The military thread

jlarlee

jlarlee

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I have seen a few people on here and figured we needed a thread. A forewarning don't say anything that can get you into trouble (security concerns etc) you never know who is watching. So come in say a little about yourself.

As for me Air Force SSgt. a bit over ten years in. I'm in Public affairs after retraining out of being a C-130 crew Chief. Stationed at AFNEWS in San Antonio but will be doing a year in Yongsan Korea Starting in Sept. Luckily only been deployed once to Iraq in 2004.
 
Hey Jlarlee, I'm going to be talking to an AF recruiter soon. I have a B.A., and have always wanted a federal Law Enforcement career. a person at in the Secret Service told me about the Air Force's OSI, which I wish to be able to apply for eventually. I would have to serve in a different field initially, so I was thinking security forces/force protection. Do you have any input?
 
Reality's Fringe;4643374 said:
Hey Jlarlee, I'm going to be talking to an AF recruiter soon. I have a B.A., and have always wanted a federal Law Enforcement career. a person at in the Secret Service told me about the Air Force's OSI, which I wish to be able to apply for eventually. I would have to serve in a different field initially, so I was thinking security forces/force protection. Do you have any input?
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If that is a 4 year degree you should come in as an officer and I believe you can go straight to OSI. Regardless come in as an officer. PM me with any questions and if your recruiter is being an ass go find another one
 
9+ year air force staff seargent here..I work in EWS/ECM on 184, 131 and 188 pods. My AFSC is 2A0X1D. Been to Shaw AFB, SC, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea, Edwards AFB, CA and am currently stationed at Nellis AFB, Nv (Las Vegas)...I separate in April of next year and can't wait to be a civilian again
 
Man its sad about the B-52 crash. I was at Barksdale for 6 years and knew a couple of those guys pretty well. Used to play basketball with them
 
Navy, MA3 in for 5 years and have 2 weeks left. Was stationed in Naples Italy and totally appreciated AFN, until I got my dsl and had other ways of getting american tv shows =)
 
I spent 4 long, long years in the Marine Corps as an Intelligence Specialist (I know oxy-moron, military intelligence...). I was stationed on both the West and East Coasts and Okinawa; as well as stints in Thailand and South Korea.
 
Well, I'm a federal non-military employee of the Dept. of Homeland Security, which I know is not even close to what you guys do. At any rate, I really appreciate what you all do, and am 100% behind you. Oh, and sorry that I have to make some of you take your boots/dogtags off when you fly out of the States.
 
I was very close to joining the Navy as a way to pay for medical school but failed the physical because of my history of exercise induced asthma (which is really mild but apparently I just missed the cutoff. I have a lot of respect for the military so thanks to all the military CAG's for your service.
 
So, they were really gung ho about making me a PJ when I went to the Air Force station...until they found out I can't swim for shit :(

Oh well. I'll probably be doing OTS then, but have not yet made a decision on which job. I just desperately want to get into the OSI.
 
I was in the Marines for four years as a LAAD Gunner. Now I'm finishing my degree and I might be going back in as an officer. Being stationed in Okinawa is what really jump-started my videogame collecting. So many import Saturn games, so cheap.
 
[quote name='xeverex18']Yokosuka Stationed IT3 quietly waiting for SC2 and FF13. Navy isnt that bad. Some people just get too pampered/[/quote]

So says the IT siting in the air conditioned building.....:roll:
 
I'm Civ. Nicolas Bouliane, enjoying my own little bubble where war is about pwning noobs and teabagging.

How is it to board a C-130? These things are pretty fascinating on pictures...
 
[quote name='N1c0_ds']I'm Civ. Nicolas Bouliane, enjoying my own little bubble where war is about pwning noobs and teabagging.

How is it to board a C-130? These things are pretty fascinating on pictures...[/QUOTE]

I spent my first three years as a crew chief on them. Hard as hell to work on. Never flew on one until I went to Baghdad in 04. They are so loud and they pitch around so much it is easy to get nauseous on them. Now the gunships I'd like to see one of those up close
 
In Coast Guard aviation and I work on C-130's and Fly various positions on them (we fix and fly unlike the other services). I know most people here considering joining a branch of the military have never considered USCG just because they don't get enough publicity. Hell the Army's advertising budget is bigger than our whole Aviation budget. If anyone wants to know anything about it just let me know, its one of the best aviation communities you can join.
 
[quote name='The Gifuto']I spent 4 long, long years in the Marine Corps as an Intelligence Specialist (I know oxy-moron, military intelligence...). I was stationed on both the West and East Coasts and Okinawa; as well as stints in Thailand and South Korea.[/quote]

If you don't mind me asking, but what did you do as a Intel Specialist, without saying anything that would get you in trouble. Everytime I considered joining up, that was always the field I was most interested in. Hell I'm still kinda consider joining up, I know I would hate basic and probably some parts of the lifestyle, but I know I probably enjoy it too.
 
considered joining the marines right out of high school...but i didnt, had the paperwork filled out and had to deal with some pestering..but it stopped, i want to be a NY state trooper , took the test, but the process takes awhile, so im trying to get my masters in forensic psych...i got alot of friends and family in the army, ive got nothing but respect here.
 
[quote name='Toireht']In Coast Guard aviation and I work on C-130's and Fly various positions on them (we fix and fly unlike the other services). I know most people here considering joining a branch of the military have never considered USCG just because they don't get enough publicity. Hell the Army's advertising budget is bigger than our whole Aviation budget. If anyone wants to know anything about it just let me know, its one of the best aviation communities you can join.[/QUOTE]
Every Coastie I have run into has been a cool ass mofo. IMO its between the CG and AF as to which is the best service

[quote name='Thongsy']If you don't mind me asking, but what did you do as a Intel Specialist, without saying anything that would get you in trouble. Everytime I considered joining up, that was always the field I was most interested in. Hell I'm still kinda consider joining up, I know I would hate basic and probably some parts of the lifestyle, but I know I probably enjoy it too.[/QUOTE]
I dunno man from what I hear it is a lot of time spent in dark windowless rooms that you can't talk about later
 
Joined the Army in Jan 2004 , 21B combat engineer. Deployed to Sadr City , Iraq in 2005 with 3rd ID. Currently on my 2nd tour which is a looonnnggg 15 months! Cant wait to get back stateside , for some beer , wifes home cooking , and some loving from the wife mmmmm mmmmm yummy. This tour im doing route clearance , so driving down the routes going about 5 mph an hour looking for the stuff that goes BOOM!!! I was Stop-Lossed for this tour , planned on getting out , but I might re-enlist , dont know yet. . . . .
 
It's taking an awfully long time to get my paperwork together. I can't really blame the guy I'm dealing with though since he's one person, and the Army Recruiting station is about 7 deep.

So far, it's Airforce OTS for Security Forces or MI, depending on what they tell me at MEPS. They're estimating my score to be around a 97 on the ASVAB, but I'm going to get one of those study books to see if I can't push it up a few more points (I have a tendency to complicate the math reasoning portion for no reason).
 
[quote name='Thongsy']If you don't mind me asking, but what did you do as a Intel Specialist, without saying anything that would get you in trouble. Everytime I considered joining up, that was always the field I was most interested in. Hell I'm still kinda consider joining up, I know I would hate basic and probably some parts of the lifestyle, but I know I probably enjoy it too.[/QUOTE]

For the most part, I researched information and compiled it into some sort of product (i.e. presentations, maps, reports, etc.). While I was in Okinawa I also helped with Anti-Terrorism (back before terrorism was hot on the streets; pre-9/11) and Counterintelligence-type presentations. Basically, if a high-ranking individual was going to another country, I researched the country (ATM scams, terror threats in the area, level of distain for Americans amongst the general populace, etc.) and made them aware of these events.

Although, now that I actually think about it, I also did more than my fair share of shit-work, cleaning toliets, moving gear, mowing lawns, standing endless hours of fucking watch, etc....

For me, Intel appealed the most because I figured I should try and do something that under normal circumstances I probably wouldn't have the chance to do (which I accomplished - SERE training, spi rigging, playing with C-4, throwing grenades until my arm was sore, etc). Plus, a line on the 'ol resume about having had a Top Secret clearance usually considerable draws interest during job interviews.

If you ever want to know more or are seriously considering it, feel free to ask.

Edit: And yes, jlarlee was 100% correct, I worked in a huge vault, no windows where the farts just linger.....
 
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Reality's Fringe;4673972]Bump because I'm excited and nervous said:
I think you'll be alright. The ASVAB was easy as hell, it should be no problem.

Also, paperwork always takes forever with the military. Afterall, it the fucking military, everything takes for-goddamn-ever. "Hurry up and wait" - may as well learn that lesson right now.
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Had my last day of work this morning! Just about to leave and the base career counselor calls and says I need to fill out a packet for my checkout, he made it sound like I'm fucked since my EAOS is next Friday. I run up to the admin building, only to find out most of the sheets I have to fill out, I've already done. =\
 
[quote name='ananag112']I am doing research for the US Army. Do I count?[/quote]


What kind of research?
 
[quote name='Magehart']What kind of research?[/QUOTE]

If I told you, I would have to kill you.

Seriously, I haven't even started yet. I just got the job. Its something to do with robotics though, but they couldn't tell me exactly what I would be working on.
 
I was in omaha today covering the veterans wheelchair olympics. God I don't know how anyone could not be inspired by it. One of the guys was in Quad Rugby (Made famous by the movie Murderball) he had no legs and just nubs for arms but he was piloting that wheelchair like barry sanders. He scored like 28 of his teams 36 points. To compensate for not being able to pick the ball off the ground he would trap it against the whell of his chair and let the wheel bring the ball to him. Dude had a totally positive attitude I couldn't even imagine how he got through everything

also if anybody wants to see some of my work a lot is collected here http://labs.daylife.com/journalist/staff_sgt._jeremy_larlee doesn't include my feature work for Airman magazine which can be found with a google search
 
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God, if I put in my OTS package, it might take me almost 9 months to just get there!

However, the more research I do, the more I'm liking WSO Navigator.

What to do?
 
[quote name='jlarlee']I dunno man you can always transition into OSI later[/QUOTE]

True, but I don't know if Navs can get out of their line of work so easily anymore. I hear the AF is hard up for them right now due to restructuring in training which combines WSO and EWO into a CSO.

If the board selection rates for non-tech officer OTS slots weren't so low, I'd put in my civillian package for OSI, Intel, or Security Forces in that order. I know that if I put in my package for a RATED slot (pilot, navigator, air battle manager), however , I'd get picked up REALLY quick. I guess I'm a little unsure, but time for me to decide is dwindling if I want to get my shit together before the next selection board.
 
[quote name='jlarlee']Flight pay is a nice benefit you will get from being a navigator[/QUOTE]

True, but if I'm not in the back of a Strike Eagle; what's the point? Rather not be in a bomber. Then again, getting wings and a flight suit without having to actually fly is a pretty sweet deal.
 
Well, I made my decision. I'm taking the AFOQT on weds. and will be putting in my package for Navigator (rated slot). If I don't get picked up...I wonder if I can transfer the package to the non-rated board.
 
[quote name='shibaraski']umm. Im in AFROTC. starting AS200 this august. gotta work hard for upcoming FT...SIGH
how hard is the FT?[/QUOTE]

I dunno for officers it was 40/40 situps and pushups and under 15:00 on the run for the enlisted in basic. Although that was 1996. They used to have a FT at Barksdale and it didn't look all that bad. I'm sure the AFROTC instructors will set you up well
 
Blah. my deployment cycle got bumped up over 3 months....sweet!!!!! leaving again in less than 2 months. pretty awesome since i got back last week.
 
Took the AFOQT today and realized how much harder it is to do arithmetic by hand under the pressure of a strict time limit.

also, rotated figures are hard...and the hidden figures....and the aviation information...

Actually, minus the verbal and science portion, the test was harder than I expected. Well played AF.
 
Former AF PAO myself, but saw the light on the other end of the tunnel and transformed into civi-mode, which only means I don't shave or starch press all my clothes!
 
Reality's Fringe;4706917 said:
Took the AFOQT today and realized how much harder it is to do arithmetic by hand under the pressure of a strict time limit.

also, rotated figures are hard...and the hidden figures....and the aviation information...

Actually, minus the verbal and science portion, the test was harder than I expected. Well played AF.
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Man the AFOQT was one of the hardest tests I ever took. Whatever you get, remember that your packet for the board is probably more important than your test itself.
 
[quote name='plasticbathmonki']Man the AFOQT was one of the hardest tests I ever took. Whatever you get, remember that your packet for the board is probably more important than your test itself.[/QUOTE]

That's what I hear. I know some guys who got 45 or less on their composites and they still got selected. I'm going to get LORs from a few friends in the military who, hopefully, can convince their base commanders to write it for them.

Just like the civilian world, it's all political.
 
[quote name='shibaraski']I thought AFOQT was pretty easy.
I just felt like rushing everything because the time limit was so short.[/QUOTE]

Well, the difficulty STEMS from the time limit. I screwed the arithmetic portion because I've used a calculator for so many years that I can't bang out division/multiplication by hand like I used to. Additionally, I'm REALLY sloppy with my notes, so I kept getting lost when I was doing the equations on my scrap paper. Couple that with the time limit and BAM; insta-fail. Also, I lost my place on the table reading for a couple of questions, and that section is, what, 3 minutes for 40 questions? Yeah, that was no good. I ended up not finishing that one, or the block counting for the same reason. :cry:

I got my scores back today, by the way. I was assured that my scores were not bad at all, and that even if they blew ass it's all about how your total "package" looks (I was told that my recruiter put through guys who got 20-40's across the board). My pilot composite was higher than my Nav composite which is more than likely due to how much I raped the instrument reading portion, and how shitty I did on the arithmetic.


I did get an almost perfect on my verbal composite though. Go, me?
 
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