I'm a senior BQ and not going to graduate probably until May of 2013. I had a contract up until January of this year when I was dis-enrolled because my grades dropped. I'm fine now, and I'm still due to graduate, but I owe the Army around $14K for the scholarship/contract I had. I still want to commission after I graduate (once I have a diploma,) before they decide to hunt me down for the money. I don't know much about Army jobs right now out there, so I was wondering what I should look into from all you guys out there that would know. The kicker is, I'm thinking of proposing to my Aggie sweetheart sometime before/during graduation, and so that means I'll have that to consider as well.

I've looked into a couple, and I'm curious. I'm not completely bloodthirsty, but don't want a career desk-job either as an officer. 18 (I guess it's 18A) as SF sounds cool, and I'd like to try (though I hear different stuff about specs for officers.) 74, 89, & 92 sound like they'd fit me as well. I suppose I would need something to help me with a job after I get out, if I don't decide to make a career out of it.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks & Gig 'Em!

You cannot go to selection as an officer until you are a Captain or 1LT promotable. So whatever MOS that you would end up getting, if you don't like it you can go to selection after a few years. Did you pick your contract back up, or are you in the process?

Haji Kill? Really???







We keep you alive to serve this ship. Row well, and live!

A couple of things, having been a Recruiting commander.

1. If you try to go in straight OCS, every part of your record will be scritinized and you will be measured against everyone else trying to get in using the same route, regardless of age or background. However, (unless things have changed since 2009) the Recruiting Battalion Commander is the approval authority for OCS packets.

2. Your branch selection is based on the needs of the Army. Not only that, but OCS grads get last choice after USMA and ROTC. You will probably not get your top choice unless you're really fortunate (I got my second choice due to my background and major)

3. As an Officer, you are expected to lead in whatever capacity you are placed in and will spend the majority of your time on staff. If you have the honor of being selected for Command, at any level, make the most of it as it may be your last.

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but don't want a career desk-job either as an officer.

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Everything after Major is a "desk job" unless you are selected for Battalion/Brigade Command. Your desk just happens to change continents every so often.

I would start by changing your handle if you are joining the officer corps. We work with A LOT of local national, all of which honor the Hajj. If they can't afford the trip to Mecca, a lot of them make it to my location in Mazar-i-Sharif, and I am most certain we do not focus on killing them.

If you want to be away from a desk, don't get a commission. Then again, don't think a desk is the end of the world either. Right next to my desk is my body armor, flight gear, etc. I still get out on multiple missions to this day as a field grade. Wouldn't exchange this for anything.

[This message has been edited by Fly Army 97 (edited 10/31/2011 5:12a).]

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HajiKill2012

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so you want to kill those that have made the pilgrimage to mecca? sounds reasonable.

Hajj is the pilgrimage, Haji (his handle) basically means Mister. Who cares anyway, lots of people hide behind usernames, and why is it a crime to hate your enemy?

First, I apologize for my user-name being inappropriate and sounding a little over the edge. I'm not an excessively angry person or anything like that, and I made it years ago when I was younger and hadn't yet matured through the Corps.
Secondly, thank you very much for the responses. Most of this I did not know, and I hope to hear more.

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why is it a crime to hate your enemy?

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If Haji means mister in Arabic then it would apply to Christian Arabs as well right? But regardless, adopting the mentality that Muslims/Arabs are the enemy is the wrong approach in my opinion.

For example in WWII, hate the Nazis, not the Germans.

What Big Truck said.
Haji refers to someone who has made the Hajj, it is an honored title (more than just Mr.). Though I have MANY issues with Islam, I don't see it as our enemy (doing battle with an idea – see religion, or a tactic – see terrorism will only result in failure [unless you’re going to start making glass parking lots]). The Taliban, Al Qaeda, Haqqani: you bet. Although I still wouldn't make it my handle.....

As far as your career, you need to ask yourself why you are joining the military.

If you are going into the military and don't plan on making it a career I would suggest enlisting. The enlisted "experience" is more rewarding in the short term. If you are joining to Soldier then that is exactly what you're going to do.
If you are looking for skills or leadership opportunity then take a commission. You will get to lead almost right away and have the opportunity to get certain training that looks good on a resume (although there are many enlisted MOSs that afford this opportunity now as well).
If you are thinking career then it’s a toss up, depends on what you want to lead long term. If you want to be a muddy boots guy with the troops enlist (Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Sergeant Major positions are all very rewarding).
Officers get to lead but not as often that’s a fact. You will have to balance a career that makes you drive a desk while you wait for your next command. If you get off watching Patton or dream of planning the next Iraq invasion (because you’re sure that you could have done a better job) then you’ll need to take that commission.
If you’re joining the military and aren’t ready to accept the military lifestyle with everything else (because all you’re joining for is the money or to get special training) then you’ll likely find yourself being miserable.








We keep you alive to serve this ship. Row well, and live!

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Who cares anyway, lots of people hide behind usernames, and why is it a crime to hate your enemy?

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i wasnt aware that our enemy was either a) people who have made the pilgrimage to mecca OR b) Arabs in general. care to expand?

as one poster said, you wont go to selection until CPT for 18 series, once you get a higher rank you will be behind a desk; my husband said that it was a sad time after company command because it would be some of the last times to get down and dirty with the troops; as a spouse, i would highly recommend that you talk to your wife about going SF; they deploy a lot and some wives have an issue with this (not saying others dont, only familiar with this) i know plenty of wives that have asked for divorce because of repeated deployments; my feeling on the matter is if you married into him being a soldier you cant complain but if you joined after then the wife can have her say, 18 series guys have a different mind set and their wife has to also, IMO; just some of my random thoughts from a spouse side

If 18 series is really where you want to be then branch doesn't really matter, being the best officer possible will weight a lot more. Just put combat arms branches as your top three and you will be fine.

Focus on being the best Lt you can be, enjoy your platoon time and learn as much as possible then put in your packet for selection as a 1LT.

How long are you even a 2ndLt in the army, like a year?

along with what ct97 said, if you want the 18 series, get in shape and stay in shape!

Mamaluke,
It's 18 months as a 2Lt, remember the Army put's it's Lt's in units a lot faster so effective leadership time is about the same before 1Lt.

Fair enough, but I would argue that a 2ndLt's first six months in the Marines is pretty effective leadership time.

OCS selections are now made at HQ USAREC you compete against everyone in the country. They took it away from the Battalions about 2 years ago. The selection rate is less than 50%. They still hold local boards at the BN level. If recommended by the BN they will forward your application to HQ USAREC. Starting in FY 2012 they will only have a USAREC OCS board once a quarter.

If the OCS boards are that strict now, how bad is the WOFT selection? (I left USAREC in July 2009 - Company 5A8)

Air Defense Artillery, we are actually going to keep deploying on a frequent basis for the next ten years where as other branches will be slowing down in their deployment rotation.

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I cannot fiddle but I can build a great state from a small city-Themistocles

Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2009
Titan 20

WOFT selection is a little higher than OCS because fewer people apply for it. OCS Selections usually need at least a GPA of 3.65 or higher, GT score of 120, APFT 250 or higher, and really strong recommendation letters from people that actually know you. When selection was held at the BN everyone passed it was a joke (at least in Houston). I really think the better option is go enlisted for 3 years and apply for OCS from within the Army.

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(at least in Houston).

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Wow. You were in Houston Battalion? I can't imagine having to deal with that shitstorm a couple of years ago.

If your not contracted then go into the Marines and go through Marine OCS.

Even on the military board you have to endure PC whining...

There is a difference between PC whining and understanding your enemy.

What Fly said. Buck, I don't know your story, but calling out experienced soldiers and Marines for supposely being "pc" in this context is out of line.

[This message has been edited by Mameluke (edited 11/5/2011 10:00a).]

This has to be a freaking joke post. Senior scholarship cadet doesn't know what he wants to do by now? Didn't have any conversations with those around him so creates a handle of haji kills and asks on here?

Hook, line and sinker.

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Even on the military board you have to endure PC whining...

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Guys having issues with the word "Hajikill" is not PC whining and you are displaying your ignorance of your operating environment. You are the problem, not them.

Now go back to making your necklace of ears or playing Call of Duty.

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Buck, I don't know your story

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I served with Buck in the guard. He was a loud mouthed ass kisser. He'd walk in a section and everyone else would shut up in hopes he'd leave. Once he started spewing his BS, everyone would bail out on him. His persona on here is his persona... unfortunately.

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This has to be a freaking joke post. Senior scholarship cadet doesn't know what he wants to do by now? Didn't have any conversations with those around him so creates a handle of haji kills and asks on here?

Hook, line and sinker.

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Actually, he said he was on contract, not scholarship. He lost his contract after the first semester of his Junior year.

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HajiKill2012

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Please reevaluate your choices.

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Actually, he said he was on contract, not scholarship. He lost his contract after the first semester of his Junior year.

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Regardless, during his time as a contract cadet he never bothered to ask around or do ANY research at all into the different branch jobs?

And then he just sat around one day and said, "you know? special forces sounds pretty cool."

To me it sounds too much like Elle in the movie Legally Blonde where the Harvard Admin office asks if she just woke up one day and decided to go to Harvard Law School.

I noticed that the OP never came back on here to refute it.

Chowdah, after your comment, I realized that the rookie created this account back in 2010 and only has 9 post. Could it be this is one of those "sleeper socks" we keep hearing about?

Well, I guess I don't really know what to say. I suppose I should have known better than to post anything on this forum with attaching a small part of my personal background, only to have it torn to shreds. I apologize again for my username, I'll be deleting my account soon enough. I'm sorry to have bothered you all with this post, I was just trying to get a little insight.
For the record, I haven't really done any research as some claim I should have. I only have one buddy who is Army contracted, and he's usually busy enough to where we can't just kick back and talk military. There was very little guidance during my time in ROTC, but now it probably sounds like I'm just making up excuses.
I will resort to a different method for any other questions I may have.
For those of you that did your best to help me and respond to my original post, thank you very much. Also, to anyone else, I appreciate the positive & helpful feedback.