Posted on 06/23/2006 1:43:18 PM PDT by tlj18
Hello all,
As some of you may know/recall, I have discussed joining the military, specifically the Active Duty forces of the United States Army. When I initially spoke of joining, many here suggested I join Wal-Mart instead. One person pleaded with me not to join.
But I pursued my goal, and today I am a soldier.
I was kind of worried about the ASVAB, if I would qualify for the job I wanted (96B, intelligence analyst). My concerns were totally unfounded. I got a "total" score (or AFQT) of 99, which is the maximum possible score, although I did hear some people say that the absolutely highest you can get is 104, which is apparently if you get every single question right on all ten tests. All of the ten line scores were in the 120's and 130's; you are ASVAB-qualified for everything if you get at least a 110 in each line score. So I was very happy about that!
Yesterday, the main event was the physical, which I was very nervous about. Why? Mainly because of getting some blood drawn. I hate all things medical, especially needles. Although I actually prefer needles to pills. And I can tell you right now the biggest thing I am nervous and apprehensive about in Basic Combat Training is the plethora of injections I'll get (and I've been warned that they will be painful, especially the one in the butt). Others at MEPS said that many people get sick for a day or two as a result of the strange new chemicals in your bloodstream.
Well, from 0600 to 1200 I passed the physical. I was then sent to lunch (that's what happened for the entire two days; being sent from place to place, and I didn't mind it at all). Just as I was getting to the front of the lunch line (waited about 30 minutes), I got pulled out of the line (which happened several times; I was pulled out of the line to get my blood drawn, to my great pleasure!). He told me that I hadn't had my blood drawn or give an urine sample. Well, I immediately went to have the blood drawn, by a very friendly lady. She even said she'd go easy on me :-) It wasn't too bad. It helped that I didn't see any foot-long needles that looked like barbaric murder weapons. I don't mind the pain, pain doesn't really bother me, it's just the medical environment. I can't stand biology.
Well, I got back down to the Army liasion office, and was told to wait, from 1230 to about 1420 (it was my first significant wait at MEPS). I was finally called in. I knew it would be momentous. I would soon be in the military. It was finally going to happen!
Well, the only training spot for the job I wanted was for a ship date of July 10th. I said that was too early, I wanted to wait until August or September. The career counselor didn't really like my explanation (I want to get in good shape first). But that was the only training available for the job (96B, intelligence analyst). So then he briefly looked at 96D (imagery analyst), but I don't qualify because of my eyes (only category with a 2). Then we looked at 98Y (signals collector/analyst).
That's the job I took. I want to do military intelligence, and that will get me started in the field, at the very least. The description on the Army website looks kind of cool. Then I went for the security interview, but no questions were asked, basically, because of my clean history. Then I was told to wait somewhere for my contract to be written up. I waited for about an hour and a half. People were complaining on and on about having to wait. I didn't mind at all. At about 1610, a young woman came in to call the people waiting to take the Oath. She then asked what I was waiting for, and I told her I was waiting for my contract to be written up. Her response was, like, "Huh?" I then was whisked away to the other side of the building to have it written up, who gets my money if I get killed, etc.
Then we did the fingerprints and the info was sent to the FBI for processing. Then I was commanded to literally run to the other side of the building to the Army liaision for more paperwork, leaping over the leg of an E-7 (I think) in the process. Man, if I had ran into him...hehe. That really would not look good. I was minutes away from becoming a soldier, and if I had knocked down a Sergeant to the floor...
Well, I then ran to the other side (it felt good to run!), and then went into a room where the oath of enlistment was explained. Including certain aspects of the UCMJ, such as if you desert in time of war (like now, I guess), you may be executed. We then went into another room, had the oath explained to us (including that you didn't have to say "God" if that word offends you :-) ), and then a Navy Lieutenant came to perform the ceremony. Everyone said "God" as far as I could hear.
I then got my bag, signed some more stuff, got my photo ID (I am now a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, until July 27, when I become Active Duty), and then left. I left some stuff out, but this is getting too long.
I'll be starting as Private First Class (E-3). I'm having BCT at Fort Jackson (the easiest BCT location, as I understand it), then AIT in Pensacola at a Naval base for 23 weeks, for a total of 32 weeks of IET. At least I won't have to woory about being cold! I really don't like being cold. Now I don't have to worry about that! It will be quite warm in August at Fort Jackson, I'm sure!
I hope I'm not wasting bandwidth by posting this.
Questions: Does anyone know anything other than the official descriptions of 98Y? It's a brand-new MOS.
Also, does anyone have any info on what the place is like at Pensacola? There was lots and lots of info on Huachuca, AZ, but very little for Pensacola.
Thanks for your time!
Good luck, God bless you and thank you for serving.
Be sure to keep posting.
Good luck to you. I have a feeling you're about to go through one of the most interesting times of your life.
Thanks (in advance) for your service.
BTW, how old are you?
"But I pursued my goal, and today I am a soldier."
Welcome aboard young man. You have joined America's senior service, 231 years old this past June 14th. Our Army has a long, proud history of accomplishment. You will do your part to add to that history and make yourself and us proud.
God bless you, be a good soldier and thank you for your service to America!
"When I initially spoke of joining, many here suggested I join Wal-Mart instead. One person pleaded with me not to join."
I find that very hard to believe.
Anyway, God speed. Keep your head down, your mouth shut and always obey the drill. That should minimize the push ups for you!
Congratulations on your ASVAB score, and thank you for defending our freedom! Best of luck!
GOOD FOR YOU!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE FOR OUR COUNTRY.
Good luck in there.
I find that difficult to believe as well, but one never knows. In any case, good luck. It won't be fun and roses, but it will be perhaps the most important period of your life. It is your oyster to open.
Pensacola - beachfront property in the panhandle. Hot and humid, very mild winters. Great nightlife in town.
Thank you for taking the torch of freedom from me and your other predecessors to defend all your fellow Americans. You won't regret this.
As far as more info about that specialty, I suggest you get on to the FReeper Foxhole, FR Finest, and FR Canteen daily threads and ask there a few times. They'll have the best connections for you.
Thanks for the story and THANK YOU for serving our country. Best of luck to you!
I've got no information or advice that you are requesting, but ((((here's a big mama bear hug for you)))). I'm VERY proud of you and the excellent scores you received! Well done!
Just a guess....:)
Great job.
I'm proud of you!
God bless you, tlj18! Keep in touch with us and let us know how you're doing and know that you're in our daily prayers.
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