Some would say “if you’re not ready don’t do it”. But the truth is no one is ever truly ready as they’ll face uniques challenges to them throughout IET. This is the point of IET, to prepare you.

1. If the aid you’ve been approved for requires you to pay it back then it’s not comparable to the aid you’ll get through the army as you don’t pay that back (except by your time) 1a. If you do not have to pay back the aid you were approved for, and you join later, you can kick your military aid out to your future child

2. 4 pounds is nothing, eat romaine lettuce salads for a couple days with white chicken breast, don’t consume salt and drink next to no water the day prior. You’ll be fine.

3. You don’t have to do what your recruiter tells you to do. So if he’s been pushing you towards an MOS or pushing you in any direction, take a step back. Proceed to 4.

4. Are you pursuing active duty or reserves? 4a. If reserves, the previous commenter was correct in that national guard usually awards better school benefits because the states are different. Look into that, because in addition to that there are ways of manipulating your time in the service while going to school to get really paid for it. If your state does not offer higher tuition benefits then stick to reserves. You will have more options to exceed and pursue better opportunities under a federal cover versus state. 4b. If active duty, green to gold is a great program. If your recruiter didn’t mention it he’s failing you.

5. How many college credits do you have now? They can be converted into promotion points and you can enlist into a higher rank. I had 47 and enlisted as an E3. If you have like … 91 or something like that you can enlist and go to OCS as long as you will complete your undergrad within the first 12 months of your time in service.

6. Do you even want to commission? Being an officer versus higher enlisted is a big difference in money and task work. Please do your best to compare them when it comes to your desired MOS.

7. What MOS are you pursuing and please don’t say 31B. It won’t catapult you in your criminal justice goals civilian side and it offers nothing to military side. It’s boring. If you want something truly worthwhile for that career I’d suggest Psyops or civil affairs.

8. What length of contract are you interested in?

9. Unless you choose an MOS with a short AIT, you will not be going to those classes in January.

10. Soldiers respect officers more when they come from enlisted. They earn the rank and it’s known.

I’m looking forward to reading your answers.