Background: I graduated in May '11. I was not in the corps of cadets. For the past couple of years, every few months or so, the idea of serving the country in one of the branches of the military enters my mind. I somewhat feel obligated to pay my dues in a way. I am planning on speaking with some recruiters, beginning tomorrow.

I do not want to join and sit behind a desk all day. I'd like to have some adventure while serving.

Have any of you enlisted after attending college? Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

I posted something similar a while back. I'm in the Corps now, and got some good advice, along with some surprisingly negative reactions. Just fyi, you might have some really berating comments. Just a heads up.

My advice, do some sort of combat arms branch. If you want adventure, it may be for you. You may not ever dig a bayonet into a guys chest, but who knows. Above all, you'll most likely travel quite a bit.

[This message has been edited by HajiKill2012 (edited 12/6/2011 9:32p).]

Wish I could dig up that thread. Do you remember the title?

http://www.goarmy.com/about/service-options/enlisted-soldiers-and-officers/warrant-officers.html

End of thread. Go see your recruiter and tell him you want to fly helicopters.

Awesome man. There are two guys in my brigade that enlisted after graduating from A&M. Both are top-notch Soldiers and NCOs.

If you want adventure, the most fun jobs in the Army are the enlisted combat grunt jobs. 19D Cavalry scout, 12B Combat Engineer, 13F Artillery Forward Observer, 11B Infantryman. Those are, in my opinion, the best jobs in the military.

Good luck

Thanks. Aviation has always been an interest of mine, as well as artillery more recently.

Why don't you want to become an officer?

Make sure you hit up all of the recruiters and check your options out. Your motives would suit the Corps nicely. Money for college isn't a priority for you, I'm assuming. The desire to serve, above all else, is something unique to the Corps recruiting demographic. We sell the intangible benefits (Challenge, pride of belonging, poise/self confidence) to our potential applicants. With the tangible (money for college, steady paycheck, bonuses, medical) are what the others push heavily. It sounds like, if the former is what you want, you should give the USMC the first run at you.

I just read HajiKill's first thread and you took enough crap for your username on that one. It's idiot names like yours that make recruiting duty so damned hard. I'll leave it at that, you seemed to have got the point on the other thread.

[This message has been edited by FightnFarmerUSMC (edited 12/7/2011 1:09a).]

If you are thinking about enlisting then you should think about the Army and Special Forces (18X). That is the sharp end of the spear for sure. Check out a website called "whywefightnow.com" it has a movie you can download. The movie was made by the special operations command and explains why SF is the force of choice in the GWOT. It has no actors at all just the operators within SF and why they and how they do what they do. If you want a challenge and a opportunity to make a difference SF is the way to go.
http://whywefightnow.com/main.html

[This message has been edited by perryb (edited 12/7/2011 3:00a).]

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Have any of you enlisted after attending college? Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

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Speaking from personal experience as a recruiting commander, you actually get more bonuses for enlisting as opposed to going OCS.

I didn't commission that way, but I recommend enlisting, then going OCS after your initial enlistment expires if you want to be an officer.

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Why don't you want to become an officer?

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Not everyone wants the responsibility or "burdens" that accompany being an officer. When I was a Platoon Leader, I had an NCO who had graduated with the same degree I had four years prior and was (then) a SGT(P). He enlisted to get money to pay off his student loans (SLRP for OCS didn't start until 2009) and asked me to assist with his OCS packet. About four years later, this same NCO, now a 2LT, found me at Ft. Gordon while he was at OBC and I was at the Career Course.

I'll second CGSC's comments about enlisting before OCS. Take the bonus, get any loans paid back, if they are still doing that, and learn an MOS. Then go to OCS and drive on with your commission.

It's not for everyone but it's what I wish I had done when I was sitting in you shoes a few years ago.

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Why don't you want to become an officer?

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My understanding, as some have already posted, is that OCS is still a viable option after enlistment. Being fresh out of school, green to military life, and alot of things yet to learn, I think enlisting first would be the best route with the option to apply to OCS later, if it's something I desire to do.

If you go the flight warrant option and then chosse OCS afterwards, you are pretty much guaranteed AV branch.

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If you go the flight warrant option and then chosse OCS afterwards, you are pretty much guaranteed AV branch.

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If you think Aviation is what you are interested in this is a great option.

Regardless of which branch or specialty you try to get into, thanks for stepping up to serve our country. We need more young adults like you!

+1 DevilD

Thanks for all the responses. I spoke with a recruiter today, unfortunately, I don't think I qualify at the present time.

Long story short, I made a bad decision when I was 17 and have a criminal charge that has been hanging over my head for the last 5 years. I have not been convicted and don't expect to be, but that needs to be resolved first, evidently. I'd like to motion the judge to fish or cut bait, but you know how lawyers can be.

Thanks again. Y'all have given me some great things to sort through should I get the opportunity to serve.

Go Airborne Infantry. You will jump out of planes and shoot plenty of guns. Just know that everyone else in the Army supports the infantry in one way or another.

the fastest way for adventure is in the USMC...be the best surrounded by the best!!! Consider a commission!

Col. A 1976

anwasa,

I'd suggest that you do whatever you can to document your intention to enlist. Perhaps get a letter from the recruiter stating that they will accept you if this is cleared. Take it to the relevant judges and see if they will get off top dead center.

Congratulations on having grown up.

Combat Medic with Airborne in your contract. It will keep you out of the hospital. You will be in one of the best units. Opportunities in Italy, North Carolina, Alaska, among others. It is a job where you can use your brain. The pure combat arms are a little frustrating when you are bottom of the totem pole, but are more intellectually gifted than some of those around and above you. Medical won't fix this, but it will help. 68W.

I graduated in '93 and enlisted in the Marine Corps summer of '94. I spent all 4 years in the Corps of Cadets and because of my minor in poultry science did not pick up a commission.

I went in the Marines as an 0311 infantry and picked up a secondary MOS of 8152 (security forces).

Boot camp was a breeze however at times I did question what I was doing. Not during the difficult stuff but when I was carrying menial tasks like scrubbing down the heads.

I did well throughout my time in the Corps, even being offered OCS towards the end of my enlistment. At the time I was looking at greener pastures and turned it down.

If you feel deep down in your soul that you want to serve and you will regret not doing so, then by all means enlist. If you are just looking for something to do, think really hard about it before doing it.

I've been through USMC OCS and I have definitely had the thought of dropping my contract and enlisting. I think if you want the better experience, enlist.

I am an enlisted Infantryman right now in a Stryker Brigade. Assuming I get through my 6 year contract, I'd like to become a Warrant Officer and then maybe commission into the Aviation Branch someday. My dad was a pilot and I grew up wanting to fly, so hopefully the Army will teach me.

What I love most about the military is all the cool sheeit we get to use. If you told me while I was in high school I'd be riding around in a Stryker, carrying an M249 with a laser on it, and night vision on my head, or using a grenade launcher mounted on a humvee, or riding in Chinooks and Blackhawks, I'd tell you that you were crazy.

Airborne Infantry. You'll see the world, be part on an elite unit and experience the best camaraderie. If nothing else, it will help ground you for the rest of your life whether you stay in or get out.

If you have a college degree, go to OCS (if you can get in). There's no reason to enlist just for the sake of gaining military experience. You will receive plenty of training for that. Being prior enlisted does not make you a better officer. IMO the biggest difference between a good officer and a good NCO is a college degree.

[This message has been edited by Ag of Northern Virginia (edited 12/10/2011 5:34a).]

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If you have a college degree, go to OCS (if you can get in). There's no reason to enlist just for the sake of gaining military experience. You will receive plenty of training for that. Being prior enlisted does not make you a better officer. IMO the biggest difference between a good officer and a good NCO is a college degree.

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So many stereotypes in one post.

1. I've already stated the reasons why one would enlist first: More incentives, less responsibility.

2. Being prior enlisted may not make you a better officer, but it gives you O1E-O3E pay which you don't get otherwise. Also, it gives you a more stable background.

3. Most NCOs have at least a bachelors degree before they go to the E7 board. Those that don't have associates. The difference between a good officer and a good NCO is much more than just a college degree (which is a false statement). Completely different levels and areas of responsibility. When I was a Company Commander, my First Sergeant told me "Sir, I could probably do your job...but I sure am glad that you're doing it". NCOs are FAR more specialised at the senior levels than Officers are.

O1-E Pay is not drastically different from O-1 pay. Financially, you would be much better off starting off as an officer than as enlisted.

I will say that the best officers I had while in the Marines were mustangs. They understand how the enlisted side works and tend to be able to cut through the bull*****and get the job done.

Anwasa,
I hope I can give you some info on the enlisted Artillery side of the house. First, I am a 13B (cannon crewmember), which means I am part of a howitzer crew. I will not go into alot of technical jargon and what not, but being enlisted and an NCO especially is a big responsibility. The section chief (either SSG or high speed SGT) is responsible for his gun, no one else. Not the battery commander, platoon leader, 1SG, or CSM. As the chief, that projectile being fired is on you, and your crew to fire it safely amd accurately once you get the fire mission. You need to be an expert, which requires lots of hands on time with the gun and studying Field Manuals and Technical Manuals. Pay attention to those with experience, and put in your own work and you will go far. I enjoy it alot because I get to train my guys how I want to train them. Granted I have rules and SOPs to follow, but the little nuances are on me, and that gun runs how I want it.

Now as enlisted be ready for some immature soldiers, who are on their own for the 1st time. Discipline issues can be a problem. DUIs were so bad, in my old Brigade we had a DUI board to show how many days the battalions had gone with out a DUI (pretty sad actually).

Be prepared to work hard and show initiative and you will go far. You do not need enlisted experience to be a good officer if that is a goal later down the road, the best officers I have served under have all come from either a Senior Military College (none from A&M) or (dare I say) West Point.
As already said, enlisting can get you the student loan repayment, not sure about bonuses these days. I would also recommend Airborne too. I am considering an Airborne assignment after I get done with my Korea tour, which I leave for tommorow.
Good Luck with everything, don't take this lightly, but pick a job that interests you and above all will make you enjoy your time.

Any other issues or questions PM.
J Alamia '04

JABQ04- any relation to J Alamia '06?

Younger brother.

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I will say that the best officers I had while in the Marines were mustangs.

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They are generally the most popular with the Joes, since they tend to think like NCOs and want to take care of the Joes first. The fact you put "cut through the BS" highlights that view.

The worst lieutenants I have seen were all prior enlisted (for a significant amount of time, not like they were in the guard during college or something). The LTs who were NCOs previously almost to a man can never overcome seeing a problem from the NCO perspective. They become overpaid Staff Sergeants instead of good Captains. The roles and responsibilities of NCOs and officers is not even remotely similar.

OP: If you get your recruiter to show up or sign a memo saying you are enlisting, you can generally take that to the County Attorney and get a charge reduced to a misdemeanor. The County Attorney benefits by not having a backlog/having to prosecute the case but still gets the win.

I would strongly recommend going to talk to Cameron Reynolds (attorney) in CS. He worked a deal with the County Attorney that got me out of a Class A misdemeanor where they had me dead-to-rights. He used my leaving for military service to have the charge reduced to a Disturbing the Peace charge and a $250 fine. He's awesome and has very good rapport with the county.

[This message has been edited by AgentZero (edited 2/7/2012 11:03am).]