Re-Introduction

[Tyler212]

I doubt any of you remember me so here is another introduction. It has been a year since I posted anything.

I am currently in the process of joining the Army, either 25B or 25S, and would like to get airborne. I haven't signed anything yet, I have to wait for my medical documents to get approved. I should get lucky as my recruiter has a 101st patch on his uniform. I hope I actually stick around long enough to post more then a few times.

I have come to find out since last time I was here that my grandfather and great-uncle went to Jump school. My grandfather would have been there in '69 but never served in an airborne unit outside of school. He want on to fix Sergeant Missile's in Italy. I'm not sure when my great-uncle went but from what I heard he was an officer in the Green Beret's in Vietnam. The are Larry and Robert Schacht, I don't know if anyone would know them but worth a shot.

[Rocket1972]

Welcome back and good luck!

[Gato Rojo]

Welcome back, and good luck!

[RH]

Welcome back, and good luck!

This X3.

[IEDmagnet]

Welcome back and good luck!

Yep

[wild bill]

Welcome and good luck.

[PIKE]

Welcome and good luck.

THIS!

[CharliePC]

If you want Airborne, make sure it is in your contract. If there isn't a slot open when you go to MEPS, tell them you will wait for one.

BTW, the "Airborne " on the 101st patch doesn't mean the wearer is jump qualified.

[bg]

Welcome back.

[Para-327th]

Welcome.

[Sgt.Raven]

If you want Airborne, make sure it is in your contract. If there isn't a slot open when you go to MEPS, tell them you will wait for one.

BTW, the "Airborne " on the 101st patch doesn't mean the wearer is jump qualified.

This and welcome back.

Has it been a year? Wow, time flies! Lock your targets now, young stud, and best wishes to you!

[Tyler212]

Thanks for another warm welcome. Charlie I'll definitely will do that and if I remember correctly he said he has done airborne and air assault.

[Old All American]

Charlie gave you some of the best advice you can get at this stage; let me give you a few personal horror stories from experience. Both my son who went in the Navy and nephew who went Army screwed because they didn't get it in writing. With my son, I even went to MEPS so he wouldn't get stuck up there for a ride and could walk. I had the career counselor so ticked at me because of my input, but as I told him, my son wasn't his yet. But the young man had made up his mind to go ahead and go in, he didn't want to be a burden hanging around the house waiting for life to begin so he signed - against my misgivings. He DID NOT get everything in his contract so - you guessed it - he got screwed. My nephew had the same thing when he went in the Army, his dad, a Navy vet (I know, ironic) tried to tell him the same thing. They called me up during the process for advice and I told him the same thing - GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT SPECIFICALLY IN WRITING OR WALK OUT. You don't owe them a thing, they give you a ride to MEPs, so what? They bought you a great dinner? So what? DON'T SIGN THE PAPER UNTIL YOU'VE GOTTEN WHAT YOU WANT. After all, it is some of the best years of your life at stake here. And the more satisfied you are with your MOS/assignment the better soldier you'd likely be.

Anyway, with my nephew nothing turned out as promised. The only thing he wanted he got was Infantry. He wanted ranger. Okay, when I was looking in they were always looking for ranger and airborne volunteers from Basic Trainees and during AIT. Now, it seems things are different. I suppose one of the ways the Army is controlling the failure rate is by quality control of candidates. I got screwed because when I signed up I wanted airborne infantry, too. My dream was always Special Forces. But back then the Army didn't give all the guarantees they do now. I got airborne, but came down on orders for Ft. Sill. I remember going to my drill sergeant and saying there had been a mistake - I was going infantry and Ft. Sill was artillery school. The drill smiled sadly, "Well, I guess you're a cannon cocker." I always felt robbed and had a love/hate relationship with 13B. Never got to go SF either. My first wife said it was her or the green beenie. We ended up getting divorced anyway so I should have said screw her and gone for it.

I had hoped to help save a second generation from the mistakes of the first. My two brothers, who went Navy, listened and got everything they asked for - of course, they were willing to wait for the opening before signing. That's the key, be willing to walk out. NEVER buy a car until you've walked at least once - it's the same with enlisting.I'm taking some time here, but I always feel if one person can learn from my experiences it's makes it somehow worth it. Best wishes to you - AATW!

[blackflagg509]

Welcome back, and follow all of the sage advice that has been given to your by our esteemed members here and in the end you'll get what you want.

[Ops NCO]

Time to close this up. Best of luck.

Closed.