Army officers

[Longhorn85]

Damnit, I posted this on Friday, hoping that when I got back today, I'd have some good information on Army officer career fields and maybe some descriptions of life in said jobs. Seems all I got was a big pissing contest over which branch is the best.

Maybe I'll start a new thread on subject this with a big fucking "NO WHINING, BITCHING, OR FLAMING" banner at the top.

see the 1st response to your post, hothead

 

[frorider6]

see the 1st response to your post, hothead

I read that and it did help sway me towards the Army. Thanks ttlpkg. The only reason I don't want to be camped out for months is because I tend to lose weight quickly if I'm not lifting and eating properly. I'd just hate to join and end up in worse shape physically than when I started.

 

[Longhorn85]

You won't be camped out for months, on average about one week out of every 2 or 3 months. You'll have plenty of time to workout, believe me. You'll run 3 times a week usually when you're not in the field. The army takes fitness seriously because soldiers need to be fit, plus most like to do it on thier own, so we have a hell of a lot of gym facilities.

Every army post has at least one nice gym that has the type of equipment that you would find at any Gold's Gym. It's not just soldiers working out either, it's family members and civiian workers so there is just as much scenery as anywhere, and it's free.

The post where I am is large and we have 5 big gyms. The one I worked out in at lunch today has the complete set of Hammer Strength machines. It also has a full complement of dumbells, freeweights, cardio machines, etc, etc.

I have been an Artillery guy for over 15 years and I probably have averaged 3 trips to the gym per week over all that time. When I came in I was 6' 180 and now I weigh 200 and am in much better condition.

 

[frorider6]

ttlpkg-I'm being swayed more and more towards the Army. The Air Force really is more of a corporation environment. Kinda like United Airlines with guns. The whole fitness attitude seems better in the Army too. At my AF base, we had one gym and the free weight room looked about 20 years old and was stuffed into 2 racketball courts with the adjoining wall torn down.

I see you're an Artillery Oficer. Are you commisioned or is that a title? I'd like to hear about OCS.

 

[bigkraut]

Thanks Frank, great to meet you as well. Frorider, I'm in the same boat as frank. I was enlisted, you know, the kind of guy you will be giving orders to. lol. It is my fault that the thread got off topic. Soldiers, current and former, love to fuss. Sorry about that. I wish you well with your future military career.

 

[Longhorn85]

I see you're an Artillery Oficer. Are you commisioned or is that a title? I'd like to hear about OCS.

I attended Army OCS in 1987. It is at Fort Benning and lasts 3 months. It is a fairly tough school. You should be in shape and ready to be harassed when you show up. Most of the guys there will have prior enlisted service. I was an E4 when I went, and there were E3s, E6s and even one E7. Also some guys straight out of college. You do a lot of field training and learn a lot about Army organization and doctrine.

OCS is run by the Infantry school so you will be learning Infantry skills, which are basic to every soldier, such a road marching, marksmanship, drill and ceremony, general orders, military courtesy and small unit tactics.

It was a good time.