Daughter considering military - input please

[hornadylnl]

I had a GT score of 123 and decided to sign up for 11X. That is Infantry, undecided. I was told by my recruiter that I could pick from Bravo, Charlie, Hotel or Mike once I got in. Once there, I found out they chose Mike for me so I got to be Mechanized Infantry. I was also told that I could get Airborne school once I got out of basic. At the end of basic, I was told that they don't throw Bradleys out of airplanes so no Airborne for me.

I got sent to Germany right out of basic. Germany was great but the unit sucked. The overseas units are more political and cut throat. If I ever got to see some of the douche bags that made my life hell, I'm sure they'd get to find out what my fist tastes like. I spent 6 months in Bosnia and a total of 14 months in the field or deployed in my 2 years in Germany. I extended my 3 year contract 6 months so I could PCS stateside and get married. I spent a year in Ft. Carson and got out. Best decision I ever made.

I'm glad I served but just as glad I got out. You deal with jerks that make your life miserable whether in the military or the civilian world. But with the civilian world, if your boss is a jerk, you have the freedom of leaving. Just so you know that I'm not a a quitter every time the going gets tough, I've worked for the same company over 10 years right after getting out. You may get trapped with an absolute jerk for 2 or more years.

I never knew how good of a soldier I was until it came reenlistment time. I guess I was just a dirt bag until then. They offered me over 20 different jobs. I told them if they'd give me Germany and x-ray technician for 3 years, I'd sign. They wouldn't give me both so out I went. I thought about going EOD, which I could have gotten. They told me that I'd have an 80% chance of going to Korea right out of school. I called the Colorado Springs Bomb Squad and asked if EOD school would help me get a job with them and they said it would basically make no difference.

The people you serve with and under will make or break your career. In Germany, I served with people who would cut your throat to get ahead. At Ft. Carson, I worked in an S3 shop with a fine group of officers. I drove the Bn. Commanders hummer and he was an excellent guy to work for.

It all comes down to your daughters' personalities as well. Do they respond well to discipline? Myself, I hate being treated like a 2 year old because of other peoples actions. Because one person screws up, everyone is in trouble. That's fine for basic, but beyond that, you need to be treated like an adult.

Myself, I say go with Air Force.

[hornadylnl]

I cut out a comic from one of the girly magazines years ago that showed this poem on a bathroom stall.

I've blanked women from France,
I've blanked women from Spain,
I've even blanked women on the beaches of Maine,
But I'll never be happy or
I'll never be free until
I've blanked the Army
Like the Army blanked me.

[infantrylife]

Didnt see any dog. I got to D. Company on July 24 1996 at the young age of 17. Turned 18, 14 days later. I think it was my worst birthday ever!

[hornadylnl]

I just remember them having a Bulldog, I believe. I'm thinking it was the First Sergeants.

[philec39]

If your daughter has the grades, she might want to consider one of the military academies. She would get an excellent education, and on graduation as a junior officer (2nd Lieutenant)would probably have more responsibility given her than anywhere in civilian life. I spent twenty + enlisted years in the AF, retiring in 1979, and if they didn't think I was too old now (I'm not, of course) I'd be back in that blue uniform tomorrow. The duty assignments were good, most of the people I worked with were great, and the benefits better than I've seen in civilian life.

[ihateiraq]

the army doesnt make real soldiers anywhere besides Ft Benning. 11B1P

[2ADMNLOVER]

Originally Posted by ihateiraq

the army doesnt make real soldiers anywhere besides Ft Benning. 11B1P

Pay no attention to the grunts unless they're advising you on how to dig a fighting position or catching a bullet .

[ihateiraq]

you can go into a firefight w/ a quartermaster company if you want. someone w/ an infantry background will come secure your corpse, or snatch you back after youre a pow.

[jeremy]

Originally Posted by ihateiraq

you can go into a firefight w/ a quartermaster company if you want. someone w/ an infantry background will come secure your corpse, or snatch you back after youre a pow.

See there lies the problem, turtle. You believe the only people who are capable of doing bad things are 11B's. Yes they can do that, but so can the rest of the US Army. Some of the best I have been to Indian Country with have been the POG's I have been around. Less BS attitude. But, hey what do I know. I am not a turtle or a cherry...

[jerico616]

I have two boys and one girl, all age 5 or younger, so I have a while until this happens, but I have promised myself something every since I turned 18, I would support whatever decision my children make in regards to the military, so long as it is their decision to make!