Anyone active duty Army here?

[ceyko]

Part of me says just go in and do something easier like something IT related, which I'm already doing.

As far as I know every...type of unit has to have signal corp personnel of some sort. Signal Corps in the Army encompasses everything from radios to "IT". If you can get a Signal Corp MOS that is needed with the Rangers that could be ideal.

IMHO, Signal Corp is one of the craziest Army career paths. You can be with/near the front line guys, basically doing what they are doing or you can be a REMF in a AC'ed shelter at the bat/brigade TOC.

Another reason I recommend mixing Signal Corp into your military career is you WILL get training on things that are useful on the resume and for a decent paying career.

One of the biggest things about the military that I tell people, is that it is what you make it. You'll get screwed a few times, but if they offer training take it (even if you lose days off), go on deployments and so forth. The only thing I recommend trying to shake are the retarded details of raking stone, picking up butts...that bullshit.

Anyway, if you make it to Ranger and a signal corp dude - I'd imagine other special ops units would be available if desired. When you make it to that level, you have to more intelligent then the average grunt. (which when I was in the 11Bs were fairly common sense oriented...tankers on the other hand....)

[davbrucas]

Forgot about waiting in line. I put a guy in with RIP in his contract. Made it through rip, and was in RANGER BN for a long time. He even did a deployment with them, before he got a school slot. I believe he may have had some behavior issues, which is why they didn't send him to school.

Personally, not being able to get a RANGER school slot was a serious factor in me leaving the Army. My unit got a lot school slots, but with only 6 month breaks between our deployments, and me being literally the only guy with my MOS in the unit, I deployed every time.
I was a motivated mother fucker for about 12 months. I rucked in my spare time on the weekends, simply preparing for any school they'd send me to.
They wasted the slots on guys who got kicked out for tobacco use, or the inability to pass the swim test at Ranger school.
I'm ranting now, and that's not what this thread is about.

Brother, you can think about it forever, and you'll never make up your mind.
Pick a job, and don't leave MEPS until you see the RIP option on the contract. Just do it.

That's the good thing about being in a Ranger or SF unit...any schooling you want to attend you will get a slot. Motoman, needs to get serious right now if he wants to take this path as it will be the most difficult thing he has done to this point. I started the journey at 17 when I was still ignorant and bulletproof. I cannot imagine dealing with that crap now.
But, it will make him a better person and the sky's the limit afterward.

[davbrucas]

I still have other interests than just infantry. Calvary scout sounds like it could be a kickass job. I'm also looking into the WO program, I'd love to be a pilot, I know I don't have to worry about the vision part of it because I have perfect vision. I'm going to do my research on my interests before I just jump into an enlistment.

Dude, go 18D with Ranger contract...once you are at Battalion, you can get all the extra schooling you want and then go on to Selection/Q Course. Or you could just try to get in via Initial Accession (go straight into the SF selection). Not sure if they still do that. But basically you would join under what is called 18X and go through One Unit Duty Station training...ie, basic and AIT at same spot...then on to jump school and SFAS/Q course.

1. Infantry One Station Unit Training (11X-OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia is essentially an Infantry-focused Basic Combat Training (BCT) and comprises:
Firstly, 1 week (although sometimes two weeks) at the 30th AG Reception Battalion where a recruit is administratively prepared for entry into the United States Army.
Then 10 weeks of an Basic Combat Training.
And finally the recruit attends five weeks of Infantry Advanced Individual Training (AIT).
A recruit will graduate from this 16-week period with the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 11-Bravo or 11B (Infantryman).
2. After Infantry OSUT, a recruit will attend the Basic Airborne Course (BAC) (aka - Jump School) held at the US Army Airborne School also situated at Fort Benning, Georgia. BAC is a three-week course designed to train a soldier in the skill of military parachuting. Should the soldier graduate this course - and not all do - he will receive orders authorizing him to wear the coveted 'jump wings' military parachutist insignia.
3. Finally the recruit will attend the Special Forces Preparation and Conditioning (SFPC) Course I on Temporary Duty (TDY) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. SFPC is a four-week course with the purpose preparing both Initial Accession and non-combat arms Current Duty SF candidates for Phase I of the Special Forces Training Pipeline: Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS).
SFPC I focuses primarily on improving a candidates functional strength and cardiovascular fitness levels, military forced march ability (Rucking), and military Land Navigation skills; three major reasons for candidate attrition during SFAS."

[Blackout]

I was 15t UH-60 repair crew chief. Bad ass job and you do get the option to fly at some point. Look BCT it is not going to matter how good you do. AIT is where you want to shine. You get your dream sheet at the end on AIT not BCT. If I remember right you get to choose 3 over sea and 2 state side. The army is a great place. Probably the most fun I have ever had in my life. And don't sweat basic it is just that basic. It's over so fast you don't know where the time went. You will also be asking your self what the he'll was that. Lol. Me and my buddy's from BCT still say that. It's a lot of fun and you'll make long life friends. US ARMY Hooah!

[motoman]

2 years of schooling, and the ability to speak a foreign language

How difficult is it to go in as an E2 or E3 if I complete everything on the DEP task list but the referral part?

[Cannon]

Go big OR go home. U.S. MARINES


Oh, and I've been to Ranger school. It was pretty hard core!!

[Lone Sailor]

Go big OR go home. U.S. MARINES


Oh, and I've been to Ranger school. It was pretty hard core!!

Some of the guys that I have met over the years through the military have told me that Ranger school is almost as tough as Bud/s, just not as long a training period.

[Cannon]

Some of the guys that I have met over the years through the military have told me that Ranger school is almost as tough as Bud/s, just not as long a training period.

I can't say how tough BUD/S is but Ranger school was good training. All I have to compare the school by is BRC (Basic Reconnaissance Course). I learned different ways to overcome multiple situations. It just depends on the Mission.

[Lone Sailor]

I can't say how tough BUD/S is but Ranger school was good training. All I have to compare the school by is BRC (Basic Reconnaissance Course). I learned different ways to overcome multiple situations. It just depends on the Mission.

That's cool. I was just making a random comment that I happened to think of when I read your post.

[davbrucas]

Some of the guys that I have met over the years through the military have told me that Ranger school is almost as tough as Bud/s, just not as long a training period.

He will soon find out how hard it is!!

[davbrucas]

Go big OR go home. U.S. MARINES


Oh, and I've been to Ranger school. It was pretty hard core!!

What battalion?

[motoman]

How difficult is it to go in as an E2 or E3 if I complete everything on the DEP task list but the referral part?

Anyone able to answer this?

[davbrucas]

Anyone able to answer this?

You would likely have to ask a recruiter about this one...here is some info I found.

This paragraph applies to DEP, DTP, or ARNG applicants.
a. The following explains who may enlist and when and at what pay grade. An applicant who—
(1) Has no qualifications for advancement to pay grade higher than PV1 may enlist at any time.
(2) Has completed 1 or 2 years of Junior ROTC (JROTC) or a National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) Program may enlist at any time at pay grade PV2.
(3) Has completed 3 or more years of JROTC or a NDCC Program may enlist at any time at pay grade private first class (PFC).
(4) Has completed 1 year of Senior ROTC (SROTC) may enlist at any time at pay grade PFC.
(5) Has attended any U.S. military service academy or USAMAPS for 179 days or fewer may enlist at any time at pay grade PV2 or at grade determined by amount of college credit completed, whichever is greater.
(6) Has successfully completed 24 or more classroom semester hours (36 or more quarter hours) at an accredited degree granting college or university list in the AIPE or NACES (foreign transcripts must be evaluated according to
para 2–7f and 2–20) may enlist at any time at pay grade PV2.
(7) Has successfully completed 48 or more classroom semester hours (72 or more quarter hours) (without a 4-year degree) at an accredited degree granting college or university listed in the AIPE (foreign transcripts must be evaluated according to para 2–7f and 2–20) may enlist at any time at pay grade PFC. Applicants with an associate degree will be
enlisted at pay grade PFC without regard to the number of semester or quarter hours completed.
(8) Has successfully completed 2 or more academic years of a postsecondary vocational-technical school and has received a certificate of training attesting to successful completion of the course may enlist at any time at pay grade
PFC. The school must be listed in the AIPE (see para 2–20).
(9) Has successfully completed a degree-producing college program of 4 years duration and the college or university is listed in the AIPE and has been awarded a bachelor degree or higher (foreign degrees and transcripts must be
evaluated according to para 2–7f) may enlist at any time at pay grade specialist (SPC). Advanced promotion is authorized if college or university provides a letter stating the applicant has met all requirements for a degree, but it will not be awarded until commencement ceremony.
(10) Has completed all phase II requirements of the Air Force Civil Air Patrol and has been awarded the Billy Mitchell Award may enlist at any time at pay grade PV2.
(11) Has taken part in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) and has been awarded NSC 19A (record of cadet advancement) may enlist at any time at pay grade PV2.
(12) Has been awarded the Boy Scout Eagle certificate as a member of the Boy Scouts of America (Form 58–708) or the Quartermaster Award Certificate may enlist at any time at pay grade PV2.
(13) Has earned the Girl Scout Gold award certificate as a member of the Girl Scouts of America may enlist at any time at pay grade E–2.
(14) Has completed Army pre-Basic Training task list as a member of DEP/DTP may enlist at any time at pay grade PV2.
(15) Is qualified under the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program may enlist at any time at pay grade SPC.
(16) Lacks documentation required for advanced promotion under this paragraph at time of enlistment, they may submit supporting documents to the personnel officer within 6 months of enlistment. Documents must be original, certified, or evaluated as required.
(a) College credit or course completion (includes JROTC/ROTC) must have occurred prior to the date of enlistment in the RA or entry in IADT for USAR or ARNG.
(b) Only colleges and universities listed in the AIPE, NACES, or foreign transcripts evaluated according to paragraph 2–7f, may be used. This requirement is only used for advanced promotion under this paragraph and does not affect or change the guidance for promotion boards with respect to education points, which are given or verified via other publications. However, no other education evaluation publication will be used to qualify under this regulation.
(c) Effective date and date of rank for Soldiers who lacked documentation at time of enlistment will be the effective date of the promotion by the unit commander. No retroactive adjustment is authorized and each applicant will be advised that failure to produce documents before enlistment or after time frames above will cause them to forfeit entitlement to this incentive. The promotion will be for the grade the Soldier is qualified for at the time of enlistment.
(d) Applicants who have college credit, but owe the college/university money and the school will not release official transcripts until all debts are cleared, must have a letter from the school official stating number of credits earned and the reason official transcripts are unavailable.
(e) Each applicant who claims, but cannot substantiate, qualification for higher enlistment grade will be required to acknowledge that they have read and understand this rule and the time frames established. An applicant or enlistee will acknowledge this in the remarks section of DD Form 1966. Unit commanders for DTP, upon verification that a Soldier is authorized the advance promotion under this paragraph, will promote the Soldier, citing this paragraph as the authority. Effective date and date of rank will be the date the commander authorizes the promotion.
b. The referral program provides incentive for increased pay. Verification will be the responsibility of HQ, USAREC for all referrals. Only referrals received and verified prior to the date of enlistment in the RA or USAR will affect the enlistment grade. Any applicant participating in the Army Referral Program who refers—
(1) One qualified NPS, Glossary NPS, or PS applicant who enlists into the DEP, RA, ARNG, or USAR on or before the date the applicant enters the RA or IADT for USAR or ARNG, may enlist at any time at pay grade PV2.
(2) Two or more qualified NPS, Glossary NPS, or PS applicants (any combination) who enlist into the DEP, RA, ARNG, or USAR on or before the date the applicant enters the RA or IADT for USAR or ARNG, may enlist at any
time at pay grade PFC.
(3) One qualified registered nurse who applies for the Army Nurse Corps AD or USAR, and HQ, USAREC accepts the application on or before the applicant enters the RA or IADT, may enlist at any time at pay grade PV2.
c. The applicant may enlist at pay grade PFC if they meet any 2 requirements in paragraph 2–18a(2), (5), (6), (10), (11), (12), (13), or (14), or 2–18b(1) or (3). (For example, applicant has 24 semester hrs and provides one referral that enlist= PFC; this example combines 2–18a(6) and 2–18b(1)).

[HarrisonTX]

Anyone able to answer this?

Very easy with a squared away recruiter. I didn't ship ANYONE (unless they joined, and shipped in under 7 days) without AT LEAST E2. The hardest thing about making the jump to E3, is you have to pass a miniture APFT. And to be honest, most kids are just plumb out of shape these days.

If you don't have any of the things posted by Dave, you just have to learn some regular Army knowledge, and be tested.
Map Reading, Marching, Rank structure, Phonetic Alphabet, a few others. The recruiter signs off on the paper, saying you know these things. You get the next rank by the APFT

[motoman]

You would likely have to ask a recruiter about this one...here is some info I found.

Thanks Dave. From what I've been told, even if I go enlist today, there's a good chance I won't ship for a good 6 or more months. I figured since I don't have a degree I should knock out as much of the DEP task list that I can to go in a higher pay grade.