Signing up for the army.

snowmobile74 · 06-15-04, 07:05 PM

Hey guys I have been runing/working out for the past 2 months to meet my requirements to get into the army. Well the day to sign up is fast aproaching (right now its set for the 22nd. One week from now. I just have 2 questions. And of course any advice is good too.

First off I am very close to my req body fat %. .45% over. Uh

I am told that I need to get some preporation H and use it to shrink my stomach... yea heh can anyone shed some light on that?

And secondly my job that I want to sign up for it 33W linky. Just wondering if theres anyone out there that has this job or knows someone thats in it so I can get some opinions of what im getting into. Should I try and play hardball and demand the job? I am told that they will bend a bit if your stubborn. heres my backup job

Thanks in advance -James

ashenfang · 06-15-04, 09:10 PM

Hmmm, not sure about the preperation H thing. I do know that in the time of "war" it can be hard to get the job you want, due to the nature of the military needing people on the front line. This can make it more competitive as well. I would say, be stubborn on the job, and don't sign ANYTHING until you see that job, as your job. And again, READ, READ AGAIN, and READ a third time before signing. Recruiters get paid on the type of job they can get you into, so watch out for them saying yeah, we can see about this job and put down something else.

On a side note, they actually have physical requirements for joining? I knew they had some degree of "qualification" but would shape up most people during boot camp. I was never interested in joining the military, but I applaud you for putting your life in danger for our freedom.

-edit, forgot to mention, that you will probably see somewhere on the contract that states in the time of war, the military can place you anywhere they need you reguardless of your "specialty"

Silversinksam · 06-15-04, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowmobile74

And secondly my job that I want to sign up for it 33W linky. Just wondering if theres anyone out there that has this job or knows someone thats in it so I can get some opinions of what im getting into. Should I try and play hardball and demand the job? I am told that they will bend a bit if your stubborn. heres my backup job

Thanks in advance -James

Do not sign on the dotted line unless you are guaranteed 33W which is a good MOS and will help you land a decent job after your obligation is over. You should also make sure you will Pre-qualify for any clearances you may need for this MOS.

DO NOT LET them make you choose a secondary MOS if your denied a clearance while still in Boot camp or AIT. Get the clearance issue settles even before you sign the dotted line if possible.

When I was 97 Bravo, I saw many people denied clearance in Boot and AIT and forced to pick a MOS of the Army's choosing. That means you can end up being a cook.

Just my .02 cents.

PS If you have some college or your an expert negotiator you may get a rank increase like a PFC immediately. If you can go in after college being an Officer is the way to go.... The Weight issue at what you stated is no big deal and they will slim you down in the first 8 weeks guaranteed or your money back.

TommyHolly · 06-15-04, 10:11 PM

1. The Military increases thier standards for joining more and more. With all the problems thay have had in the past letting in gang members and people that were ordered into the military by a judge so they would not go to prison and shape them up. Now you have to fight for jobs that you want.

2. Intel is a great job. Especially if you want to work in some sort of Law enforcement career afterwards. Just so you know, the Intel field has one of the longest tech schools around. The second choice is more of a network administrator. (I'm not sure what the Army calls thier schools?)

3. Have you considered the National Guard? The active duty rocks don't get me wrong but they can place you whereever they want. National Guard units let YOU pick the job. I picked my job in the Air National Guard and as long as there is a slot open, (that is the key), they you should be able also. However, people still fail the training because the Air Force schools are some of the toughest and they are asked to either: A) Leave because their performance was less than satisfactory, or B) Choose another easier career field.

4. As far as being overweight, each branch of the service has different requirements. (they are still very similar though). Not everyone loses weight in basic training though. I GAINED 10 pounds because it was the first time in years that I was eating 3 meals a day. My advice is spend an another week on the tredmill instead of using Prep H because you are going to get measured many times during the sign up process.

snowmobile74 · 06-15-04, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashenfang

On a side note, they actually have physical requirements for joining? I knew they had some degree of "qualification" but would shape up most people during boot camp. I was never interested in joining the military, but I applaud you for putting your life in danger for our freedom.

They take your wheight and your body fat % (measure your neck, waist, height). I am told thats to prevent future health problems and save on medic bills so im told

. Oh and your welcome for the freedome thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silversinksam

When I was 97 Bravo, I saw many people denied clearance in Boot and AIT and forced to pick a MOS of the Army's choosing. That means you can end up being a cook.

I aint cookin nothin! heh thats defenitly something to look out for. I am going to give myself some time before I go to basic though. So hopefully I will get that all cleared up. But I certainly have no reason not to clear it. Btw that looks like a really cool job. It was one of those that I pondered about.

As for the exercise thing I work out twice a day /w the the recruiter. And lately I have been taking 3-4 hour bike rides. And then I come home and collapse on the floor. I haven't been more dedicated to anything before in my life. (yes that includes the year of college). Aparently if I am over when I go down to meps and they stop me for it I have to wait 45 days before I can phys again. So I am a little nervous about it.

rabidchicken · 06-15-04, 11:47 PM

hehe be a man join the Marines... nah seriously play hardball, remember the recruiter will tell you whatever it takes to get you to sign up, then scare you out of backing out... if you really want to join the military id say have a backup mos, just dont tell the recruiter about it... also if things dont look like they're going your way just remember the dotted line doesnt mean crap till you sign it again in boot camp

snowmobile74 · 06-18-04, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyHolly

Have you considered the National Guard? The active duty rocks don't get me wrong but they can place you whereever they want. National Guard units let YOU pick the job. I picked my job in the Air National Guard and as long as there is a slot open, (that is the key), they you should be able also. However, people still fail the training because the Air Force schools are some of the toughest and they are asked to either: A) Leave because their performance was less than satisfactory, or B) Choose another easier career field.

I thought about the guard and the such but I feal like the army will give me the travel posibilities that I want. The only other service that I have actualy talked to recruiters about is Coast Guard. That was the one I wanted originaly but found out the wiat to get in would be a year. So I decided to do the army. I know that the Marines are a little too gung-ho for me. The air force sounded nice but I want to be able to play with guns

. I have talked to people that where in the air foce they seemed to like it but sounded more laid back with less weaponry.

Second off guys thanks a bunch for the info its very helpfull in reafirming how to deal with this process.

Something that I have been seriously considering lateley is what does it take to get into the special forces? Or even the Rangers (thats the army right?). I saw Band of Brothers and I am seriously considering an elite fighting force such as this. For those of you who don't know that movie it follows the 101st airborn in WW2. I was thinking of signing up for SF for 4 years and then signing up for a diffrenct service to get a more relaxed job. I feal like if I don't sign up for something like that now I may regret it for the rest of my life. So anyone have the info on the SF's is it as glamorous and honorable as it looks?

bru · 06-18-04, 12:22 PM

Stop screwing around and go blue!! (Air Force) If you want to be intel of some sort try on of our 1N*X* it the intel guys, as for preparation H, use its best used when your getting taped, because it actually shrinks you for a while. Another way to cut down on weight (a main factor in body fat) is to spit. Spit a lot before you get weighed and taped in. P.S. Air Force is pretty good on guaranteed jobs.

ziptieboy · 06-18-04, 12:45 PM

The Preperation H thing...My friend went to the army and this is what he told me his recruiter said to do:
Do this the day before you have to go and get checked out if you meet the requirements
Get some Prep H and spread it around your stomach, a lot of it
Next get some saran wrap and wrap your stomach, as tight as you possibly can
Go to sleep
In the morning, make sure you take a shower and completely get the smell of the Prep H off, or else they may disqualify you for trying to cheat the system.

I think he ended up doing it, because he was, as you are, just a little above the body fat requirement.

Hope you make it! Good Luck!

TommyHolly · 06-18-04, 01:16 PM

Every branch of the service has thier own special forces. The toughest is actually the Air Force Paratroopers. The reason is because they are medics that have rescue missions in some of the worst conditions possible. Still, every branch of the service has thier own thing. In general you are right about the Air Force having less weponry jobs. We have mostly technical stuff that deals with computers. (However if you want to get a good paying job as a civilian we have more opurtunities then some of the others depending on how you choose.)

The National Guard has full time positions. Also they have many travel postions too. I volunteered for travel for 3 straight years when I first got in. I have been able to meet some really cool people all over the world and learn a few languages too. Also, I have a pretty good paying job thanks to the start the Air Force gave me. Just remember, picking a job where you mortar things or use a grenade launcher won't help much later on when you are unemployed. They are probably really fun though!

rabidchicken · 06-19-04, 12:23 PM

whats wrong with being a mortarman (thats me in my avatar), hes right about there not being many jobs after you get out with that kind of MOS. but there are companys like Blackwater that look for people with combat experience they pay from 200-350k a year but you will earn it, and run the risk of having your head sawed off by a crazy terrorist. right now i work for a high end security company and and starting to get into executive protection. so there are options out there no matter what MOS you choose.

As for SF stuff ive dealt with a lot of SF guys when i was in iraq and they all pretty much say the same thing... it pretty much sucks 99% of the time, they train constantly and its no joke... just in reg marine infantry the training was tough

TommyHolly · 06-19-04, 01:18 PM

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Mortarman. Thankfully we got people that like doing that job because I would probably shoot myself. (just like I do when I use the Mortar in Return to Castle Wolfenstein:Enemy Territory. LOL)

He's right about the SF. They train constantly and live in terrible conditions. I see those guys usually running in groups of 4 with a TELEPHONE POLE over thier shoulders.

9mmCensor · 06-19-04, 01:43 PM

If you are looking into SpecOps, go to a local book store (Barns and Noble in the US right?) and check out the military section. You should be able to find a good collection of memoires by SpecOps vets, that will give you some incite on what SpecOps is like, I suggest _First Seal_ by Roy Boehm ( http://www.firstseal.com/ ).

snowmobile74 · 06-23-04, 07:36 PM

Thanks a bunch guys, I kind of gave up on the SF option when I got down there though heh. Yes I got in and I even got the job I wanted. I am told that the position that I got 33W is only offered about 3 times a year! So I feal very fortunate. Now I just hope that the clearance goes as well as the rest of the physical. Not that there would be any reason for it not to.

I ship out november 11th and get 2 weeks off for christmas (I am fairly sure I get to come home.) I unfortunatly did not get a signon bonous but its not the money its the job

. Oh and im on for a 5 year commitment. And all the army guys down at meps did a great job staying later helping me get situated.

06-15-04, 07:05 PM	Thread Starter #1
snowmobile74 Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Iowa	Signing up for the army. Hey guys I have been runing/working out for the past 2 months to meet my requirements to get into the army. Well the day to sign up is fast aproaching (right now its set for the 22nd. One week from now. I just have 2 questions. And of course any advice is good too. First off I am very close to my req body fat %. .45% over. Uh I am told that I need to get some preporation H and use it to shrink my stomach... yea heh can anyone shed some light on that? And secondly my job that I want to sign up for it 33W linky. Just wondering if theres anyone out there that has this job or knows someone thats in it so I can get some opinions of what im getting into. Should I try and play hardball and demand the job? I am told that they will bend a bit if your stubborn. heres my backup job Thanks in advance -James
	QUOTE Thanks

06-15-04, 09:10 PM	#2
ashenfang The Jet Man! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Indiana	Hmmm, not sure about the preperation H thing. I do know that in the time of "war" it can be hard to get the job you want, due to the nature of the military needing people on the front line. This can make it more competitive as well. I would say, be stubborn on the job, and don't sign ANYTHING until you see that job, as your job. And again, READ, READ AGAIN, and READ a third time before signing. Recruiters get paid on the type of job they can get you into, so watch out for them saying yeah, we can see about this job and put down something else. On a side note, they actually have physical requirements for joining? I knew they had some degree of "qualification" but would shape up most people during boot camp. I was never interested in joining the military, but I applaud you for putting your life in danger for our freedom. -edit, forgot to mention, that you will probably see somewhere on the contract that states in the time of war, the military can place you anywhere they need you reguardless of your "specialty" __________________ Hobby Turbine Engine Builder Certified APA Pyrotechnician
	QUOTE Thanks

06-15-04, 10:11 PM	#4
TommyHolly Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago	1. The Military increases thier standards for joining more and more. With all the problems thay have had in the past letting in gang members and people that were ordered into the military by a judge so they would not go to prison and shape them up. Now you have to fight for jobs that you want. 2. Intel is a great job. Especially if you want to work in some sort of Law enforcement career afterwards. Just so you know, the Intel field has one of the longest tech schools around. The second choice is more of a network administrator. (I'm not sure what the Army calls thier schools?) 3. Have you considered the National Guard? The active duty rocks don't get me wrong but they can place you whereever they want. National Guard units let YOU pick the job. I picked my job in the Air National Guard and as long as there is a slot open, (that is the key), they you should be able also. However, people still fail the training because the Air Force schools are some of the toughest and they are asked to either: A) Leave because their performance was less than satisfactory, or B) Choose another easier career field. 4. As far as being overweight, each branch of the service has different requirements. (they are still very similar though). Not everyone loses weight in basic training though. I GAINED 10 pounds because it was the first time in years that I was eating 3 meals a day. My advice is spend an another week on the tredmill instead of using Prep H because you are going to get measured many times during the sign up process. __________________ sig deleted by muddocktor-take it up with the Admins
	QUOTE Thanks

06-15-04, 11:47 PM	#6
rabidchicken Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Clearwater, FL	hehe be a man join the Marines... nah seriously play hardball, remember the recruiter will tell you whatever it takes to get you to sign up, then scare you out of backing out... if you really want to join the military id say have a backup mos, just dont tell the recruiter about it... also if things dont look like they're going your way just remember the dotted line doesnt mean crap till you sign it again in boot camp __________________ Glock in hand beats wind in tree.
	QUOTE Thanks

06-18-04, 12:22 PM	#8
bru Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kanto Plains Japan	Stop screwing around and go blue!! (Air Force) If you want to be intel of some sort try on of our 1NX it the intel guys, as for preparation H, use its best used when your getting taped, because it actually shrinks you for a while. Another way to cut down on weight (a main factor in body fat) is to spit. Spit a lot before you get weighed and taped in. P.S. Air Force is pretty good on guaranteed jobs.
	QUOTE Thanks

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06-18-04, 12:45 PM	#9
ziptieboy Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas	The Preperation H thing...My friend went to the army and this is what he told me his recruiter said to do: Do this the day before you have to go and get checked out if you meet the requirements Get some Prep H and spread it around your stomach, a lot of it Next get some saran wrap and wrap your stomach, as tight as you possibly can Go to sleep In the morning, make sure you take a shower and completely get the smell of the Prep H off, or else they may disqualify you for trying to cheat the system. I think he ended up doing it, because he was, as you are, just a little above the body fat requirement. Hope you make it! Good Luck!
	QUOTE Thanks

06-18-04, 01:16 PM	#10
TommyHolly Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago	Every branch of the service has thier own special forces. The toughest is actually the Air Force Paratroopers. The reason is because they are medics that have rescue missions in some of the worst conditions possible. Still, every branch of the service has thier own thing. In general you are right about the Air Force having less weponry jobs. We have mostly technical stuff that deals with computers. (However if you want to get a good paying job as a civilian we have more opurtunities then some of the others depending on how you choose.) The National Guard has full time positions. Also they have many travel postions too. I volunteered for travel for 3 straight years when I first got in. I have been able to meet some really cool people all over the world and learn a few languages too. Also, I have a pretty good paying job thanks to the start the Air Force gave me. Just remember, picking a job where you mortar things or use a grenade launcher won't help much later on when you are unemployed. They are probably really fun though! __________________ sig deleted by muddocktor-take it up with the Admins
	QUOTE Thanks

06-19-04, 12:23 PM	#11
rabidchicken Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Clearwater, FL	whats wrong with being a mortarman (thats me in my avatar), hes right about there not being many jobs after you get out with that kind of MOS. but there are companys like Blackwater that look for people with combat experience they pay from 200-350k a year but you will earn it, and run the risk of having your head sawed off by a crazy terrorist. right now i work for a high end security company and and starting to get into executive protection. so there are options out there no matter what MOS you choose. As for SF stuff ive dealt with a lot of SF guys when i was in iraq and they all pretty much say the same thing... it pretty much sucks 99% of the time, they train constantly and its no joke... just in reg marine infantry the training was tough __________________ Glock in hand beats wind in tree.
	QUOTE Thanks

06-19-04, 01:18 PM	#12
TommyHolly Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago	There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Mortarman. Thankfully we got people that like doing that job because I would probably shoot myself. (just like I do when I use the Mortar in Return to Castle Wolfenstein:Enemy Territory. LOL) He's right about the SF. They train constantly and live in terrible conditions. I see those guys usually running in groups of 4 with a TELEPHONE POLE over thier shoulders. __________________ sig deleted by muddocktor-take it up with the Admins
	QUOTE Thanks

06-19-04, 01:43 PM	#13
9mmCensor Disabled Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Banned Camp	If you are looking into SpecOps, go to a local book store (Barns and Noble in the US right?) and check out the military section. You should be able to find a good collection of memoires by SpecOps vets, that will give you some incite on what SpecOps is like, I suggest _First Seal_ by Roy Boehm ( http://www.firstseal.com/ ).
	QUOTE Thanks

06-23-04, 07:36 PM	Thread Starter #14
snowmobile74 Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Iowa	Thanks a bunch guys, I kind of gave up on the SF option when I got down there though heh. Yes I got in and I even got the job I wanted. I am told that the position that I got 33W is only offered about 3 times a year! So I feal very fortunate. Now I just hope that the clearance goes as well as the rest of the physical. Not that there would be any reason for it not to. I ship out november 11th and get 2 weeks off for christmas (I am fairly sure I get to come home.) I unfortunatly did not get a signon bonous but its not the money its the job . Oh and im on for a 5 year commitment. And all the army guys down at meps did a great job staying later helping me get situated.
	QUOTE Thanks