All the services have been pretty much meeting or exceeding their recruiting goals since they went all volunteer and started paying decent money after Vietnam. Enlistment waits of varying lengths are normal.

 

I'm not set on Carson, it just looked like one that I would like. My sister told me about the wishlist thing.

 

The recruiter finally called me back today and said that there's no way I can sign up now even with a doctor saying that I'm good to go. He told me a 6 month waiting period because of my surgery, from when my surgery was to about when they are saying I'll ship to basic is 6 months. If its going to be six months before I go anywhere anyway, why can't I sign up? Oh wait, I think I know the answer. Is it because I'm dealing with the US Government? This is really starting to tick me off. As soon as I get up in to morning, my sister an I are going to call one of the recruiters that she know's and be asking some questions and see if we can't get me signed up somehow.

 

Did you talk to an Air Force recruiter yet?

 

Take your time and think it through. You can't change your mind once you're in.

I like what some of the guys have been saying already-take control of your recruiting process, make them come to you, make them answer and provide information for you, and take your time to be sure you know exactly what's right for you. Alot can sound good, but if you keep looking, something will just jump out at you and then you'll know. Then you make Them put it in writing.

 

If you can't handle dealing with recruiting now, the military is not the place for you. You will want to blow your head off within the first year. Getting in is nothing compared to the BS you will put up with on a daily basis on active duty.

When I got out in March the Army was over-strength, at least in Infantry where I was, especially since Iraq is winding down. This means that they won't take anyone who doesn't meet their needs to a T and they're starting to get rid of current soldiers who don't. I joined a month after Iraq started so they were handing out waivers for pretty much everything and taking almost anybody who wanted in which in the long run turns into a nightmare. I had to get out because I couldn't handle working with a bunch of idiots who got in with an ASVAB score of 13 and as soon as they got a little rank, thought they were immune to any physical work and could tell anyone what and how to do, regardless if it was the correct way. I also have a lot of medical issues now because of my 3 tours in Iraq and Infantry is a very physically-demanding field.

And I agree with Marine. If you are looking to do something like sheet metal or welding, the AF is where it's at. The training is better, there is less BS, the living conditions are better if you get stationed outside the US, and you will probably have more job opportunities if and when you choose to get out. However, they are more picky than the Army so you have less a chance of making it in. I still wish I had listened to my dad and joined the AF as an aircraft mechanic so I could have gotten my A&P instead of being almost 27 years old and sitting in school all day instead of being out in a hangar somewhere making money.

Another thing. This researching where you want to go and whatnot won't mean much especially with the jobs you are wanting. They will give you I believe 2 choices in the states and 1 choice outside the states that you would PREFER but that doesn't in any way mean that you will get put in those places or anywhere near them. With specialized jobs it is much harder to specifically pick where you want to go. At MEPs they will tell you what jobs you can choose from at what bases.
Good luck

 

The thing that ticked me off is I just feel like I was being dicked around with and being treated like I wasn't serious. I'll check into the AF. Just going off of job descriptions on the websites, the AF job sounds better anyway.

 

Are you telling me that if you could go back and change it, you wouldn't have joined the military? It makes young pups such as my self realize a few things. and i will never deter someone, who is physically and mentally capable, from joining ANY branch. Now, if they are completely retarded, then i usually tell them to go a different branch. But more than anything it all boils down what you job you have as to what experience you have with the military.

As dieselsharker could prolly tell you, theres not much need for a infantry man outside the military. You go in with a specialized a job, such as metal worker, you will have a different experience. Not saying it will be great, because i will be the first to tell you i am not staying in, i am getting out. And i have a VERY specialized job, that is a well kept secret of the army. One other thing that will affect you ship date is the availability of you chosen job If there isn't a slot for that job, sorry, your gonna have to wait until there is one open.

And yes, the AF has life good. 4 month deployments, better living conditions EVERYWHERE, but they are a lot more strict, and they will not hesitate to give you the boot for a minor infraction. No second chance with flyboys.

I think I have said enough. If you REALLY want to join up, check out ALL options and don't make any rash decisions. Don't choose a job that you don't 100 percent want just for a earlier ship date. Being miserable AND doing a job you hate is a lot worse than just being miserable. I trust that you will make the best possible decision for YOU and not jsut what others want for you.

 

Yeah, there's A LOT of that in the Army. I assume there is a bit of it in the other branches too, but the fact of the matter is it's like a business. The larger the company (or branch), the more politics there is to deal with and red tape. And, typically in a business the whole reason for managers and supervisors is to make sure things are done as efficiently as possible while still doing it the proper way and being smart about it. In the Army, especially combat arms, I really think sometimes in meetings the leadership is saying, "what is the most difficult way 'we' can do this?" I just got real sick of it.

 

TROOF. It not quite so bad outside of combat arms. if they do try to make it difficult on ya, they just don't realize there is a better, more efficient way of doing things. One track minds suck to work under.