I got alot out of the TTMB military threads..and already this one I actually just picked up Nathan Flick's One bullet away book....Pretty good so far. I am a 13B (Arty) National Guardsmen..who is currently getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan in Jan 2010. I also know far far far too much about OCS and ROTC so any questions just ask.
I was a long time lurker on the RMMB boards, but never posted. I got a ton of info out of the military threads there, and I'm glad to see that this thread made it over here. As for my credentials, I'm a National Guard E-4 15T (UH-60 Crew Chief) currently deployed OCONUS.
Not sure if you've heard of these interesting things called JUONS/ONS (Joint Urgent Operation Needs Statement and Operation Needs Statement) Pretty much you decide you want a fancy toy. You put together an JUONS/ONS and get everybody and their grandmother to sign off on it. Then you get your CoCom to sign off on it. It goes to G3 in DC where it sits for months until some asshole decides that he'd rather do work than hit on the one attractive girl in the building. He validates it, sends it to AR2B/G8, who normally say fuck it, but every once in a while pull some money out of their magical asshole. They then send it to a PEO/PM who then takes the JUONS/ONS and the money and fucks around and follows a bunch of bullshit rules. Then they finally award it to a contractor who builds your fancy toy and sends it to the government. It then sits in a warehouse for 6 months and then gets shipped out to you, but of course you've RIP/TOA and these new guys get some fancy toy which was probably relevant to the fight when you first started the process but is about as useful as a metric socket.
I'm AD Navy. and..... Just got shore duty orders to Chicago! Any body have any experience working at Great Lakes?
Alright. I just got some bad news. At PT a couple days ago, my recruiter pulled me aside and told me, "Sorry, we couldn't get you the job you wanted." He told me a couple things, (the MOS is small, we tried the best we could, but there are just too many applicants and too few spots) and offered me a job in a sorta similar MOS. I originally wanted Air Traffic Control as my MOS; he's offering me Aviation Electronics. I just wanted to check with you guys - is this pretty standard in cases where the MOS is small? Is he bullshitting me? What do I make of this? Also, I would greatly appreciate it if anyone in aviation electronics could chime in and say something about the field. Is it awesome? Does it suck? Does it depend on what you get into?
I've never ehard of someone with a qualifying ASVAB score being barred from an MOS unless there was a problem with them. He might be telling the truth, but I've never heard of it. Also, Aviation Electronics is not anything at all like ATC. Sure, they both involve planes, but that's the extent of their similarity. I was an ET (electronics technician) for 9 years, and your job will be about the same as mine was.
As a matter of fact, when I originally enlisted, it was with the Air Force and I also signed up to be an Air Traffic Controller, with the intention of becoming a Combat Controller. About two weeks after signing my contract at MEPS, the recruiter called me up and said I'd have to pick a different MOS. He didn't really know why, but I'm assuming it had something to do with a few marijuana related incidents. This little incident totally put me off about the Air Force and I ended up joining the Army instead. There's a decision I've had ample time to reflect upon while exploring the armpits of the world.
I have heard of some of the more sought after aviation MOS's not having has many slots as they used to. I'm not sure about the air traffic control side of things, but I did have some trouble with the active Army and the National Guard finding me a slot when I enlisted. I didn't see you mention it, but what branch are you trying to enlist into? I do have some first hand knowledge of the Army side of aviation maintenance, and I work with the electronics guys almost daily.
I enlisted in the Marine Corps. I know full well that aviation electronics has absolutely nothing similar with ATC, but that's what he's offering me. I just want to know what the job is like. What does it entail, is it reasonably interesting, and so on.
You could always try a different service if it's really the job, and subsequently the training that you want.
Can anyone out there recommend a good pair of gloves. Something that can be worn in uniform, nondescript. Not looking for anything too bulky either, i'd like to be able to reach into my pocket and pick shit up with it. Anyone able to recommend a good pair?
If you have an account with them, US Standard Issue has a pair of Oakley gloves that work well for $40. https://secure.usstandardissue.com/Product_Category.cfm?id=3
Sorry, was drinking when i posted. I should've specified im looking for cold weather gloves. Something thin but very resistant to the cold. Apologizes for being an idiot.
Actually, it's in the same "Avation Electronics" field. Look at all the specilties within that larger MOS field. You could be repairing the UHF Radios used by the pilots, or working on the aircrafts radar, or fixing something up in the tower: I don't have any experience on the aviation side, but I got hosed when getting an MOS because I wasn't paying attention. "Communications" is a broad spectrum of specialties, so make sure it says "Information Systems" and not - "0600 - Comm" on your contract. I ended up a grunt with a 10ft antenna on my back.
I will graduate from UGA this December with a B.S. in Geography. My focus is in GIS (Geographic Information Systems), Cartography and Aerial Photography. I would like to be an officer in the military. I have sent my information off to the Marines, Navy, and Air Force, but have not yet talked to a recruiter. The branch I am leaning towards is the Navy, although my preference will probably end up not mattering. It's my understanding that the Air Force is the only branch that won't pay off student loans, but its the branch that might be best for my background. Does anybody have any advice for me?
Me: 2Lt Air Force posted to 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Enlisted Mar '08 - Releasing tomorrow (I failed the Air Weapons Controller course in Cornwall and due to some factors that I won't elaborate on decided to release and go Army reserve once I get my life back in order in Toronto -- at least not for a year until I figure out which direction my applications with the Toronto or York Region PD are gonna go) If you check out http://www.forces.ca they spell out the skills right there for you COMBAT ENGINEER Civilian related trades: # Highway Construction Foreman # Blaster (Construction) # Heavy Equipment Operator # Carpenter (Rough) # Construction Engineering Technician # Construction Millwright # Civil Engineering Technician WEAPONS TECH Civilian related trades: # Gun Assembler # Firearms Inspector # Small Arms Tester # Gunsmith # Locksmith # Hydraulics Technician # Gasfitter # Millwright COMMUNICATOR RESEARCH OP Civilian related trades: # Information Technology Security Consultant # Information Management Specialist # Computer Incident Response Specialist # Intelligence Analyst To get in as an NCM all you need is high school and some common sense. Though, given some of the people I saw at St. Jean the latter didn't really seem to be a requirement at times. If you want to be an officer you need a university degree. Engineering officers are hard to come by for the Forces so if you already have one they offer a $25,000-$40,000 bonus depending on the field. If you're already working towards a degree talk to a recruiter to see how you can get them to pay for the rest of your schooling. With the exception of Weapons tech (remember Canada isn't big on guns), the other two trades will offer you more than enough skills that can be used on civi street. I sent you my personal opinion on what you should consider via PM On another note, having been plagued by bureaucratic fuck ups since day one I spent the summer of '08 working at CFRC Toronto doing reference checks and data entry so if there are any Canadians who want to know what the actual recruitment process entails PM me and I'll fill you in.
I'm an E-4 in the Coast Guard. Are there any other coasties here? Or, better yet, does anybody need advice on joining the Coast Guard or anything? If you do, give me a holla.
None of the services will pay off your student loans, at least not directly. You'll be applying for a commission via OCS/OTS and while you won't have any of your undergraduate expenses repaid you will be eligible for the GI Bill (unlike academy and ROTC grads) if you choose to enroll, and that's a pretty good deal. So don't let that be a factor in deciding which branch you think works best for you.
I got really freaking lucky when I commissioned. The Marine Corps was transitioning between their College Loan Repayment Programs (CLRP) and offered just my OCS class a full repayment of our loans. I believe they are paying them off in thirds, but don't quote me on that. Not to mention, they gave us a little $4k bonus when we signed the dotted line.
At least 7 Killed in Ft. Hood shooting My sympathies to the victims, and my sincere hope that no one here has been touched by this.