Posted on Feb 1, 2023
I am meeting with a recruiter this week to start the enlisting process, any advice?
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I am a 21 year old female, and will be first generation Army. It is what I have always wanted to do. I am pretty alone in this so I figured I would reach out here.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
Callista Waterbly, welcome to the military!
First, I would advise you to spend some time thinking about what YOU want out of the military. Most people spend more time thinking about their summer vacation than they do about major events in their life.
Is there something specific that you have in mind for joining the military? Maybe you want to do an initial enlistment for the GI Bill. Maybe you you have sense of duty and patriotism and have always wanted to be in the military. Maybe it is a combination of a different motivations.
None are wrong. They are personal to you. At this point you need to find out how to maximize your options to meet your goals.
There are MANY different bonuses (most (all?) enlistment bonuses are monetary*, but they can add up quickly) you might be eligible for based on your background, ASVAB scores, etc. Make sure you explore all of them and pick the one that will benefit you and your goals the most.
There are MANY different occupations in the military. While you won't absolutely be locked into one during your enlistment, if you have a strong desire for one over another, stick to your guns on getting it (unless it is shown to you as not being possible). If nobody has talked to you about different career options, head to https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs.html and check out options.
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* https://www.goarmy.com/benefits/while-you-serve/bonuses.html
First, I would advise you to spend some time thinking about what YOU want out of the military. Most people spend more time thinking about their summer vacation than they do about major events in their life.
Is there something specific that you have in mind for joining the military? Maybe you want to do an initial enlistment for the GI Bill. Maybe you you have sense of duty and patriotism and have always wanted to be in the military. Maybe it is a combination of a different motivations.
None are wrong. They are personal to you. At this point you need to find out how to maximize your options to meet your goals.
There are MANY different bonuses (most (all?) enlistment bonuses are monetary*, but they can add up quickly) you might be eligible for based on your background, ASVAB scores, etc. Make sure you explore all of them and pick the one that will benefit you and your goals the most.
There are MANY different occupations in the military. While you won't absolutely be locked into one during your enlistment, if you have a strong desire for one over another, stick to your guns on getting it (unless it is shown to you as not being possible). If nobody has talked to you about different career options, head to https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs.html and check out options.
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* https://www.goarmy.com/benefits/while-you-serve/bonuses.html
Your future starts here. Browse Army Reserve and Active Duty jobs to find an Army career that fits your skills and career goals.
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Callista Waterbly
Thank you. For me it is a sense of duty. I am willing and able to do my part to protect this country and it is what I have wanted since I can remember. Thank you for all of the information!
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Treat the recruiter like a sales person. THEY ARE!
Shop for a Military Occupational Speciality, (MOS), you qualify for and might enjoy. Military tests often identify potential skills that young persons are not aware of.
Do not accept promises by the recruiter until it is in writing! I was young and believed my recruiter that the Army would utilize my civilian skills, they did not, his assurances did not happen!
Shop for a Military Occupational Speciality, (MOS), you qualify for and might enjoy. Military tests often identify potential skills that young persons are not aware of.
Do not accept promises by the recruiter until it is in writing! I was young and believed my recruiter that the Army would utilize my civilian skills, they did not, his assurances did not happen!
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COL Randall C.
You might want to consider a 27D* than as well (although being a military working dog handler sounds more interesting!)
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* https://www.liveabout.com/27d-paralegal-specialist-3345993
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* https://www.liveabout.com/27d-paralegal-specialist-3345993
What It Takes to Become a Paralegal Specialist (27D)
A Paralegal Specialist is an integral part of the Army's legal system. They assist judges, Army lawyers and unit commanders with legal matters.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
COL Randall C. - 31K is a small MOS, hard to get a school seat and small MOS means slow promotions once you hit E-5.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
I just want to re-emphasize CSM Charles Hayden 's last paragraph. If it ain't it writing it ain't gonna happen. Even if it *is* in writing double check for those pesky "ifs" and "mays" because those give the Army wiggle room to back out.
I enlisted under a program that gave bonuses to people for helping get their friends in. The deal was if you got someone else to enlist during your DEP (delayed entry program) time, you got a "finder's fee." The rule was that they had to go to MEPS and sign their initial contract prior to your ship date for basic. I got a guy. My recruiter delayed his trip to MEPS until the day after I shipped so that they didn't have to pay me the bonus. He WANTED to go a week earlier, but recruiter had "scheduling conflicts" for an entire week.
In the grand scheme of things, that $150 made no difference in my life. As you can tell, I went on to a full career. But it is just an example of when something LOOKS guaranteed, but isn't.
I enlisted under a program that gave bonuses to people for helping get their friends in. The deal was if you got someone else to enlist during your DEP (delayed entry program) time, you got a "finder's fee." The rule was that they had to go to MEPS and sign their initial contract prior to your ship date for basic. I got a guy. My recruiter delayed his trip to MEPS until the day after I shipped so that they didn't have to pay me the bonus. He WANTED to go a week earlier, but recruiter had "scheduling conflicts" for an entire week.
In the grand scheme of things, that $150 made no difference in my life. As you can tell, I went on to a full career. But it is just an example of when something LOOKS guaranteed, but isn't.
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If you have one specific job you want to do (and only that job) and you qualify for it, then stick to your guns until you get it, as some jobs aren't available at certain times. However, always have a back up plan for a job skill in case the one you want will never open during your self directed time frame of events. Have 2 or 3 jobs selected as options. Be flexible....to a certain extent. Do not get roped into doing something you're not interested in.
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Just remember to do what you're told, when you're told and how you're told and you will do just fine. Basic is just that, you learn the basic things. At AIT, they will teach you your skill basics, when you get to your duty station, your learning will continue. Don't go hog wild with your money, save it. Just because everyone else has it, doesn't mean you do. Do have fun. If you get stationed OCONUS, don't be a barracks rat, get out and see the host nation. You may never have another chance. Make yourself short term goals, long term goals. Retirement is great, I enjoy mine. Welcome to the military.
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Please consider all of the military services before you commit. The Army is a fine Service--I worked for them for 6 years as a civilian employee--but the other Services may have options to meet your life goals that the Army can't offer. COL Randall C. had excellent advice when he said figure out what you want out of your military experience. It should be more than a regular paycheck and a place to live. In addition to the Army Recruiter, talk with Recruiters from the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, and Coast Guard. At least check out each Service's webpage to get a perspective on their missions and opportunities. Your profile is pretty empty, so I can't advise based on your experience and education. Suffice to say, if you have a college degree, you should consider being an officer.
As far as interacting with any Recruiter:
-Recruiters have quotas for the numbers and types of recruits they are expected to get. They are evaluated on meeting these quotas, so they may not always act in your best interests.
-Tell them the truth in response to direct questions. If you have a possibly disqualifying event in your background and they ask about it, tell them the truth. Same with physical issues.
-Show you've done your homework. Know the types of jobs--specialties--you're looking for. Show you have some understanding of the training and education available. Service webpages have lots of information about this stuff.
-Know when you can be available to start training.
If one of your goals is to get training and experience you can transition into a civilian job after your initial commitment, then look in the logistics (supply, transportation, finance, maintenance, medical, contracting) or information technology specialties. Don't let the recruiter convince you to go into a specialty you don't want. It's harder to change specialties after you're actually on active duty than the recruiters may tell you. Same for commissioning as an officer. If you have a college degree, it's not easy to apply for Officer Training after you are trained an at your first duty station. Better to start down the officer track from the start.
As far as interacting with any Recruiter:
-Recruiters have quotas for the numbers and types of recruits they are expected to get. They are evaluated on meeting these quotas, so they may not always act in your best interests.
-Tell them the truth in response to direct questions. If you have a possibly disqualifying event in your background and they ask about it, tell them the truth. Same with physical issues.
-Show you've done your homework. Know the types of jobs--specialties--you're looking for. Show you have some understanding of the training and education available. Service webpages have lots of information about this stuff.
-Know when you can be available to start training.
If one of your goals is to get training and experience you can transition into a civilian job after your initial commitment, then look in the logistics (supply, transportation, finance, maintenance, medical, contracting) or information technology specialties. Don't let the recruiter convince you to go into a specialty you don't want. It's harder to change specialties after you're actually on active duty than the recruiters may tell you. Same for commissioning as an officer. If you have a college degree, it's not easy to apply for Officer Training after you are trained an at your first duty station. Better to start down the officer track from the start.
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Pick a job that will carry over into civilian life in the event you decide to do one tour and get out. There's nothing wrong with one and done whatsoever so do not worry about judgment. Ensure you stay on top of your education, be a good performer, and do not put yourself in situations that can get you in trouble.
You will be challenged because it's not always easy working with people from different backgrounds and ideals but you will come out stronger in the end. You will also gain a competitive advantage over your non-military peers from a benefits standpoint, which you will learn as you progress deeper into your service obligation.
Most importantly, congrats! Welcome to the family. Motivate others to follow your footsteps and take basic training/advanced individual training a day at a time. Stay on top of your physical fitness as well!
You will be challenged because it's not always easy working with people from different backgrounds and ideals but you will come out stronger in the end. You will also gain a competitive advantage over your non-military peers from a benefits standpoint, which you will learn as you progress deeper into your service obligation.
Most importantly, congrats! Welcome to the family. Motivate others to follow your footsteps and take basic training/advanced individual training a day at a time. Stay on top of your physical fitness as well!
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Don't limit yourself and don't settle for what may be available right now if it is not what you want. Study for the ASVAB - the better you do the more choices you will have. If you don't get a score that gets you the job you want, wait, study, and retake it - this will delay your enlistment, but you will be happier in the long run. Stay physically fit - if you aren't running now, start.
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Although the Army has its perks the other services do as well. Don't limit yourself to the Army unless that is exactly what you want. Talk to other recruiters and see what they have as well in the way of your job you want and life in that service. They all have thier pros and cons and maybe another better fit somewhere else. Thanks for stepping up and being willing to serve...that is a huge first step.
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Have you taken the ASVAB yet? If not, I would highly suggest that you find one of the online study sites and take the practice test a couple of times. That score has a lot to do with how that recruiter will approach you.
As others have mentioned, look through the MOS descriptions and find a few that interest you. Be prepared to wait if they aren't offering anything that interests you. The Recruiter has a mission and he is there to fill school slots. If you have a good ASVAB score, he is going to offer you the MOS that requires that score. I have a very good ASVAB score, when I enlisted the first job they hit me with was Hawk Missile repairman. I was not in the least interested and I had already decided to go Infantry. The recruiter looked like I just ran over his dog. The point being don't be afraid to turn down a job that you aren't interested in doing for your first enlistment.
Other than that, work on your physical conditioning. The better shape you are in, the less traumatic Basic Combat Training will be.
As others have mentioned, look through the MOS descriptions and find a few that interest you. Be prepared to wait if they aren't offering anything that interests you. The Recruiter has a mission and he is there to fill school slots. If you have a good ASVAB score, he is going to offer you the MOS that requires that score. I have a very good ASVAB score, when I enlisted the first job they hit me with was Hawk Missile repairman. I was not in the least interested and I had already decided to go Infantry. The recruiter looked like I just ran over his dog. The point being don't be afraid to turn down a job that you aren't interested in doing for your first enlistment.
Other than that, work on your physical conditioning. The better shape you are in, the less traumatic Basic Combat Training will be.
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Suspended Profile
The intelligence jobs are where the money is when you retire. If you have a thing for languages than check out 35P Crypto Linguist. I would generally check out all the 35 Series (MOSs). You do need at least a GT score of 110.
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