Signing Up

[Scuba Steve33]

If there was another war, would you guys sign up? I know some of you are a bit older () but for those still capable and in good health what would have to happen for you to sign up again? I've always said if we get attacked I would sign up (given more details of course). Would it have to be something like 9/11 or something like Pearl Harbor? Would you join as the same branch / job you were or try something new? I'm still at a good age, physically fit and single so I have no reason to not do it if we were legitimately attacked. I loved my job and got out for reasons with the Army, not my MOS. For you guys still in, what would it take for you to reup if you were planning to get out?

[The Soup Nazi]

A guarantee to actually deploy. Being sent to a testbed unit because your intellect and MOS expertise is supposedly too valuable while your less competent peers get deployed is probably the most demoralizing experience I've ever had in the military. I would gladly stay in if they actually needed me.

[jmsenk]

After I got out, I just didn't feel right about myself. I wasn't happy sitting idly by while my friends were still fighting. This led me to get into the National Guard. That being said, if I get out again (I'll likely finish my 20 in the Guard) and the moment arises where my country has a need for me, I'll answer. I march to the sound of the guns, and if we have another fight going, I'll volunteer for a deployment.

[Scuba Steve33]

After I got out, I just didn't feel right about myself. I wasn't happy sitting idly by while my friends were still fighting. This led me to get into the National Guard. That being said, if I get out again (I'll likely finish my 20 in the Guard) and the moment arises where my country has a need for me, I'll answer. I march to the sound of the guns, and if we have another fight going, I'll volunteer for a deployment.

Would you go active infantry again? If we got legit attacked I would sign for infantry the same day. Not sure (if I even had the choice) if I would go for basic 11X to deploy right away or try and get RIP (I think they call it RASP now?) and other schools I didn't get when I was in (airborne). I got air assault while I was in but there is no need to send someone to airborne school from Fort Drum. I joined during the summer surges so no open slots for airborne or RIP were available. I always said if I joined again it would only be with an airborne contract.

[Stanksbeamen]

Why wait? Another attack may or may not happen, sounds like you're ready to go judging by your description. People die everyday over here so what's the difference between being attacked back home or over here.

I would join again, no questions asked. I was in Afghanistan last year and I'm here now and I will probably be here next year and the year following that (All the way until we leave here). Deployment tempo's have picked up and a lot of people in my career field are getting out due to it. I've been in 8 years and this is my 5th deployment, once I get back I have 30 days to reup or get out, right now I'm not sure on what I want to do? I'm leaning towards staying in but IDK, we'll see.

I joined the military in time of war so I dont know what the military is like during peace time.

[Scuba Steve33]

Why wait? Another attack may or may not happen, sounds like you're ready to go judging by your description. People die everyday over here so what's the difference between being attacked back home or over here.

I would join again, no questions asked. I was in Afghanistan last year and I'm here now and I will probably be here next year and the year following that (All the way until we leave here). Deployment tempo's have picked up and a lot of people in my career field are getting out due to it. I've been in 8 years and this is my 5th deployment, once I get back I have 30 days to reup or get out, right now I'm not sure on what I want to do? I'm leaning towards staying in but IDK, we'll see.

I joined the military in time of war so I dont know what the military is like during peace time.

Among other reasons, I got out because the war is winding down. I was infantry and do not want to be in during peace, especially after being in combat. I only want to be infantry in the military, I have no desire to do another job, just not my thing. It used to be 9-12 month dwell time in garrison and 12-15 month deployments but is now ~2 year dwell time and only 9-12 month deployments. I could not do two years in garrison for only 9 months deployed. I would go crazy.

[jmsenk]

Would you go active infantry again? If we got legit attacked I would sign for infantry the same day. Not sure (if I even had the choice) if I would go for basic 11X to deploy right away or try and get RIP (I think they call it RASP now?) and other schools I didn't get when I was in (airborne). I got air assault while I was in but there is no need to send someone to airborne school from Fort Drum. I joined during the summer surges so no open slots for airborne or RIP were available. I always said if I joined again it would only be with an airborne contract.

Definitely Infantry. I'm in the guard now, and one of the (well, really, the ONLY) reason I went to the Guard rather than the reserves is because the guard has combat arms. I have been asked several times if I wanted to re-branch. (my sponsoring unit right now is a BSB) and I have been offered Intel or signal slots, but **** that. I figure I have one more tour in me in the Infantry. After that, I might THINK about rebranching - but only something cool like Counter-Intel... or maybe Finance corps since I am getting my MBA and all that. But seriously, in the Army, you're either a Rock Star, or you're a Roadie... and they don't make statues out of cooks.

Follow Me!

[Scuba Steve33]

Definitely Infantry. I'm in the guard now, and one of the (well, really, the ONLY) reason I went to the Guard rather than the reserves is because the guard has combat arms. I have been asked several times if I wanted to re-branch. (my sponsoring unit right now is a BSB) and I have been offered Intel or signal slots, but **** that. I figure I have one more tour in me in the Infantry. After that, I might THINK about rebranching - but only something cool like Counter-Intel... or maybe Finance corps since I am getting my MBA and all that. But seriously, in the Army, you're either a Rock Star, or you're a Roadie... and they don't make statues out of cooks.

Follow Me!

I'm right there with you man. I thought about doing the Guard but I don't know how I'd handle the adjustment from active infantry to weekend warrior non-infantry. You know where I'm coming from. Plus if I deploy I want it to be with brothers. Not saying you don't get close with the guys in your unit no matter what job or branch you're in, but you know the brotherhood I'm talking about. I just don't think I'd find that again in anything else but a line platoon. Basically I'm going to be all in or out, nothing in between.

[chris]

i go back in a heartbeat. but i'm not out. but the Army rarely uses maintenance companies. i would rather go back with intel like the first time.

Definitely Infantry. I'm in the guard now, and one of the (well, really, the ONLY) reason I went to the Guard rather than the reserves is because the guard has combat arms. I have been asked several times if I wanted to re-branch. (my sponsoring unit right now is a BSB) and I have been offered Intel or signal slots, but **** that. I figure I have one more tour in me in the Infantry. After that, I might THINK about rebranching - but only something cool like Counter-Intel... or maybe Finance corps since I am getting my MBA and all that. But seriously, in the Army, you're either a Rock Star, or you're a Roadie... and they don't make statues out of cooks.

Follow Me!

i if were you i would go Intel. the only reason is that it gives you a whole different look as what is really going on. i was cross leveled into intel in 05 and it was the best thing for me. learned alot and i was only the gunner for my THT. no one can F with you. they can't even come into your work area unless they have need to know. even in country you have to be billeted with other intel personel. the down side most intel people are really book smart and rarely will you find some that have book smart and common sense to not act like an idiot. lots of time behind the computer on SIPRNET and writing reports and so. lots fo BUB's with BC and higher ups.

the most rewarding thing is when your INTEL produces your target and they get him at home. most of the time they either try to run or give up. only once to one resist well he didn't do so well. and being prior infantry as you are most likely you'll be attached to an infantry brigade and roll out with the units. but that was in 05 and things have changed. but i have to say it was the best experience i ever had.

you will look at things alot different.

[jgleg111]

i if were you i would go Intel. the only reason is that it gives you a whole different look as what is really going on. i was cross leveled into intel in 05 and it was the best thing for me. learned alot and i was only the gunner for my THT. no one can F with you. they can't even come into your work area unless they have need to know. even in country you have to be billeted with other intel personel. the down side most intel people are really book smart and rarely will you find some that have book smart and common sense to not act like an idiot. lots of time behind the computer on SIPRNET and writing reports and so. lots fo BUB's with BC and higher ups.

Plus the job opportunities once you get out can be quite lucrative. Unless you want to go either Guard or Reserve. There were no E6 slots for my MOS in any of the surrounding states so I would of had to reclass or take a reduction in rank. Even the MOSs I was willing to go into, I would of had to take a reduction in rank. So it pretty much left getting out, and becoming a war profiteer(contractor).

If we got attacked I would absolutely join back up. Probably stick with the old MOS, maybe pick up a school or two that I missed out on the first time in.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that if we were attacked, the only ones heading into the recruiters office will probably be vets who are re-enlisting. The question is if it was a Pearl Harbor style attack do you think we would be have the numbers ( 11.2% of the American Population) like we did for WW2 or would they stay around the same they were at the height of OEF/OIF ( .45% of the American Population)?

[SoCal_Sapper]

If I could stay deployed throughout my enlistment then I would. There is too much bull**** in garrison.

[Cpl. Haas]

The question is if it was a Pearl Harbor style attack do you think we would be have the numbers ( 11.2% of the American Population) like we did for WW2 or would they stay around the same they were at the height of OEF/OIF ( .45% of the American Population)?

Even if we had a surge in patriotism, I wonder how much of the 17-25yr olds out there would be DQ'd because they're too fat, medicated, smoke weed, or have too much of an immature entitlement attitude and would be incapable of adapting to military standards?

[navycorpsman]

I still am a drilling reservist HM2. If it came again for a major conflict or even syria for that matter, i would answer and volunteer just like my first 2 deployments. Best thing about being a highly qualified and loved corpsman is you can get what you want when you volunteer to deploy

DEVIL DOC ALWAYS& FOREVER
SEMPER FI

[Scuba Steve33]

I've always thought intel jobs were cool. Especially whoever does intel work for SF teams. That **** is spot on. As you said it would be very cool seeing the other side / more in detail of what's going on. I just have a drive for infantry though. Only way I can really explain it is Adam Smith's Invisible Hand theory. Just how it is. I obviously didn't join the Army for civilian opportunities haha. I'll be the first to admit my job has zero transferable skills (besides leadership and those type of characteristics) but like I said that's not why I joined.

Chris, what's a THT? I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it's not the Texas Healthcare Trustees.

[jgleg111]

THT stands for Tactical Humint Team. Im sure they are called something different now. Every year or so the big wigs decided to call them something different. When we deployed it was a 4 to 5 people consisting of 3-4 Humint Collectors with a combat arms guy to provide security.