I'm thinking about joining the Army.

[Hotrod]

Well Lynch if you join the Navy and someone asks you to run down to engine room #1 and ask for a engineman punch..............dont

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by Bladerunner

I can say that I have had a very good experience so far in my military career, I also know many people who have not. I would really need to understand your motivations for wanting to join and your expectations of military service to weigh in meaningfully. Based on what you have said so far, if all you are looking for is a paycheck and an enriched skillset, then the Air Force and Navy have greater opportunities. You will deploy much less and in less dangerous circumstances, have better accomodations, and get to call your bosses by their first name (lol). The Army is offering large bonuses right now, but as large as it seems, $20-40 k isn't all that much in the big picture and is no real reason to commit yourself to something as serious as an enlistment in the military. I myself joined the Marine Corps. I found myself attracted to the challenge, the esprit, and the selfless attitude of the organization. It's not for everyone, but it fits me. The Navy's too fat and undisciplined for me, the Army can't do anything unless it's written out for them in a recipe and they can truck in a city with em. The Air Force despite their inability to do anything inexpensively, however, is the finest para-military organization on earth.

Very similar to reason I've been in submarines for the better part of thirty years or so, an esprit de corps unlike any I've ever encountered. As far as being "fat", the navy has cut down quite abit on that at the CPO level and above. Lots of guys have been tossed to put it mildly. It used to be pretty bad, I'll agree with you there. I'll take navy specwar anyday of the week over anything the airforce has to offer, I'd put marine recon up there quite a bit, not quite to the SEAL level though. Navy EOD are the best in the world at what they do, divers also, haven't seen any group close to their capabilities...dman

*By the way, my youngest son intends on joining the marines, his grandfather was with the marines, I'm thinking 1st division in korea. My oldest is headed into navy specwar in short order. Told my youngest, if you are going to get shot at for a living, go navy specwar or marines, the army is out of the question.

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

One other note: If you like to eat, join the Air Force.

I'll stack "submarine" chow up against ANY chow in any service. Man do they feed us good on the boats, you wouldn't believe it..dman

[Blueflame]

Originally Posted by defenseman

Some of the bonuses today, just to sign up and complete your contracted initial training are up to 40K believe it or not. That's just to come in....and complete the training. I'll agree with you though, if the main reason for looking at the military is dinero, which is not necessarily a bad thing, we all need money and health care at some point, look very very hard before committing. It can be a very unforgiving business on occassion..dman

Like most major decisions in life, this one has higher odds of being something Lynch won't regret later on if it's made for the right reasons...

[Los Broncos]

Originally Posted by Blueflame

No... there's nothing wrong with the military if Lynch is positive that's what he wants to do. But it was my understanding that his reasons for considering it were purely financial, so just wanted to offer another suggestion/option.

I'm not just wanting to go in and have them hand me a check.

I like to work hard and learn at the same time.

But all this talk of dying, being shot kinda has me on my heels.

I'm just taking it all in now, not to sure if i want to even take the test now.

[Los Broncos]

Originally Posted by defenseman

I just PM'ed you. Take the practice test to see where you fall out. Second, they may ask for your signature to do two things, run Police record checks, and pull your High school and college transcripts. That's fine. However, SIGN NOTHING ELSE>>>>>Trust me on that one.........Contact me ASAP dude, I can definitely help you out in ways that will make you some hefty , hefty bonuses and get you what you need.......PM me .....don't forget...dman

*Army recruiters are slick as a whistle. Be up front, ENSURE they understand you will make no decision during the intial interview. You will need time to digest ALL OF THE information.

I replied, i wont do anything till you respond.

[Los Broncos]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

Well Lynch if you join the Navy and someone asks you to run down to engine room #1 and ask for a engineman punch..............dont

Ohh i wont

[Hotrod]

Originally Posted by Lynchmob72

Ohh i wont

They wait until you've been working 4 on and 4 off for a few days. Then your brain stops working so fast. I actually saw the COD get a kid to run down to the engine room for a bucket of steam once

[missingnumber7]

Have you talked to National guard guys? I'm on my second deployment and right now they are supposed to be having an additional bonus for signing up guard and volenteering to get deployed. Not a horrible deal. Each state has different stuff. But like has been said on here already, I'd go AF if I had to do it over again. I'm stuck here for 12 months, active duty army is 15, AF is 6. Marines are 7 to 12 depending on the type of unit, and navy is 6. AF gets sub par housing and they live in better cans than we do and we don't get that money.


And TailgateNut, what really makes you reconsider is when you have 10 LBS of explosives go off right under your front tire. But then again, I'm route clearance I'm out there looking for IED's. I have some cool vids that will be declassified when we get home I will share.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

I would beat my son senseless if he even uttered the word "join" while Bush is in control of this country!

Just my 5 cents!

Yeah but Bush will be gone in a year. By the time you sign up, go to basic training, Bush will be just about gone.

[Los Broncos]

Originally Posted by missingnumber7

Have you talked to National guard guys? I'm on my second deployment and right now they are supposed to be having an additional bonus for signing up guard and volenteering to get deployed. Not a horrible deal. Each state has different stuff. But like has been said on here already, I'd go AF if I had to do it over again. I'm stuck here for 12 months, active duty army is 15, AF is 6. Marines are 7 to 12 depending on the type of unit, and navy is 6. AF gets sub par housing and they live in better cans than we do and we don't get that money.


And TailgateNut, what really makes you reconsider is when you have 10 LBS of explosives go off right under your front tire. But then again, I'm route clearance I'm out there looking for IED's. I have some cool vids that will be declassified when we get home I will share.

After reading everyones experiences and advice i may try the AF.

[Los Broncos]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

They wait until you've been working 4 on and 4 off for a few days. Then your brain stops working so fast. I actually saw the COD get a kid to run down to the engine room for a bucket of steam once

[ant1999e]

Originally Posted by Lynchmob72

After reading everyones experiences and advice i may try the AF.

It is truly the way to go. Ratboy just joined. Keep us updated.

[Los Broncos]

Originally Posted by ant1999e

It is truly the way to go. Ratboy just joined. Keep us updated.

I will update tomorrow if i do go and take the practice test.

Otherwise i will contact a AF recruiter asap and explore my options.

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

They wait until you've been working 4 on and 4 off for a few days. Then your brain stops working so fast. I actually saw the COD get a kid to run down to the engine room for a bucket of steam once

Quit scaring him.... ...dman

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by Lynchmob72

I will update tomorrow if i do go and take the practice test.

Otherwise i will contact a AF recruiter asap and explore my options.

I returned your PM. Take note of a few minor comments on the air force...dman

[Los Broncos]

Originally Posted by defenseman

I returned your PM. Take note of a few minor comments on the air force...dman

Done, i replied also.

Ill go tomorrow but wont sign anything till i talk with you and explore everything.

Dam, your like the father i never had.

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by missingnumber7

Have you talked to National guard guys? I'm on my second deployment and right now they are supposed to be having an additional bonus for signing up guard and volenteering to get deployed. Not a horrible deal. Each state has different stuff. But like has been said on here already, I'd go AF if I had to do it over again. I'm stuck here for 12 months, active duty army is 15, AF is 6. Marines are 7 to 12 depending on the type of unit, and navy is 6. AF gets sub par housing and they live in better cans than we do and we don't get that money.


And TailgateNut, what really makes you reconsider is when you have 10 LBS of explosives go off right under your front tire. But then again, I'm route clearance I'm out there looking for IED's. I have some cool vids that will be declassified when we get home I will share.

Navy is more that 6. Hell, my boat was over there for 10 mos, and that's a boat. Specwar guys can be there for a while...dman

[TailgateNut]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

Yeah but Bush will be gone in a year. By the time you sign up, go to basic training, Bush will be just about gone.

Yeah, but, whatever the dumb**** starts, someone has to finish!

[TheChamp247]

I just got out of basic and AIT for the army...personally i love it...im 18 straight out of high school and i grew up in an air force family. ill tell you if u just want to wear the uniform and say u do something go AF. but if you want to work hard and push yourself and actually do something go Army...yea a little rivalry but seriously the AF will not push you, and since they have cut back in their force strength you wont get near the amount of bonus you would with the army

[orinjkrush]

Originally Posted by Lynchmob72

Things aren't working out for me here and i need work.

I called and talked to them, going down to take a practice test on Thursday.

Any thoughts, comments?

fine as long as its the salvation army.

salvation army strong.

[Ratboy]

I'm sure it's been said, but join the Air Force.

[Ratboy]

I've been in the Air Force since May 30th 2006, I love it. I haven't traveled much, but i certainly can say i've been to places i would never go before joining.

Air Force currently deploys for 4 months, they are starting to go 6 months, some can be longer, depending on your job. If you have any questions, ask me.

[Ratboy]

I'm currently in Kuwait for 2 more months! I came here in mid September, and i'm on a 120 day rotation. I'm not saying it's like this for every Airman's deployment.

AF BMT was fun, it was only 6 weeks, but it was a blast. I believe they changed it to 8 weeks. I'm not gonna lie, i HATED Tech School! It was the worst part and i figured i would be leaving the AF when my time was up. After that 3 months was up, I got to Langley AFB, and i slowly started loving the Air Force. I mostly love my job, i'm glad i joined.

What are you looking at doing? I'm a 3C031, which is Computer Operations. Being deployed, I'm a System Adminstrator, back home.. I'm doing Network Protection..

[Ratboy]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

One other note: If you like to eat, join the Air Force.

Stay away from the Cheese Fries!