Hey everyone I just joined the forums because I am considering enlisting in the Military after this year, I was wondering if they're were any veterans that could give me any advice about talking with recruiters or just anything about the Military in general. Feedback is greatly appreciated, thank you

fire away....(figuratively speaking of course)

HAhah Uh well I have 2 recruiters coming to my house next week, the National Guard on Tuesday and the Army on Thursday and I need to kinda come up with questions to ask but I have no clue where to start asking and from what I've read I can't really believe anything a recruiter says except that I can enlist. Oh also any types of good workouts to lose a gut and rebuild it with core muscles would be helpful

Firstly know that the military is not like a civilian gig... you cannot just up and quit. Secondly know that you need to have all your ducks in a row, meaning that in order to enlist with a clear conscience you need to make sure to be honest about your past. I recommend that you ask your recruiters point blank what m.o.s's are open, and make sure that you have a clear idea as to what you want to do in the military. You will also want to make sure that you understand that the military is not going to just up and give you what you want. What you end up doing will be what the military needs, and what you show the best potential for. You might think you want to be a medic for example, but end up being a sniper because that is what the military needs, and what you are better at. I wish you luck, thank you for your interest in serving and hope you have a prosperous career in the military.

Ask him what your chances are to go overseas, what the best MOS is to make stripes (combat arms, my answer), what the difference is in benefits between NG and Army and what the best MOS is to make Sergeant Major and retire (combat arms, my answer). In addition keep in mind that when you are in the Army, any MOS (even a cook or medic)is always a soldier. The US Army fights many despicable enemies now and in the future.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mastertanker,

I was looking to be an engineer so I can use my welding skills and also further my welding skills, I haven't done too much research about what an engineer is fully entitled to do though, but it seems like something that would fit me job wise. Can you guys also bring me up to speed on Military retirement benefits?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: American_92,

Retirement benefits in a nutshell is 20+ years active duty get you 50%+ of your base pay highest rank you had + 75% of medical bills + Commissary and PX privileges. There are 2 types of engineers in the Army 1. Combat engineers 2.Corps of engineers (ask your recruiter). I suggest you go into maintenance not engineers to learn welding (ask your recruiter).

Alright, ya I was looking at the combat engineer cause it says you can blow shit up and build stuff in the same job, but if I'd get more welding with maintenance I'll probably look into that. My National Guard recruiter is coming at 10 this morning so I'll update on how that went later.

You're right about combat engineers, they lay mines (and remove them) blow up stuff (and rebuild it), create obstacles (and remove them), grade roads, do civil military operations etc. etc. I learned how to make a Molotov cocktail from the combat engineers, a Rx I never forget: 70% gasoline, 20% engine oil, 10% liquid soap (dishwashing detergent) all shaken & packed in a thin wine bottle (not Champaign bottles, they are too strong and may not shatter) and as a whick use burlap (not ordinary cloth, it doesn't soak well enough). That's what they told us and demonstrated it right there on the spot on an old car wreck. You may wonder about the engine oil and soap, well, the Combat engineers said, the oil and soap makes the stuff 'ooze' into crevices and burn longer without puffing away fast, sort of like NAPALM. Makes sense doesn't it?

Hahahaha dude that's awesome and ya it does make sense the only thing I've ever gotten close to that sorta thing is getting like one of those home depot buckets the like 25 gallon ones or whatever size they are, and just pour a bunch of lighter fluid in there and then get a BUNCH of styrofoam and put it in the bucket with the lighter fluid let it sit over night covered and it forms this paste that you can cover stuff with and it'll burn for like 20-30 minutes

I knew you would like that.