Military

[KarlXII]

I have noticed we have Org members who are or were in there countries services. A simple teenager myself, I was thinking of joining the US Army. Now, I've been looking at different branches of the army, talk to recruiters/vets etc.

Now, I've collected enough information to generalize the different jobs.

Infantryman-Grunt, frontline man, takes a lot of crap until they reach NCO status.

Tanker-Confined sweaty hot areas for most of the time

Artilleryman-The least I know about, but I'm thinking you need ears of steel, strong arms.

Now, these three categories are my choices if I ever decide to join.

Can anyone tell me the ups and downs of each category?

[Kekvit Irae]

Combat Arms is all fine and dandy if you have no prospect for the future (IE: you want to stay in the Army for the entire 20 years).

Out of all of them, Artillery is the best. Especially Air Defense Artillery, since insurgents don't use jets.
Personally, I would use your MOS simply as a stepping stone toward WOCS or OCS, and then you'll be making a better paycheck and living. I wanted to go into WOCS and be a helicopter pilot, but sadly my asthma prevented me from getting past basic training.

[Mete Han]

I have noticed we have Org members who are or were in there countries services. A simple teenager myself, I was thinking of joining the US Army. Now, I've been looking at different branches of the army, talk to recruiters/vets etc.

Now, I've collected enough information to generalize the different jobs.

Infantryman-Grunt, frontline man, takes a lot of crap until they reach NCO status.

Tanker-Confined sweaty hot areas for most of the time

Artilleryman-The least I know about, but I'm thinking you need ears of steel, strong arms.

Now, these three categories are my choices if I ever decide to join.

Can anyone tell me the ups and downs of each category?

I served in the TSK at Cyprus for six months last year and for all Turkish men it is obligatory because of the conscription law. I was a communication operator between artilleries. Man, don't sign up. Most of your time will be spent in guard shifts and your spirit will be crushed because of the chain of command.

We Turks are proud of out military for we never actually did any other thing good in the history but even Turks get depresed when serving. It is terrbile when you have to bow down all the time, take orders and all that *****. Yeah, military training is very fun you know, the combat formations and learning to shoot and to fight and living in a tent. But after that boredom takes its toll on you and you feel so alone.

A man must be free in this world. If you have another chance, alternative, don't sign up. They'll make you clean ***** even if you are tanker, inf or whatever because that is the way it works in the army. An army is all about discipline and chain of command, if you sign up be ready to give up your soul.


(Language - Beirut)

[Raz]

.... Especially Air Defense Artillery, since insurgents don't use jets.

[naut]

^^ Funny snip.

[Kekvit Irae]

It wasn't meant to be funny. The majority of troops that are getting killed by IEDs are Infantry. Being ADA or Man-Portable ADA (Stinger launchers) limits the chance of being in direct harm. Also, if (and that's a big if) we ever go to war with a militarily-developed nation such as Iran or North Korea, it will help to have the training and equipment needed to bring down planes.
Armor Crewman is also a viable MOS. More than likely you'll be stationed in beautiful Germany.

[naut]

Um, you still don't get why it was funny, insurgents did use jets once, think numbers, two numbers.

[spmetla]

Erasing the past...

[Banquo's Ghost]

I know Redleg was that enemy of infantry (artillery).

Tut.

Gunners are cool. Who else gets to drink tea in nice warm self-propelled guns many miles behind the front line - and still gets medals handed out?

[Vladimir]

Combat Arms is all fine and dandy if you have no prospect for the future (IE: you want to stay in the Army for the entire 20 years).

Out of all of them, Artillery is the best. Especially Air Defense Artillery, since insurgents don't use jets.
Personally, I would use your MOS simply as a stepping stone toward WOCS or OCS, and then you'll be making a better paycheck and living. I wanted to go into WOCS and be a helicopter pilot, but sadly my asthma prevented me from getting past basic training.

I'll have to disagree.

It all depends on what you want. If you're young and in good shape, go infantry. Show that you're motivated and they'll let you go to whatever school you want. Try Ranger school, then put in an SF packet. You can always change jobs in the Army but you won't get any younger or be able to get all the good schools.

If, like the above, you're focused on this war and not the next remember that *because* insurgents don't use jets, you'll be patrolling on foot or, doing "grunt" work. If you're infantry, or armor, you'll be doing the same job with better training or better equipment.

Combat arms is a great place to start. Later on switch to something that requires a security clearance and try to learn a language or two. They'll pay for all of that if you're willing to take a risk and deal with the BS. Play smart, stay out of trouble, and you'll be making >$100,000 when you get out, if you choose to.

Remember that 20 years is nothing. You can retire at 38, receive all the benefits, and get a great job afterward. Just don't go into it thinking that because you're a veteran you deserve a better job. You still have to work for it.

Generally speaking, an honorable discharge is the key to the good life. It all depends on you.


Edited to sound less like an ass.

[Abokasee]

Um, you still don't get why it was funny, insurgents did use jets once, think numbers, two numbers.

A better selection of words would be 3 digits and "/" and even then they killed them selves and they where commerical air liners... its not like there going to drop out of that with parachutes and make a desperate attempt to take over NY

[Kekvit Irae]

Remember that 20 years is nothing. You can retire at 38, receive all the benefits, and get a great job afterward. Just don't go into it thinking that because you're a veteran you deserve a better job. You still have to work for it.

1. 20 years in the military military
2. Retire at 38
3. Get a job at a post office or other government position
4. Retire at 58
5. Receive two pension checks
6. ???
7. PROFIT!

[Vladimir]

1. 20 years in the military military
2. Retire at 38
3. Get a job at a post office or other government position
4. Retire at 58
5. Receive two pension checks
6. ???
7. PROFIT!

Hmm, I think Lockheed Martin would be a better bet for step three. However, I suppose two paychecks for life isn't bad either. Oh, when you get the job at the post office, join the national guard, you can retire at 60. That's three!

[TinCow]

Whatever you do, take advantage of the educational opportunities that the military can offer, especially technical and operational. Even if you don't become a lifer, if you come out of your four years with high marks, good commendations from your superiors, and useful knowledge, you've got a future in the defense contracting industry. With that background and a security clearance, you'll set yourself up for a very decent career paycheck that is pretty much immune from economic downturn.