Read your paperwork, everytime. Keep your paperwork, every copy. Make a folder up to keep everything in. If you don't you will regret it. You will need all military paperwork throughout your career/enlistment/education. Depending on your MOS you may need that related paperwork for civilian employment/education.
at meps don't trust the recruiter to put everything that you were promised in the contract. DOUBLE CHECK IT YOURSELF. I got screwed out of a bonus kicker because I did not read my contract.
Titan Warlord I can't tell people enough to read everything and keep all copies. They screwed me on my GI Bill but I kept my paperwork and VA gave it to me for free.
So if your bonus is not on the contract at MEPS, do you tell them to add it or do you have to return to MEPS at another time when they have a new contract?
I'm at the airport with the people I'm shipping out with, and my entire group of 8 binged watched your videos in preparation! Thanks for preparing us and giving us such useful information to conversate about!!
I wouldn't just say "gave up" that's sort of harsh. Just because they may not have followed through doesn't mean they gave up.. it just means they decided to go a different path in life because if they weren't full heartedly into that exact career choice than they may have failed to meet the mental criteria of basic training. Instead if use the terminology "chose to go a different route"
@@brzisaac the person themselves decided to go a different way in life. Possibly the mental part or physical part just wasn't for them.. doesn't me they simply "gave up". They just made a different choice in Ife and moved on to something more fitting. Life is all about feeling out multiple things until deciding what feels right to that person. You're correct, no one in the military tells you to choose a different path. Although if they see you're not in it completely or aren't feeling it, and not giving your 110% then they will straight up be brutally honest and tell you exactly what they feel. They wont tell you to stick with something if you're wasting there time. And I would know that. They fight to keep people in, but upon going to a recruiter and saying you may want to try it, then going and learning more about it, and saying you're not sure it's for you, they will be very blunt and say they don't want to waste there time on someone that is not 100% dedicated to this. They WILL tell you to choose a different path if you don't want to commit to military. And they say that because it's a lot of money, time and resources they are putting towards you. They want the BEST. The COMMITED.. Not the unsure.
This guy speaks the truth. I switched from the Navy to the army through the blue to green program. Changing your MOS or your rates as it is called in the navy. I've been through both services, the Navy and the army. I spent 13 years on active duty and I can tell you things are not as easy as what people will lead you to believe. My advice is to do as much research on the Internet as you can. Talk to anyone who's been in the military. And then make your choice
I went to Fort Leonard Wood for OSUT in the early 80's. Got so miserable and homesick that I wanted to quit really really bad ~3 weeks in. They NEVER told me I could quit with an honorable discharge, and my family FORCED me to stick it out. It was hell, but I got through. 13 longest weeks of my life! Today though, words can't express enough how grateful I am for that experience. My Army Reserve years are LONG gone, but I know as FACT that thanks to that 13 weeks (much more than the rest of my AR experience) I am a much stronger-willed, more organized, more self-disciplined person (I still "move with a purpose" in most what I do) than I ever would have been -- it's had a HUGE impact on who I am today, 50+ years into life.
My recruiters were the best man. Had 4-5 guys all helping me out trying to get me the job I wanted and baby we got that job 5 minutes before I shipped to MEPS for the first time
As a former recruiter on the trail from 1994 - 1997, I can honestly say I did not mention the fact that they did not have to ship unless asked and I confirmed and the same with the rules 6 months into training. I can say that I did not make any promises for their careers because it is completely based on the ASVAB scores, needs of the Army at the time of enlistment and whatever deals are available. As you can imagine, I had the lowest number of recruits during my 3 years on the trail, but it turned out that I had the highest retention rate when all was said and done. I was upset that I did not get my Gold Badge even though I had the numbers to earn it because I was flagged with an injured back and didn't pass the APFT run. I feel good knowing that I was able to reach many people and change the lives of so many n a good way. I recruited with integrity by sharing my story.
I am currently with a great recruiter. He's made everything so easy and did inform me about the IRR and that every soldier's commitment is 8 years. Going to the MEPS hotel tomorrow for the final step in the process.
Cover all 3 of these with every single one of my applicants. 1) For Active Duty applicants, your contract does not start until you swear in the SECOND time on your ship date. Once you sign that contract you are in. Also telling them they can "quit" during training is a little misleading. It isn't really quitting. It is breaking your contract and you get an "Entry Level Separation." Just like other discharges, it is not a right and the Army still has to sign off on it. Most of the times if it is in Basic and AIT it will get approved because they haven't put much time on you. You qualify under Entry Level as long as you are under 180 days of continuous active federal service. Also please keep in mind that on you separation paperwork it will be annotated that you were discharged for failure to adapt. Although the discharge is an uncharacterized (not Honorable or Dishonorable) certain employers may not want to hire someone who couldn't adapt to the military. I'm not here to dissuade anyone from pursuing this option because personally I only want people who want to serve in the Army. Another thing to keep in mind, since your Command are the ones that approve this, as we continue to raise troop levels you will see less and less of these approved. 2) Recruiters don't add Airborne to the system. If it isn't available it isn't available. You can take the risk of waiting and hoping airborne shows up and that job you liked stays on the system but you run a high likelihood of that job disappearing. It is easier to go to airborne school than it is to reclass your MOS. This is what I tell my applicants who are interested in Airborne when it isn't on the system: We can wait, or you can take this job that you want. Once you get to OSUT/AIT many times they will ask towards the end of your training if anyone would like to volunteer for Airborne school. They do this because people with airborne contracts somewhere along the line either get discharged or injured so their slot is up for grabs. To be competitive for this you should strive to have the top PT score in your training Company or near the top and keep your nose clean. In addition to this, put Ft Bragg at the top of your list for the duty station dream sheet. The dream sheet rarely pans out for people but putting Bragg at the top shows you are willing to volunteer for Airborne training so it gives you an additional chance at Airborne school. Worst case scenario, none of the above works out and you go to a different duty station. At around 2 years at that duty station you can contact your branch manager and talk about your next assignment. At that time you can ask if there are any airborne duty positions for your MOS available and if there are if you would be able to volunteer. (This method also works for duty stations in general, I have picked every single one of my duty stations except for my first one out of Basic). Once again these are all chances but if you are proactive with your career you can get any school you want as long as it is slotted for your MOS (and even some not slotted for your MOS depending how stubborn you are #Pathfinder). 3) When discussing contracts with your Recruiter. Realize that EVERY SINGLE CONTRACT regardless of Reserve or Active Duty is an EIGHT YEAR contract. You sign for an 8 year Military Service Obligation. With Active Duty you have a choice of serving between 2-6 years for your first contract. The job you pick dictates what lengths of contract you can pick (Aviation Mechanics require 6 year contracts, MP 5, Supply can be 2). If your Recruiter mentions a 2 year contract, do not take it. It sounds really appealing to many but please realize if you get out after the 2 year you DO NOT qualify for your full GI Bill, you only get partial. Also, when you are given a choice between contract lengths, it is normally the most beneficial to choose the shortest contract (excluding the 2 year option for previously stated reason), because 1 if you don't like the military you get out sooner, 2 if you don't like your job you have the opportunity to reclass sooner with reenlistment. Recruiters don't get brownie points for Contract lengths. Hell, we don't even get any real incentives if we put people in. My unit, I get 1 day if I put 3 people in for a month. I also don't have a personal quota. The contract mission belongs to the guy in charge of the station, it doesn't go down to the individual recruiters anymore. If you made it all the way through this and still have questions please feel free to hit me up with a reply. I will answer to the best of my ability. If it isn't youtube section appropriate, we can set up another form of communication. Would post my work facebook but I am not into the shameless plugging thing, so replies here should work fine. V/R SSG Michl Detailed Recruiter (2.5 years experience, 9 months left till back to the real Army!) Appleton Recruiting Station Appleton, WI
I was thinking about being a ranger The recruiter recommended to choose something else and then go to Ranger school because if you fail ranger school you will be put some place you may not like
I would say go with what your heart desires. An Option 40 Ranger contract is not Ranger School. It is the chance to try out at RASP (Ranger Assessment and Selection Program). If you fail RASP you will still maintain your trained MOS but you will not go to Airborne School and will be sent to a different Duty Assignment based on needs of the Army. If you are not in peak physical shape, I personally would suggest against an Option 40 contract. 75th Ranger Regiment is ALWAYS asking for volunteers to attend RASP. Good luck with your decisions!
Jay Michl hello! Your answers are strongly appreciated. I am getting my self ready to take the. ASVAB, I M thinking on going reserve. I do have some questions: 1 after signing a contract for reserve can I change to active duty or vice versa? 2 what happens if I enlist in NY and then I decided to move to an other state? 3its the same money? 4 how do I do active status while being on active duty? What it’s a DD214 Thanks in advance Leidy Villegas
@@jaymichl9762 appreciate all the shared wisdom. My question, my wife is currently active duty navy. We have 2 kids, own a house, etc. Currently in Washington stationed in Bremerton, what can I do to make getting orders for fort Lewis easier so we are not seperated?
My son is signing up and they made a comment to one of the young men that if he is not into the military needs to leave now ... also my son said one night in payed hotel and meals included ; the next day they will get a some sort of a shot penicillin .... why?
Kids if you have a recruiter that talks you out of Airborne or even preferred duty station, remember DD 4187, you can get that form at ANY Personnel Office, on any post.. Fill out whatever you are looking for, or wherever you want to go, submit it.. I was talked out of Airborne at the recruitment office, My dad who retired form the Military explained what a DD 4187 form is and how to use it to ADVANCE your career.. I submitted a DD4187 while still in basic, After basic low and behold, I came down on orders for Airborne, then AIT .. Also after AIT I got my preferred Duty, because I submitted the form, and went to Ft Hood. And the Exact unit I wanted Remember... DD 4187...... DD 4187 ..........DD 4187......DD 4187.....DD 4187...... DD 4187 ..........DD 4187......DD 4187
My MEPS date is in 3 days, and i’ve been watching your videos for some personal support and they have been super helpful. I’m super excited, a little nervous, but overall ready. Thank you for the videos, keep it up!
It's also good to keep in mind that there is so much information that they *do* give. Many people are uninterested in details that don't really pertain to them and considering the odds of serving after your active duty is up are so low that could be unimportant. Direct dishonesty is inexcusable but not telling you about some things is possibly because there too much to cover when they are worried about you testing and picking your rate (position) and all that good stuff.
No matter if it seems unlikely or unimportant to some I can 100% say with out a doubt that I'd want to know every detail of what I'm signing. Especially when it comes to my life. I'm only 21 years old and when I go to meps and sign something that's even the slightest possibility of them shipping me out over a foreign war I would and demand I know exactly how long I'll be contracted for. If they have time to tell you about sweet bonuses or how to address and act, what to say to docs while you're at MEPS an order to pass then they damn sure have the time to discuss exactly how long your contract is. To say " oh by the way no matter who signs what, you will be contracted for 8 years, the chances of them calling on you is very unlikely" bam that takes like 10 seconds.
On the topic of not going to jail for quitting before basic. I don't even see what they would charge you for, like "oh, he realized he wasn't fit for military, let's arrest him and throw him in jail"
Thats bullshit. We started out with a company of 204 guys and ended up graduating 164. The ones that "boloed" out were giving general discharges with the reason "...unable to adapt to military life" written on their discharge. Alot of these guys were in their 20's. I was just outta high school. I coulda done the same thing but I woulda had to go home and face my dad, knowing his son couldn't make it. There's no "jail time" for flunking out. But yer the one thats gotta live with it and face the humiliation.
We had 12 dropouts when I was in Basic, and yeah not one of em was charged with any type of crime, but to the rest of us who graduated and took that Oath of Enlistment, those who quit were pussies....maybe they should've been charged with being manginas? Just a thought....
@@q98rt710 "But yer the one thats gotta live with it and face the humiliation." Not much humiliation in quitting and leaving a corrupt organization, I don't expect a government puppet/pawn to know that they since they didn't spoon feed it to you.
Recruiters are salesman. They're going to tell you whatever it takes to get your signature on that line. They have quotas to meet. Just like cops. When I took the ASVAB I qualified for all but two jobs in the military. They convinced me to go Infantry. The reason being the sign on bonus was Mungus the college money back then was outstanding and that's what I wanted was College. Their main selling point was then if your infantry you don't do anything unless there's a war. Therefore there would be plenty of time to take college courses. Made sense to my young mind. But the reality of it is if your infantry in your not in a war your training training training. There was absolutely zero time for me to take any college courses. And because of the fact that I was so new to the military nobody wanted to make it easy for me to sign up for any college courses either. Just keep in mind that your recruiter is a government agent. Government agents like government are only good at one thing. Lying.
@Stephen Rowell They do have quotas because they are trying to meet a goal. For example, a recruiter needs to meet a quota of 50. That means that they have to convince 2-3 recruits a day.
@@chasewilliams9673 hes not in bootcamp anymore.... he either quit in bootcamp. Got through went on his 10 day leave then went back for the schooling side where he should be now
It was alright man. It was kinda just a bunch of paperwork that im going to have to verify at MEPS. All the recruiters were pretty cool though, they answer any question you have & really want you to get in
I always tell people to make sure they get everything that they want put into the contract. I also tell them that during basic the best advice is to keep your ears open and mouth shut unless told otherwise.
I would have to agree w the policy of allowing you to leave within 6 months... I would rather get stuck w someone who wanted to serve than someone who feels "stuck" and absolutely hate it. If your life depends on it then I rather have someone whos there to serve and protect.
Exactly. And to your other question Airborne is just a school and if you complete it you are Ariborne qualified which opens up opportunities for you anddddd you get to jump out of aircrafts :)
@@Americanspy-hn2kw Shipped out for basic July 9th 2019 been active duty Air Force for a little over 2 years now. It's got its ups and downs but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
@@James-xn8xe high schooler here, thinking about joining the marines but i just wanna know if in bootcamp will they be yelling at you the whole day for 13 weeks and are you always doing training all day everyday for 13 weeks?
One thing to add about Jump School. Unless you're seriously used to very hot weather ahead of enlisting, you might want to tailor your entry date as best as possible during colder weather. The drop out rate of Airborne does go up in July/August simply because of heat cat 4/5 fallouts. Had no clue going in. Since my OSUT ended in April 1983 (and was lucky enough to only go through 3 days of zero week) I missed the hot weather during school. You're going to get plenty of extreme hot weather training afterwards anyway when you get to your unit or RASP. In addition DO NOT forget your gloves if you also go Air Assault during phase two in heat cat 4. Those chains for slingloads get unforgivingly hot. P.S. I had a brutally honest recruiter. Nice guy. Think he went back to being a State Trooper when he got out of the ARMY. One of the few 11Bravos I've know that chose recruiter over Drill Sergeant School when both were offered. Nothing but respect. Did his 12 years honorably (6 year contracts back then) and even said he was going back to being Highway Patrol because he felt he was better at doing that.
I found out all the recruiting information thanks to youtubers like you. When I went up to my recruiter and I asked questions, he was shocked that I knew some things that most people wouldn't or stuff he just had no plans to tell me about. Thanks for preparing me. I ship out this Tuesday.
just an FYI to future soldiers. I would suggest going national guard that way if you don't like the army after bct/ait/osut you can go home and only report to your unit once a month, and if you do you can change your contract to active. if you go active and hate it you're essentially stuck.
*great video! That 8 year contract scares the hell out of me, but I guess if you’re sitting on reserve for a couple years not doing anything you would almost forgery it’s actually 8 years. Thinking of going Air Force route*
Recruiters are there to recruit, and that generally means spinning the Army (or whatever branch) in the best possible light. There are a lot of people in the Army right now that are glad their recruiter didn't tell them they could quit prior to shipping because most of us get at least a touch of cold feet with any commitment. If you jumped through all the hoops required to enlist it seems to me you were pretty sure of your decision. There are a lot of easier times to walk away (and a lot of potential recruits that do) prior to shipping. There are always going to be very few guarantees in Army contracts. Simply because the Army could spend a lot of money on someone and due to military needs not have say a spot for someone in Airborne school. Were that situation to arise, and that person had a guarantee in their contract, that is grounds for discharge from military service because of a breach of contract. So there's really no point in jamming up the process trying to get guarantees that are probably not going to happen. Also I can't help but think if you're going into this process with the mentality of it's all about getting whatever it is you want ya might not have the right mindset for military service....... I do agree that inactive reserve time should be explained, but historically inactive reserve recalls are really rare.
My recruiter and I haven’t talked too much about these things mostly because they are less relevant to me, but I still love my recruiter and the whole office is great. They’re super supportive since I’ve had to lose 40 lbs to get to this point.
You can walk away without any consequences, all the way up to you raising your right hand. After wards, you belong to the branch you signed up with. Some branches will release you after 2 years in service, others you are SOL.
That's incorrect. You can "refuse to train" at any time while in training or up to one year after you initial entry date. They will take their sweet time out processing you and use every trick they can to change your mind. But, the truth is you have up to one year. After that, your ass belongs to whatever branch you are in.
Divine Nightcore it’d be best to tell your recruiters but you you don’t HAVE to tell anyone You will get some ROUGH phone calls and all but you aren’t in the military yet
My recruiter didn't explain the 8 year thing, the person who gave me the contract in MEPS did. Love your videos. Shipping soon for OCS so wish me good luck. I'm so nervous 😩
Walls 7 or 8 feet high. obstacle course , road march got take 2 or 3 step catch up, standing in formation in back i cant see front, getting up on military vehicle was hard need someone pull me up, running 2 mile takes allot step and energy, many more
I had a difficult time keeping up on road marches due to my short legs. Also, the ALICE pack rucksack frame was too long for my torso, so it did not seat properly.
Rucking is always a challenge for shorter guys. hate when they pick some tall asshole to lead the march. I just end up running it, and dealing with everyone asking why I was running?
My recruiter and recruiting station was COMPLETELY HONEST with me about everything. I just got promoted to SSG/E-6 in 4 years and now I’m on my way to recruiting school. To this day, I still speak to 90% of my recruiting office and my recruiter. They’re my biggest supporters
It is very easy to quit out of basic training but a very long process. I went to basic at fort Benning as 11x at 18 years old. Got there, felt like I wasn’t ready. Missed home, wanted to enjoy life a bit before I went to the military. So I went to sick call, and said a previous injury was bothering me. I was sent home with an EPTS a week later. I joined back as 12b 5 years later as a much more mature and confident man, and served for 3 years active. No regrets. Granted it was a lot of paperwork and doctors appointments to get back in, thank god I kept my discharge packet. But it was easier than I thought considering I was an re3 discharge. If you just go up to a drill sergeant and say I quit, they may scream at you but they will process the paperwork and it will take a MUCH longer time to go home than a medical discharge. They sometimes keep you for months until your company graduates.
I am so thankful for my recruiter because he had explained that all contracts are 8 years and he's been very understanding in answering all of my questions before I signing my contract. One thing that I didn't know is the window in which you can quit without being penalized so thank you for that information!
I like how you don't add extra fluff in your videos, most people would have added 2 more reasons just to hit that 10 minute mark. So much respect goes out to you brother! Keep up the great work!
I’m a Canadian but these American videos are as close as I can get to preparing lol if I try to look up stuff about the Canadian army I get next to nothing useful, thanks for making these videos
I’m so thankful that my recruiters covered all this! I didn’t have airborne in my contract but my unit is airborne so it works out nicely. The only thing they didn’t mention that I wish they did was that only certain units qualify for the kicker from the ASFAB scores.
Your video, just made me respect and appreciate my son's recruiter even more!!! thanks for sharing. I'm grateful and thankful, he was open and shared this information with myself, my husband and my son.
Matt Ward - Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. I'm sure they lessen the anxiety levels of those joining our military. I served active duty from 1984 until 1996. I first joined the National Guard in 1977 and a lot of your advise rings true for even back then. I would have loved to have had this resource back then. I would advise anyone who joins that if they want something; For example, Airborne School, go for it, fill out the 4187. I got Airborne School after AIT and then went to Germany and not to an Airborne slot. Go after what you want. You make your own career. I also got Flight Warrant while I was in Germany and came back to the states early for that. I retired as a CW2. As an old soldier (retired) I would have to say you are giving some pretty good free advice!
Yes that IRR was what they slightly mentioned to my son once we were getting ready to leave. (at Recruiters) Glad you explained it. I didn't really catch that much when the recruiter told my son, because he said it so fast. Thank you again.
I'll join the Army at the end of spring/beginning of summer this year and the recruiter I talked to actually informed me about the difficulties of getting airborne without it being in my contract.
These recruiters won't give you active duty status unless you ask active duty status. They will give you only reserve status. Never accept only reserve status, go for active duty status period.
What? That's nuts, the active duty component needs 5-10 times as many people. You probably ran into an office when their bosses were only allowing reserve contracts to make their mission
Good luck y buddy, and remember not to lose your mind in 30th AG reception Battalion. Lots of boredom prior to actual basic training. You may sit in reception battalion for 2 weeks prior to going to basic so just be aware.
Marine here. Honestly, I had a good recruiter who was straight up with me. She told me that I'm technically signing an 8 year contract but she also explained how extremely unlikely it was to get called back in unless a war breaks out or something which is true (and by the time a war breaks out, I believe I should step in by that point anyway) keep up the good vids bro.
Matt Ward sounds like you had a shitty recruiter. I was a recruiter for 4 years and made sure all my applicants understood everything you mentioned, plus the good and bad of their choice. Being truthful with my people is what made me successful. After basic, they would come back and refer their friends and family to me, which made my job super easy, living off them referrals. But ya sounds like your experience with your recruiter was different.
@@jasontyler5190 technically yes but once you're in MEPS they will see those scars and probably ask you the reason behind them...if you say theyrr selfmade, you're fucked up
My recruiter was really good and was honest and up front about everything with me.Everything we talked about that I was going to get, from my enlistment bonus, to my MOS I picked, etc... we're all in my contract before I signed it.He was very good and up front about everything. Thank you SSG White.
Piggy backing off my last comment. My recruiter told me about the 8 years also, he went over everything. I'm National Guard, so my recruiter told me I would be doing 8 years total. Six for active service for the guard, where I will train with my unit, and then after 6 years I have to decide if I want to re-enlist. If I do not, he explained I would do two years of inactive reserve if I did not re-enlist after the 6 years.
One thing I would like everyone to think about too is that, yes, this dude is right, the Military isn’t for everyone but you will never know unless you try, it may be just what you needed in your life. I know it was for me! The last thing you need to understand is that everyone should join for their own reasons and all will have their own UNIQUE experience. Don’t let the naysayers keep you from missing out on some awesome experiences and great benefits for your own future success!
I would fail miserably at basic training. I cannot deal with people yelling and the way I get stressed, what happens there, would just make it worse and worse. Mind you if theres a mental exam, I'd fail that to begin with lol
Theres also knowing whom you are. Im pretty sure skitziphernia, (I cant rember how to spell it) No matter how mild, or maybe its just psychotic episodes they dont know. I think its just the episodes. Any who, I think that is grounds for not getting in there.
There is also plenty you can do state side. There are many returning veterans returning home that need help. If you can't join the military, you can always join a charity that helps out men and women when they get home.
Thank you for making this video. I researched myself online about the DEP (Delayed Entry Program). There is a clause in there that reads if a FS (future soldier) changes their mind and decides not to enter the military before they begin active duty will be separated with no adverse consequences. Under no circumstances will any member of the recruiting force threaten, coerce, manipulate or intimidate FSs nor may they obstruct separation requests. I know most recruiters may not tell the prospective enlistee that but it's something every high school senior or young adult considering a hitch in the army should be made aware of. My recruiter told me quite a few lies and half-truths with me. The year was 1975. I just graduated high school. I'd give anything to have those 3 years of my life back. NO DISRESPECT to all past veterans and current military. But the army was not for me. I did my time and served honorably. But no one should be misled or deceived or sold a bill of goods that will never come true during their hitch. Thanks again for posting this video.
I signed up for the reserves last week and I’m kinda anxious because I don’t like my MOS as a 42A and my recruiter told that I can reclass but it’s not that easy and I wanted to retake the asvab yo get MP or 25B 😞but it’s all my fault
IRR is individual ready reserve. I was in the IRR for many years. Once a person becomes a lieutenant colonel or higher you will be eligible to returning to the U.S. Army for many years, in case of war. Also, my I.D. card stated indefinite as an end date.
I was a recruiter for 3 years. Always told people these things. You're more likely to keep your recruits in and get them shipped when you're open about it. Full disclosure, I did not know about the 6 month thing because I didn't know that personally. But yes, open and honest is the best way to recruit.
#1 is 100% true, if you are going to active duty. For the National Guard that first oath you take at MEPS is the oath that matters, once you swear in you are in as far as the Guard is concerned. But if you swear in to delayed entry and you decide for what ever reason not to go you aren't committed and you will still most likely be able to join later, or join a different branch later.
This is true! I joined the Army in April of 1992 and my recruiter didn't tell me I had the option of requesting an early discharge either but I found out and I requested and was granted a discharge.
Jonathan Merrill 1987 my recruiter told me I'd never go overseas for my 4 year enlistment!! Two years later, who do I see on a bus in Korea, yep, my recruiter!! We laughed and talked a bit and he said they tell lil lies sometimes to get you in..
I was a Army Recruiter and I told a DEP that he could get out before leaving for Basic Training and he USED it against me. My Station Commander and my Recruiting Company First Sergeant and CO hit the ceiling because I now had a DEP Loss which I had to make up. I now had a Mission for the Month of 3 instead of 2. I learned to never again be truthful with a DEP because it will be used against me. A Recruiter will not say certain things because his Chain of Command will rip them apart. Who wants to have to report to the Recruiting Company HQ with your Station Commander to have to stand in front of the CO and get your ass reamed for telling a DEP the truth? Only a Foolish Recruiter will do so and I admit I was that fool but only one time. A Recruiter job is to Put em in boots and not be their friend. All Soldiers incur a MSO (Military Service Obligation). When I served it was 6 years. They increased it to 8 years. When I joined it was 4 years Active, 1 year Active Reserve and 1 year IRR for a total of 6 years. I served 10 years Active so when I ETS I no longer had a MSO. Under George Bush Jr the MSO was used to hold Soldier in on Active Duty past their ETS Date and to recall to Active Duty Soldier who had ETS. It was called Stop Loss and it was used to maintain Manpower fighting in Iraq and in Afghanistan. As a Recruiter I clearly explained the MSO and the requirement to serve in the Army Reserve and the IRR.
Thank you, I shared my side of what it was like to be a Army Recruiter. There are many things the Army Recruiter will never tell you because it is TOO MUCH INFORMATION and will confuse the Applicant. A Army Recruiter job is the put you in to combat boots and to move on to the next Applicant to put them in to combat boots. A Army Recruiter do not have the time to sit down with every Applicant and explain the in's and the out's of the Army. Those who served know there is so much to learn after arriving at BCT. Airborne School is easier to go to depending upon your MOS and where you are assigned to. In Basic Training there were 2 guys going to For Bragg and 2 guys going to Fort Cambell. Their Mos was 11D so the guys going to Bragg went to Airborne School and the guys going to Campbell went to Air Assault School. In Germany the driver of the Sheridan I was on came from Fort Bragg and he was Airborne Qualified. In Alaska I worked with a group of Soldiers from Fort Bragg who were all 19D Mos. We were assigned to what was then the XM1 Project. The XM1 became the M1 Abrams. The guys from Bragg were all Airborne Qualified. They had to arrange for them to jump so they would not lose their Jump Pay. The Riggers set up a UH1 Huey for them to jump out of. The OIC was a Field Artillery Officer who was also an Army Aviator. He flew the Huey and those guys made the jump. Sad to say it was Winter Time, it was freezing cold. They were blown off course away from the Drop Zone. They crashed in to trees. One sustained a broken leg, another a broken arm, and another a broken nose. The jump was a disaster.
@@charlesanthony4693 This is exactly why I, as an army vet, will do everything in my power to warn any high school senior to NOT enlist. And if they do go Air Force. The army was terrible and I blame my ass-lying recruiter for selling me a phony deal from the start. The lies that a-hole told me... And all army recruiters are like this.
It's not for me, but I'm going through with it to see my daughter and to prove to my family I'm not worthless. To be respected by them and to differentiate myself from them. Plus it's better to die for troops so they can make it home rather than die on a couch accomplishing nothing while the troops are dying.
If a recruiter has claimed to you after your first swearing that failing to go will result in jail time, report his ass to your local Sheriff. Recruiters are *Federal* employees and subject to both the Rule of Law and Making False Statements ( 18.USC.§.1001 ). If you are under 18 and this falsehood has been stated to you it is a Felony on-the-spot as Child Abuse. After your second swearing in you cannot back out. You will have to flop your way out of boot or suck it up.
Lol yep I went through damn near everything at MEPS, but then found out that the Army refused to specifically guarantee the MOS I wanted, (linguist), so I left. It surprised them a bit. I went through a second time for the USAF, who kept their word.
onofliberty78 good choice. Now you won't have to do a lot of crap that the Army does that the Air Force doesn't (going out to the field, TA-50 gear, longer deployments, etc) and you'll probably actually be doing your MOS more than you would in the Army (in the Army, you might be doing your MOS very rarely and instead be spending most of your time out in the motorpool).
Matt Ward. I go to RSP monthly drills before basic in August for Oklahoma army national guard. You are considered AWOL if you do not go, i already have my CAC card and Tricare. Your advice is misleading to army and air national guard whom would be in RSP drills prior to basic.
Hey guys!! I ship Beginning of January leaving to Fort Benning! My Mos is 19 Delta or Calvary Scout! If anyone watching this video has that Mos than reply and let’s talk!!
Watching these videos brings back so many memories of my military days before TH-cam and social media. You are correct on a lot of things. But getting out during boot camp or school my navy days was A school isn’t that easy. Yes you can, but you get an entry level separation which isn’t bad at all it still gives you the opportunity to come back in later in. Another thing that recruiters don’t tell you is that GI Bill isn’t free either and you do pay $100 a month for a year before you can get the GI Bill. When you get to boot camp and you take a piss test and they tell you if you fail guess what? You’re going to jail. That’s also a lie you get sent to the separation barracks and given an entry level discharge. Ohh 😮 those sweet memories lmao.
They could call you to active status just like they can normally in the reserves. It's not "Active duty" but being deployed in the reserves you are on "active" status.
Actually it is Active Duty. When you return to Reserve Status after being called up/deployed, you are given a DD 214 for the time you were on Active status.
Just swore in today!! Was at MEPS allll fucking day and I'm about ready to pass out, but not before watching this vid! On that note... 1. My recruiter never entertained the idea of quitting in my situation specifically I think bc he knew how dedicated & excited I am, and he didn't feel the need to even say that, if that makes sense. Also, he knows my bf is also in the army and that he basically tells me everything that he may not touch on. So, I don't feel like he explicitly left that out. 2. I was told how hard it is to get into airborne school by both my bf & recruiter, bc they commented on how lucky I am to be in an airborne unit. 3. Both my recruiter and liasons at MEPS stressed that I understood every portion of my contract, including the "inactive" years. So I didn't have a problem with this. My bf also happens to have the same contract as me so that helps (6 reserve/2 inactive).
FLASHY BEATS THE OFFICIAL ! tbh I've just always been a good test taker. for example, I got a 32 on my ACT and I didn't study. I'm just lucky that way. the only thing I did was look up online reviews & questions for the mechanical, electrical, and automotive bc those were not my strong points. I ended up getting a 93 on my asvab. Just make sure you know basic algebra, I think there might have been some basic geometry, and ofc those sections I mentioned above that I needed help with. if you're not good with reading comprehension/vocabulary, look up some asvab quizlets.
There are 2 airborne units 82nd and 101st. 82nd you are a paratrooper. 101st you are more of air assault than airborne. Airborne jumps behind enemy lines and disrupts communication and wrecks havoc
caveat - if joining the NG you can (depending on State law) go to jail for not shipping if you just no show (you are already being paid and on an active reserve status). You can refuse to ship, but you need to show up for drills until discharged.
My recruiter was honest. He even sent me a motivation card half way through my basic training. Thank you sergeant Lopez
Brian Dellinger hope SSG.Corona sends me a motivation card
Brian Dellinger my last name is Lopez though I ain’t a recruiter tho I’m thinking of enlisting lol
Brian Dellinger what the heck ok greatest recruiter ever !!
What branch you in?
Father Thanos army because he said “basic training”
Read your paperwork, everytime. Keep your paperwork, every copy. Make a folder up to keep everything in. If you don't you will regret it. You will need all military paperwork throughout your career/enlistment/education.
Depending on your MOS you may need that related paperwork for civilian employment/education.
Wholeheartedly agree... very important..good advice.
Swamp Fox I agree‼️ very important
One of the most important things to maintain. I called it my “I love me book”. Still got it and been out for a few years.
at meps don't trust the recruiter to put everything that you were promised in the contract. DOUBLE CHECK IT YOURSELF. I got screwed out of a bonus kicker because I did not read my contract.
Titan Warlord great advice! Please check your contact
Titan Warlord
I can't tell people enough to read everything and keep all copies. They screwed me on my GI Bill but I kept my paperwork and VA gave it to me for free.
Have a lawyer go over the contract.
So if your bonus is not on the contract at MEPS, do you tell them to add it or do you have to return to MEPS at another time when they have a new contract?
I had a pretty good recruiter and only found I got the kicker because they told me I qualified
I'm at the airport with the people I'm shipping out with, and my entire group of 8 binged watched your videos in preparation! Thanks for preparing us and giving us such useful information to conversate about!!
Converse*
Okay so out of the 8 how many gave up?
I wouldn't just say "gave up" that's sort of harsh. Just because they may not have followed through doesn't mean they gave up.. it just means they decided to go a different path in life because if they weren't full heartedly into that exact career choice than they may have failed to meet the mental criteria of basic training. Instead if use the terminology "chose to go a different route"
Kylie Wertz no in the military they tell you don’t give up, they don’t say “don’t choose another life path of choice”
@@brzisaac the person themselves decided to go a different way in life. Possibly the mental part or physical part just wasn't for them.. doesn't me they simply "gave up". They just made a different choice in Ife and moved on to something more fitting. Life is all about feeling out multiple things until deciding what feels right to that person. You're correct, no one in the military tells you to choose a different path. Although if they see you're not in it completely or aren't feeling it, and not giving your 110% then they will straight up be brutally honest and tell you exactly what they feel. They wont tell you to stick with something if you're wasting there time. And I would know that. They fight to keep people in, but upon going to a recruiter and saying you may want to try it, then going and learning more about it, and saying you're not sure it's for you, they will be very blunt and say they don't want to waste there time on someone that is not 100% dedicated to this. They WILL tell you to choose a different path if you don't want to commit to military. And they say that because it's a lot of money, time and resources they are putting towards you. They want the BEST. The COMMITED.. Not the unsure.
It's 2 AM and I just keep watching these vids. Guess I'm prepared for basic training now, I'm not even american.
Same here, its 4 am
Cant stop watching
Nice xD
@Cyrus McWind You don't have to be an american, you can apply if you have a green card.
@@Marduk710 Plus Basic Training isn't an American concept every country has it.
Hankyspanky it’s different in every country. Maybe not by much for some, but it’s different.
My recruiter was honest and I will never forget him. RIP
This guy speaks the truth. I switched from the Navy to the army through the blue to green program. Changing your MOS or your rates as it is called in the navy. I've been through both services, the Navy and the army. I spent 13 years on active duty and I can tell you things are not as easy as what people will lead you to believe. My advice is to do as much research on the Internet as you can. Talk to anyone who's been in the military. And then make your choice
Who do you root for during the Army Navy games?
I knew it was 8 years. I had good recruiters.
Good! I literally didn't even know back when I joined and after I went through meps and everything
Doni same here. My recruiter is very upfront with me. Truely genuine dude.
Shootemup89 IRR is a joke. You have to send an email saying where you live.
Each guidance counselor at MEPS explains this. It's also in your contract. Feel free to read through it.
It can be 4 to 2 years active the rest I don’t know if already change it is going to be inactive reserve that’s what I got on my time
I went to Fort Leonard Wood for OSUT in the early 80's. Got so miserable and homesick that I wanted to quit really really bad ~3 weeks in. They NEVER told me I could quit with an honorable discharge, and my family FORCED me to stick it out. It was hell, but I got through. 13 longest weeks of my life! Today though, words can't express enough how grateful I am for that experience. My Army Reserve years are LONG gone, but I know as FACT that thanks to that 13 weeks (much more than the rest of my AR experience) I am a much stronger-willed, more organized, more self-disciplined person (I still "move with a purpose" in most what I do) than I ever would have been -- it's had a HUGE impact on who I am today, 50+ years into life.
My recruiter didn't know nutthin so I only stayed 20+ years
thank you for your 20 year service.
1-18!
Hell yeah budd!! Thank you for your service
My recruiters were the best man. Had 4-5 guys all helping me out trying to get me the job I wanted and baby we got that job 5 minutes before I shipped to MEPS for the first time
Romans Tactical nice!
Romans Tactical 2
Romans Tactical I wanna join but need advise and a friend in it. And some one to tell me a 100 about the asvab
Geovani. Campbell I'll join with u
U r cool
As a former recruiter on the trail from 1994 - 1997, I can honestly say I did not mention the fact that they did not have to ship unless asked and I confirmed and the same with the rules 6 months into training. I can say that I did not make any promises for their careers because it is completely based on the ASVAB scores, needs of the Army at the time of enlistment and whatever deals are available. As you can imagine, I had the lowest number of recruits during my 3 years on the trail, but it turned out that I had the highest retention rate when all was said and done. I was upset that I did not get my Gold Badge even though I had the numbers to earn it because I was flagged with an injured back and didn't pass the APFT run.
I feel good knowing that I was able to reach many people and change the lives of so many n a good way. I recruited with integrity by sharing my story.
Bless you and your family brother
Thank You Man.
I am currently with a great recruiter. He's made everything so easy and did inform me about the IRR and that every soldier's commitment is 8 years. Going to the MEPS hotel tomorrow for the final step in the process.
Cover all 3 of these with every single one of my applicants.
1) For Active Duty applicants, your contract does not start until you swear in the SECOND time on your ship date. Once you sign that contract you are in. Also telling them they can "quit" during training is a little misleading. It isn't really quitting. It is breaking your contract and you get an "Entry Level Separation." Just like other discharges, it is not a right and the Army still has to sign off on it. Most of the times if it is in Basic and AIT it will get approved because they haven't put much time on you. You qualify under Entry Level as long as you are under 180 days of continuous active federal service. Also please keep in mind that on you separation paperwork it will be annotated that you were discharged for failure to adapt. Although the discharge is an uncharacterized (not Honorable or Dishonorable) certain employers may not want to hire someone who couldn't adapt to the military. I'm not here to dissuade anyone from pursuing this option because personally I only want people who want to serve in the Army. Another thing to keep in mind, since your Command are the ones that approve this, as we continue to raise troop levels you will see less and less of these approved.
2) Recruiters don't add Airborne to the system. If it isn't available it isn't available. You can take the risk of waiting and hoping airborne shows up and that job you liked stays on the system but you run a high likelihood of that job disappearing. It is easier to go to airborne school than it is to reclass your MOS. This is what I tell my applicants who are interested in Airborne when it isn't on the system: We can wait, or you can take this job that you want. Once you get to OSUT/AIT many times they will ask towards the end of your training if anyone would like to volunteer for Airborne school. They do this because people with airborne contracts somewhere along the line either get discharged or injured so their slot is up for grabs. To be competitive for this you should strive to have the top PT score in your training Company or near the top and keep your nose clean. In addition to this, put Ft Bragg at the top of your list for the duty station dream sheet. The dream sheet rarely pans out for people but putting Bragg at the top shows you are willing to volunteer for Airborne training so it gives you an additional chance at Airborne school. Worst case scenario, none of the above works out and you go to a different duty station. At around 2 years at that duty station you can contact your branch manager and talk about your next assignment. At that time you can ask if there are any airborne duty positions for your MOS available and if there are if you would be able to volunteer. (This method also works for duty stations in general, I have picked every single one of my duty stations except for my first one out of Basic). Once again these are all chances but if you are proactive with your career you can get any school you want as long as it is slotted for your MOS (and even some not slotted for your MOS depending how stubborn you are #Pathfinder).
3) When discussing contracts with your Recruiter. Realize that EVERY SINGLE CONTRACT regardless of Reserve or Active Duty is an EIGHT YEAR contract. You sign for an 8 year Military Service Obligation. With Active Duty you have a choice of serving between 2-6 years for your first contract. The job you pick dictates what lengths of contract you can pick (Aviation Mechanics require 6 year contracts, MP 5, Supply can be 2). If your Recruiter mentions a 2 year contract, do not take it. It sounds really appealing to many but please realize if you get out after the 2 year you DO NOT qualify for your full GI Bill, you only get partial. Also, when you are given a choice between contract lengths, it is normally the most beneficial to choose the shortest contract (excluding the 2 year option for previously stated reason), because 1 if you don't like the military you get out sooner, 2 if you don't like your job you have the opportunity to reclass sooner with reenlistment. Recruiters don't get brownie points for Contract lengths. Hell, we don't even get any real incentives if we put people in. My unit, I get 1 day if I put 3 people in for a month. I also don't have a personal quota. The contract mission belongs to the guy in charge of the station, it doesn't go down to the individual recruiters anymore.
If you made it all the way through this and still have questions please feel free to hit me up with a reply. I will answer to the best of my ability. If it isn't youtube section appropriate, we can set up another form of communication. Would post my work facebook but I am not into the shameless plugging thing, so replies here should work fine.
V/R
SSG Michl
Detailed Recruiter (2.5 years experience, 9 months left till back to the real Army!)
Appleton Recruiting Station
Appleton, WI
I was thinking about being a ranger
The recruiter recommended to choose something else and then go to Ranger school because if you fail ranger school you will be put some place you may not like
I would say go with what your heart desires. An Option 40 Ranger contract is not Ranger School. It is the chance to try out at RASP (Ranger Assessment and Selection Program). If you fail RASP you will still maintain your trained MOS but you will not go to Airborne School and will be sent to a different Duty Assignment based on needs of the Army. If you are not in peak physical shape, I personally would suggest against an Option 40 contract. 75th Ranger Regiment is ALWAYS asking for volunteers to attend RASP. Good luck with your decisions!
Jay Michl hello! Your answers are strongly appreciated. I am getting my self ready to take the. ASVAB, I M thinking on going reserve.
I do have some questions: 1 after signing a contract for reserve can I change to active duty or vice versa?
2 what happens if I enlist in NY and then I decided to move to an other state?
3its the same money?
4 how do I do active status while being on active duty?
What it’s a DD214
Thanks in advance
Leidy Villegas
@@jaymichl9762 appreciate all the shared wisdom. My question, my wife is currently active duty navy. We have 2 kids, own a house, etc. Currently in Washington stationed in Bremerton, what can I do to make getting orders for fort Lewis easier so we are not seperated?
My son is signing up and they made a comment to one of the young men that if he is not into the military needs to leave now
...
also my son said one night in payed hotel and meals included ; the next day they will get a some sort of a shot penicillin .... why?
Kids if you have a recruiter that talks you out of Airborne or even preferred duty station, remember DD 4187, you can get that form at ANY Personnel Office, on any post.. Fill out whatever you are looking for, or wherever you want to go, submit it..
I was talked out of Airborne at the recruitment office, My dad who retired form the Military explained what a DD 4187 form is and how to use it to ADVANCE your career..
I submitted a DD4187 while still in basic, After basic low and behold, I came down on orders for Airborne, then AIT ..
Also after AIT I got my preferred Duty, because I submitted the form, and went to Ft Hood. And the Exact unit I wanted
Remember...
DD 4187...... DD 4187 ..........DD 4187......DD 4187.....DD 4187...... DD 4187 ..........DD 4187......DD 4187
Thank you
Ok so where would you submit it and what is airborne ?
@@deadlygam3r301 jumping out of planes ma guy 😂😂😂
@X topics lmfaoooo right
Blackhat秘 The OG So why would you want to go to airborne? 🤨
My MEPS date is in 3 days, and i’ve been watching your videos for some personal support and they have been super helpful. I’m super excited, a little nervous, but overall ready. Thank you for the videos, keep it up!
It's kinda shitty they keep important information from participants
It's also good to keep in mind that there is so much information that they *do* give. Many people are uninterested in details that don't really pertain to them and considering the odds of serving after your active duty is up are so low that could be unimportant. Direct dishonesty is inexcusable but not telling you about some things is possibly because there too much to cover when they are worried about you testing and picking your rate (position) and all that good stuff.
@@FieryVigil it's a lie by omission lol. I'll give most recruiters benefit of the doubt but some definitely know what their doing
@@FieryVigil Recruiters will do whatever it takes to get you to sign on that dotted line to meet their quota.
SqualidsargeStudios because it USA 🇺🇸 Army
No matter if it seems unlikely or unimportant to some I can 100% say with out a doubt that I'd want to know every detail of what I'm signing. Especially when it comes to my life. I'm only 21 years old and when I go to meps and sign something that's even the slightest possibility of them shipping me out over a foreign war I would and demand I know exactly how long I'll be contracted for. If they have time to tell you about sweet bonuses or how to address and act, what to say to docs while you're at MEPS an order to pass then they damn sure have the time to discuss exactly how long your contract is. To say " oh by the way no matter who signs what, you will be contracted for 8 years, the chances of them calling on you is very unlikely" bam that takes like 10 seconds.
Taking the ASVAB tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Good luck you're gonna ace it!
Atoyia Mitchell. If you don't know a question pick the best answer !!
Look at asvab for dummies it’s what helped me
Let us know how you did.. and Good luck 🙏🏿
it's not as hard as you think
I'm in the National Guard. I've got to hand it to my recruiter he explained my contract to me really well. 6 years active duty 2 IRR
On the topic of not going to jail for quitting before basic. I don't even see what they would charge you for, like "oh, he realized he wasn't fit for military, let's arrest him and throw him in jail"
Thats bullshit. We started out with a company of 204 guys and ended up graduating 164. The ones that "boloed" out were giving general discharges with the reason "...unable to adapt to military life" written on their discharge. Alot of these guys were in their 20's. I was just outta high school. I coulda done the same thing but I woulda had to go home and face my dad, knowing his son couldn't make it. There's no "jail time" for flunking out. But yer the one thats gotta live with it and face the humiliation.
We had 12 dropouts when I was in Basic, and yeah not one of em was charged with any type of crime, but to the rest of us who graduated and took that Oath of Enlistment, those who quit were pussies....maybe they should've been charged with being manginas? Just a thought....
@@q98rt710 "But yer the one thats gotta live with it and face the humiliation." Not much humiliation in quitting and leaving a corrupt organization, I don't expect a government puppet/pawn to know that they since they didn't spoon feed it to you.
Recruiters are salesman. They're going to tell you whatever it takes to get your signature on that line. They have quotas to meet. Just like cops. When I took the ASVAB I qualified for all but two jobs in the military. They convinced me to go Infantry. The reason being the sign on bonus was Mungus the college money back then was outstanding and that's what I wanted was College. Their main selling point was then if your infantry you don't do anything unless there's a war. Therefore there would be plenty of time to take college courses. Made sense to my young mind. But the reality of it is if your infantry in your not in a war your training training training. There was absolutely zero time for me to take any college courses. And because of the fact that I was so new to the military nobody wanted to make it easy for me to sign up for any college courses either. Just keep in mind that your recruiter is a government agent. Government agents like government are only good at one thing. Lying.
The unlawful system they don’t have a quota
I had an amazing fucking time reading that with you’re incomparable sentence structure, punctuation, and writing skill.
You sound like a big pussy.
@@chuchosqueen They have quotas but don't tell you
@Stephen Rowell They do have quotas because they are trying to meet a goal. For example, a recruiter needs to meet a quota of 50. That means that they have to convince 2-3 recruits a day.
shipping to Fort Zancudo next week. Can't wait
Have fun on GTA..
lmao
Solomon Shekelstein hope Los Santos is fun
Solomon Shekelstein careful in the gas chamber. You might have a family history of gas chamber related problems.
Solomon Shekelstein idiot
I'm heading to the Marines in November this year. Wish me luck ladies and gentlemen
Good luck
How's it going?
Cyrus Chase how did it go?
@@chasewilliams9673 hes not in bootcamp anymore.... he either quit in bootcamp. Got through went on his 10 day leave then went back for the schooling side where he should be now
1991 foxbody that’s why I said “How did it go”. Been there done that. I know how the process works.
I litterally meet with my recruiter for the first time in 1 hour
ohhhh man
How'd it go?
It was alright man. It was kinda just a bunch of paperwork that im going to have to verify at MEPS. All the recruiters were pretty cool though, they answer any question you have & really want you to get in
Oh and they basically all gave me a slap on the ass for scoring a 51 on my practice asvab
Tommy Vercetti look at asvab for dummies if you can retake it
I always tell people to make sure they get everything that they want put into the contract. I also tell them that during basic the best advice is to keep your ears open and mouth shut unless told otherwise.
I would have to agree w the policy of allowing you to leave within 6 months... I would rather get stuck w someone who wanted to serve than someone who feels "stuck" and absolutely hate it. If your life depends on it then I rather have someone whos there to serve and protect.
Exactly. And to your other question Airborne is just a school and if you complete it you are Ariborne qualified which opens up opportunities for you anddddd you get to jump out of aircrafts :)
Thank you for making these videos, as a high school student seriously considering enlisting this year, this is very informative and helpful.
You're welcome man!
Did you ?
@@Americanspy-hn2kw Shipped out for basic July 9th 2019 been active duty Air Force for a little over 2 years now. It's got its ups and downs but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
@@James-xn8xe high schooler here, thinking about joining the marines but i just wanna know if in bootcamp will they be yelling at you the whole day for 13 weeks and are you always doing training all day everyday for 13 weeks?
@@James-xn8xe only mistake you made was joining the chair force. Jk my cousin in air force.
Should’ve joined the marines, at least there I would’ve known I was going to be a crayon eater from the start
One thing to add about Jump School. Unless you're seriously used to very hot weather ahead of enlisting, you might want to tailor your entry date as best as possible during colder weather. The drop out rate of Airborne does go up in July/August simply because of heat cat 4/5 fallouts. Had no clue going in. Since my OSUT ended in April 1983 (and was lucky enough to only go through 3 days of zero week) I missed the hot weather during school. You're going to get plenty of extreme hot weather training afterwards anyway when you get to your unit or RASP. In addition DO NOT forget your gloves if you also go Air Assault during phase two in heat cat 4. Those chains for slingloads get unforgivingly hot.
P.S. I had a brutally honest recruiter. Nice guy. Think he went back to being a State Trooper when he got out of the ARMY. One of the few 11Bravos I've know that chose recruiter over Drill Sergeant School when both were offered. Nothing but respect. Did his 12 years honorably (6 year contracts back then) and even said he was going back to being Highway Patrol because he felt he was better at doing that.
I found out all the recruiting information thanks to youtubers like you. When I went up to my recruiter and I asked questions, he was shocked that I knew some things that most people wouldn't or stuff he just had no plans to tell me about. Thanks for preparing me. I ship out this Tuesday.
Recruiters are just like used car salesmen. Saul good bro.
just an FYI to future soldiers. I would suggest going national guard that way if you don't like the army after bct/ait/osut you can go home and only report to your unit once a month, and if you do you can change your contract to active. if you go active and hate it you're essentially stuck.
*great video! That 8 year contract scares the hell out of me, but I guess if you’re sitting on reserve for a couple years not doing anything you would almost forgery it’s actually 8 years. Thinking of going Air Force route*
Recruiters are there to recruit, and that generally means spinning the Army (or whatever branch) in the best possible light. There are a lot of people in the Army right now that are glad their recruiter didn't tell them they could quit prior to shipping because most of us get at least a touch of cold feet with any commitment. If you jumped through all the hoops required to enlist it seems to me you were pretty sure of your decision. There are a lot of easier times to walk away (and a lot of potential recruits that do) prior to shipping.
There are always going to be very few guarantees in Army contracts. Simply because the Army could spend a lot of money on someone and due to military needs not have say a spot for someone in Airborne school. Were that situation to arise, and that person had a guarantee in their contract, that is grounds for discharge from military service because of a breach of contract. So there's really no point in jamming up the process trying to get guarantees that are probably not going to happen. Also I can't help but think if you're going into this process with the mentality of it's all about getting whatever it is you want ya might not have the right mindset for military service.......
I do agree that inactive reserve time should be explained, but historically inactive reserve recalls are really rare.
My recruiter and I haven’t talked too much about these things mostly because they are less relevant to me, but I still love my recruiter and the whole office is great. They’re super supportive since I’ve had to lose 40 lbs to get to this point.
You can walk away without any consequences, all the way up to you raising your right hand. After wards, you belong to the branch you signed up with.
Some branches will release you after 2 years in service, others you are SOL.
That's incorrect. You can "refuse to train" at any time while in training or up to one year after you initial entry date. They will take their sweet time out processing you and use every trick they can to change your mind. But, the truth is you have up to one year. After that, your ass belongs to whatever branch you are in.
Even after you sign your contract you don't have to go. In theory you could not show up and that could be the end of it.
This is not true
daniel boggan who can o talk to if I change my mind at meps, before I do the last oath and sign the last papers
Divine Nightcore it’d be best to tell your recruiters but you you don’t HAVE to tell anyone
You will get some ROUGH phone calls and all but you aren’t in the military yet
My recruiter didn't explain the 8 year thing, the person who gave me the contract in MEPS did. Love your videos. Shipping soon for OCS so wish me good luck. I'm so nervous 😩
Well that's good. But thanks and good luck!!! Nerves are perfectly normal. You will be fine :)
recruiters never tell
me being short is disadvantage, did 7 years in military im only about 5 feet
Definitely true
I'm 5'2 and plan on signing up for the military this year. Can you go in depth on how height is a disadvantage?
Walls 7 or 8 feet high. obstacle course , road march got take 2 or 3 step catch up, standing in formation in back i cant see front, getting up on military vehicle was hard need someone pull me up, running 2 mile takes allot step and energy, many more
I had a difficult time keeping up on road marches due to my short legs. Also, the ALICE pack rucksack frame was too long for my torso, so it did not seat properly.
Rucking is always a challenge for shorter guys. hate when they pick some tall asshole to lead the march. I just end up running it, and dealing with everyone asking why I was running?
My recruiter and recruiting station was COMPLETELY HONEST with me about everything. I just got promoted to SSG/E-6 in 4 years and now I’m on my way to recruiting school. To this day, I still speak to 90% of my recruiting office and my recruiter. They’re my biggest supporters
It is very easy to quit out of basic training but a very long process. I went to basic at fort Benning as 11x at 18 years old. Got there, felt like I wasn’t ready. Missed home, wanted to enjoy life a bit before I went to the military. So I went to sick call, and said a previous injury was bothering me. I was sent home with an EPTS a week later. I joined back as 12b 5 years later as a much more mature and confident man, and served for 3 years active. No regrets. Granted it was a lot of paperwork and doctors appointments to get back in, thank god I kept my discharge packet. But it was easier than I thought considering I was an re3 discharge. If you just go up to a drill sergeant and say I quit, they may scream at you but they will process the paperwork and it will take a MUCH longer time to go home than a medical discharge. They sometimes keep you for months until your company graduates.
i did 7 years in military my recruiters never tell me about roomate , foods at chow hall, open shower
covfefe coffee, I don't think he had to tell you cause that's kinda common sense tho...
Rene Perdomo yeah... don’t think this guy is very smart. Probably army or coast guard kid
Pierce Harmon being in the army doesn't necessarily mean your dumb
covfefe coffee open showe...?
Ty _ Ty Yes. You have to shower naked with other people
Dang you blew up since I left basic and started AIT. Congrats dude! Love be your stuff!!
Thanks!! And congrats on finishing!
I am so thankful for my recruiter because he had explained that all contracts are 8 years and he's been very understanding in answering all of my questions before I signing my contract. One thing that I didn't know is the window in which you can quit without being penalized so thank you for that information!
Summer Koch 🗣🔥
I like how you don't add extra fluff in your videos, most people would have added 2 more reasons just to hit that 10 minute mark. So much respect goes out to you brother! Keep up the great work!
I’m a Canadian but these American videos are as close as I can get to preparing lol if I try to look up stuff about the Canadian army I get next to nothing useful, thanks for making these videos
Did you get in?
I’m so thankful that my recruiters covered all this! I didn’t have airborne in my contract but my unit is airborne so it works out nicely. The only thing they didn’t mention that I wish they did was that only certain units qualify for the kicker from the ASFAB scores.
Yeah Sometimes they don't get everything right but that's really good that you will be going to an Airborne unit!
What's your MOS?
CallMe _Nezzy 37F
Nicol Emily nice, actually it's the first I'm hearing of that MOS .... seems pretty cool though
Your video, just made me respect and appreciate my son's recruiter even more!!! thanks for sharing. I'm grateful and thankful, he was open and shared this information with myself, my husband and my son.
Matt Ward - Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. I'm sure they lessen the anxiety levels of those joining our military. I served active duty from 1984 until 1996. I first joined the National Guard in 1977 and a lot of your advise rings true for even back then. I would have loved to have had this resource back then. I would advise anyone who joins that if they want something; For example, Airborne School, go for it, fill out the 4187. I got Airborne School after AIT and then went to Germany and not to an Airborne slot. Go after what you want. You make your own career. I also got Flight Warrant while I was in Germany and came back to the states early for that. I retired as a CW2. As an old soldier (retired) I would have to say you are giving some pretty good free advice!
4th thing, save some mental energy. When things go wrong, you'll have to fight the lying VA the rest of your life.
So they start off lying to you right off the bat got to love our government
Bill Smith yep. Lot of deception in the political side if military
They have a job to do and it’s as a recruiter said it’s to get you in boots not be your friend because at the end of the day they have a quota to fill
Not all do. I didn’t. I was honest with everyone I talked to.
Brian Jungen when were you a recruiter
2004-2006.
Yes that IRR was what they slightly mentioned to my son once we were getting ready to leave. (at Recruiters) Glad you explained it. I didn't really catch that much when the recruiter told my son, because he said it so fast. Thank you again.
I'll join the Army at the end of spring/beginning of summer this year and the recruiter I talked to actually informed me about the difficulties of getting airborne without it being in my contract.
These recruiters won't give you active duty status unless you ask active duty status. They will give you only reserve status. Never accept only reserve status, go for active duty status period.
This is flat out wrong lmfao.
What? That's nuts, the active duty component needs 5-10 times as many people. You probably ran into an office when their bosses were only allowing reserve contracts to make their mission
I ship out to fort benning tomorrow. I’m at my recruiters office now waiting for everyone else.
Preston Patton dang i ship the beginning of January too!! My mos is 19D
miguel cummings what is that? Mine is 68c practical nurse specialist
Preston Patton it’s the people that go out before infantry and locate the enemy and then relay the position to the infantry and artillery
I ship to Jackson end of dec
Good luck y buddy, and remember not to lose your mind in 30th AG reception Battalion. Lots of boredom prior to actual basic training. You may sit in reception battalion for 2 weeks prior to going to basic so just be aware.
Marine here. Honestly, I had a good recruiter who was straight up with me. She told me that I'm technically signing an 8 year contract but she also explained how extremely unlikely it was to get called back in unless a war breaks out or something which is true (and by the time a war breaks out, I believe I should step in by that point anyway) keep up the good vids bro.
My recruiter, SGT Young told me these things so props to him for being super honest.
Dang your channel has been blowing up the past couple weeks just hit 8k and now almost on 9k! Keep up the the great videos man
IKR!!! :D
NeverForever 2 years later... 172k
Matt Ward sounds like you had a shitty recruiter. I was a recruiter for 4 years and made sure all my applicants understood everything you mentioned, plus the good and bad of their choice. Being truthful with my people is what made me successful. After basic, they would come back and refer their friends and family to me, which made my job super easy, living off them referrals. But ya sounds like your experience with your recruiter was different.
He was pretty good. Not as bad as some recruiters I’ve heard about. But you were one of the really good ones then 👌🏻
Are you still a recruiter and where?
Can you join the Marine corps with old self harm scars?.
@@jasontyler5190 technically yes but once you're in MEPS they will see those scars and probably ask you the reason behind them...if you say theyrr selfmade, you're fucked up
My recruiter was really good and was honest and up front about everything with me.Everything we talked about that I was going to get, from my enlistment bonus, to my MOS I picked, etc... we're all in my contract before I signed it.He was very good and up front about everything. Thank you SSG White.
Piggy backing off my last comment. My recruiter told me about the 8 years also, he went over everything. I'm National Guard, so my recruiter told me I would be doing 8 years total. Six for active service for the guard, where I will train with my unit, and then after 6 years I have to decide if I want to re-enlist. If I do not, he explained I would do two years of inactive reserve if I did not re-enlist after the 6 years.
One thing I would like everyone to think about too is that, yes, this dude is right, the Military isn’t for everyone but you will never know unless you try, it may be just what you needed in your life. I know it was for me! The last thing you need to understand is that everyone should join for their own reasons and all will have their own UNIQUE experience. Don’t let the naysayers keep you from missing out on some awesome experiences and great benefits for your own future success!
Thanks. I'll bring this up with my recruiter. 99 ASVAB, and he's not pressuring me. Seems suspicious.
I would fail miserably at basic training. I cannot deal with people yelling and the way I get stressed, what happens there, would just make it worse and worse. Mind you if theres a mental exam, I'd fail that to begin with lol
Justin 355 me too
You already convinced yourself to failure.
Theres also knowing whom you are. Im pretty sure skitziphernia, (I cant rember how to spell it) No matter how mild, or maybe its just psychotic episodes they dont know. I think its just the episodes. Any who, I think that is grounds for not getting in there.
There is also plenty you can do state side. There are many returning veterans returning home that need help. If you can't join the military, you can always join a charity that helps out men and women when they get home.
Thank you for making this video. I researched myself online about the DEP (Delayed Entry Program). There is a clause in there that reads if a FS (future soldier) changes their mind and decides not to enter the military before they begin active duty will be separated with no adverse consequences. Under no circumstances will any member of the recruiting force threaten, coerce, manipulate or intimidate FSs nor may they obstruct separation requests. I know most recruiters may not tell the prospective enlistee that but it's something every high school senior or young adult considering a hitch in the army should be made aware of. My recruiter told me quite a few lies and half-truths with me. The year was 1975. I just graduated high school. I'd give anything to have those 3 years of my life back. NO DISRESPECT to all past veterans and current military. But the army was not for me. I did my time and served honorably. But no one should be misled or deceived or sold a bill of goods that will never come true during their hitch. Thanks again for posting this video.
I signed up for the reserves last week and I’m kinda anxious because I don’t like my MOS as a 42A and my recruiter told that I can reclass but it’s not that easy and I wanted to retake the asvab yo get MP or 25B 😞but it’s all my fault
same problem
me: shows up "I QUIT" lol
IRR is individual ready reserve. I was in the IRR for many years. Once a person becomes a lieutenant colonel or higher you will be eligible to returning to the U.S. Army for many years, in case of war. Also, my I.D. card stated indefinite as an end date.
I was a recruiter for 3 years. Always told people these things. You're more likely to keep your recruits in and get them shipped when you're open about it. Full disclosure, I did not know about the 6 month thing because I didn't know that personally. But yes, open and honest is the best way to recruit.
My recruiter from the CA National Guard was nothing but honest with me so far.. Thank you, Sgt. Rubio!
Where was this at ? I’m from Cali too and looking for national guard
I’m joining soon and im so happy I found you ❤️
Thanks and good luck!
Was Matt ever active duty, most of what I’ve heard is he’s a reserve enlister
Me personally i dont think the military is for me but theres just something about that makes me wanna join you know
#1 is 100% true, if you are going to active duty. For the National Guard that first oath you take at MEPS is the oath that matters, once you swear in you are in as far as the Guard is concerned. But if you swear in to delayed entry and you decide for what ever reason not to go you aren't committed and you will still most likely be able to join later, or join a different branch later.
Shipping out January 2nd for 31B, can’t wait!
David Del Valle counting it down aint we
Im shipping Jan 2nd aswell, what MOS ?
Actually changed to 12B and leaving the 8th now
David Del Valle that's cool I'm a 12B aswell , fort Leonard Wood?
SSJ Miggz yessir
my recruiter said at meps there is a sign where it said if you lie you go to jail and he said it is bullshit😂
This is true! I joined the Army in April of 1992 and my recruiter didn't tell me I had the option of requesting an early discharge either but I found out and I requested and was granted a discharge.
my recruiter was completely honest with me with any questions I had with him
I got airborne in my contact I leave may28 2019 can't wait
..leave to go where ?
How about now?
@Tyler Smith smooth af
@Tyler Smith (11b)
you still active?
1978 - my recruiter never told me I would be sent overseas after a year stateside.
Jonathan Merrill 1987 my recruiter told me I'd never go overseas for my 4 year enlistment!! Two years later, who do I see on a bus in Korea, yep, my recruiter!! We laughed and talked a bit and he said they tell lil lies sometimes to get you in..
My recruiter was straightforward with everything, didn't hold anything back, not one lie😊👍
Took my ASVAB last week and will be shipping out November 19th for BCT to Fort Sill!
I ship out Fort Leonardwood on January 27th, 2020.
Peter Nguyên Lộc Still got a little time brother, although it’ll be here before you know it! What job title are you training for? Mine is 14H
My MOS is 88M Driving and Mainainance.
Peter Nguyên Lộc Not bad, I’m Air Defense Enhanced Early Warning System Operator but good luck brother! Stay dedicated and motivated!
I was a Army Recruiter and I told a DEP that he could get out before leaving for Basic Training and he USED it against me. My Station Commander and my Recruiting Company First Sergeant and CO hit the ceiling because I now had a DEP Loss which I had to make up. I now had a Mission for the Month of 3 instead of 2. I learned to never again be truthful with a DEP because it will be used against me.
A Recruiter will not say certain things because his Chain of Command will rip them apart. Who wants to have to report to the Recruiting Company HQ with your Station Commander to have to stand in front of the CO and get your ass reamed for telling a DEP the truth? Only a Foolish Recruiter will do so and I admit I was that fool but only one time.
A Recruiter job is to Put em in boots and not be their friend.
All Soldiers incur a MSO (Military Service Obligation). When I served it was 6 years. They increased it to 8 years. When I joined it was 4 years Active, 1 year Active Reserve and 1 year IRR for a total of 6 years. I served 10 years Active so when I ETS I no longer had a MSO.
Under George Bush Jr the MSO was used to hold Soldier in on Active Duty past their ETS Date and to recall to Active Duty Soldier who had ETS. It was called Stop Loss and it was used to maintain Manpower fighting in Iraq and in Afghanistan.
As a Recruiter I clearly explained the MSO and the requirement to serve in the Army Reserve and the IRR.
Thank you, I shared my side of what it was like to be a Army Recruiter. There are many things the Army Recruiter will never tell you because it is TOO MUCH INFORMATION and will confuse the Applicant. A Army Recruiter job is the put you in to combat boots and to move on to the next Applicant to put them in to combat boots. A Army Recruiter do not have the time to sit down with every Applicant and explain the in's and the out's of the Army. Those who served know there is so much to learn after arriving at BCT.
Airborne School is easier to go to depending upon your MOS and where you are assigned to. In Basic Training there were 2 guys going to For Bragg and 2 guys going to Fort Cambell. Their Mos was 11D so the guys going to Bragg went to Airborne School and the guys going to Campbell went to Air Assault School.
In Germany the driver of the Sheridan I was on came from Fort Bragg and he was Airborne Qualified. In Alaska I worked with a group of Soldiers from Fort Bragg who were all 19D Mos. We were assigned to what was then the XM1 Project. The XM1 became the M1 Abrams. The guys from Bragg were all Airborne Qualified. They had to arrange for them to jump so they would not lose their Jump Pay. The Riggers set up a UH1 Huey for them to jump out of. The OIC was a Field Artillery Officer who was also an Army Aviator. He flew the Huey and those guys made the jump. Sad to say it was Winter Time, it was freezing cold. They were blown off course away from the Drop Zone. They crashed in to trees. One sustained a broken leg, another a broken arm, and another a broken nose. The jump was a disaster.
Well then you are an idiot
@@charlesanthony4693 This is exactly why I, as an army vet, will do everything in my power to warn any high school senior to NOT enlist. And if they do go Air Force. The army was terrible and I blame my ass-lying recruiter for selling me a phony deal from the start. The lies that a-hole told me... And all army recruiters are like this.
Wait till some you guys get picked up to be a recruiter
It's not for me, but I'm going through with it to see my daughter and to prove to my family I'm not worthless. To be respected by them and to differentiate myself from them. Plus it's better to die for troops so they can make it home rather than die on a couch accomplishing nothing while the troops are dying.
If a recruiter has claimed to you after your first swearing that failing to go will result in jail time, report his ass to your local Sheriff. Recruiters are *Federal* employees and subject to both the Rule of Law and Making False Statements ( 18.USC.§.1001 ). If you are under 18 and this falsehood has been stated to you it is a Felony on-the-spot as Child Abuse.
After your second swearing in you cannot back out. You will have to flop your way out of boot or suck it up.
My recruiter in the marines told me that if I left the DEP I would be dishonorably discharged...now I’m in the army DEP
nope
They will never tell you to die, thats earned. Ft Benning GA. House of Pain hoorah!!!
Lol yep I went through damn near everything at MEPS, but then found out that the Army refused to specifically guarantee the MOS I wanted, (linguist), so I left. It surprised them a bit. I went through a second time for the USAF, who kept their word.
onofliberty78 good choice. Now you won't have to do a lot of crap that the Army does that the Air Force doesn't (going out to the field, TA-50 gear, longer deployments, etc) and you'll probably actually be doing your MOS more than you would in the Army (in the Army, you might be doing your MOS very rarely and instead be spending most of your time out in the motorpool).
Matt youre awesome bro
These videos are helping so many people. Keep doing your thing
Matt Ward. I go to RSP monthly drills before basic in August for Oklahoma army national guard. You are considered AWOL if you do not go, i already have my CAC card and Tricare. Your advice is misleading to army and air national guard whom would be in RSP drills prior to basic.
Hey guys!! I ship Beginning of January leaving to Fort Benning! My Mos is 19 Delta or Calvary Scout! If anyone watching this video has that Mos than reply and let’s talk!!
miguel cummings hey me too 19D here same ship date!!
j a hey dude you have a Snapchat or something we can talk on?
Same date im going 19k
Akeem Bausley Nice congrats I'm sure will see you there to for a little.
j a what’s your Instagram?
Watching these videos brings back so many memories of my military days before TH-cam and social media. You are correct on a lot of things. But getting out during boot camp or school my navy days was A school isn’t that easy. Yes you can, but you get an entry level separation which isn’t bad at all it still gives you the opportunity to come back in later in. Another thing that recruiters don’t tell you is that GI Bill isn’t free either and you do pay $100 a month for a year before you can get the GI Bill. When you get to boot camp and you take a piss test and they tell you if you fail guess what? You’re going to jail. That’s also a lie you get sent to the separation barracks and given an entry level discharge. Ohh 😮 those sweet memories lmao.
I love your videos and how your so honest about all this.
Anybody here going to Fort Jackson December 27/January 2?
Jiraiya I am
awsome, ill see ya there. Whats ur MOS?
92F and u
31E, Fort Jackson is BT and AIT fort Leonard wood
I go to ft. Lee virgins for ait
So say if your in the reserves can the military turn you to active duty even if your in the reserves?
They could call you to active status just like they can normally in the reserves. It's not "Active duty" but being deployed in the reserves you are on "active" status.
Shootemup89 thank you for the clarification. Gives me more understanding. Love the videos! Keep making great content!
Will do!
Actually it is Active Duty. When you return to Reserve Status after being called up/deployed, you are given a DD 214 for the time you were on Active status.
That’s the whole purpose of the reserves and national guard
I’m a 17 year old female going to the navy . Please pray for me and wish me luck 🙏🏽
Good luck 👍🏼
Good luck!
I am interested in the marines but I checked out the army. My recruiter was pretty solid, “look man it is your choice”. Respects
Just swore in today!! Was at MEPS allll fucking day and I'm about ready to pass out, but not before watching this vid! On that note...
1. My recruiter never entertained the idea of quitting in my situation specifically I think bc he knew how dedicated & excited I am, and he didn't feel the need to even say that, if that makes sense. Also, he knows my bf is also in the army and that he basically tells me everything that he may not touch on. So, I don't feel like he explicitly left that out.
2. I was told how hard it is to get into airborne school by both my bf & recruiter, bc they commented on how lucky I am to be in an airborne unit.
3. Both my recruiter and liasons at MEPS stressed that I understood every portion of my contract, including the "inactive" years. So I didn't have a problem with this. My bf also happens to have the same contract as me so that helps (6 reserve/2 inactive).
Nice you definitely lucked out! but congrats on swearing in!!!
Congrats on signing...btw what helped you on Asvab?
FLASHY BEATS THE OFFICIAL ! tbh I've just always been a good test taker. for example, I got a 32 on my ACT and I didn't study. I'm just lucky that way. the only thing I did was look up online reviews & questions for the mechanical, electrical, and automotive bc those were not my strong points. I ended up getting a 93 on my asvab. Just make sure you know basic algebra, I think there might have been some basic geometry, and ofc those sections I mentioned above that I needed help with. if you're not good with reading comprehension/vocabulary, look up some asvab quizlets.
Shootemup89 thank you!!
Alyssa Muñoz we get it, you have a boyfriend, chill
This may be a dumb question but what does airborne mean exactly?
means you jump out of airplanes
The ability for a disease to be transmitted in the air
There are 2 airborne units 82nd and 101st. 82nd you are a paratrooper. 101st you are more of air assault than airborne. Airborne jumps behind enemy lines and disrupts communication and wrecks havoc
Kylan Schaefer Actually there are alot more Airborne units that 82nd and 101st. Although those 2 units are the most recognizable.
There are other airborne units. I was in a parachute rigger unit, and after the gulf war I was in an airborne MI unit. plenty of others
I like your videos alot man. They have been super helpful to me, even as a 31 yr old finally answering his calling.
caveat - if joining the NG you can (depending on State law) go to jail for not shipping if you just no show (you are already being paid and on an active reserve status). You can refuse to ship, but you need to show up for drills until discharged.