To Everyone - Very Important!

[Charles Barth]

To all the young men and women who are thinking about making the military a part of their lives and to those who are newly enlisted...Bravo, you hold the future of our nation in the palm of your hand. Thank you all for your service to our great nation. Okay, here goes.

Let's here some advice from the NCO's who've been around for awhile. A couple of cold hard realities and some questions to ponder.

1. How can you tell whether it is or it's not for you when the recruiter has an answer for everything. All of you who are still making rank five years from now will know what I mean. I'm sorry, but recruiting is about numbers. We all know there are good recruiters and then there are other kinds of recruiters. We always here soldiers complaining down the road how their recruiter lied to them. This is a bad rap. My recruiter told me I could have any job in the Army that I wanted. He was right on. I did and don't regret a day. But that brings me to my next question.

2. When should we steer young recruits away from an MOS they think they want. If the ASVAB told the whole story, we wouldn't need recruiters. It is very important we don't push our young soldiers into jobs that are just not right for them. Likewise, it is our responsibility as NCO's to steer them where they will be most rewarded and where their talents and abilities contribute the greatest results to the mission. The house we build is the one we all have to live in.

3. The military is not a social panacea. If you are a major screw-up in your life and your parents can't wait to get you out of the house, don't expect the military to magically transform you into a law-abiding, sensible, ambitious go-getter. It has to be in you all along...the military helps you bring it on. And don't lie...we'll find out eventually and it won't be good.

4. They just raised the enlistment cut-off to 42. My God, what a way to tee-off Drill Instructors. Listen up chubby and unemployed: The military is not a "fat camp". Don't join because after all these years you are still wondering what your going to do with your life. Unless you have kept yourself in real good shape, you've got the challenge of your life ahead of you and will probably end up wasting the government's money. Please, rent the movie "Stripes", and remember - It's NOT like that!!!

That's enough, you're all great for exploring your options in U.S. military. Talk this site up with your friends and peers. Let's make this even more thought-provoking and educational. Your country needs you...but you need her even more. God Bless Our Troops!

Best of luck to you all!

Charles

[andrew.tischner]

Well sadly i disagree with much of this especialy as a RRNCO, Yes there are bad recruiters out there, but i would like to believe, at least in this branch of the army, most of our recruiters are straight forward. I dont lie to my recruites they ask a question and yes i have an answer, but guess what that is my job. Im supposed to have all the answers, and if i dont i need to go find them out, and then get back to the person.

The ASVAB doesnt tell the whole story and never has, but as a recruiter no im not going to steer a future soldier away from any particular MOS, that is the beauty and the best thing about the Army, YOU get to choose your job, we dont pick it for you like all the other services. But this is the National Guard so most of the time recruiters will STEER recruits to some MOS that will match their particular future civilian career. So Recruit A says he wants to be a pilot, I steer him towards 15 series for avation, probably a 15T, Recruit B says she wants to be a nurse i steer her towards 91W for a nationaly recgonized EMT liscence.

With your third point, The military will change you even if you do not have it in you, Yes some people are stubborn, thats why we have artical 15, because most people do not have it in them when they join, people join for litterly thousands of different reasons, and each one to them own is a good one. It might not transform you into a perfect person, but if you put your time in, you will change, someway you will, from the way you talk to the way you walk, people will notice that you have changed some how, and personaly i cant believe for a former soldier you would say something like that, I personaly have seen the military help many soldiers in my short career so far and also being im a Military Brat i have seen it throughout my life.

Your forth coment is just uncalled for, and totaly rude, you might call yourself a NCO but that is just not becoming of one. Just because a 41 year old joins does NOT mean they are chubby or unemployed, I actualy enlisted 2 people this month that were over 40, guess what both had a 4 year degree and one had his masters, and guess what both went enlisted as E4s. Most of these over 40 guys and girls it has nothing to do with not having a job or still wondering what to do with there life, they just want to SERVE!! they want to do something they wernt mentaly prepared for at the age of 18, gosh i just put in a 36 year old guy with a masters, and he is already self retired. Owns 3 properties and some nice cars, you know why he joined? He was BORED.

And Yes basic training gets you in shape and puts you in a mind frame of staying in shape, so no you dont have to be as you say "in real good shape"

[txarngct]

I don't think anything else needs to be said, im with you SPC Tischner.



Calvin Thomas

SPC/GS-07

TX ARNG

[Rhughes]

I have to agree, as someone who is over 40, albeit prior service, I am insulted. I work my butt off and have never been unemployed. I am going back in to serve my country and for possible future career in case i do get laid off (which is a good possiblity). I am not stupid or lazy either. I work full time and go to school full time and carry a 3.8 GPA. Not to mention I am married and have 5 kids so I you can see I have no time to be lazy. So that assertion is totally bogus.

As far as the out of shape part I am not in the greatest of shape but I can hold my own (have to in my line of work) and out work most people half my age (no insult to those who are younger than I). Yes, I may not be able to score as high as some in their 20's on the APFT I do understand the stamia it takes to work 12-18 hours in hostile conditions and all types of weather.

To assume we who are over 40 will give the DI's or other NCO's heartburn is totally bogus. I would think most units getting the over 40 crowd would welcome our experience and maturity. I know as an NOC I will.

By the way SPC Tishner thank you for your opinion on this matter.

Just my 2 cents.

[WIBecky74]

Everyone that signs on the dotted line is either 18+ or has a parent/guardian. I learned at a very young age, dont sign anything I havent fully read, understood, or agree with. You cant be forced to do something you dont want to. This isnt to say that down the road the Army cant make minor adjustments to your contract as our Country needs it...such as MOS change or stop loss to fill voids that are there.

I've had a great experience with the Recruiter here in my home town in central Wisconsin. Sure he has an answer for everything, but I just think he is doing his job. I'm not in my forties, but will be 32 in October. So far any NCO i've spoken with is excited about someone a little older. I cant speak for anyone else, but I'm not doing this because i'm unemployed nor am I chubby or terribley out of shape. And if I have to prove myself a little bit more then an 18 year old at BCT, or if they come down on me a little harder to make sure I can handle it because i'm not younger.......great...I want to make sure I can handle a combat situation and not put anyone in danger, anyways. And if they expect me to be a leader because i'm older....i'll take it as a complement and do it to the best of my abilities and then some.

Maybe the first post is true in some situations. I can understand that. But lets not dwell on the minority. Lets praise the work of the majority.

[Anthony]

#4 Not Cool At All!! You Just Lost Any Respect You Earned In These Forums. Basically You Just Stated In #4 That Anyone That Joins The Military Near The Cut Off Age Must Be Fat And A Loser And Would Just Be Wasting The Governments Money Because They Wont Make It. Shame On You!! I Have Nothing But The Highest Respect For Anyone Who Joins The Armed Forces At Any Age 18 Or 42. I Think Your Next Comment On These Forums Should Be A Formal Apology Mr. Charles Barth Because That Was Uncalled For And Very Insulting To Many....

[plt3121]

I completely agree with you all except the original post of course. Its sad to think what some people think of older folks. I guess there is no such thing as respecting your elders. I am proud to say I served in the 90's and i'm back to serve with the guard and no i'm not unemployed or out of shape.

[possum]

I found this forrum lookinf for info on joining the army at the age of 30.I have been laid off and donot see myself getting my job back soon.I am a little chubby a little out of shape and unemployed.I have always had the urge to serve my country and thought this might be my only opportunity.seems like you think I may be making a mistake.

[TRUEBLUE4LIFE]

I found this forrum lookinf for info on joining the army at the age of 30.I have been laid off and donot see myself getting my job back soon.I am a little chubby a little out of shape and unemployed.I have always had the urge to serve my country and thought this might be my only opportunity.seems like you think I may be making a mistake.

No your not. To do something like help your country and do your fair share ...will never be a mistake. Look with 3121, Anthony.. becky74 and Rhughes.. txarngct and.. Andrew.T have to say. You can't ask for better company. Go for it Possum.

[Charles Barth]

Listen guys, I work the overnight and sometimes get a little bored during the slow times. I've been reading different posts for about three weeks now and notice there are some out there who are obviously trying to tailor a job for themselves without all the rough stuff. Joblessness, waivers, overweight - are just a few of the topics I have found very interesting. I didn't attack anyone personally so there's no need to attack me. Some of the points I tried to make were admittedly exaggerated because I really think this is a valuable site and sometimes the only way to see what people are made of is to get them a little steamed. Okay, I obviously did that. But look, I'm not talking about you, per se. And kudos to "possum" for taking a second glance at himself. SPC Tischner was, by far, the gentlemen; it's great to disagree - it's the only way we learn.

It is more than a little obvious that this forum is intended to be recruiter/recruit friendly and primarily (not exclusively) for the dissemination of doctrine and company-line-policy. I would probably be better suited finding a website that is less defensive. There is a proper time and place for everything. I was mistaken to be so forward, but you've gotta admit I got some responses. I don't think anyone comes here to be mean. You've gotta listen to LTC White's ITB Graduation speech; it's awesome, but I wouldn't call it PC. Sometimes you gotta say it like it is - it brought tears to my eyes.

Now for Anthony - dude, I'd stay away from sniper school! Seriously though, here you are: I do sincerely apologize if I have offended or insulted anyone; I certainly did not mean to do so. I do, however, hope that you read my praises and where my heart is and not just the things you found offensive.

All in all, it was good to get this kind of mileage out of this. Thanks all!

Charles Barth
JAROC-Berlin '81-85
7th Trans Gp, Operation Desert Storm, Ad Dammam, KSA '91
NSE-INT, Operation Joint Endeavor, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia '97

Proud of every moment! (And if you haven't already guessed, I'm a little over-the-hill myself!) LOL

[Anthony]

Apology Accepted. No Hard Feelings and glad you responded.

[plt3121]

I am glad you responded and let us know what it was you were trying to accomplish. It makes more sense now.

[TRUEBLUE4LIFE]

Heyy Charles, We appreciate the heads up! it's cool thank you.