So, what to do? Army question.

Apoptosis · 09-16-2009, 09:03 PM

So, I'm currently a Sophomore in college, and have about 48 hours under my belt right now. I am a Microbiology major and for the last couple years I have been wanting to make a career in the medical field.

The problem and subsequent questions I have are regarding the Army and/or Armed Forces. Since I was a young tike, I've wanted to either fly fighters in the Air Force like my father, or be an Army Ranger. I still would kill to be an Army Ranger(I like to keep my feet firmly on the ground,

) but am a little fuzzy on how to go about doing that as an Officer.

-Would it look better to go into my university's ROTC program while I'm in school, or would it be better to wait and sign up for OCS after I receive a degree?

-I've heard that the Army is getting desperate for Commissioned Officers and has been giving bonuses for people who go the OCS route. Is this true? If so, are there any bonuses for ROTC people?

-I still also want to be in the medical field down the road as a Doctor or Pharmacist, but also want to be a ground pounder(Hopefully Ranger or Armor Officer) for a few years. What would be the best way of doing both? I've looked into HPS scholarships for medical and pharmacy school, but, don't want a desk job while in the military.

-Army Rangers or Marines? haha

-And my final question: How do you Army/Air Force/Marines/Navy guys like being in the service? I'm not expecting many answers, but I recall a few guys being active duty right now and am curious.

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Real Sniper · 09-16-2009, 09:10 PM

Talk to a recruiter. Most general officers came in under ROTC. As far as Ranger, get into a combat arms specialty and request Ranger school. It's a ticket punching school and they usually will send you when you transfer from one assignment to another.

Joolander · 09-16-2009, 09:10 PM

my dad was both an army ranger and an officer. dont actually know what he did to do that though

but its possible

also he's a doctor, sooo... yeah

remicks · 09-16-2009, 09:13 PM

Air Force 6 years, like it. Got me places I wouldn't be without it, done so much more and have had so many more opportunities than if I just went to college out of high school and got students loans. A much better base.

But if you want to be a ground pounder that is your thing, but there are huge differences in standards of living between the Army/Marines and Navy/Air Force, just to let you know. They also have a habit of holding your hand more than the Navy/AF.

But yes the Army is offering huge bonuses to go in as an officer, in the tens of thousands, varying on your MOS. That's the deal if you already have a degree, I don't know the exact deal for ROTC officers you would need to talk to an actual recruiter for those details. But be careful joining because of a bonus, they are only money, join the branch that you want to be in and a career you would be happy with. And my suggestion because I regularly deal with all 4 branches, if you really want to pound ground seriously join the Marines.

If you want go talk to them, come back on here, post or pm what he says and there are a few of us who will help you figure out if something things he is telling you is bull**** or not. Have recruiter friends and dealt with tons of recruiters.

Apoptosis · 09-16-2009, 09:14 PM

I knew it was possible, but wasn't sure how to go about doing it.

@RS: Aren't recruiters only for enlisted guys?

Thanks guys.

remicks · 09-16-2009, 09:18 PM

No, recruiters are not just for enlisted, there are actual officer recruiters. If you are interested in ROTC talk to the liaison at your school. But be careful not to become a ROTC tool, some of the worst officers come from ROTC, associate with prior enlisted officers and such.

I do love ruining a ROTC cadets day when they send them our way to see what the military day to day really is. They think they have rank or are important in some way. Same with brand new butter bars, especially when the E-7's and above take them out back and teach them how things really work.

Apoptosis · 09-16-2009, 09:25 PM

Awesome posts and responses remicks!

Thanks for the heads up, I've heard the same answer from my father and grandfather who were both Officers in the Air Force. Both have told me that the Air Force has much better living conditions, and also have a better all around standard of living... Honestly, I've grown up rich and as long as I have a nice place and a decent car I'll be happy. The housing bonuses the Army give seems to line up with having a fairly nice house if you live off base. If I can recall correctly about $1500-2000 a month depending on location for an unmarried Second Lieutenant.

I also have been considering the Army over Marines because from what I've seen you have a better chance at getting into the MOS you want. Marines seemed to be "You want this and your ASVAB is more than adequate, but we'll put you here instead, Hoorah!" I've also heard from everybody that the Army has better equipment and better living conditions over the Marines.

Why would you recommend the Marines over the Army? Just curious.

I think I might go and talk to an officer recruiter one of these days then... The USMC just opened a new recruiters office right off campus and I would assume there is an Army office as well.

EDIT: Haha, I wouldn't be too cocky being a "butter bar" as you call it. But, I do respect the chain of command and the officer duties, etc. haha

Real Sniper · 09-16-2009, 09:26 PM

I like the Air Force. Whenever the Rangers go to fight they give em a ride! I also like the way Air Force enlisted send the officers off to fight. (chuckle)

remicks · 09-16-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTownGT

Awesome posts and responses remicks!

Thanks for the heads up, I've heard the same answer from my father and grandfather who were both Officers in the Air Force. Both have told me that the Air Force has much better living conditions and also have a better all around standard of living... Honestly, I've grown up rich and as long as I have a nice place and a decent car I'll be happy. The housing bonuses the Army gives seem to line up with having a fairly nice house if you live off base. If I can recall correctly about $1500-2000 a month depending on location for an unmarried Second Lieutenant.

I also have been considering the Army over Marines because from what I've seen you have a better chance at getting into the MOS you want. Marines seemed to be "You want this and your ASVAB is more than adequate, but we'll put you here instead, Hoorah!" I've also heard from everybody that the Army has better equipment and better living conditions over the Marines.

Why would you recommend the Marines over the Army? Just curious.

I think I might go and talk to an officer recruiter one of these days then... The USMC just opened a new recruiters office right off campus and I would assume there is an Army office as well.

EDIT: Haha, I wouldn't be too cocky being a "butter bar" as you call it. But, I do respect the chain of command and the officer duties, etc. haha

Don't even worry about BAH until you get a duty station. It can vary hugely depending where you are stationed, then how it all works changes if you are sent overseas depending on the country. If you really want to look things up use this site, http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html

If you want the best and newest equipment the AF is the way to go, we hand our stuff down to the Army and then they hand it down to the Marines. But honestly as an officer you won't be touching much equipment to begin with, mostly paper.

I recommended the Marines over the Army if you want to fight. If you want to actually get in the thick of things that is the branch, Army is much more logistics and supply than they appear, for the Marines, that's what they have the Navy for.

But yeah being cocky will get you nowhere, officer or enlisted, when new the best thing is to shut up and listen, find out who is respected and knows their **** and learn from them.

Oh yeah, on the feet planted part, you have a far better chance doing that in the AF than you do as a Ranger. You'll be falling out of aircraft as one.

fastbackford351 · 09-16-2009, 09:47 PM

True story about my old 1st Sgt. and a newbie Lt.

I was an E-2 when I reported to my first duty assignment in an artillery battery. One day I was in the supply office getting instructions from a 2nd Lt. He was fresh out of school and man he knew it all. Looking back, that guy didn't know thin schit from apple butter.

Well, he is giving me my marching orders when the 1st Sgt barges in and tells the Lt. that he needed something or other. The Lt. tells the 1st Sgt., "At ease 1st Sgt., I'm talking to Pvt. Fastback".

Before I knew what was happening, the 1st Sgt. grabbed me by the collar and tossed me out into the hallway and slammed the door.

No way I was missing this so I ran outside around the building and peeked through the window to see the 1st Sgt. issuing a military grade ass-chewing to this young butter bar who was just a couple years older than me.

He had him backed up against a wall locker, standing nose to nose with him. "Who in the hell do you think you are Sir? Where in the hell do you get off telling me 'At ease'?" The Lt. stammered something inaudible that but it sent the 1st Sgt. into even more of a tailspin.

I can't remember it word for word but I distinctly remember the phrase, "I've got more time in the latrine than you have in the service, Sir. Don't you ever 'at ease' me again".

It gave me a whole new insight into how the military works. 1st Sgt. is akin to God at the company / battery level and a 2nd Lt. is lower than whale schit in the grand scheme of things.