U.S. Army

If you haven't seen my introduction post, I've stated that I have signed up for the Army. I'll use this here to let you guys know what's going on there and I can even answer questions you guys may have about it. Feel free to ask anything you'd like.

After getting away from my ex-wife, the very first thing I did was go down to the recruiting station and set up a day to go to MEPS(Military Entrance Processing Station.) I didn't even finish unpacking first. I scored an 84 on my ASVAB(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery,) which is higher than average, a lot higher. Unfortunately, there were very limited jobs available as the job reservations for this fiscal year have pretty well been taken. (Fiscal year starts Oct. 1st, if I remember correctly.) I could pick anything I wanted, but what was available was Petroleum and Fueling Engineer(gas pumper, boo,) 88M(truck driver, suprisingly dangerous,) and infantry. I did my research, got with a few veterans who wouldn't give me the recruiters opinion, and decided to take my chances with infantry.

Here's a few big reasons why. My neighbor was in Army JAG, essentially the Army's lawyers. He also happens to run a gun range and owns a nice collection. He graciously took me out to get some experience with higher caliber rifles. He brought his M14, the predecessor to the M16, and I fell in love immediately. The rifle shoots the 7.62x51mm round(better known as the .308 caliber) at 2,800 ft./second. The only ear protection we brought were these massive ear muffs. I couldn't sight the gun with the ear protection on, so I went without. Was loud, but could have been worse. After unloading my very first clip(10 rounds) he said that I'd have no problems shooting expert with the M16, which is a better gun, fires the smaller 5.56mm round with less recoil and more accuracy. The grouping was quite good, from any perspective, especially considering it was the first time I had ever fired the weapon.

If I was in a better financial situation I'd be buying my own arms in a heart beat, but I guess I'll just have to wait for basic.

I could go on for hours, but I will spare you. haha

[jayman]

kick some ass.

Good for you dude. I respect absolutely anyone who wants to fight for our country. Every so often I think about what it'd be like and I just can't imagine it. Feel Proud! Go get 'em!

sometimes i want to join the armed forces. i respect you so much for acting on the feeling. <3

If I'm right,you're doing the basic training and then?Going to a army Base in another coutry?Hope you won't go to Iraq...
Anyway,good luck and be carefull!

[SauronHimself]

Do you have a degree? If so, go through OCS.

After basic I get to turn around, walk across the street, and go to AIT(Advanced Individual Training.)

I wouldn't mind going to Iraq or Afganistan. I didn't join the Army to go to some kushy place. I joined so I could fight for my country. And so that I could fight for some equality in this world. I can't stand the thought of a suicide bomber taking innocent lives for his own selfish cause. Those kind of people need to be stopped.

And no, I don't have a degree. I will work toward that with my GI Bill though. Becoming an officer one day would be nice.

[Oscar]

Do they make the newbies eat weird stuff off the ground like tv says?

Hahaha. Haven't seen any of that yet. But who knows.

One thing kind of strange that I found out is that if somebody throws up during PT, his buddies to his left and right will throw up. No matter what. They will make you do pushups over the puke til you throw up. But, that's an infantry thing, not a general Army thing.

As long as you don't need to eat pig eyes or other yummy things...

[Coasterkidmwm]

HOO RAH?

[jayman]

with a score like that on the asvab you ought to have been able to get into the navy at least..

[slosprint]

Or the Air Force...

[SauronHimself]

No, they won't make you eat extraneous things from the ground. The new Army boot camp is much tamer than it used to be, too. Yelling is reduced to only when necessary, recruits get 8 hours of sleep per night, and even the fat recruits can eat dessert.

[Oscar]

8 hours sleep and all you can eat? Sign me up!

That headline makes them all look like a bunch of pussies.

[coolbeans326]

Originally posted by Oscar

8 hours sleep and all you can eat? Sign me up!

That only lasts during basic training then its back to the real world. huhhhhhhhhhhhhh?
Good luck. Shouldnt be to hard though, it is only the army[;)] He'll at least get internet and AC when and if he ever gets the opportunity to deploy.

As far as your choice to go infantry, you're gonna have fun dude. This is gonna be like your college experience you never had as long as you stay single. You're gonna make a lot of good friendships that's going to last you a long time. You're gonna see some poop, but you're gonna be fine as long as you follow your training. Other thing is some people will tell you that you should have picked an MOS that would have let you get a civillian job once you are done with your contract, but honestly it's not really that big of a deal as long as you use your GI bill to take full advantage of your education. It really is the best thing going for veterans and I dont think enough people take advantage of it. But you're gonna have fun dude, it'll be some of the best times and it will be some of the worst times, but you'll look back fondly on these years.

No more "YOU HAD BEST UNFUCK YOURSELF OR I WILL UNSCREW YOUR HEAD AND poop DOWN YOUR NECK"? Or are the Marines still like that?

[Oscar]

Is tconwell's picture plastered all over the urinals? [:D]

[coolbeans326]

Originally posted by Freddie

No more "YOU HAD BEST UNFUCK YOURSELF OR I WILL UNSCREW YOUR HEAD AND poop DOWN YOUR NECK"? Or are the Marines still like that?

you'll have to sign up and find out for yourself [;)]

I'm too much of a bitch for that....

Will continue to enjoy R Lee Ermey movies and shows, though.

I've talked to a bunch of infantry guys, got along with all of 'em.
And yes, the Marines are still like that. Even in the recruiting station. Its all yelling and nonsense. Not talking bad about them, they're just kind of insane, ya know?

I do plan on using my GI Bill to its full potential. But, you don't have to. Police stations pick up infantry people faster than any civilian. They don't need weapons training, they have teamwork and leadership skills, and they follow orders really well.

One thing you may not know, the Army kicks you out if you don't work for a promotion for so long. Part of your job, no matter what your MOS is, is to become a leader, a Seargant. If you're stuck at Specialist or Corporal for too long, you go home without pay.

[SauronHimself]

Originally posted by Freddie

No more "YOU HAD BEST UNFUCK YOURSELF OR I WILL UNSCREW YOUR HEAD AND poop DOWN YOUR NECK"? Or are the Marines still like that?

The Marines haven't changed. Watch the documentary "Ears Open, Eyeballs Click".

Gettin' down to the last few days now. I leave on Monday!
I cannot wait any longer.

[Turbo]

^ good luck!