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NavyWanting to join the Army
Wed, 01/11/2012 - 21:15
I been wanting to join the army... It has been on my mind on and off. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad. I guess I just want to try and experience something new... I just need information; i want to know if this would be a good experience for me...
Thu, 01/12/2012 - 08:00
#1
@YesseniaA88
As with anything you'll have good experiences, bad experiences & some that are neither good or bad. That's totally up to you how you cope with the Army. A few hate it. Most like it & a few love it.
My feelings about it is that it's good for anyone to experience military service. You'll be doing things that no civilian will have an opportunity to do. You'll be doing your country a service. You gain experience in the job you choose, some of course won't translate to civilian life. Not too many Infantry skills needed as a civilian for instance. You'll learn leadership skills. You'll have a paid secure job while you're in along with great benefits. Free health care, free meals, free lodging, 30 days paid vacation a year, free training. After you get out you can attend college or trade school mostly free.
The military has a lot going for it. Talk it over with a Recruiter. There's no obligation.
Fri, 01/13/2012 - 21:51
#2
Thank you for your replies
How about if I just wanted to try the basic training and decide afterwards whether or not I want to join?
Sat, 01/14/2012 - 07:19
#3
Nope. The only time...
...you'll go to Basic Combat Training after you sign a contract for 2+ to 6 years. No trial runs. It costs lots & lots of money to train a Soldier. Too much to make it a hard-core summer Boy Scout camp. There are some Army jobs (yep - when you sign up you also have to pick a job)& some of those jobs run BCT & the MOS school together to make one long course. It could be as long as a half a year. With all of that money & time spent to train you the Army would like to utilize all of that training for the rest of your enlistment & use you as a Soldier.
If you have any doubts then stay away for the Army. The Army is a commitment, a way of life & an occupation. There is absolutely no use for anyone that doesn't want that commitment.
Mon, 01/16/2012 - 23:06
#4
What if i want to just become a soldier without the greed!?
It has always been a dream to join the military, thanks to my flaws I forgot about it, now that i've been given my second chance I want to join, I can care less bout the money or the benefits, I want & desire to Learn, any trade & any skill I possibly can. I have set my goals & will do what ever I can to accomplish my goals. My only fear is scoring low, I am fully confident i will score good, It's just a worry... I know the Army would make me a great soldier/warrior, also the civilian life just isn't for me! I love the action, Love the adventure, & any knowledge that is available for me!!
Sat, 01/14/2012 - 12:21
#5
Okay there's a lot i have to
Okay there's a lot i have to think about... Thank you so much for your reply...
Sat, 01/14/2012 - 13:34
#6
Think it over...
...do lots of research & ask a lot of questions.
One you should ask yourself is "am I willing to work hard?"
Another is "am I willing to be in combat?"
Then consider the benefits of being in the Army. Things like a steady job for the length of your enlistment & a regular paycheck. Feee medical, food & lodging. Free training. Doing things that very few civilians will ever dream of doing. Plus you'll be able to go to college or trade school with no cost to you once you get out.
Another alternative is going in the Army Reserve or National Guard. Your basic & MOS training is the same but when that's finished you'll go back home & perform your duties one weekend a month & two weeks of annual training a year. For that you'll receive some pay & benefits. But be aware that Guard & Reserve units get called up to active duty & deployed to combat areas. Then you'll go back home to continue your part-time service & civilian activities. Usually called up Reserves are gone for one year to 18 months. During that time you'll receive the same pay & benefits that any active duty Soldier gets. You won't necessarily be actually in combat depending on your unit & MOS but you'll be supporting those that do. Reserve units are generally support & National Guard units are generally combat. Joining a Reserve component will limit your choice of jobs. You can only take a job(MOS)that the unit has on their manning charts & have openings. For instance - if you wanted to be an MP & your local Reserve unit doesn't have any MPs then you won't be able to take that MOS. If you wanted to go into Infantry chances are you'd need to go to a National Guard unit because Reserve units don't have many Infantrymen.
Many enlist in the Active Duty Army & when they get out they go into the Reserves or Guard. My son did that a few years ago & was able to join the Reserves before he left active duty. For that he got a $10,000 bonus for a 3 year commitment. He just recently re-enlisted in that unit & got another $10,000 bonus for a 6 year enlistment. He attended school & got his associates degree & it didn't cost him a cent. He wants to go back for his bachelors. He's planning on putting in at least 20 years of combine active duty & Reserves so he'll get a retirement check once he turns age 60. If you stay in the Active Duty Army you don't have to wait until 60 to start collecting. Your retirement payment starts as soon as you retire with 20 or more years of active duty.
Mon, 01/16/2012 - 16:25
#7
Thanks I will talk it over
Thanks I will talk it over with a recruiter. Thanks for all your time and all you replies...
Mon, 01/16/2012 - 23:12
#8
dont think twice just join!
I have much to do before I can join, but my mind is made up, to all of you, don't ask about it, take the commitment, don't think twice, it's a new life i think any would love, if it ain't you, well do it any ways, being out here is gonna always be the same, at least you will be saving your self, from the corrupted streets... Nd the youngster's don't join a gang, wanna be bad ass Join the service and become a better soldier, not killing our own but protecting our own!! Just join already!
Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:57
#9
Good thoughts, Gonzales
In the meantime stay out of trouble, do lots & lots of PT, study for the ASVAB to get that good score. If you have a clean record, are in good health & have a high school diploma you shouldn't have any problems enlisting.
I can't say that the Army is for everyone, though. Some just find it hard with the discipline & all. They get a civilian job & find out there's still a chain of command & things they can't do without being penalized. Sometimes even more trivial than the Army ever was. All in all I think the military in general & the Army in particular never hurt anyone & did only good. Some find it so rewarding they stay in until retirement.