What is one thing you wish you would've known before joining the military?

PVT Leighton Bader — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 14:34:02 -0400

Advice, questions.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 17 at 2018 2:34 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 14:34:46 -0400

The military is highly stressful.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Jul 17 at 2018 2:46 PM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 14:46:28 -0400

PVT Bader,
If there is one thing I wish I knew a little better, it would be promotions. All MOS have different points requirements to make SGT and SSG. What do I mean by that? You can get promoted to SGT let's say at 550 points on one MOS while in another MOS you got to have 650 or more. I think I could've been more aggressive when it came to promotions, and I wasn't. I kinda regret that.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 3:15 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:15:55 -0400

PVT Leighton Bader The pain of losing fellow brothers.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 3:28 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:28:44 -0400

As one of my MSGs used to say, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease!" I missed out on a number of opportunities as enlisted and as a cadet because I didn't speak up about the things that were important to me. There are a million things to do, and even more ways to do them, so don't be afraid to squeak (judiciously, of course, or else they'll just replace the wheel...so to speak).

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Jul 17 at 2018 3:34 PM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:34:08 -0400

Two things...1) Pick a career field that will ensure employment post-military career. I thought being an intel analyst would be fun. It was, but now I'm stuck in DC. There are very few intel jobs outside of the beltway. 2) Find a great mentor (or two)...EARLY. Good luck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 3:34 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:34:50 -0400

The Pay, the Chow, and the Women are in fact, NOT mighty fine.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jul 17 at 2018 3:57 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:57:07 -0400

Do extensive research, network and prepare at least a few months before you get out either by ETS or retirement

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 5:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 17:06:09 -0400

Go active straight off the bat!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 17 at 2018 7:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 19:35:51 -0400

I had to learn many jobs.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made Jul 17 at 2018 8:08 PM

Capt Dwayne Conyers — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 20:08:32 -0400

I wish I knew how political the USAF was...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 8:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 20:11:30 -0400

The worst part of me is the separation from your family. But that fits into the selfless service part. Regardless of how many time you do it, it always stinks. Save money and dont go rushing to buy that new car right outside post!

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 17 at 2018 8:38 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 20:38:27 -0400

Oh let me count the ways,from my first training NCOS to the places and situations that followed ,all unknowns to a chip on his shoulder street corner nineteen year old,but knows now one of the best decisions I ever made.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 18 at 2018 12:44 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:44:36 -0400

All my options when I pulled a draft number of 2. Knew I wasn't going to Canada. Never looked at the AR, MC. AF, CG, MM; just went and joined the Navy. Somewhat impulsive, but like anything else, if you work at it, things will turn out.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2018 1:35 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 01:35:52 -0400

That the Arby's next to the recruiters office was in fact a better decision.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 18 at 2018 9:30 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 09:30:31 -0400

that I would be pushing a broom as much as carrying my rifle

Response by PO2 Lon Hebert made Jul 18 at 2018 11:41 AM

PO2 Lon Hebert — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 11:41:12 -0400

wish I would have been in the NJROTC that way could have gone in as a E-3 Instead of a E-1. IN 1971.

Response by 1SG Jason Rose made Jul 18 at 2018 10:31 PM

1SG Jason Rose — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 22:31:14 -0400

Military bases are sometimes in very warm and very cold places. Do cool guy stuff while your body is still young.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jul 19 at 2018 8:02 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:02:27 -0400

THE TRUTH

Response by LCpl Shelley B made Mar 12 at 2020 2:49 PM

LCpl Shelley B — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 14:49:42 -0400

The level of sexual harrassment and assaults that female troops were subjected to before it was recognized.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2020 8:30 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 08:30:37 -0400

The military is a microcosm of society. Not everyone is there for the same reasons, and not everyone thinks the same way. As an military brat … father was 26 years Army infantry/USAF weather/USAF 1Sgt … I'd been led to believe that they military was homogenous. Had I known differently, I would have spent more of my pre-military life getting to know people with different worldviews than mine.

Response by CPL Michael Headrick made Jul 6 at 2020 12:44 AM

CPL Michael Headrick — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 00:44:28 -0400

That being in the Infantry means being in the field all the time and being a grunt is a hard life.