In the Military
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Well, my experience is mostly (by which I mean entirely) RCN reserves, but from what I hear the USAF is probably the last branch you want to go in. This is all based on hearsay from other members, but the gist of how things seems to be is this: the USAF is rotten at the core with rampant drug use, systemic religious and ethnic discrimination (namely at the academy), general incompetence within the branch and there is even serious talk at the Pentagon of disbanding it entirely and dividing the assets amongst the US Army, USN and the Marines.
I know it's all hearsay, but I do trust the people I've herd it from, and the general stats on what has come out of the academy and the recent controversies don't leave much doubt in my mind.
If I had to choose, I'd honestly either go Marines (which are basically a whole military in and of themselves) or Navy (which has its own air force).
I know it's all hearsay, but I do trust the people I've herd it from, and the general stats on what has come out of the academy and the recent controversies don't leave much doubt in my mind.
If I had to choose, I'd honestly either go Marines (which are basically a whole military in and of themselves) or Navy (which has its own air force).
I haven't been in the Army for a while, but a friend of mine is an officer in the Air Force. I won't list any information about him though.
The past several months have revealed that the Air Force has its own share of troubles, which was somewhat surprising. One article covered the increasing number of disciplinary actions [https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/20140422.aspx] taken against Missileers, the people who maintain and operate the US strategic nuclear missile arsenal. That part doesn't surprise me now that I think about it, because those silos must be located in remote areas. That probably won't apply to you though. Instead, here's some general advice.
That's all I can think of for now.
The past several months have revealed that the Air Force has its own share of troubles, which was somewhat surprising. One article covered the increasing number of disciplinary actions [https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/20140422.aspx] taken against Missileers, the people who maintain and operate the US strategic nuclear missile arsenal. That part doesn't surprise me now that I think about it, because those silos must be located in remote areas. That probably won't apply to you though. Instead, here's some general advice.
1. Don't shave your head before you get to basic. They're going to run those clippers over your scalp whether you have hair or not.
2. Follow the list your recruiter gave you covering what to bring, but more importantly what NOT to bring. It'll be no booze, no tobacco, nothing that isn't on the list. Follow those rules. Also, don't bring too much stuff. It will be an advantage at the very beginning if you don't over pack. Try to bring everything you need in a soft gym bag. DON'T bring a suitcase! You'll see what I mean.
3. Take care of any loose ends well before you have to leave. If you have a credit card or recurring bills, be sure to leave the proper information with someone you trust, who can make payments either for you or on your behalf.
4. Gather critical information for people you list as your emergency contacts. During basic training you will probably be given the opportunity to list beneficiaries for a life insurance program. You will need full names, contact addresses, phone numbers, and birth dates. Memorize that information.
5. Now might be a good time to get the easy stuff out of the way, such as memorizing the rank structure/insignia of both NCOs [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_enlisted_rank_insignia] and commissioned officers [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_officer_rank_insignia]. This isn't super critical at first, but it will help.
6. If you haven't already started, now is a good time to start running. Even though the Air Force isn't as into running as say the Army or Marines, you're more than likely going to have to run.
7. If you enjoy using cushy insoles, wear a new pair in your shoes when you go to basic. Later, you can slip them out and put them in your boots. They really made a difference for me. Also, they make your boots easy to identify in a discreet way. I actually took two pairs, one for my boots, the other for my running shoes.
In retrospect, you should ask your recruiter if insoles are okay to bring.
8. I figured out how to avoid blisters on road marches, and for the record I found out later that this is the same technique that Andy McNabb used, which he revealed in his book Bravo Two Zero (I think it was that one). What I did was first put on a pair of the cheap, thin dress socks they give you. Then you put on a pair of the regular, thick wool socks over those. Pull both pairs snug, but not super tight, straight up your leg. Then fold the excess over the top of the boot making sure they don't show past your BDU bottoms. You finally WRAP your boot laces around the top of the socks and tie them off so the socks stay in position and won't loosen down to your feet.
9. Finally, I suggest that you listen to what you're told and do it, fast. Keep your eyes and ears open and don't daydream. You don't want undue attention during basic.
That's all I can think of for now.
Got out last June just in time for Midsummer's. This is very context-dependant, as NCOs are just like us grunts except that they have stayed extra 6 months and Sergeants are generally from previous group, having stayed to become COs.
Because corporals are just the older group, they tend to vary equally as much as the latest one. I presume that it's the same over at Air Force with commanding officer strictness - our company was mostly "do your job, don't be an asshole and you'll be fine".
Of course, basic training of 8 weeks has every leader with stick up their rectum to drill the routines. After that, we got to varying degrees of chumminess.
Because corporals are just the older group, they tend to vary equally as much as the latest one. I presume that it's the same over at Air Force with commanding officer strictness - our company was mostly "do your job, don't be an asshole and you'll be fine".
Of course, basic training of 8 weeks has every leader with stick up their rectum to drill the routines. After that, we got to varying degrees of chumminess.
In response to your original post, I do have a bunch of bad memories from my time in the Army. In its defense though, the one thing I do remember fondly is the people. Even the shitbags. It's all just part of the experience. It'll be hard to process things as 'character building' in the present tense, but those are just a part of life which I guarantee you will remember fondly, if not with a bitter aftertaste.Yoshi4507 said:
It's a bit early to say this, plus you'll be reminded of this once you get to your tech school training location or permanent duty station, but don't buy a car from any dealership in a military town. Just don't. Having a car later on will be a fucking Godsend, but buy it when you're at home. Actually, scratch that. You'll know after tech school whether your first posting will be overseas.
In the meantime, do whatever it is you do, but just an FYI, they can and just might perform a drug test while you're at basic training or tech school. So choose your recreational activities wisely.
Enjoy your time right now and live your life. I say this as someone who has served (but never actually been to combat), but thank you for volunteering to do what so few are even willing to consider.
Joined the navy a little over 4 years ago. It's a good job with great benefits, but even still it's not really my thing. I joined because I had dropped out of college with no plans for the future, and I believe that was the absolute right decision to make... mayyyybe wouldn't have gone with the Navy (I was thinking Air Force, but my Dad is retired Navy and kind of dragged me into it), but I can't complain about all the good its done me. What I CAN complain about is the fact that I definitely picked the wrong job to do (intelligence specialist; trust me, it's WAY more boring than it sounds) and that the Navy has the absolute stupidest uniform policies out of any branch. Ugh.
I'm still somewhat on the fence about whether I'll renew my contract in 2 years, but as it stands, I'm leaning towards going back to school. I think i finally know what interests me (anthropology), so hopefully I can work that out and finally live a day of my life that the navy is NOT a part of in some way.
And no, I haven't been on a ship yet, and while it's still a possibility, I doubt I ever will. Deployments are being drawn down, and my job is less critical on the seas. Does this make me not a real sailor? Fuck if I care. It's not about duty or "pride in serving" for me, it's only about the paycheck.
I'm still somewhat on the fence about whether I'll renew my contract in 2 years, but as it stands, I'm leaning towards going back to school. I think i finally know what interests me (anthropology), so hopefully I can work that out and finally live a day of my life that the navy is NOT a part of in some way.
And no, I haven't been on a ship yet, and while it's still a possibility, I doubt I ever will. Deployments are being drawn down, and my job is less critical on the seas. Does this make me not a real sailor? Fuck if I care. It's not about duty or "pride in serving" for me, it's only about the paycheck.
Most of the things have been covered already, so I'll just add one; It doesn't matter whether you need to pee or not, if given a chance to piss, DO IT. You never know when the nest toilet break is, or WHERE it is.
my first response is to make a snide comment about how you're going into the 'chair force' but then i remind myself you're just going in :3
went Navy myself, its the most blunt, brutal, sexist, racist, any kind of 'ist' you can find where everyone is pissed off all the time because of bullshit regs and being out in the middle of nowhere ocean for days-weeks-months with no goddamn internet...
but you'll be in the Air Force, where they have half the equipment we do but twice the money, enjoy your padded seats and mega-ultra-super-huge flat screens you pricks... :3
-with love and being sarcastic
now to be pleasantly honest, enjoy yourself, do what you can, and stay in at least 3 years to get free college
went Navy myself, its the most blunt, brutal, sexist, racist, any kind of 'ist' you can find where everyone is pissed off all the time because of bullshit regs and being out in the middle of nowhere ocean for days-weeks-months with no goddamn internet...
but you'll be in the Air Force, where they have half the equipment we do but twice the money, enjoy your padded seats and mega-ultra-super-huge flat screens you pricks... :3
-with love and being sarcastic
now to be pleasantly honest, enjoy yourself, do what you can, and stay in at least 3 years to get free college
Military service is mandatory for all men where I live, so yes, I've been to the military. 9 months of service, trained as a medic, rank lance-corporal.
Another good way to avoid having blisters on marches is just to wear an old pair of socks (by old I mean a pair that you have used during that week). The point being that since you've already sweat in them they'll stick to your feet and won't cause any friction (tested and tried by myself).FizzyIzze said:
OP: In Switzerland military service is mandatory so yes I have (went all the way to lt). However due to this nature I probably can't give any tips other than that which I have already given. Good look on your time in the military and I hope it won't be as sucky as it was for me.
Currently serving in the US Navy. Just reached year 8, doing Nuclear Engineering(machinest mate) and then Recruiter. I feel like I got a lot out of it and I'm glad I joined because it's helped me a lot. Not to mention given me enough resources so that I when I get out next year, I won't have problems finding work or getting by until I do.
Not to say I'm really fond of the Navy. I did three deployments on a carrier(and a year of yard time) and was glad to get off the ship. Unfortunately, I decided to go recruiting. Which was mostly a bad idea other then it was how I met my Fiancee and because of it, I have time to finish my degree before I get out. Recruiting is one giant ball of stress and BS, combining the worst aspects of being a Salesman and an HR manager together, with almost nothing being in your control to get your job done. It seems to be easier for the Air Force and Marines though, judging from seeing how people flock to the Nearby Marine and Air Force Recruiters.
Not to say I'm really fond of the Navy. I did three deployments on a carrier(and a year of yard time) and was glad to get off the ship. Unfortunately, I decided to go recruiting. Which was mostly a bad idea other then it was how I met my Fiancee and because of it, I have time to finish my degree before I get out. Recruiting is one giant ball of stress and BS, combining the worst aspects of being a Salesman and an HR manager together, with almost nothing being in your control to get your job done. It seems to be easier for the Air Force and Marines though, judging from seeing how people flock to the Nearby Marine and Air Force Recruiters.
Hilarious that you should mention it considering my advice to you back inSomeLameStuff said:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.331219-Military-Training
You're out of the army by now, right? If so, congratulations.Knife said:
Back to OP. I served a few years in the army back before fallout 3 came out. Still serve in reserve duty on occasion. As far as good experiences go, it's usually the lack of bad experiences ("They forgot about me, I can get some shut eye!") or bad experiences that are funnier in retrospect ("Remember that time I broke my legs and got 7 weeks vacation?"). Don't expect many good experiences in the immediate sense (army isn't made to be fun), some will give you fond memories though. But a crucial part of the experience is people, if you have decent folk with you, the bad stuff doesn't seem so bad, and the not so bad stuff seems good.
When I was the appropriate age there was still conscription in my country and for conscience reasons I did NOT object (most people used the conscientious objector just because they don't wanna. I didn't want to either but my conscience had no problems, so I didn't want my first decision as an adult be a lie, abuse the system, bullshit the government etc.). It was a horrible expierience. Funny, but horrible.
Avionics technician here buddy.Yoshi4507 said:
Im assuming you are in an off-aircraft bay? If so most people I know who have worked in the bay really didnt like it. Most people prefer on aircraft roles but it just depends some people love it. Im not sure about the military side of things because im a civilian but most of the military guys (at least in the UK) are very chilled out. All ranks are called by thier forenames and the banter is good (it may seem harsh but its all in good nature)