taking asvab tomorrow..

[xmikex]

hello guy/gals

tomorrow i am going to take the asvab for the first time, im excited to see how i do and hope to do well. all the practice ones that i have taken i have scored high on and the recruiter told me i would be able to do pretty much anything i wanted (keep in mind recruiter told me ) i have been studying and brushing up on some of the stuff that is going to be on the test.

does anyone have any tips on taking the test or whats on it that i need to study?

i am hoping that i score well enough to get the job i want (68W). as a back up are there any other jobs that i should keep as a back up that will translate into the civilian world for a ok/well paying job. everyone that i have talked to has said pretty much anything with technology now a days will help you get a job. i planned to become an EMT through the 68W training then go to paramedic school. the recruiter said i should have three or more backups for jobs, i dont want to be a trash man in the military.

as of right now im going in a reservist and planned to do 4 years but the recruiter mentioned that six in the reserves isnt bad and you "can" get enlistment bonuses.

as for my contract i have a buddy who was a 68W that was attached to an airborne unit and went to airborne school. my brother in law was also a ranger who went to airborne school and said that i should get airborne. after talking to my recruiter he said that it is not that common for 68w to get airborne in there contract, and everyone i have talked to says that if i really want it that it better be in my contract and dont take any promises from them because it wont happen. i really want to get airborne but i do now know if there are any airborne units around me that i can be assigned too. i also read that if you do get airborne you will be assigned to a combat unit but if you dont get airborne there is more of a chance to get assigned to a hospital and not a unit. i really want to get assigned to a combat unit and be out there.

do i have any leverage to get them to give me airborne in my contract? i know with the shrinking of the military it has become harder and harder to use the whole i wont sign unless trick, i just really want to get airborne....

thank you for your insight.
mike

[Unit74]

Why are you going army? Have you thought about what each service can offer you? Decide what you want to do.....have a list. If one service won't give it to you, go to another. But please don't be closed-minded on the branch.

As for the asvab, nothing study can do today will help you do better tomorrow. Just chill tonight. Don't drink tonight, get a solid nights rest, eat a good meal in the AM and be hydrated.

My advice is whatever job you take, make sure their is a field for it on the civilian side. Very few jobs for string yankers or trigger pullers after military life. If your gonna do the time, make it worth while for your future.

[jarhead714]

This boy wants to jump out of aeroplanes! Bad!

[BoredofTrade]

Try to find the equivalent of the Navy's CTN (Cryptologic Technician Networks) rating. Friend of mine has been in for only 2 years and is already an E5. Amazing opportunities if you get out after your first or second enlistment. Look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook for a better idea of what jobs you take that will realistically translate into employable skills. At the very least, you could go to college after 4 years.

[xmikex]

Honestly the army has really only been the branch that had interested me all that much. My sister is in the Air Force and only job that really interested me was security forces.. As for the navy corpse man would interest me since it can translate over.

Are there any other jobs you guys suggest I look into that would translate into the civilian world.

I want to be on the ground out there don't really want to sit behid a desk or computer.

[xmikex]

Forgot to mention I have my associates already and I am 25 and I am working towards a bachelors but I still have year ad half to two years until I reach that

[Unit74]

This boy wants to jump out of aeroplanes! Bad!

Let me clarify that....


This boy wants two broken knees, one broken ankle, 3 compressed discs and a pretty blue placard for his window for the rest of his life....

[xmikex]

^^ haha I have heard about the bad things about airborne too

[LCU1670]

Good luck! I took mine 40 years ago, 26.5 years later, I retired from the Army. Went in enlisted, retired an officer. Anything is possible in the Army if you apply yourself.

[jarhead714]

Honestly the army has really only been the branch that had interested me all that much. My sister is in the Air Force and only job that really interested me was security forces.. As for the navy corpse man would interest me since it can translate over.

Are there any other jobs you guys suggest I look into that would translate into the civilian world.

I want to be on the ground out there don't really want to sit behid a desk or computer.

What is a corpse man? Also capitalize Army and Navy. Attention to detail will get you far in the military.

[evidens83]

If you really want Airborne make damn sure you get it on your enlistment contract! I made the mistake of not doing my research and here I am wishing I got that slot. Its much easier going Airborne as a fresh boot than some soldier that has already spent time with Big Army.. Lets just say my overall PT and physical shape was at its best during BCT and AIT

[Manolito]

Attention to detail is spot on advice. First things first. Take the test and see where you fall. Then review each position and its counterpart in the civilian world. There are to many to name. Warrant officer pilot is not a bad gig either. Supply chain management is a big thing in the retail world today.

The last ten years were in the field it is now transitioning to the peace time military.

Let us know how you did on the test and Good Luck.

[meaty-btz]

I hated the asvab.. the only thing I recall from taking it was that if it wasn't for my wife and I having different tests they would have accused of cheating. We were both 1 point off of a perfect score and both in the same place.

Couldn't get the recruiters to leave me alone at that point.. but since none of them could score me an OCS position.. oh well.

[Cpl. Haas]

Honestly the army has really only been the branch that had interested me all that much. My sister is in the Air Force and only job that really interested me was security forces.. As for the navy corpse man would interest me since it can translate over.

Are there any other jobs you guys suggest I look into that would translate into the civilian world.

I want to be on the ground out there don't really want to sit behid a desk or computer.

Dude, you can get an EMT cert in about three months through a community college program... I did. If you're looking to enlist, look toward a rating or MOS that's going to give you a security clearance and technical training; you can easily get your EMT cert after getting out if you don't decide to put your clearance and training to work making $$$ for a defense contractor.

Navy Corpsman (HM) is more clinic nursing type of work... unless you get Fleet Marine Force, which is a small percentage of HM's as a whole. I worked with a guy who went 68W... he regretted it cuz he left 4 years later with just the basic veteran benefits and an EMT cert.

The general rule is - don't go HM/68W because you wanna become a civilian medic later on... and don't go MP/MA because you wanna become a civilian cop later on.

[Tacit Blue]

Haas is partially correct. I'm a 68W in the guard, my civilian job i'm also an EMT. Employers do notice your military training as a medic, it does help with potential fire jobs. Problem is anything you can make a career of requires a EMT-P ( paramedic). I was already a EMT-B before joining the military. I became a medic in our unit as such.

i'm in a position where i still will have to attend paramedic school if I wish to further my career. In the civilan world as a EMT-B you might be luckly to work within a 9-11 system as a backup. Most exciting calls I do are CCT or critical care transports, with a RN on two EMTs onboard. Patient is hooked up to IVs and EKGs. 98% of being an EMT is doing interfacility transports with medicare or seniors, in the private business, if you work for a private company.

My point being is the military will only take you so far. I believe 11x or some SF guys get paramedic rated while in the service. Most 68Ws are EMT-Bs.