Wow! I appreciate all the BCT advice guys, it sounds like I'm doing more or less the right thing. Tons of cardio and do whatever the Dsgt says. I probably sound like the average naive pre-boot, but I'm so excited to get started. Signal is exactly what I wanted and when I did well on the ASVAB and 25S was open I straight-up fist pumped at my recruiting station.
One more thing I was wondering, is Signal decent for picking up rank fairly quickly? I've heard conflicting reports ranging from I'll be Sergeant Major of the Army in about 5 minutes to "Get used to Echo4".
A couple things:
1. If you want to speed promotion, for right now:
a. Do well in BCT. If you aren't already E-3, you can pick up rank there. Also maybe an AAM
b. Once you get to your AIT, if you have a long one like me, volunteer if you have free time. About ~100 hours = MOVSM = promo points. Also, my AIT has explicit standards that equal an automatic AAM. You can potentially come out of training with 3 medals or so depending.
c. Once you get to your unit, start looking at correspondence courses or online classes.
d. Do good PT / marksmanship
2. Once you get close to boards, start studying. Try to get Soldier of the Month before your promo board
P.S. Don't call 'E-4' 'Echo-4' It took two years for me to hear someone say that, and it was in the context of, "Don't say Echo-4, it's fucking dumb."
But yeah, as to PT, it sounds like you are already above where you need to be, so just keep doing what you are doing. PT will be easy for you compared to most others.
That makes sense. Since Signal's a fairly small corps, I didn't know if it worked for or against your promotion chances. I know that a lot of Marines have trouble picking up because advancement opportunities are really limited, small corps size and whatnot.
Don't pay attention to info from other branches when it comes to promotions. It varies so radically as to not be relevant. Also, some small areas promote so fast your head will spin, so it depends entirely on your MOS.
Enlisting as an E-4 so all the early promotion stuff is sort of null. I'll have to keep a lookout for classes and other catalysts at post.
I'm sort of drawing a blank by the way. Since I start as a Specialist, is my first promotion to Corporal or Sergeant? I know that both CPL and SPC are E-4, but CPL is of course the bottom rung of the NCO ladder.
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The paranoid man believes that everyone is out to get him. The intelligent man knows that everyone is out to get him.
CPL holds the same rank as SPC, E-4, just one is an NCO rank. So you don't get promoted from SPC to CPL, unless they do a cross-promotion, so it's SPC to SGT. You rarely see CPL's in the Army. Usually it's a specialist position where they want an NCO, like armorer or whatever.
I got promoted to CPL (from SPC) because I was on stop loss, wouldn't re-enlist at the time, so they gave me CPL instead of SGT. Bunch of BS if you ask me.
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ZeroFillFeeling much better.A nice, green leaf.Registered Userregular
Fuck being a corporal. You don't really get any more respect than a specialist, and you're the first to get put on all the shitty details that require NCOs (in addition to pulling CQ more often). They also don't receive "official" NCOERs.
Oh trust me, I have no desire to get CPL, I just didn't know if the lateral promotion thing happens very much. Sorry for the raw deal Redleg.
Yeah I'm enlisting as an E-4, I have a degree, I just wanted to do some enlisted time before I apply to OCS. I figure that will make me slightly less of a know-nothing nugget in the future.
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The paranoid man believes that everyone is out to get him. The intelligent man knows that everyone is out to get him.
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ZeroFillFeeling much better.A nice, green leaf.Registered Userregular
edited April 2011
from what I understand it's much harder to go from active enlisted>active officer right now, and there's more billets to bring civilians in to fill out the O community
Info I've gotten says the exact opposite. My station has civilians who are applying to OCS waiting for incredibly long time periods, bad economy, limited slots, etc. I suppose they could have been bullshitting me but they were really, really upfront with me about everything else.
FPA20111 on
The paranoid man believes that everyone is out to get him. The intelligent man knows that everyone is out to get him.
I'm currently in the Army, and an E-4 from a degree, putting in a packet for OCS. Be forewarned, putting in a packet for OCS is harder than some people make it out to be. And even then, I'll still have to be accepted. It'll probably be easier to just go straight into OCS.
On a different note, I'm currently deployed but will be back stateside tomorrow for R&R. Any suggestions for what I can fill up my two weeks with other than booze and hookers?
On a different note, I'm currently deployed but will be back stateside tomorrow for R&R. Any suggestions for what I can fill up my two weeks with other than booze and hookers?
Enjoy simple creature comforts, like being able to sit on a real sofa, enjoying the luxury of AC and instant cold water, TV with more than AFN as channels, movies, the company of friends or loved ones, etc.......
You'll get burned out on booze & hookers eventually.
I'm currently in the Army, and an E-4 from a degree, putting in a packet for OCS. Be forewarned, putting in a packet for OCS is harder than some people make it out to be. And even then, I'll still have to be accepted. It'll probably be easier to just go straight into OCS.
I'm currently getting my packet together as well for Army OCS (but I'm civilian at the moment, through-and-through). Just took the ASVAB last week and now my recruiter is asking me nicely to try and have everything ready in the next couple weeks, but I don't see that happening, realistically. Maybe a month or so.
One thing, though, is that I'm sort of out in the sticks, and my recruiter says that he's lucky if he puts in three OCS packets a year. He also said that every guy he puts in front of a board makes it through, so... I don't know what to think.
Today the secretary of the navy came to my base and gave a speech to each squadron that took part in operation Tomodachi. We were standing at parade rest inside a hangar in a huge formation. A pigeon in the rafters shit all over the back of my neck and down the inside of my flight suit. Fucking sucked. Then I got bitched at for going home early to change and shower.
This mans military shits on you no matter what you do!
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darklite_xI'm not an r-tard...Registered Userregular
edited April 2011
Moose that is hilarious. I think the Secretary was at my base two days ago. I'm not Navy so I didn't care, but eh, small world.
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I guess one thing to keep in mind is that OCS packets are also a ton of more work for recruiters as well, so if they're already swamped with them it may get to the point where they start discouraging people by telling them hardly anybody is getting in.
My recruiter is hyped and told me during our very first meeting that if all my shit is in order, then I'm pretty much a shoe-in. That's probably bullshit, so likely the truth lies somewhere in between. I'm not in the Army, obviously, but I've been told that the current situation with having enough junior officers is a bit dire...
Anyways, I'm also dragging my feet on the app a tiny bit so I can work on what my PT scores are when the board sees them. I could pass now but who likes somebody who just does the minimum?
A 2 mile run, push ups, and sit ups. I've got the running and sit ups well under control but I'm not aiming for a 100 in anything. I am however a naturally big guy (I'm in good shape but I'm 6 ft and pushing 200 lbs) and cranking out a shitload of push-ups has never been my strong suit.
The minimum for the run is a pretty leisurely 17 minutes. I'd like to get below 13:30 (I currently can do it in around 15).
So what are the best places for an 11B to go? I've only lived on Bragg and been to Benning obviously but have no desire to return.
I'd like to go somewhere warm, but the cold isn't a dealbreaker unless were talking Alaska cold. Does Texas suck? How about Korea. I was an Asian studies minor and am pretty into their culture.
Everyone seems to have nice things to say about Germany, Italy and Hawaii. Also Carson and Campbell.
So what are the best places for an 11B to go? I've only lived on Bragg and been to Benning obviously but have no desire to return.
I'd like to go somewhere warm, but the cold isn't a dealbreaker unless were talking Alaska cold. Does Texas suck? How about Korea. I was an Asian studies minor and am pretty into their culture.
Everyone seems to have nice things to say about Germany, Italy and Hawaii. Also Carson and Campbell.
I'm single and pretty open to anything.
What does you guys think?
Fort Lewis is a great post. The surrounding area is nice, and I Corps units can go up to 250 miles from post without a pass. It can rain quite a bit there, but it's not that bad.
Just had my first real day as a real 2LT. For reals.
Not sure what to think of it right now.
I'd be curious to know what you think.
Totally different than training.
You could have just taught me how to wear the uniform and I'd be good to go.
I will be working with mostly civilians, and even the military are mostly officers (first name basis for all CGOs).
Work hours are relatively lax and chaos is everywhere.
There isn't a list of things you have to do every day.
Small talk is how things get done.
I have an awesome assignment.
Projects may die with each passing hour.
I will get jaded pretty quickly.
The base is awesome.
The people are awesome.
Everyone really cares about each other.
You cannot be timid or shy here; it's a small base.
If you're not married, you will be soon.
Don't get married.
Finance sucks.
The IT is contracted (and sucks).
Contractors suck.
Contracted engineers/scientists are smart, but suck.
Go find a place to live.
See you next month.
So, overall, it sounds like you're enjoying yourself...so far.
I might be there one day.
Yes. Although I am in a unique situation. It's a seemingly non-military assignment, even for the Air Force. I was told that this was not normal, and that people coming from other backgrounds (Space & Missiles, Maintenance, Intelligence) have a hard time adjusting to the lack of rigidity.
Good luck to you though. It really opens up a literal world of possibilities.
My recruiter said that I am no longer being considered, because I may have kidney problems in the future. So, I'd just like to take this time to say FUCK YOU to MEPS, to the doctor at MEPS, and to the United States military.
Try another branch. If you've already gone through MEPS, it's nothing for another branch to request that report and evaluate if you are eligible.
As much as some branches are cutting *cough Air Force cough* they are desperate for certain specialities.
I have no "specialities." I simply have a BA degree.
I was planning on going straight to OCS.
I guess I'll try another branch. I may even try another state.
Thanks.
Right, but you have a BA in something right? I mean, if you're volunteering to sign up for a certain job it affects your chances.
I'll give it a shot. Do you know any recruiters in California or Arizona?
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Waffles or whateverPreviously known as, I shit you not, "Waffen"Registered Userregular
edited April 2011
Completed my 12 mile ruck march for Air Assault yesterday. It wouldn't of been bad if it wasn't like a bloody tornado outside. During the march we received roughly eight inches of rain within two hours of being out there, hail, and 40 MPH wind gusts. My feet ended up getting giant blisters on the heals from the combination of friction and wet socks. Regardless, I finished with 20 minutes to spare, but shit that weather sucked. The LT even said to me at the end "I'm surprised you didn't quit. Most of the Cadets here would've quit after that six mile marker when we saw the trail being submerged under a foot of water."
The only thing I'm worried about now is Rappeling. I have a fear of heights and the last rappelling I did I got really pushed out of my comfort zone when the Major surprised me with the simulation of rappeling out of a black hawk (No wall, just rope up and jump!).
On that note, any last minute advice for Air Assault? Starting to get nervous.
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TurksonNear the mountains of ColoradoRegistered Userregular
Completed my 12 mile ruck march for Air Assault yesterday. It wouldn't of been bad if it wasn't like a bloody tornado outside. During the march we received roughly eight inches of rain within two hours of being out there, hail, and 40 MPH wind gusts. My feet ended up getting giant blisters on the heals from the combination of friction and wet socks. Regardless, I finished with 20 minutes to spare, but shit that weather sucked. The LT even said to me at the end "I'm surprised you didn't quit. Most of the Cadets here would've quit after that six mile marker when we saw the trail being submerged under a foot of water."
The only thing I'm worried about now is Rappeling. I have a fear of heights and the last rappelling I did I got really pushed out of my comfort zone when the Major surprised me with the simulation of rappeling out of a black hawk (No wall, just rope up and jump!).
On that note, any last minute advice for Air Assault? Starting to get nervous.
Nothing specific, but confidence.
Confidence confidence confidence.
And then some more confidence. Everything will be fine and you'll do well as long as you have confidence.
I can't complain too much, we didn't do any marches in the air force but one day during an exercise I had to wear a brand new pair of boots that weren't broken in at all. It turned out to be a 12 hour shift and it rained several times, not too terrible but the boots were tearing my feet apart. When I got home my heels were bleeding and I had blisters on my little toes. Long story short, military boots are shit. Also I do have freakishly wide feet.
Finished up with Basic Training and just got home for Hometown Recruiting. I was expecting only two weeks of leave but I don't have to go to my unit until May 17th, woo!
Unfortunately my unit is in Leonard Wood, the hellhole that I just left. They deployed in February so I'm kinda curious what I'll be doing when I arrive and how long I will be in Missouri.
Posts
Learn to check this:
http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/Promotion_point_cutoff_scores/index.shtml
(The official site requires AKO, so use that for now)
To broadly summarize, Primary Zone is normal speed promotions, Secondary Zone is expedited promotions. Promotion is based on your MOS.
A couple things:
1. If you want to speed promotion, for right now:
a. Do well in BCT. If you aren't already E-3, you can pick up rank there. Also maybe an AAM
b. Once you get to your AIT, if you have a long one like me, volunteer if you have free time. About ~100 hours = MOVSM = promo points. Also, my AIT has explicit standards that equal an automatic AAM. You can potentially come out of training with 3 medals or so depending.
c. Once you get to your unit, start looking at correspondence courses or online classes.
d. Do good PT / marksmanship
2. Once you get close to boards, start studying. Try to get Soldier of the Month before your promo board
P.S. Don't call 'E-4' 'Echo-4' It took two years for me to hear someone say that, and it was in the context of, "Don't say Echo-4, it's fucking dumb."
But yeah, as to PT, it sounds like you are already above where you need to be, so just keep doing what you are doing. PT will be easy for you compared to most others.
Don't pay attention to info from other branches when it comes to promotions. It varies so radically as to not be relevant. Also, some small areas promote so fast your head will spin, so it depends entirely on your MOS.
I'm sort of drawing a blank by the way. Since I start as a Specialist, is my first promotion to Corporal or Sergeant? I know that both CPL and SPC are E-4, but CPL is of course the bottom rung of the NCO ladder.
I got promoted to CPL (from SPC) because I was on stop loss, wouldn't re-enlist at the time, so they gave me CPL instead of SGT. Bunch of BS if you ask me.
Way to go Army
Yeah I'm enlisting as an E-4, I have a degree, I just wanted to do some enlisted time before I apply to OCS. I figure that will make me slightly less of a know-nothing nugget in the future.
which is dumb, but that's the way it is
On a different note, I'm currently deployed but will be back stateside tomorrow for R&R. Any suggestions for what I can fill up my two weeks with other than booze and hookers?
Enjoy simple creature comforts, like being able to sit on a real sofa, enjoying the luxury of AC and instant cold water, TV with more than AFN as channels, movies, the company of friends or loved ones, etc.......
You'll get burned out on booze & hookers eventually.
I'm currently getting my packet together as well for Army OCS (but I'm civilian at the moment, through-and-through). Just took the ASVAB last week and now my recruiter is asking me nicely to try and have everything ready in the next couple weeks, but I don't see that happening, realistically. Maybe a month or so.
One thing, though, is that I'm sort of out in the sticks, and my recruiter says that he's lucky if he puts in three OCS packets a year. He also said that every guy he puts in front of a board makes it through, so... I don't know what to think.
This mans military shits on you no matter what you do!
My recruiter is hyped and told me during our very first meeting that if all my shit is in order, then I'm pretty much a shoe-in. That's probably bullshit, so likely the truth lies somewhere in between. I'm not in the Army, obviously, but I've been told that the current situation with having enough junior officers is a bit dire...
Anyways, I'm also dragging my feet on the app a tiny bit so I can work on what my PT scores are when the board sees them. I could pass now but who likes somebody who just does the minimum?
It's 1.5 miles, right?
The minimum for the run is a pretty leisurely 17 minutes. I'd like to get below 13:30 (I currently can do it in around 15).
I'd like to go somewhere warm, but the cold isn't a dealbreaker unless were talking Alaska cold. Does Texas suck? How about Korea. I was an Asian studies minor and am pretty into their culture.
Everyone seems to have nice things to say about Germany, Italy and Hawaii. Also Carson and Campbell.
I'm single and pretty open to anything.
What does you guys think?
Fort Lewis is a great post. The surrounding area is nice, and I Corps units can go up to 250 miles from post without a pass. It can rain quite a bit there, but it's not that bad.
Not sure what to think of it right now.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
I'd be curious to know what you think.
Totally different than training.
You could have just taught me how to wear the uniform and I'd be good to go.
I will be working with mostly civilians, and even the military are mostly officers (first name basis for all CGOs).
Work hours are relatively lax and chaos is everywhere.
There isn't a list of things you have to do every day.
Small talk is how things get done.
I have an awesome assignment.
Projects may die with each passing hour.
I will get jaded pretty quickly.
The base is awesome.
The people are awesome.
Everyone really cares about each other.
You cannot be timid or shy here; it's a small base.
If you're not married, you will be soon.
Don't get married.
Finance sucks.
The IT is contracted (and sucks).
Contractors suck.
Contracted engineers/scientists are smart, but suck.
Go find a place to live.
See you next month.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
I might be there one day.
Yes. Although I am in a unique situation. It's a seemingly non-military assignment, even for the Air Force. I was told that this was not normal, and that people coming from other backgrounds (Space & Missiles, Maintenance, Intelligence) have a hard time adjusting to the lack of rigidity.
Good luck to you though. It really opens up a literal world of possibilities.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
Try another branch. If you've already gone through MEPS, it's nothing for another branch to request that report and evaluate if you are eligible.
As much as some branches are cutting *cough Air Force cough* they are desperate for certain specialities.
I have no "specialities." I simply have a BA degree.
I was planning on going straight to OCS.
I guess I'll try another branch. I may even try another state.
Thanks.
Right, but you have a BA in something right? I mean, if you're volunteering to sign up for a certain job it affects your chances.
I'll go ahead and throw my hat in too.
USMC Sergeant (E5) Intelligence, now a civilian going to school.
I'll give it a shot. Do you know any recruiters in California or Arizona?
The only thing I'm worried about now is Rappeling. I have a fear of heights and the last rappelling I did I got really pushed out of my comfort zone when the Major surprised me with the simulation of rappeling out of a black hawk (No wall, just rope up and jump!).
On that note, any last minute advice for Air Assault? Starting to get nervous.
Nothing specific, but confidence.
Confidence confidence confidence.
And then some more confidence. Everything will be fine and you'll do well as long as you have confidence.
Heels man, heels. Do what your told to the best of your ability and without complaint. You'll be fine.
Pretty much what I did. I didn't tell the LT about how my feet felt till the end.
Unfortunately my unit is in Leonard Wood, the hellhole that I just left. They deployed in February so I'm kinda curious what I'll be doing when I arrive and how long I will be in Missouri.