Anyone here with military experience?

[SoftPeaches]

If so, I would very much like to ask some questions of a personal nature.....my mother, who is a nurse, has informed me she wants to join the military, and she wants me to care for my siblings.......anyone at all, pm me, I have some questions that I can't seem to find answers for on the net.

 

[HARDKOREBJ]

TRAINING

my father has ben in vietnam.
i have a little training in rotc.
tell her go and talk to a recruiter.

 

[Pepin]

Peaches,

Check your PM's.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I was Navy. I am female. If you have specific questions, I'm here.

What's 34 plus -18?

 

[KillerMuffin]

I found my calcylator. Either you're a minor and shouldn't be here, your mother started early, or she's over the age of 34. If she upwards of 34 she ain't getting in. That's not exactly waiverable without prior military experience or a bachelor's degree in something useful.

 

[Cheyenne]

Good. Glad to see there is a reasonable age limit. My dad is 67 and he wants me to find out on the internet for him if there is some job he can do now in the army. Says he can still handle a rifle just fine- was a sharpshooter a million years ago. I think he'd go, too, if the army would take him.

I told him there are things he can do at home- go volunteer at the VA hospital, for example. Make himself useful here at home.

 

[registered "^^"]

I was in Nam. Cheyenne have him check into working as a civilian for the military.

 

[registered "^^"]

I was in Nam. Cheyenne have him check into working as a civilian for the military.

 

[Closet Desire]

Not to...

...dismiss patrotism but it is common in the aftermath of such a crisis for many people to want to join the military. Don't do it...at least...not yet.

The military isn't short handed and people who join today won't be fully trained and ready for service in less than a year (for many ratings anyway).

If you have a family, work an important job that contributes to the health of the economy, are pursuing an education, etc. then you are of more value to the country right where you are.

In the best of times most of us who joined up asked ourselves what the hell we had just done. For lots it was absolute hell for three or four years (the rest of us were "lifers").

Give it some time so that you join with a clear head. That way it won't be a mistake for you--or the US.

(Me? I was terrified of getting drafted and sent to Vietnam. When I was 17 I volunteered. Must have been testosterone. Go figure.)

 

[EODbrad]

closet, i agree with you. Many people are surging towards wanting to join. i am grateful for their conviction, and their desire to help. however it takes upwards of 4 months to be trained and assigned to a base. (air force wise anyways) 4 months is about the quickest! it took me a year from swearing my oath to getting to my first duty station. and now...4.5 years later my knowledge agrees with you closet. i wouldn't want to work beside anyone who regrets every day of their oath. sure we all have our "off" times but i like working beside those who have as much conviction as i do. to the starter of this thread, i am happy for your mom and her devotion, however her family..namely her children shouldn't be left to "fend for themselves". IMHO, there are many many other ways to give to the USA, not just military service.

as far as age limits...there are age limits as was suggested earlier. i do believe without a prior military commission or enlistment the age limit happens to be in the late 20's. 27 or 28 yrs seems to stand out in my memory.

 

[Silverlily]

however it takes upwards of 4 months to be trained and assigned to a base. (air force wise anyways) 4 months is about the quickest!

*snip*

I do believe without a prior military commission or enlistment the age limit happens to be in the late 20's. 27 or 28 yrs seems to stand out in my memory.

Four months sounds about right. I was AF munitions, tech school for us (in an emergency) could be cut down to two weeks. Basic, well really, two weeks of parade practice was useless, it could probably be cut down to four weeks.

That leaves a little over two months for CDCs and some on the job training. Obviously it differs with career field, but with few exceptions, four months is not only reasonable, but has been done. We had a guy from my base go over during Desert Storm who's time in service was less than six months.

As for age limits, and this has probably changed, a woman in my flight during basic was 32.

 

[EODbrad]

ahhh, a fellow explosives worker.

about the limits again. there are circumstances where the mil will allow older men and women in. ususally if they have had prior mil service. as well, many commisioned officers are older due to the military taking them in...mainly in the medical fields i believe. those folks usually have a high degree in a specialized field of medicine. wilford hall at lackland afb in tx has several docs. once heard of a new doctor being commissioned as a brigadier general! oof...that really surprised me. but after i thought about it..it didn't. offer up a "decent" solid salary to an experience doctor...sounds like good logic to me. neways.... glad to see an AF bomb dump comrade in here. (even though you know i'm not part of that organization

 

[Silverlily]

You do know why they have that fence around the WSA. It's not always to keep people out.

 

[EODbrad]

*rollin on the floor laughin* how true...how true! okay...just the humor i needed today! thanks. great to meet ya. ugh...3pm needs to hurry up and get here! headed up to see my g/f just got back from saudi arabia last sunday. just in time!! time for some catch up

 

[KillerMuffin]

According to the Department of the Army and the Department of the Navy, the maximum age limit for a recruit is 34 years old. Prior military experience negates this. Air Force, Inc. is probably the same as the Army. Feel free to call recruiters and verify.

 

[Silverlily]

great to meet ya.

Likewise

have a great afternoon (when it finally gets here)

 

[Closet Desire]

Ages...

I was coming back from Oxford yesterday and passed a convoy of British TA mobilising for previously planned ops in Oman. I saw a couple of them looking out over the tailgate. Gosh...18 or 19 sure looks young to me now.

I didn't really have a feel for how long it takes to train a recruit up to some standard. I joined in Nov 75 but didn't go to my first duty station until about Sep 78. I don't think I was fully qualified in rate for another two or three years. I spent all my time in school up until then. I know a lot of the more advanced rates in electronics and such have schools of 9 mos or more.

I mention this because when people just show up to enlist and want to go now they often don't get assignments they are actually qualified for but sort of "entry level" positions. Nothing will spoil your attitude faster than feeling you're working below your ability.