Question - to those that have made it to the Military branches

[Agmen of Eladesor]

It's been a while for me as well, but I also had went through it second hand again recently with my son, so...

First off, remember that there is Basic Training or Basic Combat Training - the name differs by branch, but it's still has the same purpose - and then there's the rest of the military. The actual basic training cycle lasted (for me) 8 weeks, but with in-processing and other stuff, be prepared for up to 10 weeks.

During THIS period of time - don't take anything with you that has a slogan on it, no phones, no MP3 players - your best bet is to show up with about $100 in your pocket, your ID, your orders, a couple of (non-porno) books to read, and a Bible. Don't bring ANYTHING else.

The purpose behind basic training is not just inspired sadism, although it will feel like it. It has a purpose - it is designed to remove your individuality and make you a part of the team. You'll learn to follow orders, march in formation, and gives you the BASIC foundation for a military career. Does it suck, especially when you're marching with full pack in a pouring rain and it's 40 degrees outside? You bet. You'll also find out that all that crap you see in the movies is just that - crap. Especially about the time you're hauling a rifle (DO NOT EVER call it a gun) and 200 rounds, along with a full pack, and you're also toting a box of ammo for a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon). See - all that ammo weighs a LOT.

Thus, you learn fire discipline, and marksmanship. You'll also learn why the spray and pray method of firing, which looks cool on TV and in movies, doesn't work worth a darn in real life.

But the key thing to always keep in mind is this: Once basic training is done, it's done. Simply give your body and soul to the drill instructors for 2 months, and then it's over. You will still have to march, still have assorted mickey mouse crap to deal with - but things will be ENTIRELY different.

That's truly when your actual military education and career starts. So go over your options, and make sure that you have checked out everything. Obviously someone with a higher ASVAB (or whatever they call it now) score will have more options than someone with a lower score. Your advanced training can then last anywhere from 6 weeks to close to a full year, depending upon what you're doing. The shorter cycles tend to be more barracks life and hands on oriented. The longer cycles will be more like a college dorm.

Doesn't mean that you still won't have inspections and such, just means that you will have some free time, maybe weekends or some evenings free - that all depends upon what you're doing.

For example, for me it was 13 weeks of intensive study during the day, occassional overnight (and once a full week) of in field exercises, and a lot of tests. I was an NBC - nuclear, biological, and chemical - warfare specialist. My son had 18 weeks of study, but he also had almost every weekend free and only the occassional field study - most of his work was on computers and battlefield analysis.

And for what it's worth, he just re-upped for a second hitch - he's already got 6 years in. My brother-in-law re-upped last year and when this hitch is over he'll have 24 years in - he'll be getting his commission later this year, too.

---

Oh god... The end of days... Agmen agreed with me.