How long have you been in the Military Service

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Bg8780

The military is a great way to start my adult life and learn.

From that line alone it sounds like your head is in the right place. Some people get so wrapped up in being in the military that they lose sight of the fact that life exists outside of it.

If you end up not being able to crosstrain and not getting orders and you decide to get out, then thank you for your service. The years you've put towards this country, whether they were good or bad, are far beyond what most people will ever do, and you should be proud of that. A lot of people will try to convince you to stay in, or do this, or do that, but you need to do what's best for you and your family first.

If you do get out, get all your medical issues documented before separating. VA is a pain in the ass, but it's a lot harder if something wasn't in your records. And use the shit out of your GI bill. Take advantage of Tuition Assistance while you're in, get as many classes done as you can, and set yourself up for success in the outside world.

[Bg8780]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

From that line alone it sounds like your head is in the right place. Some people get so wrapped up in being in the military that they lose sight of the fact that life exists outside of it.

If you end up not being able to crosstrain and not getting orders and you decide to get out, then thank you for your service. The years you've put towards this country, whether they were good or bad, are far beyond what most people will ever do, and you should be proud of that. A lot of people will try to convince you to stay in, or do this, or do that, but you need to do what's best for you and your family first.

If you do get out, get all your medical issues documented before separating. VA is a pain in the ass, but it's a lot harder if something wasn't in your records. And use the shit out of your GI bill. Take advantage of Tuition Assistance while you're in, get as many classes done as you can, and set yourself up for success in the outside world.

I know all too well what you are saying. My current Chief often makes remarks along the lines of any other job other than military service is below her and does no good for the country. Her outlook on life in general leads to her terrible leadership skills. It blows my mind that someone her age with that much time in the military can have a perspective like that. She is generally an unpleasant person.

Anyway! I joined because I knew I would regret it if I didn't get it out of my system, I'd be at my 50th birthday and still regret not getting some military experience. If I did it all over again I would probably go Army. I know the grass is always greener but I feel my peers in the USAF live most of their life looking out for themselves. Over-privileged young kids that didn't want to go to college and though the USAF looked cool. You know it's bad coming from me because I had a nice upbringing in the suburbs of Cleveland, spoiled with toys and have loving parents. Not a hard life by ANY means. But I still look at these peoples mentality and sense of entitlement with absolute confusion. Probably because I am in a Comm squadron. Most of them are extremely introverted gamers, don't speak up for what they think, and just complain about things instead of change them. Don't get me wrong, I'm a computer geek and a nerd in general, but sometimes ya just gotta fucking go outside. I grew up with a bunch of friends that went Army and I should have followed suit. Shittier living conditions, shittier situations, harder PT. All the things on paper that you know would just suck and be tougher but I found the Army has a much better sense of group morale and embrace the things that suck.

We're supposed to be a "combat ready" unit, yet, any time I try to get out of literally just sitting in our office to go instruct a combatives course or help the cadre instruct at the combat readiness school it is an absolute grind to go out and be active. This unit just talks about warrior ethos and shit a lot, but God forbid one of us wants to learn more or train others how to defend themselves. Blows my mind.

I'm pretty sure it's just my unit right now, everyone else I talk to at different bases really like their career choice. Sorry to rant, lots of time out here lol Jesus, now I'm the ***** that's complaining.

But yes, I've been using TA and the girlfriend is pushing me even more to take more classes. I'm a pretty terrible, unmotivated college student. Hence the initial career choice haha I've heard a lot of my friends that are a few years older are just now starting to get out of the military, they have been telling me the same thing lol. VA is the worst!

[gramicci101]

Ah! I know which unit you're in. I used to be a tech controller.

Yeah, a lot of your situation is because you're in a comm squadron. That kind of work attracts all the geeks and nerds. No offense. You're in a combat comm as well, so now they have a swelled head because they're special, even though they're not getting off their asses to earn it.

Your CMSgt is exactly the kind of person I'm talking about. She's going to retire at 30 years and have a heart attack or a stroke a year later because she just can't deal with changing to the civilian life. It's not what I would call "common," but it does happen. On the other side of things, I know two SMSgts that are a year or two out from retiring and they're already looking for jobs and building resumes. It's all in what you deem most important in life.

And trust me. EVERYONE needs time to let all the shit out for a little bit. I go talk to mental health once a month just to bitch for an hour. Don't feel bad about that. Even if your junior leadership is all "Man up!" they can kiss your ass. Senior leadership (as in stars, not leaves or birds), is very much concerned with the amount of stress everyone is under.

Your girlfriend sounds like she's got her shit together. I can tell you from experience that I absolutely would have failed out of college if I had gone that route, because I just didn't have the discipline. Now I do. Use your focus and abilities that you have now and get college knocked out. The GI bill is nice, but having a bachelor's or higher before you separate is nicer.

You absolutely shouldn't have gone in the Army. I just spent a year with them in Afghanistan, they are fucking retarded. They treat enlisted people like dirt unless you're a sergeant major, and if you're a sergeant major then you can do no wrong and every idea you have is like mana from heaven. Even if it's a blatantly terrible idea and puts everyone at greater risk as soon as they go outside the gate. Without a doubt, after working with and for all four services, the Army is the worst. Marines at least know how to point in the right direction and get shit done no matter what.

[STIITS]

June 3, 1992 to July 16, 1997 - 5 years
13B/92Y

[Bg8780]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Ah! I know which unit you're in. I used to be a tech controller.

Yeah, a lot of your situation is because you're in a comm squadron. That kind of work attracts all the geeks and nerds. No offense. You're in a combat comm as well, so now they have a swelled head because they're special, even though they're not getting off their asses to earn it.

Your CMSgt is exactly the kind of person I'm talking about. She's going to retire at 30 years and have a heart attack or a stroke a year later because she just can't deal with changing to the civilian life. It's not what I would call "common," but it does happen. On the other side of things, I know two SMSgts that are a year or two out from retiring and they're already looking for jobs and building resumes. It's all in what you deem most important in life.

And trust me. EVERYONE needs time to let all the shit out for a little bit. I go talk to mental health once a month just to bitch for an hour. Don't feel bad about that. Even if your junior leadership is all "Man up!" they can kiss your ass. Senior leadership (as in stars, not leaves or birds), is very much concerned with the amount of stress everyone is under.

Your girlfriend sounds like she's got her shit together. I can tell you from experience that I absolutely would have failed out of college if I had gone that route, because I just didn't have the discipline. Now I do. Use your focus and abilities that you have now and get college knocked out. The GI bill is nice, but having a bachelor's or higher before you separate is nicer.

You absolutely shouldn't have gone in the Army. I just spent a year with them in Afghanistan, they are fucking retarded. They treat enlisted people like dirt unless you're a sergeant major, and if you're a sergeant major then you can do no wrong and every idea you have is like mana from heaven. Even if it's a blatantly terrible idea and puts everyone at greater risk as soon as they go outside the gate. Without a doubt, after working with and for all four services, the Army is the worst. Marines at least know how to point in the right direction and get shit done no matter what.

haha No offence taken. It's true, I was just excited when I got orders to Combat Comm hearing from tech school instructors that it was high speed and deploys a lot. Now I see this unit just rides on the coattails of the taskings they used to do over 30 years ago. They were talking about getting us unit berets last year and I was laughing my ass off. I would be discharged before wearing a beret for this unit. I have not seen anyone earn any special designation for this unit. Shit, half these dudes can't pass a PT test.

As for Chief, I can't wait for her to retire and be in line at Best Buy trying to return something and pulls the "do you know who I am" Uh no lady, we don't know wtf a chief is, nor do we care. Get back in line.

I know senior leadership cares, as you said stars, not birds. We often get the "bullshit" emails from General Whoever and it's hard to take that with more than a grain of salt. But the two Generals I have talked to are really chill guys and sincerely do care about their people. Hell, even the Colonel out here is a chill guy. I've personally fixed his computer stuff a few times and he's definitely a guy I could have a beer with. I even really like my Squadron Commander, prior enlisted, doesn't micromanage, chill and relaxed. Overall a great leader. The chain under him tends to just fall apart from there.

I definitely struck gold with the girlfriend. Really driven woman, still tons of fun, she just got her master's last month and knows how to push my lazy ass to school. Supports my love for cars and racing. She loved the Petit Le Mans race last year, or at least she is a great actress. She's even looking at getting a MK7 GTI soon. Gotta wife this one up haha

Like I said, the Army thing is most likely a case of the grass being greener. I just really like their sense of teamwork and they look out for each other. Something I don't get from my team. But yes, they're not the brightest. I'm constantly fixing their shit. How do they even get a CAC stuck in a laptop?! WTF?!

[gramicci101]

Combat comms are great at what they're designed to do, definitely. But we don't operate like that anymore. If we did go into a bare base that Red Horse had just built, they'd hire contractors to go in and build the network. And run it, too. I was in a forward air control squadron as a comm guy for a little while; we actually set up the base, dug DFPs, set up c-wire, and then set up satellite and point to point shots so we could control aircraft. That part was a lot of fun. Sitting in garrison waiting for something to break was mind-numbing.

Yeah, she's going to be the one with the "retired chief" hat and window sticker. You know what we call retired chiefs? Civilians. Step aside, ma'am. The pharmacy and commissary are over there.

Your senior leadership is correct. Below them, they're still all gung ho and no brains, and it's their way or gtfo. Let that roll off your back. Toe the line, be respectful, and let them be stupid. They'll be gone soon enough.

Don't let her get a GTI, or at least make sure she sells it before the warranty runs out.

Did they get the CAC stuck in the PCMCIA slot? Sigh. That's what happens when you give people nice things.

When you get back, find someone you can vent to. An official someone. Chaplain, mental health, go through military one source and find a civilian, whatever. It is so nice to be able to unburden yourself of all your issues to someone whose job it is to listen and support you. They all have restricted communication privileges, so unless you're a genuine threat to yourself or those around you, they are not allowed to divulge anything to anyone else. The most mental health can say is only to your unit commander, and only that you are being seen there. The end. It's extremely helpful for keeping a level head and keeping yourself sane. Especially if those around you are crazy.

[Bg8780]

Exactly, my unit just flat out doesn't have a mission anymore.

I've heard mixed things about GTI's. I'm going to post a thread here and get more opinions.

Haha they most certainly did! Every damn time. I just vent to my girlfriend mostly. We really just make it into a joke and laugh about it. But I will keep that option in mind if it gets rougher. Thanks.

My buddy just got word yesterday that he is being kicked out of the USAF because he got an Article 15 two years ago. He's stepped up his game drastically since that incident and received multiple awards. It was hilarious after he met with our commander and chief to give him the news. He told them as he was leaving the meeting that it's pretty ironic he is leaving that meeting to meet with the Army Sergeant Major out here to get coined and awarded. Second award he's received out here in 4 months. Gotta cut all the good troops I guess. lol

[gramicci101]

The force management stuff is insane. I'm peripherally involved with the boards going on at my unit, and they genuinely are getting down to who does more volunteer stuff or who has what education bullets. If you've got 10 people that are all firewall 5 EPRs and you have to rank them 1-10, it gets pretty convoluted as to who gets ranked where. For example, there was a SSgt that had a master's degree in something unrelated to her career field. That was actually looked at as a negative, because if she's got so much time to get a master's as a SSgt, why isn't she putting in more effort at work?

The force management stuff is sad. I recognize that we're moving back to a peacetime force and we need to downsize, so it has to happen. But a lot of people are having the rug pulled out from under them. Especially with EPRs being inflated as much as they are. Someone who's consistently gotten 5 EPRs doesn't react well to being told they're #20 out of 45 and the commander is writing their recommendation letter as a "consider retention" instead of "retain". We have to cut numbers though. This is better than last time, where they just blindly cut numbers without considering the merits of who got cut.

[ramiram1984]

Respect to the 11b's

[draggin_az]

9 years

[ramiram1984]

Navy selfies

[michael_king]

#f'n wook. This is my boy Tyler.. 3 deployments w/ 1/4 with me. If you haven't heard this you may or may not be a PBF. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TinRkjgQIzo&sns=em"]EAS Song - Tyler Jay - YouTube[/ame]

[VacantSky]

Three down, and three more to go as active. Air Force 2a5X1. Then I'll go gaurd and double dip as a civilian contractor working the same job. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned...


Fun on the taxiway somewhere in the east...

and pulling a prank on someone who thinks he can get away with shit

[hypercarfanatic]

Not a vet nor a soldier. I would personally thank each and every one of you for your service if I could, but I suppose one huge THANK YOU is all that is possible.

I do plan on becoming a Police Officer or a State Trooper. Maybe National Guard, not sure yet.