So after 12 years and possible E-7 promotion next year. I've decided that I would rather get out of the Active component. This is not a popular decision with my family. Not my wife, but more my immediate family (mom and dad, uncles and aunts) they all think it is incredibly stupid to get out with just 8 years to go before a gaurunteed retirement.
A.) They don't realize that even if you make it to 20 years, you're not garunteed a retirement.
B.) They also don't know the mental stressors that come along with this job. I'm not saying the job is hard, far from it. I've been doing it for so long that even the days that suck, I can deal with naturally and just shrug them off. I'm talking about the lack of values that senior leadership has and this backwards ethos they preach.
They are all about you spending time with your family. Until it conflicts with how they look to others. For example, I let my platoon go home every day at 1600. This stipulates on a couple of things. Are their tasks done for the day? Do they know what is going on tomorrow and what I expect them to accomplish before COB the next day. I don't micromanage, I just expect them to do their job and will until they prove to me that they can't.
Now fast forward to yesterday, my 1SG sees my guys leaving the parking lot at 1600 and yells some comment to them like 'Oh, you guys are off for the day?" and then walks into his building. Then comes the ass chewing this morning, him telling me that the CO is only person who can authorize anyone to leave work before 1700. Got it, but why the fuck do you preach about wanting people to spend time with their families when you know that if someone leaves the office at 1700 they will not be home until 1800-1900 because the trafffic around JBLM is horrible.
So they get to spend 2 hours a night with their family before their kids and spouse go to bed and you think that is ok?
I have an opportunity to get accepted into the Microsoft Software Systems Academy (already submitted my packet just have to wait for the interview in November) and made my Commander sign the release for me being out of the office for 16 weeks.
I would much rather work for a large corporation that sticks to their values then one that shits on them every time they get.
Oh and don't get me started on how they crapped all over my plans of dropping my Warrent packet (for 74D) with those bullshit tattoo policy (I have a full sleeve that stops before my watch).....
TLDR; I'm getting that Specialist attitude of F the Army.
Yeah, when it's time, it's time.
Besides, as I'm sure you're even more aware than me, the Army doesn't really give a fuck about soldiers, and gives so little of a fuck that it jeopardizes the mission, like selecting warrants based on tattoos vs. capability. Honestly, I think that even if the tattoo policy wasn't a big deal per se, it's a huge deal, because it really shows that at the very highest levels of leadership, the Army is not just willing to accept a style over substance culture, it is proactively encouraging it.
Yea, I can't agree more. I'm just done with the culture that is allowed to thrive from the highest enlisted on down. Our SMA is more of a failed fashion designer then he is a Soldier. Then you have Generals on their way to retirement who wants to leave their mark so they spend 100's of millions trying to develop a new PT program, when the one we had was fine. I just relate this guy to Shinseki and his ridiculous black beret he put into effect as he was retiring.
The Army has had its good moments for me, but now the scales are tipping where the bad moments are dragging the good moments down.
For new (AF) commissioned LTs waiting on IRR there is the option now to get into the Reserve or Guard units that'll take you. If you choose not to enter the reserve or guard then you'll be put into a competition of sorts with others for active duty slots. It's based on merit and need for your afsc (if you go guard or reserve your afsc is whatever the sponsoring/receiving unit).
I'll start shopping around for reserve and guard units, but I did well in ROTC I think and my afsc, although not the highest demand (64P contracting) has retention issues with lucrative civilian jobs and my first assignment (Hanscom) has 15 open LT slots. Or used too, a couple months ago. So hopefully they keep me active. If you don't pass into active you can still go reserve or guard. Or stay in the hell that is IRR. Or you can just say peace to the AF and walk, without anything owed, even if scholarship.
For junior and senior cadets, you now compete for an active duty slot, with those not making it getting reserve or guard slots. This is exactly how Army ROTC does it and I'm shocked it took them this long to figure it out. Wait. No I'm not, all kidding aside.
So yeah. Whatever? I'm pretty confident I'm ok if I want active. All about having dat job and job experience. Although if I could get a reserve/guard job near DC that would be cool. Andrews has some units. I only say because my GF is going to grad school there.
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Waffles or whateverPreviously known as, I shit you not, "Waffen"Registered Userregular
Thats scary to see that with Air Force ROTC you aren't even guaranteed a commissioning slot. Its basically a tryout to see if you're good enough to be an Air Force Officer.
Man, all I want do is checking Guard/Reserve options in the DC area and it's impossible.
First, my local Reserve Officer recruiter doesn't have a working phone number, and the 113th Wing, the DCANG unit, does everything in its power to not have a recruiting phone number. Or any phone number, for that matter. WTF.
This link might be helpful. Has HR POC listed on the bottom of the announcement.
Also listed was a GS11/12/13 Contracting position posted. Here is the page that was found on.
I saw those opportunities earlier, right up my ally as a 64P! Alas, they require this gross thing called experience or something.
Still, the POC on the bottom is a good lead. I'll check that out.
I sent in a packet to a Reserve Recruiter down near DC. Hopefully shes on top of stuff. And I fired off an email to the functional officer for 64Ps about changing AD assignments. See if email gets me anywhere. I fully expect I'll have to harass the parties involved over phone.
I saw those opportunities earlier, right up my ally as a 64P! Alas, they require this gross thing called experience or something.
Still, the POC on the bottom is a good lead. I'll check that out.
I sent in a packet to a Reserve Recruiter down near DC. Hopefully shes on top of stuff. And I fired off an email to the functional officer for 64Ps about changing AD assignments. See if email gets me anywhere. I fully expect I'll have to harass the parties involved over phone.
Hey man, Hanscom isn't that bad. You can live anywhere in Boston too.
I saw those opportunities earlier, right up my ally as a 64P! Alas, they require this gross thing called experience or something.
I'd still look into it. Maybe talk to the SQ CC or something. If the announcement is accepting O-1's then they must understand they will get some candidates that aren't going to have the experience. Also usually those type of things describe their ideal candidate. Don't deselect yourself. Let them do that for you if they want.
I saw those opportunities earlier, right up my ally as a 64P! Alas, they require this gross thing called experience or something.
Still, the POC on the bottom is a good lead. I'll check that out.
I sent in a packet to a Reserve Recruiter down near DC. Hopefully shes on top of stuff. And I fired off an email to the functional officer for 64Ps about changing AD assignments. See if email gets me anywhere. I fully expect I'll have to harass the parties involved over phone.
Hey man, Hanscom isn't that bad. You can live anywhere in Boston too.
Oh I know, it's just that I have a lot of family in Maryland and my GF will be in DC. I do have friends up in Boston too. In a way, I can't lose. Unless the functioning officer decides to send me to Minot for my hubris.
JK, I already know the 2LT 64P who got sent to Minot.
So I get an email this morning from the Reserve Career Counselor that took over from mine at my last duty station. He wants a 5500 or he is threatening to cancel my contract. I do not have a problem giving him one except for two things: One, no longer in Georgia and Two: The ones my unit have are all way more than 6 months old. I was working on getting a new one done before I left, but the former career counselor told me to just not worry about it. Now I am trying to figure out how to make him happy since I really do not want my contract cancelled. Really dislike it when people wait until you can no longer act to bring up an issue.
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Waffles or whateverPreviously known as, I shit you not, "Waffen"Registered Userregular
Looks like I found my place to live finally in the Fort Lewis area!
I saw those opportunities earlier, right up my ally as a 64P! Alas, they require this gross thing called experience or something.
Still, the POC on the bottom is a good lead. I'll check that out.
I sent in a packet to a Reserve Recruiter down near DC. Hopefully shes on top of stuff. And I fired off an email to the functional officer for 64Ps about changing AD assignments. See if email gets me anywhere. I fully expect I'll have to harass the parties involved over phone.
Hey man, Hanscom isn't that bad. You can live anywhere in Boston too.
Oh I know, it's just that I have a lot of family in Maryland and my GF will be in DC. I do have friends up in Boston too. In a way, I can't lose. Unless the functioning officer decides to send me to Minot for my hubris.
JK, I already know the 2LT 64P who got sent to Minot.
You're assuming they can only send one 2LT for that slot. Foolish LT.
I saw those opportunities earlier, right up my ally as a 64P! Alas, they require this gross thing called experience or something.
Still, the POC on the bottom is a good lead. I'll check that out.
I sent in a packet to a Reserve Recruiter down near DC. Hopefully shes on top of stuff. And I fired off an email to the functional officer for 64Ps about changing AD assignments. See if email gets me anywhere. I fully expect I'll have to harass the parties involved over phone.
Hey man, Hanscom isn't that bad. You can live anywhere in Boston too.
Oh I know, it's just that I have a lot of family in Maryland and my GF will be in DC. I do have friends up in Boston too. In a way, I can't lose. Unless the functioning officer decides to send me to Minot for my hubris.
JK, I already know the 2LT 64P who got sent to Minot.
You're assuming they can only send one 2LT for that slot. Foolish LT.
Hooray for double and triple billeting!
Also, you can probably fill a 1Lt billet. Most billets are usually +1 or -1.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
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Waffles or whateverPreviously known as, I shit you not, "Waffen"Registered Userregular
Not at Peterson, and no idea what you would be doing. But Colorado Springs is a pretty decent area to be stationed...and as Army there are a just...like shit loads of assignment locations that are worse.
If you are into outdoorsy stuff, that place is a goddamn heaven. If not, there's still plenty to do. I have a friend stationed there I think, I can hit him up for any questions you might have.
So I get an email this morning from the Reserve Career Counselor that took over from mine at my last duty station. He wants a 5500 or he is threatening to cancel my contract. I do not have a problem giving him one except for two things: One, no longer in Georgia and Two: The ones my unit have are all way more than 6 months old. I was working on getting a new one done before I left, but the former career counselor told me to just not worry about it. Now I am trying to figure out how to make him happy since I really do not want my contract cancelled. Really dislike it when people wait until you can no longer act to bring up an issue.
@Yoshua you get this sorted yet? I just asked around, but it sounds like something that can be locally done to get you a new one. Although your situation reads like the guy is being a hard ass for kicks.
Not at Peterson, and no idea what you would be doing. But Colorado Springs is a pretty decent area to be stationed...and as Army there are a just...like shit loads of assignment locations that are worse.
If you are into outdoorsy stuff, that place is a goddamn heaven. If not, there's still plenty to do. I have a friend stationed there I think, I can hit him up for any questions you might have.
So I get an email this morning from the Reserve Career Counselor that took over from mine at my last duty station. He wants a 5500 or he is threatening to cancel my contract. I do not have a problem giving him one except for two things: One, no longer in Georgia and Two: The ones my unit have are all way more than 6 months old. I was working on getting a new one done before I left, but the former career counselor told me to just not worry about it. Now I am trying to figure out how to make him happy since I really do not want my contract cancelled. Really dislike it when people wait until you can no longer act to bring up an issue.
@Yoshua you get this sorted yet? I just asked around, but it sounds like something that can be locally done to get you a new one. Although your situation reads like the guy is being a hard ass for kicks.
Apologies for not following up. Yeah, I talked to the counselor back at Ft. Stewart, it's more his SGM demanding this than anyone, but he put me in touch with the reserve counselors that work for the reserve center I am going to. So I contacted them. One of the units from there is drilling this weekend, and she said it should not be a problem for me to show up and get this done. So hopefully I get this all sorted out monday (I can get it done this weekend, but nobody will be at the soldier center on Stewart till monday).
I think I just found one of the army's newest buck sergeants!
We were walking (drunk) to the barracks at close to 0100. Some other drunk guys are at the bike rack that people aren't supposed to smoke at but always tear down the no smoking signs and smoke at anyway, and one randomly calls out, "hey, where are you going?"
We're on the sidewalk, walking back to our barracks. I cheekily and super-imaginatively call out, "Where are you going?" in response. He asks again, I repeat, again, I repeat a 3rd time. His buddy says "Hey, is that how you talk to a non-commissioned officer? Come here." I internally roll my eyes and shout in my best hooah voice, "Moving, Sergeant!" Then stand at the strictest, hands-highest-on-my-back parade rest that I possibly can when I get there.
I stopped so close to the second guy, I'm not sure if he was just normally cross-eyed, or if I was just too close, cause motherfucker couldn't see straight. I had no idea where to look. I looked alternatively at one eye or his forehead while he talked about respect and questions from an NCO (white tank tops are the new chevrons, that's how you tell who's an NCO when some drunk randomly shouts stuff at you!). My friends were getting really pissed, but I was having trouble not laughing.
New E5s: The only people more aware of their rank than O1s. So precious!
Anyone at Peterson AFB? I just got offered a Strategic level staff job there. It is really enticing me to not ETS. Damn you Army.
I own a home just south of peterson AFB in Colorado Springs (ten minute drive to FT Carson, about the same to Peterson). It's a three bedroom, three story, one Joe living there (10th Group SSG). Let me know if you have any questions about the area. I'm a part of 4th ID right now - not in town, but I know it pretty well.
As has been mentioned, it's absolutely beautiful there. Honestly, you won't find a more stunning environment in the mid west. The mountains are amazing - the incline, a little trail off of the road up a nice hill (ha!) is a frequent visited site. Lots of beautiful colors. Camping, hiking, fishing, the whole nine yards. Lots of deer near my property. Very nice night life there as well. Some great snowboarding in the winter. Honestly it's about as cherry as assignments come. Space command is up at Peterson as well.
Two warnings: if you're coming in the winter, be serious with your vehicle. The snow and ice pack get dangerous out there. Second, running at elevation is a fucking chore. If you're not set well with your running time on your PT test, it'll get you. I've seen Soldiers add two to three minutes coming from near sea level elevation just because they can't breath at a mile+ up. My bedroom there is at nearly 6,000 ft elevation, and I'm at a lower part of town.
I once had someone correct me for my untucked PT shirt. I think a SSgt or TSgt (E-5/6 in AF speak).
Me: Hey thanks!
Him: Thanks, Staff Sgt. (trying to 'correct' me).
Me: You mean you're welcome, Captain.
Him: *look of fear, salutes and runs away*
Pfft. That's where you bust out the line "I've been promoted more times than you have....sir."
And promotions up to 03 are automatic. ;P
About two years ago I hit that point where I realized I had more time in service and experience than the officers in my battery. Always a reassuring thought prior to deployment.
Anyways, last update in regards to the reserves. Sent off my 5500, was worried because I was 2% over. But I met table weight and apparently that is good enough (wouldn't have been in my old unit, you had to pass tape regardless). So I keep my contract and my plans progress more or less as planned.
I once had someone correct me for my untucked PT shirt. I think a SSgt or TSgt (E-5/6 in AF speak).
Me: Hey thanks!
Him: Thanks, Staff Sgt. (trying to 'correct' me).
Me: You mean you're welcome, Captain.
Him: *look of fear, salutes and runs away*
Pfft. That's where you bust out the line "I've been promoted more times than you have....sir."
And promotions up to 03 are automatic. ;P
About two years ago I hit that point where I realized I had more time in service and experience than the officers in my battery. Always a reassuring thought prior to deployment.
Anyways, last update in regards to the reserves. Sent off my 5500, was worried because I was 2% over. But I met table weight and apparently that is good enough (wouldn't have been in my old unit, you had to pass tape regardless). So I keep my contract and my plans progress more or less as planned.
The AF has been doing some wavering on O-3 promotions. my year group had to compete (with a 95% promote rate) while year groups on either side of me (I think) did not. So it's not quite automatic. Close.
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Waffles or whateverPreviously known as, I shit you not, "Waffen"Registered Userregular
edited July 2014
Army Reconnaissance Course is pretty sucky right now. Its like the Armor School's attempt to compete with Ranger School. The in class stuff is whatever, but the field and PT stuff screams WE WANNA BE RAAAAAANGERS. Guess it could be worst. They're going to the Barracks come October and want to make the course longer, and more physically demanding. Good thing I'm knocking it out now I guess.
Edit: Don't get me wrong, you learn a lot, but the trying to be "Raaaaanger" part gets annoying.
Army Reconnaissance Course is pretty sucky right now. Its like the Armor School's attempt to compete with Ranger School. The in class stuff is whatever, but the field and PT stuff screams WE WANNA BE RAAAAAANGERS. Guess it could be worst. They're going to the Barracks come October and want to make the course longer, and more physically demanding. Good thing I'm knocking it out now I guess.
Edit: Don't get me wrong, you learn a lot, but the trying to be "Raaaaanger" part gets annoying.
Working with those Ranger types, and then seeing Airborne peeps (as most of my army experience). Isn't everyone trying to be a Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanger?
Army Reconnaissance Course is pretty sucky right now. Its like the Armor School's attempt to compete with Ranger School. The in class stuff is whatever, but the field and PT stuff screams WE WANNA BE RAAAAAANGERS. Guess it could be worst. They're going to the Barracks come October and want to make the course longer, and more physically demanding. Good thing I'm knocking it out now I guess.
Edit: Don't get me wrong, you learn a lot, but the trying to be "Raaaaanger" part gets annoying.
Working with those Ranger types, and then seeing Airborne peeps (as most of my army experience). Isn't everyone trying to be a Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanger?
My unit wasn't. But I noticed a lot of non-combat arms units sure seemed to have a chip on their shoulder about such things; really trying to go that extra mile for no real reason. Granted, getting in some extra training is never bad IMO, but the way they laid it on was rather thick and would have been laughable if they weren't so serious about it.
I always felt like a poser even calling cadence with ranger cadences. Especially on Lewis when 2-75 was just across the airfield. I don't know about ever wanting to be one though, but they were reasonably squared away when we worked with them on deployment. But their joes did have some hilarious egos. Their privates in sterile ACUs would occasionally step up to us in the chow hall for no reason, and try to push us around with hilarious claims of being "Special Forces."
What sort of ranger training do they push? If it's stuff from the Ranger Handbook then I can't imagine it's so bad.
I always felt like a poser even calling cadence with ranger cadences. Especially on Lewis when 2-75 was just across the airfield. I don't know about ever wanting to be one though, but they were reasonably squared away when we worked with them on deployment. But their joes did have some hilarious egos. Their privates in sterile ACUs would occasionally step up to us in the chow hall for no reason, and try to push us around with hilarious claims of being "Special Forces."
What sort of ranger training do they push? If it's stuff from the Ranger Handbook then I can't imagine it's so bad.
I guess that is funny to me because on my last deployment the FOB I was on was almost nothing but SEAL's and SF. None of those guys threw their weight around, quite the opposite actually. They even setup a really cool group photo for us out on the range with some gas cans and C4.
I always felt like a poser even calling cadence with ranger cadences. Especially on Lewis when 2-75 was just across the airfield. I don't know about ever wanting to be one though, but they were reasonably squared away when we worked with them on deployment. But their joes did have some hilarious egos. Their privates in sterile ACUs would occasionally step up to us in the chow hall for no reason, and try to push us around with hilarious claims of being "Special Forces."
What sort of ranger training do they push? If it's stuff from the Ranger Handbook then I can't imagine it's so bad.
I guess that is funny to me because on my last deployment the FOB I was on was almost nothing but SEAL's and SF. None of those guys threw their weight around, quite the opposite actually. They even setup a really cool group photo for us out on the range with some gas cans and C4.
Oh yeah, real SF guys were always very cool and laid back when we interacted with them.
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Waffles or whateverPreviously known as, I shit you not, "Waffen"Registered Userregular
Army Reconnaissance Course is pretty sucky right now. Its like the Armor School's attempt to compete with Ranger School. The in class stuff is whatever, but the field and PT stuff screams WE WANNA BE RAAAAAANGERS. Guess it could be worst. They're going to the Barracks come October and want to make the course longer, and more physically demanding. Good thing I'm knocking it out now I guess.
Edit: Don't get me wrong, you learn a lot, but the trying to be "Raaaaanger" part gets annoying.
Working with those Ranger types, and then seeing Airborne peeps (as most of my army experience). Isn't everyone trying to be a Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanger?
Yeah, gets annoying quick.
I also had one of those tabbed folks talk to me with his tab today. I think I have an idea of how molestation feels now.
I always felt like a poser even calling cadence with ranger cadences. Especially on Lewis when 2-75 was just across the airfield. I don't know about ever wanting to be one though, but they were reasonably squared away when we worked with them on deployment. But their joes did have some hilarious egos. Their privates in sterile ACUs would occasionally step up to us in the chow hall for no reason, and try to push us around with hilarious claims of being "Special Forces."
What sort of ranger training do they push? If it's stuff from the Ranger Handbook then I can't imagine it's so bad.
I guess that is funny to me because on my last deployment the FOB I was on was almost nothing but SEAL's and SF. None of those guys threw their weight around, quite the opposite actually. They even setup a really cool group photo for us out on the range with some gas cans and C4.
Oh yeah, real SF guys were always very cool and laid back when we interacted with them.
Mostly agreed. One ODA team I worked with were a bit too high on their own supply, but I did work with a lot of SF / Ranger guys who were laid back as fuck. The best NCO I ever worked with in my entire military career was a voluntary separate out of Q course when he was, IIRC, a PFC, and then went to Ranger Regiment when he was E-5. I'm always reluctant to use the word "flawless" but, well, in his case, I cannot think of any reason not to.
I always felt like a poser even calling cadence with ranger cadences. Especially on Lewis when 2-75 was just across the airfield. I don't know about ever wanting to be one though, but they were reasonably squared away when we worked with them on deployment. But their joes did have some hilarious egos. Their privates in sterile ACUs would occasionally step up to us in the chow hall for no reason, and try to push us around with hilarious claims of being "Special Forces."
What sort of ranger training do they push? If it's stuff from the Ranger Handbook then I can't imagine it's so bad.
I guess that is funny to me because on my last deployment the FOB I was on was almost nothing but SEAL's and SF. None of those guys threw their weight around, quite the opposite actually. They even setup a really cool group photo for us out on the range with some gas cans and C4.
Oh yeah, real SF guys were always very cool and laid back when we interacted with them.
Mostly agreed. One ODA team I worked with were a bit too high on their own supply, but I did work with a lot of SF / Ranger guys who were laid back as fuck. The best NCO I ever worked with in my entire military career was a voluntary separate out of Q course when he was, IIRC, a PFC, and then went to Ranger Regiment when he was E-5. I'm always reluctant to use the word "flawless" but, well, in his case, I cannot think of any reason not to.
In my experience other non-'secret squirrel' units were the ones who loved displaying brash arrogance and contempt. 2-325 2nd bde 82nd ABN, whatever bde 3rd ID, and 4th bde 25th ID were the worst. Nothing is more hilariously offensive than an entire battalion treating you with contempt because you're just 'dirty legs' even though they aren't the ones doing the bulk of the meaningful, dangerous work in their own AOR. With secret squirrel types I felt like they only gave us the cold shoulder when they were doing something with us that was above our own clearance level. Generally they'd shoot the shit with us before and after missions, but might keep their distance during the mission itself depending on what it was. Can't say I really blame them.
I always felt like a poser even calling cadence with ranger cadences. Especially on Lewis when 2-75 was just across the airfield. I don't know about ever wanting to be one though, but they were reasonably squared away when we worked with them on deployment. But their joes did have some hilarious egos. Their privates in sterile ACUs would occasionally step up to us in the chow hall for no reason, and try to push us around with hilarious claims of being "Special Forces."
What sort of ranger training do they push? If it's stuff from the Ranger Handbook then I can't imagine it's so bad.
I guess that is funny to me because on my last deployment the FOB I was on was almost nothing but SEAL's and SF. None of those guys threw their weight around, quite the opposite actually. They even setup a really cool group photo for us out on the range with some gas cans and C4.
Oh yeah, real SF guys were always very cool and laid back when we interacted with them.
Mostly agreed. One ODA team I worked with were a bit too high on their own supply, but I did work with a lot of SF / Ranger guys who were laid back as fuck. The best NCO I ever worked with in my entire military career was a voluntary separate out of Q course when he was, IIRC, a PFC, and then went to Ranger Regiment when he was E-5. I'm always reluctant to use the word "flawless" but, well, in his case, I cannot think of any reason not to.
In my experience other non-'secret squirrel' units were the ones who loved displaying brash arrogance and contempt. 2-325 2nd bde 82nd ABN, whatever bde 3rd ID, and 4th bde 25th ID were the worst. Nothing is more hilariously offensive than an entire battalion treating you with contempt because you're just 'dirty legs' even though they aren't the ones doing the bulk of the meaningful, dangerous work in their own AOR.
That attitude has always blown my mind. You've never done a combat drop, you've never fast roped onto a building, and Airborne school isn't hard, guys.
With secret squirrel types I felt like they only gave us the cold shoulder when they were doing something with us that was above our own clearance level. Generally they'd shoot the shit with us before and after missions, but might keep their distance during the mission itself depending on what it was. Can't say I really blame them.
It's reasonably likely they were. Of course, that's an issue with how the clearance / classification system is setup. If they have their own entire sub-mission, that's not as bad, but it's such a clusterfuck to integrate with any infantry unit at first as MI because even officers and SNCOs have no clue what your capabilities are. Joe doesn't need (or want) to know what, say, public key encryption is, but "this is how I find the bad guys, don't tell anyone," is rather needed.
I could go on for days on how jacked up the way the US handles intel is, frankly, it's a wonder we're as good as we are, but we could easily be twice so.
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Yeah, when it's time, it's time.
Besides, as I'm sure you're even more aware than me, the Army doesn't really give a fuck about soldiers, and gives so little of a fuck that it jeopardizes the mission, like selecting warrants based on tattoos vs. capability. Honestly, I think that even if the tattoo policy wasn't a big deal per se, it's a huge deal, because it really shows that at the very highest levels of leadership, the Army is not just willing to accept a style over substance culture, it is proactively encouraging it.
The Army has had its good moments for me, but now the scales are tipping where the bad moments are dragging the good moments down.
Anyways, this video made my morning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qKHeXC7L85s
― John Quincy Adams
I'll start shopping around for reserve and guard units, but I did well in ROTC I think and my afsc, although not the highest demand (64P contracting) has retention issues with lucrative civilian jobs and my first assignment (Hanscom) has 15 open LT slots. Or used too, a couple months ago. So hopefully they keep me active. If you don't pass into active you can still go reserve or guard. Or stay in the hell that is IRR. Or you can just say peace to the AF and walk, without anything owed, even if scholarship.
For junior and senior cadets, you now compete for an active duty slot, with those not making it getting reserve or guard slots. This is exactly how Army ROTC does it and I'm shocked it took them this long to figure it out. Wait. No I'm not, all kidding aside.
So yeah. Whatever? I'm pretty confident I'm ok if I want active. All about having dat job and job experience. Although if I could get a reserve/guard job near DC that would be cool. Andrews has some units. I only say because my GF is going to grad school there.
First, my local Reserve Officer recruiter doesn't have a working phone number, and the 113th Wing, the DCANG unit, does everything in its power to not have a recruiting phone number. Or any phone number, for that matter. WTF.
Also listed was a GS11/12/13 Contracting position posted.
Here is the page that was found on.
Still, the POC on the bottom is a good lead. I'll check that out.
I sent in a packet to a Reserve Recruiter down near DC. Hopefully shes on top of stuff. And I fired off an email to the functional officer for 64Ps about changing AD assignments. See if email gets me anywhere. I fully expect I'll have to harass the parties involved over phone.
Hey man, Hanscom isn't that bad. You can live anywhere in Boston too.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
I'd still look into it. Maybe talk to the SQ CC or something. If the announcement is accepting O-1's then they must understand they will get some candidates that aren't going to have the experience. Also usually those type of things describe their ideal candidate. Don't deselect yourself. Let them do that for you if they want.
Oh I know, it's just that I have a lot of family in Maryland and my GF will be in DC. I do have friends up in Boston too. In a way, I can't lose. Unless the functioning officer decides to send me to Minot for my hubris.
JK, I already know the 2LT 64P who got sent to Minot.
http://www.rentatparkplace.com/Apartments/module/property_floorplans/property[id]/44738/#floorplan
Nice price and not too far from North Gate. Went with a 2 bedroom for when family/friends come by to visit.
You're assuming they can only send one 2LT for that slot. Foolish LT.
Have fun driving on I5 everyday
― John Quincy Adams
Hooray for double and triple billeting!
Also, you can probably fill a 1Lt billet. Most billets are usually +1 or -1.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
Ehh, a buddy mentioned a short cut to me that doesn't involve taking I5. It'll be fine.
― John Quincy Adams
― John Quincy Adams
If you are into outdoorsy stuff, that place is a goddamn heaven. If not, there's still plenty to do. I have a friend stationed there I think, I can hit him up for any questions you might have.
@Yoshua you get this sorted yet? I just asked around, but it sounds like something that can be locally done to get you a new one. Although your situation reads like the guy is being a hard ass for kicks.
Apologies for not following up. Yeah, I talked to the counselor back at Ft. Stewart, it's more his SGM demanding this than anyone, but he put me in touch with the reserve counselors that work for the reserve center I am going to. So I contacted them. One of the units from there is drilling this weekend, and she said it should not be a problem for me to show up and get this done. So hopefully I get this all sorted out monday (I can get it done this weekend, but nobody will be at the soldier center on Stewart till monday).
We were walking (drunk) to the barracks at close to 0100. Some other drunk guys are at the bike rack that people aren't supposed to smoke at but always tear down the no smoking signs and smoke at anyway, and one randomly calls out, "hey, where are you going?"
We're on the sidewalk, walking back to our barracks. I cheekily and super-imaginatively call out, "Where are you going?" in response. He asks again, I repeat, again, I repeat a 3rd time. His buddy says "Hey, is that how you talk to a non-commissioned officer? Come here." I internally roll my eyes and shout in my best hooah voice, "Moving, Sergeant!" Then stand at the strictest, hands-highest-on-my-back parade rest that I possibly can when I get there.
I stopped so close to the second guy, I'm not sure if he was just normally cross-eyed, or if I was just too close, cause motherfucker couldn't see straight. I had no idea where to look. I looked alternatively at one eye or his forehead while he talked about respect and questions from an NCO (white tank tops are the new chevrons, that's how you tell who's an NCO when some drunk randomly shouts stuff at you!). My friends were getting really pissed, but I was having trouble not laughing.
New E5s: The only people more aware of their rank than O1s. So precious!
PS4:MrZoompants
Me: Hey thanks!
Him: Thanks, Staff Sgt. (trying to 'correct' me).
Me: You mean you're welcome, Captain.
Him: *look of fear, salutes and runs away*
Pfft. That's where you bust out the line "I've been promoted more times than you have....sir."
bahahahahaha I'd have given that one to him!
I own a home just south of peterson AFB in Colorado Springs (ten minute drive to FT Carson, about the same to Peterson). It's a three bedroom, three story, one Joe living there (10th Group SSG). Let me know if you have any questions about the area. I'm a part of 4th ID right now - not in town, but I know it pretty well.
As has been mentioned, it's absolutely beautiful there. Honestly, you won't find a more stunning environment in the mid west. The mountains are amazing - the incline, a little trail off of the road up a nice hill (ha!) is a frequent visited site. Lots of beautiful colors. Camping, hiking, fishing, the whole nine yards. Lots of deer near my property. Very nice night life there as well. Some great snowboarding in the winter. Honestly it's about as cherry as assignments come. Space command is up at Peterson as well.
Two warnings: if you're coming in the winter, be serious with your vehicle. The snow and ice pack get dangerous out there. Second, running at elevation is a fucking chore. If you're not set well with your running time on your PT test, it'll get you. I've seen Soldiers add two to three minutes coming from near sea level elevation just because they can't breath at a mile+ up. My bedroom there is at nearly 6,000 ft elevation, and I'm at a lower part of town.
And promotions up to 03 are automatic. ;P
About two years ago I hit that point where I realized I had more time in service and experience than the officers in my battery. Always a reassuring thought prior to deployment.
Anyways, last update in regards to the reserves. Sent off my 5500, was worried because I was 2% over. But I met table weight and apparently that is good enough (wouldn't have been in my old unit, you had to pass tape regardless). So I keep my contract and my plans progress more or less as planned.
The AF has been doing some wavering on O-3 promotions. my year group had to compete (with a 95% promote rate) while year groups on either side of me (I think) did not. So it's not quite automatic. Close.
Edit: Don't get me wrong, you learn a lot, but the trying to be "Raaaaanger" part gets annoying.
Working with those Ranger types, and then seeing Airborne peeps (as most of my army experience). Isn't everyone trying to be a Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanger?
My unit wasn't. But I noticed a lot of non-combat arms units sure seemed to have a chip on their shoulder about such things; really trying to go that extra mile for no real reason. Granted, getting in some extra training is never bad IMO, but the way they laid it on was rather thick and would have been laughable if they weren't so serious about it.
What sort of ranger training do they push? If it's stuff from the Ranger Handbook then I can't imagine it's so bad.
I guess that is funny to me because on my last deployment the FOB I was on was almost nothing but SEAL's and SF. None of those guys threw their weight around, quite the opposite actually. They even setup a really cool group photo for us out on the range with some gas cans and C4.
Oh yeah, real SF guys were always very cool and laid back when we interacted with them.
Yeah, gets annoying quick.
I also had one of those tabbed folks talk to me with his tab today. I think I have an idea of how molestation feels now.
Mostly agreed. One ODA team I worked with were a bit too high on their own supply, but I did work with a lot of SF / Ranger guys who were laid back as fuck. The best NCO I ever worked with in my entire military career was a voluntary separate out of Q course when he was, IIRC, a PFC, and then went to Ranger Regiment when he was E-5. I'm always reluctant to use the word "flawless" but, well, in his case, I cannot think of any reason not to.
In my experience other non-'secret squirrel' units were the ones who loved displaying brash arrogance and contempt. 2-325 2nd bde 82nd ABN, whatever bde 3rd ID, and 4th bde 25th ID were the worst. Nothing is more hilariously offensive than an entire battalion treating you with contempt because you're just 'dirty legs' even though they aren't the ones doing the bulk of the meaningful, dangerous work in their own AOR. With secret squirrel types I felt like they only gave us the cold shoulder when they were doing something with us that was above our own clearance level. Generally they'd shoot the shit with us before and after missions, but might keep their distance during the mission itself depending on what it was. Can't say I really blame them.
That attitude has always blown my mind. You've never done a combat drop, you've never fast roped onto a building, and Airborne school isn't hard, guys.
It's reasonably likely they were. Of course, that's an issue with how the clearance / classification system is setup. If they have their own entire sub-mission, that's not as bad, but it's such a clusterfuck to integrate with any infantry unit at first as MI because even officers and SNCOs have no clue what your capabilities are. Joe doesn't need (or want) to know what, say, public key encryption is, but "this is how I find the bad guys, don't tell anyone," is rather needed.
I could go on for days on how jacked up the way the US handles intel is, frankly, it's a wonder we're as good as we are, but we could easily be twice so.