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[POLICESTATE]

When i was in my recruiters office one of the guys talking to another recruiter had some sort of computer related degree from SDSU and scored like an 18 on the ASVAB

I don't know what ASVAB scores are these days, if it's a scale of 1-20 or 1-100, I don't really remember what is was like 20 years ago either, I just remember I found the test pretty damn easy and the recruiter kept showing me off to the other recruiters in the his office (they had a 4 branch recruitment office) like I was some kind of genius. Hardly.

Anyway, he couldn't guarantee that instead of getting SP/AP in the Air Force I might get plane mechanic or cook (they assign what they need, based on your ability and ASVAB score at the time, or so he told me) in spite of the fact I very nearly aced the silly test.

So I walked out, I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if I'd gone ahead with it. If I could do things over again I probably would have signed up anyway, done the 4 years (I think that was the minimum at the time), earned a degree while I was in, and gone the OCS route. My grandfather was a retired Air Force Col. and he did very well for himself.

Still, I wouldn't have met my wife and have the kids I have now if I had.

Do what you think will work out best for you and don't look back, there's plenty of time for that crap later!

[Zorrm]

When i was in my recruiters office one of the guys talking to another recruiter had some sort of computer related degree from SDSU and scored like an 18 on the ASVAB

I am a recruiter... and you'd be absolutely floored to find out how many people cannot pass this test, even with their BA.

And to answer the question above, it's 1-99

[Mr.Caketown]

I am a recruiter... and you'd be absolutely floored to find out how many people cannot pass this test, even with their BA.

And to answer the question above, it's 1-99

I believe it ... ive spent enough time in the recruiters office to hear the stories. The funny part is its a CAT-ASVAB designed to make it easier on you

[AJAX22]

here is the pay scale:

http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp

What is your Bachelors in?

[todd2968]

It's good to have a plan I would suggest something in intelligence, if you have loans I would suggest a loan repayment program.

[Mr.Caketown]

here is the pay scale:

http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp

What is your Bachelors in?

if he gets in it would be O-1 under 2 yrs right?

[Annonymous]

I am a recruiter... and you'd be absolutely floored to find out how many people cannot pass this test, even with their BA.

And to answer the question above, it's 1-99

I took the ASVAB this year (junior in highschool) and scored a 93. The guy sitting next to me got a 3...

[tpuig]

Couldn't agree more. I was 27, had a degree and went through Air Force OTS with a Navigator slot. Lost my flight slot (age snafu) and they offered me the option of becoming a Missile officer or an honorable discharge. Nothing wrong with missiles, but didn't want to spend the next decade underground getting 5 PhD's. So I shook hands and we parted ways.

Went to the army. Recruiter was very honest, and said that no matter what job I want, you roll the dice. The day they call your name, you get what you get, depending on what the Army needs that day. Considering that the army basically shoots, odds are that it would be infantry or artillery. Nothing wrong with that, but not my first choices. Since my scores were high enough, I asked to go enlisted and to choose either Chinese or Russian language school. (Russian opened up first) Joined the reserves. Off to Basic and then a couple more schools.

Can't tell you how much it helped learning how the Army works. You can always request to go to OCS, and/or a direct commission. I switched from the Army Reserves to the National Guard just so I could get a direct commission. Went to an MP unit and then a month later off to Desert Storm. LA riots after that. Decided against getting a commission and switched to an Intel unit, where I became an interrogator and instructor.

My situation is different than most folks. But I would suggest only joining the military if you want to. Not because you'll get a paycheck and meals. It's not for everyone. But if you do join, sign for 6 years or so. You don't really get much experience in a 2 year hitch, you just get yelled at a lot and told what to do. But once you've been in a couple years and get some stripes, it starts to make sense. That's when you'll realize whether you're cut out for the military or not, and maybe even decide on a job that you never knew existed. It's not always easy. And you could get hurt or killed. But ask most of the guys that were (or are) in and they'll tell you it was worth it. I've had some rather blunt and direct (but polite) discussions with new officers on occasion. The Senior NCO's usually know how things work. And look into Warrant officer, seems like the best of both worlds.

Sorry for the long diatribe. Hope this helps.

Keep this in mind: if you go in as an officer, you don't pick your job. You pick officer. You could be infantry just as much as you could be communications or supply. If you enlist first, you'll be able to get in the field like you want to.

I'm not saying you can't go in as an officer first, I'm just saying that with my experience in the Army, you will make a much better leader that will carry forward from just your time in the military.

I could go on about it being a last resort, but I'll keep my mouth shut on that one.

[AJAX22]

if he gets in it would be O-1 under 2 yrs right?

That is my understanding, yes... (or possibly O-2?)

[lanwarrior]

Wow, lots of useful info here! Wish I could join the army...

[Mr.Caketown]

That is my understanding, yes... (or possibly O-2?)

I dont know about O-2 but maybe Warrant

[11Bforme]

Joining the Army is a big decision.

1.Just assume you will be deployed.

2. You could end up killing some one or getting killed.

3. You will do a lot of really stupid things for very stupid reasons.

4. You will be part of something bigger than you so you may need to get over your self.

5. You will/could do a lot of cool stuff that 99% of the population cant even imagine doing.

That being said....

I have a college degree and I am enlisted. I would recommend doing the enlisted thing for a little while as a couple other people have said. You might not get paid as much at first but you will learn how things actually work and that will help you for the rest of your military career if you choose to do so. I find it amazing at how oblivious some officers are to how things get done and the basics of soldiering. If you do go the officer route realize that your NCO's and the enlisted soldiers under them are the the ones who get things done. You will get the pat on the back. Just show them you respect them and that will work wonders.

Rant over...

[11Bforme]

Joining the Army is a big decision.

1.Just assume you will be deployed.

2. You could end up killing some one or getting killed.

3. You will do a lot of really stupid things for very stupid reasons.

4. You will be part of something bigger than you so you may need to get over your self.

5. You will/could do a lot of cool stuff that 99% of the population cant even imagine doing.

That being said....

I have a college degree and I am enlisted. I would recommend doing the enlisted thing for a little while as a couple other people have said. You might not get paid as much at first but you will learn how things actually work and that will help you for the rest of your military career if you choose to do so. I find it amazing at how oblivious some officers are to how things get done and the basics of soldiering. If you do go the officer route realize that your NCO's and the enlisted soldiers under them are the the ones who get things done. You will get the pat on the back. Just show them you respect them and that will work wonders.

Rant over...

[themailman]

joining the military for anything but a desire to serve is going to be a decision you regret on day two.

[Zorrm]

I took the ASVAB this year (junior in highschool) and scored a 93. The guy sitting next to me got a 3...

Welcome to SoCal.

In 2 years you will hit O-2, as 18 months is an automatic promotion IIRC... not sure how the officer promotions work 100% lol. I know that O-3 in the Army is automatic as well, but I don't know when that hits.