Well gang
 

I leave for Basic in a few weeks now, so come September if I'm not around for a while, you'll know why ;)

First it's off to Ft. Jackson, SC for BCT which is currently 9 weeks and 4 days of "summer camp." And then off to AIT (Advanced Individual Training) which is a fancy word for Job School.

My job is designated 94-H (Hotel) Test Measurement and Diagnostics Equipment Maintenance Support Specialist. A very long name I know, but in a nut-shell I fix the electronic equipment that's used to fix other electronic equipment.

My AIT is fairly long, about 33-34 weeks at Ft. Lee, VA, but I'm really looking forward to it. I should be able to get communications back up once I get to AIT and get a laptop, but I probably won't be able to use it except on weekends =p

There are quite a few things I plan on doing while I'm in, maybe applying for Airborne school and possibly the 173rd Airborne Division depending on how things go. I may also apply for the West Point option just for the sake of applying, but I'm not sure how selective that is. But that aside, there are places I want to go and people I want to meet so hopefully I'll get to do those things.

As far as deployments go, I have no idea. I'd expect to deploy, at the very least, once during my contract which is 5 years (1 year in training, 4 years actual service). From what I've been told it all depends on the unit you're stationed with.

But regardless, I aim to have a good time while I'm in, and I'm hoping to get a good experience from it all :)

Re: Well gang
 

It's been great reading your posts! And I look forward to continue doing so up until your departure.

Best of luck to you! Mop the floor with all that training, yeah?

Very selective! Say, don't you need a presidential or congressional nomination to attend? Or, if anyone in your immediate bloodline has extensive military experience...? I forget.

Re: Well gang
 

I c wut u did thar =p

And don't worry, I will ;)


According to what I've read, there are 140-170 slots for enlisted Soldiers each year to attend West Point and graduate a commissioned officer. You also do NOT need a congressional or national nomination, you just need a nomination from your Company Commander. You still have to be a good Soldier and it requires that you have a decent High School record as well as a competitive ACT/SAT score.

Usually, even if you don't get directly sent to the Academy you get sent to the Preparatory school for 10 months and then get sent to West Point.

There's also a Green-to-Gold deal where they release you from duty to attend College full-time on an ROTC scholarship, but from what I've heard, that option is even more selective.

Most likely what I'm going to do is take 30+ core classes while I'm in then transfer to a full-time college when I get out and use the G.I. Bill + money saved towards it. So, either way, I get free college which is a pretty sweet deal.

Re: Well gang
 

Good luck, try not to fuck up too badly. ;)

Re: Well gang
 

Thanks, I'll do my best, Papa Nurgle :frog:

Re: Well gang
 

I'll miss you, Priest! Enjoy the journey!

Re: Well gang
 

Good luck, there's nothing I can add that you don't already know. Try not to fuck up and/or die.

Re: Well gang
 

DON'T GO!
I MISS YOU ALEADY!!!

good luck though mate.

Re: Well gang
 

Since you are leaving, can I have your job? :lookaround:

No but on a serious note, good luck at BCT. Just knowing you over the interwebz, I have no doubt that you will destroy BCT and make it your bitch, just don't tell the DIs.

Still planning on attempting SF?

Re: Well gang
 

Good luck. Be safe. And for God's sake, don't push the big red button! :Panic:

Re: Well gang
 

Good luck and God speed, young man! Make your country proud!

Re: Well gang
 

Pardner, Godspeed!

Hope you have a quite nice experience, if you can, show us some secret intel and heavy machine diagrams and blueprints pictures of you in action :cya:

Nah, seriously, hope everything turns out good and ye get a good promotion ^^
Break a leg, soldier!

Re: Well gang
 

Do well. Get all the tail you can.

Re: Well gang
 

173rd is a separate infantry brigade combat team, not a division. And you don't apply to units. Nor do you "apply" for schools. If your unit has a slot, and you distinguish yourself, then they might send you. One doesn't simply request airborne school and then get sent off.

But if you want to deploy, 173rd is the place to go. They've been year on, year off in Afghanistan for years.

And you might as well get used to guys like me calling guys like you this: POGUE.

Re: Well gang
 

Strange, I thought you could. Maybe it's just bases that you can apply for. And I guess it's the fact that I've only ever really known about Airborne units like 101st and 82nd, so I thought division :smokin:

Before you enlist you can request it in your contract which I didn't, unfortunately I was like the last person to get a job that day so I didn't even think of it. I know you can't apply and go immediately, by apply I meant request ;P

Yeah, I've looked into them and they've had a pretty impressive career. I first found out about them from the movie Apocalypse Now and from seeing them in action, they look like a very capable unit.

Heh, I don't understand why it's called "POGUE." It should just be "POG." =p

Re: Well gang
 

You can request a post, but it eventually comes down to the Army sending you wherever the Army needs you.

POGUE is how POG is spoken. It's capitalized because I'm yelling. ;)

Re: Well gang
 

Indeed, one of the recruiters actually told me that because my MOS is either a support or "critical" I have less of a chance of getting any of the locations on the wish list.

Roger that! :)













it should still be POG, though :p

Re: Well gang
 

Oh my god, do push ups right the fuck now.

Re: Well gang
 

Re: Well gang
 

Monkey fuckers, go.

Re: Well gang
 

*does monkey fuckers*

Re: Well gang
 

Best of luck to you in all your adventures, computernerd!! Keep us up to date as things go on, man! :)

Re: Well gang
 

:)


Ah! Very nice! Free college is a great deal (as I'm sure many of us know... student loans = :( ), so yeah, go for it! Even if you don't get into West Point, there are plenty of other private schools that are excellent. Be sure to keep us updated!

Re: Well gang
 

Boy, good luck. You'll finally stop being a wimp and become a man.

Re: Well gang
 

You better try and be active!

Re: Well gang
 

Stay safe! We'll miss you until you're allowed a laptop!