Re: ARMY Guys: If you knew then what you know now
I think ZLBubba called it.
I was 11B. Should have went SF as soon as I got to my unit.
One thing I'd add is that while you are in, after your first contract, have them delay your re-enlistment while you go back to college. Yep, you go to formation then to school, then do whatever you want. Sometimes not even formation. Stay in shape though!
You may need this school because I think PA's are officers and you'll need OCS for this. That or "Green to Gold", which is another program.
They have a lot of new stuff now that they didn't have ten years ago. My biggest advice to you is to get what YOU want on that contract at MEPS!!! I had to go 3 times to get what I wanted. They will try and fill spots they need filled and tell you "this or nothing, then go home". But your recruiter is working for different biscuits, so he'll do what it takes to get you that contract.
Do NOT sign it unless you get what you want. Also learn how to march, pass the PT test, all that shit BEFORE you go, and you can go in with some rank already and that will speed things up a bit.
Get the modified GI Bill. The one you have to pay more for. Trust me, it is worth it.
SF can get you special jobs outside the military. Like special security stuff, contract jobs, etc. Also probably makes it pretty easy to get into FBI, etc.
Oh, note that any service will give you FIVE points on the tests you take (government jobs have a test; if everyone scores 100 but one guy was a vet and had that 5%, he got the job even if he got a 96!). There is a 10 point preference too. I have that but I think you have to get hurt? Or retire? Not sure.
Infantry only and nothing else, you could maybe be a cop? Work your way up in some business as a foreman maybe? Maybe make it to SWAT if that is your thing, still hooah when you get out? I knew a few guys that did that. Infantry is kind of a glory thing, it is hard to take off that blue cord and badge. But you better do it if you want a better job outside.
PA is the shit. Best advice on here period. PERIOD! You'll get out with basically the powers of a PHP doctor and be able to get a job anywhere. ANYWHERE!
Aviation. I knew a guy that wanted to do just that. Somehow I saw him years later and he just came back from Drill duty and was going back to Iraq. So sometimes plans don't work out. Know the military is a beauracracy, through and through.
My mother went in and was a medic. She is still a nurse 40 years later. A damn good one.
My father was a medic too. He met my mom in the army (you'll probably meet the mother of your kids in the army also). He got out and went back to school and studied elec. engineering and became one of the guys responsible for guidance systems on nuclear warheads during 80's.
After I got out, I went to UW and studied mathemtatical analysis, all expenses paid. My intentions were to get out and go back to electronic security and start my own business. but I got hurt real bad and it didn't pan out so I figured I'd teach math, not more sedentary and laid back than that? But because of the nature and degree of injury, I was never able to pick up the degree, but I did all the core classes (I need cake baking or some shit to actually get the paper, but I can't use it anyway so fuck it --I learned the math and that is all I need now). Now I got pretty messed up in the army, so I can't work now, essentially retired in my mid-30's. That sucks, it really does. That is always a danger of signing that line though.
My friend, my brother, my teamate, he lives down the road. We both got married here (not to each other damnit, but to two different women thank you!) and just stayed here when we got out. He became a foreman at an AC manufacturing facility. 11B leadership skills and discipline set him apart from the rest right away. You will become a differnt kind of worker as an 11B, that is a fact.
My uncle, he flew Apaches. Loved it. Got out, now works as a civilian with the Apaches and makes a TON of money.
Another buddy, 11B, Stryker unit though, so when he got out he applied at GDLS and worked in Iraq for $100,000 a year.
My cousin, he's still in the CG. He just got Master Chief. Probably a lifer.
Worked for a short time after I got out at an alarm firm. They tried to only hire vets if they could. Half the techs were vets. They were much easier to work with and did better work on average than the civlian only guys did. Sorry, but true. They "snapped" as it were.
Finally, the VA offers programs to send vets back to school or to start a business. There are VA guaranteed home loans. Make sure you get ALL the perks and benefits, even if you don't think you'll need them you might later and they generally last a loooong time.
Good luck kid, really, I mean it. And have a blast too, it will be a time you'll never forget, for good and worse.
