today at school we had some people come in and telling us all the benefits of the army and it interested me. they also talked about how being bilingal gets you better pay and higher positions. Im fluent in english and russian. So Im wondering hwo would if I joined the army right out of HS? Im guessing that I would have to live at some army base... but what about starting a family? kids? etc... Especially if I decide to stay in the army instead of going to a regular civilian job.
How is life in the Army?
- Thread starter DarkManX
- Start date
<< So Im wondering hwo would if I joined the army right out of HS? Im guessing that I would have to live at some army base... but what about starting a family? kids? etc... >>
Sorry... I'm going to have to STRONGLY recommend against this. Unless you enter the army as an officer (i.e. as you would straight out of West Point), life as a "grunt" is pure hell. Don't even THINK about starting a family right away... you won't have any time or energy for one, for at least a few years.
If you're fluent in Russian, you would probably make a better living working as a translator for the government.
You will have to go through basic training just like any other soldier to be, and it's not easy, at least when I went through it. Then you go on to ATI, Advanced Individual Training, that's where you prepare for your selected MOS, your military job, being a linquist, you'll probably go to Ft. Devens, in Mass. for a few months, and then it's off to your first permanent duty assignment. You could be sitting in Alaska freezing your arse off listening/decoding Russian communications messages, those recruiters can be tricky.
You will have to go through basic training just like any other soldier to be, and it's not easy, at least when I went through it. Then you go on to ATI, Advanced Individual Training, that's where you prepare for your selected MOS, your military job, being a linquist, you'll probably go to Ft. Devens, in Mass. for a few months, and then it's off to your first permanent duty assignment. You could be sitting in Alaska freezing your arse off listening/decoding Russian communications messages, those recruiters can be tricky.
If the army really interests you then go to college, do ROTC and then join the army. You're go into it as a higher rank and won't have to be the "grunt".
- Oct 28, 1999
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I would certainly look into the Navy and Air Force before ever signing anything for the Army.
The Air Force, and especially the Navy have easier physical requirements and tend to offer more "advanced" positions.
Just what I've learned from family and friends.
The Air Force, and especially the Navy have easier physical requirements and tend to offer more "advanced" positions.
Just what I've learned from family and friends.
I have to disagree with these people. I loved life in the Army. Granted it is not for everyone and it can be hard on a marriage if you have one. But there are very few civilian jobs that can be as interesting as the Army. I went in as an E-1 and loved it from day 1. Even basic training gave a feeling of comraderie that is hard to obtain anywhere else. As with any work it will not all be exciting, but it gave me alot more excitement than a civilian job can. Just my two cents. As for marriage, it is really going to depend on what field you want to go in to. I mean some fields of work in the Army are alot like a normal civilian job with alot more time off, other fields are not family oriented for obvious reasons. The 6 years I was in the Army I was at home with my wife for a total of 8 months out of it. This is probably not good for keeping a marriage together, but at the same time, if she cant handle it then she wasnt a good wife anyway.
The Army is the military. They fight wars. This involves dangerous objects that go "bang", and kill people.
Russ, NCNE
Russ, NCNE
when your actially stationed at a base how are the living conditions? u you share a room? have your own? allowed to live away from base?
Dark: the rooms are far better in most places than people make them out to be, most of the single soldiers rooms I have seen are nicer than dorm rooms, and usually 2 people to a room. If you are married you will get extra money to help you pay for off-post housing, or they have duplex's or houses on post that are just for soldiers with dependants. These of course are not shared with anyone 
Damn, it sounds like a picnic. Where do I sign up?
When I was in (granted, this was 2.5 million years ago), it was at least six to a room until you became an NCO. So, I worked my ass off and became an E5 in less then 18 months just so I could get my own room and get away from the rest of the goobers.
Russ, NCNENCO
When I was in (granted, this was 2.5 million years ago), it was at least six to a room until you became an NCO. So, I worked my ass off and became an E5 in less then 18 months just so I could get my own room and get away from the rest of the goobers.
Russ, NCNENCO
Russ: hehe those days are long gone, they had this "Quality of Life" initiative.....want another stunner? On most installations in the US NCO's and Officers cant inspect lower enlisted's rooms anymore. They can live however they want now.
If you are fluent in Russian, then I have a recommendation for you if you want to serve the government:
Go to college, and then call this number:
1-800-CIA-JOBS (I think it is still active)
Or you could try the NSA, though the required monthly full body cavity search for microphones could get monotonous.
If you speak Russian, they have a job for you...
any people here that are curently enlisted?
Kosugi Im more interesting in the army because it sounds pretty exciting.
Kosugi Im more interesting in the army because it sounds pretty exciting.
<< Im more interesting in the army because it sounds pretty exciting >>
Compared to the CIA? You're kidding, right?
Russ, NCNE
Azraele
Elite Member
- Nov 5, 2000
- 16,524
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Army life is hard. There was a thread a while back about several deaths during bootcamp. If you're interested in joining, talk one on one with a recruiter and ask questions. See if/how college could fit into it and if you're still not sure, talk to someone (not a recruiter who's job it is to persuade you) who has been through bootcamp and is in the army and who can tell you about the possibility of having a family/living conditions/etc.
DarkManX,
Look into joining the Army Reserve. As a Army Reserve Linguist, you'll go through about 12 weeks of Army training and then about 6-9 months of linguist training in the language of your choice. After that take the bonus money and the GI Bill and go to college. Most colleges will give you up to 40 semester credits for your military training as a linguist. (Not to mention the big bonuses they give to linguists.) The two weeks a year the linguists had to do was very light and easy duty. Many have unlimited opportunities to go oversees to practice their skills. A couple did go on to the CIA and embassy work after finishing college.
Look into joining the Army Reserve. As a Army Reserve Linguist, you'll go through about 12 weeks of Army training and then about 6-9 months of linguist training in the language of your choice. After that take the bonus money and the GI Bill and go to college. Most colleges will give you up to 40 semester credits for your military training as a linguist. (Not to mention the big bonuses they give to linguists.) The two weeks a year the linguists had to do was very light and easy duty. Many have unlimited opportunities to go oversees to practice their skills. A couple did go on to the CIA and embassy work after finishing college.
my friend was applying for a job in the CIA.
it was crazy, the CIA people interviewed his family, his current friends (me including), his former employers, etc etc...
it was crazy, the CIA people interviewed his family, his current friends (me including), his former employers, etc etc...
warcleric: I finished up active duty (Title 10 at least) in 1985, and at that time on-post housing was available only for E-4 and above, leaving the people who needed the most help to try and make it off of their basic pay and BAQ/SepRats. Has that changed? In fact, as I recall, when I finished my last bit of active duty (Title 32, section G...I think(Active Guard/Reserve)) in 1989 this was still true.
though the required monthly full body cavity search for microphones could get monotonous. :Q
PH
Edited because I used the wrong smiley.
PH
Edited because I used the wrong smiley.
any people here that are curently enlisted?
What ever you want to know, PM me.
Normally here in the US, there are two in a room. In Germany on most installations it's two and three to a room. Years ago when I first went to Germany, it was 6 to a room like Russ said. Korea may still have the large open bays in some camps.
Things began to change in 1992. The Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers or BOSS program came into effect. With this, one can bring visitors to their rooms (yes, females visiting an all male unit).
If you are married going in as an enlisted man, it's financially difficult. There normally isn't enough housing on post, so you must live off post. And they don't pay you enough to live off post when you are in paygrades E1-E3. After E4, it's a bit easier. I have known E1s with working wives and no children who did relatively well financially.
It depends on the job or MOS you are in whether or not you can go to school on active duty. Combat arms: Not with any regularity, although there are exceptions. Took me four years to earn an Associates degree. If you are in something like personnel, administration, or something technical; then school is a possibility outside of the field/deployment.
For me, the biggest enjoyment was working with younger men when I was a Senior NCO. Helping them develop job related and cohesive skills.
Don't listen to everybody about being an officer. One must learn to follow before they can lead. Yes, it's great if it's not in a combat arms field (Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Combat Engineer, Air Defense Artillery). Personnel, finance, or something specialized is easy compared to combat arms. Most infantry officers I saw worked harder than the enlisted. Infantry company commanders work some insane hours. The good ones anyway. The best officers, in my opinion, were formerly enlisted. Again, the good ones.
One option is the reserves. Another is a 2 year, 17 week active duty obligation. With a college fund. But you'll most likely go combat arms with a 2 year enlistment. It's a good way to go to college. Be hardcore for a little while. The technical fields require longer enlistments. 4-6 years.
Out of 20 years, I was overseas for for a total of 12. Enjoyed Europe so much, I made a career out of the Army. Korea wasn't too bad, but I really didn't enjoy it. Then of course the deployments to the Sinai, Gulf, etc.
The Army isn't a bed of roses. It's tough, demanding and strict. Not for everyone. When you have finished your time, you know you've accomplished something to be proud of. By the same token, it's a lot of fun. If you go Infantry or Armor, it's a real trip shooting all those weapons. M16A2, SAW, M60, M2 .50 Cal, M203, mortars, 25mm (on a Bradley), 120mm on a tank.
After it's all said and done, I'm happy I joined and served so long. I miss the 30 days of leave every year. Now, I have a one week vacation from my current employer. Just started a new job. I don't miss being away from my family for so long.
There's good and bad to go along with it.
What ever you want to know, PM me.
Normally here in the US, there are two in a room. In Germany on most installations it's two and three to a room. Years ago when I first went to Germany, it was 6 to a room like Russ said. Korea may still have the large open bays in some camps.
Things began to change in 1992. The Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers or BOSS program came into effect. With this, one can bring visitors to their rooms (yes, females visiting an all male unit).
If you are married going in as an enlisted man, it's financially difficult. There normally isn't enough housing on post, so you must live off post. And they don't pay you enough to live off post when you are in paygrades E1-E3. After E4, it's a bit easier. I have known E1s with working wives and no children who did relatively well financially.
It depends on the job or MOS you are in whether or not you can go to school on active duty. Combat arms: Not with any regularity, although there are exceptions. Took me four years to earn an Associates degree. If you are in something like personnel, administration, or something technical; then school is a possibility outside of the field/deployment.
For me, the biggest enjoyment was working with younger men when I was a Senior NCO. Helping them develop job related and cohesive skills.
Don't listen to everybody about being an officer. One must learn to follow before they can lead. Yes, it's great if it's not in a combat arms field (Infantry, Armor, Artillery, Combat Engineer, Air Defense Artillery). Personnel, finance, or something specialized is easy compared to combat arms. Most infantry officers I saw worked harder than the enlisted. Infantry company commanders work some insane hours. The good ones anyway. The best officers, in my opinion, were formerly enlisted. Again, the good ones.
One option is the reserves. Another is a 2 year, 17 week active duty obligation. With a college fund. But you'll most likely go combat arms with a 2 year enlistment. It's a good way to go to college. Be hardcore for a little while. The technical fields require longer enlistments. 4-6 years.
Out of 20 years, I was overseas for for a total of 12. Enjoyed Europe so much, I made a career out of the Army. Korea wasn't too bad, but I really didn't enjoy it. Then of course the deployments to the Sinai, Gulf, etc.
The Army isn't a bed of roses. It's tough, demanding and strict. Not for everyone. When you have finished your time, you know you've accomplished something to be proud of. By the same token, it's a lot of fun. If you go Infantry or Armor, it's a real trip shooting all those weapons. M16A2, SAW, M60, M2 .50 Cal, M203, mortars, 25mm (on a Bradley), 120mm on a tank.
After it's all said and done, I'm happy I joined and served so long. I miss the 30 days of leave every year. Now, I have a one week vacation from my current employer.
Just started a new job. I don't miss being away from my family for so long.There's good and bad to go along with it.
What's the difference between a Private (E-2) and a 2nd Lt (0-1)?
The private has been promoted.
Reg. Army 91-95
The private has been promoted.
Reg. Army 91-95
Aj_UF
>What's the difference between a Private (E-2) and a 2nd Lt (0-1)?
About $1000.00 more pay per month for the 2nd Lt.
A private makes less than working full time in a fast food joint in
Lake Forest, IL. But the benefits make up for it.
>What's the difference between a Private (E-2) and a 2nd Lt (0-1)?
About $1000.00 more pay per month for the 2nd Lt.
A private makes less than working full time in a fast food joint in
Lake Forest, IL. But the benefits make up for it.
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