Questions before joining...

[Jason.lee740]

I have decided to join the army.

I dropped out of college after only finishing freshman year majoring in Biology. Though my parents aren't to happy about that, they are still proud since it has been the family tradition for men to join the military. (Well its more like they get drafted here in Korea) Also they were less angry when I told them that I'll be finishing school as well once its all over.

A little info about me: I am 19 years old, I graduated from high school (Go Saxons!), and I decided to aim to be a frontline/combat medic (I am deadset on this).

Also I am a legal resident of CA but I turned in my naturalization form recently. I only mention this because I want to be a Ranger as well, maybe airborne.

I'm pretty tall (6ft something) but pretty slim as well.

I play volleyball (middle front or outside hitting 0, 1, 4, and 5), practice boxing (outfighter), and cross country so I am in pretty good physical shape.

If it matters, I was born in Republic of Korea (that's South)

I decided to post here to see if the Calgunners could help me out a bit since there are things I am still confused about and with the amount of information on-line, I just can't make heads or tails out of anything.

So how long is the contract? I heard its 8 years no matter what though you can negotiate how much of it is going to be active service.

How does the vacation work?

Where do you think I'll be sent (I hate cold places)?

How does one move ranks (Just asking because I don't want to be stuck as a private forever)?

Finally, how does one become a frontline medic?

Any other advice for a newbie like me?

Any warnings or things I should watch I for?

By the way, I live in Torrance, CA a bit south of Los Angeles and no I will not return to college until I my contract is up.

Any help is much appreciated and thanks for reading this far.

thanks again,

Jason

Update:

Just to update, So I took the ASVAB today at LA MEPS and I got a 98!!

Apparently that's really good.

Now I just need to get 68W and option 4 in my contract and I am good to go.

Thanks for all the support!!

[CWUSCG]

Your best bet is to contact a local recruiter. They will do an over the phone interview than make an appointment see you. I'm sure there are many recruiting offices in the greater LA area. Write down all the questions you've asked on here and ask the recruiters. If or when you decide to sit down and talk with them, dress for success. It goes a long way if you look squared away.

[SID45]

thanks for your service....

[AmpedUp]

First, Thanks for choosing to serve. I would check out Lightfighter.net you may need to register first. check out this thread http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a...61/m/299105536

Now I will try to answer your questions to the best of my abilities, keeping in mind that all of my years of experience have been in the Guard only. I did 6 years in the guard 2 years inactive, out completely for 2 years and now back in for another 6 year contract.

All initial contracts are 8 years. How it is broken up into active duty and inactive duty is something you have put into your contract when you start your enlistment.

Vacations are pretty much run like most jobs, you earn vacation days and submit requests to use them. Figure on about 30 days a year.

Where will you be sent? Who knows for sure, you can request specific units sometimes in your contract but you will go where the Army needs you.

Moving ranks or being promoted is pretty much automatic for the first 4 pay grades based on time in rank. It can be faster or slower based on your performance but you either need to be a dirt bag to be held back or a super star to move forward faster. After that there need to be slots open and you need to attend some career specific schools for promotions in pay grades 5 and up.

How does one become a frontline medic? Enlist as a medic request a frontline infantry unit. Lightfighter.net is your best bet for getting this question filled.

Other advice for new guys... Don't take stuff to personal, be ready to learn, stay motivated, never quit, your fellow soldiers are your brothers never let them down. Listen to your NCO's, don't talk back.

Things to look out for, if its not in your contract your not going to get it at a later date. If you want airborne, ranger and all the cool guy schools it needs to be in your contract before you sign. Walk out if your not getting what you want. Again check out Lightfighter.net.

Hope that helps,

Spc Amp
1-140th CAARNG

[Jason.lee740]

Thanks for the reply, it really helped me out.

As for the ranger part, well I heard from a friend that the best way to get into combat medic was to join their ranks.

Also thanks for the forum, I just joined and posted a intro.

-Jason

[NoahH]

Just tell your recruiter you want to hold the Medic MOS(whatever that is) and you want Airborne and RASP in your contract, or you're not signing. If you don't get everything you want in your contract, DON'T DO IT.

[AmpedUp]

Glad to see you made it over to LF!

[sniper4usmc]

8 yrs contract=4 yrs of active duty,and 4 yrs as Inactive Reserve
you get 30 days of leave a year...

[professorhard]

Don't list playing volleyball as one of your qualifications. That's for girls, in high school guys play football.

[NiteQwill]

My reply below using the best information I have. I'm a medic, with an additional ASI (additional skill identifier) as a N3, Occupational Therapy, so I'm slotted for two jobs. 9 years experience, been deployed, numerous duty stations, blah blah blah.

A little info about me: I am 19 years old, I graduated from high school (Go Saxons!), and I decided to aim to be a frontline/combat medic (I am deadset on this).
Good job on choosing a worthy career
So how long is the contract? I heard its 8 years no matter what though you can negotiate how much of it is going to be active service.
Usually 4 years active + 4 years reserve. You have the choice of serving all 8 years active AFAIK.
How does the vacation work?
Leave is accrued on a 2.5 days per month basis with a max of 30 days, I believe (or is it more? someone correct me).
Where do you think I'll be sent (I hate cold places)?
Wherever the Army needs you
How does one move ranks (Just asking because I don't want to be stuck as a private forever)?
The first 4 are automatic pretty much (barring any UCMJ or weak physical fitness scores). The next are done before a board and consist of Soldiering tasks & skills, PT, awards, military schooling, etc.
Finally, how does one become a frontline medic?
Request it in your contract
Any other advice for a newbie like me?
Prepare yourself mentally for a hard MOS school. Becoming a medic is NOT easy. A lot of people do not make it through the course. Prepare to study, study, study, plus do all the Army stuff on top of that. It's not impossible but not easy by no means.
Any warnings or things I should watch I for?
Avoid drama. The Army is like a big high school. People will act like little kids. Always refer back to regulations if you are unsure, don't take anyone's word for it. Don't look like a dirtbag. Carry yourself proudly but be humble about it. Be physically fit. Don't argue with your drill sergeant. Respect NCO ranks (not necessarily the person), this goes the same for officers. Understand that there are dirtbags everywhere and the Army is no exception, avoid them like the plague. Don't complain, life sucks sometimes but learn to make the best of it, you'll eventually realize it makes you a better person. Always be willing to teach, correct, and learn. Don't take things personally, you WILL be yelled at, discriminated against, belittled, etc., those are the least of your worries.

Good luck.

[Caliyanks]

First of all congrats on your decision. I won't get into every question you have, as I am working at a recruiting BN in Cali. But I will respond to one thing that was written. You may not get everything you want up front. That's just the way it is now. Its the needs of the Army. Plenty of folks are joining and they are staying in. So, getting airborne and ranger up front may be difficult. However, becoming a medic did increase your chances. If you can't get a slot when you join, don't worry, not every medic wants these things and active duty units get slots that you can have. You especially will have the option to apply to ranger school and be assigned there. Go see a recruiter in your area. Good Luck

[Jason.lee740]

Thanks for everything guys~

Its been a tremendous help.

I just one more question: what do you mean by inactive service/reserve?

[joodaman]

sounds almost exactly the same as my story.

i dropped out of college and joined the Marines at 18. Korean parents, etc. etc. went Arty FO instead of something more useful in the civilian world, but don't regret anything and wouldnt trade my experiences for the world.

pm me if you have any questions. I can't give you the army perspective, but I've got a good sense of what you're going through and the questions you might have.

[MRX9989]

I only have a few things to add to the excellent comments above:

1) Be ready to provide proof that you are a permanent resident-alien. I don't think you're allowed to enlist with just a student visa.

2) The MOS you're looking for is 68W (Whiskey).

3) Due to the bad economy, the Army holds the dominant position when it comes to things like enlistment bonuses and school contracts. Don't expect to get much in either department.

4) Have you considered the Army reserve component? This would allow you to serve as a Soldier while also completing your education. It may also placate the concerns of your parents.

5) When you enlist, make sure you're recruiter has a copy of you college transcripts. This can help you get in as an E-3 (Private First Class).

[frankDmole]

First, Thanks for choosing to serve. I would check out Lightfighter.net you may need to register first. check out this thread http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a...61/m/299105536

Now I will try to answer your questions to the best of my abilities, keeping in mind that all of my years of experience have been in the Guard only. I did 6 years in the guard 2 years inactive, out completely for 2 years and now back in for another 6 year contract.

All initial contracts are 8 years. How it is broken up into active duty and inactive duty is something you have put into your contract when you start your enlistment.

Vacations are pretty much run like most jobs, you earn vacation days and submit requests to use them. Figure on about 30 days a year.

Where will you be sent? Who knows for sure, you can request specific units sometimes in your contract but you will go where the Army needs you.

Moving ranks or being promoted is pretty much automatic for the first 4 pay grades based on time in rank. It can be faster or slower based on your performance but you either need to be a dirt bag to be held back or a super star to move forward faster. After that there need to be slots open and you need to attend some career specific schools for promotions in pay grades 5 and up.

How does one become a frontline medic? Enlist as a medic request a frontline infantry unit. Lightfighter.net is your best bet for getting this question filled.

Other advice for new guys... Don't take stuff to personal, be ready to learn, stay motivated, never quit, your fellow soldiers are your brothers never let them down. Listen to your NCO's, don't talk back.

Things to look out for, if its not in your contract your not going to get it at a later date. If you want airborne, ranger and all the cool guy schools it needs to be in your contract before you sign. Walk out if your not getting what you want. Again check out Lightfighter.net.

Hope that helps,

Spc Amp
1-140th CAARNG

Great info..Infantry is the fastest way to get rank, so Combat Medic is a good choice.

Until you get your Citizenship you can only server 8 years, but if you get deployed to a war zone, you will automatically get it.

when you enlist you can coos to do 2, 3, or 4 years active then the rest Inactive or Reserves (National Guard) for combat MOS.
2yrs - you will most likely stay stateside.
3yrs - you will most likely spend 1yr in Korea.
4yrs - you will most likely spend 2yrs in Germany.
This is of course if your unit is not deployed to the middle east....

Thanks for joining you will Love it...