Looking for advice/truth

TAZ3187 · 05-07-2009 11:52 PM

I am a 21 year old male with 3 years of college experience both in academics and athletics. I grew up in team sports, usually as a leader on whatever team was going at the time. I take orders well and thrive in a structured lifestyle. I prolonged enlistment at my parents wishes and to experience life away from home. I want to finish a college education, but believe I would benefit more from some time away, out in the world, where I can finish maturing and finding out my strengths and weaknesses. What intrigues me about the army is it's purpose, the available possibilities and an environment (as I've come to learn about it second-hand from many sources) I believe I was born to exist in. I would appreciate any information on the enlistment process (what to expect, what to avoid). I want to make it to Ranger or higher so any information that specifically leads me from the recruiters desk to that point would be extremely appreciated.

Thank you for the time.

**Armyforums** · 05-07-2009 11:52 PM

**Master Tanker** · 05-08-2009 01:10 AM

TAZ, dibblejr can give you better advice on the mechanics of enlisting. But my advice is to clench the teeth & finish college, get that BA/BS and go OCS. If you decide so, get into ROTC at the U/College even if you can't totally finish the program because that will insure that you qualify mentally/physically & not be disappointed later.

**CraigTlumsden** · 05-08-2009 04:31 AM

Yeah if you are going to go in, definitely finish college, and consider the Air Force. It's simply better quality of life. There are other problems in the Army that are not worth dealing with. Administratively speaking, it is a joke. When there is something that is important for your development as a soldier (promotions, schools, bonuses) it is common, though not always likely you will just have to wait. However, if you owe the Army money, they are spot on. If you are looking to develop yourself as a leader, dont waste your time here, join the Marines, the Corps beats leadership into your brain to the point you will wake up in the morning reciting leadership traits, or one of the 11 general orders or some crap like that. The Corps also exercises the leadership a lot. If you like a challenge, go there. If you want to be some turd LT that means nothing until CPT, by all means join the Army.

**MPclk2006** · 05-08-2009 06:52 AM

wow hopefully this doesn't change the OP's mind about joining the Army.

What I have found out is that when someone talks that bad about the Army (or Navy, AF, or Marines) is b/c they had a bad experience in that specific branch. I bet you this person that posted the last message got in trouble in the Army, or maybe could never make NCO status or had a bad Officer in charge of him (yes there is bad NCOs and bad Officers, just like there is bad Soldiers and just like there is the same in the other branches)

TAZ3187 · 05-08-2009 09:41 AM

I think my explanation of self has detracted from my actual request. I will be enlisting. I would appreciate information on how the enlisting process works, what to avoid and what to expect. I have no desire to be an officer nor the lifestyle differences/perks/pay which an officer's rank affords. Thanks the advice that was already given, I will consider it fully while I look further into the enlistment process.

**dibblejr** · 05-09-2009 05:36 AM

Not everyone has a possitive military experience, just like in the civillian life. If you had a true "breach of contract or think you had a breach of contract" you should have already contacyed your legal office. I covered this subject in your thread where you should keep it.

Every branch has it's problems, if you feel this way why didnt you join one of the other branches?

Originally Posted by CraigTlumsden

Yeah if you are going to go in, definitely finish college, and consider the Air Force. It's simply better quality of life. There are other problems in the Army that are not worth dealing with. Administratively speaking, it is a joke. When there is something that is important for your development as a soldier (promotions, schools, bonuses) it is common, though not always likely you will just have to wait. However, if you owe the Army money, they are spot on. If you are looking to develop yourself as a leader, dont waste your time here, join the Marines, the Corps beats leadership into your brain to the point you will wake up in the morning reciting leadership traits, or one of the 11 general orders or some crap like that. The Corps also exercises the leadership a lot. If you like a challenge, go there. If you want to be some turd LT that means nothing until CPT, by all means join the Army.

**dibblejr** · 05-09-2009 05:42 AM

TAZ

Dont worry about the negativity generated by a few. The military lifestyle is what you make and take away from it. It doesnt matter which branch you enlist in, just like in life, the "Grass always looks greener".

Anyway provide a little more specific background information, height, weight, hobbies, things you like to do ect. Have you taken the ASVAB and what LIN scores did you have?

Since we dont have any sports coaches maybe entering as a Combat Medic would suit you, you are always active especially if you can get the "F" for flight. (just an example)

You can also visit www.goarmy.com and research the different jobs. If you find one that may peak some interest you can try youtube for a video.

Try to answer my above questions if you dont feel comfortable puting it in public send me a private message.

TAZ3187 · 05-09-2009 08:29 PM

I'm 6'2'' 198 lbs 15% body fat. Besides lacrosse and basketball, I workout, ride sportbikes, go hiking/camping (younger brother works for a rock gym so I usually boulder there on sundays) and not so much anymore due to school, I use to go shooting. I am not very interested anything medic-related for some reason, I don't know why. Thank you for the help. I looked up goarmy.com and researched the enlistment process a little further as well as certain m.o.s's. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ranger and SF seem like polar opposites, Ranger being more regimented while SF appears to be less so. I was lead to believe Rangers were a mandatory step on the way to SF.

Haven't taken ASVAB or LIN yet. Don't really know how to go about that, the website doesn't explain much. I spoke with a friend who is a recruiter and he said he would try to find a test spot for the asvab for me.

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