I'm probably going into the army reserves

cudvig · 11-14-2005

Just wondering if anyone else has gone down this path? Im currently going to college and wouldnt mind going to basic and get more discplined. I also wouldnt mind them paying for college and getting paid every month by them. Just wondering about your guys stories or opinions about doing this.

-Colin

**scheides** · 11-14-2005

hope you like the desert.

Matt D. · 11-14-2005

I applaud you if you choose to do so. It's a tough decision, but don't go in thinking it will be a cake walk. A friend recently renewed his contract with the national guard and within a few weeks afterward he got word that he was heading to Iraq. You may or may not see action, but making the decision to be prepared to defend your country is a lot more than a lot of people can say they've done.

cudvig · 11-14-2005

Oh I dont expect it to be a cakewalk, I have already took the ASVAB and physical for it. passed the ASVAB with a 89/99 so I can basically do any job I want to. I would be doing the split option. Which means I would be going to basic this summer and my job training the next summer. All that is left is decisions to be made. I expect it to be a bit easier than the marines though. My cousin always tells me I should go into the marines but I want to go to college also. Plus my juvenile record isn't so great....

Anyone been to basic training? If so I would like to talk to them and such.

Thanks for the input, keep it coming!

-Colin

**Kracka** · 11-14-2005

That is a very noble choice, I know a few people in the Reserves and none have regrets. One is in Iraq right now and has been since last Feb.

Boostmaniac · 11-14-2005

If you ask me, I HATE IRAQ!! I'm sitting over here now for 11mo. I did it for the college money but just make sure you join for the right reasons,I give you props for even thinking about it with the War in Iraq or Battle lol . Hope this helps you choose,

Justin

INTRIGUED · 11-14-2005

From all my buddies that have joined up or have been in for quite some time they all say they wouldn't change what they did in any way if they had the choice to go back and do it differently. It will change your life forever.. In a good way or a bad way, thats up to you. Good luck if you choose to go!

CVD · 11-14-2005

So, you like spiders? How 'bout sand?

Anyway, good choice and good luck. Although I'm not so sure how that works while you're going to school, if you get deployed and whatnot.

Pimpin Dsmstyle · 11-14-2005

I was 2 days from officially signing documents with the marines. I heard alot of stories about this and that before I looked into it very deep but the first thing I told the recruiter was " Do not lie to me about anything, I'm here for nothing besides interest in the Marines." Lone behold, I showed some doubt those last couple days before signing on, and he decided to tell me that even if I signed up and went with the delayed entry program, that I could decided to cancel at anytime. LMFAO. Yea you can cancel if you wanna end up in court for years to come.

My best friend did it and he seems pretty alright about it. However he said it's nothing like what they make it seem. Their are alot more obligation than they implied but nothing you wouldn't expect. Also, read between the lines. When I was looking into financial aid, they were showing me the #'s for full time marine work. Keep in mind, I had no interest in signing up full time.

Also realize, that its pretty inevitable, you will be shipped somewhere at some point. Also , even tho you are active for 2 or 4 years ( icant remember exact #'2), You are inactive for the remainder of your 7 year term. You can be pulled of this list for whatever reason. You plan to go to school these next 4 years? Don't sign up. If your main intension is to get schooling, there is a very good chance that wont be able to happen since you will likely find yourself on a bus / airplane to some other location for a lengthy enough amount of time preventing you from doing any sort of school.

That's just my .02. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Steeltwo · 11-14-2005

my friend did the air force for 4 years
then did two years as a air force res.

in the 4 years he was in the air force stationed in Oklahoma. In the reserves, he was sent to Kuwait for 3 months(right before the war started), Germany for 1 month and Pureto Rico(sp?) for 1 month. In the 3 month stint, he made 10 grand to the bank :-O In the others, a shade over 3.

he wouldn't have done anything different either. After his last month in Pureto Rico, he had fofilled his contract.

oh and he signed up for the reserves because they would pay an extra 400 a month on his education. he went to brown, which i guess is some UBER bucks. I know the Gi bill paid in the area of 900 a month, and he ended up out of pocketing almost 2 grand.

Shotgun! · 11-14-2005

I love spiders! I can't wait to have sand under my eyelids!

J/K
I hope it all goes well for you and you have fun in Iraq.

tim · 11-14-2005

I thought about it in highschool and now 2+ years in college I am thinking about it again. If you do decide to go I would have it set in your mind that you will be shipped off somewhere.

I have many friends who are deployed now or have just gotten back from recent deployment. The ones who are deployed hate it but the ones that just got back say they have no regrets.

Whatever you decide to do you there will be pros and cons you just have to decide which one will have the better outcome. The armed forces offer very specific training in many fields that many employers want.

If I remember correctly you were just talking about switching majors and now talking about armed forces? If this is correct it sounds to me like you need to do something different to be happy/successful.

Jakey · 11-14-2005

I have also been keeping the military after graduation in the back of my mind. Between the different branches, there are a number of excellent options, which have outstanding financial benefits and shortened committment requirements compared to many in the past, available for engineers.

Jana · 11-14-2005

The night before I was to go in for my tests and whatnot for the Navy with one of my good friends in highschool, I backed out. I don't regret it, but often wonder what my life would have been like (I can't imagine life without Allan now

). It's different for women... but whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll be doing it for the right reasons. Good luck!

AJ · 11-14-2005

All I want to say if you decide to sign up is "be safe!"

niterydr · 11-14-2005

Yes if you sign up, stay low if you get sent overseas.

**JET** · 11-15-2005

You are pretty safe for getting deployed while you are in school. I spent 6 years in the Army National Guard and I was glad that I did. It definately helped me get a better perspective on life. I also went in at 138 lbs and came out at 176 lbs. I gained 38 lbs of muscle while in basic/AIT for the infantry. It also gives you a lot of pride to know that you served for your country.

Puhrot · 11-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by CVD

I'm not so sure how that works while you're going to school, if you get deployed and whatnot.

I sit next to a guy in the reserves at school. I asked him this exact question. The army does not give you any money for school until you complete the class. So you pay for the class up front once you get to the end of the term with a good grade they cut you a check. The big catch is they can pull you out of class at anytime and he said they will not hesitate just cause you are in school at the time. And if they pull you out of class you did not finish it therefore no check from the army. He also made a point to say that the infantry unit here in Minnesota is one of the best ranked units in the gaurd. So when they are looking for gaurd units to deploy you would definatley be near the top of the list. And remember the Army will tell you almost anything to get you to sign up. This is a sad thing that they lie to so many kids but it is the truth. So I would not sign up thinking that you are going to go through basic and then just sit back an relax for a year until they put you in job training. You think that makes much sense to the army to have a perfectly good newly trained soldier just sitting at home collecting a check when we are a nation at war? If you sign up now you will be deployed that is pretty much a garantee.

Shotgun! · 11-15-2005

w3rd. There is no way you wouldn't be deployed somewhere.

**JET** · 11-15-2005

That guy was blowing some sunshine up your ass. The MN infantry is actually ranked pretty low. College students also have a lower priority. Most of the time they will activate 2 units to mobilize 1. Part of the reason is that they are low on soldiers, so the units aren't full to begin with. The 2nd is that some people just can't go.

It is true that you have to pay for the classes first, but think about it. You pay for one set of classes, then you get a check after you are done. Now you have money to pay for the next set of classes. You also get paid for drill while you are in school (~$200/mo) and get the GI bill (~$400/mo). If you are lucky you can also get a $10,000 loan reimbursement program, so they pay off a $10k student loan for you.

Don't become an MP if you go in, that is the #1 thing they need in Iraq. Also, don't take the recruiter's word for anything. Make sure you EVERYTHING in writing. I got hosed out of a couple of things by the recruiter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puhrot

I sit next to a guy in the reserves at school. I asked him this exact question. The army does not give you any money for school until you complete the class. So you pay for the class up front once you get to the end of the term with a good grade they cut you a check. The big catch is they can pull you out of class at anytime and he said they will not hesitate just cause you are in school at the time. And if they pull you out of class you did not finish it therefore no check from the army. He also made a point to say that the infantry unit here in Minnesota is one of the best ranked units in the gaurd. So when they are looking for gaurd units to deploy you would definatley be near the top of the list. And remember the Army will tell you almost anything to get you to sign up. This is a sad thing that they lie to so many kids but it is the truth. So I would not sign up thinking that you are going to go through basic and then just sit back an relax for a year until they put you in job training. You think that makes much sense to the army to have a perfectly good newly trained soldier just sitting at home collecting a check when we are a nation at war? If you sign up now you will be deployed that is pretty much a garantee.