Thinking about joining the military

[jteef]

So I graduated college in may of 2001 with a degree in electrical engineering from georgia tech. I haven't been able to find a suitable job in either of the two area's I focused in, RF engineering or Audio engineering. Out of the blue an army recruiter called me today and said I asked to be contacted by them from their website. I am pretty sure I didn't sign up for anything like that, but it was the guy's lucky day since recently I've been considering the military as an option. So I agreed to drive down to Fort Leonardwood on Thursday to take the ASVAB and get more information about working in the military. What is that test like? Similar to an SAT or ACT type thing or completely different?

i'm looking for any other comments, suggestions, questions I should ask the folks down there, etc.

jt

 

[Pixelated]

The ASVAB is easier than the SAT from what I remeber (that was almost 10 years ago). If you graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, then I'm sure you'll do pretty well. Make sure you start thinking about what you would want to do while you're in, whether it be something in the electical engineering field or not.

But don't take the easy way out and go army. Join the Marines!

Semper Fidelis

 

[Eli]

My girlfriend was going to join the Navy. She was in NJROTC at her highschool. She's moving down here (This sunday, actually.. 😀), and they don't have ROTC programs in the Portland Public school system.. so those plans are on hold.. lol

 

[Scipionix]

Originally posted by: jteef
So I graduated college in may of 2001 with a degree in electrical engineering from georgia tech. I haven't been able to find a suitable job in either of the two area's I focused in, RF engineering or Audio engineering. Out of the blue an army recruiter called me today and said I asked to be contacted by them from their website. I am pretty sure I didn't sign up for anything like that, but it was the guy's lucky day since recently I've been considering the military as an option. So I agreed to drive down to Fort Leonardwood on Thursday to take the ASVAB and get more information about working in the military. What is that test like? Similar to an SAT or ACT type thing or completely different?

i'm looking for any other comments, suggestions, questions I should ask the folks down there, etc.

jt

I can only speak for myself, but it was pretty easy. If you've done well in college and on the SAT, I'm sure you'll get in the 80-90th percentile plus range. You'll have to be an officer if you go in though 🙂

 

[StattlichPassat]

First off, congratulations for considering one of the highest respected occupations in this country. I took the ASVAB in high school and it wasn't bad at all. Can't remember my score, but if you're an E.E., you should have no problem with most of it at worst. Best of luck in whatever your decision- I've got a couple friends in the forces (Navy, Marines) and they love it.

Go Navy! Beat Army! 😀

 

[FoBoT]

if you have a EE degree, please, please, please consider joining the NAVY and going into the Nuclear Power Program

as an officer in the Nuke program, you will get some valuable training and are well paid, including retention bonuses

link

Training
The Navy's highly technical nuclear power training program is recognized as one of the best in the world. For future submariners and surface warfare officers, your exciting future begins with Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Pensacola, Fla. Upon completion of OCS, you'll be commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy and begin your career as a Naval Officer. One year of advanced nuclear power training follows, starting with six months of graduate level classroom training at Charleston, SC. After establishing your theoretical knowledge, you'll have six months of practical training at one of the Navy's two shore-based reactor training facilities in either upstate New York or in South Carolina. Following completion of your specialized nuclear power training, you'll attend the Naval Submarine School at Groton, CT, or the Surface Warfare Officer School at Newport, RI

 

[jteef]

The submarine deal is interesting. They sent me some stuff when i was a Junior with promises of nice deals and big salaries, but that's not the kind of lifestyle I want and I don't think I'd want to make a career out of the military.

jt

 

[rgwalt]

Fort Leonardwood is hell on earth during training, or so I've heard.

GL with your choice. Nuke power would be a good way to go.

Ryan

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if you have a EE degree, please, please, please consider joining the NAVY and going into the Nuclear Power Program

as an officer in the Nuke program, you will get some valuable training and are well paid, including retention bonuses

link

Training
The Navy's highly technical nuclear power training program is recognized as one of the best in the world. For future submariners and surface warfare officers, your exciting future begins with Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Pensacola, Fla. Upon completion of OCS, you'll be commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy and begin your career as a Naval Officer. One year of advanced nuclear power training follows, starting with six months of graduate level classroom training at Charleston, SC. After establishing your theoretical knowledge, you'll have six months of practical training at one of the Navy's two shore-based reactor training facilities in either upstate New York or in South Carolina. Following completion of your specialized nuclear power training, you'll attend the Naval Submarine School at Groton, CT, or the Surface Warfare Officer School at Newport, RI

Ditto, Not only well paid but you'll get re-commision bonuses of upwards of 40K. Nice chunck of change to get all at once. Thousand of other benefits and the most important is the leadership and teamwork skills you'll learn very quickly. If I was'nt married and old I would do this in a heart beat (if they took me).


Edit I'm really surprised they are letting devy grads in though Text

 

[jteef]

to update, I went to ft. leonardwood today and took the ASVAB & talked to the recruiter. I got a 99. The folks in the recruitment office were acting like they'd never seen one before. My friend told me to expect telephone calls from every branch of the military everyday for a few months.... In any case, unless I really can't find a job within 6-8 months from now, I probably won't be joining. The enlistment deal sounds pretty good. The recruiter was talking numbers like $20k bonus + paying off my college loans(20k+) + $28k for post grad school plus getting to choose any job i want. But, apparently, you dont get any of that if you go to OCS. Are any of the other branches different in this regard? What about being able to choose what you want to do after you graduate from OCS. The recruiter today said that basically in the army, they put you where they need officers. That doesn't mesh with what I'd want to get out of the military.

jt

 

[FoBoT]

if you go Navy/nuke officer, you will know for sure what you are going to do
BTW, not all nuke officer's are on submarines, aircraft carriers need nuke officers as well

the navy used to have some other programs for nuke officers as well, i don't know if they still have them, but the Enlisted Nuclear Power School used to have limited duty officers, they never went to sea, they only taught at nuke school

check with the NROTC unit nearest you, talk to the officer stationed there with sea experience, they should be able to get the info for you

good luck! 🙂

 

[Scipionix]

Originally posted by: jteef
to update, I went to ft. leonardwood today and took the ASVAB & talked to the recruiter. I got a 99. The folks in the recruitment office were acting like they'd never seen one before. My friend told me to expect telephone calls from every branch of the military everyday for a few months.... In any case, unless I really can't find a job within 6-8 months from now, I probably won't be joining. The enlistment deal sounds pretty good. The recruiter was talking numbers like $20k bonus + paying off my college loans(20k+) + $28k for post grad school plus getting to choose any job i want. But, apparently, you dont get any of that if you go to OCS. Are any of the other branches different in this regard? What about being able to choose what you want to do after you graduate from OCS. The recruiter today said that basically in the army, they put you where they need officers. That doesn't mesh with what I'd want to get out of the military.
jt

No, you don't get any of that stuff from OCS, and I bet you don't in any other branch either. That's because OCS are all basically "walk-ins" who are far outnumbered by their service-bound ROTC and service academy colleagues. If you do well in OCS I presume they will pretty much let you go where you want as long as there is an opening. I don't know exactly what you expect out of the military, but it's not a salad bar where you can pick and choose whatever assignment you want. You'll have as many options as anyone since you're capable and you'll go in with no strings attached, but that's all you can expect. And nobody called me after I got a 99.