| Author | Message | ||
     Arnhold |
I enlisted into the United States Army on May 23rd, 2008. I am shipping out on July 3rd, heading to Ft. Benning GA for basic training. After that, I head down to Ft. Sam Houston TX for AIT. I don't know what I was thinking, heading to GA in the middle of the summer. I will be missing the absolute best part of the year to ride in Washington, but I just couldn't wait any longer. I am excited as heck to get my Army life started. I don't really know why I posted this, I guess it could be a form of venting my enthusiasm (lol), since my family and friends are not very supportive of my decision. I am always looking for advice from prior/current military folks and would be grateful for your input. Thanks | ||
| P_squared |
When/if you're feeling "down" during basic/AIT, just remind yourself that hundreds of thousands of others have been there before you, done it, and made it. No reason you can't. Believe in yourself. LISTEN to what you are told. LEARN all you can. As for family/friends not being supportive of your decision, chalk that up to them being concerned about your physical & emotional welfare. It takes a strong person to decide their own path in life, and you will be a better person for it. | ||
| Buellerandy |
The ONLY thing you have to do in boot camp/mos school...is what your told! Makes it a lot easier to think of it that way:P | ||
| Nevrenuf |
when i headed out to the recruiting office one time i was thumbing(back in 1975 when it wasn't that bad) and got picked up by a guy who had just got out, he said the best time you'll have is in boot camp. and in some ways, he was right. you just have to remind yourself not to take it personally and that everyone else has to do the exact same thing when told to do something. the people who aren't supporting you are just worried imo so don't sweat that either. you will have support here on the badweb. | ||
| Tramp |
never mid your friends and family. they just like you more alive. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Congrats and thanks for your service. My advice for you for surviving bootcamp in a Georgia summer is to and listen to Neil, and drink LOTS of water. I did mine in the dead of winter at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and loved every minute of it. Just remember that basic is designed to be a bit of a mindf**k, and youll be just fine. As for your AIT...you DO know that's where they send all the NURSES, right? My advice- have fun!  | ||
| Arnhold |
"As for your AIT...you DO know that's where they send all the NURSES, right?" Ohh yes, I have heard that the female/male ratio is like 3 to 1. When I signed up for 68W (combat medic), my recruiter mentioned that to me. Texas should be fun. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
I went into the Army 24 July 1960, basic at Ft. Dix NJ. AIT at Ft. Benning Ga. hot and humid and lest we forget the red clay, you see what I mean. It was actually a lot of fun (for a seventeen year old kid). Jump school at Ft. Bragg. Ft. Sam is where the army sent the guys who wanted to be medics. Is that what you enlisted for? A great MOS. A military medic is the equivilant of a LPN or LVN in civilian life. Good choice. Keep your shoes and boots shined and your foot locker straight, don't lend anyone any money and you will be in good shape. If a DI asks if anyone went to college DON'T raise your hand. Good luck to you, remember your buds on the BADWEB are here for you. Keep us posted. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
oh yea, before you volunteer for anything, find out what your volunteering for. taking care of the laundry wasn't really that bad but now on my priority list. | ||
| Krassh |
Congrats and thanks for your future service. Heading to Ft. Jackson South Carolina for my sons graduation from Army Boot Camp tomorrow. He heads out to AIT in Georgia after. When I went to Marine Corps boot years ago I started July 6th at Parris Island South Carolina so I feel for you the heat is going to be intense in that part of the country. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Enjoy man. Already done the been there done that. Your turn. How long is your AIT? | ||
| Seanp |
Just keep in mind that no matter how much it seems like Basic sucks, and then AIT sucks, those are some of the best times in the Army. You don't have jack to worry about except keeping your nose clean and learning your MOS. It's awesome fun. Go to jump school and air assault if you get a chance. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
went to boot in orlando during summer. wasn't to brite on my part but i really needed to get away from home. no regrets | ||
| Nxtr |
I cannot say it any clearer than P_squared... and Seanp... 23 years, retired... You can PM me if you need any information... V/R, Nick (Message edited by nxtr on June 24, 2008) | ||
| Mbsween |
Arnhold, Do they still have barracks at Harmony church, you'll want to be at Sand Hill,as if you have any choice  Good luck. I was there back in 83 in march and I thought it was way to hot, then again I'm from Upstate NY. I was an 11B so we got to stay at Benning for 13 weeks straight, all fun of course. Just keep you head forward, don't mouth off, never be 1st or last and you'll do just fine. it helps if you can do a sh*tload of push ups, well it used to anyways. So start practicing I hear the DI can't even swear at you anymore. What's up with that? I learned 3 or four new phrases just getting off the bus from Ft Jackson. Good luck and hang tough, its only 8 weeks then on to San Anton! | ||
| Arnhold |
Cataract, my AIT is 19 weeks minimum. Seanp, I plan on volunteering for jump school. Should be pretty convenient since from what I hear, it's just across the street. My ultimate goal is to attend the SOCM (Special Operations Combat Medic) course, then go through RIP, on to Ranger School and become a medic in a ranger battalion. We'll see how things work out since none of that is in my contract except for my original MOS. Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement, it helps immensely. | ||
| Iamike |
Bill- I want to thank you for your service to the country. I turned 18 the same month that they stopped the draft and never got to experience the pleasure of service. I have the utmost respect for all of you. Mike | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I'm echoing Mike's post above. Thankyou for your service, it's men and women like you that let us enjoy everything this great country has to offer. My son is about to reup in the Navy, he's currently a submarine sonar tech. He going to reup into Navy EOD. That has me a bit worried....but I support him anyway. Brad | ||
| Cudajohn |
If you are wanting 18D you better get http://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Colori...4086397&sr= 8-1 and http://www.amazon.com/Physiology-Col...4086397&sr= 8-3 also the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Provider's Manual. I have a friend who is a SEAL that got sent through 18D and just asked him what would help you out if you wanted to be a SOF Medic. You have so very little time but if you order these when you go to AIT and work on them there you will have a huge advantage over someone who has never seen these books in 18D. I joined when I was 22, brother when he was 29. I am going into my 7th year in the Navy. My brother is an Army Engineer from Ft. Lost in the Woods, couple cousins in the Army too. Uncles served in Vietnam and Korea. Gandpappy's in WWII. Needless to say I think you are about to partake in the greatest tradition of citizenship. Do it with honor and pride Brother. My nugget of advice is to not leave a skirt back at home and expect her to be true and decide whether this will be a job or a career. Even if you don't plan to retire, treat it like a career. The best advice in the I could give doesn't come from me but the Man himself. Following this philosophy will bring you true success: "Put everything you have into everything you do." -Erik Buell | ||
| Arnhold |
Cudajohn, the links that you posted aren't working for me. Perhaps you could just post the title of each book and I will just look them up. As far as family military history goes, well, there isn't much. My dad served 2 years during Vietnam as an X-ray tech in Florida. That was the extent of my military exposure prior to enlisting. I had been thinking of joining since high school, but tried the college route first at the insistence of my father. Unfortunately, college just did not hold my interest. After 4 years of college with only an AA in Criminal Justice to show for it, I decided to enlist and do what I KNEW I should have done years ago. Thankfully, I don't have any skirts to worry about while I'm gone. Don't need the added stress. Again, I want to thank everyone for their input | ||
| Boney95 |
What made you decide joining the Army, amongst the other branches. GOOD luck to ya! | ||
| Cudajohn |
Sorry about the dead links. Google tag words: The Anatomy Coloring Book and The Physiology Coloring Book. Get those and some good color pencils and go at it learning phys. and anatomy. Examples, http://www.anatomy-interactive.org/edures/edures01 a.htm "A fascinating voyage of discovery through the human body. Learn about what makes the body work and just how intricate human beings are--both inside and out. Sixty detailed drawings, designed for coloring, are enhanced by detailed text describing each illustration." http://www.sciencedaily.com/books/t/0321036638-the _physiology_coloring_book.htm The Physiology Coloring Book "This coloring book offers an enjoyable, highly effective way for students to learn physiology." Hope the links work for you. PM me if you would like to get in contact with some Reserve and Active 18D's. You can get much better advice from them than this here Sand Sailor. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
since you have some college behind you, don't put out thinking about maybe getting a commission and even becoming a doctor. nothing like having the government pay for your education. i had it available to me and i would suggest you taking advantage of it also if the opportunity exists. | ||
| Spdkls |
also, don't let them try to change your mind about being a medic. one of my neighbors kids just joined and he got talked out of doing his original mos. now he's a ground pounder in the desert. his original mos was helicopter mech. he told me they used very persuasive tactics on him during basic. stick to your guns. remember the army wants soldiers first. don't think i'm being biased because i'm air force. my ti tried to turn me into a cop while i was at basic 16 years ago, and now i'm an F-22 mech. keep on the right path. good luck! | ||
| Buelliedan |
You cannot go to airborne school until AFTER you graduate AIT. So you would have to go back to benning after AIT if you want that. I was an instructor at Ft Sam Hosuton for my last 3 years of service from 2003 to 2005. It is not the same as it used to be where there were more women than men especialy in 91B land. You are kept seperate from the rest of Ft Sam in your own little world down the hill whereas all the other MOS are up the hill. Thanks for serving. Daniel Dunn US Army retired MOS 91X | ||
| Buelliedan |
Spdkls I think your neighbors son is full of BS!! I can guarantee you he washed out of his original MOS. Once you join the Army you are locked into that MOS unless you fail out of the MOS course. Nobody "convinced" him to switch jobs. he failed his MOS course for some reason. But once you do fail out of a course you are at the needs of the Army. Guess what the Army needs most. (Message edited by buelliedan on June 25, 2008) | ||
| Tramp |
Hoo-Boy, abn. Black hats, the whole bit. definitely go for it, esp. being as you're set on AIT. If you have the aptitude for it (and you never know who has such aptitude, until after highly specific evals) look into language training (not nec. DLI, at first) because that's were the one of greatest growth sectors will be, in the next 6 years, even for lowly 11Bravos. trust me, it opens up the coolest doors out there...esp. for travel. |
