Hey everyone Im contemplating joining either the marines or army for experience because I plan on getting into law enforcement. If any of you have been in the army or the marines, could you email me. I have some questions for you. I dbout the recruiters tell the whole truth hehe.

Roy
roygabriel@home.com

I was in from 1962 to 1966. The military is undoubtedly much different now but some things stay the same I think. The recruiters are like car salesman. They may not outright lie to you but their responsibility is to induce people to join up. They will tell you the good side of issues. And remember that no matter what guarantees or promises are made the only promise that matters is the one that you make when you raise your right hand and take the oath. The military will put you where it needs you - and if that's where you want to be then good for you. Hopefully they need MP's.

[This message has been edited by William Federle (edited 01-22-2000).]

I spent 4 years in the Air Farce back in the late 70's. The first time I went home on leave I went looking for my recruiter because I was going to kick his butt for deceiving me. I nearly aced the mechanical and electronics part of the entrance exam and could of signed up for the "guaranteed job program" for any of those fields. I mentioned that I liked photography, so the recruiter talks me into enlisting in the "open general field" because photography was not one of the career fields that was offered as a guaranteed job. Well, it was not offered as a guaranteed job because it was overmanned and he knew it. They stuck me into Security Police (same as MP's in the Army). It sucked and I hated it. The good thing about it was, since I grew up in a poor family, I got the GI bill to pay for my college after I got out. Also, I meet a lot of nice people, had a few great adventures, and saw parts of the world I would of never seen otherwise. But, there is no privacy and on duty you are told what to do, when to do, and how to do it. My Dad was in the Marines and he told me that he'd whoop me butt if I even thought of going there and I'm glad I listened because they had it 100 times rougher than us guys in the USAF.

My dad was in the army for several years. He's told me the only way to go if I ever went military would be the USAF. Here in Dayton we have a very large Air Force Base(W.P.A.F.B.), and I think its one of the largest in the nation. I have a friend who joined the Air Force and nearly the same happened to him that happened to batboy.

He signed up, took the test, nearly aced all the electronics and mechanicals tests. His recruiter promised he would be running computers and such. His recruiter lied, he ended up changing the oil in hummers for the next year. He is not a car guy and hated it. Now he gets to repair hummers, I never hear the end of it. I think it would be kinda' neat for a little while, but it would get old.

I was in the Army then made a lateral transfer to the Nat'l Guard. My recruiter actually told me the truth both good and bad. (I've become friends with him-just talked him into getting his 1st Fiero! an '85 coupe) If you stay in long enough you'll get some privacy, but not for a while. We didn't even have doors on the stalls for the crappers. (At least we had stalls, right?!) Mentally prepare yourself for Basic Training. The DIs will do their best to beat you into submission. I hated basic when I was there and would never do it again, but I wouldn't have missed the experience for the world now that I can look back on it. Once you get to AIT (school) things change considerably. You start getting treated a little more like a citizen and a little less like a dog. You also get a few privileges, too. I can remember the 1st night I was actually allowed to dress in civvies and go out on my own. Usually AIT is a 6-5 kind of thing depending on the length. My 1st AIT was 4 mos long and my 2nd was almost a year. I went in as a PFC (E-3), was promoted to Spec4 (E-4) by the time I got to my 1st AIT and made Sgt (E-5) just before I graduated from my 2nd AIT. You definitely get more privileges (and responsibilities) with rank. As for the difference between the Army and Air Farce (batboy, we called it the same thing). If you're looking for something technical, I would suggest the USAF. The Army definitely has some high-tech stuff, but I think the USAF is more geared towards that. Stay out of the Marines unless you are seriously hard-core! I'll email you.

I was in the Navy for four years. I enjoyed it for the friends I had and ports I stopped in and rather enjoyed my work (cryptologic technician) but was glad when my time was up. One big lie I saw for my own eyes about recruiters and they will tell you if you are not decided about the trade(rate) you want to enlist in that was alright. They convinced alot of enlistees that if they were undecided about what rate they wanted to be they could decide anytime during the four year enlistment. LIES! All the enlistees that didn't pick a rate got handed a paint scrapper and became officially a "boatsmans mate"! No matter what service you join-pick a rate!

Hey Roy,

I was active duty Air Force from 1986 - 1990, unlike Batboy I picked my job from the start (F-15 crew chief). I got out and went into the reserves and finished my degree with the GI bill. I am now in the California Air National Guard and fly C-130E's as a Flight Engineer and am crossing my fingers to go to pilot training. I would say to you, don't do the army or marine thing. The Air Force will treat you better and you will find the people you will work with are higher quality. Some of the most highly skilled special forces people are Air Force (combat controllers, pararescue, etc). Starting to sound kind of like a recruiter huh.......

Moral of the story, sign a contract for a guaranteed career field. I agree with Hot-to-trot-FieroGT. The USAF has a better caliber (pun intended) of people (and nicer ladies). They treat their people better than the other services. I was at a base in Iceland where we had all branches of the military represented. I thought we had it rough in the Air Farce until I saw how the others were treated. Those poor Marines had to go marching around all the time in formation through deep snow and were constantly harassed. The only time I marched in formation was in basic training. Most of the Navy guys had volunteered for this duty to get off the ships, which I guess is very grueling duty. Not many Army guys there, but I was also stationed in Colorado Springs right next to Ft. Carson. From what I saw, they were treated like crap. Their chow hall sucked compared to ours too. One time, I had to transport one of our guys back to our base because he got in trouble on the Army post. The Army MPs were giving me schitt about the wimpy .38 revolvers we carried. I looked over at his .45 (they have 9mm now I think) and laughed. I asked where his ammo clip was. He got red in the face and muttered that they had to carry the magazine with only 5 rounds in their shirt pocket. I called him Barney Fife and showed him that the USAF keep their weapons fully loaded and ready for action. I carried 18 rounds for the pistol and 60 rounds of ammo for the M-16 rifle in the vehicle. Full auto--rock and roll. The M-16, not the revolver.

Nope Nope Nope

C/1/501 101st ABN
Viet Nam 1968 - 1971

Every night while there sleeping
charlie company comes a creeping
takin names
kickin butt

"nuff said"

"B" CO 3rd Cbt Eng Btn. 3rd Mar Div

I guess someone has to stick up for the Marines.
Yes its hard! Much harder than any of the other armed services at least physically.
And unlike the other services the Marines
don't promise you anything. They challenge you, do you have what it takes to be a Marine?
Ok enough of the promo.. If you want good food and accomodations join the Air force or Navy. You want to spend the next 2-6 yrs in a swamp in N.Carolina, Join the Army. You want to see the world, get shot at and treated as your own merits demand join the Marines.

1/27th Wolfhounds, 25th Division, Vietnam 67-68. Another Wolfhound and I run a locator for Vietnam Era members of our unit. http://www.geocities.com/pentagon6215
Check it out,you can even see my mug shot 68 and 98.
OOPS, Try this: http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/6215

[This message has been edited by Wolfhound (edited 01-23-2000).]

YES, i am in the Georgia Army National Guard. A CO 1/108th Armor. I love them M1 tanks. I am an E-6 right now and went to Warrant officer school in Feb last year. I am a mechanic, soon to be a Battalion master technican. I work full time for the national guard at Ft, Stewart Ga. I spent 10 years on active duty. I will help to answer any questions you have. Like they say it is not always fun, but i guess they is always good and bad to any job. Hell i could be flipping burgers again for minimum wage. Alot of good benifits. I prefer the guard, one weekend and month and 2 or 3 weeks a years, home every night.But i learned alot for active duty too. I think evey teenager should do some type of military service, but that should be another thread. anyway e-mail me and i will help ant way i can.

You know sometimes you can say too much, but at the risk of saying too much, I have to stick my two cents in one more time on this topic.

In my earlier post, I said that recruiters aren't going to tell you the bad side of things and that the service is going to put you where they need you no matter what you are told when you sign up. That's all true but the thing is that you should go into the service (whatever branch) with those things in mind - with your eyes open. To get access to the GI bill or training is a good reason to go in, but remember that you incur an obligation when you sign up. And serving your country is always an honorable thing to do if you do it honorably and if you do so you'll never be sorry and that time you spend doing so will never have been wasted. That's all I have to say about that.

Thank you, Forrest Gump.

That is not true, you can get a get you job in writting, guaranteed. Yes it is true they will try to fill the jobs first that are at the lowest. They usally offer a bonus to join these jobs. Right now the military is offering some of the biggest bonuses that i have ever seen. It has made me think of going back into active duty, of course there are a few other reasons, too long to list here. If you have not watched the news lately the armed services are having a hard time getting and keeping good people. One of the best times to get a good pick at the job you want. I have worn the uniform every day for almost 15 years, the glory of serving your nation fades into just another job after a while. Just be sure to pick the right job, something you will like to do, VERY IMPORTANT!!!! luck i made the right choice. Nuff said

[This message has been edited by sdm1964 (edited 01-23-2000).]

Navy.

Wolfhound,

My brother was in the 1/27th Wolfhounds (I believe 25 Div)in Vietnam around that same time.

All Wolfhounds were 25th. There were two brigades, 1st and 2nd. Have him contact me. I emailed you also.

DRAFTED
US Army 1970 to 1972
Didn't Like it!
Nuf Said!

joined USAF on 16 JUN 1998, basic training was a joke, currently an E-3 stationed at McGuire AFB in NJ, personal opinion - I'm doin' my time and gettin' tha heck out, if you want to make money don't join because i just got my W2 for 1999 and it says $12,500 (+/- a few bucks), to me the cons outweigh the pros. anyway, that's my $.02 worth

Once a Marine, always a Marine!! Still a Marine. Currently serving time in Green Bay, WI. I've been in for over 7 yrs and I pretty much like it. If I were to try to sway you though, I would be a hypocrite. Check out all the services, see what they have to offer you. Find one that will make you happy. If you're looking for a challenge though, the Marine Corps is the way to go.

P.S.: We have the BEST looking uniforms too

Drafted 1969 from San Francisco, city of love. Slight change of lifestyle. ;-)
4th Div. Viet Nam 69'-71'. (stupid kid kept extending) UH1H helicopter crew chief. Yea I was the guy that dropped off and picked up all you "Grunts"
Made it home almost whole.

A.R.M.Y. = Aren't.Really.Marines.Yet lol

USMC= (Uncle Sams Misguided Children)

after thinking i couldnt join due to a titanium rod in my leg, i got it out & was told i can.

i have to wait till april to take a physicall then im in.

ive always wanted to be in the service, since like elmentry school. i tried to get into a service acadamy but didnt plan well. so i decided to go to college so i could be an officer one way or another (rotc, transfer to academy) then i broke my leg.

well now im going to be a marine, my test scores are very good so i may go intelligence but i really want to go infantry (YES, infantry). i havent decided but i will go.

i think u should join (n e thing but the army). as others have said for training, college, & serving your country. its something you can be proud of.

alot of people (that know me personally) dont know where i am coming from because i like to do so many "anti social" type things. they see me as a "punk kid" even though im 24; maybe. & at the same time i'm (for the most part) repectfull, honest, & sincere. but just because i speed, go to raves (ive NEVER done drugs), mosh at punk concerts & snowboard doesnt mean i cant have a sense of honor & patriatism.

i know i went off topic a little (but thats the idea of this forum) i am just addiment about having fun & i dont think the military is as bad as its rap makes it out to be.

NAVY, 14+ years, submarines, nuclear power, electrician. Pay's the best, food's the best, cross training's the best, IMHO, but you have to get used to living in a big pipe for a few months at a time. Big bonuses, up to 45k, (not just for us nukes anymore), and you don't just learn one job. The travel ruled back when I was pushing an attack sub. Lot's of schools, if you get into a hi-tech rate. As someone mentioned earlier, not everyone is guaranteed a particular job, but that allows you to see what you are getting into before you strike for a particular job (Choose your rate, choose your fate is the saying).
No matter what branch you pick, you can be proud that you served. If nothing else, you'll get some college money (up to 50k), and be a little older than the rest of the students in college. But remember, if you sign a contract, you're committed. Make sure you are happy, and at least in the Navy, the recruiter is not the one who offers the actual contract (job). That's done at the processing station after they find you qualified (Mental, Moral, and Physical). After that, you are only limited by your own motivation.

USAF
The only advise I have given is to ask those that served more about why they got out, and less about why and when they joined!
You will typically hear just the glory stories about joining up to serve your country.
The Armed Service is good for some and not so good for others.

P.S. Have a lawyer read the contract and discuss your obligations and options with a nutral lawyer before signing! (If recruiter won't let you or gives you a hard time about such a request; think about it, what could be wrong with that picture) Attorney fees if any would be well worth the time.

BigBoyToys has a point about the service not being for everyone. Just because you are never in the service doesn't mean you didn't do your part. It has mostly been a well paying job for me, but it has a few extra risks that my civilian counterparts don't have, and I'm willing to accept that.
Realize that you are not just contracting for a job, but to join whatever branch you may decide on, and to follow the lawful orders of those over you, no matter what your personal opinion is. You are basically US Government Property, to put it bluntly. If that is a problem for you, then the service is probably the wrong place.

And you are expendable!!! It says so right in the "contract". There are only 3 people in the Army that aren't. One is the President (Commander-in-Chief), one is the General in charge (Shwartzkopf?, but I can't think of the title right now), and the last is the Sergeant Major of the Army. That's it. Everyone else can get killed at will!

USAF - 20 years-10 monthes-8 days

Titan II Combat Launch Crew BMAT
(are we going to kill millions of people today???? no.)

Best years of my life. Only reason I retired was they started offering me jobs where I would be shot at.

When I was 18, they could of sent me to Vietnam ... they sent me to Kansas and left me there until they shut down the missle system. 16 years 93 days! Second and last assignment was in Fort Worth, TX as a computer programmer.

The service (ANY of them!) will put you where they most need you. You might get that "guaranteed job program" but they don't have to leave you there forever!

I signed up for "electronics". I had high scores on the 4 tests (this was 1969) the USAF gave at the time and I didn't know it at the time but when I was @ Lackland, filling out the jobs I qualified for (in electronics, mechanical, administrative, and general) that they had on the board that day, (I qualified for ALL of them! I had a lot of writing to do!) on the top of my form was a number ... 316X0F ... I didn't know it at the time but I was selected to be a Titan II launch combat crew member!

It didn't matter what I wanted, I was going to be a BMAT (Ballistic Missile Analyst Technician or as we like to more actually call it ... Brooms, Mops And Trash)

Another good laugh is selecting where you would like to be stationed! I had selected the east or west coast. Kansas is where I ended up at! I guess it was as close as they could get to both!

Paul Herder, MSgt, USAF Retired

I was in the NAVY from 1981 to 1985.
I enjoyed it got great experience and learned my present career (Electrical Engineer) but......
(NAVY=)Never Again Volunteer Yourself

[This message has been edited by Oreif (edited 01-29-2000).]

Pherder - I was in when that wing went operational. The 381st Missle Maint. Wing.
I met my wife of 35 years in Wichita. We made lots of jokes about Wichita and Kansas back then , but I found it to be a friendly place. Congradulations on the 20+ years.

Kansas is a nice place. Now about the folks who live there...

.

I'm gonna get reamed for this one, aren't I?

I thought about joining the reserves, airforce or army, any horror stories behind that? I wanted to be a pilot but i dont have that 20/20 vision required had that big dream of going to the usaf academy. I do have more freedom of going to car shows and fixing mine up.

I made a lateral transfer to the Army Nat'l Guard. My unit sucked but the idea is a good one. You have to devote one weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer (usually) for Annual Training. The rest of the time is yours to do with what you want. You have many of the same benefits as full-time. You have to put in more time to get them, though. For example, to get the GI bill (that was one of my enlistment bonuses), I had to give Uncle Sam 4 years of my time. Your time in the Reserves/Guard is figured weird. I think it's something like for every actual day you spend on duty, you get one week of time. Also, the Reserves answer directly to the Prez and the Nat'l Guard answers directly to the Governor of the state (unless activated by the Prez). The Guards do more community related stuff such as storm clean up, etc, while the Reserves tend to handle more of the nat'l issues. Just some food for thought.

US Army 1964-1970, Served in vietnam with the wolfhounds and then transfered to 3/4 cav as a door gunner in cu chi 1968-1969

Fieroshop,
How many fiero owning, sailing, Wolfhound Vietnam Veterans are there. Now thats a lot in common!
Nec Aspera Terrent
Coy

[This message has been edited by Wolfhound (edited 01-31-2000).]

I got the Fiero owning, boating(power) Nam vet(non-wolfhound) parts covered

Good One! Phil, Guess we went to different schools together!
Something about being on the Water is good isn't. My Hunter 25 has a 7.5HP four stroke Honda that get.s a year to 3 gallons! Gets me in and out of the Marina while I,m dealing with sails and lets me dodge the stink pots and wave runners. Being a Wolfhound is Just that. Being a Vietnam Veteran is Just that, Welcome home Bro:-) Phil, who were you with and were you 11 Bravo?
Back to the original topic:
Imagine (you young guys) what it's like to be 22 years old and have two Purple Hearts a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation for Valor (no Rambo here) and be treated like you started the war. In the 70's the only time you heard anything about a Vietnam Veteran was when some cop show on TV needed someone to rob a liqior store.
A Combat Veteran Who came home and found nothing but the loss of all emotions.
I have never been able to be really happy or sad. The Eagles said it right "Ain't It Funny How The feeling Go's Away?"
It,s hard for me to recomend the military to anyone. I saw too many fine men lost, and lives risked just so some SOB could advance his military career.
I will say this about the guys I served with. We sure took care of each other.

[This message has been edited by Wolfhound (edited 02-01-2000).]