If you have never experienced any form of military life then entrance into the Basic Military Training establishment at Lackland Air Force Base may come as a bit of a shock.  The rewards that you will quickly reap after only a few short weeks though, will make it all worthwhile.

 Be part of a team

You will join a team of 30-60 other trainees and the days will be long and hard, often starting with some physical training at around 0445 hrs, but with great tests come great rewards.  You will leave behind all those feelings of individualism and become a part of a finely honed team.

Your life’s biggest change in just six weeks.

By the end of the six weeks of basic training you will have become a different person.  Transformations like this don’t come easy and you should be prepared for a bit of shouting and discipline, nobody ever got everything right first time.

You will be well looked after and receive three meals a day and a haircut on arrival.  You will be assigned to a Flight and you will have a dedicated Training Instructor who you will remember for the rest of your life.  He or she will mould you into a well trained Airman who is competent and proud to be serving the nation as part of the most powerful Air Force in the world.

More information available

There are plenty of guides available online to help you prepare for the training before you arrive.  There is also plenty you can do before you enlist, including making sure you are in good physical shape, but also brushing up on some of the academic side of life. Check http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2502369-10303987 to find out more about exactly what to expect and what you can prepare for ahead of time.

What’s the curriculum?

The course curriculum is six weeks long and covers the basics of military discipline (saluting and preparation of your dress and equipment), personal fitness, financial management, ethics, and the structure of the Air Force, Law of Armed Conflict, and Security, the confidence course, marksmanship and field training.  It is a busy time, but it is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable and rewarding of your life. 

Posted in Enlistment | No Comments »

When joining the Army you will make at least two trips to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). These are joint defense organizations staffed by military and civilians. The purpose of the MEPS is to determine an applicant’s suitability, mentally, physically, and morally. The standards are set by Federal Law and the departments of the military. There are 65 MEPS across the country.

Medical Checks
The very first thing that takes places is a medical pre-screening check which is carried out by the recruiter, so in effect, your application goes to a MEPS even before you get there. Some people’s applications can be discontinued at this early stage if there is something dramatically wrong (partially blind or missing a limb for example). The medical checks touch on aspects such as family history, allergies, back sprains, heart conditions etc. All the usual things you would expect.

Once you have passed the medical screening you can actually attend for the checks in person, you will need to take documentation such as social security card with you, but you get given detailed instructions about what to take from your recruiter. The checks often start early in the morning and because of the high numbers of people attending; you are advised to get there early.

What will you be tested on?
Most initial trips to MEPS take two days, and some of the test results are given to you straight away, but in other facilities it may take a while to come through. The major test you will undertake is the computerized ASVAB test; this is a test designed in the 1960s to check your suitability for service in the Armed Forces. The test covers word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, arithmetic, numerical operations, mechanical comprehension and many more. There are three types of test, two are paper based, the High School version and the enlistment version, but most people take the computerized one called the CAT-ASVAB. Don’t be concerned, it is not an IQ test, it simply measures your aptitude to be trained in the forces. There is plenty of information about the origins of the test available on the net. One place to learn more is http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2502369-10303987.

MEPS and the 5 Services
MEPS cover the entrance process for the all the 5 major services, the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coastguard. The process is highly developed and synchronized throughout the country to ensure the highest quality individuals pass into the ranks of the services. The process is designed to be smooth and painless and is a long way away from old school thoughts about what drab looking enrollment schools used to look like.

Posted in Enlistment | 1 Comment »

One thing you won’t get is lots of fresh air! Yes, that’s right; most of the Navy basic training takes place indoors. There are indoor marching drills, indoor shooting, indoor confidence courses, and more. This may seem a bit unusual, but actually makes a great deal of sense for the Navy. When you are in the Navy, most of the activities take place inside the ship or submarine, and this is the reasoning behind the high rate of indoor training programs.Somewhat surprising is that unlike other branches of the military, the Navy only has one training location in the country. It is on the western shores of Lake Michigan, at the Great Lakes Naval Training Centre, which is half way between Chicago and Milwaukee. You can learn more about the center and what takes place there by reading the free Military Pre-Enlistment Guide.

Shape Up
There is plenty you can do in advance of Boot Camp to get yourself in shape physically and mentally before your formal training begins. There is a lot of information available on the internet and the website previously mentioned, such as what the physical standards are and how the drill ceremonies work. One thing that will save you time is simply to memorize the rank structure before you get there.

If you still find you have time on your hands in advance of Boot Camp, then learn the core values of the Navy too. The course is very classroom intensive so you’ll have to get used to using your brain if it has been ‘resting’ for a while.

Follow the rules
Before you get to Boot Camp you will receive a list of things that you should bring and things you should not - this is military service they are talking about, so they don’t usually put things on lists if they are irrelevant. Follow the list. If there is an item that they say do not bring, then do not take it as the likelihood is that it will be taken away from you when you get there.

Surviving Boot Camp is all about doing as you are told, working hard, and keeping a low profile, so anything you can do to stay below the instructor’s radar is a good thing. Taking clothes, kits, and equipment that are not allowed will only draw negative attention to you before you begin the real training.

Swimming
As you would hope, being able to swim in the Navy is a good thing. If it all goes wrong, you will be surrounded by water! So if you are a weak swimmer, then try to get some practice before Boot Camp as you will be assessed when you arrive. If you are put in the ‘Kiddy Pool’ it is not great, but there are worse punishments in the world.

Remember, the organization is designed to train people to join the Navy, not to intimidate and fail them - it is all about developing people and helping them to learn and acquire the skills they will need to function successfully in the Navy. Whether indoors or not, Navy basic training will be hard work; but the rewards of successfully completing the program are undeniable.

Posted in Enlistment | No Comments »

The Basic Combat Training Course (BCT)
The Basic Combat Training Course (BCT) is a nine week journey that aims to transform a civilian into a soldier. This is of course a dramatic journey, punctuated by extreme challenges and a great deal of information to take on board. You will be joining an organization with a lot of history and a very specific culture, so it will be an unforgettable time. You will be a little shell-shocked at the beginning but military life, the pace, the energy and the rewards, will quickly become normal. If you’re thinking about enlisting, read the Free Military Enlistment Guide before you visit a recruiter.

Nine Weeks are pain - but also reward
The nine week course covers an introductory week when you will be issued with clothing and equipment and then taught how to put it all together and wear it correctly. There will be lots of dormitory inspections and drill parades, intermixed with plenty of physical fitness training. This introductory week is sometimes called Reception Week.

The Phases
After Reception week the real training begins; you will already be used to early morning starts and long days. You will be amazed at just how much these trainers can squeeze into one day. Phase 1 is the Red Phase and teaches recruits about Nuclear Biological and Chemical defense, Landmine Defense and there is also some rappelling on the confidence tower, which is great fun. The Army’s Seven Core Values are also covered at this stage. There are regular fitness tests too, but that will be a part of military life forever, so it is no big deal.

Phase 2 or White Phase, covers marksmanship and more rappelling on the Warrior Tower this time, you will undertake a tactical foot march and undergo situational enemy awareness training simulations using some of the best training aides available. At this stage you will deploy into the field for the first time and take part in a tactical field exercise. Already you will be closely bonded with new found friends in your platoon and you will be working well as a team.

Phase 3, the Blue phase goes into more detail on weapons and includes use of hand grenades and night vision equipment. You will get your hands on the .50 caliber machine gun and various other automatic weapons. Spending more time on the ranges will hone your skills and you will also take part in a 10 and 15 km tactical march.

See the change in yourself
You will really have noticed a change in yourself by now, feeling fitter and taking pride in all that you do, you are getting close to graduation and starting your time serving you country at the sharp end. You will have made a commitment that will make you a better person and gain the respect of your fellow citizens. To gain more information about what to expect, read the Free Military Enlistment Guide, which provides a wealth of information for anyone interested in joining the military.

Posted in Enlistment | No Comments »

There has been much history made of the US Marines and in fact being a member of ‘The Corps’ is a part of US heritage, a rite of passage for ‘real men’ at least so the films would make us believe.  Becoming a member of the illustrious and globally respected group of soldiers is not impossible as is aptly illustrated by the fact that literally hundreds of thousands of Americans have entered into their hallowed books.  However, nothing with so great a reputation comes easy and as long as you are prepared for some hard work, then you too could become a Marine. If you’re thinking about enlisting, read the Free Military Enlistment Guide before you visit a recruiter.

The Haircut

It is the very first thing that happens when you get to Basic Training and it is, for many, what distinguishes Marines from others, the savage haircut.  Look on the bright side, it is free and all those around you will have the same.

The Training

There are two Recruit Training Depots, one at Parris Island, South Carolina and the other at San Diego, California.  Which one you go to depends largely on where you enlist and the split happens at the Mississippi.  All women go to Parris Island.

The training is pretty much exactly the same at both places, although if you go to California you will always be referred to as a “Hollywood Marine”.  Parris Island is the smaller of the two, chucking out just over 17,000 new Marines each year.  On a daily basis there are about 3,500 Marines training there, including 600 women.  San Diego is bigger graduating 21,000 Marines each year.       

How Long is It?

Undoubtedly the training is harder than the basic training of the other services, and indeed it is longer.  The sheer amount of information that Marines are expected to take on board is quite amazing, and they have only 12 weeks to take it all in, compared to 9 weeks for normal Basic Military Training in for example the Army. The Free Military Enlistment Guide provides more information on what to expect and the differences in training curriculums for each of the military branches.

The Physical Side of Life

Don’t be confused with the myths: US Marines are not superhuman, yes they are fitter than the average American but they are not superhuman.  You can do a lot to help yourself on the course by getting into shape before you arrive.  You should be able to run 3 miles in well under 28 minutes and do a minimum of 3 pull ups and 40 sit ups in 2 minutes.  If you fail any of these standards then you will land in PCP – Physical Conditioning Platoon – which is not a good place to be.

 At the end of the day, your experience of US Marine Corps Training will largely depend on your state of mind – you have made the choice to enlist, so be positive and enjoy it as much as possible.

Posted in Enlistment | No Comments »

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam is required for all individuals seeking to enlist in the United States military. The military uses ASVAB scores to determine an individual’s qualification for enlistment and identify military careers appropriate for the individual’s talents and skills. Before taking the exam, you may wish to review the free ASVAB study guide and take free practice tests.

Exam Structure

The exam itself is a multiple choice exam with several sections. It’s very similar in format and content to the SAT, ACT and other standardized exams. There are nine sections on the exam:

• Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
• Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
• Word Knowledge (WK)
• Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
• Assembling Objects (AO)
• Auto & Shop (AS)
• Electronics Information (EI)
• General Science (GS)
• Mechanical Comprehension (MC)

Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT)

The military only uses four sections of the ASVAB to determine an applicant’s eligibility for enlistment. They calculate a subscore, known as the AFQT score, by combining the AR, MK, PC and WK scores to evaluate a recruit’s English and mathematics skills.

The military services each have different minimum requirements for the AFQT. Current minimums are:

• Air Force: 36
• Army: 31
• Navy: 35
• Marines: 32
• Coast Guard: 36

Posted in Enlistment | No Comments »

Are you thinking about enlisting in the United States Navy? Before you visit a military recruiter, you may wish to verify that you meet the basic enlistment requirements to avoid a disappointing outcome.


Before you enlist, you should read the Know Before You Go Guide to Enlistment from Military.com



Here’s an overview of the current requirements:

• Age requirement. Currently, the Navy will allow you to enlist in the active duty force if you are between the ages of 17-34. If you are 17, you must have written parental consent. If you have prior military service, you may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement.


• Exam requirement. You must take and pass the ASVAB Armed Forces Qualifying Test. Each service has different standards for passing the exam.
• Medical Eligibility. You must be able to pass a military physical and be medically qualified for worldwide service. You also must meet Navy height and weight standards.


• Drug History. You will be asked to answer the following questions in writing before you enlist:
  
  
  
  • Have you ever used or experimented with marijuana?
  
  
  • Have you ever experimented with, used or possessed any illegal drug or narcotic?
  
  
  • Have you ever been a supplier or distributor of or a trafficker in marijuana, or other illegal drugs or narcotics?
  
  
  • Have you ever been treated or undergone rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse?
  
  
  • Have you consumed hemp seed oil or any products containing hemp seed oil in the last 45 days?
  
  
  
  Marijuana use alone is not necessarily disqualifying, depending upon the number of uses. You will be required to take a drug test before enlisting.


• Moral History. Convictions for any of the following offenses will make you ineligible for military service:
  
  
  
  • Aggravated assault
  
  
  • Bribery
  
  
  • Burglary
  
  
  • Carnal knowledge of, or indecent acts with, a child under 16
  
  
  • Draft evasion
  
  
  • Extortion
  
  
  • Kidnapping, abduction
  
  
  • Manslaughter or Murder
  
  
  • Perjury
  
  
  • Rape
  
  
  • Robbery
  
  
  
  Exceptions may be made in some cases where the crime was not committed as an adult. Convictions for other crimes require a waiver.


• Education. Generally speaking, you must be a high school graduate to enlist in the Navy. They do accept a small number of individuals with a GED or equivalent. Those individuals must have high scores on the ASVAB AFQT.


• Dependents. You may not have more than two dependents (including your spouse) if you are married. Single parents are not eligible for enlistment. If you are married to a military member and have children, you are only eligible to enlist if you obtain a special waiver.


• Financial Qualifications. If you have any dependents, are 23 years of age or older, or have a bad credit history, you must successfully complete a financial qualifications check. Basically, the military looks at your debts and financial responsibilities and compares it to your future military income. If you won’t be able to meet your obligations on a military salary, you’re ineligible to enlist.


• Residency. You must be a permanent resident of the United States to enlist in the Navy. You’ll be asked to prove this by providing either a green card or a permanent resident visa and proof that you’ve established a permanent home in the country. If you’re hoping to become a military officer, you must be a U.S. citizen.

Posted in Enlistment | No Comments »

Are you thinking about enlisting in the United States Marine Corps? Before you visit a military recruiter, you may wish to verify that you meet the basic enlistment requirements to avoid a disappointing outcome.


Before you enlist, you should read the Know Before You Go Guide to Enlistment from Military.com



Here’s an overview of the current requirements:

• Age requirement. Currently, the Marines will allow you to enlist in the active duty force if you are between the ages of 17-28. If you are 17, you must have written parental consent. IIf you have prior military service, you may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement.


• Exam requirement. You must take and pass the ASVAB Armed Forces Qualifying Test. Each service has different standards for passing the exam.
• Medical Eligibility. You must be able to pass a military physical and be medically qualified for worldwide service. You also must meet height and weight standards.


• Drug History. You will be asked to answer the following questions in writing before you enlist:
  
  
  
  • Have you ever used or experimented with marijuana?
  
  
  • Have you ever experimented with, used or possessed any illegal drug or narcotic?
  
  
  • Have you ever been a supplier or distributor of or a trafficker in marijuana, or other illegal drugs or narcotics?
  
  
  • Have you ever been treated or undergone rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse?
  
  
  • Have you consumed hemp seed oil or any products containing hemp seed oil in the last 45 days?
  
  
  
  Marijuana use alone is not necessarily disqualifying, depending upon the number of uses. You will be required to take a drug test before enlisting.


• Moral History. Convictions for any of the following offenses will make you ineligible for military service:
  
  
  
  • Aggravated assault
  
  
  • Bribery
  
  
  • Burglary
  
  
  • Carnal knowledge of, or indecent acts with, a child under 16
  
  
  • Draft evasion
  
  
  • Extortion
  
  
  • Kidnapping, abduction
  
  
  • Manslaughter or Murder
  
  
  • Perjury
  
  
  • Rape
  
  
  • Robbery
  
  
  
  Exceptions may be made in some cases where the crime was not committed as an adult. Convictions for other crimes require a waiver.


• Education. Generally speaking, you must be a high school graduate to enlist in the Marine Corps. They do accept an extremely small numberindividuals with a GED or equivalent. Those individuals must have high scores on the ASVAB AFQT.


• Dependents. You may not have more than two children if you are married. Single parents are not eligible for enlistment. If you are married to a military member and have children, you are only eligible to enlist if you obtain a special waiver.


• Financial Qualifications. If you have any dependents, are 23 years of age or older, or have a bad credit history, you must successfully complete a financial qualifications check. Basically, the military looks at your debts and financial responsibilities and compares it to your future military income. If you won’t be able to meet your obligations on a military salary, you’re ineligible to enlist.


• Residency. You must be a permanent resident of the United States to enlist in the Marines. You’ll be asked to prove this by providing either a green card or a permanent resident visa and proof that you’ve established a permanent home in the country. If you’re hoping to become a military officer, you must be a U.S. citizen.

Posted in Enlistment, Military Ceremonies | 2 Comments »

Are you thinking about enlisting in the United States Army? Before you visit a military recruiter, you may wish to verify that you meet the basic enlistment requirements to avoid a disappointing outcome.


Before you enlist, you should read the Know Before You Go Guide to Enlistment from Military.com



Here’s an overview of the current requirements:

• Age requirement. Currently, the Army will allow you to enlist in the active duty force if you are between the ages of 17-34. If you are 17, you must have written parental consent. If you hope to enlist in the Army Reserve or National Guard, you may be up to 34 years old. If you have prior military service, you may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement.


• Exam requirement. You must take and pass the ASVAB Armed Forces Qualifying Test. Each service has different standards for passing the exam.
• Medical Eligibility. You must be able to pass a military physical and be medically qualified for worldwide service. You also must meet Army height and weight standards.


• Drug History. You will be asked to answer the following questions in writing before you enlist:
  
  
  
  • Have you ever used or experimented with marijuana?
  
  
  • Have you ever experimented with, used or possessed any illegal drug or narcotic?
  
  
  • Have you ever been a supplier or distributor of or a trafficker in marijuana, or other illegal drugs or narcotics?
  
  
  • Have you ever been treated or undergone rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse?
  
  
  • Have you consumed hemp seed oil or any products containing hemp seed oil in the last 45 days?
  
  
  
  Marijuana use alone is not necessarily disqualifying, depending upon the number of uses. You will be required to take a drug test before enlisting.


• Moral History. Convictions for any of the following offenses will make you ineligible for military service:
  
  
  
  • Aggravated assault
  
  
  • Bribery
  
  
  • Burglary
  
  
  • Carnal knowledge of, or indecent acts with, a child under 16
  
  
  • Draft evasion
  
  
  • Extortion
  
  
  • Kidnapping, abduction
  
  
  • Manslaughter or Murder
  
  
  • Perjury
  
  
  • Rape
  
  
  • Robbery
  
  
  
  Exceptions may be made in some cases where the crime was not committed as an adult. Convictions for other crimes require a waiver.


• Education. Generally speaking, you must be a high school graduate to enlist in the Army. They do accept some individuals with a GED or equivalent. Those individuals must have high scores on the ASVAB AFQT.


• Dependents. You may not have more than two children if you are married. Single parents are not eligible for enlistment. If you are married to a military member and have children, you are only eligible to enlist if you obtain a special waiver.


• Financial Qualifications. If you have any dependents, are 23 years of age or older, or have a bad credit history, you must successfully complete a financial qualifications check. Basically, the military looks at your debts and financial responsibilities and compares it to your future military income. If you won’t be able to meet your obligations on a military salary, you’re ineligible to enlist.


• Residency. You must be a permanent resident of the United States to enlist in the Army. You’ll be asked to prove this by providing either a green card or a permanent resident visa and proof that you’ve established a permanent home in the country. If you’re hoping to become a military officer, you must be a U.S. citizen.

Posted in Enlistment | No Comments »

The U.S. Army now offers new recruits a $20,000 signing bonus if they’re willing to act quickly. If you sign your enlistment contract and agree to leave home for basic training within a month, you’ll receive a $20,000 bonus to compensate you for acting quickly.

New soldiers accepting the Quick Ship bonus receive an initial $10,000 payment when they successfully complete basic training and advanced training. The remaining $10,000 is divided into equal payments over the course of the contract.

This $20,000 bonus is one of the largest incentives ever paid to new recruits and reflects the Army’s struggle to meet recruiting goals over the past year. It’s quite a motivation for new enlistees, who earn less than $20,000 in a single year, according to the 2007 military pay tables.

Interested in receiving an Army quick ship enlistment bonus? Request more information on enlisting with no obligation.

Posted in Enlistment | No Comments »