I have been in the process of pursuing the army for about 4 months now. I have given the military a lot of thought as an option over the past couple of years and decided i could not see myself doing anything else at this point in my life.
I started the process after getting my degree this past may; at which point i sold everything thing i had(was advised that it would make life easier upon joining)which has been a blessing and curse in some respects. I know that decision will pay off eventually, but i probably got the cart before the horse a little. I applied for ocs and jumped through a number of hoops, but in the end i was a nonselect for both aug. and sept., and was not eligible to reapply for six months. It definitely was a reality check on whether i truely wanted to pursue this or not, and based on the sound opinion of older prior service guys i made the decision to enlist. I don't feel that i have taken second best and know that in a lot of ways I have more to gain from going this route.
I've done quite a bit of reading through countless sites to come to a better understanding of what would ultimately be the best fit for me and under what i might best serve. I decided to pursue the 11x/Airborne/Ranger option based on what i know of myself and what i was looking for. I went to the MEPS station yesterday, and had some toe to toe negotiating with the counselors there. I know i probably made some people bristle and i know my recruiter got his ass chewed(there isn't supposed to be any "negotiating", and i believe the words where "how the fuck did he know what Option 40 was." ) I had to wait some more and went back in and told the counselor I needed my loans repayed, my higrad bonus, 11x, Airborne, and Ranger. I could still the Fuck You in his eyes, but i told him that it would take all of it for me to sign; if he could get it for me i would sign right then and there. His looked changed, he turned towards me, and replied " Youre not bull shitin me are you?"....Abosletly not...5 minutes later he comes back within everthing i had requested, and within a couple of hours i had signed/sworn in. I won't ship until March, but it gives me time to prepare. I will be 27 when i ship and the age thing im not sure about. Well there you have it, for what its worth.
With Due Respect,
Thomas
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Moderator: Site Admin
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Spartan
Outstanding account. I am glad to hear that the counselors/recruiters out there fear the educated client and we'll continue to do our part.
Also, glad to hear you are going in 'eye's open' as well and have a good idea what is ahead of you. Don't worry about the age thing - it'll be fun running 18, 19 and twenty something year old kids into the ground.
Also, since you have a degree, you may want to try breaking your post into a couple different paragraphs next time. Thanks.
Also, glad to hear you are going in 'eye's open' as well and have a good idea what is ahead of you. Don't worry about the age thing - it'll be fun running 18, 19 and twenty something year old kids into the ground.
Also, since you have a degree, you may want to try breaking your post into a couple different paragraphs next time. Thanks.
Leatherneck,
My degree was marketing. The non-select was unclear and unspecific. The only ones who really know that are those making the decisions. Sorry i can't provide you with a more accurate account, attempting to do so might leave the impression of bitterness rather than fact.
I feel certain that my decision to follow my current course will not only better equip me, but is better suited to my person; there is something to be said for paying your dues. (yeah, you got me with paragraph thing. forgot that reading that much text together kind of throws one's equilibrium off.won't happen again)
My degree was marketing. The non-select was unclear and unspecific. The only ones who really know that are those making the decisions. Sorry i can't provide you with a more accurate account, attempting to do so might leave the impression of bitterness rather than fact.
I feel certain that my decision to follow my current course will not only better equip me, but is better suited to my person; there is something to be said for paying your dues. (yeah, you got me with paragraph thing. forgot that reading that much text together kind of throws one's equilibrium off.won't happen again)
