Considering Active Duty

[poak]

I have been considering Active Duty for some time now...

I had considered it before going to college, but chose the other path. Since then, I have always felt that I might have missed a great opportunity. I have been considering joining often within the last year as I had grown a little tired of my desk job. Since being layed off early January, and with no signs of a timely rebound of the economy in my industry (design/construction management), it seems this could be a golden opportunity to go get what I might have missed.

My main considerations for service are the USMC and Army. I would like to hear experiences from others out there as I know TGO has a large pool of vets.

Just to clear things up, I'm not joining to attempt to get training for any vocation or tech, I'm joining to serve my country.

[Guest nraforlife]

Having worked bases all over the world I would look into the Air Force

[poak]

Having worked bases all over the world I would look into the Air Force

I have been doing a bit of research on AF Security Forces, and it has peaked my interest.

What would be your reasons behind recommending the Air Force?

[Mark@Sea]

Quality of life.

As someone recently said, Air Force consider themselves forward deployed if it takes Dominos more than 30 minutes to deliver their pizza....

[poak]

Air Force consider themselves forward deployed if it takes Dominos more than 30 minutes to deliver their pizza....

One thing I've taken into consideration is I may want to take a shot at Special Ops.

If I enlisted Army, I could get a contract that would guarantee a chance to become a Ranger. If I enlisted USMC, there would be no direct route between signing on the dotted line and getting a shot at BRC. The Navy DOES offer the "SEAL Challenge" contract, but I'm afraid of where I might end up if I washed out (scraping paint off battleships for 4 years?).

[Daniel]

I have been army since 2001. reserve since 05 and I work with the dept of the army as a civilian. My father was 20 years as sec forces in af and I lived on the bases... If you want to do it for awhile go AF.

[poak]

If you want to do it for awhile go AF.

To clarify, by "awhile", do you mean make a career?

[Daniel]

One thing I've taken into consideration is I may want to take a shot at Special Ops.

If I enlisted Army, I could get a contract that would guarantee a chance to become a Ranger. If I enlisted USMC, there would be no direct route between signing on the dotted line and getting a shot at BRC. The Navy DOES offer the "SEAL Challenge" contract, but I'm afraid of where I might end up if I washed out (scraping paint off battleships for 4 years?).

You can go 18x but if you fail out you will just be sent "needs of the army" as infantry. Infantry isnt a bad thing by any means dont let it seem that way. It's just "needs of the army" is where no one else wants to go. If you do go Army Id suggest, Infantry -> Airborne -> Italy. Germany would also be nice but you wouldnt get to jump there. Be aware though that you would most likely get sent to the 82nd Airborne, Fayetteville, NC eventually if you stayed in for a second enlistment and were Airborne. I dont want to say that 100% of the people I know from there hated it but it's pretty close.

But again if you want to make it a career I'd go AF.

[Daniel]

To clarify, by "awhile", do you mean make a career?

yes or at least more than one 4 year commitment. Id think hard before you said you'd only do 3 or 4 years though. You really miss it once you leave.

[poak]

You really miss it once you leave.

That's what I hear. More of a lifestyle decision than anything I suppose.

[Mark@Sea]

SEALS are intelligent, usually quiet, generally low key/polite in public, and are constitutionally unable to quit or resist a challenge - to the point where they'll kill themselves trying.

All macho BS aside, if that ain't you, then don't go there... seriously.

Had a buddy spent 5 years with Team Two, so I'm not just spouting BS.

[poak]

SEALS are intelligent, usually quiet, generally low key/polite in public, and are constitutionally unable to quit or resist a challenge - to the point where they'll kill themselves trying.

Thats what draws me in...

I've tested high on all the intelligence profiles I've ever taken, I don't think my ASVAB will be a problem. I'm not the macho BS type. I was an accomplished competitive swimmer in high school (the 500y was MY event), and have since enjoyed SCUBA diving recreationally.

I don't know if the SEAL life is mine, but I consider it a valid consideration.

[Jasongar8]

I would say just go talk to a recuriter and see whats MOS's are open now if u want to do it soon. I know the SEAL contract is open now because one of my good friends is at MEPS tonight for the Navy. He was going to do Army MP but they told him that he wouldnt leave for basic until at least July, so he moved on to the Navy. I would say there is a big increase in people signing up with the ecomony being bad and a lot of people re-uping for the same reason. You said u were in college are you going to go in and go to OCS to be an officer?

-Jason G

[poak]

I would say just go talk to a recuriter and see whats MOS's are open now if u want to do it soon. I know the SEAL contract is open now because one of my good friends is at MEPS tonight for the Navy. He was going to do Army MP but they told him that he wouldnt leave for basic until at least July, so he moved on to the Navy. I would say there is a big increase in people signing up with the ecomony being bad and a lot of people re-uping for the same reason. You said u were in college are you going to go in and go to OCS to be an officer?

-Jason G

Yeah, I should go talk to a recruiter, but I wanted to get some input from some of the TGO folks. Besides, all a recruiter will tell you is what you want to hear

I never finished college. I ended up leaving it and attending a voc tech school to learn drafting and have been working in the design/construction management field since.

[Jasongar8]

Since you are in Nashville I would go talk to the recruiters in Rivergate. My buddy has been to all of them and he just told them, "I dont want no BS" and they have treated him good. None of this, "yea sure if you just sign up for the Ranger contract that will automatically make you a Ranger once you get out of basic". They have told him the truth about everything as far as we know.

-Jason G

[dralarms]

I have been doing a bit of research on AF Security Forces, and it has peaked my interest.

What would be your reasons behind recommending the Air Force?

Basic is easier:p. Basic is shorter:p. E4 in the Air force make the same as an E4 in the army:D. Aif force has much nicer mess halls, barracks, BX's and comms too.

I spent 5 1/2 years in the Air Force. I would probally still be in (actualyl I would have retired either 10 years ago or this april), if I hadn't had other problems that the AF couldn't help me with. (or wouldn't). Heck I enjoyed my time, had a blast most of the time. Even got to set fire to a dumpster once with 15 MP's and 4 officers watching. Long story:tough:.

Quality of life.

As someone recently said, Air Force consider themselves forward deployed if it takes Dominos more than 30 minutes to deliver their pizza....

Ain't that the truth.

[Mark@Sea]

Average day at the teams might include morning PT (it'd hospitalize my sorry butt), running the course, a 5 mile swim, and finally a 21 mile run (not run-walk, not jog. Run, and devil take the hindmost). Then after lunch, training.

This was considered no big deal. A lot of SEALS are medically retired well before their 20 is in. I can't imagine why.

[ukerduker]

One thing I've taken into consideration is I may want to take a shot at Special Ops.

If I enlisted Army, I could get a contract that would guarantee a chance to become a Ranger. If I enlisted USMC, there would be no direct route between signing on the dotted line and getting a shot at BRC. The Navy DOES offer the "SEAL Challenge" contract, but I'm afraid of where I might end up if I washed out (scraping paint off battleships for 4 years?).

If you wash out of the Frogs, you could be the next Casey Ryback (steven segal) and be the personal cook to the skipper.

[Guest Mugster]

First, know that you are subject to the needs of the service. Let that sink in real good, you can be guaranteed anything, it doesn't mean it'll happen. With that said, I drew the engineer branch (21B) when I went on to active, and volunteered for a dive outfit. My info is years out of date as well, so take it with a grain of salt.

The MOS used to be 00B, but it might be a 21 series now I don't know. I don't think you can sign directly up, it probably depends on how bad they need people. There was no typical recruit, came from all over the army. The thing about it is, you work year round on real jobs, war or peace.

The other good news is that re-enlistment bonues were running 20k+ for E-6 and above...I was feeling underpaid as an officer. I know that varies alot by need.

Equipment recovery (including stolen stuff/weapons), body jobs, Q/A, security swins, and outright heavy construction is the bulk of it. Lot of demo work...we always liked to blow stuff up.

You also have a certain amount of access to the spec war community as you go up in rank. Some of our NCO's went that way, or tried to. You have to be an E-5 to take that test. We had one officer that morphed to special forces...he was tough nut.

Couple articles:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1052912/posts

http://www.army.mil/-news/2006/11/20/669-army-divers-do-dangerous-mission-in-kuwait-iraq/

You can google NDSTC for the school. Its not buds. Its pretty tough to get through the school. Its also tough on your body generally, just doing the work. Most of the guys in it are PT fiends, smart, and egomaniacs. The kinda guys you don't mind invading a small country with.

[poak]

Thanks Mugs, good info.

[Guest trippm]

Sounds like you will be an excellent addition to our military poak! I too have been strongly considering joining and though I am in a bit of a different situation; I have begun to feel like I owe it to a country that has given me every oppurtunity imaginable. I have complained a lot about where this country is headed under new leadership... maybe I should take a leadership role myself and start DOING instead of complaining!

[323ssplt]

Poak:

I've been in the marines for almost ten years now. My path has been a VERY interesting one over that decade. I was a little older when I joined, I turned 23 in boot camp and did 4 years active duty. I was actually a topographic intlligence specialist by trade, where incidentally I learned drafting, survey and GIS that I use in my civilian job to this day. However, I was the "gung ho" marine that decided that being a POG wasn't for me. I ended up woking with recon battalion, Force Recon and various sniper units in a test program. That helped me decide to make a career choice and I became a grunt. I eventually joined a sniper unit and finally went to sniper school.

The long and the short is, that no matter what you decide to do, you will have a ton of fun and will goin valuable skills and experiences.

PS...if you want to join SF...I would recomend Army SF, Air Force Combat controllers or Marine Corps MARSOC...in that order. No offense to Mark@sea , or his buddy, but I have dealt with way too many SEALS (Team one and Team 10 specifically) and have had a rather unpleasant experience most of the time. The only ones that were actually decent were the snipers from Team One, they were down to earth and not cocky.

Anyway, as said before, go talk with all of the recruters, and decide for YOURSELF what you want out of the service....then choose the one that best provides the end goals for YOU!!!

If you have any questions, fel free to PM me.

[poak]

Thanks for the comments and support, guys.

Keep us posted on your decision, tripp.

323ssplt, you've got a PM inbound.

[DMark]

poak,

You desire to serve is great. We need everyone of you who understand that there are some things bigger than just ourselves.

Its not always a great living...., but it sure is a great life!

Good Luck,

[poak]

You can go 18x but if you fail out you will just be sent "needs of the army" as infantry. Infantry isnt a bad thing by any means dont let it seem that way. It's just "needs of the army" is where no one else wants to go. If you do go Army Id suggest, Infantry -> Airborne -> Italy. Germany would also be nice but you wouldnt get to jump there. Be aware though that you would most likely get sent to the 82nd Airborne, Fayetteville, NC eventually if you stayed in for a second enlistment and were Airborne. I dont want to say that 100% of the people I know from there hated it but it's pretty close.

But again if you want to make it a career I'd go AF.

Some how I missed this earlier...

So, if you go 18x, and you don't flunk, are you guaranteed a spot in SF, or just guaranteed a slot in selection (i.e. a chance for a chance)?

Furthermore, is the Ranger contract structured the same way, or are you guaranteed a spot in a Ranger battalion upon successful completion of RIP?