Private Tate Reporting for Duty?

DTate98

Official CF User
Jan 3, 2016
243
41
25
Carrollton, TX
✟19,165.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
US-Republican
Hi guys!

For most of my younger years, I was the child of two proud soldiers. My dad was a Lieutenant, my mom, a Specialist. After they retired, I hoped to never run into the military again, because of a lot of things I can't really remember. Since then, I've never gotten away from the military. It's everywhere. Now I miss being part of that community.

Now 17 and nearing graduation, I'm seriously considering joining the military. I can't stop thinking of the idea of having a house, food, and utilities, while doing what I love and without worry of losing any of those things (Well, unless I do something stupid or get injured and get discharged). My mom has been encouraging me to go into service for a while now, and my dad just found out and he fully supports my decision. Basically, I will be working as a Cyber Awareness guy possibly working out of Norad, the mountain base. Apparently, there's a 20,000 signing bonus and an instant promotion. My dad said if I was working in Norad, I wouldn't be in barracks, but an actual house. That's huge for me, because I've looked at barracks and they don't look all that great. Hopefully, I can actually stick to this plan, because most of my post-graduation plans haven't stuck for more than a year. I'm really skinny, so I'll be preparing physically with protein shakes (reccomended by my parents) along with lots of stretching and gradual workouts. This will supposedly be a life-altering event for me. I just hope the demands aren't more than I can handle.
 

supersoldier71

Sinner, saved by Grace
Jan 19, 2011
676
184
Far, far away from home
✟10,260.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
Hi guys!

For most of my younger years, I was the child of two proud soldiers. My dad was a Lieutenant, my mom, a Specialist. After they retired, I hoped to never run into the military again, because of a lot of things I can't really remember. Since then, I've never gotten away from the military. It's everywhere. Now I miss being part of that community.

Now 17 and nearing graduation, I'm seriously considering joining the military. I can't stop thinking of the idea of having a house, food, and utilities, while doing what I love and without worry of losing any of those things (Well, unless I do something stupid or get injured and get discharged). My mom has been encouraging me to go into service for a while now, and my dad just found out and he fully supports my decision. Basically, I will be working as a Cyber Awareness guy possibly working out of Norad, the mountain base. Apparently, there's a 20,000 signing bonus and an instant promotion. My dad said if I was working in Norad, I wouldn't be in barracks, but an actual house. That's huge for me, because I've looked at barracks and they don't look all that great. Hopefully, I can actually stick to this plan, because most of my post-graduation plans haven't stuck for more than a year. I'm really skinny, so I'll be preparing physically with protein shakes (reccomended by my parents) along with lots of stretching and gradual workouts. This will supposedly be a life-altering event for me. I just hope the demands aren't more than I can handle.


Barracks ain't that bad these days. They're at least as nice as the dorm my daughter lived in her freshman and sophomore years of college.

Don't sweat the demands, just do what you're told and you'll be fine. The process is designed to take you from civilian to servicemember.
 
Upvote 0

DTate98

Official CF User
Jan 3, 2016
243
41
25
Carrollton, TX
✟19,165.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
US-Republican
Barracks ain't that bad these days. They're at least as nice as the dorm my daughter lived in her freshman and sophomore years of college.

Don't sweat the demands, just do what you're told and you'll be fine. The process is designed to take you from civilian to servicemember.
Thanks. I'm good at following orders, but sometimes, there are parts that don't make it all the way through. I guess that would motivate me to use teamwork? Anyways, thanks again for the advice.
 
Upvote 0

supersoldier71

Sinner, saved by Grace
Jan 19, 2011
676
184
Far, far away from home
✟10,260.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
One more thing: I've been to Basic twice. Once for the Navy and again for the Army. If you adopt this simple perspective, Basic goes a lot easier and you'll even have some fun and make some new friends while you're there. The cadre, the sergeants or petty officers assigned to lead and train you and begin your indoctrination process WANT you to succeed. And since you obviously WANT to succeed, you have the same goals. If you remember that, everything is pretty easy, actually.
 
Upvote 0

DTate98

Official CF User
Jan 3, 2016
243
41
25
Carrollton, TX
✟19,165.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
US-Republican
One more thing: I've been to Basic twice. Once for the Navy and again for the Army. If you adopt this simple perspective, Basic goes a lot easier and you'll even have some fun and make some new friends while you're there. The cadre, the sergeants or petty officers assigned to lead and train you and begin your indoctrination process WANT you to succeed. And since you obviously WANT to succeed, you have the same goals. If you remember that, everything is pretty easy, actually.
Does anyone ever fail basic training? If so, what happens?
 
Upvote 0

supersoldier71

Sinner, saved by Grace
Jan 19, 2011
676
184
Far, far away from home
✟10,260.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Libertarian
Does anyone ever fail basic training? If so, what happens?

"Fail"? Yeah, there are a variety of different reasons you can fail: bad attitude, failure to follow orders, failed drug test (happens ALL the time!),serious injuries, a gross safety violation like at the rifle range or grenade range, or an inability to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test. Any one of those.

But don't worry about that, because if you're capable of paying attention to what people who know what they're doing are trying to tell you, you'll be fine!

The system is built to work FOR you to become a Soldier.
 
Upvote 0

DTate98

Official CF User
Jan 3, 2016
243
41
25
Carrollton, TX
✟19,165.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
US-Republican
"Fail"? Yeah, there are a variety of different reasons you can fail: bad attitude, failure to follow orders, failed drug test (happens ALL the time!),serious injuries, a gross safety violation like at the rifle range or grenade range, or an inability to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test. Any one of those.

But don't worry about that, because if you're capable of paying attention to what people who know what they're doing are trying to tell you, you'll be fine!

The system is built to work FOR you to become a Soldier.
Thanks for clearing that up for me. Are you retired or still active duty?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

freezerman2000

Living and dying in 3/4 time
Feb 24, 2011
9,523
1,221
South Carolina
✟39,130.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
From a Navy vet
th
to a future soldier,
th
thanks for your FUTURE service!
 
Upvote 0

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,140
20,185
US
✟1,441,619.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
One more thing: I've been to Basic twice. Once for the Navy and again for the Army. If you adopt this simple perspective, Basic goes a lot easier and you'll even have some fun and make some new friends while you're there. The cadre, the sergeants or petty officers assigned to lead and train you and begin your indoctrination process WANT you to succeed. And since you obviously WANT to succeed, you have the same goals. If you remember that, everything is pretty easy, actually.

That is something I knew before going in. They don't get any points if they fail everybody--success for everyone is in their own personal interest. The greater danger is that they will fail to fail someone who should have been failed.
 
Upvote 0

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,140
20,185
US
✟1,441,619.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Hi guys!

For most of my younger years, I was the child of two proud soldiers. My dad was a Lieutenant, my mom, a Specialist. After they retired, I hoped to never run into the military again, because of a lot of things I can't really remember. Since then, I've never gotten away from the military. It's everywhere. Now I miss being part of that community.

Now 17 and nearing graduation, I'm seriously considering joining the military. I can't stop thinking of the idea of having a house, food, and utilities, while doing what I love and without worry of losing any of those things (Well, unless I do something stupid or get injured and get discharged). My mom has been encouraging me to go into service for a while now, and my dad just found out and he fully supports my decision. Basically, I will be working as a Cyber Awareness guy possibly working out of Norad, the mountain base. Apparently, there's a 20,000 signing bonus and an instant promotion. My dad said if I was working in Norad, I wouldn't be in barracks, but an actual house. That's huge for me, because I've looked at barracks and they don't look all that great. Hopefully, I can actually stick to this plan, because most of my post-graduation plans haven't stuck for more than a year. I'm really skinny, so I'll be preparing physically with protein shakes (reccomended by my parents) along with lots of stretching and gradual workouts. This will supposedly be a life-altering event for me. I just hope the demands aren't more than I can handle.

Be aware that everything they promise now is subject to revision, which might give you an option just to drop the whole enlistment or accept the revision...but there really are no guarantees that aren't subject to "service needs." And even if you get what was promised up front, those promises all have an expiration date, after which things--especially duty location--will change.

I've discovered that the best way to go somewhere bad is by failing to heartily volunteer for all the places that are okay to great. Don't try to stay CONUS. The military's whole sense of being is that soldiers are for deployment. So volunteer hard for long tours to places that are "okay to great."
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Hikarifuru

Shine Bravely
Nov 11, 2013
3,379
269
✟20,553.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Single
Hello,

If you are talking about the Army 25D MOS that is effing hard school to pass. It's not a walk in the park and it's not something to take casually and yes they will probably graduate you from basic training regardless they will not graduate you from AIT unless you earn it. My buddy who is already super nerd failed out of that school so you better take it serious and consider it like going to college. They will fail you if you don't pass.
 
Upvote 0

E.C.

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2007
13,746
1,267
✟134,299.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
Go with the Navy and ask about CTN. Besides, there are more varied opportunities should one not pass and we're the only branch guaranteed by the Constitution to be maintained during a time of peace.

That being said though, this sailor has these two bits of advice: Shut up. Pay attention.

Do those two and you'll be fine whether you decide to go with the military, school first or just straight to the work force.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hikarifuru
Upvote 0