FuSaKi Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Hey everyone!! I just got back from the final field ex at Farnham a few days ago, and tomorrow grad week starts. Things are looking good around here!!! the Div Commander's inspection is tomorrow, so I got my parade boots polished like mirrors and my rifle is the cleanest its ever been. I think I'll be alright. Back to the horror stories... As I've said before, up here in Canuckistan EVERYONE does the same Basic training no matter what your trade. After that its the combat arms troops who get to do the hardcore FMJ style battleschool. at Farnham my platoon was learning rapelling from this crazy Vandoo (French speaking Infantry) instructor who is new at BMQ, but had previously been teaching at the Vandoo Battleschool for years. This guy was ######ing insane. It jsut made it that much better that he barley spoke english and he seemed to be getting frustrated that he couldnt jack us up in a language we could understand. Instead we just did a ######load of PT. adding it all up, we did apporximatly 1200 pushups in 3 and a half days. its not what those poor suckers who joined to be a supply clerk were hoping for. this guy who say stuff like "STOP TO TALK!! STOP TO TALK!!" "PUSH UPS NOW!!! STRAIGHT THE BACK!!" and to the girls he'd say "STOP TO CRY!!! STOP TO CRY!!!" ROFL!!! it was rough, but ######ing halarious to watch an instructor to go as hard on the girls as he did on the guys!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collis the Muffinman Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 im going after school to weight lift now it'll help me for basketball and for later life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*FNG*Skunk Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 I saw a post earlier about someone wishing to know about the academies. I can give you a little of my experience in USAFA. Normally, you need to have extremely high GPA's to even entertain the thought of getting an appointment and playing sports in high school is a definite plus. If you are good enough to be actively recruited by colleges for any sport, you have a big advantage. I was actively recruited for football, but my GPA suffered because of both laziness and cocky-ness. The Air Force Academy Liason I worked with actually helped me study for my SAT and ACT's to get them into the realm of acceptability. I received an appointment, but it wasn't an appointment the actual Academy, it was to the Prep School (Go Huskies!). So if you can't get an appointment to the Academy proper, this may be another avenue to pursue as it was for me. You go through basic just like everyone else and begin academics straight away. The bonus to this is alot of the "preppies" are from the enlisted ranks and will do everything they can to help, from teaching you to spit shine your boots to avoiding the unwanted attention from the TI's, ( I wasn't very successful at that). The good thing about the prep school is almost everyone who completes the academic year and completes "hell week" moves on to the Academy. The year I spent in the prep school matured me enough to deal with "beast" or basic cadet training and the rigors of my doolie year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagger Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 www.dragondoors.com The power to the poeple video by pavel (can't remember last name) an ex sovit special forces solider. That video is a good way to get strong fast. it works trust me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagger Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 If that didn't make sense Pavel's video Power to the people teachs you russion strength training secrects. That can increase your strength by 20% in a few days. I would recomend it for people (myself) who are going to join the military Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuSaKi Posted October 11, 2003 Share Posted October 11, 2003 I'm off for the weekend, the story's too long to explain for the moment. I'll just say that my platoon's been working hard and we've been given privillages normally not given to student-soldiers at this stage of the game. I've done 2 weeks of the Soldier Qualification Course (SQ) at LFCA TC Meaford and so far its been great. We're up at 0500 and doing PT by 0515, then at 0630 we're eating breakfast and by 0700 we're ready to go for the day's work. on the SQ, we focus mainly on weapons drill. I got a score of 47 out of 55 on the rifle range, which classifies me as "Marksman" on the C7 rifle. I don't know if its really as cool as it sounds, but apparently I get to sew a badge on my dress uniform because of it. it was only my PWT lvl2 so I don't think I get to stay a marksman when I leave the Battleschool. Like EVERYTHING else, its all rumor, and I don't KNOW anything untill it happens. Yesterday I passed my Light Machine Gun weapons handling test. that means I'm allowed to use the C9 (US call it M249 SAW) on the range. Today my platoon started learning the C6 (US call it the M240 [i think] and FN calls it the Mag 58). Its a pretty awsome gun, except that its a heavy SOB to carry around. The drills (load unload, weapon jams) are pretty easy because they're almost identical to the C9. I'm having a great time, I'll post again maybe nest weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester Posted October 11, 2003 Share Posted October 11, 2003 (edited) Like EVERYTHING else, its all rumor, and I don't KNOW anything untill it happens. Pay attention, you people that want to go in the military. If you remember that one statement from this thread, you'll save yourself lots of grief. Edited October 11, 2003 by Jester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebb Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 Aint that the truth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagger Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Since this thread has fitness info I'll post this To increase your pull ups do the ladder. heres an easy one for beginners(1,2,3,4,5,1,2,3,4,5)repeat this 8 times. It works best with a partner You do one your parnter does one you do two parnter does two do that threw 5 and then start over.In about a week your max pull up reps should increase. Dagger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathmonger338 Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 Im 15 and am planning on enlisting in the USMC, wanna be a sniper. Any former/current snipers out there that can give me advice? Thank yall for all the time you put into this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine Sniper Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 (edited) POST DELETED Edited October 2, 2004 by Marine Sniper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebb Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STU_Snake Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 My friends joined something like that, forget what its called, he said they wasted no time handing out the hardware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconSnake Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 Practice basic marksmanship, you will have to ace your rifle qualification with an expert rating. Work on getting into the best possible shape. Stay away from drugs. Know how to swim. How's your vision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathmonger338 Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Practice basic marksmanship, you will have to ace your rifle qualification with an expert rating. Work on getting into the best possible shape. Stay away from drugs. Know how to swim. How's your vision? Although i haven’t had my eyes checked in a wile, i don’t need glasses or anything. And as for practicing marksmanship, i live within city limits and the only thing i can legally shoot is my dinky little bb-gun (yea there’s always a shooting range, but i don’t really live close enough to practice regularly) and i figure the Marine Corps will tech me up good anyhow. Still would be nice to practice though. And as soon as the weather worms up ill start swimming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Hour Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 First off, thanks for the wealth of information guys. Very helpful. It was mentioned earlier that there is a lot of bad information floating around, so I wanted to get clarification on some stuff as well as answers to a few other questions I had. Any information is good, but just so you know my thoughts are geared more towards Army than anything else. Also, I never really grew up knowing anyone in the military, nor are any of my friends even remotely interested, so I really don't understand some basic stuff about how the military is set up (though after this thread I think I understand what an MOS is ). 1) I have heard that when you sign up you can sign up specifically for Special Forces. How exactly does that work? I assume you will still have to pass certain tests. What specific special forces can you sign up for, or is it a general designation that allows you to pick later (or maybe it's picked for you)? I have heard that you need to score well on tests when you sign up to qualify for this designation and that intelligence is important. What exactly are these tests and what other attributes are important for the Special Forces designation? Assuming that you can sign up for Special Forces, what exactly will that mean? I assume I'd go to boot camp, but what comes next? Is it just one training/qualification then on to the next? How does it work? Like I said, I really don't know much about the setup of the miliary. 2) I've never fired a rifle in my life. Do you only get a designated amount of time on the range, or will it be possible for me - once I'm in training or whatever - to get extra time to practice and improve my marksmanship? 3) PT is obviously designed to bring recruits up to par. Before I'd join I'd definitely work myself up to be prepared, but I'm wondering about going above and beyond for Special Forces. Is it more of a mental thing? Is it strength or endurance? Or is that all subjective and it's just the guy that doesn't fall over first? Again, thanks to everyone for this great thread. Lots of information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconSnake Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 1) You are talking about joining 18x. If I am remembering right you are essentially a llx until you finish basic & airborne. Soup can prob fill you in better. I do know that you do not pick your SF MOS, it is picked for you. I think if you do not pass SFAS or Q you are stationed to the 82nd. 2) Look for a NRA course near you and take it. Getting something as simple as a $30 bb gun will enable you to practice the basics of marksmanship like steady breathing & obtaining a good sight picture and cheek weld. 3) Run, run, run, and run some more. Do sets of pushups through-out the day. Eats lots of protein (peanut butter is good). Swim laps as much as possible. If/when you get to SFAS and beyond, just take it one day at a time, (think "I just have to make it thru today") motivate up your buds when they are struggling & let them do the same for you. Maintain positive attitude (I always tried to just concentrate on how much stronger PT was making me). It is mental and physical, you will be pushed harder in both than you thought possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine Sniper Posted November 15, 2003 Share Posted November 15, 2003 (edited) POST DELETED Edited October 2, 2004 by Marine Sniper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMC Max Slaybaugh Posted December 7, 2003 Share Posted December 7, 2003 really tho if you wanted to join a branch of the military they all have a site that explains pertty much what he said and you can find em at www.yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Another example of how much of your freedom you give up and how much they really own you when you enlist: mileage passes An enlisted soldier in the Army can't just decide he wants to take off for the weekend and drive to Vegas, or something. Unit commanders and/or installations (ie. the place you're stationed -- Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, for example) have the power to set their own policies on how far you can travel from post (and for how long) in your free time. Generally speaking, if you're going to be driving more than 100 miles or so, you can expect to have to request a mileage pass, in writing. This is separate from leave -- you're not charged for time away, this just covers you and the unit in case something happens to you. It also lets them know where you are, in case something comes up that they need to recall and/or contact you for. If you plan to travel more than a few hundred miles, then you're generally going to have to request leave in order to travel -- they don't want you trying to drive 1000 miles each way on a two day weekend and risk dying, or something. Remember, leaving a military base once you're in is a privilege, not a guaranteed right. Your unit commander (at the company/battery level -- usually an O-3 -- Captain) has the power to restrict any of his/her soldiers from even leaving post or wearing civilian clothes, for that matter. You're in the Army now, son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Do I have to live in the barracks? It depends. When you first enlist and you're in basic training, yes. After basic, you go to your job-specific training for your MOS (military occupational specialty) -- called AIT - Advanced Individual Training. [note: in some cases -- generally combat arms MOSs -- you attend what's known as OSUT (one station unit training), which means your basic and AIT run back-to-back in the same place like one continous school.] Depending on the length of your AIT, you may be authorized to live in base housing or off-post if you are a married soldier. Otherwise, you're going to be in the barracks so they have control over you. In order to move your family to your AIT with you, if you're married, your school has to be at least six months long. At six months, the Army considers an assignment to be a PCS (permanent change of station) and they'll pay to relocate your family. Examples of AITs that are that long - most of the medical MOSs and any job that requires language school at the Defense Language Institute (time at DLI varies, based on language). Once you're through all of your training and get assigned to your first unit, you'll find out the specifics of your living situation. Like everything, it depends on where you are, what type of unit you're in and your commander. Generally speaking, if you're a junior enlisted soldier, you're going to live in the barracks. However -- if your unit commander lets you, you can live off post at your own expense. Take a look at the pay chart -- you're not going to be making much money at first, partly because you get the benefit of free housing in the barracks. If you're married, you're authorized BAH, which is money to cover housing. If you're single and there is absolutely no space in any barracks on post for you (pretty rare, but it does happen), then you'll be authorized to live off post and given BAH. Depending on the unit, NCOs at a certain level may be authorized to live off post with BAH -- high ranking NCOs pretty much a given, but it can go all the way down to E-5 depending again on the unit and the barracks crowding situation. Back to the junior enlisted soldier without a family that wants to live off-post. Before your commander allows you to do it, he's going to verify that the place you want to live in is safe, in good shape, and that you can afford it. They're not going to let you live in some rat-trap in a crack house infested neighborhood just because it's cheap. You also have to be able to get to your assigned place of duty on time consistently. If living off-post starts to create a problem like you being late for PT every morning, then you're going to be moving back in the barracks pretty soon. You should also probably count on having to maintain a room in the barracks in a clean, inspection-ready manner. Your unit is responsible for having a room for you in the barracks and they're going to have to keep that room for you, most of the time. I'm sure that there are deals going on where that doesn't happen, though. Let me reiterate this important point -- if you do this voluntarily and are not entitled to money for housing because you're single and there is space for you in the barracks, then you will pay for your rent out of your own pocket. Like I said, keep in mind that things like this really vary from place to place and situation to situation. None of what I said above constitutes hard and fast rules, so don't go challenging your first unit commander because you read what some stranger told you in an Internet forum. Or, if you really want to get laughed at, tell him that and try to hold him to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 BTW -- I've got just a few hours to kill and thought I'd pop in to post a few things that have been rattling around in my skull that I wanted to post here. Watch this space for more -- all things that you're not going to find at the Army's website that may help you make an informed decision about enlisting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 (edited) Can I really learn valuable skills that will help me get a job after the military? Yes, you can. But you have to be smart about it and do a little research and soul-searching. Think about what you might want to do with your life. Think about what kind of skills you might learn in a particular MOS/rate/AFSC (JOB). I know somebody that spent 30+ years enlisted in combat arms. He saw a good bit of combat and helped make a lot of good soldiers out of young kids. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted pay grade. His retirement wasn't enough to support him and his wife for the rest of their lives after he got out (many years ago). [edit: keep in mind that if you go in at 18 and spend 30 years in, you've still got a long way to go before you start collecting social security and the average man in the U.S. lives into his mid-seventies.] He got his real estate license and now works 60-80 hours a week selling houses. He wouldn't change a minute of his military time, though. Other people might look back and think they could have done something differently. It's all an individual thing. If job skills for a civilian career after the military are what is important to you, then pay attention to what you're getting into! Find out about the training, research and talk to people. See what kinds of jobs you can get on the outside with the skills you'll learn. If you're just really dying to go in and be in the infantry -- that's fine, too! But know what you're getting into. Plenty of people do it for one or two enlistments, then get out and go to college, or get another job. Others stay in and make a career out of it. Just put some thought into where you want to go with your life and with your time in the military, whether you're going in for two years or twenty. Keep in mind that most civilian employers aren't looking for people that know how to call for fire or that can put a 40mm grenade from an M203 into a window from 100 yards away. I'm just trying to stimulate you to think about this and make an informed decision so that you won't regret anything you do. The main, selfish reason I have for that goes back to one thing that I've said time and again -- if you go in blind and wind up miserable, you're only going to make everybody around you miserable in your unit and that affects morale and unit effectiveness. You only have yourself to blame if you went in uninformed. Edited December 18, 2003 by Jester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 Wow, interesting info Jester. What about the officers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester Posted December 18, 2003 Share Posted December 18, 2003 What about the officers? Different world, entirely. What do you want to know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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