thinking about joining the military [Archive] - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

SR240DET

01-24-2006, 11:08 PM

not to sure on what i wanted to get into, but i grew up being around the military all my life missawa af base in japan and now i live 15 minutes from eglin af base. Im now 20 and i need to move on... im going to see some recruiters tomorrow but my buddys mom who im pretty good friends with she is a recruiter also so im just waiting for her to get back next week...

anyways.... i just want to hear some of your guys thoughts about your life in the military... im thinking about the air force (aka chaire force for all my army ranger and marine buddys i know ) but i just want to know what its like being in it.... doesnt matter what branch... but i feel within the next month ill be making a choice and i want to know what im in for...... sorry for such a blunt question but i just dont know to ask for.. yet.... thanks for any replys...

A Spec Products

01-24-2006, 11:13 PM

You need to talk to ThatGuy

He is the resident G.I Joe here (well technically he's a Marine but yeah)

YOOO JOE!!!

Jeff240sx

01-24-2006, 11:15 PM

I was born on Misawa AFB (you spelled it wrong). I have also stayed on Eglin AFB while my dad worked at Hurlburt Field over there in Fort Walton Beach. I've also been to South Carolina, Georgia, Maine and Nebraska visting my father while he moved around.
And all he wanted to do was get stationed at MacDill in Tampa, which never happened in his 23 years in the Air Force.
Anyway, it's a cozy job. They don't call it the Chair Force for nothing. But - bieng an officer is much better on the wallet.
-Jeff

SR240DET

01-24-2006, 11:28 PM

your right jeff.... sorry about that.... thats crazy... you also lived in misawa.. and eglin.... when and how long did you live in both those places...? my dad lived in macdill first... he got stationed everywhere he wanted to...

ThatGuy

01-25-2006, 04:06 AM

Just signed my 3rd contract. Job security until at least 2010. :D Feel free to ask me any questions you have, but I don't know how much I can tell you about the USAF. I never wanted to be a part of any other branch but the USMC. Sure we're a Department of the Navy, The Men's Department! :bowrofl:

mrmephistopheles

01-25-2006, 05:17 AM

if you're enlisting, don't trust your recruiter implicitly.
If he/she promises you something, *GET IT IN WRITING*.

smokie700

01-25-2006, 06:27 AM

go to military.com forums. They can answer just about any question you have and they also have actual recruiters online.

emoximuu

01-25-2006, 07:38 AM

I can tell you about the army if you are interrested in that. Im stationed at Fort Benning right now. Its up to you but like someone else said being an officer is the best way to go.
RLTW!

D1champ

01-25-2006, 08:35 AM

R.I.P in Iraq buddy

Tenchuu

01-25-2006, 08:46 AM

Not sure about the AF, but in general ther eis aot of coruption, abuse of power and thievery in the millitairy. Altho this if you get a smaller unit, this is not as prevelent a thing, but be sure to lock all doors and windows and never leave things out of the will be stolen, and never take a wife/girlfriend to any unit function as this is where (at least in the units i have been to) the senior marines meet new wemen to pick up on while you are deployed (just had a master guns get kicked out for this, but only after boing it for 8 years and getting caught with the LTCOL's wife). Also alot of the people you will be working with will bhave joined to leagal implacations that forced them to htis decision. doesn't mean they are bad, but it is something to keep in mind.
Just remember the smaller the unit the better, and research EVERYTHING before you sighn ANYTHING.

m072514

01-25-2006, 09:03 AM

im at annapolis, the navy & marine corps officer commissioning college. you can ask me stuff if you like, as well. ive been in for about 3 years. but i won't be able to tell you much about the enlisted side of the house. -jack

AFSil80

01-25-2006, 10:32 AM

R.I.P in Iraq buddy

First off, you can shut the fuck up and apologize. And Canadians wonder why they get made fun of, it's because of fuckhats like you.

There, now that's outta my system.

I'm enlisted Air Force. I really can't complain about the job I do, I enjoy it, I don't mind the lifestyle (which is something you better be ready for, but if your father was military, I'm sure you'll be ok). I've been in just over 2 years, and I have no regrets. Although I don't like where I'm stationed (Grand Forks AFB) I don't really whine b/c I have enough things to do to keep me busy.

91blk240

01-25-2006, 11:11 AM

I was active duty AF from 1997 to late 2002. Overall my experience in the military was not bad at all, but there were times when it sucked. I really enjoyed my time spent in England while stationed at RAF Mildenhall, but I can't say the same for he time spent in Texas at Dyess AFB. The military allowed me to do and see things that I would never come close to experiencing. The training received has allowed me to persue a career as an electronics technician for an aerospace company in Crestview, FL. So looking back I have no regrets on my decision to join the AF.

Just a couple of things though...Make sure you get a job that makes your time spent in the AF worthwhile. IMO some jobs don't exactly give you a chance outside of the military if you decide to not reenlist. Also, alot of recuriters may not lie to you, but they WILL NOT tell you everything. Most will push the "Get a college education while in the AF" topic on you, but theres many times when taking classes it almost impossible. Especially in aircraft maintenance when you could spend alot of time TDY, or working crazy hours at homes station.

Good luck on whatever you decide! Some have no problems with military life, while others can't adapt, but theres only one way to find out.

SR240DET

01-25-2006, 11:35 AM

what kind of training did you do in the military to persue a career as an electronics technician?

91blk240

01-25-2006, 12:36 PM

what kind of training did you do in the military to persue a career as an electronics technician?

My job in the AF consisted of troubleshooting, repairing, op's checking, installation, etc.. on most of the avionics equipment on the aircraft. The tech school for my job lasted about 7 months, where the basics on electronics, and my job were taught. IMO you really learn everything once assigned to your first base and actually start working. I could type pages on all of the systems learned, but I'll keep it brief. Some of the systems I learned were radar, HF, VHF, UHF, SATCOM, VOR/ILS, GPS etc...just to name a few of the many. Over a period of time I learned certain airframe specific systems, such as an advanced terrain following/advoidance radar system on a certain special operations aircraft I worked on. Also, the information learned from other career fields I worked around is very helpful.

Really just alot of valuable experience learned during the time spent in the AF has helped me. Alot of employers want people with actual experience, and the military is not a bad place to gain it.

lcpljrm

01-25-2006, 02:01 PM

i understand where tenchuu is coming from, but i don't really feel that is entirely representative of the marine corps. but we could have an 8000 post thread about that...

first, you need to ask yourself a few questions. why do you want to join? are you just looking for a job? are you looking for money for college? this is especially important because i can tell you that the money isn't great and being deployed into a war zone(should that happen to you) is worth no amount of money. if you are just looking for a job, consider joining the air force. no joke, i'm not especially knocking on them or anything, but from what i have observed of air force personnel, their life is closer to what you would consider normal.

everyone has their own specfic motivation, and mine was(as cheesy as this might sound) the service of of my country. also think about what you want to do in the service. we call them MOS(military operational specialities). in the marine corps there are many things you can do. you can be a mechanic on ground vehicles or air vehicles, you can crew a tank or a howitzer or manage a supply warehouse, etc. every job in the military is important and vital, but i know that i find a extra satisfaction that I am doing a job wholly different from anything i can experience in the rest of my life. i was a cannoneer first(how many people do you know who have fired a gun with a 100lb projectile) and now i am an infantryman.

okay, enough rambling for now, but be sure of your motives.

SR240DET

01-25-2006, 02:32 PM

basicly im going twards air force for the same reason you just said.. im looking for a job... i wanted to get into the electronics field of work of some kind... my parents are paying for my college classes... but there is somthing they arent telling me.. my mom just filed for unemployment.... pops has a ghost face everytime we bring out the check book to pay for my classes... i dont want to have them do anything for me any more financially... so... thats really why i wanted to join...

91blk240... that sounds almost exactly what i want to do.... would you say being a electronics technician... your job is the same as the guy doing machanical aircraft maintenance.... like alot of time TDY or working crazy hours at homes station like you said... i know some people on eglin doing machanical work on aircrafts and they hate it...

well so far alot of you guys seem very helpfull thanks for the replys...

Tenchuu

01-25-2006, 03:10 PM

if you want colledge, be sure to get into a NON DEPLOYABLE job. i diddn't and i haven't lived in one place for more than 3 months at a time since i joined 3.5 years ago. always on the move. but if you get into some sort of job that they don''t send out for any sort of field woirk (IE base phone or base electritian) you should have time to get some classes in. i had classes denied so amnny time it's not funny.
On the other hand i am now disabled and should be able to get 100% free schooling through the VA. so i also my be schooling it up before long. but i'm too damn old to be doing that..... so i dunno. but it's nice to know it's there should i want to. if you do join, document all injuries, and don't be an idiot like me and let the docs string you out over 2.5 years before they discover that you have a injury that keeps on getting worse when ignored and needs an operation.

ballinnmiami240sx

01-25-2006, 03:50 PM

I'm in the USCG. I'm a machinery technician E-6 and have been in for 6 yrs. I was in the same place you were 6 years ago. College money ran out and friends were taking me the wrong place. Today I'm a very happy member of the coast guard and will do 20 yrs maybe more if I can. My job right now is instructing students on "how to be a machinery technician". Prior deployments lead me to do drug interdiction and inforce U.S. laws against migration. Overall, don't sleep on the Coast Guard. PM me if you would like more info...........oh yeah, Don't trust recruiters..........If you can Go officer, no matter the service!!!!! $$$$$

Danny

RSP13-Sideways

01-25-2006, 04:06 PM

You said you're 20 years old. I'm 23 years old and I'm finishing up with my last 6-weeks at OCS for the USMC.

As long as you have two years of college under your belt I would suggest trying to go in as an officer. The USMC has a program called OSC, (Officers Candidate School) and that's what I'm working at. I finished my first 6-weeks in OCS last June and my last 6-weeks is coming up. After I'm done with OCS I get my commission and lead a squad of Marines in Iraq, my M.O. is Battlefield Commissions Officer which means I'll be in the thick of shit.

Anyway, I would suggest going in as an Officer as everything is better but if you choose to go in as Enlisted that's fine too. Being an Officer is tough, don't listen to what anyone has to say. :D

Ohhhhhhh yea and, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. (FIXED DUE TO A MIS-TYPE, NOT A JOKE CHAMP and I'm not technically an officer yet until I get my commission which will be around July time) Always coming down on the "soon-to-be-officers" eh ThatGuy?

ThatGuy

01-25-2006, 04:11 PM

Ohhhhhhh yea and, UNITED STATES MARINE CORP.

Is that a joke that I'm not getting?

United States Marine Corporation?

I'm certain an Officer would know it's the United States Marine Corps. So this must be a joke and I missed the punchline.

Tenchuu

01-25-2006, 04:25 PM

diddn't know the OCS had lots of time to surf zilvia too.

S14DB

01-25-2006, 04:26 PM

when did the Marines incorporate?

kuramaya

01-25-2006, 04:30 PM

Go Marines!!!!

14 Year Gunnery Sergeant Here:eek3d:

Tenchuu

01-25-2006, 04:38 PM

when did the Marines incorporate?
USMC INC. :rofl:

reefer1114

01-25-2006, 05:49 PM

i also thought about joining the usmc after high school but i figured out that i wanted to do the college thing more. i have high respect for those who serve the country and appreciate all their efforts. good luck with the air force if you do dcide to join it.

fromxtor

01-25-2006, 06:19 PM

Prior Army here, in the AF now but considering going back to the army. Can't handle not having a re-enlistment bonus

aznpoopy

01-25-2006, 07:05 PM

TurK

01-25-2006, 07:27 PM

also going through the same dilema right now =/....went to the army recruiter yesterday and asked to be a turkish translator....they pretty much told me everything i wanted to hear but im not sure if im ready for that kind of a life stile right now.

RSP13-Sideways

01-25-2006, 09:31 PM

diddn't know the OCS had lots of time to surf zilvia too.

Yea no joke, you have a lot of posts than I.

You're obviously not an officer as it shows from your lack of knowledge about the Officers Program. Let me help clarify the program for you :

1. Two 6-weeks programs during June-July or July-Aug.

OR

2. After graduating with your 4-year degree, a 10-week program straight.

Right now it doesn't seem like any months between June-Aug which means I'm at home working and going to school. That should help answer your question why I have so much time on my hands, now lets talk about you. It looks like you're STILL active duty and have more posts than I do, so I suggest you think before you open your mouth about me.

Ohhhh but how can I forget about you with your brilliant quotes:

"USMC - Only if you like to be a janitor and personal servant" <--- Yea you're hating your life right about now and you're obviously an enlisted Marine :wtc:

L1ama

01-25-2006, 09:45 PM

I say screw all army/military stuff, and go to college or something. Or become police officer

nistech

01-25-2006, 09:57 PM

Tenchuu

01-25-2006, 10:18 PM

asn an enlisted marine, you will have a harder job, but get to see a different side of the millitairy than the officers, some like this, some don't.

As an officer youget treated better (ie maids to clean you room) but will deal more with management items, and less hands in the dirt sort of work

hopefully that clears up the two sides of the millitairy

RSP13-Sideways

01-26-2006, 01:16 AM

as mutch as the enlisted side has a large down side to it, i'm not sure that i could be an officer. to walk around every day and have everyone schemeing behind your back, Officer have to know that everyone is laughing at thier general ignorance, but it would get to me haveing everyone always lie to me to tell me what i wanted to hear all the time.

Nothing would ever get done if officers knew the truth about the day to day operations of a real unit.

Well next time you're actually in the field (and you're not, you're obviously stuck doing something you hate) and your "real unit" is under attack and you're pinned down and cannot move.

Please do everyone of your "real unit" a favor and call in an air strike. OHHHHHHHHHH WAIT, enlisted Marines don't learn that much, you guys learn how to shoot rifles, and throw grenades. Hopefully an USMC Officer is in your "real unit" since they know how to call in airstrikes, and keep you guys from shitting yourselves

Next time you open your mouth about battlefield commissioned troops or Officers, please be a part of the actual battle and not the shit talking Marine that hates his life in the corps. because he got a shitty job scrubbing down the latrines since he bad mouthed a superior. Judging from your attitude, you're in it for all the wrong reasons kid. You shouldn't of joined the USMC, or any military branch of service, should've went the other route, prison. :down:

fliprayzin240sx

01-26-2006, 01:50 AM

Im in the USAF, 25 now and been in 5 yrs. Bout to end my contract in nov but looks like imma re-enlist. I was pretty much in the same boat as you when 5 yrs ago. Turned 20, trying to go tru college with 12 sem credit and working a full time job. That shiet was rough. Woke up one morning and kinda just looked around...still living at home...freakin just had to move on and my life started. I was originally from San Diego so i got alot of friends who were either navy or marine. Most of them pretty much told me that if I got something to prove to myself...Marine but if im just in it for the job and benefits...Air Force. So i did...original plan was go Airforce, work as an Air Traffic Controller, get out, work for the FAA with a starting salary of $80k. Shiet didnt quite work out... Im now working as a Satellite Communication Technician, on my second base *Travis AFB, CA* Pay aint much till you make atleast E-4 where you may or may not move off-base. Move off-base, get room-mates and pocket the extra money they pay you for housing. Been deployed twice...more like a vacation cuz i was in Kuwait and Qatar inside a nice cozy building with AC.

kuramaya

01-26-2006, 03:46 AM

Well next time you're actually in the field (and you're not, you're obviously stuck doing something you hate) and your "real unit" is under attack and you're pinned down and cannot move.

Please do everyone of your "real unit" a favor and call in an air strike. OHHHHHHHHHH WAIT, enlisted Marines don't learn that much, you guys learn how to shoot rifles, and throw grenades. Hopefully an USMC Officer is in your "real unit" since they know how to call in airstrikes, and keep you guys from shitting yourselves

Next time you open your mouth about battlefield commissioned troops or Officers, please be a part of the actual battle and not the shit talking Marine that hates his life in the corps. because he got a shitty job scrubbing down the latrines since he bad mouthed a superior. Judging from your attitude, you're in it for all the wrong reasons kid. You shouldn't of joined the USMC, or any military branch of service, should've went the other route, prison. :down:

Enlisted Marines can call in Air In the Marine Corps
ANGLICO has 0861's (Forward Observers)
(oh and Officers especially Junior Officers are only good Officers if properly trained by Staff NCO's) Smart Officers listen to their Staff NCO's..
Late
Daryl

ThatGuy

01-26-2006, 04:18 AM

kuramaya

01-26-2006, 05:06 AM

Yes, let's not turn this into an Officer vs. Enlisted debate. I'll just leave it at this from my little corner or the Corps. It takes a College Degree to be able to fly a multi-million Dollar aircraft. But you are depending on a group of highschool diploma equivelants to keep your plane flying. Not exactly the people you want to belitlle and make enemies out of.

He just got a little butt hurt cause there was a comment made that wasnt the of the best choice of words...we all serve together...regardless of Service, Rank, Ethnicity, or Sex ...

Semper Fi to all of you!

Hmmm Cherry Point? I was in Iwakuni for 3 years :D you UDP there ever?

ThatGuy

01-26-2006, 07:13 AM

I'm down the road about an hour from Cherry Point. MCAS New River. Been here since 1998. Haven't had the oppurtunity to go to Japan. I'm starting Instructing in February, so that'll be a few more years with-out deploying. I'll be teaching Avionics to the "Boots" and "Re-Treads" for the next 2-3 years.

AFSil80

01-26-2006, 08:32 AM

fliprayzin240sx

01-27-2006, 12:10 AM

Honestly...if anything...stay in school and do ROTC. ROTC or try to get into one of the academies.

S14-vietusmc

01-27-2006, 09:28 AM

I'm just about to get out of the USMC. All i found was corruption and abuse of power for 98% of the USMC. Personally i would carve my own eyes out with a spoon while whisteling a happy tune before re-enlisting, but i have heard rumors that sometimes if you get involved in a small enuff unit that there are still somre respectable people. MrMeph and That guy seem decent enuff, but out of the 300+ people i work with directly every day, I know 5 that are 1/2 way decent, 90%+ joined because the court gave them the opotion as a civillian to either join the Marine Corps or go to jail/Juvie.

You know, for a shitbag, you can copy and paste pretty well. You been NJP'd a couple times, or non-rec? How you gonna say that 90% joined because of some court bs... Thats just a stupid statement. Its good your getting out on disability, too chuby and your knees hurt when you run or what.

lcpljrm

01-27-2006, 12:43 PM

wherever you go, whatever job you have, there will always be shitbags. the come in shapes, fashions, and forms. but i will tell you from experience, the enlisted side is a fun way to go. enlisting does not ruin the rest of your life, it doesn't destroy your chance to go to college. serving you country(at least in the marine corps) is something you really only get one chance at. you can always go to college later. in fact, for a lot of people, it would be the ideal option, as they weren't really mature enough or ready for college at the time. i know this applies to me. would you rather bum around in school for 6+ years or would you rather gain invaluable(sp?) life experience and then maybe get a further education?

santacruisin

01-27-2006, 01:28 PM

I would never join the military in any way shape or form but my extremely smart godsister did and she's paying for it now.

She got into the Air Force Academy to be a pilot and her ultimate goal was to fly the space shuttle. The Academy was a very fucked up experience for her. There was rampant sexism and they fucked with her everyday just to try to make her feel like shit. In the end she excelled anyway, got a degree in astrophysics and shipped out to Oklahoma for pilot training. Now a couple of years later she got assigned to bombers. DOH! You have to fly fighters or be a trainer to get into the space program as a pilot.

So here's a smart girl that got accepted to all the good schools like Stanford, Cal, UCLA, etc., she put her fate in the hands of the military and now she is stuck with 14 years of service towards a goal that she cannot achieve. Make sure you weigh all of your options for life before you enlist becuase any expectations you have will most likely be out the window once you sign the contract and they own you.

I know a lot of people that worked full time, went to college and even raised a family at the same time. It can be done and I think you will learn just as much about yourself and what you can achieve as a civilian as you would in the military. That and the fact that you won't have to support bogus foreign policy by not enlisting, but that's for another forum.

m072514

01-27-2006, 02:11 PM

let's not get caught up in which branch of service or officer vs enlisted. the most important thing to consider here is YOU. what are YOUR reasons for wanting to join? what motivates YOU as an individual? what, if any, program that the military offers would best help YOU achieve YOUR personal goals?

for example: i am currently a junior (midshipman 2/c) at the united states naval academy. (ps. annapolis the movie comes out today) my goals for going to the academy are to serve my country, gain experiences that none of my high school friends would, travel, and get a great education. i worked my ass off in high school, academically, athletically, and with extracurricular activities. coming here was one of the best decisions of my life because it fit with MY goals. next spring im graduating with one of the top diplomas in the country from one of the top institutions in the country, all while getting paid to do it. after that, i get to fly fighter jets in the pacific or mediterranean. hopefully.

im not trying to brag or anything. the point is, the military isnt for everyone. i am extremely lucky and blessed to have found something that fit me so well. i pray the same for you. but ill tell you this right now, if your motivation to join the military is purely financial, youre going to be sorely disappointed.

please dont hesitate to ask any and all questions, as this is a HUGE decision in your life. best of luck to you.

lcpljrm

01-27-2006, 02:40 PM

I realize that, unfortunately, sexism and other forms of discrimination, such as discriminating against those with different opinions on politics, etc, are still rampant, but overall, the military instutions in this country are great bastions of honor and maturity that completely on another level to what is in the rest of our society, at least in the 18-30 age bracket. and for anyone that thinks enlisting in the services closes a lot of doors in your life, it actually does quite the opposite.

S14-vietusmc

01-27-2006, 04:05 PM

I would never join the military in any way shape or form but my extremely smart godsister did and she's paying for it now.

She got into the Air Force Academy to be a pilot and her ultimate goal was to fly the space shuttle. The Academy was a very fucked up experience for her. There was rampant sexism and they fucked with her everyday just to try to make her feel like shit. In the end she excelled anyway, got a degree in astrophysics and shipped out to Oklahoma for pilot training. Now a couple of years later she got assigned to bombers. DOH! You have to fly fighters or be a trainer to get into the space program as a pilot.

So here's a smart girl that got accepted to all the good schools like Stanford, Cal, UCLA, etc., she put her fate in the hands of the military and now she is stuck with 14 years of service towards a goal that she cannot achieve. Make sure you weigh all of your options for life before you enlist becuase any expectations you have will most likely be out the window once you sign the contract and they own you.

Haha... if she so smart, how come she didn't know about being a fighter pilot first? haha... damn thats smart. obviously, someone didnt do research eh? haha... thats hilarious. AF officer for ya. getting fucked with everyday is regular. if you cant take some jokes, your weak in the head. i know the AF is considered "soft" to the eyes of other services but damn. a joke is a joke. they all call each other by first names, enlisted and officers to each other... how professional is that? nasties... just plain nasty....

Tenchuu

01-27-2006, 06:02 PM

You know, for a shitbag, you can copy and paste pretty well. You been NJP'd a couple times, or non-rec? How you gonna say that 90% joined because of some court bs... Thats just a stupid statement. Its good your getting out on disability, too chuby and your knees hurt when you run or what.

I'm sorry that you find the truth offensive, and resort to personal attacks to both me and 91blk240's friend, this thread is not about insulting people or laughing at ohers misforutions. I have only brought facts to light represent bits of truth that SR240DET would not learn from a recruiter. I even admit that smaller units might not have said problems that i have observed in larger ones.

But the fact remains that SR240DET has already said that he in interested in the airforce, so i have edited my posts to make them non USMC specific and also to adhere to the mods request to keep this on topic.

SR240DET

01-27-2006, 09:56 PM

2E2X1 - COMPUTER, NETWORK, SWITCHING AND CRYPTOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS is what im looking at…. The purpose of me joining is to get out of my parents house (founds are very limited in this family now) to also use the training for jobs I can get later on. I don’t plan on this path as a main source of founds, but just a road to get there. You guys been extremely helpful, and thank you all for the replies.