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Military Questions

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OogyWaWa

Senior member
Sparked my interest from the other thread... so here are some basic questions I had:

Is it at all possible to get guaranteed a location in any branch?

Do your qualifications have a large impact on where you go?
For example, I'm pretty much fluent in Japanese and have an IT background and graduating in MIS this dec. Could I expect to be placed somewhere in japan doing an IT job?

A lot of branches advertise loan repayment, but for enlisted people. Is there anything like this for officers? I don't understand how this works. If you have a degree, you can be an officers. Why would an enlisted person (IE no degree) need loan repayment? Are you supposed to enlist (IE shit pay) then go officer?

If I want to be involved with the training of other nationals (IE japnese defence force) how do i do that?

anyone else got military questions?
 
Creditials don't mean jack for the most part. You'll have 0 choice in where you go. You could expect to be doing not much of anything in the middle of Alabama most likely. Not everyone with student loans have BS degrees, and some who do like me don't want to be managers (what officers basicly are) and don't give a crap about pay. The chances of you training foreign nationals is near 0 no matter how well suited you might be to it; they don't always send the best suited people for the job. Do you want to gamble 4 years on a .5% chance of doing some extremely specific thing that you want to do?

Disclaimer: I actually like my job even if my tone is misleading here.
 
1) for the people who've had experience in both the military and civilian world, what do you consider the biggest differences (ie. higher importance in rank and following orders in military)?

2) what is some advice or websites/books you'd give to someone headed to Army basic training?

I know someone who enlisted, hence the questions...
 
ModerateRepZero said:
1) for the people who've had experience in both the military and civilian world, what do you consider the biggest differences (ie. higher importance in rank and following orders in military)?

2) what is some advice or websites/books you'd give to someone headed to Army basic training?

I know someone who enlisted, hence the questions...
Click to expand...

armybasic.org
 
When I enlisted, I had a written guarantee of my first duty station and MOS.
I told the recruiting sergeant that I wouldn't sign the papers unless he could guarantee that I'd go to Vietnam as a rifleman in a Marine rifle company...
He laughed and said that was the easiest guarantee he'd ever been asked to provide.
 
ModerateRepZero said:
1) for the people who've had experience in both the military and civilian world, what do you consider the biggest differences (ie. higher importance in rank and following orders in military)?

2) what is some advice or websites/books you'd give to someone headed to Army basic training?

I know someone who enlisted, hence the questions...
Click to expand...

Pretty simple no matter what branch when it comes to boot camp. They will show you how they want you to make your bed, fold your clothes, and store them. Keep your mouth shut and pay attention when they show you these things and replicate them and you will have no problems. Spout off about your rights, question why they want you to do seemingly nonsensical things and you will have a tough time. See the first 30 minutes of Full Metal Jacket for examples of how and how not to approach boot camp.
 
Definitely try to contract as an officer versus enlisted if you have a degree. They will try to bring you in as an E-4 a lot of times because you have a degree, don't do it.

Second, when you are joining, you are agreeing to a contract and that contract is usually negotiable. Understand though that right now the US Army is looking to downsize.

Also, not a lot of jobs in Japan outside of the Marine Corps or the Navy. You might be able to get into an Air Force job in Japan too, you just have to be up front and forceful about what you want. If they need you in that specialty and location, you will usually get what you want.
 
Funny you bring up this topic. I've been thinking a lot about my own life and whether the military makes sense.


I'm 26, BA/MA, been working since I graduated as an assistant project manager. No problems.

I'd really be interested in discussing it with someone who has been there (officer or enlisted). Unfortunately due to the trolls and because I don't want to spill my life on the internet, I'd prefer over PM.

I'm really looking for a sounding board or just some advice. I've had very mixed feelings lately.

PM is probably best because (a) I don't want to spill my life online and (b) I'm sure the thread will get trolled to death.

If more people are interested, maybe we can start a more private conversation somewhere.
 
BoomerD said:
When I enlisted, I had a written guarantee of my first duty station and MOS.
I told the recruiting sergeant that I wouldn't sign the papers unless he could guarantee that I'd go to Vietnam as a rifleman in a Marine rifle company...
He laughed and said that was the easiest guarantee he'd ever been asked to provide.
Click to expand...

You asked for that? 😱
 
jtusa said:
This. If you're an independent, mature person that doesn't like being treated like a child, then don't join.
Click to expand...
On the other hand, if you like the freedoms this country provides and are not a mama's boy pussy, serving in the military is a perfect way to do your part to ensure our way of life continues.
 
oldsmoboat said:
On the other hand, if you like the freedoms this country provides and are not a mama's boy pussy, serving in the military is a perfect way to do your part to ensure our way of life continues.
Click to expand...

Military has never enforced my ability to live my life the way I want the entire time I have lived my life. That is propaganda.
 
Malak said:
Military has never enforced my ability to live my life the way I want the entire time I have lived my life. That is propaganda.
Click to expand...

Funny. Its been the uniformed services that ensure you actually have the freedom to life your life the way you want. Ironic how this works. Brave men and women bleed for you to insult us.
 
Bateluer said:
Funny. Its been the uniformed services that ensure you actually have the freedom to life your life the way you want. Ironic how this works. Brave men and women bleed for you to insult us.
Click to expand...

My freedom existed without the aid of the military and still does despite them. Your guilt trip means nothing to me, their blood is from their choices, not mine.
 
As someone that was in the Army and used the money I recieved after my 3yr enlistment to pay for 4yrs of University all I can say is I could not imagine being a college educated enlisted soldier.
 
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