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One other point-- as a Reservist, you don't have the same healthcare benefits like those of us on active duty (and other Title X USAR/ARNG Soldiers) have. Bottom line- there are differences in benefits between an active duty Soldier and a Reservist/Guardsman who is performing drills/ annual training.
Just an observation-- you're far too interested in avoiding risky/combat related fields. The US military defends the country. If you're not willing to sacrifice your life in defense of our nation, you need to reconsider your motives for joining. You should pursue branches that interest you but using risk aversion as the entry argument for your decision making process is, in my opinion, the wrong approach.
I don't have problems with deployments. I'm currently up to earn $40k a year as a civilian as a self-employed this year and I am bringing a balance between risk and reward here. I appreciate your input here. The military for me, REALISTICALLY, is to finally have the privilege to serve and lead + to also get compensated well for my abilities. It won't be acceptable to join as an e-1 or e-2, so only balance points here Arty. Hoping it won't offend anyone. All about a balance in my case and hopefully acceptable in what I can offer the militia right now.
So Civil Affairs is more brains the muscle in opinions? I know 96b is, if I were 20 I'll probably join as infantry, but just different scenario now for me.
Still wondering if the Army can re-activate me when I am 40 or 50 if my contract has expired 5 years ago and I am healthy? I'd like to serve and calm my itch as you guys see, but for a fix amount of time and not for ever. Very realistic here. Well balanced combination based on what I can offer as a military asset, want and need.
Additional thoughts appreciated. Thanks so far Arty.
One other point-- as a Reservist, you don't have the same healthcare benefits like those of us on active duty (and other Title X USAR/ARNG Soldiers) have. Bottom line- there are differences in benefits between an active duty Soldier and a Reservist/Guardsman who is performing drills/ annual training.
Thanks for these ones Arty. I believe the recruiter AT LEAST in this area will be a better suit than most if not everyone I guess, but for all the others like what's a better MOS based on what I am looking for, I believe your experience and the ones from fellow respected folks here come very handy.
List of afrodisiac MOS choices for my end...
1) Combat System Officer -CSO- (Air National Guard)
2) Intelligence Officer (Army) 96b
3) Civil Affairs Officer even 38b might be ok (Army)
4) Psychological Operations Officer (Army)
5) Pilot (ANG/Army)
6) Civil Engineer (Army)
7) Transportation Officer (Army)
8) Financial Management 36b (Army) Enlisted
9) Internment/Resettlement Specialist Enlistee (Army)
10)Criminal Investigations Special Agent (Enlistee also) (Army)
11) Cryptologic Linguist 35p (also reserves and enlistee) --Army--
12) Cryptologic Network Warfare Specialist 35q , also reserve/enlistee
So I have likable options if I get in and accepted whether I do fantastic in ASVAB or the required test or whether I do mediocre in scores, but even if I want to serve I REALLY but REALLY would appreciate points from anyone on risk assessment for the above MOS as I am confident that by getting in, there's room for one of the above.
Your grammar is atrocious, but that's beside my point. Point being, you don't strike me as military material. Nothing personal, and I'm serious about that. I'm sure you're a great person, but your priorities are out of whack. For your continued personal and professional development, I will suggest you utilize your college's career placement office, in addition to careerbuilder.com.
- 31 years old this June 14/2013, BBA Marketing 2.61 GPA(din't care about grades before)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joaco
As for APFT I am currently doing Insanity and I can finally run again 20 minutes at 5 mph-6mph which begs the new question, would this be enough.
Running. For a 31 year old male, the minimum for the "US Army Fitness Standard" 2 mile run is 17:00 minutes. Never heard anyone say "mph" on a PT test in my 22+ years. But for your information, that is about 7.05 mph... To impress some people, make your Commander and First Sergeant smile, you might want to max it out, do the 2 mile run faster than 13:18... 9 mph.
Before that, you normally do the pushups, you need 77 to max out, and 82 situps to max them out.
Just an observation-- you're far too interested in avoiding risky/combat related fields. The US military defends the country. If you're not willing to sacrifice your life in defense of our nation, you need to reconsider your motives for joining. You should pursue branches that interest you but using risk aversion as the entry argument for your decision making process is, in my opinion, the wrong approach.
I thought I was the only one who read it like that.
Seems like a decent amount of people wanting to join these days, in the current economy and all, but don't want to put it all on the line out there. Everyone wants to join, like the guy in another thread who just wanted to know about VA loans, but no one wants to fight.
Anyway, to the OP, your running is just plain atrocious. Not much is worse than a fat Officer who can't run. That's the quickest way to never earn the respect of your superiors, peers or subordinates.
And if your physical peak was in your early 20's, then you've got some issues there.
How about you just wait until Afghanistan is over and there is no threat of war anywhere so you definitely won't have to go fight?
Appreciate the heads up points here, good ones as I know most recruiters won't come close to this level of edifying points and beneficial suggestions for my end. If there are still a lot of voting board members the question will now be how bad will having 5 traffic tickets in 5 years total($350 or so I strongly remember being the total) and what will it look to them being a successful $50-$60k net income per year civilian 30-31 years old dude looks like at the moment of having to make a decision for my packet. Mmm
As far employments, reality as always, regular civilian part-time jobs and full-time jobs varying from getting hands dirty with food to regular entry bank jobs until 2010 when I took charge of my life by being self-employed.
Good one indeed, still depends as I don't have all the answers for getting my primary objectives met which are getting VA Loan eligibility, getting PERMANENT veterans healthcare free healthcare or at very affordable fees and getting the 'HOAH' experience that keeps itching for me. As a self-employed I'd love to have free healthcare to cover all my possible issues in the future and hopefully get free healthcare or greatly discount for healthcare insurance for my immediate love ones when I decide to finally have a family which could very likely be between 35-37 years of age. Already had a 6 years relationship, good one, and that's enough for me for a little while..I guess I earned this possible opportunity now.
Continued worries, not making officer, can I actually get the long term benefits and acceptable $300-$500 per month for 16 hours or more of my time Saturday's and Sunday's. I'll be losing money and lots more of that if I go below $300 right now for two days, but I could manage a little lower if I am almost sure I can get higher rank promotions and be productive as a reserve + get the benefits. Lots to conclude I guess.
SO MANY reasons this forums should continue to exist, a recruiter can't make up for it 100% in most cases!
Thanks for your experienced input, it's so worth it to!
First off here Joaco quit putting the cart before the horse. You need to understand when you sign up you are not going to make a ton of money. If you make it past basic training and beyond you will lose money on the weekends if you own your own business. There is no doubt in my mind. If you get deployed to the sand box you will lose money. Your business will fail. This is not a game joining the army. It is a commitment. If you are joining just to get free healthcare you won't get that on reserve training. Your reserve pay will pay your premiums but that means you will be working for your healthcare alone.
No one here joins the military to make a ton of money. We do play Call Of Duty or World Of Warcraft but none of that prepares a person for actual combat. I'm not a combat arms soldier and I was scared over there. I had my head on a swivel worrying about the IED or VBIED. Worrying about driving through choke points on convoys. Yeah today they have uparmored vehicles where I didn't but those VBIDs are shape charged or are huge bombs. Nothing will ever prepare you for the possibility of wiping some red stuff off your helmet and realize it is your buddy's blood or worse.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Army_Guy
I thought I was the only one who read it like that.
Seems like a decent amount of people wanting to join these days, in the current economy and all, but don't want to put it all on the line out there. Everyone wants to join, like the guy in another thread who just wanted to know about VA loans, but no one wants to fight.
Anyway, to the OP, your running is just plain atrocious. Not much is worse than a fat Officer who can't run. That's the quickest way to never earn the respect of your superiors, peers or subordinates.
And if your physical peak was in your early 20's, then you've got some issues there.
How about you just wait until Afghanistan is over and there is no threat of war anywhere so you definitely won't have to go fight?
As for Army you hit the nail on the head. At 31 I was just getting back in. I went from 190lbs to 155lbs because I got out of active duty. Stayed out for a while and joined back in. My first APFT coming in was a 280 with a 15 minute run. Trust me making that run made me feel like I was back. I can remember my active duty time in Korea going out to the clubs every night. Getting up at 5am for a run with either the company or with the BN and tossing cookies and getting right back in. God those were fun times .
Running for fun was in my life. I can't quite do that any more. Knees are shot but good golly it felt good to get fresh air in the lungs.
We do play Call Of Duty or World Of Warcraft but none of that prepares a person for actual combat. I'm not a combat arms soldier and I was scared over there. I had my head on a swivel worrying about the IED or VBIED. Worrying about driving through choke points on convoys. Yeah today they have uparmored vehicles where I didn't but those VBIDs are shape charged or are huge bombs. Nothing will ever prepare you for the possibility of wiping some red stuff off your helmet and realize it is your buddy's blood or worse.
Funny you say that because I have civilians telling me how realistic Call of Duty is.
To the OP,
I spent my last deployment as a ground pounder in a light Infantry Brigade. IEDs, bullets and rockets have no eyes and they can't go backwards after they're gone.
It's amazing how many people think there's so much glory in the military. What's so glorious about:
-not seeing your family for months and having them worried that you'll be maimed or killed
-walking miles on end everyday to hunt for armed men
-seeing your friends got shot/blown up
-going to a memorial service for a 20 year old kid who was killed with a rocket
-trying to build a country that is stuck in the stone ages
-playing politician in a war zone
-trying to deal with the Afghan Army that has the mental aptitude of a 2nd grader
-being worried that something can happen to your Soldiers when they go out without you
I just ETS'd from the Army myself, and needless to say after two deployments to Afghanistan I think I'm going with the Air National Guard to serve out the rest of my IRR obligation. Also I figure if we get into a shooting war with say the Norks I might as well go with the Zoomies.
Your grammar is atrocious, but that's beside my point. Point being, you don't strike me as military material. Nothing personal, and I'm serious about that. I'm sure you're a great person, but your priorities are out of whack. For your continued personal and professional development, I will suggest you utilize your college's career placement office, in addition to careerbuilder.com.
No hard feelings, respect your opinion amigo. I usually don't edit without getting paid, but yeah, the reality. Your points are argumentative and with a great % of folks joining for the money and the benefits hook and not having their minds set that there's a slight chance a friend or you might get blasted in blood, I think I know the reasons for your response. What surprises me is the suggestion for careerbuilder.com when I mentioned I already earn a decent self-employed salary each year. $26k online and Real Estate last year and $28k aprox., which tomorrow I know final reality with CPA.
Priorities out of whack, seeing that objectively as always. I can see why it may seem or could very likely be like that if a good % of people that have served already won't do it again or have been deployed might NEVER join if it wasn't for money or forced by contract. I can't confirm it, but I see your points here of why it might sound iffy or totally whack in my position. Possible reasons why would he want to join? Why in the world would someone earning good amount of money each year want to join the military after all my years of experience? Yeah, don't judge a book by its cover right, but since we do, just a huge possibility his just either this OP dude is way 'loco' or his going to get someone killed if he joins..his just more interested in the benefits the doing the real thing. I'll see it this way too, yes, which might get me delayed in the entry.
Those are reasons why I am fishing and hunting for my best option. The military recruiters and even in their commercials (Army ones by the way) make you conclude there's always room for someone with their coolest jobs/mos. Reality, if I join I won't give a hoot about getting blasted if the time comes, is either them or me...but hey thanks for the suggestions and heads up. I understand. Just surprised you din't recommend me the Coast Guard, The Navy(which literally don't have much risk comparable to Army) or recommended me Airforce reserves or something similar. Careerbuilder.com is for those that need work. But hey..I get it, I must be loco to join now earning what I am earning, right? Get a new girlfriend or go to a damn bar and keep improving locally. Get it I guess. Respect your opinion mate, I understand. Thanks.
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Everyone is, but I ca go pass that ..
