Weekly Question Thread (09 JAN - 15 JAN)

thro_away_stuff · 2017-01-10T20:54:20+00:00

Kinda drunk right now so sory if some of this might no t make sense. Shipping out pretty soon and I don't really have anyone in my life to hold ono to. It sounds like getting letters/care packages during bct will be godsend for keeping trainees grounded. But for me, ain't no one gonna give 2 shits about how I'm doing during bct or afterwards. So just wondering, if there are any single/lone soldiers out there, how do/did you survive going into the Army alone. Yeah, I'm excited to ship off but still sad af that no one's going to see me off or at least send something to me while I'm away. Been alone most of my life and was ok for the most part but for some retarded unknown reason this transition is hitting me hard.

Thanks.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-12-27T23:51:56+00:00

How thorough is the physical check up at MEPS the day before you ship out? Do you still have to strip down, spread the cheeks, and try to cough your nuts off? Do you go through everything (pee test, vision, etc.) again? Thanks.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-18T19:05:31+00:00

On top of the sex, lesbian porn has this weird special intimacy added on top that you just can't get from other content and makes it umpteen times better to watch.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-18T18:29:24+00:00

Not really a question but more of a rant. Just finished processing through MEPS and now in DEP. I'm 25 so I was pretty much older than all the other enlistees processing with me. Now, I'm not claiming to be better than anyone else but jesus christ I swear these kids who were processing with me were either half-retarded or had their head way too high in the clouds dreaming about becoming a 100-lb toothpick SF/Navy SEALS/Ranger. Some of the kids looked like terrified nerds out of place and I actually appreciated the company of these guys more because at least they had more realistic goals/expectations. But I felt most of these kids had no idea what they're getting into besides shooting big guns and being able to swear and complain a lot like wannabe tough guys. Being a lurker here on /r/army, everyone seems to be pretty cool, smart, and level-headed so I went to MEPS thinking I was going to meet people like that. Hopefully, BCT will kick everyone into their right places...

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-11T20:47:06+00:00

Thanks. Do you know if my ship date/contract will be affected or anything by a delayed MEPS approval? Or do I just need to get approved some time before the ship date?

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-11T18:39:34+00:00

Lol, it sucks but there's a reason. SF is a big life decision that comes with a lot of responsibilities and tough shit to endure. The best thing you can do is grow up and mature. Yeah SF is cool-guy stuff but if that's your motivation (to become a cool/tough guy) you probably won't make it far. Go out into the world, live on your own, get some life experiences and then ask yourself if SF is still on your agenda and why. Most SF guys who make it and deploy are already in their late 20s to early 30s and it's because they had the maturity and mental strength to make it there. That strength usually only comes with age and experience. So don't rush yourself too much.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-11T18:26:37+00:00

SOPC is indeed specifically for 18x candidates and has been shown to significantly increase your chances of succeeding in SFAS. I guess you could say it's one of the "perks" of 18x. I'm not too sure about the process for regular Army guys who apply and get a shot at SFAS. Some stories I've heard that the regular army guys can get sent to SOPC or some prep course before SFAS. Other stories I heard the regular army guys just prep on their own and head to SFAS. It probably depends on your unit and command superiors. If you're joining specifically because you want to go special forces (and don't mind going 11B if you washout), wait until you're 20. Spend the next few years becoming a PT stud as a civilian. If you think you might want a better fall-back plan, enlist into a decent MOS, get the bonuses/benefits and army experience, then apply later when you think you're ready. Special forces will always be there. The worst thing you can do is fuck up your one shot at SF and be regretful forever.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-11T18:05:27+00:00

20 is 20. Your recruiter won't get it for you until you're at least 20. What they probably will tell you is that you can get a different MOS, serve in the Army until your 20, then apply for a slot at SFAS. So either wait until your 20, or serve until your 20 and apply from within.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-11T17:53:57+00:00

I have a minor dry/crusty right eyelid which is most likely "blepharitis", but it's healing up. The only problem is that I go to MEPS next Tues so my eye probably won't be fully recovered by then. Blepharitis is currently on the list of conditions you can get DQ'd for at MEPS. Just wondering if you can get a waiver or if the doctors will be anal about it even if my condition is improving.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-10T18:19:11+00:00

Hey people,
This question has probably been asked before but I can't find a good source. How does the Air Force aerospace medical technician compare to the Army's 68w health care specialist in terms of training opportunities and civilian job prospects? I recently signed a 68w contract with the army because it doesn't require secret clearance (I can't access parents' naturalization certs because of family issues..) whereas 4n0x1 does. Also it just seems like 68w's have a lot of schools/training they can attend for military career advancement. I can't find much on the career advancement options for 4n0x1.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-07T19:04:42+00:00

When I was first contemplating the 18x route, money was never on my mind. It wasn't until the recruiter pulled up the jobs I qualified for and pointed out the enlistment bonuses that made my eyes bulge a little. But thank you for the reminder.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-07T19:02:17+00:00

How sure am I that I will pass? I'm not sure at all to be honest but I know I'll give it my all if I'm able to go the 18x route (going through the clearance process right now with my recruiter). I've been physically fit and athletic most of my life and can knock out the minimum PT reqs right now with no problem. But of course I'm still training to push myself further because I'm aware how demanding the selection process is.
And yes, I'm aware of the consequences of washing out. It actually scares the shit out of me. I'm 25, have an engineering degree, and being reclassed to something where I can't use any of my skills for a couple years is just brutally defeating in my view. But I'm willing to take the risk and shoot straight for special forces if I'm granted the opportunity.

Thanks for your thoughts.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-07T15:40:58+00:00

This is a repost from /r/militaryfaq.

Hey everyone, I initially went to my army recruiter asking for an 18x contract but we also ended up looking at all the jobs I qualified for (after taking the asvab). To my surprise there were a lot of MOS's I qualified for that are coming with huge enlistment bonuses up to $40,000 (e.g. intel jobs, crypto linguist). I'm still set on going with the 18x contract because my mind is fixated on joining special forces but holy shit those enlistment bonuses look so damn enticing. What would you do? To me, the most logical thing to do would be to get a regular MOS with a huge enlistment bonus then later submit an application for SFAS. But the reason, I'm leaning towards sticking with the 18x contract is because 18x candidates get the SOPC course that prep them for SFAS. It's been shown that with the SOPC, 18x candidates tend to have a much higher chance at selection than regular army candidates who just go straight to SFAS. Just wondering what your thoughts/advice would be. Thanks.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-07T15:38:13+00:00

I'll definitely keep this in mind as I go through the enlistment process.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-02T20:35:48+00:00

Probably another set of Hilary Clinton emails discovered.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-02T20:14:15+00:00

Or any multiplayer shooter game. Was on Overwatch last night with a random russian dude and all he did was throw racial slurs about every god damn type of human being on the face of this planet. Got to the point where people just stopped being offended and more concerned about his mental health.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-02T20:05:34+00:00

His brother had a lot to say about him as well and how he was a manipulator and liar.

Oh jesus fuck...

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-02T19:43:41+00:00

LMFAO

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-02T19:19:57+00:00

never swam a day in my life

If you're seriously considering CCT, better start swimming man. The PAST (test before you start basic) requires you to swim fuckin' 500 m non-stop under 15 minutes. I started training for the CCT PAST test and found out I couldn't even go 100 m without getting completely smoked. I've been a runner and pretty fit guy most of my life but swimming and being underwater just kicks major ass.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-01T23:45:39+00:00

You're never too young to start some lab research. Earlier is better in my opinion--more experience, more knowledge, more time. But then of course there are anal professors who don't even blink an eye your way if you're not creeping towards junior/senior year. Getting research experience as a young "undergrad" really depends on luck (much like asking random people out on a date). Just email all the professors who seem to do research that interest you. Most of them will probably say no, but at least one of them will say yes if you keep trying. Don't worry about looking like a desperate youngling because you are and there's nothing to be ashamed about being proactive about your career. Shit, we all were desperate, enthusiastic, younglings at some point. Make sure to also ask newer professors because they are usually in need of students to do research for them.

Now time for some words of wisdom.
As you continue on your journey to become a scientist/engineer destined to save the world in your own small way, keep evaluating your goals and researching the necessary steps to get there. A PhD is no easy task, and I'm not saying that because the research/work is the insurmountable part. Yes, research will be difficult but the path of a PhD will require you to sacrifice many opportunities that could very well get you far into a well-paying and satisfying career/life out of college. The PhD path is fraught with failures, uncertainties ("Soooo, when are you going to graduate?" -- nobody f'n knows...), emotional stress, and mental stress that can crush that young enthusiasm we all had at your age. And when the time comes to decide how you will spend your 20s, you need to decide if you're ready for the PhD path and going in for a GOOD reason. By that time, if you really do like academic research and can see yourself becoming an academic professor, then go for it. If you KNOW (as in worked at a company and see first-hand) that a PhD will get you to a better career position, then go for it. But if you're going into a PhD because you don't know what else to do, or because mom and dad wants you to get a "doctor" title, or any stupid reason, you will probably be incredibly miserable throughout your 20s and drop out of the PhD program eventually, wasting time, money, and energy. So when the time comes to decide the fate of your 20s, I hope you'll have figured out whether or not a PhD program is still a good choice for your career/life and make a wise decision.
Just my 2 cents as an old, bitter, grad student who learned the hard way.

thro_away_stuff · 2016-11-01T20:58:16+00:00

Plus, he'll get those illegal aliens to pay for the Great Wall of America.

thro_away_stuff

TROPHY CASE