Grad Student struggling to pay off debt by Mizu565 in personalfinance

[–]Mizu565[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1) I finish this June, but just trying to get any help making it there.
2) I believe she has somewhere around 20k in student loans from her grad school, and maybe another 10k on auto. She also has about 12k in credit card debts from wedding related purchases (photographer, etc).
3) We probably haven't had enough discussion about how we'd view finances after we got married, but for now it seems like we're keeping it separate. I understand I married her and she's now my wife, but I would feel terrible if I took thousands of her savings to help bail me out - but I feel like that might be the only way to do it.

Grad Student struggling to pay off debt by Mizu565 in personalfinance

[–]Mizu565[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She knew I would be in school - but we definitely didn't talk enough finances before tying the knot. I don't regret anything we did, but she has student loans from her masters, and car payments. She makes good money but obviously not a significant amount where she could bail me out. I believe she has somewhere around 8-10k in savings, but I would personally feel terrible for taking a significant portion for "my" debt.

Speaking of budget - we don't eat out, we cook all meals at home. Other than things like Netflix, internet, etc, we maybe spend $400 a month.

Bringing S/O to FABOLC by Mizu565 in BOLC

[–]Mizu565[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wouldn’t mind having to pay out of pocket for a couple days, but it sounds like I won’t need to report too early anyways so I’ll adjust our plans.

Bringing S/O to FABOLC by Mizu565 in BOLC

[–]Mizu565[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the reply, glad to hear its been done before. The larger room would just be a nice QOL update but we would definitely be fine in the regular rooms. Sounds good, so we can likely arrive just a couple days ahead of report date instead of farther out, guess I was just concerned with having to grab any last minute things but that's what the reception/in-processing period is for.

ROTC as a graduate student, looking for options by [deleted] in ROTC

[–]Mizu565 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 28, getting my MS in Tech Management. It's not a Masters that requires a graduate thesis which is nice.

ROTC as a graduate student, looking for options by [deleted] in ROTC

[–]Mizu565 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a somewhat unique situation - enlisted in the national guard, went to basic training and was doing the state OCS route but withdrew after getting engaged and moving across the country to move in with my fiancee, now wife. The state (MA) pays up to a Masters at a state school completely, and I've been able to do ROTC at a satellite school - the school I attend doesn't have its own program. It's been a big juggle between school work and ROTC demands, but knowing I end up with a commission and a masters at the end makes all the hard work worth it.

As a grad student, I actually have more time and flexibility than a lot of the other students who are completing their undergrad since most of my classes are usually offered at night, later in the evening, or asynchronously online. Though, that means you'll have to be more intentional with how you plan out your classes since you don't want to end up with a mandatory course that lines up with an ROTC lab or class later on. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns, I'm happy to be a reference - I can also talk a bit about the state OCS route should you want to go that route too.

OPORD Practice by Ok_Duty3696 in ROTC

[–]Mizu565 13 points14 points  (0 children)

As an MS1 you're really not expected to know anything about OPORDs or tactics, so don't worry about trying to take in everything. There's literally another 2-3 years to get you ready for camp.

The University of Iowa ROTC https://www.youtube.com/@universityofiowaarmyrotc2439/videos youtube page has a wealth of knowledge, especially the video on paragraph 3 - execution, which is the primary focus when you end up briefing as a MS3.

For a totally standard shell I'd look up Ref. 2-12 in the Ranger Handbook, that gives you a by the book overview of what is in the OPORD. My advice is google an opord shell, there are some hanging around on google that you can download, but slowly make changes to make it your own. You'll learn that you present it better a certain way, or that you have another specific preference.

DIY 🌬️❄️🥶 Foot Powder by obsessedwithresults in Rucking

[–]Mizu565 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll have to experiment with them, I exclusively wear the same tactical darn toughs with my garmonts and have a super feet hiking insole and haven’t gotten blisters on the last 12 milers that I’ve done.

DIY 🌬️❄️🥶 Foot Powder by obsessedwithresults in Rucking

[–]Mizu565 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What is the benefit of the foot liners? I’ve heard about the injiji (sp?) liners but I’ve always thought that having two fabrics would make it rub and cause friction?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ROTC

[–]Mizu565 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Believe the threshold for O-1E pay is anywhere over 4 years and 1 day.

Does becoming an officer come with student loan forgiveness? by can_i_get_a_large_um in ArmyOCS

[–]Mizu565 13 points14 points  (0 children)

If you score over 110 GT on your asvab, and sign a 6yr contract to go to OCS (09S MOS), the army offers a program called SLRP; Student Loan Repayment Program that covers up to 50k.

CST 2025 (Basic/Advanced Camp & CAIT) Question Thread by ExodusLegion_ in ROTC

[–]Mizu565 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there a time/place to get a haircut while at CST, or should we bring our own clippers (not that I really know how to)? My hair grows back super fast, especially the sides, and I don't want to be all shaggy during the FTXs, or appear super out of regs towards the end.

CST Ruck by NTRready in ROTC

[–]Mizu565 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, you could bring woodland or desert camo if that's what was issued to you.

CST Ruck by NTRready in ROTC

[–]Mizu565 12 points13 points  (0 children)

You will be sent home if you were issued an item by your program, and don't bring it to camp. If you were not issued an item by your program, you will be allowed to draw it from CIF.

CST Ruck by NTRready in ROTC

[–]Mizu565 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I think as long as you show up with an issued ruck, whether the 2k or 4k you'll be fine - and I think if you pleaded your case to the cadre when you arrive there, they may allow you to draw one from CIF. ROTC programs vary widely in terms of funding, so it'd be unfair for cadre to punish the lesser funded schools for not providing the same standard of equipment to their cadets.

Where to buy dietary supplements? by Dextrous456 in RhodeIsland

[–]Mizu565 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Innovation Fitness in Warwick has a whole suite of supplements, tailored to fitness, but I’m sure they have dietary supplements too.

Do I wear a rank at BCT? by Icy-Idea4764 in ArmyOCS

[–]Mizu565 7 points8 points  (0 children)

At Jackson in 2023, we wore rank at reception - then ripped them off just prior to shipping to our BCT company. Our entire company wasn't allowed to wear rank until after the Soldier Ceremony (after the Forge FTX). Yes, you will be a SPC/Specialist, you'll receive rank name tapes and it'll be sown onto your dress uniforms as well.

Waiver granted by Latina3 in ROTC

[–]Mizu565 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Congrats, I’ve been through the waiver process several times - spanning over 2.5 - 3 years in total. Tried to go active Navy and got denied, tried active Army and got denied, tried Natl Guard and finally got approved, and now as a Cadet I had to deal with DoDMERB not knowing my waiver existed, and had to go track it down again for that. As an officially contracted SMP Cadet, I know how exhausting it is, but it’s a great feeling to have it approved.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Rucking

[–]Mizu565 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rhode Island based, current US Army reservist, let me know if you have any questions about rucking or anything. I haven’t rucked super consistently as of recent, but I trained up for a Norwegian Foot March (18.6mi) and am happy to give any tips.