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I've read numerous posts and discussions about how miserable and overworked they are, how bad the bases are, the frequent deployments, bad family life, etc. Just looking for a bit more insight... how true is this? Is it really that bad? With the AF being so selective, if I dont get accepted into OTS I was looking into WOFT or an army commission but I would like a bit more info. Thanks
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Posted >1 y ago
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Cory Paul Nope, we all hate it and stay just to spite the Army....kidding. It's kind of a dichotomy. We revel in the suck. The actual suck is magnified and compounded so smaller and smaller things stick in your craw. This happens in any organization, civilian or military. Officers tend to be articulate and candid. The choices: change what you can change, deal with what you can't, or drop your paperwork. In truth most officers derive great satisfaction (not gleeful happy nirvana, satisfaction) from what we do.
I personally enjoyed my career. There were certainly things I could have done without, other things I wish I could bottle and enjoy forever. The sum result varies by individual. What bothers people varies. You work long hours, but good people make or break a unitor assignment. Some installations are better than others, but one man's trash is another man's treasure. Some of the "worst" places were my best, most rewarding, and most fun assignments. Deploying...I came on AD in 1994. I did not deploy until 2003. Korea is not deploying....I did that in 1998. So almost 10 years without a deployment. Then I was deployed three times in the next ten. Some deploy more then others. Just is. Your family life is largely up to you. Yes you are separated sometimes. But I'll tell you a secret, my first civilian job after the Army....same hours, just didn't deploy. Maybe it's Stockholm Syndrome but I miss it.
What are some particulars that you have questions about?
@maj mike carter sorry I edited...
I personally enjoyed my career. There were certainly things I could have done without, other things I wish I could bottle and enjoy forever. The sum result varies by individual. What bothers people varies. You work long hours, but good people make or break a unitor assignment. Some installations are better than others, but one man's trash is another man's treasure. Some of the "worst" places were my best, most rewarding, and most fun assignments. Deploying...I came on AD in 1994. I did not deploy until 2003. Korea is not deploying....I did that in 1998. So almost 10 years without a deployment. Then I was deployed three times in the next ten. Some deploy more then others. Just is. Your family life is largely up to you. Yes you are separated sometimes. But I'll tell you a secret, my first civilian job after the Army....same hours, just didn't deploy. Maybe it's Stockholm Syndrome but I miss it.
What are some particulars that you have questions about?
@maj mike carter sorry I edited...
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LTC Jason Mackay
Cory Paul - I am not going to blow sunshine up your 4th point of contact. There are long hours. There are short hours. most installations have family time once a week (day officially ends at 1300 or so) and days off called DONSAs (day of no scheduled activities). You go to the field to train, sometimes for a few days, sometimes for a few weeks. It's not random. There is a training schedule and you know when it's coming months out. You'll go to the different combat readiness centers (NTC, JRTC, CMTC, and KTC) for rotations. You'll deploy, although deployments have slowed. There are operational deployments to Europe and elsewhere to honor security commitments. The Army trains, it lost its way for a while but they are getting back on track.
You'll pull 24 hour staff duty every so often.
If you fly, you'll fly at odd hours whenever conditions and aircraft availability will support mission/training objectives. Night Vision Goggles only really work at night...if you are medevac, you'll be on a duty roster for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd up for Medevac coverage.
Leaders must be engaged when there are Soldier issues. soldier issues usually do not happen between the hours of 9am and 5pm. Not sure where your threshold is. The military is 24/7, especially as a leader.
You'll pull 24 hour staff duty every so often.
If you fly, you'll fly at odd hours whenever conditions and aircraft availability will support mission/training objectives. Night Vision Goggles only really work at night...if you are medevac, you'll be on a duty roster for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd up for Medevac coverage.
Leaders must be engaged when there are Soldier issues. soldier issues usually do not happen between the hours of 9am and 5pm. Not sure where your threshold is. The military is 24/7, especially as a leader.
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I don’t know! I joined form 3 years, stay a little bit longer, then got a commission and somewhere along the way retired after 27 years. Guess I enjoyed the suck! Like everything you’ll get good and not so good times. It’s all about making the best out of it.
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