The Official Military Thread. Vol 1

[marsiv]

Are some of you making bank? If so, how? I know you can't get rich in the military, and that's not the point of joining, but this is highly important if you ask me.

Cant get rich? Look at lets say an 0-5 with 20 years in? Basic pay. That doesn't include BAH or any other pay. Thats Rich to me.


Some people do join for the money though. I was 24 on my first deployment and made $80,000(tax free) that year as an E-5. Forget making more than my boys back home; I pulled in more than their parents. It really all depends on your Rate/MOS. If you're an E-2 chipping paint, you still make as much as a first year teacher(sad but true). However, if you do Nuke, intel, or SPEC-OPS you're getting extra like dive pay, jump pay, HDP, etc(for SPEC-OPS)... I don't even wanna go into the ridiculous amount of perks and money Officers make. But they are definitely held to a much higher standard. I'll end with this. The experience, travel, friendships, and college opportunities heavily outweigh the paycheck. I did my entire masters in the Navy and didn't pay a single cent. My child will be getting my GI bill, so thats another thing not to worry about.

 

[suberzat1]

Cant get rich? Look at lets say an 0-5 with 20 years in? Basic pay. That doesn't include BAH or any other pay. Thats Rich to me.


Some people do join for the money though. I was 24 on my first deployment and made $80,000(tax free) that year as an E-5. Forget making more than my boys back home; I pulled in more than their parents. It really all depends on your Rate/MOS. If you're an E-2 chipping paint, you still make as much as a first year teacher(sad but true). However, if you do Nuke, intel, or SPEC-OPS you're getting extra like dive pay, jump pay, HDP, etc(for SPEC-OPS)... I don't even wanna go into the ridiculous amount of perks and money Officers make. But they are definitely held to a much higher standard. I'll end with this. The experience, travel, friendships, and college opportunities heavily outweigh the paycheck. I did my entire masters in the Navy and didn't pay a single cent. My child will be getting my GI bill, so thats another thing not to worry about.

$80,000 doing what oversea.....what was your mos at e-5

 

[xcellz]

got accepted into SRT school today for the guard WOOP WOOP

 

[atlsfinest]

how much bank are we talking? you gotta think about it like this, all your basic needs are taken care of so your base pay, allowances, COLA etc..... most likely 90% of it is expendable income.....there are a lot of opportunities to stack up

I came here to post the same thing. You'll never be a millionaire in the military but you can be VERY well off, especially as an officer. I'm an 0-1 and I'm doing well. everything is payed for with BAH and BAS, free health care and whatnot. My CO of my command is an 0-6 and dude is about to retire at 54 to a 60k/year pension for the rest of his life. He's make well into the 6 figures now and he'll easily get another high paying job is he chooses to work again. So yeah, you'll never be rich but imagine never having to worry about losing a job, or worrying about saving for retirement, or worrying about medical bills or paying for college because you can transfer your GI Bill to your kids. You'll be better off than most, trust.

 

[atlsfinest]

I'm gonna be on the USS John C Stennis out of Bremerton, WA for the next few year. I'm excited about the platform, not the location so much though.

 

[dathbgboy]

Went to MEPS, took the ASVAB and got through half of my physical when they told me I didn't qualify until I got approval due to the sports asthma I had when I was like 12yrs old Hospital that I got the diagnosis from couldn't find the records so my recruiter told me to get a physical and have the doctor write a note saying I was in good health etc etc. Now I wait to see if MEPS accepts it.

My recruiter really that great in all honesty but I heard the recruiters from the ANG aren't as aggressive as those from other branches. Before I sign anything I'll get the skinny on everything that I want in my contract.

 

[dathbgboy]

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339841

Just peeped. Does this mean the military will suspend paying student loans as well? Those coming in with a college degree hoping to get their school loans paid off.

Good question. That's one of the reasons I'm enlisting

 

[Renaldo Balkman]

ran my file the other day and learned that with my BA and MA degrees, I could join the military right now as an 0-1 and almost double my current salary of being a teacher...


anybody ever go this route after college?

 

[atlsfinest]

ran my file the other day and learned that with my BA and MA degrees, I could join the military right now as an 0-1 and almost double my current salary of being a teacher...


anybody ever go this route after college?

which branch?

 

[fresh out dabox]

quick question, if you were prior service and u havea ba degree in education what branch of serive would take me. Is ocs difficult training?

 

[solewoman]

quick question, if you were prior service and u havea ba degree in education what branch of serive would take me. Is ocs difficult training?

Any just make sure you go as officer. Ocs is not hard it's 12 weeks of a big game. Just be in shape.

What field you looking in going into?


Btw go USN

 

[solewoman]

Happy 4th of July to all Services!

 

[egaroc1]

Happy 4th of July to all Services!

Thanks y'all

 

[bman207]

My branch of choice is Navy. My recruiter is getting me set to go to MEPS at the top of August. I've taken the ASVAB(scored ok I suppose) have few questions if anyone can help me out. How is life in America's Navy? Pros/cons? Perks? How was boot camp? I've heard it the easiest of all branches but what can I expect at Great Lakes? How to assure myself a Rating on a fleet and not a submarine?

Sorry for all the questions but any answers/advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[atlsfinest]

bump

 

[suberzat1]

A day at work

Since u bump I'll post a little something that's been on my mind.

I'm enlisted right in the army and dropped out of rotc because the program was to slow for me at my university plus the rotc program is dead last in everything in our battalion.

I talk to CC at my company about going to OCS so I can get my bar. Everything all good and all because he on board for me. He taking seeing me to gold rush. This is where the higher ups talk u up to become a officerwith beer and other tactics.

That's cool and all to but I want the advanced 8 week ocs and not the year long option the CC wants to send me on.

Also I'm leaving for Maryland in a year for grad school so I will need to transfer units. I'm in a engineer company now and would switch to signal unit in dmv for better promotions.

This is the short version.

 

[civickid96]

Bump also.

Just another day in San Jose MEPS...

 

[jot29]

BUMP

I just swore in a couple weeks ago, Army, active duty. Plan on retiring out after 20 years if everything goes good.

I got to Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood on November 18, can't wait to go, I also have AIT there right after. My MOS is 74D.

Anyone else here new in the military? Preferrebly the army, I may have a  few questions I wanna message you.

Also, which army bases is probably the best to buy good shoes and clothes, if I don't feel lie ordering online? Or which army bases are the most fun in general, or in a more fun area? This is for when I make my little wishlist or whatever you do to pick what station you what prefer to get.

 

[suberzat1]

BUMP

I just swore in a couple weeks ago, Army, active duty. Plan on retiring out after 20 years if everything goes good.

I got to Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood on November 18, can't wait to go, I also have AIT there right after. My MOS is 74D.

Anyone else here new in the military? Preferrebly the army, I may have a  few questions I wanna message you.


Also, which army bases is probably the best to buy good shoes and clothes, if I don't feel lie ordering online? Or which army bases are the most fun in general, or in a more fun area? This is for when I make my little wishlist or whatever you do to pick what station you what prefer to get.

I can answer some of your questions not all since I'm in the national guard. Nike boots are the best imo. Heard Hawaii, Germany, and Korea are some nice places to get station. not many people get station at those bases coming out of basic. Have about six friends station in Korea coming out of basic and 2 in Germany.

What your mos and do u have any school already in your contact?

 

[jrdnsrnss]

Anyone here stationed at Ramstein? I'm PCS'ing there in October, currently in tech school at Keesler AFB. Any good tips for when i get there or while i'm there? Thanks.

 

[jot29]

I can answer some of your questions not all since I'm in the national guard. Nike boots are the best imo. Heard Hawaii, Germany, and Korea are some nice places to get station. not many people get station at those bases coming out of basic. Have about six friends station in Korea coming out of basic and 2 in Germany.

What your mos and do u have any school already in your contact?

My MOS is 74D (CBRN Specialist), I couldn't get what I really wanted cuz MEPs told me I prolly wouldn't get that stupid *** security clearance.

 

[civickid96]

BUMP

I just swore in a couple weeks ago, Army, active duty. Plan on retiring out after 20 years if everything goes good.

I got to Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood on November 18, can't wait to go, I also have AIT there right after. My MOS is 74D.

Anyone else here new in the military? Preferrebly the army, I may have a  few questions I wanna message you.


Also, which army bases is probably the best to buy good shoes and clothes, if I don't feel lie ordering online? Or which army bases are the most fun in general, or in a more fun area? This is for when I make my little wishlist or whatever you do to pick what station you what prefer to get.

Nice to see you're going to Fort Leonard Wood for Basic (Lost in the Woods). I went there after I joined and did my 10 weeks there (A310). I knew some of the folks who did CBRN so you will be staying in Missouri your whole time there. I don't remember seeing much in terms of shopping there but always check out the pX (might be surprised they stock some J's there) and I think there is a mall that is 20 minutes NE off of base. Also, if they give you an opportunity to go a church getaway, take advantage. I can remember countless stuff so just hit me up whenever you feel like asking a question.

My advice, be motivated, positive and don't break a leg (seriously). Once you get out of Basic/AIT, it's smooth sailing from there.

 

[jot29]

Nice to see you're going to Fort Leonard Wood for Basic (Lost in the Woods). I went there after I joined and did my 10 weeks there (A310). I knew some of the folks who did CBRN so you will be staying in Missouri your whole time there. I don't remember seeing much in terms of shopping there but always check out the pX (might be surprised they stock some J's there) and I think there is a mall that is 20 minutes NE off of base. Also, if they give you an opportunity to go a church getaway, take advantage. I can remember countless stuff so just hit me up whenever you feel like asking a question.

My advice, be motivated, positive and don't break a leg (seriously). Once you get out of Basic/AIT, it's smooth sailing from there.

Preciste it dawg. I was really wondering about good shopping in any bases in general, so I can kinda know before I get stationed, but I guess they might let me buy non-needed things while in AIT. You active duty? And I've been doing push ups and sit ups and running here at home to get ready for basic, I'm actually not too worried about basic.

 

[civickid96]

Preciste it dawg. I was really wondering about good shopping in any bases in general, so I can kinda know before I get stationed, but I guess they might let me buy non-needed things while in AIT. You active duty? And I've been doing push ups and sit ups and running here at home to get ready for basic, I'm actually not too worried about basic.

I was active duty but got out after my initial term and now working as a Systems Coordinator for MEPS up here in the Bay Area. I'm still employed by the government and using my active time to help towards retirement as a civilian.

Once you reach AIT, it's a little more relaxed than basic training and for the most part, they let you go off post on the weekends provided that you earned it. PT test is no sweat. I would advise doing the best you can and train yourself to either max out and aim for over 60 per event. Sure at basic training, they let you go with 50 percent but when you're in the real Army, it's over 60.

If you have anymore questions, feel free and hit me up. Army has its ups and downs but it's while you're there, it's what YOU make of it. Me personally, I used it to gain the skills I needed to be successful when I transitioned.

Good luck!

 

[joshsbeezy]

Active infantry, deployed, been in for 18 months