For those who care...
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem PA
I enlisted in the United States Army Reserve this past Saturday. I will be going in as a Private First Class since I had 4 years of JROTC in High School (even though I graduated in 2003, they'll still let me go in as an E3).
I decided to go in because in the past 3 years, I haven't accomplished anything. I've got 27 college credit hours, but they're mainly just from taking prerequisites. I couldn't afford to stay in college, so I had to drop out. I work full-time, but don't make enough money to support myself on my own...hence me still living at home. I can't get a good enough job without a degree...which I can't afford.
I've always kind of wanted to join the military...but was always afraid of being sent overseas...but now I figure, if I join the Reserve, doing a job that doesn't necessarily mean I'll be shipped, then it might not be that bad. Don't get me wrong, I love my country and if I have to be sent to Iraq or whatever...I'll fight for my Freedom and for everybody elses. I just know my bad luck...and will probably get my ass shot off.
Anyways, I don't ship off until June 14th, 2007. The reason it's so long away is because I'm taking a Cruise to Alaska in May. There's no way I can do my Basic Training and AIT and get back in time for my trip. I'll be doing my Basic Training in Ft. Jackson, SC for 9 weeks. Then I'll have 22 weeks and 3 days of AIT in Ft. Gordon in Augusta, GA...and my job will be Information Technology Specialist.
well...that's all for now...I hope I didn't bore you.
I decided to go in because in the past 3 years, I haven't accomplished anything. I've got 27 college credit hours, but they're mainly just from taking prerequisites. I couldn't afford to stay in college, so I had to drop out. I work full-time, but don't make enough money to support myself on my own...hence me still living at home. I can't get a good enough job without a degree...which I can't afford.
I've always kind of wanted to join the military...but was always afraid of being sent overseas...but now I figure, if I join the Reserve, doing a job that doesn't necessarily mean I'll be shipped, then it might not be that bad. Don't get me wrong, I love my country and if I have to be sent to Iraq or whatever...I'll fight for my Freedom and for everybody elses. I just know my bad luck...and will probably get my ass shot off.
Anyways, I don't ship off until June 14th, 2007. The reason it's so long away is because I'm taking a Cruise to Alaska in May. There's no way I can do my Basic Training and AIT and get back in time for my trip. I'll be doing my Basic Training in Ft. Jackson, SC for 9 weeks. Then I'll have 22 weeks and 3 days of AIT in Ft. Gordon in Augusta, GA...and my job will be Information Technology Specialist.
well...that's all for now...I hope I didn't bore you.
if you have a trade its not like they are going to have a computer programmer at the front of the line.
my cousin is an electrical engineer for the army in Iraq and he's told me that he wasnt in any fights. Yeah bombs and missles were shot towards his base which is about all the fighting he has seen.
He was fixing generators and their electrical equipment so I guess they needed him to focus on that instead of fighting in the zone.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem PA
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem PA
G35
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: NW NJ
IT Spec is a good gig. After your first assignment you should be able to get them to pony up for certifications. Also, if your downrange, you can do lots of courses over the net.
Watch the fine print on the contract. The "needs of the Army" clause is especially worth an extra look. Sometimes, if AIT doesn't go well, you need to re-classify. You DO NOT want to end up in 11 or 88 series MOS. See if they will give you a 91 series (medical) as a backup.
ROTC is going to pay off for you. Bay Sgt/Squad leader in AIT will be fun for you. You'll be a spec-4 in 6-8 mo.
Have fun, you will make some life-long friends, and get some good training. Just be aware that the flaming hoops, hurry up and wait, total B.S. is part of the fun!
Watch the fine print on the contract. The "needs of the Army" clause is especially worth an extra look. Sometimes, if AIT doesn't go well, you need to re-classify. You DO NOT want to end up in 11 or 88 series MOS. See if they will give you a 91 series (medical) as a backup.
ROTC is going to pay off for you. Bay Sgt/Squad leader in AIT will be fun for you. You'll be a spec-4 in 6-8 mo.
Have fun, you will make some life-long friends, and get some good training. Just be aware that the flaming hoops, hurry up and wait, total B.S. is part of the fun!
Grifball Player
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 27,249
Likes: 0
From: Foundry
Swollen Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 0
From: Show Me State
You should be able to get more than that. I got over $28K and that was back in the early 90's. Is that both the GI Bill and the Army college fund or just one of them? I got $14K for the GI Bill and $14K for the Army college fund back then.
Information Technology Specialist = data entry clerk. 
The military likes to give big fancy names to all their jobs. I was a "Mobile subscriber equipment network switching systems operator" when I was in. In other words, a fucking telephone operator. I went through Ft Jackson and Ft Gordon as well for my basic and advanced training. Good luck to you. The experience will change you forever (in a good way) unless you drop a soap bar in the shower. 
The military likes to give big fancy names to all their jobs. I was a "Mobile subscriber equipment network switching systems operator" when I was in. In other words, a fucking telephone operator. I went through Ft Jackson and Ft Gordon as well for my basic and advanced training. Good luck to you. The experience will change you forever (in a good way) unless you drop a soap bar in the shower.
