Army Options

I've just started the process for joining the army yesterday, and am going in to get some more stuff done at the recruiters today too. Has anyone here been in the military? I was going to join the Air Force but they refused to accept me because I have a misdemeanor on my record (DUI, 3 years ago). Anyway I'm pretty excited, and will probably go take their placement test in the next week or so.

I was looking at their linguist job and the "medical lab specialist". Both are entry enlisted positions, but I don't know how much of a choice I'll have over getting something like that.

I've just started the process for joining the army yesterday, and am going in to get some more stuff done at the recruiters today too. Has anyone here been in the military? I was looking at their linguist job and the "medical lab specialist". Both are entry enlisted positions, but I don't know how much of a choice I'll have over getting something like that.

Many of my friends back in Hawaii are in the military. One thing they all say is that you get no choice, at least in the beginning, unless you go in as an officer. If I remember correctly you need to apply for a post that has those positions open then apply for the job.

Those are two pretty radically different ways of going, I would go for linguist, a lot more exciting opportunities in that field, also if you ever have children, nephews, nieces etc etc the benefits they'll derive from your abilities will be huge. However, if you're looking to go the healer route like vagrant dreamer then maybe medical lab specialist is a better fit.

Curious though, I thought you were going to go to school and become a psych major, what happened?

Those are two pretty radically different ways of going, I would go for linguist, a lot more exciting opportunities in that field, also if you ever have children, nephews, nieces etc etc the benefits they'll derive from your abilities will be huge. However, if you're looking to go the healer route like vagrant dreamer then maybe medical lab specialist is a better fit.

Curious though, I thought you were going to go to school and become a psych major, what happened?

I picked a few more jobs that are going on my dream sheet when I go negotiate for a MOS (job). Basically I picked the one's with the longest Advanced Individual Training so that I could get the most college credit for it. I have been going to school at a community college for 4 semesters and have about 50 credits, and I might be able to get 15+ credits with the AIT (which is why I'm shooting got the one's I am). If I get a "desk job" then I can probably take a bunch of college classes while in the service, so I'm hoping I will have either a bachelors (or most of it), and maybe an AS in something like programming before I leave the service.

I love psych but I don't like the whole psych system very much. I just don't think it's science. Statistical info is at the core of psychology, and I want something more "real". I would like to continue with psych but I'm concerned that I will end up a useless degree. Regardless I will be trying to prepare for grad/med school after the service. If I can squeeze psych in, then great, but otherwise I want a degree that can pay, and one that is more technical. Right now I'm looking at Biology, or Neuropsych, if I can find an undergrad program for that (it was recommended by one of my professors as a more scientific alternative to psych). I also will try to get a minor or associates in programming, especially if I don't have enough time to focus on a BS.

For anyone interested in making psych your major, I don't want to discourage you. It's really interesting and useful to learn how to understand other people. But if you pursue a degree in psych be prepared for everyone who hasn't taken psych to think you got a degree in "common sense". Employers and family included.

I go to the Columbus MEPs tomorrow and come back the next day, so I'll post my ASVAB score and the MOS I get later on this week.

This post has been edited by ☞Tomber☜: Jun 19 2012, 09:16 AM

Well, definitely say what's up man, will be interested to see what route you decide upon. As for leaving the service, at the age your entering, I don't know, if it's about money, pull that hard 20 and you'll have a lot of freedom in taking jobs as well as a great deal of demand for your service. Who knows maybe in 25 years I'll be talking to General Tomber!

As for psych, I'll tell you this, I disagree. The heart of true psychology is occult, statistical data is merely an aid, a way to pinpoint or guide the senses toward the proper approach. True psychology is as much an art as it is a science, I know in America we stress Freudian concepts that take away from the some of the more unique aspects of the persona but that doesn't mean there isn't room for interpretation. Also, a psych degree is a very useful degree to have, because it can end up in a number of different things. Human resource directors make a pretty nice amount of cash. The thing is that some people hear psychology and think, so you're going to be a doctor prescribing drugs? It's like asking a history, english, humanities or philosophy major if they're going to be teachers. Don't let a pigeon-holer beat you. Having said that, psychology is hard degree to get a bachelors in, especially here in America.

Congrats and thanks for wanting to serve. I'm prior Army and while I had fun,it's a tough life. You seem to be on the right path in terms of investigating your options. I would honestly look at the Navy to see what's out there,and use as a leverage play to get what you want out of a military commitment. Remember,if it's not in the contract,it doesn't exist.(service commitment contract). Promotion system within the Navy is more MOS based than the Army; ie : do you really have expertise in your occupation vs general Army policies and procedures. You've got college credit? I would think either branch of service would give a bump in rank upon enlistment. Lastly,find an officer recruiter. More pay as an officer and better living quarters. You could enroll in a type of delayed entry program,like ROTC,and have them pay off your college debt. Not trying to dissuade,just a different perspective on having been there.

Congrats and thanks for wanting to serve. I'm prior Army and while I had fun,it's a tough life. You seem to be on the right path in terms of investigating your options. I would honestly look at the Navy to see what's out there,and use as a leverage play to get what you want out of a military commitment. Remember,if it's not in the contract,it doesn't exist.(service commitment contract). Promotion system within the Navy is more MOS based than the Army; ie : do you really have expertise in your occupation vs general Army policies and procedures. You've got college credit? I would think either branch of service would give a bump in rank upon enlistment. Lastly,find an officer recruiter. More pay as an officer and better living quarters. You could enroll in a type of delayed entry program,like ROTC,and have them pay off your college debt. Not trying to dissuade,just a different perspective on having been there.

Thanks for the input Bb3 and thoth. I got back from the MEPS place and passed everything... got an 88 AFQT. As soon as my waiver/drug test papers get processed I'll go down to C-bus again to swear in and get the contract inked. Yeah I'll probably end up going in as an PFC, which is cool. I'll be sure everything is in the contract, thanks for the heads up I wasn't aware of its name.

The biggest bonus for me will for sure be all the college incentives. I'm trying to revolve my army career around college as much as possible. Finishing my 4 year in service (probably), and getting basically a free ride in post grad is a very sweet deal. I'm not just doing it for the money but it's hard to ignore when I'm looking at 80-100k cash for school plus the wages. All for a few years job experience. I'll stop since I'm starting to sound like a "goarmy" tv commercial now but I'm pretty excited overall.

I'll still hang around here though.

Thanks for the input Bb3 and thoth. I got back from the MEPS place and passed everything... got an 88 AFQT. As soon as my waiver/drug test papers get processed I'll go down to C-bus again to swear in and get the contract inked. Yeah I'll probably end up going in as an PFC, which is cool. I'll be sure everything is in the contract, thanks for the heads up I wasn't aware of its name.

The biggest bonus for me will for sure be all the college incentives. I'm trying to revolve my army career around college as much as possible. Finishing my 4 year in service (probably), and getting basically a free ride in post grad is a very sweet deal. I'm not just doing it for the money but it's hard to ignore when I'm looking at 80-100k cash for school plus the wages. All for a few years job experience. I'll stop since I'm starting to sound like a "goarmy" tv commercial now but I'm pretty excited overall.

I'll still hang around here though.

Sounds great,good luck!

Thanks for the input Bb3 and thoth. I got back from the MEPS place and passed everything... got an 88 AFQT. As soon as my waiver/drug test papers get processed I'll go down to C-bus again to swear in and get the contract inked. Yeah I'll probably end up going in as an PFC, which is cool. I'll be sure everything is in the contract, thanks for the heads up I wasn't aware of its name.

The biggest bonus for me will for sure be all the college incentives. I'm trying to revolve my army career around college as much as possible. Finishing my 4 year in service (probably), and getting basically a free ride in post grad is a very sweet deal. I'm not just doing it for the money but it's hard to ignore when I'm looking at 80-100k cash for school plus the wages. All for a few years job experience. I'll stop since I'm starting to sound like a "goarmy" tv commercial now but I'm pretty excited overall.

I'll still hang around here though.

I think the armed forces are definitely giving good deals nowadays and many very successful people have gone through them, quite a few because there really was no other way for them.

When you going in? Perhaps we can do a SM sendoff (not that you're leaving) for you to acknowledge that you'll be going to an entirely new world.

I ended up choosing "watercraft engineer" (it opened up and seemed more interesting than my other choices and it's a MOS that doesn't typically have very many slots), and will probably be stationed in either Hawaii or South Carolina by late 2013, since those are the only two states that have bases for that job. I start basic early 2013.

This post has been edited by ☞Tomber☜: Jul 14 2012, 12:27 PM

I ended up choosing "watercraft engineer" (it opened up and seemed more interesting than my other choices and it's a MOS that doesn't typically have very many slots), and will probably be stationed in either Hawaii or South Carolina by late 2013, since those are the only two states that have bases for that job. I start basic early 2013.

sounds good, we'll talk again in december, maybe prepare something.

I ended up choosing "watercraft engineer" (it opened up and seemed more interesting than my other choices and it's a MOS that doesn't typically have very many slots), and will probably be stationed in either Hawaii or South Carolina by late 2013, since those are the only two states that have bases for that job. I start basic early 2013.

Didn't such an MOS existed! Great find and great places stateside to be stationed. Just beware payday loan establishments and cougs hanging out in the bars during a unit's deployment.

Are you going to Fort Jackson or Leonard Wood(aka Lost in the Woods)?

Well it's about time for me to exit here for a bit. I changed my MOS (to infantry) which pushed my leave date back a little to the 11th of this month but I'll be pretty much booked tying up loose ends around here until then. I won't be able to moderate for at least 3 months. After that I hope to have access to some kind of regular internet so I hope it all works out but either way I'll let you all know what's up.

Apart from that it's been pretty cool hanging out with everyone here. Learning from the wisdom of everyone, but especially Fatherjohn, Vagrant, and Goibniu, has really been an awesome experience.

Hey and now that I won't be a poor college student who cab't afford to travel any more it would be cool to meet some of you in the future to talk about magic and stuff.

Well, it's not like I'm leaving forever so I'll keep this short. My basic training is at Fort Benning Georgia, don't know where I'll be afterwards. Later.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bigwink.gif)

Hey, you'll be in my neck of the woods! Well, almost, anyway, it's about 180 miles. So, my region of the woods, anyway.

Good luck with everything!

peace
Vagrant

stay strong and keep in mind what you really want.

The best of luck and all my good wishes will go with you. If your are ever in the Washington DC/Baltimore area let me know, i'll buy you a beer.

This post has been edited by fatherjhon: Feb 6 2013, 10:47 AM

I've just started the process for joining the army yesterday, and am going in to get some more stuff done at the recruiters today too. Has anyone here been in the military? I was going to join the Air Force but they refused to accept me because I have a misdemeanor on my record (DUI, 3 years ago). Anyway I'm pretty excited, and will probably go take their placement test in the next week or so.

I was looking at their linguist job and the "medical lab specialist". Both are entry enlisted positions, but I don't know how much of a choice I'll have over getting something like that.

damn I wanted to join in But they give me ,two years temporarily unable, because of my leg well of course I need it so they decide to give me some time and my stupidity which was made no sense whatsoever , they was really nice and soldier said that if I feel better that I can come back early well I do feel much better now but I will focus on me Well they know something was wrong so they give me time out really nice

I was really an idiot damn XD
oh well the major role was only leg, Now is better though