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Any Enlisted Army Men Around?

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  1. SNG_ACE SNG_ACE is offline

    Houghton, MI
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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 7:53pm)

    As you may or may not know, poker has somewhat faded for me and I needed to take a new route through life and have come to a decision. Assuming my clearance is...cleared, im off to be an Army boy in just about one month. I figure this is a large community so there might be some people out there who have experienced this, so my question is...

    Could you give a fully detailed description of what U.S. Army basic training is like? All the good things, bad things, etc... I appreciate the help.

    -Ace
  2. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 7:55pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    Have you ever seen Full Metal Jacket?
  3. SNG_ACE SNG_ACE is offline

    Houghton, MI
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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 7:56pm) in reply to jtown1010

    Have never seen it, i've clearly missed out on life :)
    Thread Starter
  4. Lenny Lenny is offline lail henny!

    Nashville, TN
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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 7:56pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    Sorry, couldn't resist. In all seriousness, good luck with your choice and I hope it is nothing but a postive experience for you in your life.

    I know we have a number of people who have served besides everyone's favorite soldier Gomer... I mean BiggunX, so hopefully you will get some good feedback.
  5. Octan3_ipwnsippin Octan3_ipwnsippin is offline

    Winnipeg
    Canada

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:01pm) in reply to Lenny

    not to mention (atleast in canada) you can qualify for a full pension and retre by teh time your 45
  6. ComicFx ComicFx is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:02pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    Let me put u in touch with my buddy, he ran off to the army after his wife left him. He was 25 at the time, college degree, working on becoming a history teacher. Listening to him talk about it is sort of like imagining yourself living in a horror film. Maybe "Saw". Not pretty man, I myself am in the military (Air Force) I was even an instructor for new Officers for 2 years. Let me tell you, the military is, well, anal BS is the first thing that comes to mind. I have it good, don't get me wrong, just think it through man. There is a reason the Army retention rate is 0%. PM me if you are serious and want more info or random thoughts.

    CFX
  7. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:03pm) in reply to Octan3_ipwnsippin

    Yeah you only need 20 years to qualify for full benefits too.
  8. -AG- -AG- is offline

    Chesterfield, VA
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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:23pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    Is this just for "men" or can I chime in? I am currently in the US Army, have been for 11 years, been to Bosnia, Iraq and many other places, Im currently a Recruiter in Virginia and I would be happy to answer any questions you or anyone else has.

    Where will you be headed for Basic training? that will determine the "toughness" of it. They arent all the same regardless what you have heard.

    edit* and please check your facts the Army retention rate is quite high, as is the recruitment rate.

    April 11th USA Today "Through March 2006... the Army had attracted 31,369 new soldiers, compared with a goal of 30,300."
  9. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:32pm) in reply to -AG-

    Sorry AG, this post is only for men. Okay I kid I kid, I do believe the military has well above a 0% retention rate. I'm sure a recruiter's view would be appreciated in this thread.
  10. SNG_ACE SNG_ACE is offline

    Houghton, MI
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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:40pm) in reply to -AG-

    Well I will be going to what I believe is Fort Benning or something like that in Georgia, have any information specific to that?
    Thread Starter
  11. Seykota Seykota is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:41pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    i hope it's after the summer. Heat is brutal - my friend ended up with a heat stroke there
  12. -AG- -AG- is offline

    Chesterfield, VA
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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:41pm) in reply to jtown1010

    I appreciate that, I guess my military pride came through a bit strong huh? I just think its a great decision that Ace has made, and others should realize the commitment and sacrifice so many make to this great country, cause honestly all this "I support the troops" shit gets on my nerves, buying a magnet and bitching about Bush isnt support.

    Congrats again Ace
  13. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:42pm) in reply to Seykota

    GA has some dry ass heat, you get used to it though.
  14. randomfrost randomfrost is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:43pm) in reply to -AG-

    What is defined as "support for the troops" in your mind?
  15. SNG_ACE SNG_ACE is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:44pm) in reply to Seykota

    Actual training starts in late June, so im sure I will see plenty of summer, lol.
    Thread Starter
  16. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:47pm) in reply to randomfrost

    Free BJ's and free beer?
  17. -AG- -AG- is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:48pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    Well Fort Benning is about the very toughest, Im assuming you signed up for 11X, special forces, airborne etc... one of those, and you have OSUT which is one station training meaning there is no break or change between Basic and AIT (Advanced individual/skill training).

    Start preparing yourself now, Basic push ups/sit ups and running.
  18. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:53pm) in reply to -AG-

    I don't know about going from playing poker full time to special forces, they will drop you off in the middle of a swamp to fend for yourself. I know a general that was stationed there while a Col. and he told us about a training session in winter where they lost 1/4 of their troops in training.
  19. Seykota Seykota is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:57pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    gl, gl Ace. My friend turned out all right. He grew up a lot and was super buff after training. You will be fine.
  20. SNG_ACE SNG_ACE is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 8:57pm) in reply to jtown1010

    Actually im not doing special forces, im reserved for sat coms, glad to hear that it is very tough though :) lol.

    Also, for AIT im actually going to Gordon(still in Georgia), and I was under the assumption that OSUT is all one place(maybe im wrong)
    Thread Starter
  21. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:15pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    Gordon City baby, if you know what that means I probably know you.
  22. -AG- -AG- is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:16pm) in reply to randomfrost

    In my mind "support" is defined as serving, has served etc..... now I know not everyone is able bodied or elgible to serve and I understand that, however being a recruiter has somewhat clouded my opinion of most of this country. Every single day I encounter many people who either think "Im not cut out for the military" or "I done NEED to join the military" while these decisions arent wrong, they have been brought up to think, its ok for someone else to defend their rights for them, yet they feel the need to "bitch" without out having contributed anything. Those are the ones I have a problem with, the soccer mom with the "support the troops" ribbon who felt the need to tell me the other day "you damn soldiers need to quit getting yourselves killed and get a real job, and quit calling my damn house"

    While there are many who do sincerely support the troops, there are many that "play the role" I see it and hear it everyday. What Im saying is dont just say you support the troops actually do something to support them, send a care package to deployed soldiers, see if there is some type of support group to help those left behind, encourage young people to look at the military as a career, or just thank a soldier, airman, marine or (sorry dont know what the navy guys are called)

    edit* and buying me a drink is also a great idea =)
  23. ComicFx ComicFx is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:17pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    Sincerely god bless you both for serving, I mean no disrespect by my very unrealistic comment of 0% retention. I only know what my best friend from college tells me and what I hear based on my limited exposure to the extremily dedicated members of our Army. I truly wish that our goverment treated them better and that society really could understand the sacrifices they make. When I hear of the extended deployments to the sand box and see pictures of my friends dormatory back here in the states with bare plywood walls, I think its such a shame.

    My father served proudly in the Army during vietnam and I hope I did not come off as someone downgrading the sacrafice you both are willing to make for this great nation. Best of luck to you ACE, and thank you AG for serving!!!

    CFX
  24. BigGunX BigGunX is offline Mr OT Party

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:19pm) in reply to jtown1010

    Email me at Shawngun@yahoo.com if you have any questions. -AG- gave great advice (as she should, it's her job)

    If you want any more advice, I'd be happy to help ya.
     
  25. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:20pm) in reply to -AG-

    Next time you are in Ga I will buy you a drink
  26. randomfrost randomfrost is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:21pm) in reply to -AG-

    thank you, soldier. i'll gladly buy you a drink if i'm ever in Fairfax. I'm not even American :)
  27. -AG- -AG- is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:25pm) in reply to SNG_ACE

    Eeeeks you got screwed being sent to basic in Benning then, nah j/k... yes all signal MOS's are sent to Gordon, you will love it there. Its in Augusta Georgia and kinda lenient as far as AIT goes. You will have most weekends off and basically work out in the morning, class all afternoon, a few details (grass cutting, parking lot sweeping etc..) after class, weeknight evenings will probably have a curfew of about 11pm. I dont know all this for sure but I am also signal and that was my routine. and you can look up any base by using the name followed by .army.mil

    example www.gordon.army.mil
  28. rivrrmonkey rivrrmonkey is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:33pm) in reply to ComicFx

    SNG My husband served 4 yrs in the Army. He said that once you get on that bus after inproccesing that when they tell you to put your head down into your bag DO IT! Just do what they say and you will be fine. Also he said that you should practice running with a duffle bag if you can get your hands on one above your head. Not all Basic is the same but he said that his was more than Physical.
  29. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:35pm) in reply to BigGunX

    Just don't let BGX advise you into his hotel room and you'll be OK.
  30. drummy34 drummy34 is offline

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    May 10th, 2006 (5/10/2006 9:35pm) in reply to ComicFx

    I was in for a 2 year hitch, Stinger Missile guy. "If it flys it dies". 2 of the best years of my life as far as growing up and letting er rip. You can't go wrong with your decision. As far as basic goes, its all mind games. They try to fuck with your head all the time, the physical part wasn't that bad, and I was by no means a physical specimen. Just have to put up with it, and it gets easier towards the end. PM me if you have any specific questions, I'm half in the bag,lol.
    Good luck to you.

    Drummy
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