I am considering joining the army, but everything the recruiters say sounds too good to be true. I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into, I just don't know were to go to get reliable, unbiased information about the army. Any tips on dealing with the recruiters and what kind of questions to ask I will appreciate. Also the contract that I will sign when I join, will it contain all of these "promises" that my recruiters have come up with. He has also said that my MOS is guaranteed, if for some reason I am unable to get into my MOS after joining, I will be retrained, if that doesn't work I will be given other job options, and finally, if all else fails, given an honorable discharge. Any feedback on wether or not this is entirely true? Thank you all.

Make sure your contract has the guarantees, or don't sign it. The part about the Honorable Discharge never happens. They just don't go "well, we don't have an MOS for you so we will give you a Honorable Discharge." If nothing else, they will make you a cook or infantry. There's never a glut of those. MAKE SURE YOUR MOS IS GUARANTEED. I've seen too many people end up as cooks, truck drivers etc.

Don't believe everything your recruiters are saying to you. (verify, before signing) Asking questions as you are here is a good start. These guy's have all been there, done that, and they know what it's all about.

Guaranteed MOS in the contract is the only way to go. Only thing negative about it, is that you may not pass the school for that MOS. Then and only then will you be retrained. Ain't no such clause (Honorable Discharge)concerning getting discharged. Only way to get out would be to get kicked out.

There's ONLY one way to obtain an HONORABLE DISCHARGE, serve your contractual time under Honorable conditions period.

Alright, that information definatly helps, thank you. Another thing that I was unsure of is how long I would have to sign up for. I've heard several different answers to this question. Any where from four to eight years, Which is a pretty big difference. Would the MOS play a big role in the length of the enlistment term? Under what circumstances would my enlistment be extended? What are the chances of that happening?

I just thought of another thing that I had heard. I read in the Washington Post that because enlistment rates are below what the army was hoping for, that the army is giving some recruits the rank of E2 just for joining. Is there any truth to this?

Time you have to sign up for depends on MOS school, rank advancement for MOS again depends on the MOS school, Just be wary of the promise's that they try to give you. My idea would be you taking a school that will help you on the outside should you decide not to make the army your career. Good luck partner

All good advice - and above all, READ the contract!! Make 'em wait, take your time. After you sign it, it will be the last time you will make the Army do anything!

A very good point.

As Thud stated above it is all good advice, but the final decision is gonna be yours to make, please be very careful and mindful when you make your decision. Also remember that our time in the services will be a hell of a lot different than it is now, for better or worse you need to be careful in what you choose to do. In the end it is up to you on what you choose to do with it. Good luck Davis20.