Posted on 03/30/2006 1:37:22 PM PST by GottaLuvAkitas1
My daughter is talking to RECRUITER for military service, and we have someone coming by from the Army tonight.
Can you please help me with questions to ask?
We plan to talk to all branches before she decides. Thank you for any help.
I got two words for you.
Air Force.
GET A GUARANTEED MOS (MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY) BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING! ALSO DEMAND A RANK OF E2 OR HIGHER UPON COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING!........
Get any promises in writing. Ask about delayed enlistment in order to guarantee training in a desired field. Ask about the minimum obligation for the desired training. Save the Air Force recruiter for last, because that is who she will end up enlisting with. ;^)
Agree!
"GET A GUARANTEED MOS (MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY) BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING! ALSO DEMAND A RANK OF E2 OR HIGHER UPON COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING!........"
Ok. I have no idea what that means. Can you please explain.
My husband was in the Airforce, but I know nothing about the military stuff.
Can she get these things right out of high school?
Just like the Badger says, get a guarantee on a job! Only problem is the Recruiter probably can't give that guarantee himself. That happens at a MEPS for the Navy (What I do incidentally).
Good luck!
"Get any promises in writing. Ask about delayed enlistment in order to guarantee training in a desired field. Ask about the minimum obligation for the desired training. Save the Air Force recruiter for last, because that is who she will end up enlisting with. ;^)"
LOL! that is what my husband said. He told her to go with Air Force, but she is checking them all out.
I thought that that was SOP.It was for us back in '69.
My son is in Airborne school right now...He was E2 going into boot, and will be bumped up again shortly...
I helped him negotiate...He got a 40K signing bonus, and 95k for college if he wants it going out the back. On the 40k, they gave him 20k on completion of boot, and he gets a 5k per year bonus for each year he is in.
If your kid is smart and does well on the pre physical tests and the ASVAB...you can demand alot. His pre enlistment work that he did ensured the E2 entry...
Good luck...
My daughter graduated from basic E2 but had some college when she went in. Better pay grade :)
What questions would you have or ask of a college or university?
What questions would you ask of an employer at the interview?
What questions would you ask of yourself regarding what you expect out of opportunity?
Getting a specific MOS does not always guaranty that you will work that job. I am not sure if they still have special catagory MOS's now or not. I always got an assigment in my MOS because of that. Had to fight for it one time, but we got there (they kept trying to assign me to the motor pool or mess hall).
Yes! It just means that she has a guaranteed job traing field after BASIC. Like Electronics or Computers. Otherwise, they'll put her into whatever they feel like they need. Cook, Clerk, Garbage can washer, etc...........And ask about BONUS money upon completion of advanced training..........
I think only the Army will guarantee an MOS.
And Hooah from an Army wife! :)
Excellent advice. MOS is Army, AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code) is obviously Air Force. Each branch has their own. GET IT IN WRITING.
Make sure you ask specifically what MOS (Job) she will get. Don't take the answer, in the Communications Field.
IMO, make sure she gets the GI Bill. She'll have to put money in for it, but I have too many troops who didn't want it when they signed up, then realized they needed it when they got out.
Enlistments are for 8 years. Even if she does only 2 or 3 active, she is subject to recall for the whole 8.
Most bonus' are paid half up front (or completion of AIT)and the rest over a 2 or 3 year period. If she takes a bonus and does not complete her enlistment (except for certain medical reasons) the Government will come back and get that money. You might want to inquire about that.
Makes sure she gets everything the Recruiter told her in writing. If it's not in writing, you won't get it.
Good luck to you daughter.
For a female the Air Force is the best bet, in the Army she will be constantly preyed on by the males and lesbians, while the Air Force will be similar, it may not be as aggressive or threatening.
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