Youngest son wants to join the Army

[wired]

Perhaps with the NEW Space Force?

View attachment 1880062

Aloha, Mark

Maybe that will get some legs at some point. Who knows?

 

[joken]

I joined the Navy at age 18. I was a High school dropout and had been in a lot of trouble. Fortunately, in 1965 just about anyone could get into the military. The military gave me purpose and responsibility for the first time in my life, and I thrived on it. To this day, I credit the USN for making a boy into a man and I am forever grateful.

 

[wired]

I joined the Navy at age 18. I was a High school dropout and had been in a lot of trouble. Fortunately, in 1965 just about anyone could get into the military. The military gave me purpose and responsibility for the first time in my life, and I thrived on it. To this day, I credit the USN for making a boy into a man and I am forever grateful.

Yeah, I wasnt a model citizen when I went in the Army at 19 . Lots of girls dads were happy I was off in Europe keeping the Rooskies at bay. Best thing that ever happened to me besides my wife was the Army .

 

[Pete F]

The Marines were after me to recruit when I was a sophomore and all through High School. I didn't have the money for a 4 year University and would have to go to a Junior College while working. I missed a full ride to MIT by one because my Dad made too much money as a teacher. They gave it to a kid that had one GPA below me and his Dad was a Janitor.

I had lots of accolades and awards in High School - academic and sports. The Marine called again, offered me $5,000 and I said yes.

Came time for signing up, including a hair cut. At the time my hair was way below my shoulders and I just couldn't do it. I backed out and worked my bubblegum off in Junior College and working for the Navy Exchange, PSNS. Finally, I burned out and dropped out of College and worked full time.

I always wondered what would have happened if I took the other road and joined the Marines or the Navy.

I did finally finish my BS degree in Environmental Science after more than 15 years in the nuclear trade, up to a Nuclear Engineer in Health Physics. So, I did just fine on the road that I traveled.

During that time, I worked around the Navy and got a good look at what their life was like on Nuclear Carriers, Submarines and other Surface Ships. I am glad for the most part that I didn't go that way. I became friends with some of them that operated the reactors and ran into others that became Health Physics/ Radiation Protection Technicians and Specialists and Operators at Commercial Plants. Had I joined the Navy, I may have ended up in the same place as the roads intersected.

No real point except that the choices made sometimes don't mean much.

 

[Snip]

My dad served in WWII. To us, he didn't have much good to say about the army. He spent most of his time in school working on an engineering degree while with the army. When he got out of school, he was sent to Korea in preparation for the invasion of Japan if needed.

He did use the GI Bill to finish up with his engineering degree from USC.

When recruiters came calling, I didn't feel an inclination to join.

 

[MTpockets]

I wouldn't suggest the MOS - 01P - Mortar Tube Field Maintenance Tech.
That job stinks...

...or the MOS - 86D - International Taxi Compliance Crewmember
That job has a tendency to blow...

Attempted Humor, apologies

I am sure he will appreciate that he has a Father who knows how to examine contracts.
Looks like they are offering a variety obligation durations...with a maximum $50,000 combined bonus, distributed throughout the contract term. Keep an eye out any hidden IRR commitments.

 

[Slobray]

I did 25 years, some as a 13B (gun bunny) and some as a 63 series (mechanic). I also went to jump school and air assault school. I would do it again, except maybe do something more fun (and crappy at the same time), like 11B or 13F, Ranger and possibly try to become an 18 series.

I would do it again but if I did I wouldn't chose the same MOS by any stretch of the imagination. I was a 54B who went to technical escort school but the whole MOS was dumb as hell. If I were to do it again I'd go

Thats why I just told mine to find something fun to do for 4 years , like anyone listens to me, then he can finish up school on their dime when he gets out.
I dont know if they still have them but Id go door gunner in the air cavalry

I would tell him to go with a combat MOS on his first enlistment, because after basic training, 99% of Soldiers who didn't choose a combat MOS wish they had. Basic brings out the hard core in almost everyone. He could always change MOS's upon reenlistment.


Ray

 

[OregonDues]

Millions of able bodied thugs are pouring in with 15 Kilos of Fentanyl on their sweaty backs either indebted to the Cartel or Terrorists. Grown bubblegum men wear Muji rags or tutus and burn the American flag and everyone's just okay with it, some of these people are mentally unwell and others are fundamentally evil, random Drug addicts attack women with Machetes. We are at war with Jihadists who target and attack civilians and their targets… are Americans.

Sorry to break it to you, but "I don't feel like it" is irrelevant to his choice. This country is not sustainable and neither is our peace of mind. He's got a choice at his age, do what he wants or do what he must and go through these tough times with a strong constitution.

 

[Jasonanddeonna]

To all who served: My sincerest gratitude and thanks for doing so.

For you and your son: Do your research, ask lots of questions, and if you decide to join, make sure everything you agree to is written in your contract before signing. Our son joined almost 2.5 years ago as 11B and is preparing for his first deployment. Overall, it has been a good experience, lots of learning how to deal with a variety of people, overcoming challenges, and other life lessons/experiences. There have been difficulties as well, but this goes for just about anything in life. Best wishes!

 

[gearhead]

2, Don't do stupid things with stupid people

And miss out on all the fun? None of my good sea stories involve following regs!

 

[Indy62]

And miss out on all the fun? None of my good sea stories involve following regs!

someone went to the PI..

 

[Cavedweller]

I was a career naval officer (staff, not line). I was very patriotic when I joined and throughout my career. Although never in combat, I was trained to fight the Cold War ("toe to toe with the Ruskies," per Slim Pickins in "Dr. Strangelove." ). I never doubted my purpose until after retirement and I observed the virtual surrender of our country via the wide open southern border. I've been asking myself ever since, "What was it all for?"

While I cannot deny that I benefited in many ways from military service, I don't think I could advise a child to do the same nowadays. Fortunately, none of my children have opted for that so I haven't had to make that difficult choice. I would shudder to think of a child of mine potentially serving under a man who insists on wearing a skirt.

 

[ilostmypswrd]

someone went to the PI..

Did 3 years at Subic, I had a bad case of yellow fever the whole time I was there, miss those LBFM

 

[ma96782]

I would shudder to think of a child of mine potentially serving under a man who insists on wearing a skirt.

When my son joined, when OBAMA was the President. I asked my son to think hard and long about the possibility of being ordered by the President to fight and die for......NOT what he believed in......but for what OBAMA believed in.

Yeah......I'm NOT a fan of OBAMA or BRANDON.

Aloha, Mark

 

[Indy62]

When my son joined, when OBAMA was the President. I asked my son to think hard and long about the possibility of being ordered by the President to fight and die for......NOT what he believed in......but for what OBAMA believed in.

Yeah......I'm NOT a fan of OBAMA or BRANDON.

Aloha, Mark

Reagan was president when I joined. Would have followed him anywhere. Can't say that about about any of them after him.

 

[gearhead]

someone went to the PI..

Nah, I'm in the Draft Dodgers' Yacht Club - never made it to that neck of the woods. Most of my shenanigans took place along the West coast of North and Central America. I've heard a few stories from the Western Pacific though…..

 

[Artilleryman]

I enlisted at 20 as a 13M. Artillery was interesting & occasionally fun, had some good experiences. Learned a lot & did a lot of self improvement during my time. I was not a model citizen prior to investment. Day to day life could certainly be a PITA though and yeah, dealt with a lot of bubblegumheads. But overall you (mostly) get out of it what you put into it.

I ended up staying for a decade simply because I couldn't decide what else I wanted to do. After the first enlistment I really wanted to re-up for something that would provide skill training that could translate to something beneficial in the civilian world.

Believe it not, there isn't a huge market for Field Artillerymen in the civvy world. And (at least during my time) chances of re-enlisting into a different MOS were slim to none due to drawdown / force reductions.

13M was rated as "critically under strength", meaning that I was stuck with very few options, since the Army couldn't get or keep sufficient sufficient staffing for that field. There was one upside though: it meant that promotions came relatively quick, and promotion points through the NCO ranks were low.

But at one point the MOS was re-org'd and downsized from 27 launchers per battalion to 18…. Along with associated crews as well the various support elements.

Suddenly the MOS was now over strength and you could easily re-enlist to a different MOS…As long as you had less than 8 years time in service. Unfortunately I Had about 8.5 years by then, so I was SOL. Another factor of the new "over strength" staffing level was that promotion points immediately went from low to maximum. Being stuck in the MOS was nothing new, but having missed the window to change simply because I had been stuck there a few months too long was a real kick to the balls. And with further promotion potential being unrealistic for the foreseeable future, I decided it was time to get out.
As a new civilian I had to scramble To put myself on track for quality of life improvement. There were several very lean years. But the military experienced served me well with initiative, motivation, etc. And the G.I. Bill sure helped get me to where I needed to be. I can't complain about the results at all. I'm very glad to have had the experience. Your mileage may vary.

Edited to add: it was a tough decision to call it quits since my current enlistment would put my end of service at the midpoint for retirement. I had to decide whether to do one more decade to secure that monthly retirement pay…. Or get out and start the next chapter of life. I opted to get the hell out. I'm happy with that decision on most days. But there are the occasional days when I wish I had taken the other option. Fortunately, those days are pretty rare.

 

[GOG]

Sorry to send negative waves, I'm a vet and I love this country. But I would suggest he find an alternative because the military is now a political bubblegumshow run by sociopaths.

 

[TTSX]

Wouldn't be my first choice in today's world, though if he's got his mind made up, who are you or anyone else to stop him. I'd like to wish him the best of luck.

 

[wired]

Sorry to send negative waves, I'm a vet and I love this country. But I would suggest he find an alternative because the military is now a political bubblegumshow run by sociopaths.

Neither one of cares about stuff like that so its good.