Anyone here an officer?

[Edmond]

I was thinking about OCS. What does it entail?

It's really the first time I've considered the military. We have a couple of guys at the office who have been in there, most notably the Sgt. Major from the Army. There's just "something" about that guy and I think he got that something from the Army.

If I decided to join the military, it would definitely be OCS. I would not want to go enlisted.

[65-to-00]

Post some details. What qualifies you for OCS?

Before you sign any contract look at what the job catagories are and what is available. Do not rely on "scuttlebut" and hearsay from friends. They may be happy in their MOS and that is very tempting. Find the spot that is just right for you and don't rely on the recuruiter to give you all of the details. Shop services, don't just target on one.

[Low drag - High speed]

I can help you be and officer. I'm the Public Affairs Officer for Army ROTC and JROTC in 31 states. If you have prior service or are currently serving in any part of the Army (AD/Reserves/Guard), you can get a two-year or four year college scholarship, complete your degree and the ROTC training and be commissioned an officer.

If you don't have prior or current service, you can get a four-year scholarship and start out as an officer when you finish it.

Even if you're on duty now, ROTC has an option for you to become an officer.

That's my pitch ... now let's get back to important matters ... 'VETTES!

[catbert]

I went from civilian to OCS to officer to active duty to reserves to retired LTC, and I'd do it again. That said, it's a life changing experiece that should be considered carefully, and not done as a way to burn a couple years and have a "military fling." Consider carefully what you expect to contribute, and what you want to gain from the experience. Also consider your ability to take crap from anybody about anything during training - it's for a reason.

Do not take this step lightly. It can be the best or worst decision of you life.

[Bioscache2]

I've been an officer for a month but I've been in the military for 4 years and let me tell you the comraderie is like nothing else. That being said, getting real info from people in where you are thinking of going is crucial. While some are very good, some recruiters are less then honest in their attempt to bring people on so talk to those in. Which branch and job are you looking at? Also I assume you know this and are good, but incase not, OCS requires that you have a college degree already.

[catbert]

I've been an officer for a month but I've been in the military for 4 years and let me tell you the comraderie is like nothing else. That being said, getting real info from people in where you are thinking of going is crucial. While some are very good, some recruiters are less then honest in their attempt to bring people on so talk to those in. Which branch and job are you looking at? Also I assume you know this and are good, but incase not, OCS requires that you have a college degree already.

Good point about recruiters - they have never been officers, not have they been to officer training. BTW, the quote on the bottom of your message is brilliant.

[SPANISHVETTS]

I've been an officer for a month but I've been in the military for 4 years and let me tell you the comraderie is like nothing else. That being said, getting real info from people in where you are thinking of going is crucial. While some are very good, some recruiters are less then honest in their attempt to bring people on so talk to those in. Which branch and job are you looking at? Also I assume you know this and are good, but incase not, OCS requires that you have a college degree already. Ryan,
I was in Morocco on the day of your commissioning and missed congratulating you.
Welcome into the Officer’s Corps; SIR!:pat

Edmond is over qualified for OCS. He has the college degree and job experience required to be fast-tracked into a Military Police MOS in any branch of the service. His biggest problems will come from his over qualification and experience. Many of his instructors will not have his real-life experience and will subconsciously discriminate against him out of petty jealously. I know this to be true from my flight training so many years ago. I guess that it is just a part of human nature.:ugh

[Edmond]

I don't know if I'll ever be overqualified for anything. :L

I do have about 4 years of private investigation/security/training experience. I am an NRA certified pistol instructor as well as having completed the Lethal Force Institutes' Advanced Handgun Skills (1500 rounds in 2 days through my Sig Sauer P229 .40 S&W :D).

Oh yeah, I do have Bachelor Degree's in Criminal Justice and Psychology.

[hardcoresoldier]

personally, i'd like to know what you have against the enlisted

[Edmond]

personally, i'd like to know what you have against the enlisted

Are you talking to me?:confused

If I could go as an officer, why would I go enlisted? I don't know what makes you think I have something against the enlisted.

If I'm going to be government property, I would like to get paid as much for it as possible (not that this is solely based on money because I doubt the government could pay more than the private sector in almost any field of work).

[hardcoresoldier]

it just sounded like you had something against the enlisted. true, they dont get paid much, but they are the ones who accomplish the mission. monsy isnt everything....i took a 75% pay cut when i joined.

[Chief]

Amen to Hard Core Soldier. My Colonel used to tell me the difference between us was he received his degree before he came in, (We both have MBAs from big schools). That said, Officers do get paid more, but there is something to be said for making a personal input into young peoples lives. An Officer doesn't always have that opportunity. The enlisted folks will remember the Top or the Chief longer than the Captain or Colonel. After 6 years I'm still getting invitations to retirement ceremonies. For a long time there will be a lot of "Chief" stories. To me, that made up for the lack of compensation.

[Bioscache2]

Ryan,
I was in Morocco on the day of your commissioning and missed congratulating you.
Welcome into the Officer’s Corps; SIR!:pat


Thanks, let me tell you; it feels good, real good.

Edmond, sounds like you'll be great for OCS then. Do you know which branch and MOS (specialty) you would want to go into?

As for the officer vs enlisted discussion, it just depends on what you want to do in the military as the two have very distinct paths in the military. Regardless both are essential to the military.

[SPANISHVETTS]

it just sounded like you had something against the enlisted. true, they dont get paid much, but they are the ones who accomplish the mission. monsy isnt everything....i took a 75% pay cut when i joined.
The military runs on the NCOs. Any junior officer who thinks differently will have a short lived career.

The military is not that much different from industry. There are 2 entry levels, labor and management. Entry at either level does not guarantee success nor does it cast you into a job for the rest of your career.

Unlike most industry the military loves to promote from within. All branches of the US military encourage advanced education – you can even work on college credits while down-range.
I have several friends who enlisted right out of HS, got their under graduate degree while on active duty, got Uncle Sam to pay for their medical school or law school and are now Doctors & Lawyers. (O-4 or above) They will all retire young with great job experience and references and a monthly check.

I was in military school by the time I was 16. Having no money for college I enlisted in a program that put me on active duty, sent me to basic training, and then to college with only a bit more military duty than somebody in the Reserves or ROTC. My tuition was paid, I dressed like a frog for my summer job and I got a monthly check. The only negative was that I had to wear a wig to the Jimmy Hendrix concert. :eyerole;)
After graduation I was commissioned like the ROTC people but with 4 years prior service I was in a higher pay grade and fast-tracked to 1Lt in less than 6 months. :D


2006 US military pay rates (http://www.dod.mil/dfas/militarypay/newinformation/WebPayTableVersion2006updated.pdf)

[76Eldo]

I was thinking about OCS. What does it entail?

It's really the first time I've considered the military. We have a couple of guys at the office who have been in there, most notably the Sgt. Major from the Army. There's just "something" about that guy and I think he got that something from the Army.

If I decided to join the military, it would definitely be OCS. I would not want to go enlisted.

As a point of information, that SGM you refered to is enlisted, not officer. And with no malice toward any officer, he has had more usefull experience than most any group of 5 officers you can find. The military needs both, and they serve different functions.

[jlancemiller]

In general, OCS is used as a screening process for officers of all branches.

Too much to cover in a forum such as this - but you have taken one of the right steps - asking those who have been there for what to expect. What follows is what popped into my mind as I read your question - certainly not all encompassing.

Failure to be in shape upon arrival will not go unnoticed - by your instructors or your peers who will be obligated to remark on your every shortcoming just as you will thiers.

Qualifiying to go is not the same as proving you are qualified to graduate.

Take this opportunity to establish right now firmly in your mind the importance of both the Officer and enlisted roles. Good leaders are needed for both. Always treat your airmen, solders, sailors and enlisted Marines properly, with dignity and respect, chances are pretty good they will be the ones who risk personal harm to drag your carcass back to the rear so your parents will have something to bury besides an empty box. Like you, they too will have sworn to give thier lives for thier country and deserve the respect a honorable act like this rates.

All that said, I personally have no experience with OCS. I was commissioned directly from E6 to W1, then again from W3 to O3. I enlisted, went to boot camp, was a Marine Corps Drill Instructor, a Marine Corps Warrant Officer and declined promotion to Major to retire. There are many paths to follow. It was the right decision for me, but not for everyone.

Good luck to you,
Lance

[65-to-00]

Having been given bad advice from family members and the recruiter, you will probably be happier as an officer. Times change and I have no clue what things are like today, but I have had this "chat" with two of the younger guys that I worked with and they are doing quite well.

Put simply the life (at least from the outside looking in ;) ), will probably be better. The worst month of my life in the Navy was reporting for my training and getting assigned to "ketchup cap detail". For each meal the cap on each damned bottle had to be washed and dried and replaced ... I was given a little cart specially built for the task ... I forget the MIL-SPEC number of it but I'm getting old.

"They" had private rooms with air conditioning. I had a barracks with with sixty other guys.

"They" were able to ship a car to their duty station overseas. We had only enough money to chip in and purchase an old VW (sans clutch and wipers).

"They" never had to mop and polish floors for a month when they reported for duty .... clean toilets and showers ... etc.

"They" never had to stand watch out in the heat, cold, rain and wind.

I'd go over on one of the police forums and see if there is any advantage to officer versus enlisted. If you are going to stay in the private sector then it's moot, but if you want a government (local, federal or state), job later, it may make a huge difference particularly with federal service.

Google up Officer.com and Policeforums ... lots of good guys with lots of answers.

[SPANISHVETTS]

"They" had private rooms with air conditioning. I had a barracks with with sixty other guys.

"They" were able to ship a car to their duty station overseas. We had only enough money to chip in and purchase an old VW (sans clutch and wipers).

"They" never had to mop and polish floors for a month when they reported for duty .... clean toilets and showers ... etc.

"They" never had to stand watch out in the heat, cold, rain and wind.

A lot depends on which branch of the service you are in. When I was a Company grade Officer in the Marine Corps I shared a room with NO AC and 6 of us shared the shower and kitchenette. Across the street at the Air Farce base E-5s had private rooms and the junior Officers lived in apartments with private baths, kitchens and sitting rooms.

On the flip side of the coin it took my brother (F-105 jock with 2 Nam tours) 5 years to make O3 in the AF. I reached the same rank in the Corps in less than 3 years. I also got more flying hours per month than he did in 6 months.

As a Field grade Officer in the Corps I was required to stand formations, do PT with the troops, qualify at the range with every weapon assigned to me on a regular basis, etc., etc. I have known many Officers and NCOs in other branches that never marched or fired a weapon after basic. They did not get to participate in some good training exercises either – like a 30 mile forced march with full gear. (After jumping out of a perfectly good airplane into a mosquito infested swamp.):eyerole

[Tritium007]

Edmund,

You have gotten some excellent advice from previous posts and if you don't mind, I'll drop my $0.02 in. Consider the follwing:
1. IMHO, regardless of whether you are enlisted or officer, the military is the most intense and challenging occupational path one may take. Volunteering obligates you to both learn from and contribute to the mission, WHATEVER it may entail. Your attitude and perception will determine your success. A military career is a proving ground for one's inner self. You will be pushed, driven, and tested physically and mentally everyday. It is a life of balance between sacrifice and reward. If you allow it, and sometimes it happens anyway, you will grow personally and professionally. All of this can also apply to a civilian life, but many choose not to approach their life in this manner and still, for whatever reason, others cannot. I believe the difference is the "higher purpose" one serves, similar to people that persue lives in religeous positions. The 'higher purpose" in the military is the service to your country.
2. Here's the strange part: Rent every war movie and read every book you can find. Imagine yourself in those same situations and make an honest assessment of youself. Observe both the leadership and cowardice demonstrated by the characters. Draw wisdom from the lessons. See how the occupational specialty becomes secondary to the internal qualities of a man. The military is the world's greatest vocational training program and the training you receive will allow you to be a master at the fundamentals of your trade. What is harder to teach and learn is the leadership and management necessary to succeed. The goal is to develop a leadership style that is both comfortable and instinctive while becoming an example in your trade.

I hope this isn't too heavy a post. I've been accused of going off the deep end every now and again, but I'm generally a value driven person and I have deep, intense feelings about military service. As said earlier, it can be the best or worst decision anyone can make. You are truly choosing a lifestyle that will be governed by several factors that are very different than most folks are used to dealing with, including it's justice system for one. Good luck, you are going about this the right way by obtaining information and collecting opinions.

Mike :pat

[Ghost]

As a point of information, that SGM you refered to is enlisted, not officer. And with no malice toward any officer, he has had more usefull experience than most any group of 5 officers you can find. The military needs both, and they serve different functions.

True words. During my 6 yr stint as AF enlisted I was fortunate to work with all branches and ranks of the service. I encountered a few excellent officers, a few incompetent jerks (Uncle tries to weed them out but some still manage to hang on) and many outstanding senior enlisted folks. Some leaders are born, but many are honed and formed through the military process. I'm sure it depends on the individual. Great leaders truly care about the people they work with. Edmund, I'm sure it's this leadership quality coming through on your co-worker that you are seeing. Yes, officers make more money. However, I know enlisted people who have master's degrees and are happy at what they do. You get out of it what you put into it. However, if you do this, your life will change as you know it. The military allowed me to do things I would never have done had I remained a civilian.

I credit the military for preparing me for life and a career in law enforcment. I always say the military made me who I am today. Today I'm an assistant chief of police and shooting for a chief's job.

Good luck to you with your decision.

[76Eldo]

Tririum007 and Ghost have both made excelent points Edmund. IMHO, some of the most important skills you will aquire are the interpersonal skills that any leader, enlisted or officer, needs to bring a group together to complete a job successfully, and to be able to take direction as part of that successfull effort.

I probably stayed in too long, but I was reluctant to give up the sense of belonging to a team, with everyone in the team dedicated to helping the rest of the team any way they could. I've never found that sense of mutuall support anywhere else.

[Edmond]

An update:

I talked to an Army recruiter who was at a street festival. He asked me if I had student loans, if I had my degree yet, etc...

He said that if I wanted to go to OCS, I'd be guaranteed because of the degree's and because they're short of officers.

Then he said that I should go enlisted because I would qualify for student loan repayment. He said go enlisted, get paid as E4, do 2 years enlisted and then put in my packet for OCS.

Most of the military guys I've talked to since have told me that if I'm going in, go in OCS because the officers are better paid and better treated. They stopped short of calling me crazy because I have the opportunity to go directly to OCS.

I hope to talk to the Air Force soon. Even our own Sgt. Major and another Army man said that the AF offers opportunities that they wish they had in the Army. Don't know if they were exaggerating or what. But if the Sgt. Major says it, I'll tend to believe him.

Speaking of him, that man doesn't seem to have any fear. 62 years old, going in room to room in an abandoned hotel on the west side of Chicago with me to clear all 1,000 rooms. :D On the way up there, he says to me, "You know, it's been a long time since I've prepared to go to war." And he didn't :D or :L when he said it!

[Tritium007]

Edmund,

A little story about the AF enlisted commissioning program. Although I was Navy, I spend a great deal of time on the AFB here as my wife works for the "Wing King". I recently was talking to someone who received their commission after getting their degree while enlisted on active duty. In her particular field, they are downsizing and they are forcing her out or she has the option to revert back to her enlisted rank. In today's force, there are no guarantees when it comes to planning a career. It all depends on the field that you are in and the military's need. Your particular field of security seems to be in high demand, but needs of the military change significantly over the course of twenty years. I'm not saying that you should base your decision to volunteer on what might happen in years to come, but you should be well aware of what is possible and always be prepared to go with the flow if a career is what you have in mind. The opportunity to serve will change your life even if you only get that oppotunity for a short time. PM me if you would like me to try and get you in touch with an officer in the Security Forces Squadron here. Can't promise anything, but my wife and I have very good contacts on the base.

Mike

[Pseudomind]

Being a retired Army enlisted, I will state this, there are pros's and con's of both, but for my $0.02, I say go straight OCS. I never had any degree's until after I retired, but if I would have had a degree while in, I would have went the Officer route.

Take note of this also, if you go OCS, and become an Officer, you may get into one of the war colleges later on, but in order to have a chance to advance you will need to obtain your Masters. And unlike the enlisted Field where one can stay for 20 years as long as you make the grade of E-6 and retire. The officer corps is not the same. I believe you have to make Lieutenant Colonel (05) in-order to stay twenty years or else resign you commission. You would get a separation pay for leaving, but no retirement. I am not sure if you could separate and then go into the reserves and obtain your retirement at 60 something. If you can do the reserves you would then retire at the pay of a Major or (04). Highest honorable held rank.

Doing two years as an enlisted would allow you to see the enlisted side and structure, but remember this during those two years you would not be advancing in your officer career, (you will start as a second lieutenant (01))you should be by then a First Lieutenant (02), maybe working towards Captain (03)

[SPANISHVETTS]

That recruiter smells fresh meat…run like hell! :eek You would be crazy to go Enlisted instead of OCS! Remember the only guy that can lie with a straight face better than a Cop is a Recruiter.:(

There is so much difference in the pay you could payoff 2 student loans with the difference. Base pay for 2006 E-4 < 2 years = $1662.90 compared to 0-1 < 2years =$2416.20 Housing allowance for an E-4 is $400 while an O-1 receives $509 per month.:duh

Also Officers that are brought up from the ranks are treated differently. Depending on the time served in the enlisted ranks you will be older than your superior officers by several years. The Military is like any other business i.e., appearances are important. A 35+ year old Lt. looks like a guy without much on the ball. I know several men who were great Officers but never got past O-3 or O-4 because they were commissioned from the ranks late in their career. As a matter of fact a friend of mine who spent 8 years Enlisted and made it up to E-8 before he was Commissioned was just promoted to O-4 last week he will have been an officer for 14 years when he pins on his Oak leaf.:hb

Another thing to remember is that E-4’s can still pull KP, Fire Watch and a host of other unpleasant duties. It breaks my heart to see a University graduate pealing potatoes.:eyerole;LOL:rotfl

[Mac]

Remember the only guy that can lie with a straight face better than a Cop is a Recruiter.:(
I resemble that remark!! I can tell the truth with a straight face too!! :L

-Mac

[65-to-00]

They use to have a term for guys who went "O" after enlisted service; they were called "Mustangs".

The bad news was that you were looked upon as the "bastard son" in the officer corps.

The good news was that a friend did make the retirement service time as a Major, having spent two years AF and four in the Army as enlisted before taking a commission.

Things change however.

[Low drag - High speed]

That recruiter just saw you as a punch on his quota ticket. He doesn't get any credit for recruiting officers ... Recruiting Command and Cadet Command are separate organizations. I'd say you have several options under OCS or ROTC. To go OCS you would have to start out as enlisted and then go through the Guard or Reserve OCS course. That means you'd have to go through Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training first, and then go through the OCS training. And I've never heard of a military program that will retire pre-existing student loans. They are all pay-as-you-go that I've seen.

ROTC will require two courses, Leader Training Course at Fort Knox and the Leader Development and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, plus a certain number of Military Science college classes. Since you already have your shingle, you would then be commissioned directly on completion. And they pay for it all, BTW. To find out what you personally need to make it happen, I recommend talking with the Professor of Military Science (ROTC) at any college with an ROTC program. Obviously, I'd suggest Army, but I'm not like that recruiter ... I want you to choose the branch that suits you best and the program you think is right for you.

[catbert]

They use to have a term for guys who went "O" after enlisted service; they were called "Mustangs".

The bad news was that you were looked upon as the "bastard son" in the officer corps.

The good news was that a friend did make the retirement service time as a Major, having spent two years AF and four in the Army as enlisted before taking a commission.

Things change however.

I was always proud of being a Mustang, and never ran into any more elitism from the Acads than did the ROTC or direct commission folks. My Reviews were always top notch, and I was promoted ahead of my peers up to 05 - which is the most important measure of not being considered a bastard son. When I was asked about my commission source by an acad. grad I always told them "I worked for it" in OCS. Never failed to get a chuckle!:D But that was then, and this is now. I don't know how itis in todays' Army.

[Bioscache2]

I can't imagine academy grads giving mustangs too much trouble as nowadays a good portion of academy grads are prior enlisted themselves.

[Edmond]

Well, it took me a while to finally follow up on it but I'm going to meet a Lt. from the Marine Corps. tomorrow afternoon to see what he has to say about OCS.

Went to the Marine Corps. office and the Staff Sgt. told me outright that I would have to talk to an OCS recruiter because the Staff Sgt. wouldn't be able to answer all my questions. The Lt. called me while I was still at the office and set up an appointment for tomorrow.

This is the way I'm looking at it: I already have college under my belt. If I do a few years in the military, even though I'm already an old man at 26 in terms of starting in the military, I think that I would still have enough good years to be quite serviceable to any employer. With college and military under my belt, I think that I would get hired by pretty much anyone. Plus, the skills that I would learn would be amazing. Combine college, the military and a few years of real work work experience and I think I'm going to be more than good.

[SPANISHVETTS]

Went to the Marine Corps. office and the Staff Sgt. told me outright that I would have to talk to an OCS recruiter because the Staff Sgt. wouldn't be able to answer all my questions. The Lt. called me while I was still at the office and set up an appointment for tomorrow.
Edmond

You are finally coming around to your senses.:upthumbs

The Marines are looking for a few good men and a hell of a lot of average ones. (The average ones are for Cannon Fodder.) You will find the Corps much more direct and less nonsense than the other branches of the Service.

At 26 you are nowhere near over the hill. Had you gone straight to College on the ROTC program you would not have been commissioned before you were 22 or 23 at best. Without a Draft and student deferments the pressure to get straight through school is not there so many ROTC Officers are your age or older before going on active duty.

You will also get credit for you real world experience in Law Enforcement which will give you a leg-up on newbees with no work experience.

Two more things good about the Corps:

The best looking Uniforms – real chick magnets.;)
Free Ammo and Life-Like targets.:D (some even shoot back):eyerole
Simpre-Fi

[Edmond]

I'm disappointed. The guy relieving me at work today was late so I had to postpone my appointment with Lt. Platt. I'm going to call him tomorrow and see if he can get me in sometime next week.

One of the guys said that with my work experience and my education, it's not impossible for me to make 1st Lt. I don't have a ton of work experience but I've got a few solid years so I think that's a little bit more than recent college graduates. Not that age has anything to do with it but I think I might have a little bit more life experience in dealing with people in the real world environment than recent college grads.

I've been reading a lot about the Marine Corps. OCS and it doesn't look too bad. I can't imagine how people can ***** about waking up at 5:00 to do PT. I think basic for us is only 10 weeks.

Wait, I think I'm getting old. I mean, a few years ago, the thought about waking up at 4:00am to do work was insane but now, it's normal. :L:L:L In fact, waking up at 6:00am is sleeping in. I also find myself leaving people voice messages at 11:00am who haven't waken up yet saying things like, "wow, it must be difficult to wake up at the crack of 11:00am." :L:L:L

I think this might be my next challenge in life. But I can't say for sure until I talk to the Lt. about OCS and what it entails.

[Bioscache2]

Don't worry about the first promotion or two as an officer. The Marine Corp could be radically different but those promotions are almost guaranteed usually as long as you don't go do something stupid like a DUI while an officer. They are based off of time in service and kick in automatically. However higher ones require meeting a board and while your work experience will certainly help you in being an officer, the board will be very interested in how you do as an officer and not so much in what you did before becoming an officer.

[SPANISHVETTS]

Back in my day the Corps made you stand a Board before you were allowed to urinate on your own.:eyerole

Company grade promotions were based on a Points System. You got points for everything, i.e. time in service, time in rank, Military schools attended, Civilian school credit, MOS, special duties, extra ratings, etc., etc.

When eligible for promotion you stood a promotion board which awarded you still more points. Every month a Cutoff score was published. If your points were above the score you were promoted.

The Cutoff score changed from month to month depending on the Corps’ needs or more likely how many 1LTs and Captains had an unsuccessful run-in with Charlie the previous month.:ugh

Field grade promotion was taken more seriously but the Point System still determined your future.

The board I stood for Major is funny story that I will have to tell you sometime. I get this way ;LOL:rotfl just thinking about it.

[Edmond]

Well, I went and talked to the Gunny today. We started up some of the paperwork. I'm going for the physical and the mental tests next week. I won't do the fitness test for another month or so, I'd like to do that in as good of shape as possible to max out on the points.

I'm going to need 5 references. I'm going to use the dean of the school and a professor who taught a terrorism class. I'm going to ask my boss, who has more than 30 years in para-military, law enforcement and martial arts experience. I'm also going to ask the Sgt. Major at our company, he did 26 years and retired from the Army.

It's not going to be an easy process. First thing is that I have to get accepted into OCS. 10 weeks of OCS and I make 2nd Lt. After that, I go to The Basic School (TBS) for 6 months of specialized training.

If all goes well, I'm going to be in Quantico for most of next year being groomed to be a Marine Corps. officer. :D

[Ghost]

.
If all goes well, I'm going to be in Quantico for most of next year being groomed to be a Marine Corps. officer. :D

Just spent 10 weeks there, Jan 8 thru Mar 17. Of course it wasn't Marine training, I was at the FBI academy for some training, but we did do the Yellow Brick Road obstacle course on the base. 6.1 miles, lots of fun... really... honest... Remember, no pain, no gain...

Good luck Edmond...

[Edmond]

Just spent 10 weeks there, Jan 8 thru Mar 17. Of course it wasn't Marine training, I was at the FBI academy for some training,

Cool! I wanted to apply to the FBI but they want people with MBA's, CPA's, MD's, JD's or people with degree's in specific languages. I don't have any of those. Honestly, if I had the MD or JD, I would not take a serious paycut like that to work for the FBI.

Did you guys do hands on training? I know there is an FBI range here in Chicago. A couple of the Chicago Bears football players got into a fistfight there after they were drinking and shooting...:ugh

[SPANISHVETTS]

Well, I went and talked to the Gunny today. We started up some of the paperwork. I'm going for the physical and the mental tests next week. I won't do the fitness test for another month or so, I'd like to do that in as good of shape as possible to max out on the points.

I went down and got my physical examination one day, and I walked in
sat down, got good and drunk the night before, so I looked and felt my
best when I went in that morning. Cause I wanted to look like the all
American kid from New York City, man I to feel like the , I wanted to
_be_ the all American kid from New York, and I walked in and I was
hungdown brungdown hungup and all kinds o' mean nasty ugly things.
And I waked in and sat down and they gave me a pice of paper said
"Kid, see the phsychiatrist, room 604"
I went up there said "Shrink, I want to kill, I wanna I wanna
kill.Kill. I wanna I wanna to see blood and gore and guts and veins in
my teeth.Eat dead burnt bodies. I mean kill, kill,KILL,KILL." and I
started jumpin up and down yelling KILL KILL, and he started jumpin up
and down with me and we was both jumping up and down yelling "KILL
KILL".And the sargent came over pinned a medal on me, sent me down the
hall, said "you're our boy"

You will pass with no problems. The Corps is really looking hard for a few good men.

[Kelled]

I just retired from the Corps out of Quantico two months ago after 27 years as an officer. Feel free to ask me any questions. I won't BS you about anything.

[Culprit]

I haven't been on CAC in a while (year or so) so I just saw this thread. Didn't take time to read all of it.

I just made the decision to leave active duty as a Captain of Marines after 7 years commissioned service. I am now working for a defense contractor in DC and live in Stafford, VA (right by the back gate to TBS - the apple didn't fall far from the tree).

Like Kelled said, ask me anything. Send me a private message or e-mail through CAC and we can spend some time on the phone or whatever you want. If you show up in the Quantico area, look me up.

My recommendation - if you think you have what it takes to be a Marine, then go for it. Always earned - never given. It's not just a cheesy recruiting slogan.

The US Navy is the best Navy in the world.

The Army does a decent job most of the time.

The USAF is not a branch of the armed forces - they are big business with a dress code - and a marginal one at that. I don't like them very much at all - and it's not just because they killed my friend due to their incompetence. Making such a general determination based on one incident wouldn't be right of me. But they did buy me ice cream and a couple Cokes in Africa once.

Semper Fidelis,
Culprit

[SPANISHVETTS]

Like Kelled said, ask me anything. Send me a private message or e-mail through CAC and we can spend some time on the phone or whatever you want. If you show up in the Quantico area, look me up.

My recommendation - if you think you have what it takes to be a Marine, then go for it. Always earned - never given. It's not just a cheesy recruiting slogan.

The US Navy is the best Navy in the world.

The Army does a decent job most of the time.

The USAF is not a branch of the armed forces - they are big business with a dress code - and a marginal one at that. I don't like them very much at all - and it's not just because they killed my friend due to their incompetence. Making such a general determination based on one incident wouldn't be right of me. But they did buy me ice cream and a couple Cokes in Africa once.

Semper Fidelis,
Culprit
Hi Culprit,
How have you been keeping yourself?

I spent 6 1/2 years commissioned in the Corps and came to the same conclusions about the other Services as you did.

We always referred to the USAF as Uncle Sam’s American Flying club.:L

Two of my close friends were AF Officers and damn good men. The AF shortchanged both of them. The one in my Sig would have moved the AF ahead 50 years if they had listened to him. The AF would not listen but the Marines did. A lot of the battle strategy of today’s Marine Corps is based on the work of John Boyd.

If I had my life to live over again the one thing that I would repeat, no matter what the cost, would be joining the USMC. Everything good that has happened to me is a direct result of the values learned in the Corps.

Stay safe

[DarkShark]

... I just made the decision to leave active duty as a Captain of Marines after 7 years commissioned service....

Sounds familiar, Culprit. I spent 7 1/2 years as a commissioned Officer in the Army.

Combat Arms is realy tough on the human body- having half of one knee replaced over the course of three surgeries was my cue to leave. 0500 PT, running through the sand and woods with full gear, and deployments are the life for a person with better knees. I miss the fun times... however I don't miss the total of two years I've spent in physical therapy.

I decided to go into "corporate America" after my time time in the Army. Oddly enough, I'm not too far from a military base either. I guess we are all still Dog- faced Soldiers and Devil Dogs at heart even after we get out.

Strong team leadership skills (down leadeship, cross-functional leadership, and up leadership), project management, organizational skills with an intense attention to detail, and an appreciation for the second and third order effects for every decision are just some of the skills that the military develops.

Edward, I wish you luck. With military service, you'll come out a better person than you were when you started. I think you know this!;)

[Edmond]

Guys,

After really thinking it through long and hard, and reading a personal story from a guy I know who is in the Corps., I decided that I'm not going military. I came back and looked at the pay, it wasn't very impressive. The thing that really hit was when I read a story about a guy I went to high school with. He was in Iraq as an enlisted man and was wounded when he was dragging his Captain to safety, the Captain later died. All the guys in the office, including the Sgt. Major, were telling me how officers have short life spans. A story like that, coming from a guy I used to play basketball with after school next door to my buddy, made me realize that for me, it's not worth it. I know that when you sign up, you are potentially sacrificing your life. But that wasn't my fear, my fear was existing and not living. After reading stories about those who had limbs blown off, I decided that it's not for me, that it's not worth it.

What did I decide to do? I applied at Chicago Police. The starting salary is more than $10,000 of what the Marines would pay and I think the danger factor is less in some regards. Another factor was that the military would not repay my student loans, being an O1 or O2 for a few years would really stretch my money thin, especially when there is a lot I want to do with my car. CPD starts around $44K a year and it's up to $54K after 1 year of duty, that was a huge factor.

I called the Gunny up and said that the Marines aren't for me, at least not right now. He thanked me for calling him because most people who decide not to do it just don't show up. He said that if I change my mind, I'll know how to contact him.

[Culprit]

I decided to go into "corporate America" after my time time in the Army. Oddly enough, I'm not too far from a military base either. I guess we are all still Dog- faced Soldiers and Devil Dogs at heart even after we get out.


Semper Fi to that, DarkShark!

Hey Spanish - I'm doing quite well, thank you. How are you getting along over there? I'm happy to be in Virginia - it's been 7 years since I have experienced an autumn, and I'm ecstatic that the leaves are starting to change. I'm going to buy some hot apple cider this weekend, and hopefully next weekned I can get my Vette up here from South Carolina.

Incidentally, if anyone is looking for a house to buy in Beaufort, SC....

My wife and I are renting a place for a year here in VA until our house sells in SC - then we'll look at buying a place. I took some money out of investments to make the house payment until it sells, but I can't keep that up forever. If need be, I'll have a hard decision deciding to sell the Vette or the Harley to free up the cash I need until it sells. But the good Lord has always provided what I need when I need it - and usually more. Fortunately I have a couple of toys in the first place to give me a back-up plan. If that's my biggest worry in life, then I'd say things are running along very well indeed!

[longbow]

edmond: enlisted men are the back bone of the Army !!!!!!!!!!seems to me you dont want to get your hands dirty!!!!!!!!!! pretty boy!

[81kix]

Edmond, sounds like you thought everything out clearly and you made the right choice for your needs. Good luck! :)

[Yoda]

edmond: enlisted men are the back bone of the Army !!!!!!!!!!seems to me you dont want to get your hands dirty!!!!!!!!!! pretty boy!
longbow Welcome to the Corvette Action Community. I must admit that is one heck of a First Post :eek .. I see you are retired Military, and from your post I take it you must of been "inlisted" throughout your career. :upthumbs thank you for your service.

I spent 6 years in the Military as an enlisted, too. Leadership comes in all forms, as you know. There are good leaders in the enlisted ranks and good leaders in the Officiers ranks. Choosing enlisted over Officer or vice versa is NOT a benchmark of the charactor makeup of the individual.

I don't believe Edmond is afraid to get his hands dirty, I think it is more like he WAS looking for where his talents, education and experience would best serve him should he decide to join the United States Military establishment.

Without any smilies or other emotions icons, your post here is rather Black & White and to the point, more so than needed!!!!

Welcome aboard enjoy our community and :Steer your Corvette.

Bud Dougherty
Forums Administrator

[catbert]

Guys,

After really thinking it through long and hard, and reading a personal story from a guy I know who is in the Corps., I decided that I'm not going military. I came back and looked at the pay, it wasn't very impressive. The thing that really hit was when I read a story about a guy I went to high school with. He was in Iraq as an enlisted man and was wounded when he was dragging his Captain to safety, the Captain later died. All the guys in the office, including the Sgt. Major, were telling me how officers have short life spans. A story like that, coming from a guy I used to play basketball with after school next door to my buddy, made me realize that for me, it's not worth it. I know that when you sign up, you are potentially sacrificing your life. But that wasn't my fear, my fear was existing and not living. After reading stories about those who had limbs blown off, I decided that it's not for me, that it's not worth it.

What did I decide to do? I applied at Chicago Police. The starting salary is more than $10,000 of what the Marines would pay and I think the danger factor is less in some regards. Another factor was that the military would not repay my student loans, being an O1 or O2 for a few years would really stretch my money thin, especially when there is a lot I want to do with my car. CPD starts around $44K a year and it's up to $54K after 1 year of duty, that was a huge factor.

I called the Gunny up and said that the Marines aren't for me, at least not right now. He thanked me for calling him because most people who decide not to do it just don't show up. He said that if I change my mind, I'll know how to contact him.

Probably for the best. To be a good and successfull officer, you have to be deeply motivated by the concept and job of leading men. You weren't there yet, and that's not a knock, just an observation. :pat

[RC135_Tx]

A couple of thoughts -
First: No-one enjoys seeing their group denigrated via a general rule. It's pretty much always a bad thing to do. The little corner of the USAF that I retired from provided for the immediate safety of many individuals in particular and for our country as a whole. The comment earlier is a slap in the face to all USAF members, with no proper justification.

Second: This country needs! a strong, dedicated, controlled military if we are to remain free. What causes any young person to decide to spend any time in the military, much less make a career of it? I don't particularly like the decision paths I'm seeing in this thread.

Thanks for allowing the rant.

[Yoda]

Unless Edmond has something more to add about his decision, which by the way was made months ago, this thread is closed.

This from BarryK seems to be a fitting end to this thread..Thanks Barry Forums (http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90601)

Bud Dougherty
Forums Administrator