Enlisting

[TaShunka Luta]

Cool - congrats on your enlistment SmokeEater!!!! And....if you went Army you'd be in the same MOS series as me :)

[Medievalbelle]

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[shopaw]

Well today I offically got down pretty close to my weight and body fat percentage and called my recruiter. I've set up a time to do the ASVAB in a few weeks, and then paperwork, and on to MEPS from there. So I've still got a lot of time to get well under my weight/body fat percentage.

I'm joining the US Navy Reserves. Well as far as my political views toward Iraq/Afghanistan, Bush, etc- that can be saved for another post or thread or whatever. I am hoping to pass my experience on to those on this board who may be interested in the same thing. (And please... I've heard "why are you going to fight for Bush?" So many times it has lost all meaning).

The Navy has an APG (Advanced Pay Grade) program for those with specialized skills to join the Navy Reserves at a higher rate- like E-4 (those military minded people already know what I mean). Of course how much you make, and how many stripes you'll have coming in depends on your experience, education, etc. Having already been a Paramedic for four years I get to come in as an E-4 Hospital Corpsman.

Through research and talking with other Corpsmen at the local Reserve Center I'm going to be an 8404 FMF (Fleet Marine Force) Corpsman. As many may or may not know, the USMC is under the Navy, and relies on the Navy for medical support.

After I'm enlisted (I'll post my experiences with signing my contract, MEPS, and the Oath for later threads). I have to go through Navy boot-camp at Great Lakes, IL within 12 months of enlistment. For APG Reservist- we get to go to a 17 day camp.

I think this program works out great for individuals who want to serve, but are leary about taking several months off of work at a time for training. I was originally interested in the USMC- but 13 weeks at Paris Island, and however many weeks at the School of Infantry, and however many weeks at my MOS school would have been too much of a burden for my work schedule. The Army would have been pretty much the same way. I'm glad about using a skill that I'm pretty good at as a civilian.

If anyone has any comments, please let me know.

Just remember in order to recieve your pay grade or the extra money you have to survive. As in the news around here a youngman trying to receive the benifits, just to pay for college never made it back to go to college so keep your head down. I'm sure a several hundred others had the same plan as you but was only returned to the ground. Be safe!

[bustface011]

You have made your decision to go serve apparently, so why are you asking what others think. You seem to be focused on the the skills and advancement of carerr, know that potential cost. Are you married? Have children? If so, may want to consider a good life insurance policy, particularly in your line of work. I have seen recently on the news an interview conducted with a wife and daughter and their Dad, is serving in Iran as a contract person with a 1 year contract for 6 mil. He is doing it for his daughter's education, she want to go to Medical School. They already have two other children in college, and since education is important to the family for the success of their children, the father chose to volunteer for the pay off amount. He went because of the high risk.

I beleive that all our Indian youth should shun this war! Unless you are just adamant about the pay off for a worthwhile career. I would ask others to seek other means of developing and illustrating the warrior strenght, such as through education, which leads to a professional degree, such as engineering, doctors, increasing our numbers in the sports arena.

I sure do hope you are right about the time of training. I have been flying recently and going into Oklahoma there were some young recruits talking to elders. Seems the arms has shortened the training time. Bush needs troops real fast!

May God Bless you and Keep you Safe and return you home complete.

[50cal]

You have made your decision to go serve apparently, so why are you asking what others think. You seem to be focused on the the skills and advancement of carerr, know that potential cost. Are you married? Have children? If so, may want to consider a good life insurance policy, particularly in your line of work. I have seen recently on the news an interview conducted with a wife and daughter and their Dad, is serving in Iran as a contract person with a 1 year contract for 6 mil. He is doing it for his daughter's education, she want to go to Medical School. They already have two other children in college, and since education is important to the family for the success of their children, the father chose to volunteer for the pay off amount. He went because of the high risk.

I beleive that all our Indian youth should shun this war! Unless you are just adamant about the pay off for a worthwhile career. I would ask others to seek other means of developing and illustrating the warrior strenght, such as through education, which leads to a professional degree, such as engineering, doctors, increasing our numbers in the sports arena.

I sure do hope you are right about the time of training. I have been flying recently and going into Oklahoma there were some young recruits talking to elders. Seems the arms has shortened the training time. Bush needs troops real fast!

May God Bless you and Keep you Safe and return you home complete.

Where does it say training time has shortened??? LOL!!! Ok whatever......last I heard which was like today training is still the same amount of time......and by the way, he wasn't asking others what they think of his decision, he was just letting people know the process of enlisting and the means of going about it......and what is this?? "unless you are just adamant about the pay off for a worthwhile career", anyways!!! I believe he knows what kind of a pay cut he is going to get, maybe he's doing this for himself. So thanks for the real "positive" words there. LOL!!!! oh and the only contract you sign with the military is your initial contract that informs you of the time you will be serving active and inactive....1 year contract for 6 mil!!! LOL!!! ANyways........

[Gail405]

I have a few comments. I think you have a good plan in mind. But time in service is critical for a feild such as your anticipating. Reserve, maybe different rules will apply. You will get bunches, and bunches , and bunches, of training for your skill. Likely you will have to sign on as a career corpsman. If you are called up as most reserve units feel will happen. Fleet Marine means sea duty, W/ Marines. At least that is the way I understand the terms. Expeditionary force, I think their called. Seems to me a lot of avenues will open up for you. Be ready, to ply your skills and training. You will make a difference.IMO GES

[SmokeEater]

Unless you are just adamant about the pay off for a worthwhile career.

Money is the last reason why I am in the Navy, and the last reason, in my opinion, for anyone to join the military. There are a multitude of ways in the world to make more money, and do so a lot safer.

No I am single. No wife. No kids. No attachments. Hopefully by me doing the job I enlisted to do, I will allow another sailor or Marine to go home to his wife, kids, and loved ones.

[Resa]

What??!!

1 year pay-off for 6 mil? Did this dude join the military or the NBA? If ya know anything then ya know that ya don't join the military for the pay OR the benefits. And if yer going to build things for millions, despite, you might be over there for Haliburton.

[Annie Fawn]

Good Luck and thank you. My son in law is a Army Medic and 50cal is right spread what you know and learn. It really can and does save lives.

[spottedeagle]

Hang Tough Smoke!!! Nothing but respect for you! Just remember when things get tough there are a lot of us who are here praying for all you guys, 50 Cal, Soliderboy and all the rest.

[LakotaTexan]

Good Luck with your Military Career SmokeEater. I served in the U.S. Army back in the 80's. One piece of advice, while in basic training, you want to keep a low profile. Anything you do, out of the ordinary will draw attention to you from your DI. Sometimes, not the best kind.

When I got to Basic (Ft. Dix, NJ), we got to make one call to let our family know we arrived safe and to give out our mailing address. My girlfriend must've been writing the entire week and a half I was in-processing. She sent all the letters at once.

When we were at mail call, the DI, must've called my name about 8 times. After that, my new nickname was "Loverboy". Whenever the DI needed to make an example of someone, he would holler at "Loverboy" to get over there. Trust me, I'm no loverboy.

I will say that after I completed basic, I felt as if there wasn't anything I couldn't accomplish. I really treasure those memories and miss those friendships.