Ah crap i forgot to have the recruiter copy my asvab scoring.
Amazingly by the way i received:
NUC: 220
EL: 216
I expected a high score for electronics but nuclear? wtf? lol. The rest of them were about 150~ except mechanics i got a 118 which is fine because i suck on cars/motors.
Goodluck! I was sworn into the Army National Guard in October and am leaving for Basic Training this Tuesday. MEPS was an interesting day to say the least - but the feeling I got after I walked out after being sworn in was awesome. You'll feel like a million bucks. Everyone that was enlisting along with me regardless of their branch were very friendly. I was in a semi-similar situation before I enlisted. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and it was so difficult finding a job. Correction. A GOOD job. FFXI wasn't a hobby anymore, it had become a way of life. And I resented it for becoming that. I definitely needed a change.
A year ago I wanted to enlist in the Air Force (my cousin just graduated the USAF SERE boot camp and got me initally interested in the military) but ended up with the Army - my best friend is retired military and hooked me up with a great recruiter and well, here I am. It's gonna be hard to leave home for so long - 7 months O.O I get to do AIT right after boot camp x.x But I couldn't be happier with my decision. I know i'll persevere regardless of the obstacles because I have heart. And it sounds like you do as well, along with a good head on your shoulders. You already know that boot camp is mostly one big mindgame designed for you to SUCCEED - that is if you really want to. You're already way ahead of the game. You'll do great ^^
I'm not going to go through and read all 5 pages of replies, so I hope that this thread is still relevant...
I signed up for the Navy in '07 before graduating high school, and left for boot camp in July '08 right after graduating.
The college hours will almost defiantly get you E-3, that's what a lot of people do. You can also talk to your recruiter about getting a payment towards your student loans, if you have any, instead of an enlistment bonus.
The wait for ANY branch of the US military is insanely long right now due to the bumb economy. All branches have upped their requirements for ASVAB from 30's to 50's minimum. And not to discourage you, the last that I heard is there is about a 12 month wait to go to boot camp for the Navy.
Military pay isn't the best. The only super-wonderful thing about it is that it is always guaranteed. At one point I was making roughly $2.37 an hour in the Navy. This job is 24/7, don't let that thought pass you by. (Side note for pay: a family of 3 with up to E-5 pay is still below the poverty line)
If you ever think you might want to marry your fiance in the next 4 years... do it before boot camp. The extra money is worth it, and many people wish that they do that. I got married about a year after boot camp. And that way they pay to move her with you instead of you paying to move her to you.
You do get "free" health insurance and get to see guys that might have only made a 32 on the ASVAB to stick you with needles... but it's still nice. If you don't have your wisdom teeth out, they take those from you ^^b Got mine out in boot camp, you get to be awake for the whole thing!
The military discounts at random places are nice. Start a new cell-phone contract after enlisting.
Assuming you get married sometime: Base housing is sort of sucky. The house we have is a modified town-style-house that was built in the 60's. The company doesn't like to fix things unless you harass them quite a bit, but it eventually gets done. As of right now, all utilities are included; but there are rumors that soon the utilities will be separate in some areas.
Assuming you stay single: Barracks life. You most likely will have 3-5ish room mates for awhile. Don't bring anything too valuable with you until you graduate to less-shared spaces. And don't keep any illegal items...
I signed to be a Nuclear Mechanic. BIG MISTAKE. Now I'm just going to be a normal mechanic <3 Almost 2 years of school wasted, but I got MM3 out of it, and they can't take that away. Make sure you do a lot of studies into the jobs that you might think you want. Don't let any bonuses sway your decision. I was supposed to get $16,000 upon completion of 2 year schooling. I don't get that now, and I don't get a new one. Look into every single job, don't get tunnel visioned onto just a few.
Boot Camp is a piece of cake, it's all a big mental game. Even if you've never worked out a day in your life, as long as you come close to weight standards, you will make it.
I don't regret joining, but I can't wait to get out in 2012. Hope this helps a bit :) PM me if you have any other random questions and I'll see if I can answer them
Thanks for the responses again, yeah my fiance and I are thinking about getting papers signed to help make things easier on us plus a bit of extra money.
We aren't doing it just because of that though. Our original wedding date next year will be interrupted by this anyways.
And yeah it's alright if i have to wait more than 2 months like i wanted but i know it depends heavily on your asvab and job availability.
I scored a 69 on asvab with high line scores in Nuclear and Electronics btw. SO hopefully it will qualify me for something interesting i want with some demand with maybe less wait time.
The dental thing is going to be horrible. I have a problem with a gag reflex. Ever try to get a package open with your teeth? When i actually rip the plastic and i feel the torn piece in my mouth i start to get really choked up and panic/cough.
Every past dental exam has ended with the dentist getting aggervated/frustrated because i don't handle tools/foreign things in my mouth without choking. I hope they at least gas me to make me out of it in terms of thinking or we might have a huge problem lol. I do need 3 of my wisdom out sadly.
I think I'll be ok in boot camp as long as i stay mentally focused on the task at hand.
Time will tell.
Also
I wanted to thank the forum members for keeping this thread on topic and not putting HELP I AM TRAPPED IN 2006 PLEASE SEND A TIME MACHINE comments or derailing into some SAM gear discussion. This is a pretty serious thing to me and everyone else that has been in the same situation of curiosity.
Pretty much only the higher-tier jobs; Nuke, Seal, Linguist, etc. go in a timely manner. Time of year plays a factor too. You get more money if you go during the winter as opposed to the warmer months as far as boot camp goes... but trust me, you don't want to be in Illinois right now.
And if you were already planning on getting married, I encourage you to do it before you leave :) Have a little ceremony now, and go for the big party with some of you bonus!
I won't lie... boot camp dentists are awful. No sleeping, no gas... just the evil shots that don't work. They only do what is really needed in boot camp though, and put you on a schedule for anything else that spans over a year or so. The A-school dentists are better because they have more time and less people to deal with. So they will get you fixed up
Necro Bump Detected!
[210 days between previous and next post]
So I'm sorry to necrobump this but i believe the day of reckoning is upon me.
So much has apparently happened since i started this whole thing... and i still can't believe how on topic it stayed.
Anyways.
I enlisted in early February and received the job Air Traffic Control... i go in as an E-2 with advancement to E-3 guaranteed as i graduate A-school.
I got married April 23rd 2010 and made the change on my paperwork ect.
TOMORROW.... 8/21/2010 i hop a flight with my wife for our honeymoon it took us awhile to afford (Cruise to the Bahamas).
Sadly i've already deactivated my characters/mules with the exception of 1 for my wife Taylanichi to use as power leveler ect.... I'll eventually get around to posting a personal youtube video to everyone in this community next weekend when we get back.
I've already made appropriate changes to my blog/site at http://ffxi.clinpachi.com which some of you might find hilarious for those with volume for music/whatnot.
You can read about my entire experience pre-boot camp including the point up to where i joined+after including pictures and thoughts at http://www.clinpachi.com (same as blog site sans the ffxi(dot) part.
Thanks for all of the memories and conversation had around the forums... whether i liked you or didn't like you matters not just know in either case it was all in good fun.
(Trollin spence on the flash mouse game "Transformice" is my favorite memory btw)
Again i'll post 1 more video next weekend to everyone at a later point (Watch deathcue from cerberus post another death thread over THAT too)...
Thanks guys... and goodluck with all you do.
-"Clinpachi"
Personal I just hated being in and hated anyone I liked being in unless they happened to be getting those rare good deals.
i had some of the worst times of my life and some of the best times of my life
i guess it's like a lot of other things in the world, it's different wherever you go
still, though i hate a lot of the values the military promotes, i do think doing one term and getting the post 9/11 gi bill is an awesome deal, so long as you take advantage of it
so is full retirement actually, if you want to stick around for that long
Obvious bad move; Nobody is hiring in my area for anything that matters. And at 25 i refuse to work at mcdonalds or anythign beneath me (Don't misunderstand i respect the people who do those jobs).
after you said that I stopped reading and not taking you seriously
Obvious bad move; Nobody is hiring in my area for anything that matters. And at 25 i refuse to work at mcdonalds or anythign beneath me (Don't misunderstand i respect the people who do those jobs).
after you said that I stopped reading and not taking you seriously
Personal I just hated being in and hated anyone I liked being in unless they happened to be getting those rare good deals.
i had some of the worst times of my life and some of the best times of my life
i guess it's like a lot of other things in the world, it's different wherever you go
still, though i hate a lot of the values the military promotes, i do think doing one term and getting the post 9/11 gi bill is an awesome deal, so long as you take advantage of it
so is full retirement actually, if you want to stick around for that long
Hey Clin! I appreciate the advice you've given me in this forum, so I'll give you a lil boot camp advice.
First off, congratulations on both your marriage and enlisting. They are both major steps to a happier life (usually... lol). In your basic training try to keep your head down man. When I was in basic training, we had a soldier whom the drill sergeants didn't even know was in the class until a week before graduation. He did his job right lol. Blend in with the scenery and do as instructed and you'll do just fine. You gave out advice to me on Samurai and such pretty diligently and that means you put a lot of effort into this game for fun, and that shows good determination. Just apply it to your next step in life and I'm sure you'll do just fine mate. And you picked a nice job. It transitions well into civilian life, if you find you're not a "lifer" lol.
I wish you all of the best mate. And from a Disabled Veteran to a newly sworn in soldier /salute \^^
Hate is such a strong word... Personal I just hated being in and hated anyone I liked being in unless they happened to be getting those rare good deals.
i had some of the worst times of my life and some of the best times of my life
i guess it's like a lot of other things in the world, it's different wherever you go still, though i hate a lot of the values the military promotes,
i do think doing one term and getting the post 9/11 gi bill is an awesome deal, so long as you take advantage of it so is full retirement actually, if you want to stick around for that long
Yeah pretty much this. There were fun times but it kills your life and time with friends/family alot usually.
But yeah I really need to get on using that G.I. Bill. Hell even without it the experience and training often make it worth it for 1 term
I never used my GI Bill (dumb dumb move..though now I'm a chef so that doesn't matter lol). But what people are somewhat overlooking, is the fact that ex-military personnel are highly regarded in most any job field due to the dedication and commitment it takes to be a soldier. Even if your particular military job (which again, you picked a good one Clin) doesn't translate well to "the civilian world" you are still highly sought after for jobs...Always a good thing in this economy/age. Again, best of luck to ya mate ^^
Yeah. I actually had a friend hurt his foot so he was disqualified from submarines... so instead of getting out he crossrated to something taht would be rather useful in the civilian world just so he could get a good easy job when he got out right after that re-enlistment he had to do to get it
Personal I just hated being in and hated anyone I liked being in unless they happened to be getting those rare good deals.
i had some of the worst times of my life and some of the best times of my life
i guess it's like a lot of other things in the world, it's different wherever you go
still, though i hate a lot of the values the military promotes, i do think doing one term and getting the post 9/11 gi bill is an awesome deal, so long as you take advantage of it
so is full retirement actually, if you want to stick around for that long
did chu kill people?
i don't know
i emptied most of a magazine at a muzzle flash at night, and it stopped flashing
that could be due to any number of factors, death being one possibility
I don't hate the people in it =)
doesn't take anyone with half a brain to realize it.
Phoenix.Darki said:
lol why do all militaries brag theyre on the military overall? its so lame. Your basicly a dog of the goverment. Don't brag, you arent good enough to get a decent job so you go to the military because you have nothing better going on lol and you just /raged at trollz. HOW LAME :D
Phoenix.Darki said:
The military is ***, more war and hatred, more families separated, blahblahblah.
Don't pull your *** social rank on us, we dont give a *** your a dog of the goverment. Your as human, you only sold yourself to the devil.
Phoenix.Darki said:
btw, those firemen, and policemen dont usually go around saying I'M A FIREMAN IM a policeman, blahblahblah. I was stating that being a military and pulling out your social rank is pretty lame. So yeah, dogs of the goverment, why brag? some of you are corrupt and full of ***.
Phoenix.Darki said:
agh long story, dont want to go through it. And being a military, serving your country? more like serving an *** sitting on a chair giving orders to go kill other people, thats hypocrit. You serve your country taking the head of someone else. Really, hypocrit.
I don't hate the people in it =) doesn't take anyone with half a brain to realize it.
Phoenix.Darki said:
lol why do all militaries brag theyre on the military overall? its so lame. Your basicly a dog of the goverment. Don't brag, you arent good enough to get a decent job so you go to the military because you have nothing better going on lol and you just /raged at trollz. HOW LAME :D
Phoenix.Darki said:
The military is ***, more war and hatred, more families separated, blahblahblah. Don't pull your *** social rank on us, we dont give a *** your a dog of the goverment. Your as human, you only sold yourself to the devil.
Phoenix.Darki said:
btw, those firemen, and policemen dont usually go around saying I'M A FIREMAN IM a policeman, blahblahblah. I was stating that being a military and pulling out your social rank is pretty lame. So yeah, dogs of the goverment, why brag? some of you are corrupt and full of ***.
Not sure how old this is or if it is out of context, but the person making those statements comes off as rather ignorant. And yes, I am trying to be nice here.
*Unrelated Note*
Yesterday was the 198th anniversary of USS Constitution vs. HMS Guerriere. Quite probably, it was the most important battle ever fought by the US Navy this side of Midway.
ok so this implyes i hate everyone from the military?
great you don't even have half a brain to think for yourself.
Carbuncle.Sevourn said:
Phoenix.Darki said:
Carbuncle.Sevourn said:
Ramuh.Dasva said:
Carbuncle.Sevourn said:
you hate the military remember
Hate is such a strong word...
Personal I just hated being in and hated anyone I liked being in unless they happened to be getting those rare good deals.
i had some of the worst times of my life and some of the best times of my life
i guess it's like a lot of other things in the world, it's different wherever you go
still, though i hate a lot of the values the military promotes, i do think doing one term and getting the post 9/11 gi bill is an awesome deal, so long as you take advantage of it
so is full retirement actually, if you want to stick around for that long
did chu kill people?
i don't know
i emptied most of a magazine at a muzzle flash at night, and it stopped flashing
that could be due to any number of factors, death being one possibility
First off before I say what I'd like to say, i want to make a few things very clear.
Hopeful Rules:
Quote:
1) Do not under any circumstances ask me why i didn't choose a different branch of the military. I chose the navy for my own reasons and I'm well aware of the benefits/differences.
2) Do not make retarded posts or comments saying things such as "tl;dr", "lolnavy", or act as if you know me personally. I'm sure some of you with a low I.Q. will still do it but I'll appreciate it if you actually refrain for once and act like a normal human being.
3) Do not try to tell me a negative horror story where you may have received a dishonorable discharge because you did something fucking stupid.
4) Try to tell me how the military screws you, 90% of the time it's the individuals fault for not keeping up or following through.
Now, I'll actually start what i wanted to say:
My life has been rather uninteresting and overall pretty horrible. I am 25 years old and have worked 12 different jobs, and moved over 10 times since i was 16. I never did good in high school and overall got a very slow start in life.
I made the typical mistake of getting engaged too early only to end in tragedy 4 years into the relationship. My entire life felt broken and i moved back home with my parents.
I decided to give college a try. Somehow because i went with the graphic design field I've found myself landing a 3.8 GPA and managing dean's list nearly every quarter. 76 credit hours later i'm finding that continuing college is going to be very impossible for me. I had a falling out with my parents to the point where i was told i was nothing and would never accomplish anything. I recently ended up giving them my 30 days to move out and pretty much move in with my fiance.
This is where my life stood recently without going into ridiculous pointless detail.
I can move in with my fiance, but our lives are going to be very hard. I dropped all my classes after giving my parents my 30 day notice to try and find full time work.
Obvious bad move; Nobody is hiring in my area for anything that matters. And at 25 i refuse to work at mcdonalds or anythign beneath me (Don't misunderstand i respect the people who do those jobs).
I decided to look into the Navy after examining and doing research on the internet. After about two weeks of internet research, books, and calls to friends who ARE in the navy as well as questions to a recruiter... i decided to take all my paperwork in.
This is where my life stands right now
I was never smart in high school, i only did great in college because it's what I'm interested in.
I was scared shitless of the asvab. Somehow when i went to the recruiter two days ago i managed a 57 on the practice. I was like ok cool, that's not too bad. I filled out paperwork, talked with him about my intentions and it looks like I'm a perfect match for the navy.
I really appreciate the way he talked to me and my fiance as it wasn't a persuasion talk like most horror stories I've seen/heard about recruiters. I made sure to be very clear and ask for more elaboration.
He drove me to MEPS and i took my full on test within the next few hours. I managed a 69 and did well on the code section. My recruiter told me 67 or higher qualifies me for tier II advanced jobs. He also told me because i had 76+ credit hours that i would be moved to rank E-3 possibly (E-2 for sure at least).
For the first time in my life leaving that recruiter office i feel like i have a great chance at having hope in my life. I'm not doing it for the money, I'm not doing it for the benefits, I'm not doing it for any other reason other than to have a better quality of life.
Today i did all the information for my security clearance, i left him a voice mail and plan to stop in tomorrow. I may leave for MEPS and stay in a hotel either tonight or monday night.
I'm 99.9% sure i'll pass all of the medical exam but it's been nearly 7 years since i've seen a doctor or dentist. No medical insurance all my life made it impossible with the full costs.
I just hope i get a decent job that's available in either IT with computers or ATC (Air Traffic Control). I hope to have around two months before i have to leave for boot camp. Might be more if nothing is available but with my score i have a good chance i think.
I guess what replies, comments, or suggestions I'm looking for is people who have either been in the Navy or have genuine experiences who have any form of feedback or thoughts.
I'm tired of sitting around doing college full-time, Even after college there is no guarantee of a job since many people do graphic design or photography as an easy way out in life. I need more in my life and i need to get away from my computer, Final Fantasy XI, and straight out binging on videogames in general.
After MEPS and all goes well it looks like I'll be sworn in and whatnot. Also any experiences or processes would be well appreciated. I only know after boot camp i go to "A" or "C" school for a bit based on what career i choose.