lets say I know why army recruitment is down

The next day, he showed up with a Marine.
I asked the Marine Sergeant, "How much of a bonus does he get?"
The Sergeant replied, "None."
I asked if they could guarantee his first duty station.
The Sergeant said, "Nope."
I asked if he could pick his MOS.
The Sergeant said, "He'll go where the Corps needs him."
I then pulled my son to the side and asked him if he had lost his mind.
I'll remember my son's answer forever:
"Dad, I believe we might go to war soon. (This was in June, 2000!) If we do, I don't want the guy next to me TO BE THINKING ABOUT HIS COLLEGE MONEY."
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At least there is one honest recruiter out there! (And a very wise, well thought out decision by Powderman's son.)

When I went Navy, I figured that I would travel. That is the only promise that was kept. There is an old ditty just for you jonathan.....

I've been screwed in Paris,
I've been screwed in Spain,
I've been screwed until it caused me pain.
But I'll never be happy,
I'll never be free,
'til I screw my recruiter,
the way he screwed me.

Thank you all for your service, and jonathan, make wise decisions, not emotional ones because you are pissed at a recruiter's tardiness or attitude. ;)
 
My wife spent twenty years in the Navy, retiring as a Chief corpsman (HMC (SW)). She says that very early in her military career, she became quite familiar with a particular phrase: the needs of the Navy. In other words, regardless of your preferences as to duty station, rating, length of duty tour, etc., all of that takes a back seat to what Uncle Sam wants you to do at that particular time.

Certainly, as she got older and moved up the rank ladder, her detailer was better able to accommodate her wishes. But she still recalls that after two months of finishing a sea tour, she was shipped out again because the IDC on a destroyer got sick and had to be med-evaced, and she was the most senior and experienced IDC immediately available at that duty station. So off she went for another six month deployment. Theoretically, after finishing a sea tour, she should have been ashore for at least twelve to eighteen months. The Navy at that time was kind of short on IDCs, so they were all quite busy.
 
recruiters are doing their best to make do right no in the Army and Marines. Since the Navy and Air Force are not the troops clearing the streets of Iraq, they have no problem with their recruiting numbers. This does not mean that all recruiters will lie to you. If you listen to what they say, they tell you of opportunities, not gurantees. Unless it is in writing, it is up for change at any notice. Now, with the opportunities, not all are available (such as the $50,000 scholarship in the Marines), but there are many more available. As a Sergeant, in order to get promoted again I need to be selected by a board. This means putting in a package, making sure all my fitness reports (report cards) do not leave any gaps in the dates, and that I make myself competitive. We have PME's (Professional Military Education) that are resident and non-resident. You must do both up to your grade level to be considered. Now, off duty education is a huge bonus on a board. If you are in the military and do not use your TA, YOU ARE WASTING YOUR MONEY AND TIME! But you also have to realize that no one is going to breathe down your neck to get it done. You are on your own once you get to boot camp. It is up to you if you will perform. When I went to Boot, I started with 108 recruits in my platoon. I graduated with 84, and about 13 of those were picked up along the cycle for medical or other reasons for being dropped from other platoons. There was one kid who lasted 6 hours on Black Friday (the first day your drill instructors have you. After in-processing for 3 days. This is one of the hardest times for those who do not know what is coming to them. There will be Drill Instructors in your face so fast that you do not know what is going on. Of course, it is to that degree only in the Marines.
 
Go with the service that YOU want to go with. Nobody in this forum is YOU (besides yourself of course) However, you should also listen to what the guys here have to say because some of them have been there and done that, and can give you valuable information before you are locked in to a service.

I am going to enlist in the Marine Corps when I am old enough, because the people I have talked to that were in other branches of the military all say that Marines are the craziest people they have ever seen. They are no frills, get the job done now kind of people and I like that.

But always remember, it is your 4 years, nobody else's. Make sure that YOU want to do it before you sign into ANY branch of service.

Thanks to everyone here who has or is serving,
rugerdude
 
Good story Powderman. Marines are straight down to business fighting men, and if I was to be a career fighting man, thats where I'd go.

I will say about my recruiter, he was honest with me(at least what I would expect). He told me that I might not get MP since most people who go in want that MOS. Also told me that he was Infantry, and wanted to be out in the field, not behind a desk(though, he wasn't complaining to much, even said that it was nice to be able to see his kids every night).

Talked to a gal who was in the Airforce for 20 years, retired at 39. Got some interesting insights. I'm still leaving my options open, so hopefully in the next few weeks I'll talk to an AF recruiter. To be fair, probably should go speak with a Navy guy.
 
Best story I ever heard…

An acquaintance of mine was in the first Gulf War. After most everything was said and done, he had somebody take a picture of him from the air while he was in the middle of the desert holding a big sign saying, “My recruiter lied”. :D
 
Powderman, you just made my day.

When I was a Battery CO, my 1stSgt had a poster in his office. If (rarely, I say), a Marine went to his office griping about something, the 1stSgt would point to the poster. The poster read:

The United States Marines.
We Don't Promise you Sh*t!

'Nough said.
 
Im currently in the Navy DEP, leaving for boot in December. Spoke with all the other branches(Coast Guard included, most people forget the Coast Guard is a military branch) and decided that the Navy has the best options for me after I leave(not planning on a military career). My recuriter has been decently honest with me, saying I will most likely not get the job I want(though I actually did, AECF) and will have some really sh*tty duty tours.

I say keep an opened mind and think about what type of career you want(wether its military or civillan) and pick a branch you know that will offer the best options for that career. And talk to a lot of active and retired members of that branch to get an idea.
 
My oldest daughter came to me two years ago and told me she wanted to enlist. I tried to steer her towards the navy, or air force like any good father would . She is my punkin after all. Her answer was simple, theres a war on and someone has to do the ugly work. She is now in BCT at FLW Mo. She loves it even when it sucks and her ultimate goal is to be an Army nurse. I told her she didnt have to enlist to go to nursing school she said no I want to be an ARMY nurse. Anyway I couldnt be prouder. We got a letter from her thanking us for raising her the way we did. She says she already had everything she needed to be a good soldier when she went there, values and such. Anyway I was reading this post and just wanted to tell you guys that. E :D
 
Big Ruger

Hold on to that letter of thanks......... Your daughter is one of the 5% that would do such a thoughtful act of thanks to the ones who raised her right. :)

Congrats on your girl finding and following her dreams..... You can stand proud and be happy to have done such a fine job.


Regards...... Rojoe ;)
 
I think the branch of choice is all about what you are looking for. The Air Force will do everything to help you continue your education, they will help with work hours and the career field you get into will also have a big impact on this. The Army and Marines your a soldier first period end of report, furthering your general education is not as high a priority as the Air Force unless it is pertains directly to your military career. Also if your an adrenaline junky then the Army and Marines are the place to go. The Navy, do you want to see the world, then this is the place but you better be sure you can stand being at sea for month's as it is highly possible you will be in this position. With any of these branch's your job will have a profound impact on what your expectations are.

Any branch is an admirable endeavor, will help you grow as a person which will have a lifelong impact. I wouldn't judge the whole enlistment process and system by one person who didnt keep an appointment, the recruiter may also have had a good reason to be gone but should have made every effort to contact you. Also be sure to get any offers by the recruiter in writing for what its worth and somes times that may be nothing. Recruiters are salesman, most are honest and can get in real hot water by using unethical methods, but they also have quotas to meet or their creampuff position may be filled by someone else.

As some advice, just remember, basic training is more a headgame than anything else. They may seem cruel and harsh, but it is too weed out those who cannot cope which in combat or a crisis situation may very well save yours and others lives. I have a saying for recruits, remember this: They cant shoot you or take your birthday away. After basic the rest is gravy and you now have a sense of pride never known before.
 
I spent over 6 years in the Army and came out a much better person. Gaining rank seemed a little faster in the Army compared to the other branches and the education center was available at every post I served. I managed to get my college degree while on duty for the grand cost of $100!
 
My opinion is that we have too many summer soldiers and sunshine patriots. Many say I will but back out if their name is called on account that they need to be able to further their education to make good bosses for companies that will hire them and pay them lots of money to lead the company to success.
 
I spent 4 years in the Air Force and got out due to the "mickey mouse" that was a result of peacetime. Since hindsight is 20/20 vision, if I had it to do over again, I would have gone in to the Marines and stayed longer, maybe for a full 20. Oh, to be young, dumb and full of come again!!

Make no mistake about one thing, though - if you want a chance to kill the enemy, the Air Force can make that happen - volunteer for Combat Controller or Pararescue. These are the Air Force's "tough guy" jobs.

Anyone that goes into any branch of the military deserves our respect, IMO. There are way too many civilians who think they are "above" that.

As the saying goes - "All gave some, some gave all."
 
Lots of talk about the Marines. Lots of spirit and training and leadership and all the other things that make you strong. They have to be the best in a number of ways. Why? Because they are a human meat grinder.

I used to be in the Air Force. Lots of interesting guys coming and going on the Air Evac (air ambulance) flights. Seems like the Marines had more than their share of broken bones, big burns and otherwise mangled bodies. Went on a training assignment once with a Marine Lt. who had a wife and a little baby. He was later one of the ones in the barracks in Beirut. Somehow remembering the USAF guys I knew who went out to fly and never came back doesn't seem to bother me as much as thinking about this kid.

I used to work at a VA hospital. I remember a guy there who signed in to dry out from the booze. Talked to him a long time and read his record. He'd been in Viet Nam, the platoon sergeant for a Marine platoon which had been wiped out except for him and one other man.

I used to sail and you meet a lot of interesting folks if you hang around marinas for long. Met a guy who'd flown Marine helicopters in Viet Nam. He drank a lot but not enough to go to the VA. He never took his shirt off because of the burn scars. Met a lot of Marines, from WWII, Korea and Viet Nam and they generally froze up if anybody asked about their service time.

Army has its problems, Air Force has its problems, Navy has its problems as does the Coast Guard. Marine Corps has its problems and don't let anybody kid you.

Join whichever branch has the kind of ghosts you can live with for the 40 years after you get out.

My 2 cents.
 
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I was raised by a career marine. Dad enlisted at 16 in 1943 and retired in 1977 as a Sergeant Major, with service in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Yes, dad was and still is a nasty bastard, but he did his part and then some.

When I decided to go into the military I chose the Corps, but unfortunately at eighteen I was already married with two kids. At the time the Corps only allowed you two dependants upon enlistment so I couldn't get in. The Army recruiter didn't know he was talking to a military brat and clearly showed himself to be a lying sack of excrement, so that was out. The Air Force was, well, the Air Force. In the end I chose the Navy (At that point in my life the main goal was to put food on the table so I was going in regardless). It was a great experience for me and I don't regret it a bit. If I had gone into the Corps I'd probably still be there, but I didn't enjoy sitting in a small room on a small ship at the end of the world pushing buttons so I got out after one hitch. The demise of the Soviet Union and Mr. Clinton didn't help our career futures back then either.

As you've already been told, regardless of the branch you choose get everything in writing. In the end it won't matter because everything you'll sign will conclude with the phrase "This contract is subject to change at any time in order to meet the needs of the service", or something similar. That really means, "We've got your ass for the duration". It will make you feel better to get it in writing though.

I got out of the service and went into law enforcement, where I've been for the last twelve years. My son is currently serving in the Navy as a Master at Arms (MP). It's a good job, but don't think it will help you in enhancing your chances of a civilian law dog job, it won't. Civilian law enforcement is an entirely different animal from MP work and the vast majority of angencies don't recognize MP work as being applicable to anything. It might help you develop a good mindset for the job though so there are possible benifits.

As for not accepting a GED or Home Schooled subject there are very good reasons for this. A general school education shows them that you can at least work within some kind of structured program. You can follow through on a task to completion and have the ability to follow instruction. Home schooling demonstrates none of this. That's a blanket philosophy but that is the mindset you're dealing with.

Good luck
 
Homschooling can and usually is just as well if not better structured then some schools. Schools have gone down the drain a lot latley and have been lacking. It's a common stereotype to associate homeschooling with not being social or not having as good of an education. Having proof pf a structured program is a different story and much more difficult for homeschoolers to provide.

I myself quit school and im currently working on getting my diploma. After that im either going to join the Coast Guard, Navy or Air Force. The Army is not out of the question but the Marines are (due to the fact of being trained to be pure killing machines) . Either way regardless of what you join you should respect everyone in other branches of the forces. Poking fun is a different story.

When the **** hits the ceiling all the branches of the military come together as a family and destroy the enemy.

I myself more likely want to be a Damage Controll man in the Navy. Im also looking into Special Forces.

Good luck in the Army.
 
I myself quit school and im currently working on getting my diploma.
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By doing that the only thing you've shown is that you refuse to get with the program and that you're a quitter. My wife has been a professional teacher for over fifteen years and by and large home schooling is far from regulated. There are exceptions but that is far from the rule. For every study that supports it I can point you to three that disprove it's benifit.

I've lost count of the young people I've met who have dropped out of highschool. What are their reasons? The days of "I had to drop out to work on the family farm", or "I had to get a job to put food on the table" are gone for the most part. Usually it's, "school wasn't right for me", or "I didn't see the point".

Guess what sports fans, many times in life you won't see the point or the benifit. What you will have to do is get with the f'ing program whether you understand it or not. By dropping out of school you've shown a reluctance to do this. My oldest son is now in the Navy. The last time he was home on leave we had a similar discussion. He's a very intelligent young man and could have done just about anything. He went into the Navy to get money for college since his grades generally stank.

He made the comment " School didn't teach me anything, I just never saw the point." I replied "Okay, all of your friends were valadectorians, members of the honor society, etc. You could have been too but you didn't see the point. Consequently they're all in college and moving on with their lives because they got with the program, and you're standing out on the end of a pier in Greece at 0'dark thirty because you just didn't see the point. Who made the smarter choice here?" Strangely enough he didn't have much to say after that. Not that I disapproved of him enlisting, far from it, but he didn't do it out of any desire to serve.

due to the fact of being trained to be pure killing machines
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Don't presume to lecture on stereotypes when you throw out a moronic one like that.
 
I haven't read all the posts here in depth, but I think most of the better reasons to enlist have been covered. I'm surprised though, that nobody's mentioned the contract. Whatever they promise you, make sure you get it in writing!! Hard experience talking here, Jonathon :( . I enlisted in the Navy in 1969. I wanted to come out of it with some skill I could use in civilian life, so I signed a 6 year, active duty contract in exchange for two years of Navy training in advanced electronics. I also figured it would get me a cushy job as an ET, IC, sonar, or something like that. During my 6th week of boot camp, they announced that I was being sent to gunnery school. I raised so much hell that they threatened to throw me in the brig. They then showed me where the fine print of the multi-multi-page contract included the Gunner's Mate program, and said "you should've read the fine print." :mad: Fortunately, CNO Zumwalt declared it a breech of contract in 1972, and allowed me an early out (at 3 1/2 years). So I got out with some great, marketable skills... or would've if everyone had a 5" 54 Mk 42, Mod 7 & 8 naval gun in their back yard. Bottom line: Read before you sign!
 
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