[UncleJimmema]

New thread since old one was locked.
Keep it civil, no arguments about politics or practices that the military partakes in.
This thread is for people who are thinking about joining the military or already have joined and waiting to ship, if you've got an issue make your own thread on it.


People in other branches feel free to comment on your experiancesl!

If anyone has furthur questions reguarding the Airforce please feel free to PM JeffAnderson - http://www.facepunch.com/members/159897-JeffAndersen

Any Questions on the Navy PM Ta16 - http://www.facepunch.com/members/4187-Ta16

Questions refering to pay look here - http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp
These do not incorporate BAS or BAH, which vary by rank and where you are stationed.

[Agoat]

this kid and his marine friends always having a good time on the facebook

join the marriens today and you too could have good facebook times

[Revenge 000]

hey OP are you a marine?

[leadpill42]

After being in such a tight knit bond that is portrayed in movies and talked about in books/ experiences people tell, kind of like friends that would die for each other, does it piss vets off that people are so selfish in the civilian world?

[UncleJimmema]

leadpill42 posted:

After being in such a tight knit bond that is portrayed in movies and talked about in books/ experiences people tell, kind of like friends that would die for each other, does it piss vets off that people are so selfish in the civilian world?

Yes, yes it does. Its odd how much of a resentment I've come to have toward the general population i swore to protect.

[Reserved Parkin]

leadpill42 posted:

After being in such a tight knit bond that is portrayed in movies and talked about in books/ experiences people tell, kind of like friends that would die for each other, does it piss vets off that people are so selfish in the civilian world?

It does, especially when I see some loud-mouthed rich lady complaining obnoxiously over something small like her bagel not being "onion flavor." (fuck you, Loud lady at San Diego airport) But what can ya do, they never had to experience no running water, no showers, getting shot at, seeing your friends get hurt, etc. Keep it real.

[jaredop]

I have a friend who is a holdover at a basic training company, she somehow got a few pictures onto facebook.



I remember packing nights, that drill Sergeant there is crazy.

[l33tkill]

Any questions about Air Force BMT or Tech school life feel free to shoot me a message.

On another note I found out my first duty station. Looks like I'm heading to South Carolina for a few years. I can't wait!

[flamehead5]

Any way of influencing where your next post will be? Because I want to end up living in kingston, but if I have to change posts every year I cant :(

[Jim_Riley]

Had an interesting conversation with a Korean War Army vet. Some how we got onto the topic of military and things just sort of went from there. Told him I joined the Marine Corps and he was thoroughly impressed. Joked about the hardcore PT they go through compared to Army ("I could barely make 20 push ups" he joked, for example). He told his wife of my decision and I got a 'thank you for deciding to defend our country'.

I don't ship out to basic until September at the latest yet already when news like that is brought up, I get some interesting, respectable responses regarding service. Handshakes all around too.

I felt quite proud and things are only just getting started.

[UncleJimmema]

flamehead5 posted:

Any way of influencing where your next post will be? Because I want to end up living in kingston, but if I have to change posts every year I cant :(

You can come up with a dream list, and if your superiors like you and they have a set of orders for there they will give you that. You gotta remember though that the only guarantee you've got in the military is how long your contract is, so take it with a grain of salt.

[flamehead5]

UncleJimmema posted:

You can come up with a dream list, and if your superiors like you and they have a set of orders for there they will give you that. You gotta remember though that the only guarantee you've got in the military is how long your contract is, so take it with a grain of salt.

Why, is a longer contract worse or better? I am looking to stay in the Military until I retire.

[UncleJimmema]

flamehead5 posted:

Why, is a longer contract worse or better? I am looking to stay in the Military until I retire.

Its not necessarily bad, I'm just saying the only thing that you'll know for sure is how long your contract(s) is/are.

[flamehead5]

What is the primary sidearm used in the Canadian Forces lately?

[BrainDeath]

flamehead5 posted:

Why, is a longer contract worse or better? I am looking to stay in the Military until I retire.

PROTIP: The military doesn't give the suicidal weapons or millions in training.

[leadpill42]

Thanks for answering that question, when I am tired of my job, pushing carts, I usually think that there's someone in Afghanistan 1000x worse off than me who doesn't get to go home and rest peacefully at the end of the day, I also get frustrated when people complain "omg the manager is such a bitch, I haven't had my break yet and I've worked 5 hours."

another one: Say that one signs up for a specific MOS, if they you get shipped for training can they suddenly decide that they need you elsewhere and you'll work at a desk rather than infantry?

[Moose]

i passed the ASVAB better than kids with college degrees with nothing but a GED and now im heading to the MEPS station tomorrow to physically own some overweight obese people

word

[skynrdfan3]

whay are we really in the middle east? from a soldier's perspective

[PyroCF]

Any questions about the British Army feel free to PM me if you want to know about different jobs and joining up etc.

[flamehead5]

BrainDeath posted:

PROTIP: The military doesn't give the suicidal weapons or millions in training.

PROTIP: No longer suicidal.

Now can somone answer the question without being a jackass?

[Reserved Parkin]

-snippy pippy-

Edited:

leadpill42 posted:

Thanks for answering that question, when I am tired of my job, pushing carts, I usually think that there's someone in Afghanistan 1000x worse off than me who doesn't get to go home and rest peacefully at the end of the day, I also get frustrated when people complain "omg the manager is such a bitch, I haven't had my break yet and I've worked 5 hours."

another one: Say that one signs up for a specific MOS, if they you get shipped for training can they suddenly decide that they need you elsewhere and you'll work at a desk rather than infantry?

Yeah, I know what you mean. Even my hardest days at work are nothing compared to my time back there. To answer your question, if you sign up say for Motor Transport, their might be a chance you will have to give the grunts a ride into a combat zone. But if you sign up for admin, their is almost zero chance you will get into combat. In basic training, I think I only heard of 1 guy who got put into another MOS, but keep in mind this is only 1 guy in around maybe 4,000. Basically, their is almost zero chance you will get switched.

Edited:

skynrdfan3 posted:

whay are we really in the middle east? from a soldier's perspective

Most of the soldiers/marines/whatever don't give a shit about politics. We realize Politics are fickle, the politicians are corrupt, and the so called 'leaders' in charge are largely haywire and misguided. Out there, the only thing that matters is the defense of the 'tribe.' Thy brother to the left and right of you. The true experience in the middle east is being able to look back one day and say that you saved your friend on that one day from certain death. Or you saved that one kid from the Taliban killing him and his family, because he wanted to go to school. In the big picture, politics almost play a zero role in our thoughts on the front line. It's the small things every day that add up and knowing that if you got shot out in the middle of the street, your friend without hesitation from danger would run out there and drag you to safety. And that my friend, is true love, unlike any other love even from your wife, mother, etc. We are human like you, we don't like killing innocent people, we weep over friends lost, we have family back home, we sweat like you, we feel guilt.

Sorry, for that long rant.

[UncleJimmema]

Reserved Parkin posted:

-snippy pippy-

Edited:



Yeah, I know what you mean. Even my hardest days at work are nothing compared to my time back there. To answer your question, if you sign up say for Motor Transport, their might be a chance you will have to give the grunts a ride into a combat zone. But if you sign up for admin, their is almost zero chance you will get into combat. In basic training, I think I only heard of 1 guy who got put into another MOS, but keep in mind this is only 1 guy in around maybe 4,000. Basically, their is almost zero chance you will get switched.

Edited:



Most of the soldiers/marines/whatever don't give a shit about politics. We realize Politics are fickle, the politicians are corrupt, and the so called 'leaders' in charge are largely haywire and misguided. Out there, the only thing that matters is the defense of the 'tribe.' Thy brother to the left and right of you. The true experience in the middle east is being able to look back one day and say that you saved your friend on that one day from certain death. Or you saved that one kid from the Taliban killing him and his family, because he wanted to go to school. In the big picture, politics almost play a zero role in our thoughts on the front line. It's the small things every day that add up and knowing that if you got shot out in the middle of the street, your friend without hesitation from danger would run out there and drag you to safety. And that my friend, is true love, unlike any other love even from your wife, mother, etc. We are human like you, we don't like killing innocent people, we weep over friends lost, we have family back home, we sweat like you, we feel guilt.

Sorry, for that long rant.

We had 5 guys in my platoon who signed up for infantry and at the end of boot camp they were told they got reassigned to TMO, other wise known as movers of furniture. They were pretty pissed to say the least.

And I agree with you 100% with our outlook on things, I could give a damn about the politics.

[InvaderNouga]

flamehead5 posted:

Any way of influencing where your next post will be? Because I want to end up living in kingston, but if I have to change posts every year I cant :(

The Navy is pretty good at letting you choose your first duty station. As long as you do well in A school, also if anyone wants to know about the Corpsman side of the Navy just ask.

[Reserved Parkin]

UncleJimmema posted:

We had 5 guys in my platoon who signed up for infantry and at the end of boot camp they were told they got reassigned to TMO, other wise known as movers of furniture. They were pretty pissed to say the least.

And I agree with you 100% with our outlook on things, I could give a damn about the politics.

Damn dude, that sucks really bad! I almost never hear of guys getting switched. Good ol' TMO, I remember I stored my car over there when I deployed, came back to find a bunch of rats and mold in it. Some of the cars even got broken into. Gotta love em.

[trotskygrad]

Reserved Parkin posted:

Most of the soldiers/marines/whatever don't give a shit about politics. We realize Politics are fickle, the politicians are corrupt, and the so called 'leaders' in charge are largely haywire and misguided. Out there, the only thing that matters is the defense of the 'tribe.' Thy brother to the left and right of you. The true experience in the middle east is being able to look back one day and say that you saved your friend on that one day from certain death. Or you saved that one kid from the Taliban killing him and his family, because he wanted to go to school. In the big picture, politics almost play a zero role in our thoughts on the front line. It's the small things every day that add up and knowing that if you got shot out in the middle of the street, your friend without hesitation from danger would run out there and drag you to safety. And that my friend, is true love, unlike any other love even from your wife, mother, etc. We are human like you, we don't like killing innocent people, we weep over friends lost, we have family back home, we sweat like you, we feel guilt.

Sorry, for that long rant.

I would say that's true for the majority of enlisted and NCOs, but it appears like officers (from Col. up) appear to have politics in mind a lot. That's probably because they're closer to the politicians.

[VOSK]

I'm thinking of Joining the Coast Guard. I want to see how my 1st semester of college finishes up though.

[Jmir 54]

Decided in class today I want to be in the Marines. I've actually been thinking about it for a long time.

I don't want to be part of this normal everyday life anymore. I want to make something of myself and I want to prove a shitload of people wrong. I want to be part of the brotherhood that is the military and I want more respect from my peers.

Only thing is though...My parents won't really approve of it, but I really want to join. Im in great physical shape, I play basketball here a tthe colllege and im quite strong.

[Glitch360]

A little more than 3 months until I join the Marines, this waiting is killing me

Edited:

Jmir 54 posted:

Decided in class today I want to be in the Marines. I've actually been thinking about it for a long time.

I don't want to be part of this normal everyday life anymore. I want to make something of myself and I want to prove a shitload of people wrong. I want to be part of the brotherhood that is the military and I want more respect from my peers.

Only thing is though...My parents won't really approve of it, but I really want to join. Im in great physical shape, I play basketball here a tthe colllege and im quite strong.

My parents won't approve of it either, but hopefully they'll come around after I get through boot camp

[jgerm529]

Jim_Riley posted:

Had an interesting conversation with a Korean War Army vet. Some how we got onto the topic of military and things just sort of went from there. Told him I joined the Marine Corps and he was thoroughly impressed. Joked about the hardcore PT they go through compared to Army ("I could barely make 20 push ups" he joked, for example). He told his wife of my decision and I got a 'thank you for deciding to defend our country'.

I don't ship out to basic until September at the latest yet already when news like that is brought up, I get some interesting, respectable responses regarding service. Handshakes all around too.

I felt quite proud and things are only just getting started.

What day exactly do you ship? My ship date is Sept 9th to head to Parris Island.

[UncleJimmema]

jgerm529 posted:

What day exactly do you ship? My ship date is Sept 9th to head to Parris Island.

You're gonna get FUUUUCKed at MCT. East coast mct is entirely in the field with no libo what so ever. West coast on the other hand spends maybe 12 days in the field, gets libo every weekend (depending on the company) and gets an all nighter in oceanside after the final test.

[Jmir 54]

Well my parents didn't really approve as expected. Ill just finish college as Its probably the right thing to do since my parents have been taking care of me my whole life. Maybe after college.

[Glitch360]

Jmir 54 posted:

Well my parents didn't really approve as expected. Ill just finish college as Its probably the right thing to do since my parents have been taking care of me my whole life. Maybe after college.

Sounds like they got you by the balls, man

[Jim_Riley]

jgerm529 posted:

What day exactly do you ship? My ship date is Sept 9th to head to Parris Island.

Sept. 13th or 14th if I recall correctly, shipping to Parris Island as well. I could leave earlier if I feel like I'm capable of passing an official IST but I think I will just take my time and leave when I'm supposed to.

[jgerm529]

UncleJimmema posted:

You're gonna get FUUUUCKed at MCT. East coast mct is entirely in the field with no libo what so ever. West coast on the other hand spends maybe 12 days in the field, gets libo every weekend (depending on the company) and gets an all nighter in oceanside after the final test.

Well what's a guy to do other than to deal with it right? And what does libo mean?

[Most wanteD]

I took the ASVAB last week on a whim, and the Air Force is looking more and more attractive to me as time goes on. I'll have my results in a week, and if I'm apt, I may actually consider joining up instead of uni. The problem is I have no idea what the Air Force entails, especially since I have no idea what I would want to do. I guess that is what the test is for, though, right?

I found out last week that my next-door neighbor got a perfect score on the test. I don't know if it's all that special, but I thought it was pretty cool.

[leadpill42]

So my brother is an Iraq war vet, and he is strongly against the idea of me joining the military, so are my parents. My mom plays it off as a joke whenever I mention it, and I haven't mentioned it to my brother yet. How can I tell them that I intend to join the Army/Marines, without my brother choking me out on the spot and my mom beating me with a belt just like the good ol' days?

[UncleJimmema]

jgerm529 posted:

Well what's a guy to do other than to deal with it right? And what does libo mean?

Liberty, as in go out and be a normal person.

[EurofanBMW]

I can answer people's questions about the Army, Infantry or life on Ft Campbell, Ky. I'm currently an Infantryman in 1/327, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Dont mind the British Army avatar :p .

[ewitwins]

leadpill42 posted:

So my brother is an Iraq war vet, and he is strongly against the idea of me joining the military, so are my parents. My mom plays it off as a joke whenever I mention it, and I haven't mentioned it to my brother yet. How can I tell them that I intend to join the Army/Marines, without my brother choking me out on the spot and my mom beating me with a belt just like the good ol' days?

I'm in a similar situation, except for the fact that my father is a Vietnam Veteran.

He despises the military, and when I say that I mean the command structure, not the individual soldiers, sailors, and pilots. He was horrified at the thought of joining the military.

I guess that's an understandable mentality from a man that has two purple hearts and has been shot down over enemy lines three times.

[Amerigo]

EurofanBMW posted:

I can answer people's questions about the Army, Infantry or life on Ft Campbell, Ky. I'm currently an Infantryman in 1/327, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Dont mind the British Army avatar :p .

How did you end up in the 101st? Was it just luck of the draw, or did you ask to be assigned there? Assuming you did AA school, what was it like?

This might be a bit of an odd question, but what do infantrymen do when they're not deployed or on a field exercise or something? Like, what's your most typical 9 to 5 job?