ARMY RESERVES,...worth joining or no?...

[bodytemple75]

bros,


Have been thinking about joining the Army Reserves. I say ",thinking," because at this time, it is ",only," just that. Before I do anything, I want to know firsthand, what ",I," can possibly bennift, and get out of joining. If having made the decision, and given my time to the reserves,I would like to get some sort of a security like securing a skill, or possible higher than normal prospects for a job like with law enforcement/corretions in the outside civilian world from joining. Would any of this be possible? Or are you basically just back where you started after given all that time, and justused up, and given the speech of doing it for the good of the country? I hear a lot of guys, some friends that I have lost touch with, that say that the worst decision they made was the military, any branch... They said, it was nothing like what their recruiters said, and they were just used up, and jobless, that being in all those years did not help them in any way find a good jobin the ivilian world whenthey were out. Basically a waste of time for them, but the army got a slave to scrub the floors, wash pots in th messhall, and ect.. for a cuple of years. Now whatever branch o the military I have heard the same stories from a lot of different people, and most of these people are responsible people, not lazy slacker whiny types who you would figure why he hell did they join in the first place?.. But I take these stories into consideration, and don't believe everything I'm told altogether, and know there are peope with good experience stories also. Basically there are going to be two sides to every story. I know, and understand why the Military would try to get whomever they can in fast. I mean if we go to war ever, the more guys in already te better. Numbers count. But, is it really worth it for the individual? I plan on doing what is right for me and my family ",FIRST," and then if I can help my country in the process that's good. I love my country, and appreciate all that we have here but, want to know from guys in, others opinions, ect.., if
joining the Reserves is really wort it for the ",individual," for attaining something that can help them better themselves, other than just thrown around phrases as attaining a sence of dicipline, respect, jumping out of Helicopters, knowing ot to fire an assault rifle, ect.... That's all cool, but my question is,... does it pay off for ",you," securing a better future(ex. civilian jobs/military jobs possibly/ better future)having spent your time in for it?



P.S. One more big question...
Having made the decision to enlist with the reserves,...they tell you that it's something like 1 weekend per./month, 2 weeks/per. year, ect.... Does this in any way effect you civilian job negatively? Or more to the point,... affect you getting a better civilian job while enlisted? Since applying for a job, employers seeing that you are enlisted, knowing that every month for a weekend you will not be at work. Woudn't that probably give an employer more reason not to hire you, since they can get other guy who is applying for the same job, an he's able to work since he's not enlisted. The military gets you for the 1 weekend a month, ect...ect,.. but, in the meantime, in the real world, wouldn't this affect your employers decision to hire you, I assume? I mean, on job interview they can hire or not hire you for basically whatever reason they seem fit, and call it what they want legl like...unqualified, overqualified, no-openings at this time, ect.,..ect...



What's the deal bros?.......To do or not?...Want to be home and start a family with my fiancee', and at the same time possibly be enlisted to either get more assistance to become a police/and/or corrections officer or just havea good job in the military that allows me to have a life outside of it not being away for months on end away from my family. That I don't want. If the reserves help in a step for a lifetime carreer, or then joining, and then when I have my family where I want go into leading to the regular army,...I will join, but only if can get something solid for my time in, other than a couple of medals, and a ",good Job soldier," from the sarge..and then in civilian life,I'm jobless and back to square one, with a ton of regrets, wasted time, and why did I joined in the first place. This I definately am trying to avoid, and don't want. I have respect for the military, and am only going on from what I have heard o negatives, and trying to see from guys with knowlege about it, if it's really worth it in your opinion's guys,...enlisted, and not-enlisted... What do ou guys think?...




Oh, at some point, can guys really get away with using gear in the military, once enlisted in? No bullshit,..I've heard yes, but...am a little doubtful, but I assume it could be true...Enlighten me bros..


b o d y t e m p l e?

 

[J-DAM]

Maybe they can teach you mastery of the English language and basic typing skills.

Then again, so can Mavis Beacon.

 

[6(SIC)6]

bump

 

[TC2]

I am considering this myself, any bros in the reserves?? Is it worth it?

 

[BronzedGoddess]

I'm in the Army Reserves. I leave for Germany on Saturday for my 2-week Annual Training. Earlier this month I was told I was told that I was going to be deployed for six months but then for medical reasons they decided not to.

You have a big chance of being deployed in the Reserves, even more so than active duty. By the way I was also Active once upon a time and did my tour in Bosnia.

I'm glad I joined. I played my cards right and I chose a MOS (job) that is in very high demand in the civilian world, and the military has the best school for it in the world. You might want to check it out Biomedical Equipment Repair (91A). Just by graduating from this school I can work for General Electric (they come and recruit Reservist at graduation) My husband is going to school right now for the exact same job. I will put in my resume when I get back from Germany. Oh and the starting salary is 38,000. Not bad for a 10 month long school.

Most employers are ok with you missing work for AT and things of that nature. AND they cant fire you over it becuase of the Soldiers/Sailors Act. Keep in mind you are protecting their freedom.

The most important thing is to 1) pick a job thats going to help you on the outside. If you wanna be a cop or correction office then you might want to look into becoming an MP. 2)get a bonus!!!!! 3) the reserves pay 75% tuition assistance. take advantage.

thats all i can think of right now

 

[BronzedGoddess]

Let me clarify.......Starting salary for GE is 38,000 and in the Dallas Area. other places I've checked is lower.

 

[Test boy]

If you are interested in the military try it out. You have little to lose and many people have done very well because of their military experience.

 

[chesty]

NO

 

[Big Buck]

NO

damn jarheads...

 

[chesty]

i DID THE ARMY RESERVE THING FOR A YEAR AFTER THE MARINES, THEY SUCK. Have you noticed how they and the generals of the forces in Aghanistan are trying to be like us? We will leave no one behind hoo ya shit they are saying? We never did leave anyone behind, never and the army was/is famous for it. Now they are trying to be like us.

Also, why have the Marines not reinserted in force? We are the only force in the area of any apprciable size and strength to represent the US.

 

[Longhorn85]

i DID THE ARMY RESERVE THING FOR A YEAR AFTER THE MARINES, THEY SUCK. Have you noticed how they and the generals of the forces in Aghanistan are trying to be like us? We will leave no one behind hoo ya shit they are saying? We never did leave anyone behind, never and the army was/is famous for it. Now they are trying to be like us.

Also, why have the Marines not reinserted in force? We are the only force in the area of any apprciable size and strength to represent the US.

Chesty, I don't see why you have to criticize the Army to try and make the Marines look good. All of the services have proud traditions. But "never leaving a fallen comrade" belongs to the Army, it is a part of the Ranger Creed.

The Army obviously has credit in the eyes of the decision makers (oh wait, the decision makers ARE Army). The Army has the respect of Americans, and they seem to be doing a great job. I don't why the Marines didn't take any action why they were over there. The Army has been VERY busy, with Special Forces, Rangers, 10th Mountain, 101st Airborne and Delta, not to mention running the prison camps in Afghanistan and Cuba.

Another testimony to the respect of the Army is the popularity of Blackhawk Down and We Were Soldiers.

I don't know Chesty, maybe you joined the wrong branch of service! For the record, I have all the respect in the world for the USMC.

Rangers Lead The Way!
ttlpkg

 

[Longhorn85]

As far as the subject for the thread, DON"T join the reserves for the college money or benefits. If you are not prepared to deploy, don't kid yourself.

Many folks who joined for the benefits found themselves deployed for a year, and then again soon after.

"Ask not what your country can do for you..."

 

[Big Buck]

well let's consider that the Marine Corps get 6 cents of every dollar spent on defense....yet we are the ones always deployed and first into combat. I beleive the REGULAR Army infantry is grossly undertrained, undisciplined, and basically good for nothing except as shooting targets for the enemy. On the other hand, I have all the respect in the world for the Army SF guys (Rangers, Delta). I'd be happy to have them cover my 6 in a combat situtation.

 

[javaguru]

I've never understood that big chip marines carry on their shoulder. I think they're overcompensating because their original mandate was as security guards for boats and they hate that their paycheck comes from the Navy. That being said, I've never had anything but respect for all branches of the service.

Like ttlpkg said, don't join unless you're prepared to be deployed. I think military service is a great learning experience for anyone and if you want a job skill look very carefully.

 

[Big Buck]

I've never understood that big chip marines carry on their shoulder. I think they're overcompensating because their original mandate was as security guards for boats and they hate that their paycheck comes from the Navy. That being said, I've never had anything but respect for all branches of the service.

What branch of the service guards the President and all the embassies in the world? Oh yeah, Marines do. We have the highest physical standards and personal appearance standards of ANY service in the armed forces. That is a FACT.

 

[chesty]

Becaue we are that damned good.

As an example, during Korea an Army battalion was sent to help the Marines of 1st divison, Chesty Puller's Marines. When the Army arrived the very first thing the commander asked General Puller was what is my avenue of retreat? Puller told him he will not retreat. Then radioed his artillary, gave the exact position of the Army units and told them that if they attempted to retreat to shoot them.

You see, the Rangers are but a small force within the Army. I have worked with them and they are ok.

As for dissin the army to make the Marines look good. I don't have to do that, they do it themselves. As for the leaders in charge? That would be Donald Rumsfield and he is a Marine.

Now I do have respect for Schwarzkopff, Patton, MacArther, and others, but the Army has not had real leadership in almost 40 years and it shows.

And now they are trying to fight a fire in Afghanistan with a water pick.

 

[chesty]

And we don't leave anyone behind no matter his unit. That apparently only applies to the Rangers.

 

[javaguru]

What branch of the service guards the President and all the embassies in the world? Oh yeah, Marines do. We have the highest physical standards and personal appearance standards of ANY service in the armed forces. That is a FACT.

Ok, so marines guard more than boats these days but the Secret Service is actually responsible for the President's security.

The Army has always done the vast majority of fighting throughout our history. Even during the "Island Hopping" campaigns in the Pacific during WWII in which the Marines gained a well deserved reputation. Most of the fighting was carried out by US and Australian Army units after a beachhead was secured. I've met Australians that are quite bitter about the whole matter.

It certainly may be the case that your average marine is more disciplined and well trained than the average grunt but that's to be expected from a numerically small force. Likewise, the average ranger is more physically fit, well trained and disciplined than your average infantryman. However, I will take issue with your assertion that they're "good for nothing except as shooting targets for the enemy." We have one of the best trained and equipped forces in the world.

 

[chesty]

Not really. And that is not a slam. It is a fact of dewindling budgets and so forth. And as far as the island hopping better check your history. The Marines secured every major island, port and air strip in the pacific theater. The army was along for the ride. Okinawa, Tarawa, Guam, Saipan, Phillipines, etc. Yes, we secured the beachead, did the job they couldn't and let them in to mop up. But they did help us along the way and they were good at what they did.

 

[Big Buck]

JavaGuru-did they tell you this in your 8 week vacation...I mean...uh...bootcamp? You know the one where you train with women.....LMFAO You need to do some serious researching before your go running your mouth about things that you have no knowledge of.

 

[javaguru]

chesty Not really. And that is not a slam. It is a fact of dewindling budgets and so forth. And as far as the island hopping better check your history. The Marines secured every major island, port and air strip in the pacific theater. The army was along for the ride. Okinawa, Tarawa, Guam, Saipan, Phillipines, etc. Yes, we secured the beachead, did the job they couldn't and let them in to mop up. But they did help us along the way and they were good at what they did.

Well, considering I spent four years in one of the top military history programs in the country I hope I can get my history straight! Otherwise, the US government wasted quite a bit of money, not that they seem to mind!

Sorry for the history.....
There were basically two "prongs" in the Pacific Campaign, the northern led by Nimitz and the southern led by Mac. The Marines played a much larger role in the northern campaign taking many of the small islands nearly single handed. The southern prong involved predominately Army units and they saw a great deal fo action in areas with much larger geographic regions in which the fighting took place. As a side note, there was a great rivalry between Nimitz and Mac with Nimitz resenting the "favortism" Mac received with regards to assets and operational approval. Regardless, looking at the orders of battle relatively few marines took part in operations as compared to US and Australian Army units. Also due to the nature of their roles Marine operations typically took weeks while Army operations took months as they tried to root out and destroy resistance under dismal conditions.

Regardless of budget cuts, the average US soldier is better trained and equipped than 99% of the world. The average US soldier spends more time in the field conducting training operation than most every country in the world. There is no country in the world that can match our projection power and ability to sustain operations far from our own borders. We certainly lack the preparedness of the Cold War Reagan years and early Bush Sr. years but those were exceptional moments in that regard.

Those of you who decide to enter military service will find there is a great deal of rivalry at all levels. There is rivalry between branches, rivalries exist intra branch ( Infantry, Armor, Artillery) and even within units. A certain amount is encouraged and healthy. There are some pretty high speed guys in Army infantry units, many wear Ranger tabs, and there are weak dick marines.
However, at the end of the day lets not forget we're all on the same team and once the bullets start flying that's how it works out.

 

[Big Buck]

It's all good bro....you know we gotz to fuck with you Army dogs I've 'chewed the same dirt' as many a Ranger. They're all a bunch of good guys. Take care....and thanx for serving your country bro.

Semper Fi

 

[javaguru]

It's all good bro....you know we gotz to fuck with you Army dogs I've 'chewed the same dirt' as many a Ranger. They're all a bunch of good guys. Take care....and thanx for serving your country bro.

I know, nothing like a good natured rivalry.

Nobody can match a marine in esprit de corps, that's for sure.

 

[theoak01]

imin the reserves for a co-op and im going away for a summer course and so far ive been loving every minute of it and im on nomination for course candidate(being the best in group),im sure you will love it to as canadian and american training is very similar

i also volunteered for a bosnia peacekeeping mission next may,and if i get accepted im staying reserves until im back from that and then going regs

hopefully you will join and if you dont like it get a discharge

 

[chesty]

That is true. but our job was to seize and defend forward naval bases. And we did that all the way to Japan.

As for the rivalry, you know the Marines have the biggest head in the group!

I'm suprised that Ranger hasn't popped up on this thread.

As for the training I am not comparing us to the world I am comparing us to ourselves. And due to budgets and shitty leaders we have lost a huge edge which we used to have.

 

[the People's Champ]

As for the training I am not comparing us to the world I am comparing us to ourselves. And due to budgets and shitty leaders we have lost a huge edge which we used to have.

true that... one reason I declined to stay in.

body temple-if you want to join the military, go active duty. don't go in the reserves. as far as the reserves helping you out? it all depends on your unit, your current job sitch, etc, etc. I gto screwed because I would HAVE to go to drill during the middle of the week, and my employer would always give me shit about it. yes, I was protected by the sailors and soliders act, but still that was a headache I didn't need. if I could do it again, I would go active. depending on your job in the reserves, it may or more than likely not require you to spend your "weekends" during the week, where it may conflict with school or work(if you have a steady job.

 

[Longhorn85]

As for the training I am not comparing us to the world I am comparing us to ourselves. And due to budgets and shitty leaders we have lost a huge edge which we used to have.

Let's talk about training for a second. I am an artilleryman, and when I got trained at the artillery school at Fort Sill, I wondered why there were so many Marines there. I found out that it is because they use the Army's school to train Marines. You guys don't even have your own arty school.

I have worked with many Marines, with the Rangers and elsewhere. Some good, some bad. Mostly good. Many Marines comment that SF, Ranger, 82d are good, but the rest is not. What Marines don't realize is that the Army's missions require a lot more, and a lot different kinds of soldiers. Logisticians, Scientists, Researchers, Engineers, Communicators...AND WARFIGHTERS! The USMC is dwarfed by the Army when it comes to responsibilities and capabilities. They are after all, a part of the Navy, many countries refer to thier Marines as Naval Infantry.

Chesty and Buck, again mighty props to you, but let's look at the facts. The Marines were in Afghanistan for weeks and NO ACTION. The Army, (the part you criticized, the regular Army like 10th Mountain( my old outfit) and 101st are taking it to the enemy.

Usually when Marines ARE in combat, they are commanded by an Army guy, like Schwartzkopf or Franks or MacArthur.

The Army is the shit!
Rangers lead the Way!

 

[SDRaver]

You can blast the Reg Army all you want

But if anyone has anything to say about Rangers fill me in. I i was in SOCOM (Special Operantion Command ) from 91-2001. Every branch of the military has units except for one. You know who you are. Another little known fact is that this one unit alows PADI diver certification for their dive quals. Giving it the same merrit as the Combat Diver Qualification Course down in Key West. These guys refer to themselves as Special operations capable but they are by know means in the Spec Ops community.

 

[BronzedGoddess]

Re: You can blast the Reg Army all you want

But if anyone has anything to say about Rangers fill me in. I i was in SOCOM (Special Operantion Command ) from 91-2001. Every branch of the military has units except for one. You know who you are. Another little known fact is that this one unit alows PADI diver certification for their dive quals. Giving it the same merrit as the Combat Diver Qualification Course down in Key West. These guys refer to themselves as Special operations capable but they are by know means in the Spec Ops community.

Yes SSG!

in the fron leaning rest position.

 

[SDRaver]

Time for some fratnization swettie Bronzed all over I hope

 

[mattcanning99]

i was 17 and in grade 12 when for some sick reason i got the idea the army would be a good part time job. well, it's part time and it's a job, but other than that i wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy.

it's now been two years since i decided to join, and they just promoted me to coporal, and gave me a pay raise (making it even harder to quit).

but like i said, i wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

 

[3Vandoo]

i was 17 and in grade 12 when for some sick reason i got the idea the army would be a good part time job. well, it's part time and it's a job, but other than that i wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy.

it's now been two years since i decided to join, and they just promoted me to coporal, and gave me a pay raise (making it even harder to quit).

but like i said, i wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BigMarc1]

In WWII I believe there was around 30-32 major invasions from sea, only 6 of them were Marine only. The largest seaborne invasion ever was a Navy/ARMY invasion on D-Day.

The MArines are a highly trained hard fighting force that deserves alot of respect as a whole, but individual marines are most the times jackasses who don't know shit about shit and just always say we are there first we do all the fighting army sucks, air force is all pussies and so on. Get a clue.

Yeah in numbers the USMC was the first in Afghanistan but what did they do? Not much. Yes there are some still there helping out the 10th and 101st right now. Along with Seal's, Rangers, SF, Delta and Air Force CCT's and PJ's.

And by the way Special Forces soldiers were on the gorung fighting well before the Corps, and also I would be willing to bet that the first american on the ground in the shit was a team of Combat Controllers form the Air Force.

Infantry is Infantry, all get the same basic training be it Marine Corps or Army. Yes Boot is longer in the Corps but you have to learn more do to ship board living. Harder Physical standards?
3 miles in under 28 min
50 crunches
3 pull-ups.

Give me a break.
2 miles under 15:52
42 Push Ups
52 Sit Ups is harder than that.

Don't get me wrong the USMC is an awesome asset for the US, but come on you guys can't even support yourselves for any kind of time period. We are a team don't forget that, you can't survive without the Navy, literally you don't even have medical support.

Take some time to learn about the other branches first then re-examine your thoughts. Have you ever been through 11B OSUT at Ft. Benning? Airborne School, Air Assault , Ranger? Scout/Sniper, Long range recon, Halo?

 

[BigMarc1]

In WWII I believe there was around 30-32 major invasions from sea, only 6 of them were Marine only. The largest seaborne invasion ever was a Navy/ARMY invasion on D-Day.

The MArines are a highly trained hard fighting force that deserves alot of respect as a whole, but individual marines are most the times jackasses who don't know shit about shit and just always say we are there first we do all the fighting army sucks, air force is all pussies and so on. Get a clue.

Yeah in numbers the USMC was the first in Afghanistan but what did they do? Not much. Yes there are some still there helping out the 10th and 101st right now. Along with Seal's, Rangers, SF, Delta and Air Force CCT's and PJ's.

And by the way Special Forces soldiers were on the gorung fighting well before the Corps, and also I would be willing to bet that the first american on the ground in the shit was a team of Combat Controllers form the Air Force.

Infantry is Infantry, all get the same basic training be it Marine Corps or Army. Yes Boot is longer in the Corps but you have to learn more do to ship board living. Harder Physical standards?
3 miles in under 28 min
50 crunches
3 pull-ups.

Give me a break.
2 miles under 15:52
42 Push Ups
52 Sit Ups is harder than that.

Don't get me wrong the USMC is an awesome asset for the US, but come on you guys can't even support yourselves for any kind of time period. We are a team don't forget that, you can't survive without the Navy, literally you don't even have medical support.

Take some time to learn about the other branches first then re-examine your thoughts. Have you ever been through 11B OSUT at Ft. Benning? Airborne School, Air Assault , Ranger? Scout/Sniper, Long range recon, Halo?