Posted on Feb 1, 2023
I am meeting with a recruiter this week to start the enlisting process, any advice?
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I am a 21 year old female, and will be first generation Army. It is what I have always wanted to do. I am pretty alone in this so I figured I would reach out here.
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Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
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Recruit Advice Career Advice Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Recruiter
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 17
Callista Waterbly, welcome to the military!
First, I would advise you to spend some time thinking about what YOU want out of the military. Most people spend more time thinking about their summer vacation than they do about major events in their life.
Is there something specific that you have in mind for joining the military? Maybe you want to do an initial enlistment for the GI Bill. Maybe you you have sense of duty and patriotism and have always wanted to be in the military. Maybe it is a combination of a different motivations.
None are wrong. They are personal to you. At this point you need to find out how to maximize your options to meet your goals.
There are MANY different bonuses (most (all?) enlistment bonuses are monetary*, but they can add up quickly) you might be eligible for based on your background, ASVAB scores, etc. Make sure you explore all of them and pick the one that will benefit you and your goals the most.
There are MANY different occupations in the military. While you won't absolutely be locked into one during your enlistment, if you have a strong desire for one over another, stick to your guns on getting it (unless it is shown to you as not being possible). If nobody has talked to you about different career options, head to https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs.html and check out options.
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* https://www.goarmy.com/benefits/while-you-serve/bonuses.html
First, I would advise you to spend some time thinking about what YOU want out of the military. Most people spend more time thinking about their summer vacation than they do about major events in their life.
Is there something specific that you have in mind for joining the military? Maybe you want to do an initial enlistment for the GI Bill. Maybe you you have sense of duty and patriotism and have always wanted to be in the military. Maybe it is a combination of a different motivations.
None are wrong. They are personal to you. At this point you need to find out how to maximize your options to meet your goals.
There are MANY different bonuses (most (all?) enlistment bonuses are monetary*, but they can add up quickly) you might be eligible for based on your background, ASVAB scores, etc. Make sure you explore all of them and pick the one that will benefit you and your goals the most.
There are MANY different occupations in the military. While you won't absolutely be locked into one during your enlistment, if you have a strong desire for one over another, stick to your guns on getting it (unless it is shown to you as not being possible). If nobody has talked to you about different career options, head to https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs.html and check out options.
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* https://www.goarmy.com/benefits/while-you-serve/bonuses.html
Your future starts here. Browse Army Reserve and Active Duty jobs to find an Army career that fits your skills and career goals.
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Callista Waterbly
Thank you. For me it is a sense of duty. I am willing and able to do my part to protect this country and it is what I have wanted since I can remember. Thank you for all of the information!
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Treat the recruiter like a sales person. THEY ARE!
Shop for a Military Occupational Speciality, (MOS), you qualify for and might enjoy. Military tests often identify potential skills that young persons are not aware of.
Do not accept promises by the recruiter until it is in writing! I was young and believed my recruiter that the Army would utilize my civilian skills, they did not, his assurances did not happen!
Shop for a Military Occupational Speciality, (MOS), you qualify for and might enjoy. Military tests often identify potential skills that young persons are not aware of.
Do not accept promises by the recruiter until it is in writing! I was young and believed my recruiter that the Army would utilize my civilian skills, they did not, his assurances did not happen!
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COL Randall C.
You might want to consider a 27D* than as well (although being a military working dog handler sounds more interesting!)
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* https://www.liveabout.com/27d-paralegal-specialist-3345993
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* https://www.liveabout.com/27d-paralegal-specialist-3345993
What It Takes to Become a Paralegal Specialist (27D)
A Paralegal Specialist is an integral part of the Army's legal system. They assist judges, Army lawyers and unit commanders with legal matters.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
COL Randall C. - 31K is a small MOS, hard to get a school seat and small MOS means slow promotions once you hit E-5.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
I just want to re-emphasize CSM Charles Hayden 's last paragraph. If it ain't it writing it ain't gonna happen. Even if it *is* in writing double check for those pesky "ifs" and "mays" because those give the Army wiggle room to back out.
I enlisted under a program that gave bonuses to people for helping get their friends in. The deal was if you got someone else to enlist during your DEP (delayed entry program) time, you got a "finder's fee." The rule was that they had to go to MEPS and sign their initial contract prior to your ship date for basic. I got a guy. My recruiter delayed his trip to MEPS until the day after I shipped so that they didn't have to pay me the bonus. He WANTED to go a week earlier, but recruiter had "scheduling conflicts" for an entire week.
In the grand scheme of things, that $150 made no difference in my life. As you can tell, I went on to a full career. But it is just an example of when something LOOKS guaranteed, but isn't.
I enlisted under a program that gave bonuses to people for helping get their friends in. The deal was if you got someone else to enlist during your DEP (delayed entry program) time, you got a "finder's fee." The rule was that they had to go to MEPS and sign their initial contract prior to your ship date for basic. I got a guy. My recruiter delayed his trip to MEPS until the day after I shipped so that they didn't have to pay me the bonus. He WANTED to go a week earlier, but recruiter had "scheduling conflicts" for an entire week.
In the grand scheme of things, that $150 made no difference in my life. As you can tell, I went on to a full career. But it is just an example of when something LOOKS guaranteed, but isn't.
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If you have one specific job you want to do (and only that job) and you qualify for it, then stick to your guns until you get it, as some jobs aren't available at certain times. However, always have a back up plan for a job skill in case the one you want will never open during your self directed time frame of events. Have 2 or 3 jobs selected as options. Be flexible....to a certain extent. Do not get roped into doing something you're not interested in.
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