i am interested in any information good or bad about the us army before i go sign up. i already took my asvab and did decently well on them. i am just looking for information about what it is like on the inside and if its true about not being able to leave the army after you do your 8 years. i heard stories about people doing their contracted time then being told due to shortage of people they needed to stay. thank you for your time- Josh

Josh,

It's called STOP LOSS. If the Army decides that your skills and your MOS is needed to continue the Global War on Terror, they will retain you and your services. In short, you won't get out until they decide to let you out. I would speak to the recuiter about stop loss and hopefully he will be able to address your concerns.

While I served as a Marine, I can't say much about Army life, except that my younger brother was in the Army for 20 plus years and he appeared to enjoy it. Once in you'll find out the best ways to navigate the complexities of Army life and learn how to make them work for you. It can work both ways, for you or against you, depending on how you view things. There is a definite Army way of getting along and becoming a successful Soldier. Learn what that is early on and you'll do just fine. Don't learn it and you'll hate it.

thank you for your reply. i will def have to talk to the recruiter about that. that isnt the worst thing in the world, i just hope i can pass meps and get to basic if i decide on going. thank you again for your time. peace!

Josh Stop Loss is in fine print in the contract you sign it is like thegunny said an extension to your contract and used for tech.Rates or Ranks but seldom used and puts a bad taste in some people's mouth usually when they want critize the Military.It is a good idea to talk to Recruiter and read the Contract you sign so you will know.

Stop loss is not fine print anymore, it is now a full blow movie just as it should be. Hollywood movies are the best ways to get the truth out not some fine print on a contract, it shows how the fine print destroyed peoples lives. The army way of doing things involves not thinking for yourself, and if you do think for yourself your life will suck, you will labeled as an "individual" which I dident mind being called because thats what I am but I could do without the extra hazing, if you get out early through lagit channels your life can suck. If you express any discontent with the military you will bring on even more hazing and labels. It is not a good way to go, I have alot of posts on here all you have to do is search based on my handle. I know more about the military than most on here as far as regulations on getting out and UCMJ also on how to become a pilot which is like trying to become a NFL foot ball player, a crap shoot.

quote:

I have alot of posts on here all you have to do is search based on my handle.

Yes, please search for his other posts before taking his advice seriously. See also:
http://forums.militaryspot.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1461073/m/5991046892/p/1

And the movies is no place to learn about the military....but I think you know that. Did not serve in the Army either, so really can't give you inside scoop. I do work in a joint command with plenty of US Soldiers. Not a bad group, some of them are even worthy of becoming Marines someday.