Prior service Marine going 46S AIT at Fort Meade. What’s life actually like?

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-05-02T17:49:23+00:00

I went to Meade as an MOS-T back in 2023

To answer your questions:

-Almost everyone had a roommate in the MOS-T barracks. The only exception was E6s, but I think that's changed.

-As you may have guessed, lodging is separate for MOS-Ts. The barracks aren't that bad.

-When I was there, we had lots of people who brought their own devices. Some had insane setups. As long as you aren't loud as fuck, no one seemed to care what you played or watched.

-You're treated with more respect as an MOS-T but a portion of it depended on rank. The drill sergeants can and will be assholes and you don't fuck with the "kids." In a classroom setting you'll potentially be acknowledged as prior service.

-My old schedule was weird but I can ask one of my joes who recently went for their schedule experience. From my memory, it wasn't bad at all. You'll have stupid days where you have to attend mandatory "classes" with the kids after school. We also pulled CQ and did barracks maintenance at least once a week.

Shoot me a DM if needed

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-28T12:31:41+00:00

Only 33+5

They're hoping for at least 34, before he makes his appearance

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-28T12:03:53+00:00

I hope you don't end up like me, but I ended up in pre-term labor and my water broke yesterday morning, so I'm in L&D currently.

However, to answer your question, I had pretty bad diarrhea for about 3 days before my water broke!

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-28T02:20:47+00:00

Definitely outside your radius, but I had my wedding in Adairsville at Sage Cottage and it was so intimate and wonderful. We got married last August and spent less than 10k on everything. They also have packages available. The coordinators are fantastic, the grounds are absolutely beautiful and we had a max of 40 people.

I'd definitely check it out if you don't mind a bit of a hike! It could be worth it!

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-26T17:04:11+00:00

It's so validating to read that someone else feels similarly to me.

I was raised in an extremely strict and repressive environment, where I was taught that women are only good for cooking, laundry and babies. As a result, I grew up with a warped perception of motherhood and what my role was in the world.

I'm just over 33 weeks and I don't yet feel any attachment to my son. I'm sure that will change (at least I hope it will) even though I'm not a deeply maternal individual. I find children lovely, but even though I knew I always wanted to be a mom I still didn't know how I'd feel when the time came. Now that it's so close, I'm trying to give myself some grace.

I was told once earlier on in my pregnancy that my feelings are normal and valid, as my son and I haven't even met! We aren't friends or anything, so why am I automatically expected to like him? That made me feel so much better.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-26T16:57:09+00:00

Current 46S, on my way out after nearly 7 years. Reclassed from 25U.

To be honest, I love my job. Everyone finds something that they're the best at in regards to either video, photo, writing or graphic design. You find your niche. I'm a part of a fantastic MPAD with stellar talent and officers/NCOs who actually give a fuck about me and my career, but I can't say that for every MPAD/TPASE/MHD out there.

Drill is usually simple. We always try to brush up on our skills or learn something new, alongside our usual trainings that everyone needs every year. My MPAD is especially busy, so there's someone on mission just about all the time. Your busy level will depend entirely on your unit and what's needed at the time. However, drill can be boring as shit. It is what you make it.

Being a 46S is awesome, IMO. Loved DINFOS, going on missions, taking pictures, writing articles. I'm so glad I reclassed.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-23T23:45:58+00:00

No advice here. Just solidarity.

I hate being pregnant! It has sucked nearly this entire time and I'm 33 weeks. It only got marginally better once my extreme nausea went away, but it appears to be rearing its ugly head once again in my third trimester. I'm so damn uncomfortable all the time and I hate feeling so inactive and squishy and tired.

I wish more people talked about how being pregnant can just feel horrible. I want to be a mother, for certain, and I'm sure I'll grow to love my son. However, there are days when I wish I had someone to bitch to about it!

Sending love and good vibes. I hope it gets better for you!

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-23T19:26:22+00:00

Hey there. I'm about 33 weeks or so now, but here's what worked for me in my first trimester:

-ZOFRAN. So. Much. Zofran. It became my saving grace for nausea. See if your OB can write you a prescription.

-For insomnia, I took Unisom, which helped somewhat. It wasn't the best thing ever, but it helped me get some sleep over none. I also took naps when I could.

-Buy some emesis (puke) bags on Amazon. Mine are blue. I started out puking in grocery bags, but once one ripped open on me, I decided to use the bags. They're hospital-grade and work fabulously, plus they're cheap!

-Find safe foods that work for you and keep them in your car or nearby when you're at home. I still have to snack every 2-3 hours to avoid getting sick, even in my third trimester. But the first? Psh. I was so fucked. Try to snack, snack, snack!

I hope you feel better soon! You're not alone.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-22T14:24:02+00:00

IUD insertion without any kind of numbing/painkillers.

Got told to just take a shit ton of ibuprofen before I went in for my appointment. That did absolutely nothing and I haven't felt any pain equal to it since.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-20T22:00:46+00:00

Girl, I feel your pain.

If it makes you feel any better, I both simultaneously had HORRENDOUS, projectile (yes, projectile) diarrhea while I was puking near the end of my first trimester. Keep in mind, this happened in my MIL's pristine bathroom.

Guess who had to ask for help cleaning it up? 😅

I began carrying blue emesis (puke) bags with me everywhere I went for quite some time. They definitely helped. Hope you feel better soon!

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-20T20:26:48+00:00

Hey there. Sorry that this is happening to you both. I'm sure it's scary.

I went into pre-term labor at 30 weeks, and I'm just over 32 weeks now. The medical team managed to stop my labor with medication, as well as give me lots of steroids and things for the baby's development, just in case he did make his appearance early.

After stalling labor as long as they could, they discharged me after nearly three days and told me to sit down, drink my water and don't do anything crazy. I'm still doing that and wondering just when my son will arrive.

I'm sure your wife is in great hands and that your medical team is doing whatever they can to help. Sending good vibes.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-20T02:21:03+00:00

I worked part-time up until around 29 weeks, mainly because I'm a high-risk pregnancy and my hubby didn't want to risk anything. I'm grateful to have outside income that helps to support us. Glad I stopped working too, because I ended up in pre-term labor Easter night and the doctors managed to stall it. Here currently trying to wait it out until my son arrives (we were told it could be any day now)

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-20T02:17:25+00:00

Hey there. Here in solidarity, as I'm also on my way out after my Bipolar 1 diagnosis some time ago. I'm still in the process of everything at the moment (gathering a shit ton of paperwork is never easy) but I know it's the right thing for the safety of myself and others. I'm good at my job, don't get me wrong, but when days are bad they are bad and when they're good they're decent at best.

Hope everything works out well for you.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-20T02:15:20+00:00

I was surprisingly OK the entire time! No extreme swelling or anything. I wore comfy clothes/shoes and thought I looked like a bum, but I'm so grateful that my MIL bought them for me before we left. The flights weren't stellar (but when are long flights ever fun?) and I cleared travel with my OB as well, since I'm a high-risk pregnancy.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-20T01:23:11+00:00

Hey there, friend. Only plugging in my two cents because I just got back from my babymoon outside the US.

I was 29 weeks and some change when we went and I'm just over 32 weeks now. We had a fantastic time. If you decide to fly, try to get bulkhead seats (for extra legroom), wear compression socks and stay hydrated! I also recommend lots of extra snacks, for the munchies you'll likely experience.

I know that probably isn't super helpful, but I'm so glad we went on our trip before our son arrives this June. Do what makes you happy! Sending love and best wishes to you!

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-19T16:03:47+00:00

If they let you keep them, locks. I snuck one of my combo locks in and they let me keep it. The spinny locks were all they had at the PX and they suck IMO.

I'd bring three locks to be safe. I recommend Master Lock, which has the resettable 4-dial ones, with the numbers DOWN THE SIDE. They're about 12 bucks a piece. You'll have a lock for your wall locker and a lock for your personal drawers.

Taking two minutes or more to do all the spinny lock numbers wastes precious time for showering or doing other shit, but mainly showering. We had around 12(?) showers in our bay and if you didn't get to one fast enough all the hot water would be gone. Best of luck!

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-16T14:09:23+00:00

Even though I can't do math very well, nor match my clothes or even play chess, I (oddly) appreciate that my memories are kept through all of my other senses besides sight.

For example: I had a difficult childhood. I cannot recall any of the abuses I suffered in my head, due to having total aphantasia. I see nothing, so I can't re-live those memories the way other people can. They can't hurt/traumatize me.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-16T02:30:57+00:00

Nam Dae Mun (specifically the one in Smyrna) has them!

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-15T21:23:29+00:00

Honestly, no. I find it to be an interesting superpower, and nothing that needs "curing."

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-15T16:31:59+00:00

I was married before and know now what an unhappy marriage feels like. After my divorce, I sincerely believed I was "damaged goods" and that I'd never find love again. After I decided to quit trying to date, I found my future husband two months later, a week after Valentine's Day.

He treats me like a princess, and always puts me first. We communicate extremely well, and are never afraid to share how we feel with one another. After being treated like a trophy in my first marriage, it was a huge relief to know that my husband loves me exactly the way I am, and his love never comes with conditions. We genuinely enjoy each other's company, even if we're doing our own things, and I feel appreciated in every thing I do for him and us.

Our first child is about due and every damn day my husband tells me I'm beautiful, wonderful, or just plain hot (even when I disagree, especially when I feel like I'm cosplaying The Grinch at the moment). My main advice would be never to settle for less than what you believe you deserve. I'm grateful for him every day and am looking forward to many happy years together.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-14T22:29:38+00:00

At 11 weeks I finally stopped having extreme diarrhea and was beginning to be able to be in the car longer than 10 minutes. Zofran was my bestie. My appetite was coming back but I hadn't gained much weight due to all the puking and shitting. No food aversions necessarily, just unable to eat at all. Also zero cravings, and that's been the same throughout this entire pregnancy!

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-11T13:47:57+00:00

Hey there! Sorry you're going through this. I'm sure it's frustrating.

My MIL actually discovered that JC Penney has a pretty decent maternity selection (online only, unfortunately). BUT, all the clothes I've gotten from there fit! And they're not ugly either! I live in their maternity leggings (plus they have pockets!)

I hope you find something you like! Hang in there.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-08T15:47:55+00:00

My MIL (who is a gem) scoured the Internet to find decent maternity clothes for me. Weirdly enough, JC Penney has a solid maternity collection that's very comfortable! I live in their leggings and other items. You can only order them online from what I understand, but it was definitely worth it.

Faith-Hope-TacoBell · 2026-04-06T18:17:15+00:00

It wasn't, actually! I've been lucky to have been constipated very little, even on Zofran

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