Joining the Army...

[HeavyD]

So, I did a search and saw a thread from 8 months ago where Jeriah was considering some different options and wanted some info on joining the military.

I couldn't decide whether to necro that post or make a new one, but obviously you see which I chose. I have done a good bit of research about the logistics and details of enlisting, but most of the time sensitive information(bonuses, AIT wait times, generally available jobs), so I wanted to know if anyone who is still in or recently separated has any advice or info on those types of things.

I have some college credits and should be able to enlist as an E-3 with those(yes I'll get it in writing and all that). I currently work part time at a job that pays me fairly well, but not quite well enough, and it's also not very satisfying. I have wanted to join for several years and have talked to recruiters and came very close to joining after I left school, but I didn't. Since it's been eating on me all this time and I want a change in life I think this is the right decision for me.

I don't know whether I'm looking for a career in the military, but at this moment I don't think I am. I plan on enlisting for 4 years and seeing how I feel after that, and either doing another four(hell, or making it a career), or getting out and using the skills I learned to try and get a job afterwards.

Things I would like some firsthand information on:
I don't plan on joining unless I can be guaranteed one of the jobs I want. I am looking at something in the intelligence field(anyone who has experience could give me some advice on which jobs are better and what they do for real), or communications(info appreciated).

Wait times for basic or more importantly AIT. I've heard that the wait can either be extremely long and boring or non-existent.

Any advice you have that hasn't been covered all over the rest of the internet.

Thanks guys!

[Glockman]

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Just got out of the air force. I ended up working a much less satisfying job than where i thought I would. Not going to give a ton of info but I will tell you I got a degree before joining, went through some of the toughest intel training the military has and basically ended up wastig a few years of my life. I did meet some amazing people. I doubt I will ever meet as awesome people as o knew while being in the military.

I will say this. DO NOT join if you value having lots of control over your life. Also I recommend pretty much any service over the army. They just tend to treat their people worse than the rest in my experience. The marines will brainwash you but at least there is respect.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Marines is always capitalized, as is Marine when talking about the individual who's earned the title.

And we don't brainwash, we merely fix what we can, and deal with the rest.

OP: Do your research on the different branches. Also keep in mind that every branch is downsizing, so you now have to compete that much harder to get promotions and schools. Also, if you aren't in tip-top physical shape by your own hand, then don't think that the military will fix that for you. You will be forced to do the bare minimum, but as far is being competitive, that has to come from you.

Also do some more research into what actual intelligence work is like. Hint: all my intel buddies tell me it's boring as shit. Mostly a lot of reading and making powerpoint.

[DarkAxel]

Doc is right about the draw-down. The Army is out of the "Take all comers" business for awhile, so you'll have to show some initiative and drive far beyond what a recruit had to show back in 2005. A lot of those non-combat MOSes are going to be filled by guys willing to stay in and be retrained for new jobs.

Army Intel is a rough field for promotions, so getting past SPC E-4 takes a bit longer than a soldier in the combat arms field. The enlistment bonuses aren't as sweet as some of the other fields, either. A friend of mine joined up back in 1998. His enlistment bonus was 1K. His job? He sat in a booth all day with headphones on and listened to Morse code and static. Army Intel covers many MOSes, though, so look at all of them to find something you might be interested in. If I were you, I'd go into a Communications MOS. I've got no clue what those enlistment bonuses look like, though. Probably not much with the draw-down.

[breakcontact]

Just got out of the army, biggest thing to keep in mind that you will mostly not be doing the job you sign up for, you really only get to do it on deployment/training, your day to day stuff is cleaning, maint, ect. I wasn't intel but was part of the intel company of our brigade and most of my friends were intel people, from what they told me and what I saw, don't pick one that sounds like its a bit of a jack of all trades intel, most of my friend's were just intel analysts, and the short version of the job was powerpoints and briefing commanders. My other friends that were a more specific type of intel got to do the cool stuff, and weren't always stuck doing powerpoint. As far as the guarantee of your job, if you qualify for it, and there's a slot, you will get slotted for the training, if you don't fail out of the course then you get to be qualified in the job, still won't mean that's what you do all the time. With the army getting smaller, then you really do have to prove yourself worth it, be able to max an army pt test before you even join, that will help and show self motivation. I say go into Signal intel, or even human intel(interrogation) both are very actively used and don't have a lot of powerpoint time from what my friends have told me that did it. Have a list made up of the jobs you want to do before you go to meps and if none of them are open, then walk away. My personal feelings are that it wasn't all that much for me, but I did it and I'm a better person for it, I don't regret it really, just knowing how it went now I would have gone to school right away because I thought it was the life for me.

[TooManyIdeas]

It sounds like you aren't 100% sure about making the military a career. Also if you have a good job, why leave it? Might I recommend the guard/reserve. You will find out if you do or don't like the military, while still maintaining control over your life. If you find you do like it, then transfer to active duty. If you don't then your only out a few weeks a year.

Also, you may want to look into a job that translates well into the civilian market. I'd say lean more toward comm if you are so inclined. But there are other MOS/AFSC's out there that are a lot of fun and will land you a good paying job when you get out. (I know too many special forces guys that are fearing retirement)

check out http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/u/joining_up.htm That is where I went when I enlisted

[chills1994]

if you can swing it, move to Illinois first, and become a resident. Illinois does (I think?) still have the Illinois Veteran's Grant program. Go to any IL state school and get 120 credits of edu-ma-cation for free....on top of whatever other G.I. Bill benefits you might have/get once you are out of the active duty Army.

You can also join the Guard/Reserve here in IL and be eligible for the Illinois Veteran's Grant program.

[Boondock]

if you can swing it, move to Illinois first, and become a resident. Illinois does (I think?) still have the Illinois Veteran's Grant program. Go to any IL state school and get 120 credits of edu-ma-cation for free....on top of whatever other G.I. Bill benefits you might have/get once you are out of the active duty Army.

You can also join the Guard/Reserve here in IL and be eligible for the Illinois Veteran's Grant program.

Yup. The IVG is a pretty sweet deal.

[TooManyIdeas]

You can also join the Guard/Reserve here in IL and be eligible for the Illinois Veteran's Grant program.

Can you get it if you are an out of state resident who serves with a unit in IL?

[Boondock]

You can also join the Guard/Reserve here in IL and be eligible for the Illinois Veteran's Grant program.

Can you get it if you are an out of state resident who serves with a unit in IL?

Dunno about that. Good question.

[Blacksmith]

You can also join the Guard/Reserve here in IL and be eligible for the Illinois Veteran's Grant program.

Can you get it if you are an out of state resident who serves with a unit in IL?

Dunno about that. Good question.

Yes, under certain circumstances.

Here is more information on it:

http://www.collegezone.com/416_962.htm

Lots of states have similar programs. Texas for example continues to pay tuition if your benefits run out. Some schools have the Yellow Ribbon Program which could be a huge boost. You have to do some leg work to figure out what you are qualified for.

For education benefits you won't do better than the military unless you are already on some kind of full scholarship.

If you have specific questions about the Army just ask. Each of the services have their own advantages and disadvantages depending upon what you want out of the military and who you are. I also know quite a bit about the Marine Corps.

Wait times depend upon when you join. Joining in the mid-late spring results in the shortest wait time generally. Longest wait times would be joining right before Thanksgiving. The smaller services have longer wait times for school training generally. If you pick a low density MOS you could wait a long time for AIT. If you get language training with an intel job you could spend 18-24 months in training.

[j2huggies]

I just got out of the Air Force. I too worked a less than ideal job (Security Forces)... I'd try for a degree or for Warrant Officer... but I am trying to go National Guard.

[Shaper]

Why intel? Just curious as to what you think you may find rewarding about that MOS.

Maybe you could describe a "dream" day in the Army in which you would find yourself the most fullfilled?