A story about barracks.

When I was at McChord AFB in Washington we had just made the shift from having roommates to having our own rooms so I moved my gear down to another building. I had my own sink and refrigerator and the room was nice. Had carpet, opened up on the courtyard, we had a 2 dayrooms (common areas with a tv, couches, fake plants and shit), two kitchens, BBQ pit and within spitting distance of the chow hall. The Army guys over at Fort Lewis that had seen our dorms got pissed and complained so their commander agreed to furnish one building like the ours. They remodeled the whole building, carpets etc etc. Within a month the pool table was trashed as were the tv, x-box and a lot of the guys had burnt their carpets or screwed them up in some way. They tried but something about those Army guys just wouldn't allow them to keep their shit in order enough to deserve the extra frills. Might have been just that unit since I have no idea what they did but the bottom line is that the Air Force does have nice living conditions.

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I have no hair brained idea of living like the guys in Top Gun or anything, driving 25,000 motorcycles, etc. All I'm really looking for is a roof over my head, steady pay check, and a little bit of experience.

I'd also be a liar if I said that I wasn't doing it to find some direction in life, and to serve my country at the same time.

The Air Force seems like the best fit for me, especially because I dont wanna join the National Guard, my dad's not a Senator (j/k)

I like the fact that everything you do in the USAF gives you college credit as well. You essentially get an associates degree, and 4 years working experience in that field. Not to mention $4500 per semester, while you're in, to take classes and such, at a university of your choosing.

For me, it's just a good situation all the way around.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Not trying to dissuade you, but just about everything you do in any service gives you college credit. It will depend on the school you go to which credits they accept (you'll get physical training credits, history credits, etc). Also, any service will allow you the money you stated, but you've got a fact mixed up..that $4500 is per year, not per semester. If you go over that, the school will either jump into your GI bill money (don't let 'em), or into the next year's allowance (a better idea).

Know this - most "SF" guys think that when they get out they can just walk on to the local police force and be SWAT or something. Sometimes it works like that; it usually doesn't. In the military you're taught a completely different train of thought than as a police officer.

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Honestly you don't get credit for everything you do in tech school but when you get to your duty station and have time on your hands you can always take advantage of night classes and most bases have a college right on base. I was a mental health technician and my tech school was a crap load of psych classes and medical training but I got next to no credit for that. Now my certification as a tech was great and I had opportunities to further those studies and get more cert ect but for my main degree that I wanted they didn't fit well. My wife just finished up her bachelors and I'm using my GI Bill right to finish mine up. My wife had to get tuition assistance after they switched from full tuition to 75% and she's taken out a loan so it's not all pie in the sky unfortunately. It's the eb and flow of the military though. When they need bodies they pay for more stuff like school and the frill incentives but when need drops they take them away again. You'll have that roof over your head, meals, steady pay and a chance to get out on your own and find yourself. In Washington I treated my dorm room like a base camp for my weekend trips into the Cascade Mountains. I had 6 pegs on the wall for various packs and every Friday I came home, packed one of them up and headed out before the sun came up Saturday morning. That was a great way to find out what made me tick as a man and helped bridge that gap between leaving home and making my own. I eventually met my wife while we were stationed together and have since gotten out (she's still in), moved all over the world and grown up without falling into drugs or any crap that may have happened if I hadn't gone into the service.

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My most sincere apologies. I don't mean to offend or make myself look like a shitbag by lowering myself on this topic, but damn if I don't feel strongly here.


Point is whichever service you may choose be proud of your decision and research ALL services to see which one will offer you the best experiences, most money (bonus wise) and the best opportunitied at a good life when you get out.

Proud of your choice man.


J

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Godsmack's posts are often made with little thought or consideration of others. If you find yourself offended please go to the end of the cubicle, and there you will meet Carol. She has diabetes, high blood pressure, and is a Ducks fan. She will automatically assume you are full of shit and send you away. Or you could realize that he is just a sarcastic, mean little fucker, and he rather likes it that way. Please feel free to bust his chops back. Stay Classy San Diego.

That's the bottom line really. Research, ask questions and try to choose a job that offers you a good life AFTER the service. Not many jobs for tank commanders necessarily out here in Joe Normalville. Was playing Rummy with my friend Mike last night and he said that Contracting has the same level of bonus as the PJ's...odd but apparently true (he just retired from that career field a few months ago). When I asked him why however he said it's because the job sucks and people won't stay in....haha!

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Alright, well I just wanted to update you guys, and thank you for your opinions and advice.

I am officially signing my contract sometime in July. Leaving for Boot next summer.

The MOS jobs I'm looking at, in this order are

1. Aerial Gunner Apprentice
2. Combat Control Operations Apprentice
3. Fire Safety Apprentice
4. Personnel Apprentice
5. Paralegal Apprentice

I have decided to avoid Para Rescue for now, that all may change, but the massive amount of trianing involved, not to mention some of the stories I've heard about training, has somewhat put me off on that program.

I just thought I'd keep you updated, and wanted to say thanks again for your advice and information.

Jay

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

I'd recommend options 3-5; just because those are the only ones that look like they'll give you "real world" skills. What turned you off from the PJ program?

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I think #4 is the best bet. Personnel apprentice could lead to a cushy HR job when you get out.

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mechaphil

Personnel (in the military's sense) is often times a completely administrative position; paperwork moreso than HR. Not to say there's no HR involved, but there's definitely very little transferrable HR traning.

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Well the reason AGA is my number one, is because, I'm going to be attempting to get into the OTP, given that I'll have 2 bachelors degrees and high score on my ASVAB, I should get in within 4 years. According to my cousin, who is a 1st Lieutenant in the USAF. In which case I'd probably make a career of it.

AGA is also something I'm interested in doing, and either way, I'm more than likely going to be a career military guy. From what I've read and heard about the lifestyle, it fits me perfectly, not to mention the 20 years and retire perk, which I wouldnt have in civilian life; unless I was a government employee anyway.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Did not know that.

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mechaphil

I'd say 1-3 but I'm the prick that makes fun of my Marine friend because he has a desk job.

"You joined the Marines to be a god damned secretary?!?!?!"

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Hold my beer and watch this...

What turned me off the PJ program was the stories I've heard about the training, especially the "if you're taken PoW" scenario they put you through, where they literally kick the shit out of you, and try to see what your breaking point is.

You can ask anyone that knows me, I dont have a breaking point, I'll keep my mouth shut forever, but the thought of someone beating the shit outa me without being able to fight back, no thank you.

Not to mention that I am not sure I could do the physical requirements for the job anyway. Not that I'm lazy or anything, but a mile and a half in 10:30 isn't going to be an easy run for me.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

You're talking about SERE school? Don't be a pussy

There are guys that re-enlist with going to that school as their reenlistment INCENTIVE. Like, the Marine corps could do whatever they wanted with 'em afterwards, they just wanted to go to that school.

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Yeah, SERE is for some guys, just not for me.

I'm not a pussy by any means, but I also don't have any desire to go through that training program.

I may change my mind once I'm in, but as of right now, I've got little to no ambition to do it.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010