How much time will I have for college and fitness as an active duty 91b in the army?

Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:42:40 -0400

As a 91b wheeled vehicle mechanic in the army, how many classes should I take at a time? Also will I have time to lift weights 4-5 days a week if I'm also doing college?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2019 6:47 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:47:08 -0400

As for the amount of classes, take only the amount you can handle in regards to time spend on school and work. Also, in regards to time available for college and weight training, that will depend on your time management.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2019 6:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:50:29 -0400

College is really not that hard. TA only pays for a couple of classes a year so you'll only be taking one or two at a time. In your lower level classes you'll probably spend 1-2 hours per week per class.
You'll have PT every morning and plenty of time to work out

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2019 6:51 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:51:31 -0400

I’ve been going to school full time for the past 3 semesters while Active duty.. I found time to hit the gym almost daily after the duty day and still get my school work done. This was at Tactical unit. Did I sacrifice many weekends. Definitely. But it can be done if you utilize time management skills. And you simply have to want it. If it’s important to you, you’ll find the time.
The important thing is that you take an honest approach, how much you yourself will prioritize certain things over others is the biggest factor. Make a realistic commitment based on your individual situation and you’ll succeed.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2019 6:52 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:52:26 -0400

No one can tell you how much time you will have to lift weights or take classes. Start with a light load and then build on it as time permits. Why do you want to lift weights more than three times a week?

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jul 24 at 2019 7:57 PM

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 19:57:07 -0400

If you know how to manage time and be ready to sacrifice your free time for your dreams, go for it.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:26 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:26:52 -0400

It'd help to know more specifics...what major do you want? What ambitions do you have? Senior enlisted? Warrant? Commissioned? Did you want to stay in, or eventually get out? From long and often aggravating experience, here are the rules, at least when I was in, and after I'd gotten out, OK? It's really hard to do coursework, quite often, in something other than what you're expressly working in; that's just a truism I'd observed all the time I was in. Now, that being said, full time for undergrad is 12 credits to start in a given semester, or quarter, as the case my be, full time for grad is 9 credits, due to increased difficulty, and a fundamental recognition that in grad programs, people generally work. If you are getting Federal loans, which, of course, differs completely from active duty funding, you need to have at least 6 credits going at the end of a semester, if you drop any coursework, which you need to find out the explicit rules and dates for, both for getting drop forms signed, as well as giving drop forms in, to a registrar office. Also, you need to get the actual catalog for whatever school you're going to, actually print it out if it's an online PDF, as the case may be, and actually go through it. While what I'm about to say isn't a necessarily hard and fast rule, the catalog in effect when you start a program, is, for all practical intents and purposes, at least from the user end, I'd found, essentially the agreement between you and the school, as to the rules in place, applicable to you, at the time you actually start, that applies to how long you have to finish, all regionally-accredited degree programs, by law and/or policy, I believe, actually have set time limits, however long that might be, expressly listed in a catalog, at least, that was the case for me in all the programs I'd been in; it could be five years, or whatever, the point is, the undergrad and/or grad catalogs of any school you go to are, typically, required to actually list such info concretely (that's, in fact, how I was actually able to finally finish my clinical allied-health doctorate before my total perm disability, long, long story, not germane here). If you get TA to pay the tuition on active, trust me, you MUST, MUST, MUST get your grade slip in, by a definite date after finishing, or you're gonna either be hounded by your installation educ ofc, or have to wind up paying it back; that happened to me a couple of times with coursework I did under a program before you were in called VEAP, which existed before the present GI bill, where I put in $2700, the VA put in an addl $5400, max, for $8100 in all, that's all I was allowed, I eventually took the rest of the $2700 out, probably dumb back then, though that's what I'd done, it was a long while ago, obv. It'd also help to know grades, GPAs, actual course titles you've done thus far and/or want to do; further, if your installation has colleges in to do coursework where you are, physical convenience is a REALLY good thing to try to take advantage of, when you're doing coursework on active. I learned a long, long time ago, another truism: Generally, one can work and drive, drive and go to school, or go to school and work, however, short of being Superman with a big red "S" on your chest, and a cape, few normal humans can work, drive, and go to school, all at once. Something's gotta give; you're just gonna wind up burning the candle at both ends, and wind up crashing and burning, God knows, it happened to me more than once. I did m first masters part time, it took me five years, and was a MAJOR pain, I made it WAY harder than it needed to be, going WAY further than I'd needed to, I could've gone to a masters in physics as opposed to engineering WAY closer to where I'd been working initially after I'd gotten out, in short, I had pretty much zero clue how to go about the whole thing properly. That being said, take some advice from one who's been around just about every educ block for which God has streets, and give us all WAY more info on you. About the weightlifting, the more you distract yourself, the less you're gonna be able to concentrate on coursework; I entirely fathom why you'd wanna do such stuff, you need to for your APFT, or whatever PT requirements you'd be subject to, I also get that, running included...that being said, the more you relate here, the more all of us can try to help you with such career/educ stuff, so, if you wanna chat more, just lemme know, I'll try to suggest what I can, no rush, whenever you want...if you want a STEM field, be specific about why, what you've taken thus far, etc...if a non-STEM field, the same...paramount, give us your explicit objectives, EXACTLY what you're trying to accomplish, what you eventually wanna do and/or be, after such training...college isn't a voc-ed program, that's not its purpose, and never was, its purpose is to develop the intellect...it's also not supposed to be torture, as well, however, the fewer physical distractions you have while doing it, the easier and less aggravating it obv tends to be, honest, trust me, been there, done that (BTDT), many, many times over, I assure you, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:30 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:30:56 -0400

And I'd seen you want Green to Gold...have you looked at other svcs? Do you have flight ambitions at all? Would you wanna wait for an OCS, or maybe go direct commission indoc program, to an OIS? Would you want warrant at all? Those are the kinds of specifics that'd help to know...if you wanna stay Army, fine...what branch? What masters eventually, and trust me, from day one as warrant or commissioned, you're expected to get to at least masters level, even if only part time, also BTDT, I assure you, OK? Details...give us all those kinds of specific details, to try to help you properly, OK? Take the time, write out a REALLY detailed, thorough biosketch, incl hobbies, interestes, reading tastes, all sports you do, not just the weightlifting, incl any martial arts, esp, OK? Remember, the more you tell us, the more concretely we can all suggest various stuff for you, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:37 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:37:18 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Military_Academy_Preparatory_School

I don't know if you're in the age range for this, however, trust me, read it, OK?

United States Military Academy Preparatory School - Wikipedia

The United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS), sometimes referred to as West Point Prep, is a preparatory school for the United States Military Academy (USMA). Located in West Point, New York, its official mission is "to provide academic, military and physical instruction in a moral-ethical military environment to prepare and motivate candidates for success at the United States Military Academy."[1]

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:37 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:37:51 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Academy_Preparatory_School

And this....

Naval Academy Preparatory School - Wikipedia

The Naval Academy Preparatory School or NAPS is the preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy. NAPS is located on Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. The mission of the Naval Academy Preparatory School is "To enhance Midshipman Candidates' moral, mental, and physical foundations to prepare them for success at the United States Naval Academy".[1]

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:38 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:38:19 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Academy_Preparatory_School

And this....

United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School - Wikipedia

The U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School—usually referred to as "the Prep School" or "The P School"—was established in May 1961. The school's founder and first commander was Colonel Lee Charles Black. It is located on the campus of the United States Air Force Academy near the Community Center. The Prep School's mission is to prepare, motivate, and evaluate for admission to and success at the Air Force Academy. Students at the prep school...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:40 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:40:12 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Maritime_colleges_in_the_United_States

These are hidden treasures...I quite frequently kick myself I didn't apply for SUNY Maritime College, I've known many who went there, they all have NROTC, if you want it, you don't have to do it, however, as you're on active now, that'd probably be the best way, they're all state schools....

Category:Maritime colleges in the United States - Wikipedia

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:40 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:40:35 -0400

http://www.vmi.edu

My best friend in USAF went here for elec engrg (EE) under AFROTC....

Virginia Military Institute

Appointed cadets matriculate August 17. They will move into barracks, receive their uniforms, sign the Matriculation book, and begin their VMI training.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:41 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:41:05 -0400

http://www.citadel.edu

This and VMI are the West Points of the South....

The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina

The Citadel's fall 2019 Global Scholars Program is accepting applications for Greece or Cyprus for half the cost of Citadel tuition and fees. Apply by April 15!Apply Now

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:43 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:43:21 -0400

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer/flight-warrant-officers.html

This only needs high school, minimum, though I've heard WOCS is a pretty rough program...we have a family friend who'd been Army enlisted, got WOCS, went Army rotary wing, did his bach in aviation at Embry Riddle, then Army release him, USCG picked him up, I never knew if by OCS, or direct commission indoc OIS, he finished his 20 yrs as a USCG rotary wing O-3....

Flight Warrant Officers

If you have dreamed of becoming a helicopter or fixed-wing pilot, the Army can help you turn that dream into a reality. Warrant Officers fly some of the most exciting, technologically advanced aircraft in the world.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:43 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:43:57 -0400

https://www.goarmy.com/army-cyber/cyber-direct-commissioning-program.html

You've likely seen this....

Cyber Direct Commissioning Program

System admin, web developer, programmer. Put your civilian experience to work and become an officer in the Army through the Cyber Direct Commissioning Program.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:44 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:44:32 -0400

https://news.usni.org/2018/06/13/navy-implements-warrant-officer-1-rank-for-cyber-specialists

You might find this of interest....

news.usni.org | 523: Origin is unreachable

Check your DNS Settings. A 523 error means that Cloudflare could not reach your host web server. The most common cause is that your DNS settings are incorrect. Please contact your hosting provider to confirm your origin IP and then make sure the correct IP is listed for your A record in your Cloudflare DNS Settings page. Additional troubleshooting information here.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:45 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:45:02 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Institute_of_Technology

Read about this....

Air Force Institute of Technology - Wikipedia

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education for the United States Armed Forces and is part of the United States Air Force. It is located in Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton. AFIT is a component of the Air University and Air Education and Training Command.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:47 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:47:04 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Postgraduate_School

And this, all warrants, commissioned, and senior NCOs can try for AFIT, for NPS, I know all warrants and commissioned can try, senior NCOs I don't know, though I saw AFIT for Army senior NCOs in a YouTube video recently...I'd wanted this one really badly, I had an O-6 recommend from my unit CO, I couldn't get, though God knows I tried....

Naval Postgraduate School - Wikipedia

The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is a public graduate school operated by the United States Navy and located in Monterey, California. It grants master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificates. Established in 1909, the school also offers research fellowship opportunities at the postdoctoral level through the National Academies’ National Research Council research associateship program.[3]

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:47 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:47:54 -0400

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/united-states-marine-corps-platoon-leaders-course-3332801

This is rather less well-known than the ROTCs, I merely mention it so you'd know if it, at least....

US Marine Corps Platoon Leader Course: What You Need to Know

The Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) is an alternative for NROTC or OCS for college students who wish to become commissioned officers.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:48 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:48:58 -0400

http://www.omao.noaa.gov

They have a 5-yr flight program, their OIS is called BOTC, it's on the grounds of USMMA Kings Point, where my next younger brother went, I commissioned him when he'd finished, I'd been in when he'd gotten done and went USNR....

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations |

Learn about the NOAA Diving Program, which trains, certifies, and equips personnel to safely support underwater missions

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:51 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:51:31 -0400

http://www.usphs.gov

Look at Jr and Sr COSTEP on here, I'd externed under a USPHS O-6 during my clinical allied-health doctorate before my total perm disability, I'd wanted to go back in as USPHS, I could never make it happen, look at their Jr and Sr COSTEP, they don't only use clinical, they also use engrs, comp sci (CS), and IT, they're direct commission OIS for their programs if they take you, few consider them or even know they exist....

www.usphs.gov

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 24 at 2019 10:52 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:52:04 -0400

I figure all that oughta keep you going for a fair while...if you want more, just lemme know, as I'd said, no rush, whenever you'd want, OK?

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 25 at 2019 12:28 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 00:28:53 -0400

That's something that you have to work out with your section NCO

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2019 12:39 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 00:39:15 -0400

I’m not sure about officer side, but as enlisted. I’m going be straight up and say maybe a class or two as we are always in the motorpool working. We may stay late for certain jobs, but it’s always mission first. It may vary, as one of my friends in a EOD unit, gets off at 1400 everyday. I think it varies where you are stationed and how heavily the trucks affect the mission.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2019 1:38 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 01:38:24 -0400

I am a 91b and I am talking online college and it takes 5 weeks to complete but I normally finish it in 6 days so you have time to go to college and do it now and not wait.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Jul 26 at 2019 1:07 PM

CSM William Everroad — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 13:07:59 -0400

The biggest hurdle is your supervisor. If you are a mechanic, you may end up on weird shifts depending on the unit you get assigned to. Once you arrive at your duty station, get a feel for their operations and go to the ed center. Then talk to your supervisor and let them know what you want to do. Most NCOs will help you craft a plan for you to be successful and may even help you carve out time for school and additional workouts.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 4:16 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 04:16:20 -0400

You want a real answer depends on where you go. Some places you work 9-5 others you'll work till the pacing items come up. Trucks need fixed, as a 91b thats your mission. Some BCTs stay in the field for 2-4 months outta the year some units deploy for 9-12 months to korea, poland, afghanistan, irag, jordan, etc... Ensure that if you get a "easy" duty assignment you take full advantage. You will be needs of the army so you will not know where you'll go after bct and ait. But if your asking these questions you're already on track to be a great soldier and you will find the time to do the things that you will want to get out of the Army.

Response by PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2019 6:41 AM

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 06:41:33 -0400

It's going to be hard but I'd say 1-2 classes because you'll work some crazy shifts from what I heard. Lifting weights, that's something that you might hopefully be lucky to find time for.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 9:32 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 21:32:00 -0400

Depends on the work tempo of the unit you get assigned. Cav scout batt will mess with your you time. Signal unit, not so much. P.t. isnt that hard to maintain. Collage isnt to bad. Use your t.a. for 5 free classes.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2019 11:28 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 11:28:23 -0400

As everybody said, it's highly unit dependent. I was in a SOF unit. Lots of equipment, a few mechanics, stuff breaking because of lack of use all the time. It's all about time management. And as soon as you have to go anywhere for training, good luck. Gym time is easier to manage I think. And yes use your weekends!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 9:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 09:54:52 -0400

Well it all depends on your duty station and unit. You just have to wait and see. Luckily a lot can be done online so may not be to much of a problem just have to have the desire and manage your time wisely

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 1:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 13:27:20 -0400

Having used TA, on a regular basis, I've used it to pay for 6 classes a year. Most colleges have a two class minimum to be considered a Full Time online student. I did most of my schooling while on recruiting duty when my personal time was extremely limited. And was still able to have enough time for school to maintain a 3.9 GPA and still had time for my wife and kids. As for hitting the gym as a 91B, I was able to go daily for a couple hours or more depending on the workout I was doing that day. However, I spent most of my time in the Motorpool focusing on improving my recovery skills whenever able and none of the equipment for a wrecker is light weight. With that said many days I didn't need to hit the gym as my work in the Motorpool was able to take it's place.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2019 7:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 19:36:14 -0400

My college was awesome where the accepted my Army E-learning transcript (26 credit hours) from ACE and from the JST(14 credit hours). I literally only had to take 80 credit hours and get rid of my general elective courses. Taking class, lifting weights and being on active duty orders demands discipline. You will not have a life while you're in college but it is truly worth doing, placing you ahead of peers that think college isn't worth a try.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2019 7:21 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 19:21:51 -0400

Not if you are on active duty