I am meeting with a recruiter this week to start the enlisting process, any advice?

Callista Waterbly — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 15:04:49 -0500

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2023 3:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 15:49:50 -0500

Select a position you love... if available.

Contact one of these four gentlemen... they are very knowledgeable in Military related questions/issues.

Response by COL Randall C. made Feb 1 at 2023 3:53 PM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 15:53:45 -0500

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

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Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 1 at 2023 4:54 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 16:54:44 -0500

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!

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Feb 1 at 2023 5:26 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:26:02 -0500

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.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2023 5:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:37:33 -0500

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!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2023 5:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:43:57 -0500

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.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 1 at 2023 6:33 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:33:14 -0500

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.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2023 7:40 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 19:40:43 -0500

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.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2023 9:05 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 21:05:55 -0500

Callista Waterbly Welcome to RallyPoint. Do as much research as time permits so you can figure out what questions you have for the recruiter. Take a notepad to take notes and if you do not understand something, ask for clarification. Please provide an update after meeting with the recruiter. Good luck!

https://www.goarmy.com/army-life/basic-training.html

Basic Training

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Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2023 10:23 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 22:23:27 -0500

I don’t have anything to add, a lot of great advice has already been posted. So I will just wish you good luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2023 10:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 22:46:33 -0500

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.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 2 at 2023 6:58 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 06:58:06 -0500

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.

Response by CPT David Gowel made Feb 2 at 2023 7:14 AM

CPT David Gowel — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 07:14:52 -0500

Hi Callista Waterbly. Thanks for your commitment to service. Now that you're on RallyPoint, I suspect you'll never feel alone in the enlisting process - or while serving or eventually when you become a veteran - ever again. This is your life and your choice for what path you take. We're honored you're including us in the journey. As for my advice, I'd suggest reviewing each MOS suggestion you get, and then search for someone on RallyPoint who is now or recently left that MOS. Then reach out and ask them how they like it. Hopefully we'll all be seeing a post from you like this one from someone who seems to have been in a similar situation (4 years ago) from where you are now and then successfully joined the Army: https://www.rallypoint.com/status-updates/4446013

RallyPoint | The Military's Professional Network

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 2 at 2023 9:14 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 09:14:56 -0500

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2023 8:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 08:04:42 -0500

Do pick a job you believe you will enjoy doing for the next few years. Don't aim to pick a job that "translates to civilian....". That's a frequently quoted red herring. If you enjoy the job, you will probably continue to do it, and probably in the Army. If you don't enjoy it, you won't want to do it in the Army.

Don't pick a job with the intention that you are going to go in, get trained, and exit. The Army retains about 85% of people who are eligible to be retained. Statistically, you will stay for more than one contract. That's great. The truth is there are very few entry level jobs that you could enter and leave at three years that would set you up for any kind of success. Highly technical jobs have long contracts, and unless it absolutely requires a civilian license to do the work, you have to get the license or certification on your own.

But, five to six years in the Army you can complete a Bachelor Degree on Tuition Assistance without touching your GI Bill. You can get the training and certifications in your current or future desired job field. Start your college as soon as you can. It will help you get promoted faster than your peers who wait.

Finally, DO NOT pick any of these MOS's at MEPS: 18X Special Forces, 37X PSYOPS, 89D Explosive Ordinance Disposal, 12D Diver. If you want to pursue any one of those, I encourage you to do so, but only after getting to your first duty station. Once you are there you can try out for any one of these MOS's and if you fail you go back to your old MOS. These MOS's have high fail rates, like 75% of the Initial Entry Soldiers who start will be dropped. Then they get reclassed to a new job, needs of the Army. So, pick a job you like at MEPS and then apply to one of these later if you like

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 4 at 2023 8:39 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 08:39:10 -0500

As always you received sone great advice from RP folks. I would only add that you are not alone, as you see you will recieve sone timely advice, so with that I recommend that you check in as the process eveolves should the Recruiter seem to be selling too hard.

Response by PO2 David Makowski made Feb 26 at 2023 7:01 PM

PO2 David Makowski — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 19:01:38 -0500

Read your military contract carefully, I was promised by my military recruiter that they would pay for my college tuition and guarantee my MOS: Military Occupational Specialty(my job in the service), these were all in my contract before I signed my life to the military.

In boot camp I talked to my fellow service recruits and some of them said they think they got that benefit also. That's when I'd ask them, "Was it in your contract?' and most recruits would say, "I don't Know". Know what you want from the service and make sure it's in your contract. If it's not in the contract the military will not give it to you.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2023 11:06 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 23:06:52 -0500

Here's what I tell my four children: Join the Air force because it will be relatively easier and I won't worry about you as much. There great opportunity there. Or, Join the Army because there are some outstanding people to meet there and you will get tough or die. The Army will make you strong. Please don't join the Navy, unless you're going to be a pilot, because weird things happen in the navy and I have not heard good things about a majority of Navy officers in recent times. Please don't join the Marines because I'll worry about you, but if you must than I want you to commit. Some of my favorite warriors were Marines, but they were all-in, hoo-rah sons of bitches that went through hell to earn the wisdom and tenacity I admire today.