Military members of RIU..
- Thread starter Padawanbater2
- Start date
ArcticGranite
Well-Known Member
I was 5 years active duty, 77-82, USN. 3 years on a carrier, 2 years on a frigate. I'd do it over again given the chance. Lot's of travel. Lifelong friends, we still re-unite and party every other year. Got a real solid foundation in electricity, it's been my life's career. I've always loved water, alot. Being at sea was an experience. Coast Guard always interested me too. Now that they're Homeland Security- not so much. Best wishes in your path.
deprave
New Member
Responses in Red above
Pad - I just bumped into this vid on the "tube" & thought you might like a heads up.
[video=youtube;6i8PX3fyF0k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i8PX3fyF0k&feature=related[/video]
[video=youtube;6i8PX3fyF0k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i8PX3fyF0k&feature=related[/video]
Padawanbater2
Well-Known Member
I scored 91 on the ASVAB today, officially, they handed me a nuclear engineering manual to read to see if I'm interested in it. The recruiter said Nuclear is one of two elite fields in the Navy, along with special forces like the SEAL teams. 6 year automatic contract instead of 4, a little over 2 years of school to learn how to do it, automatic promotion to E-4 after you complete the school, rapid advancement in the fleet, carrier or submarine based, and after 6 years, the re-enlistment bonus' can exceed $90-$100K as if you left the Navy, you could make that much in the civilian world, he said it's almost a guaranteed 6 figure job after retirement from the Navy.
This shit is sounding pretty damn tempting!
This shit is sounding pretty damn tempting!
You seem to be rockin it dude - If I might I would caution you to do some research, recruiters have been know to "Shade the truth" just a bit.
Hell of a Re-up bonus, as I recall I got over 12k for 4 more in 81.
And you only can make E4 after graduation?
Can you take course material in the interim (I know you're already in school) but it seems like a long wait.
Hell of a Re-up bonus, as I recall I got over 12k for 4 more in 81.
And you only can make E4 after graduation?
Can you take course material in the interim (I know you're already in school) but it seems like a long wait.
I scored 91 on the ASVAB today, officially, they handed me a nuclear engineering manual to read to see if I'm interested in it. The recruiter said Nuclear is one of two elite fields in the Navy, along with special forces like the SEAL teams. 6 year automatic contract instead of 4, a little over 2 years of school to learn how to do it, automatic promotion to E-4 after you complete the school, rapid advancement in the fleet, carrier or submarine based, and after 6 years, the re-enlistment bonus' can exceed $90-$100K as if you left the Navy, you could make that much in the civilian world, he said it's almost a guaranteed 6 figure job after retirement from the Navy.
This shit is sounding pretty damn tempting!
Nuke school is HARD. Everyone I know who tried washed out, but I only know four. One became a bubble head, two became wing nuts and the other one did drugs and got discharged.
Personally, I was in the Marine Corps, my boot camp was 20 weeks long. Our drill instructors were evil mutherfuckers. That Coast Guard video reminded me of our more relaxed DI's.
Padawanbater2
Well-Known Member
Yeah absolutely, research is a must. I've been doing a ton of my own research. The way he explained the bonus made sense, you can make that much doing the same thing in the civilian sector and not have to deal with the restrictions of military life, and you're already a big asset that the government has put a lot of money into so they want to retain as many engineers as they can.
Advancement to E-4 right after graduation
I'm not sure what you mean by 'take coursework in the interim', while you're going through A school, can you take classes towards your degree? Is that what you mean?
Padawanbater2
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I hear it's pretty tough to complete, but right now I'm in a position where I really have nothing to lose, I decided to get it in my mind 'failure is not an option', and I'm willing to give everything I have to make it through, dedication to the extreme! Over 2 years of straight up school before you even get to the job. I know nothing I've ever done will be as hard as that.
The days of smoking pot are over though, so choose wisely. Money isn't everything, lots of things you can't buy.
Padawanbater2
Well-Known Member
For now, sure, but once the enlistment is over I'll reconnect with MaryJane and hopefully have a little financial independence to enjoy it
Lots of things I can't buy without money, too! lol
lifegoesonbrah
Well-Known Member
- What branch did you serve in?
Air Force
When did you serve?
2005-2009
Do you feel it was worth it?
yes
What did you learn while in the military?
a lot
Where do you think you would be today if you never joined?
As broke as I am now, but with no hope for the future.
How are the benefits after having served, as well as during?
The pay is alright, I netted about 30k a year before I got out (including housing stipend). The post 9/11 GI bill awesome. They pay all of your tuition plus you get a housing stipend ($1000 a month here) and they pay for books.
Would you do it again?
Yes
-The best advice I can give is be very particular when you pick your military occupation. Find something that will be useful in the civilian world and that pays well. Do not go in open, (meaning they will pick whats available if you're preferred occupations are filled), because you will not get the jobs you requested. Your ASVAB is good so you should be able to pick a wide variety of fields. I can't believe some people fail that test, lol.
-Don't let the recruiters talk you into enlisting for 6 years because you may not like it.
-Start taking college courses as soon as you can. Go to an online accredited University so you don't have to transfer credits between schools every time you move bases (you will lose credits). I went to American Military University and 90% of the credits transferred to University of Michigan after I got out. Classes don't count against GI bill and are free while you are in. If you have kids you can let them use your post 9/11 GI BILL if you go to school while you are in.
-Basic training sucked overall. We spent way too much time folding our clothes perfectly. You have to use a ruler to make sure they are folded correctly and shit, its stupid. I no longer fold my clothes. Basic also has a lot of "classes" designed for complete morons, very boring and hard to stay awake listening to that shit when you're exhausted. Physical Training was one of the fun parts, don't be the fat kid. I highly recommend you start training now. Make sure you can do 50 pushups and situps in a minute (unless its changed) and be able to run a mile and a half in at least 11 or 12 mins (depending on your age). Marching was fun, there is a competition at the end of basic against the other flights. We did a giant obstacle course, climbing on ropes over water and stuff, that was probably my favorite part. Just remember that it gets better as it goes but the first week of basic is chaos and hell. Don't over-volunteer here.
I enjoyed the Air force after basic. I was in the civil engineering squadron, highlights being Korea where I worked on fire suppression systems for the buildings and hangars. We had exercises every couple of months where we would sleep in bunkers and defend the base. Our rifles were filled with blanks and we would protect the base from invaders (other airman in black clothes). There was refs that said who died, lol. Not too much action though, spent most the time on guard duty in the freezing cold waiting for something to happen during these exercises.
Another highlight after Korea was joining the honor guard. i traveled around the Midwest performing honors at military funerals. I got to participate in the firing squad and fold the flag for the next of kin. I presented flags to the next of kins and thanked them for their service. This was an eye opening experience and I would highly recommend it.
abandonconflict
Well-Known Member
Army
2001-2004 and 2005-2008 (involuntary reactivation)
absolutely not worth it for me, I regret having become an infantryman but I did choose it. I could have done any other job with 99 asvab score (132 GT score). 4 of my close friends that I served with are dead, all four of them committed suicide. Infantry is NOT for everyone.
If I had never joined, I would have found a way to go to college anyway.
The best benefits are social. Chicks will want your penis, every business and merchant in America will give you 10% off discount, people will call you a hero even if you don't feel like one. The food is actually pretty good. The military life in general is very good for your health.
If I did, I would not go infantry. I was mentally and psychologically tougher than the average kid and I still don't think I was cut out for it.
desert dude
Well-Known Member
With a 99 ASVAB, why did you choose infantry? Just curious.
doublejj
Well-Known Member
There's a hellish place in Vietnam. So vile that even the Vietnamese didn't go there. The 'Rung Sat', they had another name for it: "Forrest of Assassins".
We would complete 3 day ambush patrols in the Rung Sat Special Zone & never get out of the water.
Link:http://www.9thinfantrydivision.com/html/rungsat.htm
Just one of the wonderful places that the US ARMY thought to send the very best!
Saving a mans life is an experience that will forever change you............Watching someone loose his life, will also.
We would complete 3 day ambush patrols in the Rung Sat Special Zone & never get out of the water.
Link:http://www.9thinfantrydivision.com/html/rungsat.htm
Just one of the wonderful places that the US ARMY thought to send the very best!
Saving a mans life is an experience that will forever change you............Watching someone loose his life, will also.
abandonconflict
Well-Known Member
I thought I was tough.
Moses Mobetta
Well-Known Member
Only thing I miss is flying and the brotherhood . Never seen anything like it since except among certain circles of vets .
abandonconflict
Well-Known Member
Flying 'map of the earth' in a CH47 around southern A-stan was very exhilarating.
