Joining the Army

[DrewCCU]

Well guys,

I wasn't around for very long and most of you probably don't know me.  But I figured I'd let you guys know that I'm joining the Army.  I'm leaving for MEPS today and tomorrow (I want to be an MP - I think I'll get the MOS but keep your fingers crossed for me cus there's really no definite on that till i get there and they tell me) .  When I get back I hope that it won't be any longer than a week before they send me to basic training.  After that 5 months or so in baisc and AIT I hope that they'll grant my wishes to be stationed in Germany.

Once I get in Germany I'll have a little bit more freedom to write a little bit of music (cus that's what I do).  But I'll keep in touch with you guys a long they way and keep you posted with what's going on.  I can't wait! I'm so excited!

[ALPHATT]

You wannabe a soldier?
Thats very odd people regulary don't like the pain in the traing camp(e.g. running in girlsuts, diging yourself in the ground....naked,etc,etc)
I dont wanna discourage you but I bet you gonna regret this.

[Akatosh]

Personally, I'd rather rip my own skin off than joining the army, but I guess it's your decision. Also, good luck getting stationed in germany!

Also, wtcq, don't believe all the rumors you hear... I wouldn't guess THAT is what happens during basic training.

[space boy]

Good luck to you.

You wannabe a soldier?
Thats very odd people regulary don't like the pain in the traing camp(e.g. running in girlsuts, diging yourself in the ground....naked,etc,etc)
I dont wanna discourage you but I bet you gonna regret this.

He said he's joining the army, not the prison in abu ghraib.

[Tuomas]

Personally, I'd rather rip my own skin off than joining the army, but I guess it's your decision. Also, good luck getting stationed in germany!

My thoughts exactly. Though ripping off my skin won't help me avoid the army because it's still compulsory in Finland, so I'll have to go anyway, next july actually.

[enkerro]

Have a blast

[Tiki]

Forget these sissies!  The army builds character!

[ALPHATT]

Sorry but what will happen with your Superman project??
EDIT:Tiki are you an armyman aren't you???

[MrColossal]

Personally, I'd rather rip my own skin off than joining the army, but I guess it's your decision. Also, good luck getting stationed in germany!

My thoughts exactly. Though ripping off my skin won't help me avoid the army because it's still compulsory in Finland, so I'll have to go anyway, next july actually.

Ripping off your skin is compulsory in Finland? Is Pinhead the president?

[Hudders]

You wannabe a soldier?
Thats very odd people regulary don't like the pain in the traing camp(e.g. running in girlsuts, diging yourself in the ground....naked,etc,etc)
I dont wanna discourage you but I bet you gonna regret this.

I don't understand what you're on about.

You do realise that in the majority of the world, becoming a soldier is a voluntary process aren't you?
Fair enough people who are required by law to do national service don't necessarily want to become a soldier, but surely you understand that there are people who actually want to serve in their country's armed forces?

Just because you wouldn't enjoy being a soldier, it doesn't mean that there aren't millions of people in the world that would. I'm sure whatever your hair-brained plan for the future is, there are people out there who wouldn't enjoy it themselves.

It's very short-sighted of you to dismiss someone's dream out of hand with: "I bet you're going to regret this".

[Nikolas]

...Once I get in Germany I'll have a little bit more freedom to write a little bit of music (cus that's what I do)...

Interestingly enough, I thought that what you do is going to the army 

[SpacePirateCaine]

If your plan is to ultimately pursue music long-term, Drew, I wonder if it wouldn't be a slightly more direct route to your goal to invest your time in something more... Music-related than becoming a soldier. If, however, being a soldier who does music on the side is your goal, by all means!

I've had thoughts about doing a term of duty as a soldier, myself. I might have pursued it at some point in my life if I didn't feel that I had other, more pressing obligations. Living the life of an army man often seems to have a profound effect on many peoples' lives, I think - it matures people (often before their time, though sometimes this also has the opposite effect). My girlfriend is South Korean, in her country, all men are required to join the army. I've spoken to other South Korean friends about their times in training, and I don't often hear good things - mostly stories of eating potato chips and crying in a lavatory (simultaneously) and hazing newer recruits because that's what happened to them, but spending a few years of your life in a heavily structured environment where you aren't allowed to be an autonomous unit - if nothing else - gives people a new perspective on life.

I lived for six months in a boarding school in Japan, before I could speak the language. It had very strict and stringent rules that had to be obeyed, and I found myself becoming very disciplined and a lot more productive. It teaches you to ration your time a lot, it seems. I've admittedly lost most of that by now, but I actually am glad I did it, in retrospect.

I think people should suffer a bit in their lives, because pain and difficulty prompts people to learn to adapt, and that can't be a bad thing, can it?

[ildu]

Are you from the States? If so, what happened to the famed decrease to a 10-day basic training thingy? Or is that only for troops going to Iraq? How are they distinguished from each other? How can you assume that you'll be going to Germany?

In countries where the army isn't mandatory, you may have more control over your issues. But my experiences with the Finnish army is quite the contrary. We had no control over our stuff. For example, after basic training I applied to be a secretary, a cook or a medic, and they ended up putting me in the military police. Most of my comrades suffered a similar fate. The only control over your affairs in the Finnish army is the chance to misrepresent yourself as a lunatic in the aptitude tests in hopes of not being selected for officer training and getting a 12-month term. Also, you can always fake illness and get disabilities for periods of time.

"Question #36: Do you believe in ghosts?"
"Yessiree Bob, I do!"

[Nikolas]

Let's talk army then

I spent 11 months in the army (everyone has to go in Greece).

In the 1st 2 months I lost 23 kilos (!!!!!!!)

Then I got back the 8...

In the meanwhile, I learned how to stand perfectly still (perfectly) for more than an hour (try it, and see if it's easy, how to intimidate anyone really, how to salute generals, etc. I was in the Military Police  . It's not an easy job, especially the training!

In the meanwhile, I got married, I escaped the country illegaly (since when you're in the army you can't go outside), and I got my first son, Dimitris. (Thus my "sentence" was reduced to 11 months from 12... I could have made 9, but Dimitris was born on the 11th month... go figure really...)

I had HUGE stress and myriad problems really, and all I can say is that it was a waste of time, that not everybody else in the world has to go through (thus is unfair to us Greek people).

I did made 3 friends who I still hang out with (when I'm back in Greece), and I do have a recolection of good memories actually.

Still if you ever asked me if I would do it again, I would certainly say NO! A huge waste of time!

[cobra79]

After 10 month of the german Army (compulsory military service) I know for myself that I am not a soldier. It is not about fitness or stress. You learn to cope with that.
It is about stupid orders by superiors which in my view were plain dumb. If you have a nonchalant attitude and you are aware of the risk to be send to Iraq than good luck to you. Just do yourself a favor and ask yourself if it is really what you want to do.

[Peder 🚀]

I actually wanted to go in the army before myself (every guys has to here in Norway, but they are actually thinking about making girls having to go to...)

anyway, right now I dont think I would handle it .
And I got other plans anyway .

[Alynn]

Most of you already know my opinions on this..

Anyway Wtcq, that was the most ignorant statement I've heard on these boards in a long time (and that's saying a lot).

Ok Cheif, here's my adivce (10 years active duty, currently a SSG (don't worry, you'll learn what that is) so I know what I'm talking about).

Basic training... remember one thing... It's not personal... granted BCT is a hell of a lot easier than it was when I went through. Group punishment sucks... but just remember, you are doing those pushups and those situps, and those flutter kicks (my personal bane) to get your body in shape so that you can pass the APFT.

Now, as far as MEPS. Don't let the councillers bullshit you. Until you sign that paperwork and give your oath (well legally signing the paperwork) you aren't in. They will push you toward the combat arms jobs that they need to fill. Don't let them push you that way. If you want to be an MP, and your ASVAB score is high enough to qualify for that position, then you push for it. Don't let them sell you anything other than that (Although personally, go signal, but eh, I'm biased).

BCT and AIT is a mind game, they stress you out and present to you what may seem like impossible goals. They do this so that when you complete those goals, you feel yourself getting stronger. And your confidence will rise as well.

Also, the Drills will be hard on you, but you gotta remember they can't sit down and interview each one of you to figure out what training style works. You may be able to follow directions, learn quickly, and excell... Others may have never learned how to brush their teeth or even know how to shave. So they treat everyone as the lowest common denomonator, this ensures that everyone that can make it, will make it.

That's all I have for now PVT Drew, feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[Nine Toes]

Thats very odd people regulary don't like the pain in the traing camp(e.g. running in girlsuts, diging yourself in the ground....naked,etc,etc)

Of course nobody likes pain, but the only pain you feel in basic training is from excercising so much.  You don't complain about it, because soldiers don't whine.  ...also, you can't really speak for everyone else; how do you know nobody would be willing to go through with military training just because of a little discomfort?  There are far too many soldiers, especially in my country's military, for that statement to be true.

Also, what in the sam hell is all this talk about running in girl suits and being naked?   I thought the military had a policy regarding that sort of thing, called "Don't ask, don't tell".

Private Wtcq, you are chewed up like a soup sandwich!

[Baron]

Well, he's kind of already made his decision.....

I would have thought that the majority of American recruitment these days would be for.... more conflict ridden regions than Germany.  Just so you go into it eyes open.

Anyhow, good luck!  It'll definitely build up your inner strength.  And remember BaRoN's two rules of soldiery: 1) don't get killed, and more importantly 2) don't get mostly killed -you'll have longer to regret it.

[BOYD1981]

Thats very odd people regulary don't like the pain in the traing camp(e.g. running in girlsuts, diging yourself in the ground....naked,etc,etc)

erm, girlsuts? i don't understand.