Take someone in the military with you. Some recruiters thrive on the quota.
Wanting to enlist, torn on options
- Thread starter stangboy04
- Start date
Take someone in the military with you. Some recruiters thrive on the quota.
You should still be able to apply for a waiver to join the Army despite your record. I retired after 22 years and served three as a recruiter. Some recruiters don't want the hassle of dealing with a waiver packet because it is time consuming and there's still no guarantee you'll get in, thus costing them a contract or quota. I didn't mind waivers, as long as the applicant was motivated to join. If you decide on the Army, make sure the recruiter understands you are committed to joining. If you ask for a waiver to join, they will have to process it. Recuiters cannot decide who joins and who doesn't, the regulations do, and recruiters are there to do the paperwork on your behalf.
You did mention charges, meaning more than one, which could be automatically disqualifying even if they were expunged if you have three or more. With just two charges, you must wait at least 2 years from the date of the last charge before applying for a waiver. Below is a link to Army Regulation 601-210 which outlines all the qualifications for Army enlistment. Chapter 4 pertains to disqualifying conditions and waivers. Here's an extract:
The approval authority for applicants with any two of the following offenses is CG, USAREC or DARNG: DUI/
DWI, possession of marijuana or paraphernalia, or positive DAT. (Waiver will not be considered until 2 years from the
date of the last offense or date of positive DAT, unless other waiting periods apply throughout this regulation.
AR 601-210 here: http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r601_210.pdf
P.S. I am not on a quota so if you want to talk more about the Army, I'll give you the real scoop on what to expect. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
You did mention charges, meaning more than one, which could be automatically disqualifying even if they were expunged if you have three or more. With just two charges, you must wait at least 2 years from the date of the last charge before applying for a waiver. Below is a link to Army Regulation 601-210 which outlines all the qualifications for Army enlistment. Chapter 4 pertains to disqualifying conditions and waivers. Here's an extract:
The approval authority for applicants with any two of the following offenses is CG, USAREC or DARNG: DUI/
DWI, possession of marijuana or paraphernalia, or positive DAT. (Waiver will not be considered until 2 years from the
date of the last offense or date of positive DAT, unless other waiting periods apply throughout this regulation.
AR 601-210 here: http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r601_210.pdf
P.S. I am not on a quota so if you want to talk more about the Army, I'll give you the real scoop on what to expect. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
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LOL. Look on the bright side... with the right NCOs you'll learn very quickly to "bridge that gap." Pun intended.
Thanks wjlane,
That's some good info on waivers and expunged charges.
Ha. My new assignment is as an XO of a multi-role bridge EN company. You know how much I know about bridging? I know how to drive over them on the way to work...
Thanks wjlane,
That's some good info on waivers and expunged charges.
:rockon:
The only true part of the first paragraph is the last sentence. How long were you in the Marine Corps to come to those conclusions?
Give it to u straight here kid, AF is the best when it comes to quality of life/opportunities after the military. Some may disagree, they're idiots. Making 6 figures + in less then a yr of my separation. Good luck.
Opportunities after the military are not based on branch, they are based on the occupational field you were trained in. People please stop posting based on misguided mentalities and actually try and help this guy out.
Okay, that being said, the AF IMO has more civilian relavent jobs than any other branch.
In your opinion, doesn't make it fact. There are a lot of jobs in other branches you probably didn't know existed too. Now as far as quality of life, you hit the nail on the head. AF hands down has the best quality of life so it really depends on what OP is really looking for in the service.
Only listen to DaleM post about the 4 branches. If you want a good, quality life in the service, then join the Air Force. People in the Marines or Army just hate on them because of how good they have it. A big picture of how the Army is ran is look at this, at was at Fort Lewis (in WA) for 5 years and they were barely doing anything like building new barrack/houses/general improvement. I leave for 1 1/2 year and it becomes a joint base with the Air Force base next door and BAM! It's a totally different base with all this new stuff.....anyways.
You can be Spec Ops in Marines and Airborne (because I had a lot them in my class when I was going through as well as Navy) but I'm unsure about the other things Wesson said.
I believe the BEST would be either Air Force or Navy because of the better quality of life in the service and the jobs that can relate outside in the Civilian world. If you don't want to do sea duty/float around the world for 6 months then join the Air Force. Join the Marines if you want to be on the front lines, told only to do and not to think as well as being told you're the best and everyone else are low joes. Join the Army if you want to be ridiculed on your knowledge of being a solider instead of knowing your job, being tossed around without care or concern (unless you're a high rank then you make those decisions).
I did a tad over 8 years and GTFO because I like using common sense and not worrying about Army/Unit/Company motto's/heritage knowledge instead being recognized about how much I know about my job.....do I really need to know that a M4 muzzle velocity is 2,970fps or maxium effective range for a point target is 500 meters......at least in the Air Force you gain range by the knowledge of your MOS, so it will take longer to gain rank but it's not like the Marines or Army.
You can be Spec Ops in Marines and Airborne (because I had a lot them in my class when I was going through as well as Navy) but I'm unsure about the other things Wesson said.
I believe the BEST would be either Air Force or Navy because of the better quality of life in the service and the jobs that can relate outside in the Civilian world. If you don't want to do sea duty/float around the world for 6 months then join the Air Force. Join the Marines if you want to be on the front lines, told only to do and not to think as well as being told you're the best and everyone else are low joes. Join the Army if you want to be ridiculed on your knowledge of being a solider instead of knowing your job, being tossed around without care or concern (unless you're a high rank then you make those decisions).
I did a tad over 8 years and GTFO because I like using common sense and not worrying about Army/Unit/Company motto's/heritage knowledge instead being recognized about how much I know about my job.....do I really need to know that a M4 muzzle velocity is 2,970fps or maxium effective range for a point target is 500 meters......at least in the Air Force you gain range by the knowledge of your MOS, so it will take longer to gain rank but it's not like the Marines or Army.
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I'm in the Army, I've been a Soldier for 12 years. I have never in my life wished I was in another branch. The military as a whole is what you make of it. In my earlier enlisted days, yeah quality of life wasn't spectacular, but as you increase in rank life gets better. Most people that enlist in the military are just starting out in life, you can't expect a 19-20 year old to be living in the lap of luxury, that tells me you have some sort of misconception or sense of entitlement.
Jobs, the Army has more MOS's than I know about. We all aren't Artilleryman and Infantry here. I'm in Afghanistan right now and we have computer techs, mechanics, cooks & signal guys that keep this place running. Those computer tech could easily take the necessary certification course and make big bucks in the civilian world. While myself and the IN walk out the front gate to the "front lines".
As far as common sense, muzzle velocity's, unit history, mottos, are important because we are Soldiers first, and MOS's related occupations 2nd. A good Soldiers knows his job and knows the Army Standards. Out here we get called to support convoys because so many mechanics, truckdrivers and anyone else on these CLPs don't know how far their rifles will shoot. Don't know how to work the .50 in the turret of their trucks. The stuff they teach in basic training isn't enough anymore. Yeah give Soldiers familiarization by pulling a trigger. Ask them to tear it down, and perform functions check and they are clueless. It's all about standards that could keep you alive.
This is a pretty stupid comment.
I know VPs and Presidents of Fortune 500 companies that were in the Army. They spend your 6 figure salary in 3 months.
It all boils down on what specialty you choose.
If you're serious about making a career out of the army, choose an MOS that you could see yourself enjoying for 20+ years.
If you aren't, choose an MOS that will better further your eventual civilian career.
I know that the nuclear specialists on Naval subs can make a lot of money both during their military career and in the civilian world.
My last five years were in a Joint Special Operations Unit, meaning I supervised members from all branches along with civilians and contractors. While the AF may have better quality of life, promotions and advancement are slower compared to the other branches. I've seen E-5 and E-4 airman with 10 years in service while in the Army, you can expect to be at E-7. Each branch has its benefits, what it all boils down to is what you really want, and which branch can better meet your goals. If your decision actually comes down to which branch is easier or has better living conditions, you're probably better off (and so is our country) finding something else to do than join the military.
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Amen.
OP,
I have been in the Army since 1989. I started out as an E-1. Ironically, the Army was my last choice. The AF, then Navy, then Marines all rejected me. I was morally waivered in, based on a couple incidents I had when I was younger. I signed up for the GI Bill/College Fund and fufilled my 4 year obligation. I ETSd an E-4P. I joined the NG and fortunately that state paid my college tuition AND I still received my GI Bill/CF benefits. I went to state OCS and became an officer and went active duty, again, in 2002. I have 15 years for retirement and 23 for pay as an O-4 (maxed).
My point is: YOU make it what YOU want out of it. All the services have their unique niche but they all have at least one thing in common, above and beyond the discipline, self confidence, motivation... etc, management of time, personnel, and resources. The good thing about this is you can begin gaining this experience almost as soon as you join.
Yeah, some people are getting out and making really good money but some aren't and you need to go out and get informed and find out for yourself. We can sit here all month long and argue which service is the best and which service will bring you a higher income when you get out but none of this will matter because YOU need to make a decision based on FACT and what YOU are willing to do.
BTW We all joined the service for ONE fundemental reason, to serve our country. NOT to see who would make the most money after leaving.
I have been in the Army since 1989. I started out as an E-1. Ironically, the Army was my last choice. The AF, then Navy, then Marines all rejected me. I was morally waivered in, based on a couple incidents I had when I was younger. I signed up for the GI Bill/College Fund and fufilled my 4 year obligation. I ETSd an E-4P. I joined the NG and fortunately that state paid my college tuition AND I still received my GI Bill/CF benefits. I went to state OCS and became an officer and went active duty, again, in 2002. I have 15 years for retirement and 23 for pay as an O-4 (maxed).
My point is: YOU make it what YOU want out of it. All the services have their unique niche but they all have at least one thing in common, above and beyond the discipline, self confidence, motivation... etc, management of time, personnel, and resources. The good thing about this is you can begin gaining this experience almost as soon as you join.
Yeah, some people are getting out and making really good money but some aren't and you need to go out and get informed and find out for yourself. We can sit here all month long and argue which service is the best and which service will bring you a higher income when you get out but none of this will matter because YOU need to make a decision based on FACT and what YOU are willing to do.
BTW We all joined the service for ONE fundemental reason, to serve our country. NOT to see who would make the most money after leaving.
air force vet here... this statement is so spot on. im always jealous of where my navy vet friends have been, been on enough deployments with marines and army to not be envious of them at all. all branches have cool technology, great life experiences and all offer the opportunity to kill people if your in the right job. dont let anyone persuade you based on "toughness"
I vote for coast guard, but it is getting harder to get in. A kid from my neighborhood who works at the fire department didn't get in.
Just get "guaranteed schooling" when you sign up and the fact you get to go right after boot camp.
Just get "guaranteed schooling" when you sign up and the fact you get to go right after boot camp.
If I were to do it over again, I'd have gone to school first and come in as an officer in one of the other branches. If I could not do that and had to go Army I'd have come in a Comms MOS that required a Top Secret Clearance and gotten out to make bank. I'm still sitting alright with a secret clearance, but I know TS is way more desired because of the expense.
I'm still pondering going into Navy ROTC or something when I get out but I dunno.
I'm still pondering going into Navy ROTC or something when I get out but I dunno.
Like other have said already. It is going to be harder now to join the military then the past 10 years. We are drawing down our forces and kicking out people now. Hell the army is suppose to QMP /QSP. 29k. This month alone.
LOL...okay. I'll be sure to put you in my list of VIP's cool guy. This whole thread is subjective and based on opinion. Op, honestly, you can't go wrong with any branch. So if specialty is in fact where the money lies, it all depends on what you want to do and how comfy you want to be while you're in... anything else is all bs in reality. BTW: I was in nukes in the AF, we all make the same based on rank, no job/base pay pays more then another, Although bonuses, hazard and specialty pay add up i'm sure.
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