I just joined the army reserve...

dangeringravity

OffHeGoes29 wrote:

Well I wouldn't say terrible....just 12 hour days 5 to 6 days a week in the elements during my time in Germany, and I got looked at like I had five heads when I asked to get something to eat during my shift. But I was never shot at so I can't complain.

But seriously, I got to live in Europe for two years, went to school for free, and have a fat GI Bill check cut to me once a month now that I'm in school. It would have sucked if I got some shit hole assignment some where, but Germany and Arizona where the best two places an F-16 mechanic could go.

MI is a great job, expect to get deployed but I don't think you will be in any great danger. Your friend who is in Air Traffic control is another great job, you just got to be smart and look for the jobs that will give you a head start on the outside. Most people get jaded because they had a combat MOS that doesn't really give them any kind of useful training on the outside. Thats why if they are smart, they will participate in the GI Bill and go to school while they are in. Most people party their time away and end up out on the street with nothing to show for it.

But to get back to your situation......stay away from the dudes in AIT. Guys in the military loose their minds and will fight over the only woman there. All they want to do is have sex with you, so don't for one second think any of them are your friend. If you want to stay with your current BF, avoid putting yourself in a situation that will compromise your relationship. If you are not into you current BF, you need to break up with him before you leave, because your relationship will be tested for the next year. THIS WILL HAPPEN, IT ALWAYS DOES, SO TAKE MY WARNING NOW!!!!!

I swear Basic and AIT people loose their minds....you'll look back on it and wonder what the fuck that was all about?

when you say that bct and ait people lose their minds, can you elaborate on that?

i'm into current bf and am curious how this will all pan out with him, i don't want him to feel held back because of a decision i made. thanks for the warning on the military guys! i will try and be cautious, they can fight over some other girls and i will attempt to stay out of those situations.

do you feel that those involved in MI are more likely to get deployed?

PureandEasy

no experience but I can offer encouragement

you're a brave young woman and there is a lot to be said of people who put their country first

stay safe

florence151

Thanks for your upcoming service. Best of luck!

It is wonderful to hear the good advice you are getting at the Pearl Jam Message Pit.

OffHeGoes29

dangeringravity wrote:

when you say that bct and ait people lose their minds, can you elaborate on that?

i'm into current bf and am curious how this will all pan out with him, i don't want him to feel held back because of a decision i made. thanks for the warning on the military guys! i will try and be cautious, they can fight over some other girls and i will attempt to stay out of those situations.

do you feel that those involved in MI are more likely to get deployed?

Well its hard to describe, but guys just get crazy over the few girls that are there. Keep in mind, these girls can be horrible looking, even more manly then some of the dudes there, but guys will still chase after them and make themselves look like jack asses more so then in civilian life.

Once more, people in the military tend to make up stories about their civilian lives before they came in. I can't tell you how many guys told me they made all sorts of money, drove a nice car, and had a hot girlfriend before they came in. Well why did they leave it? Some guys will come out with outlandish lies like "I killed a man in Mexico once" or "I wrote three songs for a band that made it to the top Christian rock charts". I really heard these things from people. So guys and girls will make up stories about their past, and its hard to see who's true colors are showing.

You say it now, but I garentee you will go out with guys in your class, and they will get you liquired up, and they will start fighting over you. Seen it a 1000 times before. Be professional and stay away from these clowns, you're not going to be in the same Reserve unit, so watch yourself.

MI is an important job, so plan on a 7 to 9 month deployment some time soon. This is the kind of thing you should think about before you go. I'm not trying to sway you out of it, we need good people in the military. But understand that if they need you, you have to go for that amount of time if not more to places that aren't so pretty.

The military isn't for people with a family or relationship, even the Guard and Reserve are asking more from their people now a days. It can be rewarding, but don't drag someone else through the pain of many nights away off training or deployment.

dangeringravity

OffHeGoes29 wrote:

Well its hard to describe, but guys just get crazy over the few girls that are there. Keep in mind, these girls can be horrible looking, even more manly then some of the dudes there, but guys will still chase after them and make themselves look like jack asses more so then in civilian life.

Once more, people in the military tend to make up stories about their civilian lives before they came in. I can't tell you how many guys told me they made all sorts of money, drove a nice car, and had a hot girlfriend before they came in. Well why did they leave it? Some guys will come out with outlandish lies like "I killed a man in Mexico once" or "I wrote three songs for a band that made it to the top Christian rock charts". I really heard these things from people. So guys and girls will make up stories about their past, and its hard to see who's true colors are showing.

You say it now, but I garentee you will go out with guys in your class, and they will get you liquired up, and they will start fighting over you. Seen it a 1000 times before. Be professional and stay away from these clowns, you're not going to be in the same Reserve unit, so watch yourself.

MI is an important job, so plan on a 7 to 9 month deployment some time soon. This is the kind of thing you should think about before you go. I'm not trying to sway you out of it, we need good people in the military. But understand that if they need you, you have to go for that amount of time if not more to places that aren't so pretty.

The military isn't for people with a family or relationship, even the Guard and Reserve are asking more from their people now a days. It can be rewarding, but don't drag someone else through the pain of many nights away off training or deployment.

wow, so i'm pretty much going to try to keep to myself as much as possible as far as the guy situation goes. i'm not looking forward to the possibility of being taken advantage of. seems kind of animalistic!

i'm not sure how i'm going to leave things with my current bf, i want to have fun and enjoy his company until i leave, and then let him pretty much choose what he wants to do and not hold it against him.

i think i'm okay with deployment, if it happens, i'm more than willing, if it doesn't, then great.

thanks to everyone for the kind words!

BetterThanYou

bobbyd3 wrote:

Dont expect anything from the military.
Of all the guys I have known in my life who were in the military, none of them were any better off for it.
They get out, and work regular warehouse, manufacturing, and any other unskilled labor job. They make promises but dont expect to get anywhere in life from it.

on the flip side, there are a ton of electrical engineers i work with that were in the military and got their training and schooling for their current job in the military.

to the OP: good luck with everything and remember, you get out of it what you put into it.

Cree Nations

I always wanted to join the army...when I was younger. Still wish I would have.
Wish you the best and take care

youngster

Congrats on your decision and good luck. The first few weeks will be rough but as with everything in life, you will fall into a routine. Weird as it may sound, I was actually kind of bummed when I left boot camp. you meet some great people and develop friendships and then one day, everyone leaves and you rarely keep in touch with any of them. It's all good though and I'm sure you will be fine. Take care and be safe.

dangeringravity

thanks again everyone! also...does anyone have anything to say concerning being female and in the military? do you think the challenge is equal?

OffHeGoes29

dangeringravity wrote:

thanks again everyone! also...does anyone have anything to say concerning being female and in the military? do you think the challenge is equal?

No, infact most women in the military take advantage of it (Not all, but most).

Nothingman54

Hope you dont end up in Arlington

stuckinline

best of luck to you.

stay safe!

dangeringravity

Nothingman54 wrote:

Hope you dont end up in Arlington

i will be at ft. leonard wood in missouri and ft. huachuca in arizon. what's the deal with arlington?

mickeyrat

dangeringravity wrote:

hahaha, i didn't know it was a big thing to get married during ait! my recruiter did decide to tease me and say that what'll most likely happen is that i'll find an army guy and get married, but i'm hoping my current relation lasts, we'll see.

as for the other branches, i looked into them a bit and army seems to be it for me. and i also believe that my experience will be what i make of it, i'm hoping it's the right decision for me.

relationships are stressed but if you two are strong now , it's not likely to impact it too much.Then again who can really say.

As for the original question I would say a healthy fear of the unknown.The military(navy man myself) is a whole different world than what I had known before joining.I didn't put much into my service and got more than I could have asked for.

The only advice I have for boot is, do what you are told, when you are told,how you are told and for active duty, carry yourself with respect, dignity, honor and pride.

Much respect to you. Good Luck

sponger

dangeringravity wrote:

i will be at ft. leonard wood in missouri and ft. huachuca in arizon. what's the deal with arlington?

lmao. It's a cemetary.

dangeringravity

sponger wrote:

lmao. It's a cemetary.

ahaha, that's kind of...ironic in an odd way.

dangeringravity

mickeyrat wrote:

relationships are stressed but if you two are strong now , it's not likely to impact it too much.Then again who can really say.

As for the original question I would say a healthy fear of the unknown.The military(navy man myself) is a whole different world than what I had known before joining.I didn't put much into my service and got more than I could have asked for.

The only advice I have for boot is, do what you are told, when you are told,how you are told and for active duty, carry yourself with respect, dignity, honor and pride.

Much respect to you. Good Luck

i think i'll be okay doing what i'm told and following orders. if i'm already pretty physically fit, do you think i'll have any huge issues at boot camp?

sponger

dangeringravity wrote:

i think i'll be okay doing what i'm told and following orders. if i'm already pretty physically fit, do you think i'll have any huge issues at boot camp?

From my understanding, most new recuits are not "pretty physically fit", and boot camp is designed to get those people up to speed.

If you are already someone who can do endless sit-ups, push-ups, and can run long distances, then you will probably be one of class leaders, and may even get offered a chance to go through special forces training after you finish boot camp.

catefrances

dangeringravity wrote:

ahaha, that's kind of...ironic in an odd way.

wheres the irony?

mickeyrat

dangeringravity wrote:

i think i'll be okay doing what i'm told and following orders. if i'm already pretty physically fit, do you think i'll have any huge issues at boot camp?

About the only thing I can think of would be Not enough sleep from all that marching to and from.Also known as "Hurry up and wait"!!!!