military guys, im signing up Options

[celica9110]

first things first...
what should i expect during basic training?
are they gonna put me out right off the bat to run 2 or 3 miles?
or what?
im super psyched to go...not too much for basic training tho =/
any info would be great!!!
thanks

kevin

This post has been edited by celica9110: Feb 19, 2009 - 10:17 PM

[Akirad1]

what branch, MOS, where you going for basic

[illneversellmyce...]

first two weeks are shock then you get used to it. As for physical PT its always tough, but they start out low and every week make you do more and more and more. By the end of basic or boot, which ever branch your in. The physical exercise wont even phase you any more. Just keep a low profile and do what they say. If you stand out they will never leave you alone. Also just keep telling your self it cant last forever and it will be over before you know it and you'll have some of the funniest stories and memories for the remainder of you life.

[Jen]

which branch? my best friend just went air force, and he says the boot camp is pretty rough (he's on his 3rd week i think). he has even messed up his knee. aww. =[

[Akirad1]

for me i was at Fort Benning GA, A 2/47, MOS-68W. it was the best and worst time of my life. since i had a panic attack during the first smoking due to my anixety. So i was noticed from the beginning, but i was supposed to be on my meds so it was my fault for not saying anything about the anxiety and stuff. learned alot during the time i was there if i could go back i would.

[Fastbird]

Like these guys said, What branch?? Each service has it's own methods of Basic.

[celica9110]

id like to go for the army

[Fastbird]

id like to go for the army

Ok, so you haven't even signed up yet??

Weigh your options. What do you want to do??

Have a "job" and a corporate mentality with the highest quality standards?? Go Air Force

Kill things, and love the muck??? marines

Be in the thick of things?? Army

Like the water?? Navy

Don't want to leave home?? Coast Guard (Yes they are a military component).

Now......are you wanting to do something fun, or are you looking for something that would translate to outside work after the typical 4 year commitment to the military?

Think you might make a career out of it?? Then DEFINITELY go for a job you'll like, as job satisfaction is KEY.

I've been in the Air Force for 12 years now, and my suggestion would be as a minimal starting point to answer the questions above. DO NOT take the decision of joining up lightly, the military is not a game, is not always fun, and is very hard work. But the sense of personal and group accomplishment, comraderie, and putting on that uniform every day knowing you're doing your part outweighs all. Don't do it just to have a job, do it because it's something you want to do.

[Akirad1]

^^ that is true what he says.
with the army knowin from being raised an army brat, dont let the recruiters feed you bs if you know anyone in the army ask them ?s. cause most recruiters will say anything to get you to sign up, but not all of them.

[97lestyousay]

I was in the army NG and went to FT. Jackson SC when I was 17, defenatly a shock to
the system at first. Be prepared to have someone in your face screaming and basicly
degrading you. This tactic is used for a reason, to make you be able to react quickly and
profficently under extremly tense situations, such as combat. This lasts a few weeks, you
will get orientated on basic stuff, lots of physical training, a crap load of marching and drill
and cerimony. The drill and marching are to learn to perform as a team.

Then you will learn basic rifle marksmanship.(the drill sgts get a little nicer when you are packing live ammo)
You will get training on basic tactics, nuclear chemical and biological warfare(you will go through
a gas chamber with CS gas, yes it sucks)and other tasks. Parts of basic training are tough but you will learn a lot.
I am just glad there was not a spelling test or I never would have made it.

[celica9110]

i always kinda wanted to join the navy...but it is a huge toss up between the army and navy

[Akirad1]

yes the CS gas burns like hell espcially if your sweating wich you prolly will be

[Spider77]

Yeah, like what a lot of people here said, its not like you think it is. Myself, am in the Navy, dad was in, brother is in, so I kinda knew what to expect. The hardest part from what I observed is the being away from home, but if you can get over that you'll do just fine. As far as "standing out", in a good way it'll help you later on in your career (if you choose to do that), if you stand out in the right way. Dont be afraid to take on an extra responsibility, and dont be afraid to volunteer yourself (as you'll find out you might be "voluntold" anyway). Do what your supposed to do, do it right and help those who cant. Even though you might think no one is watching, they are.
As far as the PT, cant say much for the Army, but in the Navy we started slow for the first two weeks, then things really heated up (anyone here who was in can tell you what it means when they say "make it rain"), but again, like everyone said you get used to it. Yes, they will yell at you, they are only trying to break you down so they can "mold" you in to what you need to be. So dont take it personally.
There are a lot of aspects that they dont tell you about in boot camp, again ,cant speak for the Army. The worst part though is duty and watchstanding, but it comes with being in the military. And its not really as bad as it seems. Ask your recruiter as many questions as possible, they can provide you with a wealth of information. I want to touch on something that Akirad1 said, yes some (or most for that part) of the recruiters will treat you like a quota, find one who dosent, and if you know people in the branch, talk to them as well. I cant speak for everyone, but I love what I do.

[celica9110]

ive been talking to my buddy Dan and he was in the army...ive been asking him about it he said just do everything perfectly and try your best but i think itll be not fun but adventurous

[95GTCelica]

Hey man, saw this thread and had to put my 2 cents in. If you're also thinking about college don't forget about ROTC. I actually just started AFROTC (Air Force Reserve Office Training Corps) and so far its been great. The camaraderie is unparalleled and I can already tell you that the friends you make in the military will be there for the rest of your life. I was blown away when I saw the kind of brotherhood the military gives you. One time my celica broke down when I was in uniform and two separate active duty AF members pulled over to help. It's great. But on another note ROTC is a long road. It will be four more years till I commission but it will all be worth it when I have a degree under my belt and I'm flyin an F-15.



Just something to think about, it's a hard decision and shouldn't be taken lightly.

[97lestyousay]

When you consider ROTC and 4 years to be a "platoon leader", or an average of 10 or 12 years
or more to be the enlisted rank equivelent "platoon sgt", 4 years is nothing. I was in for 11 years
and got out as an SSG one rank below platoon sgt. If I was doing it again ROTC would defenatly
be the route I would take.

[celica9110]

well guys i leave for MEPs monday...at ft jackson
then my recruiter told me that itll be a month, month and a half before i leave
sooo yeah.
and my MOS is gonna be 19k

[97lestyousay]

I went to basic at Jackson. I changed mos shortly after and was trained as a 19E (m60) then transitioned to 19K(m1)
nice choice. There is no way to describe the firepower and rush you get. I miss them , if I didn't have a growing family
at the time, I would have stayed in forever. Tanks are the sh!t !!!

[celica9110]

yeah....but the only downfall for me is that im 6 1 =/
sooo ill be hunched over a lot
but its all good

[Akirad1]

my uncle 6ft and he was a M1 abrahm operator during desert storm, and he loved it
edited spelling


This post has been edited by Akirad1: Feb 26, 2009 - 12:29 PM