Military??

I've been thinking lately about joining the military, But i'm nut sure what branch to go into....I've heard alot of good stuff about the Air Force. Are there any members on here in the U.S. Air force or any other branch that could give thier opinions. thanks

I've known a few people in the Air Force, and they've all said they were treated fairly, the jobs for the most part were pretty good, and that you got by on your own merit.

If you want to avoid going to the Middle East in combat, Air Force is a good option.

One guy I knew had left the Air Force after about 5 years, then tried to get back in because he had it so good....he ended up joining the Army to stay military....he's probably eating sand about now.

I was Army :rolleyes: but if you qualify go Air Force. My son is a F16/U2 jet engine mechanic stationed in Korea. Air Force has great technical training and better facilities, etc. but rank may be slow, however, that all depends on you. Good luck!

yeah, my uncle used to be in the air force reserves, i'm gonna talk to him about next chance i get.... i have a meeting w/a army recuiter friday, taking some kinda test to see what jobs i can qualify for there. bnaylor did u like it the army?
if i do decide to go in and i don't get in the air force it will most likely be the army

If getting into the Air Force is where you want to go and the ASVAB is the problem, then there are classes you can take to up your score. Make sure to explore all the options before giving up on what you want.

I agree but there is nothing wrong with the Army either. I was in a tech occupational specialty (MOS). I worked on several different radars, command and control equipment, fire control computers, guided missiles along with the generators. But that was the Army before the 90s and back to the Viet Nam Era so alot has changed. I went from Private to SSG E-6 in 5 years and then was commissioned as a Warrant Officer at 7 years where I supervised over 50 techs. Highest rank was CWO4. I'm still technically in the reserves. We had alot of field duty and I spent 6 years stationed overseas in Germany. Loved that Audi and Opel I had especially driving on the Autobahns.

It is definitely a good idea to score high on the ASVAB especially for the Air Force because that will determine what job you can get. You need to make sure you are physically fit too to pass basic training. The Air Force has modified that and switched into a soldering mode. When my son was at Lackland AFB he was marching to all of his classes, doing soldering and it wasn't that far off from Army Basic Training that I could see. They looked really gung ho. :wink:

My first son is Army too. He is an upperclassman Cadet at West Point in his third year. He plans on being Infantry and then Ranger.

BTW - Quite a few AF members are Vets including twospirits our Admin.

I have also had thoughts about joining the army. What jobs are there that go for mechanics? My recrutor doesnt seem to want to tell me that.

Long time ago we had a few Air Force members post here regularly

Marine Corp all the way.

I have one thing to say and it'll be my only post in here. Chair Force. w00t...

I have also had thoughts about joining the army. What jobs are there that go for mechanics? My recrutor doesnt seem to want to tell me that.

That doesn't sound right for the recruiter not to tell you what Army maintenance MOSs are available. What type of mechanic. Vehicle/Motor maintenance? 63 series covers most automotive, trucks and tanks, etc. See link below:

Click here (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/63.htm)

My dad was in the Air Force and he liked it. In fact he used some of the training there to help him get his foot in the door at the company he works at now.

Anyway he joined so he wouldn't get drafted and sent to Vietnam. He worked on radar jamming equipment (EMP) on F-4s in Thailand. After that he spent the rest of his time at Edwards in Florida.

He said he really liked it and being in his early 20s he would never get to travel or see the stuff he did. He said the best thing was he got his college paid for afterwards and got a degree that fitted to what he did.

Marine Corp all the way.

Corps.

That doesn't sound right for the recruiter not to tell you what Army maintenance MOSs are available. What type of mechanic. Vehicle/Motor maintenance? 63 series covers most automotive, trucks and tanks, etc. See link below:

Click here (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/63.htm)More auto mechanics, I am going to school for that in a few years.

Remember that the recruiter's job is to get you in, and he has quotas for certain jobs. If you want something he doesn't want to talk about, walk away(or threaten to).

Remember that the recruiter's job is to get you in, and he has quotas for certain jobs. If you want something he doesn't want to talk about, walk away(or threaten to).He says there are jobs in the field of mechanics, but hasnt said what they are. I would think there are jobs more fore deissile (sp?) over automechanics, the way I understand it, their vheicles are deissile, not gas. I'm thinking about talking to the air force recruter tho, I think I may be more interested there, its just that the army recruter has been the only one to call me and talk to me about it.

Diesel.

He can go to his computer and pull up all the jobs they're currently looking to fill.

Diesel.

He can go to his computer and pull up all the jobs they're currently looking to fill.I figured that, but he never had his computer with, he said something about the office being renovated? I think I might give the Air force a call tho, I like the fact that they will pay for my college.

Best thing is not to put all your eggs in one basket and explore all possibiities so check with recruiters for other armed forces. The link below has various Air Force occupational specialties. As mentioned earlier the key is to score as high as you can on the ASVAB since that is what will qualify you for the respective job or even entrance into that service. The object is to get leverage over the recruiters. Get what you want not what they want based on their so called quotas.

Click here (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjobcategory.htm)

BTW - I am not 100% sure but the Air Force was the only service with it's own community college where you can get at least an associates degree while in service. :thumbsup:

I scored fairly well on my ASVAB, it was something like a 65 or 69. I know the Army has a programa that will allow you to be in college while in the service, I think it is called CONAP, but Im not completly sure either. How would you get leverage over the recuter then?

Get a 99% on your ASVAB and he'll be on his knees to get you in.

he'll be on his knees to get you in.

that sounds so incredibly wrong.

I was speaking metaphorically of course, since homosexual behavior isn't really appreciated in the US Armed Forces.












But one person took the bait anyway. :grinyes:

considering my reading and english suck, that might be a little hard.

I was speaking metaphorically of course

Of course you were... :smooch:

Of course you were... :smooch:
Hey now, Big Fella. Don't want Nicole getting upset. :D

/ thread hijack.



considering my reading and english suck, that might be a little hard.
Well if you're not in a hurry to go in, you can always take a course or two; there are plenty out there to help with the test score, and of course having seen it you can probably do better the next time. What is the rule now, you can take it every 6 months?

If you're planning to go in soon though, go with what you have; scores in the 60s aren't bad, I've seen guys get a 30 on the test.

Well if you're not in a hurry to go in, you can always take a course or two; there are plenty out there to help with the test score, and of course having seen it you can probably do better the next time. What is the rule now, you can take it every 6 months?

If you're planning to go in soon though, go with what you have; scores in the 60s aren't bad, I've seen guys get a 30 on the test.I know thats not a bad score. I turn 18 end of May, but dont plan on joining until around october or november, then go to basic somewhere wher it will be warm instead of hot, and not freezing like it is here. I wouldnt mind a higher score thought if I do join, the higher the score the higher rank you can get, right? meaning a lil more cash when you decide to retire? I know a few others who took the test when I did got up to a 90 score and there were plenty who got 10 - 30.

I know thats not a bad score. I turn 18 end of May, but dont plan on joining until around october or november, then go to basic somewhere wher it will be warm instead of hot, and not freezing like it is here. I wouldnt mind a higher score thought if I do join, the higher the score the higher rank you can get, right? meaning a lil more cash when you decide to retire? I know a few others who took the test when I did got up to a 90 score and there were plenty who got 10 - 30.

Higher is better, not only does it open up more opportunities initially, but keep in mind that the Drill Sergeants will know what it is and treat folks accordingly. When I was in basic they needed people for another MOS that was short on people. Guess what? They started offering the position according to ASVAB scores.

I don't think the score has anything to do with rank. Once you're out of training you're judge and promoted on your own merits.

I wouldnt mind a higher score thought if I do join, the higher the score the higher rank you can get, right? meaning a lil more cash when you decide to retire? I know a few others who took the test when I did got up to a 90 score and there were plenty who got 10 - 30.

Unless it has changed the GT score portion of the ASVAB and AFCT (Armed Forces Classification Test) for soldiers already on active duty stays with you forever or until you are eligible to retake the test and score higher.

The GT score is what is used to see if you qualify for certain tech jobs and whether you are officer material therefore, it does have bearing on what rank you could possibly obtain. The first prerequisite for OCS and Warrant Officer programs is to have a high GT score. Contrary to what people may believe Commanders do look at your GT score.

For entrance into US Service Academies and their commissioning programs they look at your SAT and ACT scores.

Unless it has changed the GT score portion of the ASVAB and AFCT (Armed Forces Classification Test) for soldiers already on active duty stays with you forever or until you are eligible to retake the test and score higher.

The GT score is what is used to see if you qualify for certain tech jobs and whether you are officer material therefore, it does have bearing on what rank you could possibly obtain. The first prerequisite for OCS and Warrant Officer programs is to have a high GT score. Contrary to what people may believe Commanders do look at your GT score.

For entrance into US Service Academies and their commissioning programs they look at your SAT and ACT scores.I never took the SAT, but scored a 21 on my ACT. Will I have to take the SAT before i join? I will probably do something to raise my score before I do join.

I never took the SAT, but scored a 21 on my ACT. Will I have to take the SAT before i join? I will probably do something to raise my score before I do join.

If you are just going to enlist it will have no bearing so I would not worry about it at this time. I only mentioned it because it is one way to gain higher rank. Nice being enlisted but it is better to be an officer. Once you are in the service and desire to attend a service academy like USMA-West Point, Naval-Annapolis, or Air Force Academy then those college entrance test scores are considered. About 10% of each 1200 students per academy that enroll annually into the service academies come from active duty Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force.

If you just going to enlist it will have no bearing so I would not worry about it at this time. I only mentioned it because it is one way to gain higher rank. Nice being enlisted but it is better to be an officer. Once you are in the service and desire to attend a service academy like USMA-West point, Naval-Annapolis, or Air Force Academy then those college entrance test scores are considered. About 10% of each 1200 students per academy that enroll annually into the service academies come from active duty Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force.I dont think I will be joining an acadamy. I plan on going to school around here, buying a new car soon, possibly owning a shop with a friend years down the road, stuff like that, so I dont plan on going to an acadamy.

I dont think I will be joining an acadamy. I plan on going to school around here, buying a new car soon, possibly owning a shop with a friend years down the road, stuff like that, so I dont plan on going to an acadamy.

Why are you considering the military if you have those plans? You can do that without signing up for the military. Joining the military just to pay for a college education or even to gain technical training in the automotive field is a bad idea. Nice to serve your country but we do have a war going on. Motor mechanics are not immune to getting deployed to combat zones. Someone has to fix the broke Humvees, tanks and trucks. :rolleyes:

Why are you considering the military if you have those plans? You can do that without signing up for the military. Joining the military just to pay for a college education or even to gain technical training in the automotive field is a bad idea. Nice to serve your country but we do have a war going on. Motor mechanics are not immune to getting deployed to combat zones. Someone has to fix the broke Humvees, tanks and trucks. :rolleyes:The reason I am looking at joining, is because in the last few months, money has gotten real tight. I will not be looking to my parents for any help because of my relationship with them, not real good. The money is what is drawing me towards the military cuz its gonna be hard for me to pay for college. But i will be working my butt off either way I go.

The reason I am looking at joining, is because in the last few months, money has gotten real tight. I will not be looking to my parents for any help because of my relationship with them, not real good. The money is what is drawing me towards the military cuz its gonna be hard for me to pay for college. But i will be working my butt off either way I go.

Have you talked to a counseler at your High School? I don't think many goto college without student loans anymore. Joining the military for money is like hunting a deer with a cork gun. Enlisted guys don't make that much, it's just that everything is mostly paid for.

I assure you there are wonderful organizations that will throw money at you that you don't have to pay back till years after college. Interest rates and such will vary and you shouldn't go with the first one you see, but if you wish to join the military for the purpose of money, I don't reccomend it. Look into your other options.

I knew tow guys that enlisted, did their 3 or 4 years, then used the college money and went into ROTC (one AF, one AR) and became officers. IMO that's better than borrowing a bunch of money - let Uncle Sugar pay for you.

Well well, I'm actually shipping out on April 3rd for the Air Force.

I've heard that the AF is in Iraq, something about how the military took over an airport in the middle of the city. Not sure how true that is, but if it hopefully the war will cool down so I don't shipped over there. I'd rather not get sand in my ass, and a bullet for that matter.

Anyways, I've heard nothing but good stuff about the AF too. I got a 85 on the ASVAB and the only thing that held me back from doing just about any job I wanted was my unassistated eyesight. They said my left eye could only be correctable to 25/20, and you need 20/20 vision to have any airborn jobs. Crock of shit that is, I really wanted to be a fighter pilot. As of now I'll be workong on aircraft armament, but I'm more than likely going to get it changed to something that pays more. Oh if you do sign up, don't be a jackass like me and sign up for 6 year stint. If you sign up for 4 and do damned good at your job, they'll pay out the ass for you to sign up for 4 more years.

I'd say if you really have no where else to turn, go for it. I pretty much joined up because I didn't want to take the conventional route in life and I sure as hell didn't want to go to college. I personally can't fuckin wait, I know its going to be a life changing experience.

just out of curiosity, how much does it cost you guys in the US to go to college (that's typically ages 17-18 year olds, right?)
how about university education?

You'd be in the $25k-$35k range.

College and university is the same thing, here...

We graduate high school at 18 (usually) and then university tuition can range anywhere from $3,000 for public uni and $30,000 for private uni a year. Plus room, mine is $4500 a year. Some are more...

If someone gets an average loan for uni it's usually about $40,000 for all four years.

sweet mother of god.
guess a regular summer job aint gonna put a dent in that yearly cost.
then again, the lower spectrum of $3000 isn't that huge a sum; $10 a day for a year.....

oh yeah, got my ages/terms mixed up yet again.
high school=17-18
university=college=18+
(assuming you don't have to re-sit any years)

i personally don't think you should join the army just to pay for school. if you want to do military service or are willing to do it and you want to go to college then sure go for it, but otherwise i'd stay away from it. there is a risk that you will die, is that something you're willing to accept?

i'm debating whether or not to apply to the ROTP (regular officer training plan) where the military will pay for your university, plus give you around $1200/month for housing, food, etc. then you do time in the military (2 months of service for every 1 month of subsidized pay up to 60 months of service) so if i were to start now i've got 3 years of school left, that would be 4 years in the military.

the reason i'm most likely not going to sign up for that is that i don't want to sign away that much of my life right now, i'll probably wait until i get out of school, then collect that big $200,000+ signing bonus for an engineer enlisting as an officer.

coles notes: if you aren't 100% sure you want to enlist, don't do it just to pay for school, you might die.

College and university is the same thing, here...

We graduate high school at 18 (usually) and then university tuition can range anywhere from $3,000 for public uni and $30,000 for private uni a year. Plus room, mine is $4500 a year. Some are more...

If someone gets an average loan for uni it's usually about $40,000 for all four years.


Hrmm..

The term "anal violation" sprung to mind reading that post.

GG NZ studen loans :thumbsup:

Well well, I'm actually shipping out on April 3rd for the Air Force.

Good for you. Once thing nice is being able to take basic and possibly advanced training in the same state. Texas!

Air Force Basic is at Lackland AFB in San Antonio and most advanced training for aircraft at Shepherd AFB Wichita Falls. Don't forget since you signed up for 6 years you will get an extra stripe (Airman E2) after you complete training. Better than nothing.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/steve_f16_2.jpg

When you get a high ASVAB you get to work on one of these, F16. This is my son at Shepherd AFB.

A lot of good thoughts have been expressed. You now have an understanding of your testing for MOS qualifications. You can see the future benefit of a good to high score in the exam battery. If you are considering a commission or choose to enlist with NCO future, your scores will impact relative to the rank or commision you choose to begin your career with. Or, your time in service.

I agree that you should consider all branches. Perhaps you can take an aptitude or interest battery, first, [civilian, say some college or such testing facility] to see where your interests lie or are compatible.

Try to get some comfortable of-interest [to you], MOS ideas. Be alert to being assigned an MOS you may not care for or desire. Either during enlistment, at AT [advanced training, where you get your MOS training] or during your current MOS. From which, follows below~~~~~

The one area I would like to address is rank within the military. Rank is a denominator. In a nutshell, privilege, training, and responsibility increase as a function of rank. Your pay increases, and your ability to change MOS's increases.

Personal merit is a factor in advancement in rank. And, there is the probability of combat pay, it tends to fall into the enlisted rank's bank accounts. As well as being factored favorably into merit. Somewhat less within the commissioned ranks.

I wish you well in your endeavours.

[Captain. USAF, ret.]

Crap, I lost my whole paragraph, stupid computer.:banghead:

Looking at college, I am probably spending about 30k+ for auto tech and auto body at a tech school here in South Dakota. I would prefer not to take out any loans if possible, but will if needed. I am also looking into a few other options to help pay besides the military. I dont qualify for many scholarships due to my low gpa, i decided to get my head out of my ass this year, instead of a few years ago. And I dont play many sports, so I wont get anything out of them. So my options are limited. As I said earlier, I am also wanting to own my owm shop later in life too. If I join the military for 15 or so years, and then retire, I can get a pension, and still work another job, alowing the possibility of that shop. But I am looking into other options too.

I'd think long and hard before enlisting in any service at this time.
The pay , isnt all that great unless you are getting that "combat " pay.
Or if you score realy high on your testing and get one of those elite jobs.
Fiver optics is a big thing coming into the future, pays damn well.

If you want to become an Officer ROTC is the way to go.
Both sides of my family are or have been in the military, except for me.
Just not my thing, but let'em come over here and start some shit :evillol:

Here is an article about my cousin, Col Phillip Gick who just recently retired.
He went ROTC after 3-4 yrs at IU.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr1999/n04151999_9904151.html

My brother was a Air Force Mech/Tech.
He had flown some chopers during gulf war but decieded it was safer working on them.
The irony of that is, after he finished and didnt reinlist,
he died in a f****n plane crash :screwy:

Good Luck with your decision doberman_52 !

I was raised in the airforce so I mean nothing bad by this but military pay sucks as everyone else has said.

In my opinion the military is a good option if you want to make a career of it, not just get something out of them and bail.

2 close friends of mine recently got out of the military, one marine, one army and they are living back home with their parents struggling to find a job that pays enough for them to be able to get a small apartment and feed themselves. If you aren't retiring with a pension you have to hope that your military experience lands you a good job, and where I live theres very few of those good jobs.

If you want to become an Officer ROTC is the way to go.


Why is that JC? From the parental view I'll advocate service academy. It is the equivalent of a $400,000 scholarship over 4 years. Only about 5000 of our nation's brightest are selected for and are qualified to attend service academies annually, most directly out of high school. There are other benefits too but not worth hashing over. :smile:

Why is that JC? From the parental view I'll advocate service academy. It is the equivalent of a $400,000 scholarship over 4 years. Only about 5000 of our nation's brightest are selected for and are qualified to attend service academies annually, most directly out of high school. There are other benefits too but not worth hashing over.


The problem I have with Recruiters is they make all these promises and tell you if you join you'll get the "killer deal" to go to school.
But the truth is unless you are one of those elite brainiacs you dont get much of a deal.
That is if the person was just joining the military to get a deal on a college education. Which, most state and federal grants(for college) would give them a better deal on thier school loans IMO.

If someone is going to join for an education/skilled training, they should pick a field that will guarantee they'll have something to fall back on when they get out of the military.

And again, Mc'd pays better then PFC and maybe even PSC.:dunno:

Diesel mechanics are also highly needed these days.
I'd love to work on an M1 :D
Then a test drive of coarse :lol:

The problem I have with Recruiters is they make all these promises and tell you if you join you'll get the "killer deal" to go to school.
But the truth is unless you are one of those elite brainiacs you dont get much of a deal.
That is if the person was just joining the military to get a deal on a college education. Which, most state and federal grants(for college) would give them a better deal on thier school loans IMO.

Technically, those idiot Recruiters have nothing to do with getting into College ROTC, Service Academy or Officer Candidate programs. I agree, no one should join the military just to get a college education. But competitively speaking service academies are in the category of the top colleges/universities in the U.S. ranking up there with Princeton, Harvard, Yale, etc. and there is no doubt in my mind the education gained is top notch. However, you are right not all of us qualify. The standards are very high academically, physically and mentally.


If someone is going to join for an education/skilled training, they should pick a field that will guarantee they'll have something to fall back on when they get out of the military.

I agree. Tech fields or MOSs are the way to go. Not combat arms Infantry, Armor, Artillery, etc. But different strokes for different folks. :dunno:


And again, Mc'd pays better then PFC and maybe even PSC.:dunno:

Here is the latest 2007 Military Pay Charts. Doesn't look that bad to me. And these do not include subsistence, housing, combat pay, overseas and other allowances.

http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp

But the truth is unless you are one of those elite brainiacs you dont get much of a deal.
That is if the person was just joining the military to get a deal on a college education. Which, most state and federal grants(for college) would give them a better deal on thier school loans IMO. are you sure about that, my cousin was in the marines for about 4 years and payed for 2 or 3 college certificates afterwards. he's now a firefighter in boston but he did some kind of trade in college, then his paramedic training, and one other thing, maybe a university degree. they were all in canada and they were all completely free for him, so they'll pay for out of country schools as well. he did serve in the gulf war though so that might have something to do with it, but still they were paying for school something like 5+ years after he left the military.

does anyone know the military policy on education and what they'll pay for and stuff like that?

edit: i think the main thing is to get everything in writing, if he can't show you an official document saying that you get a certain deal, then don't trust it. people have gotten screwed with promises that haven't come true because the recruiter was pulling things out of his ass.

Technically, those idiot Recruiters have nothing to do with getting into College ROTC, Service Academy or Officer Candidate programs. I agree, no one should join the military just to get a college education. But competitively speaking service academies are in the category of the top colleges/universities in the U.S. ranking up there with Princeton, Harvard, Yale, etc. and there is no doubt in my mind the education gained is top notch. However, you are right not all of us qualify. The standards are very high academically, physically and mentally.


Well the Recruiters sure as hell make people think they control those area's. But ya if you want ot be an officer you do have to be an exceptionaly smart and be in top notch physicaly & mentally.

My cousin Col Gick was the only officer I know of in my familys past 70+yrs of militants.

I had uncles & a grandfather who were in WWII.
Several of my uncles were in Vietnam & Korea,
all of them came home and werent basket cases like many were, but War is Hell, dont let anyone fool you on that!

They will make you all you can be...
... or they'll break you like a damn stick.

I guess once you get some years in you can make a good living. Its just all that moving I wouldn't like.
Not a good life for a family IMO.

But if you are single and want to see the world, go for it!
You'll see places you never knew existed.

Well the Recruiters sure as hell make people think they control those area's. But ya if you want ot be an officer you do have to be an exceptionaly smart and be in top notch physicaly & mentally.

The Recruiters can make people think all they want but it is not true. All they are supposed to do is refer the prospective candidate that desires to attend a Service Academy or College ROTC to the assigned Admissions people in that locale or to the Admissions office for the respective academy or college if there is no local rep. Recruiters have zero say on who goes to those programs, period! Which is good. Cuts out some misinformed middleman.

My oldest son never went through a US Army recruiter to get into USMA, West Point. He went one on one with the Admissions office via high school counselors and then met with the assigned local Admissions Officer. The counselors and teachers at his high school were so happy and proud when he was selected that they posted his picture along with a certificate on the bulletin boards showing he had the highest scholarship award for the Class of 2004. He was in the top 5% of his HS graduating class, 3.5 GPA, Honor Society, and Captain of the Boy's Swim Team taking them to District and Regional championships for two years in a row so to qualify you have to have credentials.

Sounds like you raised some realy good boys Bob.
You should be very proud, it is realy hard to get into WestPoint even with a 3.5GPA.

I've heard Guys having 4.0GPA and were rejected.
Though thier rejections probly werent based on their education.

I could never join the military, wont take my lazy ass :rolleyes:

Good for you. Once thing nice is being able to take basic and possibly advanced training in the same state. Texas!


Yup I've already been told BMT is going to be a Lackland and tech training is going to be at Shephard. I can't wait until I get to be around jets, its like a childhood dream.

Sounds like you raised some realy good boys Bob.
You should be very proud, it is realy hard to get into WestPoint even with a 3.5GPA.

I've heard Guys having 4.0GPA and were rejected.
Though thier rejections probly werent based on their education.

I could never join the military, wont take my lazy ass :rolleyes:

Thanks JC. I think he got his intelligence from his mother because it sure as hell wasn't from me. I'm too dumb. :lol:

But they look at other factors like SAT/ACT scores, physical fitness, and medical status. The DODMERB medical examination alone is a PITA. The entrance physical fitness test isn't that easy either. It is harder than the physical fitness test active duty people do.

You can be a brain but if you have no physical stamina or have a medical disease/problem even like asthma then you do not qualify so there are alot of factors in consideration. They are looking for men/women that are well rounded across the board.

The catch is once you get selected and start attending. That 4 years at a full blown military academy is rough. A typical class is around 1200 Cadets. However, only about 800-900 make it to graduation so there is a natural attrition rate needless to say. And trust me it is rough on the parents too. :rolleyes:

Had you considered the military you probably would have done well JC. Look at me. I made it OK. :dunno:

The U.S. military academies are some of the HARDEST and BEST schools in the world. And its really REALLY hard to get in. even if you have a 4.0GPA, you need to score high on your SAT's and ACT's, have a LOT of community service work done, be physically fit, and not just be all booksmarts. Then you have to make it thorugh the academy which is a lot of tough schooling + military training. So yeah.

My ex g/f is in her senior year at the AFA. She's gonna be a fighter pilot. That's cool.

Diesel mechanics are also highly needed these days.
I'd love to work on an M1 :D


M1's aren't diesel. They're turbine.

See Wiki. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Abrams)

M1's aren't diesel. They're turbine.

See Wiki. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Abrams)

That is true for all U.S. fielded M1, M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams tanks, however, there is an export version which was fully tested back in the late nineties that had a diesel engine. I recall the Saudis may have taken delivery of some of these versions.

Click here (http://www.gdls.com/releases/releases_97/gdls-pr9712.html)

There is talk about the Army possibly fielding a multi-fuel diesel engine version maybe dubbed the M1A3 or M1A4 in the near future. Reason being is the M1s with the turbine engines are not ideally suited for urban warfare accompanied by Infantry at the rear of the vehicle. The turbine exhaust makes it almost impossible for Infantry to use the tank for protection. Plus they use JP8 jet fuel.