Major Robert Dump
03-30-2007, 01:20
In September I made the sober, conscious decision to re-enlist in the armed forces despite being 32 and colorblind. Not much has changed since then, aside from being in a relationship with an incredible woman who, incidentally, is one of the few people who support my decision.
Initially I wanted the Marines because they are, well, the best. After having my age waiver declined twice despite having passing PT scores, my routine annual eye exam revealed I had minor stigmatism in my left eye, at which point my recruiter informed me that I didn't have a chance in hell at a third waiver attempt, he patted me on the back, and told me to try the Army. So I did.
Unfortunately as a handicapped person (dudes, i mean i'm really colorblind, only got 2 correct on the page color test, and scored 3/27 on the falant) my options are severely limited job wise despite having a recent ASVAB score of 93. The only options that would realistically get me in the field were radio operator (been there done that) and medic. And neither one of those happened to be in demand for the Army. In fact, there was a waiting list for medics because the Army is running 150% in that field if you include trainees. And while 68W apparently has an AT fail/doubletap/reassignment rate of sometimes in the 30 percentiles, I didn't want to roll the dice and end up a chaplains assistant, or administrative, or a laundry and linen specialist (could you imagine 6 years of that???). The Army recruiter I was dealing with was very honest and forthcoming, unlike the first one I spoke to, and he was really pushing for me to go paralegal or administrative. If I didn't get a positive result from the waiting list for my top tier choices, I would just be given something. Well, sorry, I'm too old for that and I did it once already.
So I went to the Oklahoma National Guard in November. Why? Because reserves pretty much guarantee your MOS choice since they recruit on a per need basis. In fact, everything that I signed regarding my MOS and ship date was signed in the recruiters office, prior to MEPS, as opposed to the Army where you deal with all of that under pressure with the MEPS liason after processing.
The way I see it, I'll get my training done, then do a lateral transfer to regular Army. I won't lose any auxillary benefits because I'm not getting any from the guard worth mentioning, aside froma waterd down version of the GI BILL I don't even plan on using.
Unfortunately, after my successful health screening today, I had 2 choices of ship dates: September 19 and April 10. No way in hell I could make April 10. I have financial obligations, family obligations, could stand to be in slightly better shape, got a girlfriend I'm about to set up house with, and most importantly, this process hasn't exactly been expedient so pardon the hell out of me for not being ready to jump in feet first after waiting for my Guard waiver for 3 1/2 months, then finding out when the waiver was approved I had only 5 business days to get to MEPS. I'm not some little terd who lives with mommy.
The good news is I will drill with an RSP unit for the next 6 months to acclemate me back into military life and get me ready for bootcamp. Yes, I requested bootcamp. After being out of the service for 10 years, they were happy to oblige. I am, however, being bumped down to E-3 until successful completion of AIT. At this point the worst that could happen is that they run a shortage of 31Cs (or whatever that mos changed to) and decide to shove me back in that specialty. Highly unlikely, and still better than taking the general open option with the army
Fort Leonardwood then Sam Houston, and the best news is that my girl is gonna follow me to AIT.
Whoopeeeee, a 32 yr old repo-man-turned PFC:help: :help: :help:
Initially I wanted the Marines because they are, well, the best. After having my age waiver declined twice despite having passing PT scores, my routine annual eye exam revealed I had minor stigmatism in my left eye, at which point my recruiter informed me that I didn't have a chance in hell at a third waiver attempt, he patted me on the back, and told me to try the Army. So I did.
Unfortunately as a handicapped person (dudes, i mean i'm really colorblind, only got 2 correct on the page color test, and scored 3/27 on the falant) my options are severely limited job wise despite having a recent ASVAB score of 93. The only options that would realistically get me in the field were radio operator (been there done that) and medic. And neither one of those happened to be in demand for the Army. In fact, there was a waiting list for medics because the Army is running 150% in that field if you include trainees. And while 68W apparently has an AT fail/doubletap/reassignment rate of sometimes in the 30 percentiles, I didn't want to roll the dice and end up a chaplains assistant, or administrative, or a laundry and linen specialist (could you imagine 6 years of that???). The Army recruiter I was dealing with was very honest and forthcoming, unlike the first one I spoke to, and he was really pushing for me to go paralegal or administrative. If I didn't get a positive result from the waiting list for my top tier choices, I would just be given something. Well, sorry, I'm too old for that and I did it once already.
So I went to the Oklahoma National Guard in November. Why? Because reserves pretty much guarantee your MOS choice since they recruit on a per need basis. In fact, everything that I signed regarding my MOS and ship date was signed in the recruiters office, prior to MEPS, as opposed to the Army where you deal with all of that under pressure with the MEPS liason after processing.
The way I see it, I'll get my training done, then do a lateral transfer to regular Army. I won't lose any auxillary benefits because I'm not getting any from the guard worth mentioning, aside froma waterd down version of the GI BILL I don't even plan on using.
Unfortunately, after my successful health screening today, I had 2 choices of ship dates: September 19 and April 10. No way in hell I could make April 10. I have financial obligations, family obligations, could stand to be in slightly better shape, got a girlfriend I'm about to set up house with, and most importantly, this process hasn't exactly been expedient so pardon the hell out of me for not being ready to jump in feet first after waiting for my Guard waiver for 3 1/2 months, then finding out when the waiver was approved I had only 5 business days to get to MEPS. I'm not some little terd who lives with mommy.
The good news is I will drill with an RSP unit for the next 6 months to acclemate me back into military life and get me ready for bootcamp. Yes, I requested bootcamp. After being out of the service for 10 years, they were happy to oblige. I am, however, being bumped down to E-3 until successful completion of AIT. At this point the worst that could happen is that they run a shortage of 31Cs (or whatever that mos changed to) and decide to shove me back in that specialty. Highly unlikely, and still better than taking the general open option with the army
Fort Leonardwood then Sam Houston, and the best news is that my girl is gonna follow me to AIT.
Whoopeeeee, a 32 yr old repo-man-turned PFC:help: :help: :help: