two questions regarding enlistment?

[Helpful_Cub]

I've been trying to get ready for the Air Force Reserves. Apparently they're a little more short-handed than the typical AF. Plus, I have a real job already, so helping out when Air Lift is needed, sounds like fun.

When I started I needed to lose 16 lbs and run 1.5 miles in 11:58 minutes. Diet and running really are key to getting there. I've dropped 5 lbs just by switching over to 1 liquid meal a day (like a protein shake), 1 salad or another liquid and a decent meal for lunch. Running is a bit harder, but oddly enough, the more weight I lose the easier it is on my body. Also if you have time, don't forget to study for your ASVAB or Officer test. Those scores will determine what you qualify for.

[Triton8260]

I've been trying to get ready for the Air Force Reserves. Apparently they're a little more short-handed than the typical AF. Plus, I have a real job already, so helping out when Air Lift is needed, sounds like fun.

When I started I needed to lose 16 lbs and run 1.5 miles in 11:58 minutes. Diet and running really are key to getting there. I've dropped 5 lbs just by switching over to 1 liquid meal a day (like a protein shake), 1 salad or another liquid and a decent meal for lunch. Running is a bit harder, but oddly enough, the more weight I lose the easier it is on my body. Also if you have time, don't forget to study for your ASVAB or Officer test. Those scores will determine what you qualify for.

I dont have a government job and for any private job, they would never hire reservists. Id rather just do my four years and call it a day. I took to asvab in high school and scored in the 92nd percentile. I dont antcipate it being an issue. Especially since I want to be security forces and not a nuclear engineer.

[Cpl. Haas]

I dont have a government job and for any private job, they would never hire reservists. Id rather just do my four years and call it a day. I took to asvab in high school and scored in the 92nd percentile. I dont antcipate it being an issue. Especially since I want to be security forces and not a nuclear engineer.

I've spent some time on a few Air Force bases and my experience with SF, much like Navy MA's, was gate guards and stationary post security. Some AF bases have designated areas of the flight-line that are considered "secure" and guarded 24/7... RC-135's, E-6B's, etc. may or may not be parked there and you're going to be standing guard over an empty piece of concrete.

[GMG]

A buddy of mine joined The Marine Corps in 1958, 17 years old. Suffice too say he was a bit overweight.

In boot camp one of his DI's would walk him thru to chow line and pick out what was to be his meal.

He got into shape, graduated from boot camp and spent 4 years at The Palms.

[jmsenk]

Thanks for the info. Im trying to do either Coast Guard or Air Force so Im not exactly sure how the whole grunt, pog thing plays into those branches.

Those Branches have no Infantry, so therefore, by default, they support the Infantry, however indirectly. Granted, close air support is bad ***, and I have a cousin who is a coastie and on a boarding team, so he does some pretty sweet SWAT type missions, but still... it reminds me of a quote that an AF buddy of mine (an A-10 pilot, it should be noted) had up in his squadron's ready room that reminded them why they would run the missions that they would. It said "Remember, the main effort is ALWAYS a pissed off 19 year old with a machine gun."

As far as coke... switch to diet. seriously. Diet tastes better in mixed drinks, and its not that hard. I am a bigger dude, so I haven't consiously had a regular coke in years. The times when I have had one, it tasted like pure syrup. make the switch to diet. If no diet is available, drink water. Period. Beer was the harder choice for me. Now I am a bit more sophisticated. Red wines or scotch these days.

[Snoopy47]

I dont have a government job and for any private job, they would never hire reservists. Id rather just do my four years and call it a day. I took to asvab in high school and scored in the 92nd percentile. I dont antcipate it being an issue. Especially since I want to be security forces and not a nuclear engineer.

Those MP or Security Force type jobs seem to attract a lot of guys. So don't be surprised if a recruiter has slim pickings.

Remember, you'll run the risk of checking ID's at the gate all day too.

[evidens83]

Dieting is temporary. What you want to do is change your eating lifestyle. Running sucks. You need to lift or do crossfit to lose that excess baggage. If you're really serious look into a personal trainer for those few months before enlisting.

[Triton8260]

Those MP or Security Force type jobs seem to attract a lot of guys. So don't be surprised if a recruiter has slim pickings.

Remember, you'll run the risk of checking ID's at the gate all day too.

Security forces is my first choice. If not I have other jobs in mind like linguist or civil affairs.

[Triton8260]

Dieting is temporary. What you want to do is change your eating lifestyle. Running sucks. You need to lift or do crossfit to lose that excess baggage. If you're really serious look into a personal trainer for those few months before enlisting.

I know but its hard to keep on track in a food rich environment like Los Angeles haha

[11Bforme]

Not to be a jerk man but if you cant give up Coke or food to join the military than maybe it is not as important to you as you think. I say this because once you are in you will sacrifice a lot more than food for the honor to serve and your buddies....depending on what you do.

[hawk_ce]

If you are thirty pounds overweight you need to stop running before you destroy your knees and lower legs. only running a mile a day is a waste of time you are only burning a couple hundred calories at best. Get a gym membership and use the glider or elliptical machine alternating with the rowing machine. The more muscles you use at one the more calories you will burn. Lay of the drive through. Save money and buy a Foreman grill and eat nothing but protein and vegetables.

Add for the meds it won't hurt you on a security clearance but there are certain jobs that it will keep you out of. When it comes top medical they only know what you tell them. If you have a scar from it tell them.
You have been of meds for that long keep your mouth shut, don't even tell your recruiter cause then he had to disclose it. I know guys that are in and take meds for adhd.

Good luck!

Sent from my SGH-T769 using Tapatalk 2

[GunDog]

Not to be a jerk man but if you cant give up Coke or food to join the military than maybe it is not as important to you as you think. I say this because once you are in you will sacrifice a lot more than food for the honor to serve and your buddies....depending on what you do.

Absolutely agree. The veterans who served in places like Guadal Canal, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, D-Day Invasion, Battle of the Bulge, Chosin Reservoir, Vietnam, Tet, Khe Sanh, Iraq, Afghanistan and other **** holes of the world know about real sacrifices.

As I said before......YGBSM!

[Triton8260]

Not to be a jerk man but if you cant give up Coke or food to join the military than maybe it is not as important to you as you think. I say this because once you are in you will sacrifice a lot more than food for the honor to serve and your buddies....depending on what you do.

I know it seems like Im not serious but Im trying. I became a fat body in college because of junk food. Its hard to go cold turkey especially with no support system.

[Triton8260]

If you are thirty pounds overweight you need to stop running before you destroy your knees and lower legs. only running a mile a day is a waste of time you are only burning a couple hundred calories at best. Get a gym membership and use the glider or elliptical machine alternating with the rowing machine. The more muscles you use at one the more calories you will burn. Lay of the drive through. Save money and buy a Foreman grill and eat nothing but protein and vegetables.

Add for the meds it won't hurt you on a security clearance but there are certain jobs that it will keep you out of. When it comes top medical they only know what you tell them. If you have a scar from it tell them.
You have been of meds for that long keep your mouth shut, don't even tell your recruiter cause then he had to disclose it. I know guys that are in and take meds for adhd.

Good luck!

Sent from my SGH-T769 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks Ill start doing more elliptical and rowing. I never had ADD just some over protective parents. I am a normal person in every sense of the word so thats why I aint going to say squat in MEPS.

[CrossedRifles]

First off I plan on joining sometime next June but Im still about 30 pounds overweight. I tried dieting but I'm losing the mind game. Wondering if there are any tips you guys can offer?

Secondly, do military background checks(the ones for a security clearance not the inital one) go into medical records? I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 12 and I took meds till 16. I know I don't have it because I went through senior year and 4 years of college without meds without issues.

Im kind of apprehensive to go to the recruiting because Im still overweight and I feel like they wont take me seriously. Thanks for the input.

Just remember the physical standards are set really low, and if your MOS is combat arms, you will be hurting if you think that is enough.

I joined thinking a 14 min 2 mile would get me through PT in the mornings. I don't know what it was, whether if because light infantry or because my 1SG liked running, we would run close to 7 miles on the days of the week we ran. Part of that was a hill called "Misery".

Boy would I be sucking **** for gas money. The bad part was, no matter how much I ran, I would never get used to it. I fell out as a new guy with the hungover specialists, but later on I would stick to the middle of the formation.

So start yourself on a training regimen, don't flatline your runs, and always push yourself. I started myself on one, but would flatline at 3 miles and not push myself harder. Remember these programs are to prevent you from getting hurt.

Good luck.

EDIT : And what hawk said! If you are overweight, take it easy with running and try swimming, elip, cardio, that is not hard on the hips/kness/ankles. The one mile runs do only burn a hundred or so calories, but they will prepare your legs for longer distances at least. What you should be wary of are stress fractures. They can happen almost anywhere that is being subjected to abuse. Shins, hips, thighs.. We had 3-4 guys in our basic training with stress fractures and they got on crutches. (Most likely happened from rucking.)