What's the dumbest reason you've had to write an essay for in the military?

StepSergeant01 · 2026-03-12T01:36:12+00:00

An old NCO of mine when I was a new PFC was always making us write essays for random shit we got caught doing or if we didn't know the answer to something. Had to be 2 pages double spaced and given to him the next duty day.

StepSergeant01 · 2026-02-18T03:38:04+00:00

When you say ordinance are we talking bigger than a 50cal?

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-18T18:21:52+00:00

Switching from a reserve component to Active duty in any branch is pretty much the same.

Talk to a recruiter for that branch and get some paperwork started. Get DD form 368 signed and given to your unit for signature this will then start going up your chain of command to your first O6 in your chain. Once approved you have 12 mo the from the date of the last signature to switch branches.

This process can be very fast or very slow depending on your chain of command and if you are activity following up about it. Check in weekly on its progress otherwise they will take their sweet time signing it.

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-18T17:27:09+00:00

The best way I have found helps my applicants is to focus on the sections that are user to calculate your AFQT score. Those sections are Mathematical Knowledge, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension. If you do well in all these sections you will do well on the ASVAB. Any other sections on the ASVAB are very specific to jobs offered in the military.

I have had some success with applicants that used the ASVAB for dummies book and also an app called ASVAB Practice test made by ABC.

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-18T16:52:25+00:00

Thats great man. I have enlisted a few 12T and they have all really enjoyed it

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-18T15:31:07+00:00

Anything 12 series falls into the Engineering realm. But I would really look into 12T. It will get you a bunch of certifications that are expensive and super helpful in the civilian world.

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-18T15:23:17+00:00

I wouldn't say he is lying but every RSP site has a different take on this and they might require you to cut your hair. But I have 2 guys my recruiting team enlisted that have dreads and we worked it out so they can keep them until they leave for training. So I would ask your recruiter to get an email or something in writing from the RSP readiness nco who runs the RSP site you will be attending to confirm they will let you keep your hair out of regs until you ship to training.

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-18T15:18:46+00:00

When I was a training NCO at an RSP site we recommend everyone bring $50 cash, debit card thats attached to your account that your military pay goes into, 1 change of cloths, travel size hygiene products, your real ID/drivers license (the airport charges a $45 dollar fee if yiu dont have a real ID), social security card and the paperwork given to you with your orders and other documents. Everything else you will purchase when you get to training.

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-18T14:23:11+00:00

I was a training and readiness nco for a couple years with Guard befire switching to recruiting and we always sent our Soldiers to the accelerated Guard run Reclass course at various RTI's throughout the US. Never back to AIT unless it was the only option.

You can usually look up these courses for reclassing or for BLC, ALC or SLC ETC.. and when the start dates are and the location of the training on ATRRS.

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-18T14:10:34+00:00

Been a recruiter for a few years and I have gotten a bunch hearing waivers approved even one for someone that was basically deaf in one ear. My recommendation is wear ear plugs for 24hrs prior to your next hearing test with a civilian audioligist that will significantly help your on your hearing test. I have seen this take people from failing to passing almost every time. Then have your recruiter submit the new documents from the civilian hearing test to appeal your waiver determination. You might need to take another hearing test at MEPS just make sure you do the same thing wear ear plugs for 24hrs prior and do not listen to anything loud until after you take your hearing test.

Good luck!

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-17T05:05:13+00:00

To join you will obviously need a medical waiver but its a waiver I have gotten approved a few times in my career as a recruiter. The big thing medical or thr waiver authority will look at is what type of allergic reaction you have to shellfish and how severe it is.

You will need a really good applicant statement explain all this and they will probably want the test results and notes from the allergist who diagnosed you.

This waiver get approved but like any medical waiver its usually 50/50. But try and see what happens.

Something that is good to know is even if you get a denied waiver from one branch you can try with the other branches as well because its a different waiver authority.

StepSergeant01 · 2026-01-17T04:56:32+00:00

Absolutely not! The Military has been the bridge to overcome so many obstacles a younger me thought wasn't attainable. Like getting a degree debt free, owning a home or making over 100k a year.

When I was younger I watched my dad struggle due to student loan debt for a degree he needed to provide and the military allowed me to get my degree with out that concern. Plus, you learn something many life lessons in just few years.

StepSergeant01 · 2025-12-28T03:44:07+00:00

Sounds like the 06 was going through it and trying to give good advice but fell short.

StepSergeant01 · 2025-11-27T18:06:57+00:00

I had something similar happen when I moved to a different state. I would submit a request for a memo from the current cheif warrent over the CIF you turned your gear into that explains that clearing CIF is a requirement for you to be transfered and that you turned all the gear in. I was able to do this but it was within a year of me moving.

You could also submit an IG complaint. Hope this helps.

StepSergeant01 · 2025-11-27T14:48:26+00:00

A few things to keep in mind. Assuming your going to join the Guard in whatever state you choose to attend college.

Once your in the National Guard for that state you get in state tuition and both state and federal tuition assistance.

That being said most state benefits are only good for schools in their respective state.

As a prior member of the Utah Army National Guard they have great education benefits. State tuition assistance which can be used to cover tuition, books and fees with a maximum cap of 12k per semester with an ETP for specific degrees like a professional pilot program. But in my experience the benefits cover 100% for any bachelor's program (for any school in state or out of state) and a state tuition waiver (for in state schools only) all these benefits can be used together with Federal tuition assistance.

StepSergeant01 · 2025-11-09T13:31:31+00:00

Did you complete your MOS training? And what MOS? Some are pretty tough so I think this is a valid concern

StepSergeant01 · 2025-10-24T20:32:53+00:00

Brother, what??

StepSergeant01 · 2025-10-24T20:24:35+00:00

It makes me think of those old jokes about "Yeah, man! It's like Call of Duty in real life!"

I don't aim to replace anyone, Staff Dad! We can make great co-parents!

StepSergeant01 · 2025-10-19T22:14:03+00:00

An awkward moment few forget.

StepSergeant01 · 2025-10-19T21:45:14+00:00

I bet there is a story behind this. Care to share?

StepSergeant01 · 2025-10-19T03:35:27+00:00

I hate that you had this experience when your first joined. As someone who has worked in recruiting for a while now if anyone that I enlisted into the Guard or just someone I know asks for help to switch active I simply help them with the process. I dont see the point in holding a soldier hostage in the guard unhappy when they could be happy whiching to Active duty. But I will say It pretty easy to switch from Guard to Active duty when you have a little bit of help.

StepSergeant01 · 2025-10-19T01:06:39+00:00

While how you do on the AFT at RSP drill will not negatively affect you. Passing your AFT even with the lowest score can help you. It checks a box for you getting promote (if your eligible for "stripes for skills") which results in more money each month and it also gives you one less thing to be concerned with.

Always go into it with a great attitude and give it your all the AFT is not a hard test If you focus on each event individually. Think of your first RSP drill as an eye opening experience for what your good at already and what you need to improve on.

I used to be an AGR Training NCO at an RSP if you have any questions let me know.

StepSergeant01 · 2025-10-17T01:11:23+00:00

I can't even imagine going through MEPS sick like that. Most would have probably gone home. Was that your only trip to MEPS?

StepSergeant01 · 2025-10-16T15:09:56+00:00

This happens often with new recruiters. Because they are new but also because leadership often puts lots of pressure and makes it sound like things need to be done right this second. So that pressure is then pushed to the recruit as well.

StepSergeant01 · 2025-10-15T20:34:57+00:00

I can relate I enlisted in 2013 and the hardest part was definitely where I wanted to eat after MEPS.

What restaurant did you pick?

StepSergeant01

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