and a plan before you continue
 
Last edited:
My experience is so outdated now that I can’t answer a lot of your questions.

But you shouldn’t feel apprehensive or nervous. You MUST be in no doubt that this is the right choice for you, because I knew guys that joined up for other reasons than themselves (family expectations, lack of prospects... mostly family expectations), and the result was always bad. They made poor soldiers.

My advice? Don’t be lukewarm. If you’re going to do it, do all of it. 11 series, 19D, 13F. Be a light fighter. Go to airborne school. Hunger for an EIB. Aleays make sure you’re on the OML for the next Ranger slot.

If you’re not a quiet professional, start to become one. Learn to read terrain. No matter where you are or what you do, know where defillade is. Always, always be situationally aware.

Because if you start getting into those habits now, it’ll be easier when you’re sweaty and footsore with eighty pounds in your ruck and twelve klicks still to go before you can dig back into that rat-f***ed MRE.

Oh, and if you favor pistols over rifles, get that shit out of your head now.

You’re welcome.
 
Personally,I wouldnt risk my life for this country at this moment in history..But I would risk it for my buddy next to me,or anyone in my platoon.

Sounds to me like you dont want to fight,so maybe go into the Navy or Air Force as a REMF and learn a skill that translates into the outside world.

If you do have to deploy,you aren't a girl so you cant get pregnant to get out of it,so you will have to suck it up. Probably get a Combat Action ribbon or something.

Girls go through basic,so that tells you how hard it is.
 
Lip said:
After you volunteer, never do it again. When going through basic, maintain eye contact with your Di's that let's them know YOU are establishing dominance. You'll do fine.
Click to expand...

Yes,great advice..Can not stress this enough..DI's look for strength,not weekness. One guy in my platoon in basic stared down the platoon sgt and he got an immediate slot in OCS.

My experience is in combat arms,but REMF's are the same training,we just get hand grenades.
 
MisterHappy said:
I was shocked at how hard it was to get in. Tests. Interviews. Background checks. More interviews, to make sure that you didn't make any mistakes on the tests, and interviews before. One guy was dismissed, as he had too few speeding tickets (Said 3 on a questionaire, when it was two tickets, and a "slow down, punk!").
Click to expand...
Sorry, I bet that's just what someone told your son.
Someone who was saving face from being dismissed
for a serious psych, medical, criminal, etc. reason.

After all, the US Army missed its recruiting goal by 6500 last year -
the first time they missed since 2005.
 
Great to hear someone considering serving our country!

Weigh all options as far as branches and jobs. Do research and utilize your recruiter to your advantage. As stated before GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING in your contract and don't sign diddly until it's how you want it. There is no I don't feel like going once you're signed up. Big gov owns you for your length of enlistment.

Jobs: If it exists in the civillian world it exists in the armed forces. Difference is you have to score well on the ASVAB for certain ones. If you feel your calling as a trigger puller great. Just remember when you're done that there isn't much use for that skill in the civillian world unless you get to the higher end of the food chain. Pilots, UAV, fixed wing, rotary, you name it they need it badly.

Don't just meet the standards. Exceed them and you will do well. Take every school offered. Boot/basic is a mindgame like everyone else said. Respond then execute.

There is nothing wrong with the ntl guard or reserves. I personally couldn't have dealt with the discipline day in and day out on active duty. If you have a degree definitely consider OCS. Officers from what I've seen have many more avenues open to them.

I think that's a good start. Once you learn more you'll have many more specific questions. Good luck!
 
you're 22. you can do a 3-4 year hitch standing upside down in a bucket of shit. Its easy.
If you dont like it, get out when its time. if you kinda liked it, join the Guard when you done and pay $300 a month for you and the stripper you married's health insurance.
I have 26 years now, about to pull the chute. My nephew is in 1st Ranger Battalion, joined 3 years ago, said Ft Benning isnt as nearly as tough as it used to be.
Never know, you could spend your last couple assignments teaching and clearing ranges on the Cape like me #poguelife
 
AHM said:
Sorry, I bet that's just what someone told your son.
Someone who was saving face from being dismissed
for a serious psych, medical, criminal, etc. reason.

After all, the US Army missed its recruiting goal by 6500 last year -
the first time they missed since 2005.
Click to expand...
This

After 25 years total guard and active time......including 5.5 years in company command.....I've seen and heard every excuse in the book on "waivers" to overturn a bar enlistment or re enlistment you can think of.

In talking to many young folks over the years about my career I've also heard the usual "I almost joined the army but °°°°insert bullshit reason here°°°°" excuse hundreds of times.
 
Last edited:
M60 said:
If you choose the Marine Corps., go to boot camp in the winter. P.I. sucks in the summer and don't worry. The DI.'s aren't allowed to pound on recruits any more. They might march you into the swamp, with the poisonous snakes, or off a pier though. Don't laugh. It's been done.
Click to expand...

This is excellent advice regarding PISC. I had a little birdie whisper the same advice into my ear. I reported to PISC on February 2nd. I graduated on April 27th. We had no sand fleas to speak of during Phase 1 and 2. They became slightly more noticeable during phase 3 and came out in force on graduation day. Miserable critters.
 
I joined the Army Reserve in 1988 and shipped to FT.Benning in January 1989 as a 33 yr old PFC/11B. Boot camp now is nothing like it was back in those days, Drill SGT's can't throw F bombs around and smoke you all day long. Big difference between Army/USMC boot camp and AF/Navy boot camp. Are you looking to be a trigger puller or are you looking for a MOS with a skill that you could use in civilian life? If so join the Navy/AF, the AF is not exactly like being in the Military unless you want to be a PJ or Combat Controller. Same with Navy unless you want to become a SEAL. I did 23 yrs w/3 call ups/Deployments so I'm getting a small pension now, retired as a E-7(Sergeant First Class).
 
Last edited:
My suggestion earlier in the thread for Army is based on my experience in the USAF. There was a guy in my boot camp squadron just like the OP. His uniform of the day was always PT gear, no shoelaces. If the OP has any chance of success, I think it would be in the Army.
 
I had to like both the Blend and Stand out but no shitbird answers.

Which you choose is up to your. Or of you have an interesting last name; up to your teachers.

I regret never serving. When I was 17 and fresh out of highschool and still a month from my 18th birthday ; I was in a recruiters office almost daily for weeks. Me and another buddy had been talking pretty hard with them.

I was gonna go Navy. He went Army and is retiring next year after doing a career rotation ending up teaching C&B.

I bailed. Partially because my dad would have disowned me and partially because my mom's health wasn't great at the time.

Two years ago, I revisited that decision hard and even went as far as to have chats with an AirForce recruiter (I was probably able to qualify for airforce reserve. I have a split computer and engineering background and have worked with AUVs.)

I bailed then because now my wife's health wasn't doing great.

Bring that ahead to now. I'm past by done by date for joining. (38) and my back is trashed (herniated disk).

Do it. But make sure you are prepared.

I would suggest reading as much military history and military fiction as possible.

Maybe start with John Ringo.

If you PM me a Kindle address, I would be more than happy to lend a copy of a few things.
 
My advice is try it while your young. Even if it's the national guard. In the guard if you make rank as enlisted man (make it to e7) and do 20 to 25 years the retirement is worthwhile. Although as a reservist you won't be able to collect that retirement until your 60......it's still something to add to your retirement plan. I did 25 satisfactory years toward retirement including 2 deployments to iraq. When I reach 60 my monthly retirement check will be about $1400.....I voluntarily retired as a major in December (did 12 enlisted and the rest as an officer). Between my guard retirement and a paid off house my retirement plan is going well! The deployments and time away for officer training was not easy.....but well worth the efforts in the long run.


For what it's worth.....the national guard is not what it was in 1990 when I joined. Back then the funding was low.....shitty equipment.....terrible annual trainings that were limited to 2 weeks down at camp Edwards or Devens. Low discipline levels back then too. While the discipline levels are still a bit lower than active duty now.......the funding is better because the guard became an operational force post 9-11 and the funding had to get better. If you go national guard plan on at least one year long deployment during a 20 year career.....maybe two. Even with the Afghanistan and Iraq draw downs the guard is still being relied on for operational deployments. An infantry unit just left mass for Africa this week for a year long deployment.

Another piece of advice....no matter what the recruiters in the guard tell you.....don't join the guard thinking you'll try it and if you like it you'll just go active duty later. The guard does not have to release you to go active duty. As a guard enlisted member you are assessed as an operational asset to that agency and they do not have to release you from your national guard enlistment to let you go active duty. It's not as easy as it sounds to go from guard to active duty.
 
Last edited:
fshalor said:
I had to like both the Blend and Stand out but no shitbird answers.

Which you choose is up to your. Or of you have an interesting last name; up to your teachers.

I regret never serving. When I was 17 and fresh out of highschool and still a month from my 18th birthday ; I was in a recruiters office almost daily for weeks. Me and another buddy had been talking pretty hard with them.

I was gonna go Navy. He went Army and is retiring next year after doing a career rotation ending up teaching C&B.

I bailed. Partially because my dad would have disowned me and partially because my mom's health wasn't great at the time.

Two years ago, I revisited that decision hard and even went as far as to have chats with an AirForce recruiter (I was probably able to qualify for airforce reserve. I have a split computer and engineering background and have worked with AUVs.)

I bailed then because now my wife's health wasn't doing great.

Bring that ahead to now. I'm past by done by date for joining. (38) and my back is trashed (herniated disk).

Do it. But make sure you are prepared.

I would suggest reading as much military history and military fiction as possible.

Maybe start with John Ringo.

If you PM me a Kindle address, I would be more than happy to lend a copy of a few things.
Click to expand...

I bet if you could take care of your back the Guard would take you in a lower impact MOS.
 
You had started a thread with some very harsh criticisms of our country and politicians. You obviously hold some strong opinions and it appears resentment of what is happening in our country. The thread was closed...

Honest question for you to consider. If you were given an order to do something you felt was wrong would you be able to follow the order?

Strong personality and opinions vs the military chain of command could be an issue for you.

Think about it...
 

Similar threads

Things you didn't know you needed
Replies
14
Views
450
greencobra
greencobra
i was that guy...you know, the one we all hate
2
Replies
46
Views
1K
Broc
Broc
Know your target
Replies
2
Views
95
not new guy
N
Want to know who has a monopoly of force in America?
2 3 4
Replies
99
Views
2K
240Geezer
2
Worcester PD - Going after the guns but how about the perps…
Replies
14
Views
535
houdini
houdini
Back
Top Bottom