Active, Retired and Reservist military!

Navaron · 2003-07-15, 05:26 PM

What was boot camp like? OCS? What branch are you, and why did you pick that branch? How long have you been in (or were you) and what do you do, or have you done?

Mtx · 2003-07-15, 06:09 PM

I was trained at Fort Sill.

Army basic has 3 phases.

Red phases is the first month in which they break you in and try to dicipline you.

I think blue and white were the other phases. Too long ago to remember. You'll get tired of the shooting range... I remember that much.

Anyway... the secrets to getting through basic are:

A) Do what they say, when they say, how they say and do nothing else. That's actually harder than it sounds.

B) If they think you are trying your hardest... they wont fuck with you. If you don't stand out they wont fuck with you either. If you're unusually tall or otherwise stick out.. they'll give you shit but it's fun to watch them clown on someone.

C) No fear. When they think they are bothering you they'll just push harder. Don't let them get to you. Remember it's all a game and they can't touch you and their breath is usually minty fresh anyway.

D) Anytime you have extra time... organaize your shit.

Also try to figureout the names and ranks of everyone in your command structure. They'll usually ask you odd questions around chow time and if you can't answer the questions correctly you go to the end of the line.

Bring lots of paper and stamps with you and have everyone you know write you letters. I know it doesn't sound important now but mail is essential to good moral. Also try to smuggle in a lot of asprin and sell it to people in your company. You can make a killing that way! When you run open your stride and bounce with it. You wont have to try as hard and you'll be amazed how fast you end up running.

The only time you'll get to talk to the people in your unit is right before and during lights out. That's it...

Get used to the idea of geting sick. Everyone in basic ends up getting the flu but after your morning run it wont bother you so much.

And finally.. don't be stupid. Stay out of the military. It's no fuckin joy ride.

Sputty · 2003-07-15, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by {BOHICA}Navaron
What was boot camp like? OCS? What branch are you, and why did you pick that branch? How long have you been in (or were you) and what do you do, or have you done?

Nav, don't you join the military too. You'll go MIA like KoldFusion

I miss you already

BUGGER · 2003-07-15, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by Mtx
If you're unusually tall or otherwise stick out.. they'll give you shit

well now i think i'm gona reconsider.......it sucks being tall.....:o

Navaron · 2003-07-15, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by Mtx
And finally.. don't be stupid. Stay out of the military. It's no fuckin joy ride.

GonePostal · 2003-07-15, 06:30 PM

ye heard military is a huge waste of time

and theyll say anything to get you to join

Cirkusphreak · 2003-07-17, 07:50 AM

And finally.. don't be stupid. Stay out of the military. It's no fuckin joy ride.

If you take a job in the military that will offer no real world job qualities, (Infantry, etc), and don't plan on making a career out of it, then you are wasting your time. Unless you're planning on going into law enforcement or contract killer afterwards, select a job/branch that will help you in the civilian job market. The only reason that would make the military a waste of time is if you don't get anything out of it. You just sit around and wait for your time to be up then split, you've not only wasted your time, but the governments as well. I was active duty navy for four years, and am currently an activated reservist here in the Gulf. My job is an Information Systems Technician and am part of a administration team supporting around 2000 people, troubleshooting/maintaining PC's, and administering a large network. I've been sent to A+, Network+ and am scheduled for Webmaster and MCSA schools as well. This is just whats been going on the last year. Overall, for only being in a total of 5 years, I now have my college paid for, something I wasn't able to do before then. I've seen parts of the world I didn't know existed, and have therin learned to appreciate what I have back in the states. With my experience I have now, i'll be able to find a job somewhere starting out around 40-50k a year. And that's without the degree in computer science I'll have soon, which was made possible by the navy. Throw that on top and i'm looking at more money. And yes I have had job offers, to those who think i'm bullshitting.So some dude on a forum says 'don't be stupid? Lets compare salaries in a couple years man. The army takes anyone, it's all about numbers and is a joke. Air force is the most selective then the Navy. If you want to learn to kill, go for the Marines. It won't be an easy ride, but nothing worthwhile ever is. You're trying to shape your future so you'll have to go thru some shit to do it, thats real life. I've had to put up with some bullshit, a lot of jackass people who make my job harder than it should be. But you can find that anywhere. If anyone decides to enlist, make sure you have all the information you need, and decide first WHY you want to join. You won't make a lot of money in the service, you'll have to do certain jobs which you'll absolutely detest, and you may be away from friends and family from time to time. But like i've said before, i'm about done, and am heading home to finish school. It's a very tech-oriented world now, learning to fire rifles all day isn't a sought after quality most employers look for in people. Make sure you'll benefit from whatever you do.