Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you think?

04-04-2009, 08:12 PM

I'm graduating from UW-Madison, and have a great GPA. I have received a lot of interest from the big ag companies, even getting offers for 2 year post-grad internships from the big 3... but those require relocation and no real commitment from the company (basically, cutbacks = I'm first gone).

My dad was 25 years ARMY. I've always thought about it, but never really put much into the idea until now. Doing something I will be forever proud of, plus continuing in my father's footsteps is a plus. Getting my $30K+ in student loans paid off is also a big plus as well.

I have talked to friends who have come back from Iraq as well as my dad, but not to a recruiter yet... I have to go back to Indonesia this summer, and want to commit after I get back.

Guess I'm just gauging opinion. If you are in the ARMY now, especially if you went through OCS, I would love to hear from you. Normal enlistment too.

Thanks guys. I know there is a lot of military here, and figured this is a great place to get some information!

04-04-2009, 08:21 PM

Someone from the Officer's side of the house will speak up.

Tikihut27 · 04-05-2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leasingthisspace

Someone from the Officer's side of the house will speak up.

If you really want me to.

May 10th of this year is my 20 year anniversary in the Army Guard, but I did spend a dozen years enlisted in the Infantry before going to the dark side.

I think the Guard is a good way to go if you are hesitant about making the Army a career or not. You get a lot of the financial benefits but also get to work on a military and civilian career at the same time, so your resume grows double. If you like the whole military thing, you can always go active.

The guard also has a new program called "Active First" where you spend a couple years active, then come out into the Guard.

Worth looking into, I think.

ucubed · 04-04-2009, 09:00 PM

I considered it for a while, but I'm almost positive I wouldn't be accepted due to medical conditions. Don't mean to thread jack =P

04-04-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucubed

I considered it for a while, but I'm almost positive I wouldn't be accepted due to medical conditions. Don't mean to thread jack =P

What medical reasons if you don't mind me asking?

ucubed · 04-04-2009, 09:32 PM

Heart murmur =P, wouldn't be able to lie about it since it can be picked out with just a stethoscope.

04-04-2009, 10:12 PM

Check with JohnnyKay when he gets back from the herf at imthegoal's.

He was prior enlisted before he was commissioned.

Me? Been a Paratrooper over 20 years now.

Anyone can join the Army....It takes someone special to exit a high performance aircraft, 800 feet in the air, in total darkness....

Silound · 04-05-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobii3

Anyone can join the Army....It takes someone special to exit a high performance aircraft, 800 feet in the air, in total darkness....

I believe the technical term for those people is "****ing Retarded"

I keed, I keed

Partagaspete · 04-05-2009, 01:41 AM

Though I am enlisted and USAF, I will say that in light of the current economic strain it might not be such a bad idea. As you said they pay off your student loans but you also mentioned that you would have to relocate if you take a job from the corporation. Well my friend if you are concerned about relocating then you may not want to join the service as I would expect you already know.

One last thought, go to the AF Officer recruiter and see what they have to say. I am glad I joined this branch to say the least.

Whatever you decide best wishes for you.

T

marge796 · 04-05-2009, 01:42 AM

Don't go Army they don't treat their folks very well. I have first hand knowledge, working with them in Iraq for the last 32 months. Very ego driven branch of the service. Sorry, if I offend anyone here but that's how I see the USA from my side of the fence. They have a hugh problem right now with enlisted & officers going home on leave and not coming back to service. I listened to a Colonel Friday morning describe this problem to his junior officer corp. He wanted them to improve relations and morale with those in his command. He said it's an "epidemic problem throughout the Army". So I think the Army has realized there's a problem from within. Best of luck!

Chris.....

04-05-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marge796

Don't go Army they don't treat their folks very well. I have first hand knowledge, working with them in Iraq for the last 32 months. Very ego driven branch of the service.

I've worked in Airborne units in and out of Iraq for the past 18 1/2 years.

The problem isn't with the Airborne units - they WANT to be there. The straight leg units who are trying to be all "hooah hooah" are where the egos come in to play.

Tikihut27 · 04-05-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobii3

It takes someone special to exit a high performance aircraft, 800 feet in the air, in total darkness....

"Special" is definitely the word I'd use.

04-05-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobii3

Check with JohnnyKay when he gets back from the herf at imthegoal's.

He was prior enlisted before he was commissioned.

Me? Been a Paratrooper over 20 years now.

Anyone can join the Army....It takes someone special to exit a high performance aircraft, 800 feet in the air, in total darkness....

DOOR!!...HOOAH!!!!
Got my wings (and learned the hard way, how "NOT" to perform a proper PLF) in my beloved Army and never looked back. Jumping to this day...
Jump one thousand
Arch one thousand
Reach one thousand...

They just don't get it. Try it and you'll never look at the sky the same way again.

04-04-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucubed

Heart murmur =P, wouldn't be able to lie about it since it can be picked out with just a stethoscope.

I had a ferret with that. He was still pretty spunky.

zitro_joe · 04-05-2009, 01:53 AM

Talk to your Pop's about it. Joining the military is a life altering experience. Public forums for these type questions opens the door for more opinions than facts.

I understand the reasoning for joining the military due to economic difficulties, but it needs to be thought out further than that. Officer/Enlisted; whatever. Talk to people face to face if you can. Recruiters know little, very little about the jobs out there, unless it was the one they came from.

Best of luck.

04-05-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zitro_joe

Talk to your Pop's about it. Joining the military is a life altering experience. Public forums for these type questions opens the door for more opinions than facts.

I understand the reasoning for joining the military due to economic difficulties, but it needs to be thought out further than that. Officer/Enlisted; whatever. Talk to people face to face if you can. Recruiters know little, very little about the jobs out there, unless it was the one they came from.

Best of luck.

Very good advice. I believe it will give you life experience that no other organization can. Hard work, discipline, and a lot of fun. Some people love it; some people will tell you they hate it but you will get out what you put in. I know, sounds cliche but it is true.

What field are looking to get into? You can probably get good info about different jobs from the variety of military here.

Cheers
Richard

04-05-2009, 02:44 AM

Hey Man,
Excellent idea! Tell your Recruiter that you want to be an Officer though. You don't want to be doing lower enlisted crap like sweeping floors and cutting grass. Plus the retirement on the Officer side of the house is awesome. Plus you have Warrant Officers as well. They are like in between an Officer and Enlisted. Wanna fly helicopters? Go Warrant Officer. Want to shoot and kill ****? Go Infantry. I am a Military Policeman in the Army and I LOVE my job. What do you want to do after the military, how long do you want to stay in; have a plan! If you need more advise and guidance feel free to email: daryle.walker@us.army.mil

Good Luck Brother! COME JOIN THE FIGHT!

G G · 04-05-2009, 08:47 AM

I am 44 years old and have never served. I have always regretted that I didn't. But that's just me.

04-05-2009, 02:57 PM

For the part about relocation, I really don't want to uproot my life to a place where I have no family or friends and end up being laid off. That's basically that. Heck, I hope by the time I am out I will land a job working a US federal job in Malaysia/Indonesia. So it isn't about the relocation by itself.

For career fields:
I've been knee deep in ag sciences, business, language, and communication sciences the last few years of my college career. I've been leaning more and more towards marketing, but who knows. Heck, last summer I spent my time translating and researching privacy/freedom of information/expression laws in Malaysia and that was sort of fun.

I don't have much interest in knowing how to build a refrigerator though.

Thanks a lot guys for the responses!

zitro_joe · 04-05-2009, 04:35 PM

All branches want people with language skills! What language(s) do you know?

04-04-2009, 08:12 PM	#1
sodomanaz Guest Posts: n/a	Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you think? I'm graduating from UW-Madison, and have a great GPA. I have received a lot of interest from the big ag companies, even getting offers for 2 year post-grad internships from the big 3... but those require relocation and no real commitment from the company (basically, cutbacks = I'm first gone). My dad was 25 years ARMY. I've always thought about it, but never really put much into the idea until now. Doing something I will be forever proud of, plus continuing in my father's footsteps is a plus. Getting my $30K+ in student loans paid off is also a big plus as well. I have talked to friends who have come back from Iraq as well as my dad, but not to a recruiter yet... I have to go back to Indonesia this summer, and want to commit after I get back. Guess I'm just gauging opinion. If you are in the ARMY now, especially if you went through OCS, I would love to hear from you. Normal enlistment too. Thanks guys. I know there is a lot of military here, and figured this is a great place to get some information!

04-04-2009, 08:21 PM	#2
leasingthisspace Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin Someone from the Officer's side of the house will speak up.

04-04-2009, 09:00 PM	#4
ucubed Corona Cigars Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kevin Location: Orlando/Gainesville Posts: 1,571 Trading: (15)	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin I considered it for a while, but I'm almost positive I wouldn't be accepted due to medical conditions. Don't mean to thread jack =P __________________ All new Troop Support Auctions! What can you donate?

04-04-2009, 09:32 PM	#6
ucubed Corona Cigars Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kevin Location: Orlando/Gainesville Posts: 1,571 Trading: (15)	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin Heart murmur =P, wouldn't be able to lie about it since it can be picked out with just a stethoscope. __________________ All new Troop Support Auctions! What can you donate?

04-04-2009, 10:12 PM	#7
tobii3 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin Check with JohnnyKay when he gets back from the herf at imthegoal's. He was prior enlisted before he was commissioned. Me? Been a Paratrooper over 20 years now. Anyone can join the Army....It takes someone special to exit a high performance aircraft, 800 feet in the air, in total darkness....

04-05-2009, 01:41 AM	#9
Partagaspete I Do Medical Things Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The 1st State Posts: 676 Trading: (8)	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin Though I am enlisted and USAF, I will say that in light of the current economic strain it might not be such a bad idea. As you said they pay off your student loans but you also mentioned that you would have to relocate if you take a job from the corporation. Well my friend if you are concerned about relocating then you may not want to join the service as I would expect you already know. One last thought, go to the AF Officer recruiter and see what they have to say. I am glad I joined this branch to say the least. Whatever you decide best wishes for you. T

04-05-2009, 01:42 AM	#10
marge796 It Just Doesn’t Matter!!! Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Chris Location: Topeka KS Posts: 1,624 Trading: (28)	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin Don't go Army they don't treat their folks very well. I have first hand knowledge, working with them in Iraq for the last 32 months. Very ego driven branch of the service. Sorry, if I offend anyone here but that's how I see the USA from my side of the fence. They have a hugh problem right now with enlisted & officers going home on leave and not coming back to service. I listened to a Colonel Friday morning describe this problem to his junior officer corp. He wanted them to improve relations and morale with those in his command. He said it's an "epidemic problem throughout the Army". So I think the Army has realized there's a problem from within. Best of luck! Chris..... __________________ “Don’t talk to me about naval tradition. It’s nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.” -Sir Winston Churchill Last edited by marge796; 04-05-2009 at 01:54 AM.

04-05-2009, 01:53 AM	#15
zitro_joe Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Joe Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 270 Trading: (16)	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin Talk to your Pop's about it. Joining the military is a life altering experience. Public forums for these type questions opens the door for more opinions than facts. I understand the reasoning for joining the military due to economic difficulties, but it needs to be thought out further than that. Officer/Enlisted; whatever. Talk to people face to face if you can. Recruiters know little, very little about the jobs out there, unless it was the one they came from. Best of luck.

04-05-2009, 02:44 AM	#17
ABNMP619 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin Hey Man, Excellent idea! Tell your Recruiter that you want to be an Officer though. You don't want to be doing lower enlisted crap like sweeping floors and cutting grass. Plus the retirement on the Officer side of the house is awesome. Plus you have Warrant Officers as well. They are like in between an Officer and Enlisted. Wanna fly helicopters? Go Warrant Officer. Want to shoot and kill ****? Go Infantry. I am a Military Policeman in the Army and I LOVE my job. What do you want to do after the military, how long do you want to stay in; have a plan! If you need more advise and guidance feel free to email: daryle.walker@us.army.mil Good Luck Brother! COME JOIN THE FIGHT!

04-05-2009, 08:47 AM	#18
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,730 Trading: (10)	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin I am 44 years old and have never served. I have always regretted that I didn't. But that's just me.

04-05-2009, 02:57 PM	#19
sodomanaz Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin For the part about relocation, I really don't want to uproot my life to a place where I have no family or friends and end up being laid off. That's basically that. Heck, I hope by the time I am out I will land a job working a US federal job in Malaysia/Indonesia. So it isn't about the relocation by itself. For career fields: I've been knee deep in ag sciences, business, language, and communication sciences the last few years of my college career. I've been leaning more and more towards marketing, but who knows. Heck, last summer I spent my time translating and researching privacy/freedom of information/expression laws in Malaysia and that was sort of fun. I don't have much interest in knowing how to build a refrigerator though. Thanks a lot guys for the responses!

04-05-2009, 04:35 PM	#20
zitro_joe Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Joe Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 270 Trading: (16)	Re: Thinking of joining the ARMY, what do you thin All branches want people with language skills! What language(s) do you know?