How can I get the most out of my Army Contract?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 08:24:55 -0400

So I’m going to be signing my contract soon and I want to try to get the most out of it as I can, my main incentives for the army are education and experience, with pay/bonuses as a third. I’ve narrowed down everything I want, so what is possible to get?
CLRP
College fund
Enlistment bonus
Guaranteed first duty assignment
Quick ship bonus
Airborne school

Response by SSG Lyle O'Rorke made Sep 18 at 2018 8:27 AM

SSG Lyle O'Rorke — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 08:27:30 -0400

Personally if I could do it again. I would try to go for airborne with oconus first assignment, if possible to try to get Italy. The rest come with it

Response by CW3 Michael Bodnar made Sep 18 at 2018 10:03 AM

CW3 Michael Bodnar — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 10:03:37 -0400

Austyn.....it truly depends on what you want out of life in general. I chose the Marines out of high school because I wanted to be apart of the best (my opinion). I had no idea where it would lead but here I am 25 years later. Most people that join the military say they'll do 20 years and then retire not knowing the intricacies of the military and everything that goes with it. My advice to you is think about what you want down the road (long term plan) and use the military as a vehicle to get you there. Everything I have today is because of the military and I owe it a lot.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 18 at 2018 11:02 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:02:46 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member Do you have any desire to be an outstanding, exemplary Soldier and/or a leader? Those are what is the Army wants to get out of it’s enlistees!

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Sep 18 at 2018 11:22 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:22:27 -0400

Would you still join the Army if all you got was the the education? I joined the Marines to be a Marine. I looked at everything else as a bonus. Remember, there is a lot to offer a person going in, but what are you going to offer to the Army?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2018 11:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:35:14 -0400

You cannot get both CLRP and GI BILL. It’s one or the other. Enlistment bonus and quick ship are possible but until you take ASVAB and see what jobs are available with Recruiter you won’t know if you’re going to get one. Airborne is possible as well and again you have to pick your job with Recruiter if it’s available you can select it. Understand you must pass Airborne physical at MEPS though. Guaranteed first assignment, nope not even a slight chance.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 18 at 2018 11:40 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:40:57 -0400

OK- busting your bubble-1. Its above serving the Nation, not your self. 2. Depending on the unit you get assigned to, education may have to wait till you get out, and we have college funds that you cab save money in. 3. What the Hell do you have to offer the Army to get a bonus? 4. Guaranteed 1st assignment?- only if you pass OSUT, otherwise you go were they send you. 4. Quick Ship?? what ever. 5. Airborne- only for the exceptional, and my troopers never put themselves 1st , the mission, their buddies, near the bottom of the lkiost themselves.

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made Sep 18 at 2018 11:45 AM

MAJ Samuel Weber — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:45:59 -0400

What are you offering the Army? A high School Education and trainability? You may be getting a little ahead of yourself, I’d suggest seeing what your plan is after the Army. Do you intend on going to college? Do you want to learn a trade? Or do you simply want experience working in a team and gain some leadership skills. This isn’t a Christmas list, you shouldn’t be asking for the whole kit and caboodle! Remember, when the Army gives a lot it will expect a lot. Can you deliver?

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Sep 18 at 2018 11:49 AM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:49:19 -0400

You can try to get those things but none are guaranteed. I joined for college loan repayment and plan of only staying four years. It's 14 years later...I did not get to choose my first duty assignment. I did get to reenlist for duty station of choice twice. I got two bonuses as well.

In fact my first duty station was Fort Lewis - to 2CR. I was there for two weeks and the S2 tells me "We are going to switch you with a SSG at this other unit." I was a SPC. A month later I was in 14th EN BN (now 14th BDE EN BN). I spent 4 1/2 years with them and deployed twice.

You can probably get Airborne. Some people do.

If you want the Army to give you anything, you need to give them something too. You can't just waltz in and expect bonuses and all this stuff.

College Loan Repayment you can try to get but I only got it because they were offering it as part of a pilot program that they don't appear to do anymore.

I recommend to all soldiers to get their education while they are in. Use that Tuition Assistance. That's why it's there. If you can fit it in do it.

What "experience" do you want?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2018 11:56 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:56:24 -0400

Austyn, what do you have to offer the Army? the Army will also expect a lot from you in return, so be prepared to give maximum effort at all times. What do you want to do long term? Do you want to retire from the military? Be a planner, and be ready to adjust your plan as needed.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 18 at 2018 12:24 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 12:24:21 -0400

While I get what you are looking to do - I'd hate for you to sign up for some MOS that you're going to hate just for the money. As such I think the thing to consider in getting the most out of your contract or military service for that matter is to consider your 5-10-20 year goals. What do you want to be doing while you're in the military as well how will your military service help you after your military career - how is your contract going to impact those goals. Some may help some may actually send you down a rabbit hole.

While the military offers a lot of eye candy to encourage people to sign up for certain seats just don't do anything that may derail your overall reasoning for serving in the military in the first place.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2018 12:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 12:25:44 -0400

You're going to get whatever they have to offer, and it's probably not going to be all of those things. Airborne should be easy, though - as long as you're picking Infantry.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Sep 18 at 2018 1:15 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:15:37 -0400

Take Airborne school. May lead you to Ranger BN or the 82nd. Both highly motivated units doing great things in the world.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 18 at 2018 3:09 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:09:24 -0400

While I applaud all who serve I will say you will have to give! There is nothing wrong with setting objectives, and having high expectations. The military is based on Service (that is to country). If it is about pay you may be signing up for the wrong Team. While you can make a good living, there are many sacrifices that go along with the benefits. I highly recommend you seek a mentor that you can speak with who can put put this all into perspective for you.