Leaving for Army, want some advice.

[linebacker]

Thank you for all of your advice. I have been running for a couple months now. My 2 mile is under 13 min and I can do about 70 push-ups and 60 crunches in the two minutes. I'm not a big guy I weigh around 130 but I'm very determined. I can't wait to go. And it's these things you guys are telling me are what I wanted to know. My plan is to stay low key and let these younger kids do the hard ****. I'm 25 and ready for this.

I would be somewhat leary of recruiters. They need to fill slots and your best interest isn't always what they have in mind. If you haven't signed the dotted line yet, ask your recruiter for MOS's that offer enlistment bonues. It may be your lucky day to find an MOS that you like and get a bonus to sign up for it. Back in the 80's I received a $5,000 enlistment bonus when I signed up for 5 years.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

Depends on your mos. anyone can give advice on boot camp, but that doesent mean squat because its designed for success. What matters is what you will be doing after you leave boot camp and ait. Deployments in the army are LONG. Be sure you and your wife are prepared to be separated for lengthy amounts of time. A lot can change when your in the desert for a year at a time. Use your time in the Army to learn job trades that can transfer over to civilian life. Save your hazard pay, avoid companies that advertise "guaranteed financing for e-1,e-2, e-3". Take a lot of pictures. Leave the yelling and cussing at work. Don't bring it home and expect it to work on a civilian wife and child. It won't. Don't get a star card at the aafes store. Never buy or trade in a car at a dealership just outside the front gate. Eat the cheese spread and crackers in your mre when you get ****s. And you WILL get ****s. Get your seargents cell phone number and memorize it. You'll need him when you least expect it. He'll save your ass, but you'll pay for it. Try to be in the front of every road march. Humves don't use keys, so don't let anyone tell you to go get them. There is no such thing on a radio as the b a 1100 nst ring. That spells balloon string. Don't be that guy. When deployed, pay attention to how the kids are acting. If they are skidish and stand offish, your close to what you came to find. This advice is from experience.

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it. I don't know my MOS. Im going in infantry 11x hopefully getting 11b. I want airborne and was unable to get it on sign on so I will be volunteering for that. Again, thanks.

 

[57tr6]

Reading this thread makes me wish I was young again and could go join up!!!

 

[snoopiercomet39]

Congratulations. I did 14 years in the Army, and I volunteered frequently, after basic training, which made it possible for me to get training in some of the newest technologies, get into some great assignments, and work with some of the best teams around. My advice is to always put forth 100%, even in the simplest things. Work as a team. Listen and don't draw attention to yourself. If you have questions about how to do a task correctly, ask. The guys who put all their effort into learning the skills and practicing the skills, are the one's who perform the best in combat situations, and have the best chance of getting their teams home in one piece. Thanks for serving your country, good luck, and enjoy it. Never let your family forget how much you care for them, and always be understanding with you kid. Sorry for the length.

Thank you so much for the advice. I appreciate it. I am looking forward to all that is ahead of me. Staying out of trouble during basic will come easy. Ill be older than the kids coming in and they can have the attention they want.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

Better start running, push up, and sit up. If they ask who's got a drivers license, don't raise your hand, you'll be driving the lawn mower cutting grass.

I already run everyday. My two mile is good timing and my push ups and crunches exceed. That's funny about the drivers license thing. My father in law told me that if they ask you if you want to call home to not answer that because they will make you stand at the gate and "call home". lol.

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Thank you for serving.

I appreciate your thanks.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

All you gotta do is the "3 exactly's". Exactly what they say, exactly how they say, exactly when they say, and everything will work out. Be at the right place at the right time in the right uniform, and by the time they notice you you'll be far along in your training. Just do what you can to stay healthy cause you don't wanna get recycled. Oh yeah... Cardio. Lots and lots of cardio. Good luck.

Thank you for your advice. It is appreciated.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

Don't say anything negative in the barracks. The walls have ears.
Don't complain. Just do it, no matter how stupid it sounds.
As soon as you get promoted, start working on the next one.
Do every correspondence course you can get your hands on.
Make sure your work is better than anyone elses, and that the chain of command knows it.
Look better than everyone around you (sharp uniform, polished)
Work out daily, not just PT. watch your diet.
Jump out of perfectly good airplanes. I didn't and I regret it.
Keep your friggin head down.

Navy 1978-87
Army 1988-92

Never ever switch services. Stick with the one you started with.
Shoot for the stars. No kidding. I have a relative who started as an Pvt. and is now a BG.

Im 25, married with a kid. Complaining gets me no where but in more ****. I got a good, strong head on my shoulders. Perfectionist at heart. I didn't get to sign on with the airborne but I will be volunteering for it. Thank you for your advice. It is appreciated.

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Some good advice being given. Basically I just kept my mouth shut (except for once see below) and did what I was told to the very best of my ability. I actually enjoyed boot camp it gave me the time to find out who I was and who I would become. One last thing make sure you get boots that fit!!! The first pair they gave me were too tight so I got back in line to get another pair. They didnt fit so I got another pair. The guy yelled and threw the last pair at me and I was the last guy out and got yelled at again but the boots fit. When many others had blisters I had happy feet. You will want happy feet.

LOL great advice. Thank you.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

whats your MOS?

11x infantry

 

[snoopiercomet39]

Congratulations and thank you for your service. I highly recommend getting trained for a job that has a civilian equivalent if possible.

All of the military is a great place to learn a trade and can forcefully teach you discipline and a good work ethic.

It is a great opportunity to better yourself, but it is also a great place to destroy your life - for life... DO NOT DO DRUGS. There were some idiots caught dealing extacy when I was in the Navy that are probably still in prison.

You are welcome and im looking forward to being in the service. I chose to go Infantry and im not looking to come out of the military. 25 years old ive had all the civilian jobs I want. Out of work for the past 8 months goes to show that there isn't much for me. Thank you for the advice.

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The best advice you will ever receive

So Ive heard. Gets you working harder than you actually wanted to.

 

[snoopiercomet39]

Being disabled from the military.... I would have to say make copies of any and all medical records.... I agree with giving it your all and making sure they don't know your name.... Good Luck....

Thank you for your service. This is everything ive ever wanted and ive put it off for too long. This is all I have and I will do the best I can at everything that gets put in front of me. Thank you for the advice.