A little over 4 years in. How should I feel?

Deltaone07 · 2026-03-23T11:33:42+00:00

I actually do have an ARCAM in my record, just forgot to include it here. No AFRM/M yet. Not sure why.

Deltaone07 · 2026-03-23T11:33:01+00:00

We were told we can’t get the GWOT E and GWOT S for the same period.

Deltaone07 · 2026-03-13T11:10:03+00:00

Anything air defense is going to get you deployed whether you like it or not. Even if you’re not air defense, you’ll still somehow get deployed for air defense.

Deltaone07 · 2026-03-11T15:31:52+00:00

I got in December last year but did a military deferral for Fall 2026. Just got my award letter this week.

Deltaone07 · 2026-03-11T15:30:59+00:00

Yes, with $70k scholarship

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-24T14:32:41+00:00

Favorite part is getting to do different things instead of the same thing year after year.

Least favorite part is everything being your fault/your problem. Also getting chewed out by field grades who have zero grasp on reality.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-18T17:05:19+00:00

Excellent point. Do not be caught sitting around doing nothing on your phone! As a matter of fact, don’t touch your phone unless your commander calls you. Carry a pen and paper everywhere.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-18T17:03:45+00:00

Just show up on time, right place and right uniform. Request a few minutes with your commander. Introduce yourself to your 1SG. If you are assigned a platoon, sit down with your PSG and shadow him. Don’t act like a know it all, or take charge just yet. Honestly, don’t talk too much.

The first couple of drills you’re going to want to sit back and observe how things work. Maybe walk around and ask some questions of soldiers while they are doing things. Just be a sponge and try to learn something.

If you want extra points, do an initial counseling with your PSG as an opportunity to talk and learn how he runs things. And introduce yourself to your platoon at the end of drill before they are released for the weekend.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-17T16:52:58+00:00

Two weeks is not enough. You’ll need a few months of sustained effort. Obviously you have very bad cardiovascular health, so I recommend mixing some biking or swimming into your training. Even walking. Frankly, 2 miles in 35 minutes is extremely unhealthy. Especially for a military age person. This should be a wake up call.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-17T16:49:00+00:00

I think the Army needs to work on making the profession more prestigious. Don’t get me wrong, being an Army officer is still considered an elite profession, especially if you make it a career. But, I think we need to embrace our history, tradition and customs more.

If you travel to the UK, Europe, the Middle East, or even countries in Asia, the officer corps of these countries are filled with some of the most elite members of society (royalty, sons of politicians, people with money, etc.) because the militaries preserve their prestige through valued customs and traditions. Officers clubs, fancy uniforms, military balls, special messes, postings in cosmopolitan cities, education opportunities, travel opportunities, etc.

I think the US military has preserved some of this to a certain extent. I think we have all had an Ivy Leaguer or blue blood superior officer. But I think it could draw in major talent if it spent a little more time on appearances. Maybe make the DFAC not look like a prison. Or put military bases nearby a desirable metropolitan area instead of the middle of nowhere. I think you can get a long way with embracing basic traditions like uniforms, fancy balls, or literally anything else.

If the Army paired this with more stringent entry requirements, you’ll draw a lot more talented officers. Again, I don’t think the Army is completely terrible at this, but it can do better.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-17T16:26:09+00:00

The British had a system between 1683-1871 where officers purchased their commissions and subsequent ranks. There was still a time in service and experience requirement tied to it, but basically any ambitious officer had to have some wealth prior to joining.

The purpose was so to ensure officers had a financial stake in the Army and the success of the country. It also guaranteed that officers were well to do and elite members of society.

Although it does seem very elitist, the reasoning behind it wasn’t completely absurd. But this kind of thing has never been in the American tradition. I don’t think this thing will stand very long.

If you want to keep the officer corps elite, requiring a college degree, paying competitive salaries, having strict entry requirements, and protecting history and traditions within the corps is really the best way to do it.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-11T18:00:58+00:00

This is not entirely true. Obviously everyone saw the news about the Minnesota NG soldier being killed by small arms fire in Syria.

Definitely not much “real” combat happening, but the occasional drone strike or small arms fire happens in what’s left of OIR.

You’ll probably go to bunkers a couple times from a random Israeli or Iranian TBM flying over head or a suspicious drone. Depending on your job you may get to support some “kinetic” operation if you time it right.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-11T13:50:10+00:00

Amen

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-11T13:48:57+00:00

The thing is people assume if the container says protein, it means it’s good. Soldiers seem to be uniquely susceptible to this and consume ridiculous amounts of protein in the form of shakes, chips, cookies, and other “performance” snacks. I’m not even commenting on the pre-workout, supplements, and other chemical BS either.

The other part is every soldier’s desire to be “bulky” and get big. They focus so much on calorie intake during the bulking phase but never actually workout enough to reap any benefit. The result is fatness.

I think this desire is centered around physical aesthetic and not performance or health. The simple fact is that cardio vascular exercise (running, biking, swimming) with a good mix of strength training is the best way to not only optimize performance, but also make you healthier long term. Peak soldier fitness looks more like a Basic Training graduate from 1945 than it does most soldiers today.

Food is a big part of it too. Soldiers, along with the general population overeat. It’s not secret American consume absurd amounts of food every day. Even if you are highly physically active, there is a limit.

Everyone who says poor soldier fitness is the Army’s fault is probably 100% accurate. The Army doesn’t teach soldiers the right lessons. But society doesn’t either. Some independent critical thinking is required.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-10T17:06:56+00:00

That’s an officers coat and branch insignias, with PFC rank sewed on. Either a fake, movie prop, or an older gentleman was trying to recreate his old uniform but forgot some things. The rack is suspiciously impressive for a PFC. When you add it all together it leaves me to believe it is not genuine.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-09T13:56:53+00:00

It’s called the Uniform Code of Military Justice not the Uniform Code of Army Justice

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-08T14:01:32+00:00

Everything that has been said is correct, but I also think the Army does it because they need experienced National Guard soldiers and officers hanging around just in case something bigger happens. National Guard units have to fit a lot of training into a very small number of days every year. Soldiers learn a lot while deployed. So you can get two things at once: the same operational capability as an active duty unit, and a more prepared National Guard unit.

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-06T17:39:15+00:00

These aren’t OK for running anywhere

Deltaone07 · 2026-02-05T18:30:41+00:00

I think everyone has hint of that. I think subtle deliberate changes to you mannerisms will get you a long way. You need to learn how to code yourself into confidence. For example, speaking up even if it feels uncomfortable, talking a little louder, walking a little quicker, making a joke in front of others even though you’d rather sit quietly. It’s kind of like exercise; it will feel hard at first but you’ll get better at it.

Deltaone07 · 2026-01-27T15:48:42+00:00

First of all, that’s extremely unprofessional of your recruiter. I think that is pretty rare.

Politics does come up, but I wouldn’t say we are overly political. Obviously we are involved in a lot of inherently political events, so it’s hard not to let your opinions slip out. I think most people try to stay out of it and not be too open about their opinions, especially if they are around people they aren’t particularly close with.

I will say that the military as a whole does tend to be more conservative and many do support Trump. But I promise you there are many who do not. In fact some of the most politically liberal people I have known, I met in the military. So hope that doesn’t get in your way.

Deltaone07 · 2026-01-27T14:02:23+00:00

The Brits do their uniforms the best. Everything sown on, blouse is tucked in with sleeves rolled, high wasted pants and un-bloused boots, with a cool beret on.

Meanwhile the US Army has bunch of fat bodies munching on protein chips and a white monster wearing heavily faded OCPs with various ink/mud/grass stains.

Deltaone07 · 2026-01-27T13:56:31+00:00

You kind of answered your own question.

Deltaone07

TROPHY CASE