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Laranzu posted:Uhh. CTT requires a TS clearance, so you should qualify for whatever YN slot exists. Ive seen this guys pic dont do it
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Aug 18, 2013 06:40
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Christoff posted:...wouldn't you want CTT over YN? I think I speak for most people and say yes. Haven't work with or for either, but I would say CTT just for better paying jobs on the outside.
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Aug 18, 2013 06:44
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bigred26 posted:You should be able to do navy reserves, with same rank. If i might ask why navy? Well currently my MOS is 11B(infantryman). And I've really gotten interested in computer science and I've been learning how to program. I've always attributed the Navy with having the most technological advanced equipment and would love to learn about them. I've just always thought the Navy would be a very interesting branch to be in. I'm also not very sure how much civilian jobs care if I was an infantryman. I might could learn job skills in the Navy that I might could use on the other side. Just wasn't sure if it was possible to switch over.
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Aug 18, 2013 13:46
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digitalcamo posted:Well currently my MOS is 11B(infantryman). And I've really gotten interested in computer science and I've been learning how to program. I've always attributed the Navy with having the most technological advanced equipment and would love to learn about them. I've just always thought the Navy would be a very interesting branch to be in. I'm also not very sure how much civilian jobs care if I was an infantryman. I might could learn job skills in the Navy that I might could use on the other side. Just wasn't sure if it was possible to switch over. I'm pretty sure you can. Call the navy reserves around you. I think IT or CTN is up your alley.
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Aug 19, 2013 01:01
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I also didn't know if I might be wasting my time and the recruiters time as I have 2 DUIs. Correct me if I'm wrong but would that not keep me from switching to the Naval Reserve? Or any branch for that matter.
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Aug 19, 2013 15:44
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digitalcamo posted:I also didn't know if I might be wasting my time and the recruiters time as I have 2 DUIs. Correct me if I'm wrong but would that not keep me from switching to the Naval Reserve? Or any branch for that matter. I do not know anything about that. Maybe someone here can clarify. I know someone recent got booted for having three if that helps.
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Aug 19, 2013 17:28
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Is anyone here an active duty recruiter ATM? I've been asking around about switching to active duty from the ARNG and all the recruiters say that I'd have to put in a 18x packet if I want to go active duty. Is this true or do they just get something from sending people to SF?
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Aug 19, 2013 19:12
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I was meeting with my recruiter today and a guy came in to ask about doing just that and he was told the same thing: 18X is the only way he could go active duty Army.
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Aug 19, 2013 19:30
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In an age where the Army is going to be cutting tens of thousands of people over the next couple of years, it kind of makes sense.
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Aug 19, 2013 20:01
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I wonder what the future recruitment tool will be when we need to massively add to the military again. Post 9/11 is hard to top.
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Aug 19, 2013 20:09
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gleep gloop posted:I wonder what the future recruitment tool will be when we need to massively add to the military again. Post 9/11 is hard to top. That won't ever stop being a good deal. Well if the current retirement plan is cut or done away with in lieu of a 401K-type thing, that could hurt long-term retention. For guys like many of us here on GiP, we don't give a poo poo about what 20 years would've gotten us. I figure that the Post-9/11 keeps you in for an enlistment and the retirement is there for long haul guys, but there's nothing in between as an incentive other than poo poo that isn't bankable like switching jobs, enlistment bonuses, etc.
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Aug 19, 2013 20:13
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gleep gloop posted:I wonder what the future recruitment tool will be when we need to massively add to the military again. Post 9/11 is hard to top. College is going to be even more important than it already has become. They don't need to offer anything new, they just need to bust out the propaganda ala MGIB in the early 2000s and they'll have people lining up.
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Aug 19, 2013 20:14
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holocaust bloopers posted:That won't ever stop being a good deal. Well if the current retirement plan is cut or done away with in lieu of a 401K-type thing, that could hurt long-term retention. Nah...I don't think they'll touch retirement for folks already in, even if they've talked about it in the past. But when they make that switch for new folks, I still don't think they're going to see any significant flak.
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Aug 19, 2013 20:15
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holocaust bloopers posted:That won't ever stop being a good deal. Well if the current retirement plan is cut or done away with in lieu of a 401K-type thing, that could hurt long-term retention. Yeah I guess if the Army needs to swell it'll just be bonuses coming back. I saw some incredibly good reenlistment bonuses when I was in. Hell I almost went 35L for $40k.
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Aug 19, 2013 20:15
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gleep gloop posted:Yeah I guess if the Army needs to swell it'll just be bonuses coming back. I saw some incredibly good reenlistment bonuses when I was in. Hell I almost went 35L for $40k. 90k for 6 years as a 12B2O that I missed out on because it wasn't in my window.
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Aug 19, 2013 20:17
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Vasudus posted:90k for 6 years as a 12B2O that I missed out on because it wasn't in my window. On the one hand I'd like to say I could make up the extra $15k a year as a civilian, on the other if I was an engineer I'm probably not thinking that far ahead.
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Aug 19, 2013 20:20
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Godholio posted:Nah...I don't think they'll touch retirement for folks already in, even if they've talked about it in the past. But when they make that switch for new folks, I still don't think they're going to see any significant flak. That would be a massive shitstorm if there wasn't any grandfathering in for current members. Hell, the DoD got a small taste of it when that powerpoint leaked detailing proposed retirement changes.
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Aug 19, 2013 20:22
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holocaust bloopers posted:That would be a massive shitstorm if there wasn't any grandfathering in for current members. Hell, the DoD got a small taste of it when that powerpoint leaked detailing proposed retirement changes. Except Joe McCitizen doesn't care about troops anymore and what are mil people going to do?
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Aug 19, 2013 20:24
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gleep gloop posted:Except Joe McCitizen doesn't care about troops anymore and what are mil people going to do? The smart ones won't stay in. I can't connect the dots why the public would have much, or any, sway in the matter. They're not serving so why does the DoD care if they're not appeased? Tax dollars or whatever, it's a retention matter. Someone nixes any idea of grandfathering and say good bye a nice chunk of your force. Retention is a simple matter of placating the force to stay in. It isn't about giving us what we deserve or how people are our best asset. That's all bullshit. It's shoving free poo poo or incentives in our faces long enough that we say, "eh, this isn't so bad."
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Aug 19, 2013 20:31
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I spoke to both the local Army and Navy medical recruiting office. Good news is, they are actively looking for nurses and were enthusiastic when I told them I have all the qualifications, no criminal history, can pass the physical fitness test. Bad news is I have a mild case of ulcerative colitis that's been in remission for >3 years and searching online leads me to believe that I don't think I can waiver for it. They both said they'd check, but it didn't sound good.
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Aug 19, 2013 23:20
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My MEPS date is set up for the 22nd of this month. Blood pressure was a bit high at first and was potentially a deal breaker but I've been running 3 miles every other day to level it out. I've been getting readings pretty frequently at the grocery store's blood pressure monitor stations and it seems to fluctuate between around 120/70 to 140/80, with my pulse between 60-80. From what I gather 120 is fine but 140 might be a deal breaker when I get tested at MEPs. Does anyone have an idea of how strict they are regarding that? Any tips to keep it in the lower range? Plan on doing a run right before they take me to the station thursday morning but I'm worried that might not be enough.
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Aug 20, 2013 00:14
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Ask them to take it twice. If you're anything like me, I cannot have my blood pressure taken without it being higher than what mil doctors would like to see. The second time, I'm fine.
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Aug 20, 2013 00:17
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Try to spend a few minutes sitting down in the chair before they take your BP. Walking can cause a few minute minor spike in some people. Just one of those body chemistry things and that is typically the exact first thing they do. If you've practiced relaxation techniques or meditation exercises those can mellow you out and a relaxed state will lower it more.
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Aug 20, 2013 00:37
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Antignition posted:My MEPS date is set up for the 22nd of this month. Blood pressure was a bit high at first and was potentially a deal breaker but I've been running 3 miles every other day to level it out. I've been getting readings pretty frequently at the grocery store's blood pressure monitor stations and it seems to fluctuate between around 120/70 to 140/80, with my pulse between 60-80. From what I gather 120 is fine but 140 might be a deal breaker when I get tested at MEPs. Does anyone have an idea of how strict they are regarding that? Any tips to keep it in the lower range? Plan on doing a run right before they take me to the station thursday morning but I'm worried that might not be enough. Grocery store blood pressure monitors are usually not accurate. Don't drink any caffeine, don't smoke/dip any tobacco, take a deep breath and stop stressing about it. 140/80 with a 60-80 pulse on an otherwise healthy person would make a medical provider think you were nervous (which everyone in there is), nothing more. They are looking for that guy with 200/110 all the time.
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Aug 20, 2013 01:00
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Avoid overly salty food if you can help it too, because that'll raise it as well. I had to jump through a couple of hoops because of blood pressure. Mine was a little over the limit at MEPS, so I had to get a waiver. That consisted of me going to my family doctor for 5 days in a row and having blood pressure checked. I tweaked my diet and got all that done, and was able to receive that waiver. Now this was 2009 so I have no idea how strict they would be today, but as long as it's not terrible it's not a dealbreaker. In fact I remember sitting in one of the rooms waiting to be re-checked my first visit. My BP was high, so the MEPS person let me sit quietly for a few minutes with the lights out, so I could compose myself and get my BP down. In walks in a different MEPS employee, who proceeds to flick the lights on and goes "AAAH!", like trying to startle me, and it worked. The fucker said he was just joking around, and then procees right away to take my 2nd BP reading. It was higher than the first. I still got in, and I hope that asswipe got hit by a bus.
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Aug 20, 2013 01:19
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holocaust bloopers posted:Ask them to take it twice. If you're anything like me, I cannot have my blood pressure taken without it being higher than what mil doctors would like to see. The second time, I'm fine. I was the exact same way. It just got to the point where I'd tell them the first try will be slightly high, but if you wait a few minutes and try again, it'll be fine. My breakfast before my MEPS physical consisted of a 5 hour energy and nothing else, so they were a little concerned at first, but it wasn't a big deal. I have heard though that eating mustard beforehand can help with that. I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard it from multiple people who were scheduled for flight physicals, so YMMV \/  \/
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Aug 20, 2013 03:53
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I've got a cousin in the Army Reserves and he mentioned a referral bonus to me once. Well, I recently talked to a recruiter and have begun the process, and I'm at the point where I take my ASVAB in a couple of days. Although I did mention the bonus to the recruiter he didn't clarify that he wasn't going to be able to do it on his end. Did a bit of research and apparently before I even went to a recruiter on my own I was supposed to let my cousin know so he could have people on his end (whoever that consists of) start the referral process for me. It's probably too late to get his referral bonus isn't it? I done hosed it all up. After considering it the recruiter probably didn't stop me and tell me that if I wanted to make sure my cousin got his bonus that I needed to stop there and come back in a bit because why would he? To his mind, if I'm out the door he may lose a potential recruit. Is there anything I can still do to help my cousin get the bonus?
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Aug 20, 2013 05:50
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pkells posted:I have heard though that eating 20mg of lisinopril beforehand can help with that. I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard it from multiple people who were scheduled for flight physicals, so YMMV \/
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Aug 20, 2013 14:48
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Battle Rockers posted:I've got a cousin in the Army Reserves and he mentioned a referral bonus to me once. Well, I recently talked to a recruiter and have begun the process, and I'm at the point where I take my ASVAB in a couple of days. Although I did mention the bonus to the recruiter he didn't clarify that he wasn't going to be able to do it on his end. Contact him? You haven't shipped to basic, so effectively you've done nothing committal.
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Aug 20, 2013 16:41
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I have a question about the tattoo policy for the Air Force. I understand while in uniform if more than 25% of an exposed area is tattooed it is not allowed. What I don't understand is what uniform technically is. Do PT shorts count as uniform? If not, are there other Air Force attire that have short pants that I don't know of? I have a tattoo on my calf and on my knee cap that cover what I assume to be 35-40% of my leg. I have been trying to meet with a recruiter to discuss it but its been difficult to schedule a meeting.
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Aug 20, 2013 23:53
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Did you leave the guy a voicemail or e-mail stating what you wanna discuss? If so, he doesn't want you. This is him not wasting time on you.
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Aug 20, 2013 23:57
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Grody posted:I have a question about the tattoo policy for the Air Force. I understand while in uniform if more than 25% of an exposed area is tattooed it is not allowed. What I don't understand is what uniform technically is. Do PT shorts count as uniform? If not, are there other Air Force attire that have short pants that I don't know of? I have a tattoo on my calf and on my knee cap that cover what I assume to be 35-40% of my leg. I have been trying to meet with a recruiter to discuss it but its been difficult to schedule a meeting. AF PTs count as a uniform sometimes...and the rules change pretty much annually. Maybe a knee brace or a pair of running tights?
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Aug 21, 2013 00:08
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holocaust bloopers posted:Did you leave the guy a voicemail or e-mail stating what you wanna discuss? If so, he doesn't want you. This is him not wasting time on you. So far I haven't had time to meet with him because of work, and every time I call he's been in the middle of talking to people. I haven't really spoken to him for much more than a minute or so at a time because of that so I haven't really gotten beyond introductions unfortunately. I guess that next best thing would be to email but I figured it would be better to discuss person. Godholio posted:AF PTs count as a uniform sometimes...and the rules change pretty much annually. Maybe a knee brace or a pair of running tights? I'm a little confused how would that help me get around the policy?
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Aug 21, 2013 00:34
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Battle Rockers posted:I've got a cousin in the Army Reserves and he mentioned a referral bonus to me once. Well, I recently talked to a recruiter and have begun the process, and I'm at the point where I take my ASVAB in a couple of days. Although I did mention the bonus to the recruiter he didn't clarify that he wasn't going to be able to do it on his end. They don't give you cash anymore so who cares. All you get is a stupid loving coin and certificate. http://www.usarec.army.mil/support/smart.htm
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Aug 21, 2013 01:00
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Grody posted:I'm a little confused how would that help me get around the policy? They're permitted, optional items with the PT uniform and would cover your tats.
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Aug 21, 2013 02:35
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Godholio posted:They're permitted, optional items with the PT uniform and would cover your tats. They would allow this at basic training? Not doubting you but it just seems like it would be something that couldn't be worked around.
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Aug 21, 2013 05:54
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Let's not forget that the tattoo might need to be waived. That is not happening these days.
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Aug 21, 2013 05:59
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holocaust bloopers posted:Let's not forget that the tattoo might need to be waived. That is not happening these days. Eh I have one more tattoo than allowed, one is a ship from my wrist to my elbow ditch and the other is a reaper. So now I have to say its "dia de Los muertos" tattoo or it's "death", and the ship because I lucked out with the Navy. So waivers were just waiting for various chiefs to say "yeah okay" and wait for paperwork to come in. One girl at my recruiter had a 9mm on her ribs so they told her put flowers around it and say its for "guns n roses".
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Aug 21, 2013 08:48
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Smoke Crack posted:They don't give you cash anymore so who cares. All you get is a stupid loving coin and certificate. That's for ARS-SMART recruiting. Would AR-RAP still give out a monetary bonus? http://www.usarec.army.mil/support/referral_programs.htm AR-RAP - Army Reserve Recruiting Assistance Program https://www.ar-rap.com/ The Army Reserve Recruiting Assistance Program (AR-RAP) is a referral program run by a contract company** to provide referrals to the Army Reserve. The company solicits and trains recruiter assistants in the Army Reserve referral process. Recruiting Assistants can earn money assisting the Army Reserve by identifying well-qualified men and women for service in the Army Reserve. You can earn $2,000 for each new recruit who reports to Basic Training, or Basic Officer Leadership Course, and for each prior service member who affiliates with a unit for four months and have attended a Battle Assembly in the last 60 days. Army Reserve recruiting assistants identify individuals within their sphere of influence to develop Potential Soldiers, promote the benefits of service in the Army Reserve, work with recruiters to prepare their referrals for processing and mentor future Soldiers. I contacted my cousin btw, and he called the USAREC number but had to leave a message. They sure don't make this an easy process it seems, because that ar-rap.com link is broken as well. Also I just checked what the double asterisks were all about and it said Docupak, Inc. is the contractor for that program. All in all, it sounds weird as poo poo.
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Aug 21, 2013 15:20
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Antignition posted:My MEPS date is set up for the 22nd of this month. Blood pressure was a bit high at first and was potentially a deal breaker but I've been running 3 miles every other day to level it out. I've been getting readings pretty frequently at the grocery store's blood pressure monitor stations and it seems to fluctuate between around 120/70 to 140/80, with my pulse between 60-80. From what I gather 120 is fine but 140 might be a deal breaker when I get tested at MEPs. Does anyone have an idea of how strict they are regarding that? Any tips to keep it in the lower range? Plan on doing a run right before they take me to the station thursday morning but I'm worried that might not be enough. Trip report: Tests weren't all they were cracked up to be, the big issue was all the loving waiting. Was there for 11 hours total and about 9 1/2 of those hours were spent waiting (2 of which were in my underwear in a 55 degree room). Oh well, could have been worse. Blood pressure averaged out to 135/85 so to avoid a waiver I have to get my blood pressure read by a local clinic for 3 consecutive days. Eyesight was 20/40 so I have to get a new prescription, go back to MEPS, and take the depth perception test before I can swear in. ---- What concerns me is the discussion I had with my recruiter before taking the shuttle to MEPS. Basically I would like some clarification on the Air Force job selection system. To make a long story short when I first talked to my recruiter about joining I made it clear that my enlistment was based on 1) knowing what job I will have before I enlist and 2) a 4-year enlistment. He has said throughout the process that that would be fine only to flip on these issues in the last month: Apparently I cannot necessarily be guaranteed a job because: 1. The recruiter has about 20 guys in DEP right now in his queue 2. If someone is waiting in queue for 6-8 months with no job still the recruiter's CO will force them to go into a general aptitude area (electric, general, or mechanical) 3. Most of the intel/cyber jobs (the jobs I am interested in) are not being given to the recruiter to dish out; most of the jobs he gets are mechanical He says my best option if I want a guaranteed job is to go with an AFSC that has high academic requirements (I got a 96 percentile on the ASVAB) and additional tests - Linguists (DLAB test) and Computer Programming (EDPT test). I said I would consider the Computer Programming job even though it wasn't my first choice. Next meeting: After already going through the song and dance twice, he tried to bullshit me again to do 6 years, claiming assigment priority and I don't have to use my college credits to get E-3 (uh...what?). After refusing again he said that the computer programming job I was considering was only available to 6 year applicants. Still turned him down. Last meeting (right before MEPS): alludes that I should take the EDPT test after finishing up with the MEPS stuff. Why should I take the EDPT test if I can't apply for the one job that requires it because I went with a 4-year enlistment? I almost called him out on this. Does anyone know specifically if that AFSC requires 6 years? ------ I figured out on my own that if I go "Open Electrical aptitude" instead of "Open General aptitude" (he was trying to make me go general) I seem to have a lower chance of landing a terrible job, although I could still be doing missile maintenance or A/C repair or some poo poo (better than security forces at least). But frankly, I don't want to leave something like that up to chance. One of my main reasons for considering enlistment is getting good training in an intel-related field that I can then apply to the private sector. Rather than doing a lovely job in the military for 4 years that has no utility in the private sector, I'd rather use loans/grants and work part time and finish up my degree over 3 years.
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Aug 27, 2013 18:33
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