I am attempting to join the ARMY.

[fan johnny]

I Applaud you!

But I'm curious, If you are looking for a great career, what pointed you in the direction of the Army as opposed to say Air-force, or Navy? Or is it an Army Career your looking for? I'm not saying the Army is not the best choice for you.

Something to mull-over if you hadn't done so already. Take a look at where the biggest demand is and the projections for when you plan to leave the military. There are a lot of really big paying Government jobs that require security clearance USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site You can prep your self for a very easy transition. Also note that there are a lot of low paying Jobs as well.

[Preme]

Good luck!

Can't fault anyone who is willing to fight for their country. I almost joined once, struggling to find work after I graduated uni, drunk in the middle of the day and thought I would be a good idea to sign up!

Good job its a long process now as I would of been dishonourably discharged years ago!

Went through with everything as I had made the mistake of telling my friends while I was still drunk, but failed my medical - slight hearing problem in my left year, thank fuck!

[No Contest]

Good luck!

Can't fault anyone who is willing to fight for their country. I almost joined once, struggling to find work after I graduated uni, drunk in the middle of the day and thought I would be a good idea to sign up!

Good job its a long process now as I would of been dishonourably discharged years ago!

Went through with everything as I had made the mistake of telling my friends while I was still drunk, but failed my medical - slight hearing problem in my left year, thank fuck!

I'm not in yet, I still have to get cleared, and pass my MEPS which I think shouldnt be a problem. I can do about 60-70 push ups(military style not girly style) and about 70+ sit ups, my weak spot is the running, which is right about at the cutoff point. I still have some time to improve on my 2 mile time. Thanks VictorCharlie, my Recruitment Officer has answered all my questions, just got see what jobs are available and sort it out from there. No, I wasn't drunk when I decided.

[CFH]

What trade(s) did you sign-up for?

[No Contest]

What trade(s) did you sign-up for?

Nothing yet, I have to get my results, then go over whats available with the recruiter. It's going to be a week or so because they are going to be revamping something with the recruitment process. He said they will be doing that all of next week so just waiting at the moment.

[CFH]

What trade(s) did you sign-up for?

Nothing yet, I have to get my results, then go over whats available with the recruiter. It's going to be a week or so because they are going to be revamping something with the recruitment process. He said they will be doing that all of next week so just waiting at the moment.

Ah, in Canada you pick your trades (up to three, ranked in order of preference) when you submit your initial application. It can also take well over a year to get into certain occupations (like the infantry).

[Andre]

[generalbulldog]

That's cool, the military provides a lot of career paths, not to mentioned the GI Bill which helps pay for school. One of my best friends joined the military just so he can get the money to go to Cal Arts an expensive private Art school. Merit based scholarships+GI bill his entire education was paid for. Now works at Pixar, which is known for works such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall E, etc.

[No Contest]

That's cool, the military provides a lot of career paths, not to mentioned the GI Bill which helps pay for school. One of my best friends joined the military just so he can get the money to go to Cal Arts an expensive private Art school. Merit based scholarships+GI bill his entire education was paid for. Now works at Pixar, which is known for works such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall E, etc.

Thats one of my main reasons for wanting to join, plus you get housing and food paid for. So you are able to save more than regular, plus medical benefits.

[boozeboxer]

Just remember that recruiters will be dishonest with you. Be sure to get a trade to go into in writing on paper, or you will be carrying some shitty big 160 pound weapon on your back for 4 years.

[VictorCharlie]

No Contest,

I was an Infantryman for 6 years and have been in military intelligence for the last two. If you are looking at either of those two let me know. I tell people to look down the road at what they want to do when they take the uniform off. That had a lot to do with why I changed to MI. As much as I loved being an Infantryman there just aren't a lot of jobs outside of the military for a trigger puller. That being said having the tactical background and combat experience has been very beneficial and I would pick Infantry again to start in. Not really sure what your interests are but I always tell my Soldiers that are thinking of switching to look at Air Traffic Control. National average salary is 90k/yr. Even if you just did one contract you'd walk out with a marketable skill. Always know that the Army WILL get something from you and its your job to make sure you get something from the Army.

As far as the recruiter goes. Most are straight shooters but don't forget they have a job to do and it can be more than just putting you in the Army. They do have specific Army contracts to fill. I have friends that recruit and they can make being a fueler (petroleum specialist) sound like the coolest shit ever. Its not. So don't be afraid to play a little hardball to get what you want. Sometimes just waiting a month for the right job can make a big difference. It doesn't help that the Army is cutting numbers and no longer begging for people anymore though. Keep us posted and I hope you get the job you want.

[Hornfinger]

why do you want to waste your life?

I cannot think of anything worse or more pointless.

Unless you like killing poor, weaker people than yourself to rob their country of their natural recourses of course.

[Dizaster]

why do you want to waste your life?

I cannot think of anything worse or more pointless.

Unless you like killing poor, weaker people than yourself to rob their country of their natural recourses of course.

To save the guy fighting along side you who was equally stupid to sign up for wasting his life to kill poor weaker people... That's a good enough reason... Once your over there anyway and forgotten why the hell you signed up in the first place...

I don't think you could find a rarer human experience than going to war or involving yourself in true life or death situations where it is you or someone else... And on a daily basis to have people along side you who you know at certain times you have saved their lives, and they have saved yours... I cannot think of anything more rewarding or humbling to your soul....

On one hand honestly, it is the stupidest thing in the world.. Like you suggested, politically, you may be fighting for a dumb reason.. Survival wise, you can live at home and never ever for your whole life be in any real danger or risk... And to actually have the choice,,,, not thrown into it,,, and choose to go to war and risk all that.. It's reallllly stupid..

But on the other hand, when I see a mindless zombie going to work every day for 60 years to pay for a tv and a couch and then die wishing at some point, their life had meant something, then I think of that life as a waste as well....

It's all about what we do with our life,,, the experiences we seek to fulfill what we feel like we were put here for.... For the 30 years of my life I have lived now.. I feel I have wasted 30 of them... You are no doubt going to find some sort of meaning for it when you join the army.. Even if it's handed to you by a superior... That is a good start for a lot of people...

[VictorCharlie]

why do you want to waste your life?

I cannot think of anything worse or more pointless.

Unless you like killing poor, weaker people than yourself to rob their country of their natural recourses of course.

If you were to look at the rack of ribbons on my uniform you'd see the Humanitarian Service Medal I was awarded for spending a month helping southwest Louisiana rebuild after Katrina. And while I didn't go to Haiti I did spend a week on the flight line loading C130 aircraft much like I will again when I get back to Hood to support the thousands of U.S. service members helping in Japan. I did kill some people in Iraq/Afghanistan, you know the kind of people that strap C4 to down syndrome girls and walk them into open markets, but I can say I don't have barrels of oil sitting in my garage. But you know hornfinger the thing that stands out about my trips to Iraq and Afghanistan is the 100's of humanitarian missions I was involved in such as bringing U.S. doctors to a neighborhood where they treated in excess of 500 people, building a well in a remote village in Afghanistan, helping to install a water purification system in an Iraqi village, handing out bags of food to people and rebuilding schools where we were able to give small children their first backpack with school supplies. And you know Hornfinger when I am not doing things like that I'm teaching young Soldiers a marketable skill, leadership, duty, responsibility, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. You may not like my country's foreign policy and hell I don't blame you. I don't like it either. But to suggest that an individual that chooses to sacrifice much of their time and freedom to be part of something bigger that serves their fellow countryman is a waste is absurd

But I digress, what is that you do for a living again?