Would anyone here happen to be a recruiter for the Army?

 

I know one. why?

 

I wanted to see if I could get some questions answered. The nearest one is quit a drive away and seeing as there is such a diverse group of people here on FTE, thought'd I'd try here too. I'll go ahead and ask, the peopel here know everything!

My first plan was to go to college first and ROTC, then officially enlist into the Army, but I dont think thats what I want. College really isnt my thing. I DO want a college education, so if I were to enlist say next month, how would the college thing work? Ive heard that you just take night classes or on your free time but that doesnt really cover much. How do I get set up for college in the Army? Is it possible to go to actual classes instead of taking online courses? When would I start college, after AIT? What colleges would/could the Army send me too? Would it be a University, or is it a serperate campus set up just for the Army?
I really want to get all the details of this stuff before I make a descision, its a big one.

 

Hey wezol5484. I am not a recruiter but I have to tell you after 13 years in the Army and reserves I have to say if you want to go to college and want to join the Army do the ROTC thing. It is the way to go. The ROTC classes can be very fun and you will get a good education. If you like the Army and want to stay in you'll make more cash as an officer and if you dont like it youll make more cash as a civillian. Also if you don't like the Army and decide to get out there are some great paying civilian contract jobs out there but most require a college degree. I am one of those contractors now. In most cases if you go in without the degree and then decide you want to become an officer you will first have to get your degree which is hard on a part time basis and then you have to apply and get accepted and pass OCS. You are not usually eligible to do this untill you are an E-5 which can take several years. If you are fairly sharp I would reccomend that you look into intel there are some great jobs out there in Military Intel and when you get out you will have a clearance which opens a lot doors. That is my chosen field. Last but not least a small piece of advice. The Army is what you make of it. I learned over the years if you can keep a positive attitude regardless of the situation you will be rewarded in the long run through promotions and additional responsibility. Also jobs in the Army are just like anywhere else. The best jobs are the ones that not everyone can do. Everyone can learn to drive a truck for example but it might not be the most rewarding job you could have in the military. Everyone cannot make it in and qualify to fly helicopeters for example but if you do you will have a very rewarding experience. Be carefull about the jobs that sound really cool but require only a low ASVAB score and look at the future of the job skill set you will gain while in. Tank drivers dont usually have a lot of jobs waiting for them when they get out. Intel Analysts do.

 

I'm 99% sure that I will make a career in the Military, and with all hope to go to Ranger School. I dont mind taking night courses. A 4 year University isn't my forte. I've graduated highschool already (Dec. 16th) and am just working full time right now. I don't like that feeling of not going anywhere and want to start something pretty soon.

 

Good luck but remember, you don't have to be anyone special to join the Army as an E-1 and you will be treated that way for the first 4 years you are in. That is why ROTC is a better way to go. If you want to go to Ranger school make sure you get it in your inital contract. Otherwise it will take you years to get into that school.

 

Some very basic info from one of the sites out there.

Know Before You Go by Fred M.
If you're a new recruit, your enlistment contract must specify: (a) Ranger Option, (b) Airborne School, and (c) a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) that the 75th Ranger Regiment needs. Before getting into a Ranger unit, you will go through basic training, your MOS school, jump school and the Ranger Indoctrination Program, which adds up to 6 months of training!

Those on active duty can also get into the Rangers but it takes some paperwork and you must pass all the required physicals and other tests.
Both groups should start by contacting the 75th Ranger Regiment LNO before signing or doing anything. The LNO will send you out an email packet plus ensure this is what you want to do.

A 2nd Bn. Ranger
Class 2/77

 

Cool thanks. I know that a combat MOS is required, and is what I had planned on doing.

 

At least in Canada, our military (dont laugh, I know) has a program whereby you can enroll in University or College on the Military's dime. Once you have graduated with a degree in whatever program, you are commited to at least 5 years of service. You automatically as an officer. Im not sure if the US military has something similar, but I thought id throw it out there.

I went to a recruiter office a while ago to see about the officers training, but my swizzle stick neck prohibits pretty much any military duty....guess im safe in case of a draft. As if Canada would ever have to draft.........
-Matt

 

That was pretty funny.

I'm working on my own son now. He wants to enlist in the Marine Corps, which would make his Marine Grandpa happy, but I want him to go into ROTC first if he's going into the military. I'm sure he can do the job, but I'd like him to have the most opportunity possible.

 

The US military has variations of that. ROTC you get part of your school paid for. And if you are a student that wants to become a doctor or dentist or some other specialties like lawyer maybe they will pay for your school and then you owe them 6 years I think. There is also the military academies which are free but you pay the military back with years of service.

 

Army? just one question. why? Go Marines

 

When i was in the marines most of the guys that were in rotc caused most of the trouble. some of them came in with the mind set that they knew everything. They got rode hard all the time and in reality they didnt know half of what they thought they did.

 

I looked at joining the army or air force, scored high on the ASVAB and was hounded like you wouldn't believe, 96 on it, was told the highest you could get is 99 by an Army Recruiter. I was almost signed with the Army, but declined and am now attending UNC @ Charlotte. I kind of wish I had signed with one of the two, i'm not too sure why, there is just that feeling inside that I wish I had joined, thinking about doing ROTC down here though, UNCC offers both Air force and Army ROTC, so who knows, got 3 years left.

 

no coast guard, clean sheets good food . fun chasing drug runners go fast boats and only 100 plus a few in iraq. best part is you are always on safe ground and carry the same guns.