I'm in the Army now...

[NightShadow]

Just to let some of y'all know, two days ago I took my oath and was sworn into the U.S. military. Here's the particulars:

Branch of choice:
U.S. Army, Signals Corps

Term obligation:
6 years active, 2 years reserve/inactive

Ship-out date:
April 30, 2008

Basic Training location:
Fort Jackson, South Carolina (9 weeks)

AIT (job training) location:
Fort Gordon, Georgia (20 weeks, 2 days)

MOS/job title:
Information Technologies Specialist (glorified computer tech/troubleshooter)

Rank:
E1 (Private)


It's interesting to note that my ASVAB (entrance exam) score was a 93%. That's extremely rare and puts me in the top 1% of applicants. Hardly anyone gets over a 90%, literally one out of a hundred might do it. Such a high score makes a LOT of jobs available to the applicant. I chose something which will keep me from getting my ass shot off. Where I go after I'm done with AIT is anyone's guess.

While my rank is currently just an E1, I have some potential to make it to E3 (Private First Class) before I even ship out for Basic. It'll mean that I must be able to meet the physical requirements for getting OUT of Basic training (40 push-ups in 1 minute, 40 sit-ups in 1 minute and running 2 miles in 17 minutes) and referring at least one solid candidate for entrance into the Army. Alternatively, I can refer 2 people for entrance into the Army and acquire an E3 ranking. So... anyone in the local Dallas area who might be considering a career in the Army, you could do worse than to help a brother out and drop me a note.

I've signed my paperwork, gotten my security clearance, done ALL of my testing, taken my oath and gotten my contract. All that's left for me is to go and have my ass handed to me in Basic.

Just thought that some of you would like to know.

[General_Zod]

Congratulations I scored a 85% on my test. Do us all proud.

[Falin]

Best of luck, I joined the AF right out of HS, so even though you're older, you'll still cherish the expireince. it's ride, to say the least, although with a change of pres parties, it may get hectic

[2cvbloke]

Good luck and pray Mr. Bush doesn't ship you out to fight his oil war...

[CASUAL OBSERVER]

Oh boy.

A 93% is pretty damn good. An overall score of 85% and a GT score of 110+ (out of 130) will allow you to get any job in the US Army. My scores were a 97% overall and a 129 GT score. I've had then pitching M.I. and Officer Candidate School now every month for two years, but I like where I'm at.

As for your rank....do you have any college, sports or boy scouts in your past? Having two years of college will get you E-3 or qualify you to go to OCS and become a Lieutenant (you need a BA to become a Captain though). If you ever made Eagle Scout, that'll also do the trick.

And don't worry about goin' to "Relaxin' Jackson". Have fun. And don't worry. Army basic training is a f*cking joke. The only things you need to do to graduate is pass a APFT and qualify with your rifle. I hear Jackson is a nice post too.

As for Gordon, it's a nice post and has an EXTREMELY high male/female ratio (I actually heard there's more women there than men, but I've never counted). That's where almost all Signal Corps MOS training takes place so you'll be surrounded by like minded individuals.

I remember going through Fort Benning for Basic, Infantry School and Airborne school two years ago. It was a b-i-t-c-h. I had two Army Ranger drill sergeants and a SF qualified 1Sgt. It was 100+ degrees every damn day. Week long FTXs. PT like you wouldn't believe. After that, Airborne school was like a picnic. But I've heard that's highly unusual. Benning is the only all-male training center and they get away with a lot of stuff they wouldn't at a more PC co-ed post like Jackson.

Either way, get in shape before you go as best you can. Everything will fall into place after that naturally. Keep a good attitude and don't be a Blue Falcon. And, for the love of God, don't think you can do it alone. The hardest part of any training is coming together with a bunch of strangers to form a cohesive unit. The fast you can accomplish that, the easier time you'll have of it. You're going to be older than most there. Take charge and be a leader.

Best of luck. Any specific questions or anything. PM me, I'll be happy to answer as much as I can.

-Spc. Campadonia
160th Long Range Surveillance Detachment (Airborne)

[Tovette]

Yo Joe!!!

[al3d]

Did you fall on your head or what?...who in his right mind joins the military?...specialy in the US?..AND at 34 years old?, what would be the purpose realy?

[captain07]

*admin edit*

With regards to Al; joining the US military does provide youngsters with a means to pay for their secondary education. If their situation is dire enough, this may be more than enough reason to join. Now, with regards to a 34 year old, I'm not sure what motivation would be present.

Lastly, the OP is one of ours, isn't he? Would it be much to wish him well and hope he gets legit and reasonable orders, and that if he's asked to fight, that it's for a just cause? While he may be joining a branch that doesn't put him in the line of fire, anything can happen, and he may very well buy a farm or a small piece of one. Rather than throwing veiled insults his way, I think it'd be more prudent to wish him well, in addition to what I've already mentioned.

That being said: NightShadow, hope you end up OK after all is said and done, and that your superiors utilize you in the correct manner. Best wishes.

[gryphon]

Sounds alot like me chief, though I went into signal as a 31R/25Q, I eventually cross trained as a 25F/25N, basically going from the lowest speed job to one of the highest speed jobs in the Signal Corp.
Just remember, treat Basic seriously, shut up and do what your told, and push yourself as ofter as possible. I went to Fort Benning for Basic, and largely enjoyed myself, oh as a side note, some posts have what they call the soldier of the cycle competition, basically each training company sends their best trainee to a board of drill sergeants and the first sergeant of teh unit, which is very similar to the promotion boards you have to face to make any rank of sergeant. This may or may not happen in AIT at Gordon, it did to me there as well. If you make it into these slots by performing well, then you can make rank in no time flat, I went into basic (9-10 weeks, Christmas exodus jacked us up), an E1, and left AIT (8 weeks for my abysmally low speed job) an E3. Within 6-7 months of my first posting to Ft Hood I made E-4. Its possible, but you gotta work hard, remember EVERYTHING, especially military history and etiquette, and don't frak up with your basic drills.
Also be sure to enjoy yourself during your free weekends at AIT, you will be permitted to leave post after a period of time determined by the Drills. Basically, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself, regardless of how much pressure you are under, this is a unique experience of your life, and a powerful tool for self development.

[A2597]

My roommate just joined the Army as well, on a 3 year stint.

Good luck man! Sure to be a lifetime of memories.