I got 20/10 also, I thought, was told that during my vision test at the optomotrists, but then was told I have a stigmatism when I took my asvab, the part where you do the physical, she brought me in to take my vision test and she said to read the first line, and I told here theres 2 and she said to read the first one, so I again told here theres 2, she got kinda mad and said read THE FIRST ONE! so i said A and K, G and Z, M and S and so on and she asked me what I was doing, so I told her there was 2 letters in each space, she said that isnt possibe and I said I swear there is 2 letter in each space, come look! and she looked and then I didnt get to see what she did but I heard a click like she flipped a switch or something and looked through again and it was fixed, and i told her whatever she just did it fixed it and she said it means I have a stigmatism, but I dont think so cuz my sister does have a stigmatism and she said it is just your pupil isnt an exact circle or somehting and only thing it does to her is she doesnt see that good at dusk, daylight or nighttime its alright but when its starting to get dark is when she says its bad.

 

I hope making big money is not the reason you going into the service. You will be sorely disappointed, especially while you are holding the early ranks.

Every service advances in rank faster than the Air Force. It all has to do with the type of promotion system. The only bonus pays the Navy has available beyond any other service (except CG oviously) are the sea-related pays.

The only ones and Air Force or Army guy can't get (except in special circumstances) are the sea/ship-duty related pays (submarine, flight deck, sea pay). The other additional pays (jump, dive, demolitions, deployment, hazardous duty) are available to members in every other branch of the service. It all depends on what job (AFSC/MOS/Rate) you end up getting. My job in the Air Force, along with a few others, will pull in Jump, Dive, Demolitions and Hazardous Duty pay every month (dependent on training level). If you are remotely interested in the Army, there is a recruiter that hangs out here and 4x4Wire named DRTDVL.

No, I am not trying to sell the Air Force (even though I have been in for 18 years). Every service has it's good jobs, and it's bad ones. You have to make an informed decision. And make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

 

are you a swimmer? Just wondering because I am in the navy and I do the exact same thing, I am a rescue swimmer and an aviation electronics tech.. I luv my job as well, who can beat flying in helos and working on them and getting paid for it? as for the topic, it does depend on what you do as far as going out to sea. There are several aviation communties that don't go on boats.. They deploy to other countries and make so much money.. Like 96 dollars a day for perdiem.. I would ask the recruiter about P3's and a few of the other large airplane communitites.. I would also seriously look into the aircrew thing because I make an extra 160 a month just for flying.. And if you are physically fit I would ask about SAR as well(search and rescue), I make an extra 225 a month for being a swimmer.. I have been in for 3.9 years and I make 1400 every two weeks.. I would say good luck and make sure you read every last thing that you sign.. Navy recruiters are notorious for lying and doing anything to fill their quota.. Good luck..

 

The Air Force doesn't have Sea Pay but if you go overseas you get COLA cost of living allowance. If you deploy you get Hazardous Duty Pay. If you want to goto school they will pay 100% now but in order to get commisioned you have to have a BA and then submit a package to even goto OTS. I know guys that have had their degrees for several years and not been able to get commisioned. Then once you get commisioned you still have to get a pilots slot. If you truely want to be a pilot and arent' saying that because it sounds cool your best bet would be Air Force Academy. 4 years of basic training pretty much. Lots of ROTC guys get pilots slots as well but fewer than the Academy puts out. Thought I would mention also the Air Force is over it's number of people by 16,000 right now and they are trying to get rid of people. The day of incentive bonuses is gone I'm afraid.
Okay this is JOKE but there is a little bit of truth in it too..

U.S. ARMY OATH OF ENLISTMENT
I, (state your name), swear to sign away 4 years of my mediocre life to the United States Army because I couldn't score high enough on the ASVAB to get into the Air Force, because I'm not tough enough for the Marines, and the Navy won't take me because I can't swim. I will wear camouflage everyday and tuck my trousers in my boots because I can't figure out how to use blousing straps. I promise to wear my uniform 24 hours a day even when I have a date I will continue to tell myself I am a fierce killing machine because my Drill Sergeant told me I am, despite the fact that the only action I 'll ever see is a court-martial for sexual harassment. I acknowledge the fact that I will make E-8 in my first year of service, and vow to maintain that it is because I scored perfect on my PT test. Afte completion of sexual... er...I mean Boot Camp, I will attend a different Army school once every other month and return knowing less than I did when I left. On my first trip home after Boot Camp, I will walk around like I'm cool and propose to my 9th grade sweetheart. I will make my wife stay home because if I let her out she might leave me for a smarter Air Force guy or a better looking Marine. Should she leave me twelve times, I will continue to take her back. While at work I will maintain a look of knowledge while getting absolutely nothing accomplished. I will arrive at work everyday at 1000 hours because of morning PT and leave every day at 1300 to report back to the "company." I understand that I will undergo no training whatsoever that will help me get a job upon separation, and will end up working construction with my friends from high school. I will brag to everyone about the Army giving me $50,000 for college, but will be unable to use any of it because I can't pass the placement exam. So help me God.

U.S. AIR FORCE OATH OF ENLISTMENT:
I, (state your name), swear to sign 4 years of my useless life to the United States Air Force because I am too smart for the Army and because the Marines frighten me. I swear to sit behind a desk and take credit for the work done by others more dedicated than me who take their job seriously. I also swear to do no real form of exercise, but promise to defend our bike riding test as a valid form of exercise. I swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, even though I believe my self to above that. I promise to walk around calling everyone by their first name because I know I'm really not in the military and I find it amusing to annoy the other services. I will have a better quality of life than all those a round me and will at all times be sure to make everyone aware of that fact. After completion of my <snicker> "Basic Training", and receiving a ribbon for it, I will be a lean mean, donut eating, lazy-boy sitting, civilian-wearing-blue-clothes, chair-borne Ranger. I will believe I am superior to all others and will make an effort to clean the knife before stabbing the next person in the back with it. I will do no work unless some one is watching me (and it makes me look good), will annoy all those around me, and will go home early every day. I consent to never getting promoted (ever) and understand that all those whom I made fun of yesterday will probably outrank me tomorrow. So help me God.

U.S. NAVY OATH OF ENLISTMENT

I, (state your name), in lieu of going to prison, swear to sign away 4 years of my life to the United States Navy because I want to hang out with Marines without having to actually be one of them, because I thought the Air Force was too "corporate," and because I thought "Hey, I like to swim....why not." I promise to wear clothing that went out of style in 1976 and have my name stenciled on the butt of every pair of pants I own. I understand that I will be mistaken for the Good Humor man during the summer, and for the Waffen SS during the winter. I will strive to use a different language than the rest of the English- speaking world, using words like "deck, bulkhead, cover, and head" instead of "floor, wall, hat, and toilet." I will take great pride in the fact that all Navy acronyms, rank and insignia, and everything else for that matter, are completely different from the other services and make absolutely no sense whatsoever. I will muster (what ever that is) at 0700 hours every morning unless I am buddy-buddy with the chief, in which case I will show up at 0930 hours. I vow to hone my coffee cup handling skills to the point that I can and up in a kayak being tossed around in a typhoon, and still not spill a drop. I consent to being promoted and subsequently busted down at least twice per fiscal year. I realize that, once selected for Chief, I am required to submit myself to the sick, and quite possibly illegal, whims of my new found "colleagues." So help me Neptune.

U.S. MARINE CORPS OATH OF ENLISTMENT
I, (state your name), swear...uhhhhhhhhh...high-and-tight <grunt>... cammies...uhhhhh...complete mission...ugh...beer...woman...OOORAH! So help me Corps. Semper Fi.

 

I was in the Marine Corps. I was an AE (aircraft electrician). Being on flight crew on helos, I visited other bases. My experience was the Air Force had the nicest facilities, but ther guys advanced in rank slowly. The Navy and Marines had older facilities, but advanced faster. I was an E-3 in about 9 months, E-6 in 6 years.
Almost every base I was at had a hobby shop (RC airplanes, cars, all sorts of hobbies), an auto shop where you could work on your rig. I went canoeing, hiking, 4 wheeling, all sorts of activities.
Find out what job they want to put you into, and ask the board about it. The Army recruter told my brother about this great job, Single Channel Radio operator. Turned out it was carrying the radio in the field. He got med discharge cause of flat feet and asthma (one or the other was OK, but both not) Moral is, lots of jobs have glorified titles. Find out first.

I was 20 when I went into boot camp. Just blend in and be OK.

 

Are you talking reenlistment bonuses ? If so, not true. CCT and PJ, to name a few, are still getting them (and maxing them out). If you are talking about some kind of initial enlistment signing bonus, I have no idea.

 

discharged from that job or discharged from the service???
well, the pilots thing sounds like it isnt gonna happen, and it hasne been a dream of mine, like I havent wanted to be a piot since I was a little kid, I just think being a pilot would be cool, but to me I think that is a good enough reason, I mean you wanna fly so you become a pilot, but I am not gonna go for that anymore. back to SAR I guess, probably with the USCG because they protect the US waterways, not go to other coutries and get bombed. thats what my moms trying to sell me on, the CG.

 

Critically manned career fields will have them but I know like the one for my job is going away here pretty soon. I just re enlisted two weeks and took a phat bonus I took a bonus when I came in to sign for 6 years as well. Not sure if they are still doing that are not.

 

when I was going into the CG, my recruiter told me if I were to sign for 6 years I would be an automatic E3, didnt say my bonus would go up though, just told me the bonus depends on which job you choose.

 

Joey,
By the way that uniform that you are making fun of went away quite a few years ago.

 

The Military is what you make it...I feel your decision to go into the USCG is a good one..it is a great service. My experience in the USAF has been great. I started out as a Crew Chief on the AC-130H Spectre Gunships and now I am a Flight Engineer on "Slick" C-130s..and have loved every second. I do plan on getting out and doing some more college and getting all my Pilot ratings and go back into the Air National Guard.

If you do not like being away from home. or some days of very long hours and sometimes 3-4 weeks straight with no days off this is not for you. I say just go to diffrient recruters and ask as many questions as you can...and then find people you know in the service of your choice and ask them a million questions.

Good luck

 

I joined the Navy 9 years ago. I re-enlisted as an E5 in 1999 for 5 years and got a tax-free bonus of $29,020. I recently re-enlisted for 6 years in December and got a bonus that I had to pay taxes on of $32,000. As difficult as life can be in the military at times, I actually enjoy it very much.

 

One way to not pay anything in bonuses is to stick them in the new TSP, the thrift savings plan that they opened to military about 3 years ago. It is the same system that government civilians have except we do not get matching contributions from the government. The only catch is that you cannot withdraw the money until you are retirement age, but hey a quick and easy way to bank some money for retirement.

 

Matt,
I got out of the nav in '91 of my own accord I did 3 years sea service U.S.S. Midway wrenching on E-2 hawkeyes.
In that time traveled the entire pacific great way to see the world.
and ended it on a shore station right here in Japan I've loved every minute of it!
If and when you decide to do this keep in mind when you get upset angry and tired of it all 3 things 1 YOU got you into the situation no one is forcing you to join. 2 it'll be over quicker if you keep your mouth closed and get her done.3Basically keep in mind you may have to depend on the guy next to you to save your a$$ some day so treat your ship mates fairly.that kind of attitude will help quell any kind of out burst you may be gettin ready to unleash.
Along those same lines Bootcamp is a mind f@#ch desinged to teach you many things including teamwork and to help the services weed out the weak and non compliers. this happens at many different times through the schooling periods, boot camp is just the first tier of that process.
My self I had a good time with all.
Daniel

 

well, went to the recruiters today and took my pretest again, ths time I am not sure what I did, maybe i just took more time or something, I got a 93, and only guessed on 2 of the word meaning ones and 1 math one. but I got a questioin for anyone whon didnt go to the navy, I was at the navy recruiters office and he was telling me that the navy is the ONLY branch of service who can guarantee you your job, by putting it in your contract, he said al other services you have to tell em what you want and after boot camp you might get what you want. that true? I dont think so cuz I remember my USCG recruiter told me I had a guaranteed school for ET which was what I was going to do, now I am gonna be an AT/rescue swimmer in the navy most likely, and a guy that just went in as that rate got a 7k enlist bonus, and Im gonna take the test at the office to be an E2 going in.

 

Madmatt sounds like the Navy recruiter is correct. There have been instances were the school was guarenteed but, not when the school would be available. So a person would end up at one job waiting for the school slot to come open.

If the Navy recruiter guarenteed it, in writing, answer this for me;

What happens if you don't get the job you signed up for?
What happens if the school you need to go to in the Navy doesn't have a slot available?
What happens if there's no jobs after school?
What happens if your job gets eliminated when you start?

 

he has to answer that for me first

but he told me that when I go to MEPS, then they will have a contract that says what my guaranteed job is, and what my ship date is, and what my bonus is. he also said that they can look up to a year ahead for the delayed entry and know what will be happening. And he said if they wrote it on my contract and they didnt do what it says I can basically sue them for breach of contract.

 

Well I guess I can chime in her now. I've been in the USAF for 14 years now and have loved every minute of it... even my 18 trips to the desert. I just got my re-training approved. I am leaving my beloved AWACS to be a Sensor Operator on the AC-130U. And yes for those of you that know that is the U-boat not the Gunpig. So Hurlburt here I come. Oh back to the topic. I would say go USAF if you can. My dad was a retired O-6 in the Army, my grand father was a Marine and my cousin is in the Navy and mostly agree that the USAF is the way to go in to days world. If you want any more info on the USAF just ask anyone of us. We would be more than happy to help you. Even Joey.. when he is done passing gas...

So how do you like being stateside again Joey? I'm still stuck in that crap thae call Geilenkirchen.

 

is that true thouhgh that only the navy can gaurantee you your job in writing.

 

I've gotten countless calls from all of the branches of the armed forces. I don't feel that it's for me, so when politely saying no thanks didn't stop the same guys from calling back, several times, I asked if they wanted to pay me 24 million dollars a year. When they responed, "No," I told them I'm not interested, and I have your number if I become interested. The only one to call since then was the Marine guy, and I just said, "You don't get it, do you?" That was a few weeks ago, and they haven't called since.

I really do respect the armed forces, but their recruiters around here are dense.