Going Army, a little help please.

[CavTrooper]

If you're thinking about going 18x, you HAVE to read this book.

http://www.specialops.org/?page=GetSelected

Talks about the selection process, what you should be doing to prepare for the selection, and offers advice and tips about passing selection. While I was considering enlisting 11xOp40 I bought this book and thought the information was invaluable.

With your credentials, why don't you apply to the CulinaryInstituteofAmerica?

If its in a book, its outdated.

Selection is an ever evolving process, the most current information and reccomendations can be found directly on the websites for the differen schools and selections themselves. There are constant briefings being held (for servicemembers) on post where you are told what you need to do and when.

[CavTrooper]

Alright, so I am joining the Army. I was originally thinking of going OCS, but as the pipeline is long, they no longer offer the CLRP (College Loan Repayment Program), and my GPA sucked, that looks to be out. In any case, I kind of like not having to play the MOS lottery anymore.

Maybe it's a cliche, but I kind of want to go jump out of helicopters and be all high speed and such, so infantry is for me. That leaves me looking at 11X, option 40, or 18X.

I have a lot of questions, so any answers to any of them are very much appreciated. I don't expect anyone to know all the answers to all these questions, but if you can help with even one of them, thank you in advance.

I am 29, and I have a BA in Political Science. I speak fluent French. I also have dual citizenship (Sweden) which I would prefer not to give up because an EU passport is a very useful thing to have once I am eventually back in the civilian world. That said, I was born a US citizen, and I also have a TS security clearance from when I did an internship with the State Dept (6 years ago).

Civilian security clearence and military are two different things, you will need to turn in your passport if you hopto get a clearence.

Option 40
My recruiter says there are no Option 40 contracts at the moment so I am SOL on that. Anyone think he's wrong?

Hes not entirely wrong, there are a few opt 40 out there, but mostly for spport MOSs.

18X
I know a little about the 18X program, but I didn't even ask for it, he says they have a mission order or something to find 18X candidates and he thought it might fit me, so he brought it up. Being a fit, healthy, 29 year-old foreign language-speaking college-grad, I suppose this makes sense. I don't even know where to begin on what to ask for in my contract though if I were to go this route. Does anyone know?

Just tell them you are looking for an 18X contract, they will do thier best to get it.

1. How many years? I hear both 5 and 6. What part of training is not counted towards those years?

Anywhere from 2 to 6, the more years, the more options. Some MOS require a certain length of commitment.

2. What kind of signing bonus? About.com shows a $16k bonus with a 5 year enlistment, or $20k with a 6 year enlist. Who knows how old that info is, but does anyone know if that's right?

Bonuses are few and far between, and 16K is not likely to happen for anything.

3. Could I still get the CLRP if I went this way? If yes, how would that affect my signing bonus?

LRP or bonus, not both.

4. What about my dual citizenship? Is this a problem? Would I need to renounce my Swedish citizenship? If yes, is this still true, even though I already have a TS clearance through State?

Yes, see above.

My thought here is kind of why not. Even if I don't make it, I end up 11B and probably with jump school. It is always something I thought of as a bit of a dream job. That said, I am concerned that if I do make it and decide I want to go the OCS route down the road, I am kind of shutting myself out of that option. Do people go 18X then OCS later? Is that even really an option?

OCS is always an option. You can apply at any time in your career. Being 29, you are over the age for OCS but can apply for and be granted a waiver.

11X
He is offering me a 3 year contract with Loan repayment (CLRP) and a $2000 signing bonus. This seems like a good flexible option as I had previously thought I needed a 6 year commitment for CLRP. My feeling is that doing this would put me in a good position to go OCS, SFAS, or underwater BB stacking school, or whatever once I'm in and it comes time to re-up in one to two years (my understanding is re-ups become avail 2 years before your contract is up). Or I could decide the life is not for me and walk away with my loans paid off (and of course hopefully no injuries or missing limbs, but that conversation is for another time and place).

Questions:
1. Am I correct in thinking that I could use the short contract to leverage my way into re-upping OCS or some other or more specific MOS once I'm in and have a better feel for the Army in general?

Yes. However, you can apply for OCS at any time in your career, re-up or not.

2. The $2000 bonus seems low based on what I am reading elsewhere. Any thoughts? Is this because of the CLRP?

Im suprised there is any bonus at all, what MOS is this for?

OTHER CONCERNS:
CLRP:
1. I have both Perkins and DIRECT Loans. I see Perkins on the list, but I don't see DIRECT loans. They are federal loans though so they should count, right? Does anyone know if DIRECT Loans are covered in the CLRP?

Not positive, if its not on the list then it might not be covered.

2. I also have some Wells Fargo Private loans. I imagine these would not be eligible, correct?

No private loans qualify.

3. If I were to consolidate all my loans under a DIRECT Loans consolidated loan, would the money from the old Wells Fargo loans be covered?

Not sure.

Laser Eye Surgery:
I wear contact lenses. I have astigmatism. It is correctable, but I understand I can get Uncle Sugar to give me some laser love and fix my eyes. I am told that this is not something I can get a guarantee on in my contract. Is this true? Should I be trying to get lasik in my contract?

Wont get it in your contract. The Army does provide eye surgery for Soldiers, depending on your MOS, unit, training and deployment schedule, etc, you can get it pretty quick.

Storage for personal effects:
I am 29, I have stuff. Like a 20' Conex shipping container's worth of stuff. My recruiter says there is nothing I can get in my contract in regards to storage of personal stuff. Is this true, or is there possibly something out there that I can use to have my stuff stored while I am off in training?

True. If you want to store your stuff, its on your dime. Also, if you are a single Soldier, you will be living in the barracks until you are an E-5 (possibly E-4) and wont have room for that much stuff.

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but that's a good start.
Thanks in advance everyone,
-Pete

Feel free to PM me if you have specfic questions you dont want to ask in public.

Good luck!

[4thSBCT]

If your going 11 series you should try asking for a bit more signing bonus. Also think about an MOS that will translate better into a civilian world and you will have stability when you get out.

[CavTrooper]

2 GRAND thats it? Ask for much more atleast 6, your sacrifice will be worth it trust me lol. I got 14g for 11 series. Also think about an MOS that will translate better into a civilian world and you will have stability when you get out.

You can ASK for the world, but you wont get it. Enlistment incentives are SET IN STONE by accessions command and are not negotiable. Same with MOS availabilities, training dates and anything associated with enlisting. At this point in time all branches are exceeding their required accessions numbers, quality applicants are the standard now. Waivers are few and far between, conduct waiver are especially rare, and prior service personnel are regulated to Army Reserve outside of a few critical MOSs.

[Bizcuits]

The Guard needs Officers...

[CavTrooper]

The Guard needs Officers...

The guard needs a lot of things, Officers are the least of their worries.

If you arent qualified for a program, you arent qualified, period. Guard, Reserve or Active Duty.

Waivers are a different story, but qualifications are not.

[Uriah02]

I couldn't read past having a clearance AND a foreign passport. Since when?

Ya that was a huge HUH? to me too. BTW your clearance is expired by now if it was 6 years ago. TS only lasts 5 from the date of completed investigation.

I'm not familiar with what the 40 option so I couldn't say. Based on you reasons for wanting to join I'd vote join as 11X with CLRP. As a newb 29 year old attempting SFAS the odds are definitely not in your favor of being selected. Might want to look into getting Ranger/RIP as an option or at the very least Air Assault since you said you do want to jump out of helos...

Bonuses are way down because of the recession, the slots are filled.

[4thSBCT]

You can ASK for the world, but you wont get it. Enlistment incentives are SET IN STONE by accessions command and are not negotiable. Same with MOS availabilities, training dates and anything associated with enlisting. At this point in time all branches are exceeding their required accessions numbers, quality applicants are the standard now. Waivers are few and far between, conduct waiver are especially rare, and prior service personnel are regulated to Army Reserve outside of a few critical MOSs.

In 2004 They wanted to give me 7 grand for 11x and I told them i wanted the most they were able to give or forget it and I would leave and then they offered me 14 lol. So you can listen to cav and sell yourself short to the guberment of all places or you can counter their offer. You dont need them they need you, dont forget that.

[CavTrooper]

In 2004 They wanted to give me 7 grand for 11x and I told them i wanted the most they were able to give or forget it and I would leave and then they offered me 14 lol. So you can listen to cav and sell yourself short to the guberment of all places or you can counter their offer. You dont need them they need you, dont forget that.

So when did you attend the ARC?

Do you have access to Accessions command resources and the current USAREC messages?

Do you have the slightest clue as to what you are talking about?

Most folks, including service members, have no clue how the accessions process works. Im willing to bet theres a few more details to your "story" that have been left out, but hey, it sounds good right?

BTW, why dont you share with the group what training and qualifications make you a subject matter expert in accessions?

[4thSBCT]

Get off your army recruiter high horse. I dont need to be an expert. They said we will give you 7. I said i want more and got more. Doesnt get any simpler.

[CavTrooper]

Get off your army recruiter high horse. I dont need to be an expert. They said we will give you 7. I said i want more and got more. Doesnt get any simpler.

No high horse here, just trying to help the guy out with relevent and accurate information.

BTW, Im no recruiter, Im a MFkin Cavalry Scout on a recruiting detail, get it right.

[4thSBCT]

....cav scout high horse ... Got it..

[CavTrooper]

....cav scout high horse ... Got it..

Hard to be humble when you are the baddest MFker on the battlefield.

[winnre]

Ya that was a huge HUH? to me too. BTW your clearance is expired by now if it was 6 years ago. TS only lasts 5 from the date of completed investigation.

Well if he goes back in before 18 months have passed, and there is no major life change in that time, the TS can be reactivated rather easily.

One trouble is that DOS and DOD do not share info. A friend left the Embassy a year before I did and and when looking for work she had 18 months to use that clearance as reference. If you go to DOD the DOS may not lateral the clearance which means lots of paperwork, again.

[todd2968]

I was a Navy recruiter for 3 years and will not pretend to know what the army offers.
Loan repayment program great option if you are in debt in the navy they paid something like 15k annually toward your current in good standing loans only!!
You have to reapply every year and good for something like 3 years.
In the program you cannot apply for officer during the contract or have to repay the loan repayment.

You look like you have done your research and if you already have a TS and you have student loans that sounds suspicious add on the dual citizenship and all I can say is are you sure it wasn't a secret clearance not a TS.

Good luck be all you can be