Big decision, which branch to join...

[Milford Cubicle II]

How important is your ASVAB score anyways? The Army recruiter told me I could have any job I wanted, provided there was an opening. Then he recommended I go into the infantry... what's up with that? I don't mean to sound arrogant or offend any infantry soldiers but with a 98 why would he recommend infantry??

I was a mech/aerospace engineering major before I switched to CJ and I'm liking the idea of a combat engineer if I went that route :dunno:

 

[ColoCherokees]

Not sure if this has been addressed by the OP or others yet, but...(gasp) have you considered being an officer? (Ducks flying debris thrown by enlisted folks on here). Just as an FYI, getting a commission doesn't REQUIRE being a D-bag, it just seems to attract those types.

The pay is better, the perks are better, plus, you aren't REQUIRED to behave as a spoiled D-bag...be one of the the few "LTs" that truly learns a career field, SERVES YOUR COUNTRY, and when you're ready to leave the service have a network of D-Bags you don't like help you out getting a good civvie job.

Just something to consider, as you're pondering how best you can SERVE your Country.

 

[ladywolf]

how about do the best thing and go ROTC and get a scholarship to finish your degree, (the army will pay ya) then you can go in the army as an occifer and get paid better. you can still get a degree in whatever, and the army (most times) will let ya pick your career branch if ya do well enuf in school.

i'm sure the A/F has something similar.

 

[ZomBrady]

How important is your ASVAB score anyways? The Army recruiter told me I could have any job I wanted, provided there was an opening. Then he recommended I go into the infantry... what's up with that? I don't mean to sound arrogant or offend any infantry soldiers but with a 98 why would he recommend infantry??

I was a mech/aerospace engineering major before I switched to CJ and I'm liking the idea of a combat engineer if I went that route :dunno:

It's not that you wouldn't do well in combat engineering, but along the lines of that they want 'intelligent' individuals in high stress jobs like the infantry.

The military has gone away from putting the 'rocks' in the infantry and is instead focusing on increasing the quality of the basic infantryman. This increases the likelihood of success where it matters most (where lives military and civilian are on the line). Although I personally believe that the Army is way behind the Marine Corps in this department.

If you think you have what it takes to be an infantryman, then go for it, but it does also take special nontangible qualities in addition to just being smart. It takes heart and courage of character, and those qualities you can't measure with a simple test.

 

[AIbandit]

Not sure if this has been addressed by the OP or others yet, but...(gasp) have you considered being an officer?

Maybe he wants to work for a living?

Really Lady wolf and him bring up a good point. There are some good officers out there but there usually prior enlisted. Go for it if your not going to be a tool

 

[fscrig75]

I was a mech/aerospace engineering major before I switched to CJ and I'm liking the idea of a combat engineer if I went that route :dunno:

arty:


Combat Engineer is a great job loads of fun and very challenging! But I'll be upfront with you that the amount of actual engineering you'll do is very low.
When I was deployed to Bosnia we did repaired roads, worked on schools, ran wiring and laid pipe, , we did also build one timber trussel bridge. But for the most part of deployment we cleared minefields, lots of them.
Most of what you will be doing Iraq/Afganistan is route clearence, IED/VBIED, and then foot patrols. We are glorified Infantrymen.

Officer is always an option and you can do it after you enlist too. If officer isn't something you'd like there is always Warrent Officer. Kinda hard to explain what they do. I think you have to be an NCO first then you submit a packet go through a short school and get pinned. Ladywolf can probably explain WOs better then I can.

The military has gone away from putting the 'rocks' in the infantry and is instead focusing on increasing the quality of the basic infantryman. This increases the likelihood of success where it matters most (where lives military and civilian are on the line). Although I personally believe that the Army is way behind the Marine Corps in this department.

This is a very true statement. There are still plenty of rocks, we always need cannon fodder, but there are less than you think.
We want people who can assess a situation is seconds, evaluate it and then come up with a plan of attack quickly. We are getting away from the robot mentality. We are behind the USMC but we are moving in the right direction.

 

[ZomBrady]

arty:
This is a very true statement. There are still plenty of rocks, we always need cannon fodder, but there are less than you think.
We want people who can assess a situation is seconds, evaluate it and then come up with a plan of attack quickly. We are getting away from the robot mentality. We are behind the USMC but we are moving in the right direction.

I remember I studied that was put out by the the Army on combat effectiveness back in the '70s. It went on to quantify the likelihood of success depending on the ASVAB scores of them members of rifle fireteam. Just having 4 Bravos = ~25% chance of mission success. With 1 Alpha and 3 Bravos it jumped up to 40 or 50% chance of mission success. Where as with 4 Alphas it topped out at 75~80% chance of mission success.

Very interesting paper.

 

[wolfpackjeeper]

1) I never took the ASVAB
2) Because I am an Officer. ROTC is a great route to look into. I went Air Force, did the ROTC thing now I am in flight training. The pay is much better, so is the freedom. Paycharts are public info and online if you search for DOD paychart.

Security Forces is a good option for your future police idea. When at home they do a lot of the domestic investigations. When deployed downrange they do a lot of stuff outside the fence.

Air Force has scholarships that will pay for just about anywhere you want to go. The Army does too. It will be easier for you to get the ARMY scholarship because they are handing out more of them. You can also enlist in the Army National Guard if there is a local unit, and pick up pay for that as well. Then when you commission you just go active.


"Don't work for my living" riiight. When I am in the classroom right now I am there for 8-12 hours. Then when I leave I am expected to PT on my own, and if I want to actually do well, study for another few hours. When I am flying, I plan the flight for a few hours the night before, show up 2 hours early to pull weather, notams, bash, ect. Brief the flight, fly the flight, debrief the flight, plan the next flight.

 

[AIbandit]

Combat Engineers are good people... Combat patrols arn't half as dangerous as route clearance those guys are lit up like a baseball field and drive 10 mph easy targets sadly. Luckily achmed cant shoot and RPG's arnt the most accurate.

 

[fscrig75]

Oh yea and you can go to SAPPER leader course too.

http://www.wood.army.mil/sapper/

If you want to get to the big schools; Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault it is usually easier to go when you are in combat arms units.

I've been told before that 21B(Combat Engineers) have the highest graduation rate for SF, but I have no proof to back that up.

 

[AL BUNDY]

I was Army Infantry and I had the opportunity to work with Marines, Navy Seals, Rangers, and Army Special Forces. The best units I met were the SF guys. Tough, smart, and mellow. No yelling & barking like the straight infantry & ranger units. Teams like that are for people who plan on staying in the military, not for 3 year enlistments.

 

[ChaseN]

Marine Infantry. You will gain a lifetime of experience in a 4 year contract.

Sometimes the yelling and barking is necessary. The tougher you are in peace, the tougher your Marines/Soldiers/whatever will be in conflict, when someone is trying their absolute best to kill each and every individual one of them. I'm sure you already know that though.

 

[bigalpha]

I was Army Infantry and I had the opportunity to work with Marines, Navy Seals, Rangers, and Army Special Forces. The best units I met were the SF guys. Tough, smart, and mellow. No yelling & barking like the straight infantry & ranger units. Teams like that are for people who plan on staying in the military, not for 3 year enlistments.

I know a bunch of SF guys. They are tough, smart and mellow.

 

[wolfpackjeeper]

I got to meet an AF Senior Master Sergent at some training a while back. Dude was a PJ/TACP and was insane. Cool as hell, quiet and pretty humble. This was at a joint ops portion between the SMSsgt school and 2LT professional ed, and I don't think there was a 2LT there who could outrun that guy. In crazy shape. He looked like a Gazelle when he ran.

 

[MetViper]

As an Army guy I'd say: Check into all the branches. Most people who join the military pick one before researching all of them.

The Army does have a lot of jobs. Assuming you are physically and morally qualified to join you will be qualified for MOST of them. MP does require a 5 year enlistment, however.


Good Luck!

 

[AIbandit]

MP does require a 5 year enlistment,

Used to we had a female join our unit that got a 3 year contract with 40k.

She might of did something special for the recruiter though.

 

[ladywolf]

Used to we had a female join our unit that got a 3 year contract with 40k.

She might of did something special for the recruiter though.

thats easy. flirt and flutter and show some boobage. i watch em do it all the time.


i got a 6 year contract with full GI bill and 50k army college fund. so i'm set to complete any degree i want when i get out.

 

[AJTorris]

Well man i just saw this thread i am right there with you. I am looking at Joining the Army or the Airforce. I am waiting on a court issue that i have to take care of. As soon as that is taken care of i am in. I am looking at being a Mechanic or Vehicle Recovery Specialist for the Army or a PJ for the Airforce. Cant decide for sure yet.

 

[fscrig75]

Well man i just saw this thread i am right there with you. I am looking at Joining the Army or the Airforce. I am waiting on a court issue that i have to take care of. As soon as that is taken care of i am in. I am looking at being a Mechanic or Vehicle Recovery Specialist for the Army or a PJ for the Airforce. Cant decide for sure yet.

Thats a pretty wide spectrum for choices!

Vehicle Recovery Specialist, that's a pretty word for a tow truck driver. You'll probably get stuck driving a HEMITT wrecker or and M88.
Mechanics put in some stupid long hours. If something is a pacer item it has to be fixed now, if it's Friday evening and a part comes in, guess where you'll be, in the motor pool.
But if that's what you want, do wheeled (light) or generator.

 

[wolfpackjeeper]

airframe or engine mechanic for the air force is a good deal too. If you are only planning on doing one hitch tht would set you up pretty well for the civilian world.