Thread: Thinking about enlisting

First off i want to say how much respect i have for anyone in the millitary, and thank you. I really appreciate what you people do. That said, i came to this forum to try to get some general info about the army and enlisting. I've been talking to a recruiter, but i want to get info from more than one source. Im 25 years old. I graduated from college a couple years ago and I just feel like i could do more with my life. Im not looking to the millitary to pay off student loans..mine are paid. Im not looking for a job either..i already have two. One of my employers will pay for me to go back to school to get my masters. So its not education im after either. I honestly cant pin point exactly why i want to join...it could best be described as a 'call of duty' i guess. I cant stop thinking about it.

Question 1.) Being that i have a 4 year degree i could enlist as an e-4. Does that mean i would be ranked as an e-4 (corporal or specialist), or does that mean i will only be paid as an e-4 and still be a private?

Question 2.) If i did enlist as an e-4 and wasnt just getting e-4 pay, what would i be, a corporal or a specialist? Whats the difference? How long does it typically take to advance? What factors determine advancement?

Question 3.) I know i could try to get into OCS. Even though i have 2.5 years supervisory work experience, I dont really feel like I would get accepted. Anybody have any advice on OCS? Is it something i should def. try to do as a college grad?

Question 4.) Im pretty much assuming im going to be deployed to Afghanistan. How long are the typical deployments there on average? I thought i read that average deployments to iraq were around 15 months (and multiple).

Question 5.) I know i might be putting the cart before the horse here, but im thinking about Ranger school also. I want to have an infantry MOS. Even though im 25 i'm in very good physical condition. I've been working out for 2 hours per day for years and have no problem running 10-15 miles at all. My questions are: can you get a chance at ranger school in your contract upon enlistment? or is it something you have to earn after enlisting? Would i be a prime candidate for failure as a new enlistee? I would assume that most who succeed in ranger school have been in for a while and are very experienced.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer my questions.