Dammit Zero, we have told you before, Klingon is not a critical language!!!

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

I spent six years in the Naval Reserve with plans to try for a Navy commission after graduation, but opted against it for a few different reasons (including getting married). I did realize there were going to be issues going from enlisted to officer. It's a completely different focus and perspective. I do sometimes wish I followed up on that, as I still feel a lot of pride for the little I served, but I do agree with what was said above about enlisting not being the best path to becoming an officer.

quote:

---

if I were you I'd focus on those that are accompanied by a security clearance.

---

To follow up on that, a security clearance costs a lot of money. I've heard $50,000 being thrown out as an estimate. So if you're thinking what job you might get post-service, it sure opens a lot of doors to already have a clearance under your belt. Prospective employers see you as saving them $50K right off the top.

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

If you want aviation, and want to get up close/personal in a UH-60, e-mail is in my profile. I'm Texas National Guard, but you can meet some pilots etc. and see what flight school was like if you come to a drill (or I can get you setup outside of a weekend.)

PS I wasn't in the corps

[This message has been edited by TXAGChick06 (edited 12/11/2011 6:58p).]

I've been having the same thoughts too. However, I'm much older, 27, and I have a great job that I don't want to give up. I was looking into Marine Reserves. Question is, is it worth it? I mean I would have to leave my job to go to basic and forgo that much higher paycheck for a much smaller one during basic. Not to mention worrying about getting dropped by my employer because I'm gone. By the way I have a family to support as well, so the money is needed. I really do have that call and deep desire to serve, but is it time for me to just admit that my time is passed and its just not practical anymore?

Looking for any advice, critical or not, that anyone can offer.

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

AgentZero is right on course.
I enlisted first time too. AF paid for my education and commission. Great career.
texag904@yahoo.com if you wanna talk
I have a son at CENTCOM right now in Doha.

AAAAAAAAAAg - Air Force Aggie Architect & Administrator from Amarillo, Altus, Austin, Arabia, Arkansas, Africa, Seoul, & now Amman, Jordan '65, '69, '73
"The most potent weapon against basic human decency, in the armamentarium of pure evil, is the self-imposed ignorance and moraldecay of the people themselves."

Well I know they can't technically fire you for going, but what I'm afraid is that being a large company, they'll just find a way to "replace" me after being gone for so long.

And yes the finances could be an issue. I have to do some figuring on that.

quote:

---

but is it time for me to just admit that my time is passed and its just not practical anymore?

---

How much is your family on board with it?

How much will the long-term benefit of knowing you stepped up and served outweigh temporary/ potential financial loss?

It is difficult to weigh the intangibles of military service, but I say as a Marine wife myself that if your wife thinks it is awesome that you want to do this then you should go for it.

She definitely backs me up 100% with whatever I decide to do. It just seems to be a difficult decision to make.

I think joining up will give me that sense of pride back in myself. Knowing that I'm doing something above myself for a greater purpose. That's how I see it. Give me the confidence that I once had back, in myself. Help to develop me as a person and potential leader. Granted I have other ways to accomplish those things, I've always been overly idealistic on my views.

Plus I don't plan to go infantry or armor. I was thinking more along the lines of Intel.

Check your HR manual on company policy. My company has one specifically for military. They pay the difference between what the military pays me, plus my paycheck there, for mandatory duty.

OldArmy, something to think about too..if you were to enlist today it would be almost a year from now that you would ship off to boot. Just something to consider.

A year to ship to boot? Are they that backed up?

AgentZero,

What language program are you in? My buddy just flunked out but you might know him. Also, when did you graduate?

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

Damn, those sound fun! He just flunked out of plain old Arabic. He's Texan, but not an Aggie.

Also, good choice to edit.

Schools are backed up. My buddy is graduating this weekend. He has over a 3.0 in business. RV CO . Taught himself how to speak Chinese. Overall bamf. He has a 5 month wait for infantry basic. I graduated and commissioned last August. I don't go to officer basic course until march 23rd.... And that's after getting bumped up 2 months. So I have a 8 month wait with no time and service and no pay. I can't even go to drill.

quote:

---

Aggies Revenge posted 3:27p, 12/10/11



Dammit Zero, we have told you before, Klingon is not a critical language!!!

AgentZero posted 4:51p, 12/10/11



You all say that now but when intergalatic war breaks out I'll be raking in the big bucks.

---

LOL!!!

quote:

---

A year to ship to boot? Are they that backed up?

---

Back when I was in recruiting, the earliest we could get someone to basic was 10-14 days after enlistment. (2007-2009) Shortly after the recession hit, we'd see delays of up to 8 months for GAs...and that was considered an "immediate ship".

I can send recruits to boot 2-4 months after contracting. But we have a 6-9 month wait for reserves.

Marine PLC guys often will have a 5-10 month wait after commissioning (unpaid). I really wish I had known that prior to signing, of course that's not something the OSO's like to tell you.

To anyone thinking about going PLC... NROTC is probably a better option.

My husband went PLC and worked for the OSO for 5 months and played a lot of golf. He liked it

PLC is outta my range at this point because of age limits. I'm more looking to enlist USMC Reserves.

Yea, occasionally the OSO will have enough funding to take on a few guys as assistant OSO's. Most guys are not that lucky.

OldArmy1606, I suggest you call a career planner at a USMCR unit to see if you can observe a drill weekend. I served back in the 90's and we would have "poolies" visit every so often. That way you can at least see if it's something you really want to do. My situation was similiar to BBRex, except USMC. Now 13 years removed I often think about serving. I've done things to take away the urge, but I haven't killed the desire. I may be looking into the Air Guard in the not to distant future.