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Cry Havok and let loose the dogs of the [Military Thread]
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Unfortunately I'm not plugged into the Army, so I can't really say. As a rule there are always demands for certain fields though. Someone Army smart can chime in, or ask your recruiter what fields are actually open.
Found this: http://www.usmilitary.com/10541/15-high-demand-military-jobs-with-excellent-enlistment-bonuses/
Speaking from personal experience...Motor Transport Operator and Petroleum Supply Specialists aren't in that high a level of demand. Promotion rate is notoriously slow in the higher ranks because there are lots of jobs for low levels but very few jobs at higher levels because you have to compete against other career fields. Then again, the push to cut dead weight at the top could see a lot of Sergeants Major retiring and opening up room for promotions.
If someone's picked up for advancement the Navy regularly ups someone's rank before they're entitled to their pay grade.
Suspended bust is also a thing.
Edit: And I now see this has been covered.
GED is good enough to get in. Age won't hurt you much, just realize careers end at 62. Period. Hence why the cutoff age is 42, minimum for getting the full 20 to achieve some type of retirement. If anything, a little age means you'll have (in theory) the maturity to not do stupid shit that hurts making and keeping rank, and have a little more common sense to get you through stuff you don't know. Just realize you will eventually need some higher education at some point so you'll need to do a college degree and correspondence courses on your own, but that's something to worry about later. A lower traffic recruitment center might help with the actual getting in, but as far as a specific MOS you're up against everyone in the US trying to join and we're over halfway into the fiscal year in a downturn economy with an over strength force. You can try to get something you want, but you may end up what we need (though really, it will always be needs of the Army first). The worst thing you can do is not ask, you can always say no until you sign the actual paperwork and even then they have some escape clauses.
Go, ask what is available and what you meet the criteria for, then come back and get some more advice from us. Just know what it is you want to do, do research on what the recruiter tells you, and remember that no plan survives first contact.
While the AF doesn't frock as a rule, if we WERE to frock you could in theory lose 3 stripes right off the bat if you did something dumb like getting a DUI or adultery. In general, I've seen 2 for serious infractions and I've seen a lot of CC's take 1 stripe and suspend a second for lesser infractions. Or just suspend it entirely.
For those who don't know, a "suspended" bust is basically being on probation. It means you're keeping your rank, for now, but if you look at the boss wrong he can rip it off without so much as a second thought. I believe it also puts some of the power back to the first line supervisors, but I could be wrong about that.
Also, this all only applies to enlisted. Officer punishments are much different.
I didn't elaborate on the whys of it all because I don't know them. What's the most professional way to explain 2nd Lt Limbo?
Kind of early in the year to get bar'ed. I thought university graduations were late May or early June? Specifically, the Academy doesn't want their line numbers to be later than any ROTC grad, and they commission at the end of this month.
Welp, you're still later than me, and I'm no longer the active greenhorn in the thread. Consider your bars fun made of.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
Hmm. Well, commencement was Thursday at my university.
Quiet Butters. Consider yourself mocked.
But for reals, welcome to the brotherhood.
Commencement =! EAD. Air Force? When do you report to your base?
I "commissioned" on 17 May 08 but for date of rank purposes my DOR was 28 May, so as not to piss off the Academy "we commission first!" bs.
Congratulations! It's a huge step! You're now "responsible" and stuff!
Ah, right. Sorry forgot about that.
We had a slide show with baby pictures and music and nearly all the males had alt rock n shit. Not me. I had Ozzy singing Never Say Die
I told a Veteran Owned company my story, and they totally loved my resume so there's full time options for me after all.
Any tips?
If your a linguist quid then the answer is slim to none. You'll be focused on analysis and reporting.
I'll be training as a 17 Delta (Cyberspace Ops) if I ever start Active Duty. Some of my friends told me that while the tech school teaches everybody from the ground up, the CCNA networking seminars put you at an advantage. Like hell I'm gonna do that...
Boooooooooo.
Then here's hoping one of my choices for the mainland comes through.
Freedom being for sacrificed in the name of betterment of American society!
Haha! Soon shall I have being escaped the grasp of cruel lady liberty and husband of destruction Uncle Sam![/Russian Guyovich voice]
But seriously, congrats guys. Hope you enjoy your time in and make the best of it. Don't be a dick to your troops but don't be a pushover. Figure out which NCOs are worth a damn and listen to their advice. People can see through bullshit in an instant so don't try to be something you're not.
Buy my 40k shit.
I just hope its before the loan grace period ends.
Ha, I wish I could use that advice now. I work with only officers and civilians. There is no one under me, and there won't be for at least 10 years if I stay in this career field.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
I actually met a small contractor composed all of vets. The dude at the booth was a huge hulking dude and I figured he was a vet so I told him my story and he asked for my resume and said he could help.
First off, not all of us serving have enlisted. Semantics maybe; some commission as officers and don't "enlist" as per the definition.
Second, you will get a HUGE range of people serving, from yes, lazy, to the most altruistic and Type A people on the planet. I think the folks here tend toward the latter.
Third, it doesn't even matter. All that matters is you and how you adapt to the environment that you are in right now. You could have been lazy before, but if you're not now (or won't be soon), then you're good.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
To be perfectly honest I am still lazy. The important part though, like Veritas said, is that you adapt to the environment. I did in basic, then didn't have to on shore duty. But every time I deploy then and now I have to again and I do. And at this point I'm liked not because I'm the most amazing worker ever, but because I'm reliable.
XBL: Mega Spooky // 3DS: 3797-6276-7138
This info is from when I enlisted like 15 years ago, dunno if it's still current. If you only have a GED it will significantly limit the MOS options you have. The recruiter also had a limit of how many GED recruits they could enlist.
Extremely lazy.
Honestly, most people that are lazy are just lacking something that lights a fire under their ass. Once you discover the joy of a job well done (and nobody screaming at you for being a fuck up), you'll realize that of all the awards, accolades, or what the hell ever you get in this organization the single greatest prize is being left the fuck alone so you can do your job.
Seriously. I'm facing a medical board, but my past performance has allowed me to not only not go to the field until I'm booted, but also to take care of my family in the process. I could probably show up for formation in the morning and go home and nobody would give a fuck.
Got some good news from the recruiters. As of December 2011, you need to score a 50 or higher on the ASVAB if you have a GED. No other restrictions really. Tighter background check requirements but that's about it. I got a 93 on the short practice test and was told that I can even do Signals or Intelligence if I get above a 90 on the real thing when I go to MEPS.
XBL: Mega Spooky // 3DS: 3797-6276-7138
That's cool, one thing to watch out for, don't let them pressure you into a job you don't want. Also, consider the difference between a job that will be fun as an actual army career and one that will translate into outside employment. They are not always the same. I picked a job I knew would like, and I did, but it didn't offer much in the way of outside work when I decided I did't want an army career. Another thing to consider, the more advanced jobs require longer enlistments. A satellite operator has a 6 year enlistment, so if you end up hating military life, you're in for a while but have better civilian options.
The most important thing to remember, before you sign a contract, you can tell them you want to go home and think about it and research. I cannot stress this last point enough. Do not let them pressure you into signing until you are satisfied.
Promotion ceremonies can be super awkward. Mitigated somewhat by buying out the bar I can't believe this is a thing holy crap yes.
More at 11, or after I stumble back home.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!