Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Thinking about the Army...

yep

I would stay out of the guard or reserves.

Their deploying them over there just like regular army.

JM

I was thinking thats what he wanted...Do his bit for his country..

I agree with the crowd that thinks you are crazy, given your current responsibilities.

I'm seeing guys being deployed multiple times. I also know of someone who was called back after retirement, and got seriously messed up.

your country is a member of the UN. are your citizens solidly behind the UN perspective?? i mean, current operations are all UN based, aren't they? i could be wrong, of course.

I was in navy '89 to '96 and my eldest was born in '93. I just got re-married and have a toddler son. There is sooooo much I missed out on with my first son. I really regret not having this time with him when he was little (I was 7 years almost continuously at sea).
I would not try to join now for anything.
BTW, thanks to all for their service, and the Navy was a great opportunity for me. I just wouldn't go back to try again now.

If you're sharp enough to become a medic, why not take the Foreign Service exam? Or apply to be a Specialist with the State department? That way your family can be with you when you're overseas.

I'm older than you, with four young children (3 to 11). That's what I did -- a very good job, steady employment, great benefits.

Only down side is that hunting seasons are rather irregular (at least when your posted in the Caribbean.)

I guess if you're with the Rangers, though, you'll have your own special seasons.

Fritz

I'm going to be real blunt here and piss you and everybody else off but other than Gus who has alluded to it nobody else has.

1. If you join the military you will be a mercenary and you will be sent to wherever the UN, NATO, SEATO, and any other alphabet organization wants to send you.

2. You are also a government employee of the Obama administration. Sure you want to serve dingle-berry for another seven years who knows after that?

3.You are not serving the people because the people don't care what happens to you. Your family cares, your individual friends care, but the people could care less.

4. I don't care what happens to you I don't know you. Your life or death will have no impact on me whatsoever.

5.Don't get cought up in the wave-the-flag patriotism. Patriotism is fine but it won't take care of your family or be a Dad to your kids.

6. The bottom line is this, what comes first? For me it would be my family.

Think long and hard. I'm what is commonly called a Bat Baby. Enlisted straight to a Ranger Batt. Spent many years there. I saw very few(like one) 30+ privates make it. Then guess what, needs of the Army, can you say Korea. As a 33 year old Platoon Sergeant(long story)there were only 2 people in the whole Battalion older than me. The Op tempo is very hard on families, during peace time. My oldest son thought my BIL was his Dad for a long time(like until I left and went somewhere else). Your teenagers are at a critical point where they need Dad around. It might be alright if they were used to it, but to drop out of sight now......

Medic in a Ranger Batt isn't a bad choice,you get some awesome training not like it used to be.Above the waist you gave Cepacal(cough drops), below the waist you gave foot powder. But your gonna be jumping, rucking, shooting,throwing up,bleeding right next to Infantry guys.There are other choices out there that'll get the blood flowing and give you better opportunites when/if you retire, get out.Lot of good units/jobs out there in the Service, not sure the Ranger Batt would be good fit. Pm me if you want some more info/talk, it's been a few years,I'm retarded... I mean retired now, but I keep in touch.

Joe

I remember my times in Columbus Ga, it was fun being young. I was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne

The choice is yours and you could go in at your age, but consider a few things.

1. Can you support your family on the starting salary?
2. If your wife works it would help you financially, but don't count on being at home to help with the kids.
3. Med is great. You can go from medic to a nurse or PA if you show the aptitude.
4. Reconsider the airborne and ranger options unless you are just a physical stud. When you are jumping, it is just a matter of time before you get hurt. Ranger school is tough and lots of folks get hurt in the school. I'm not sure if this is still the case, but around the time I came in, an Air Force doctor did a study on the impact of Ranger school on your body as a thesis. At that time, Ranger school was 73 days of intense physical activity, exposure to the elements, and psychlogical stress during which time you were allowed 1 meal a day and about 3 hours of sleep a night. He determined that it took student's bodies about 5 years to completely recover from the effects. Even if you are a physical stud, boondocking gets tough when you get older.

Expat

Either go with the National Guard and take some rotations with them or go back in the Navy. At 35 unless you have NO other options i would not go back in the active Army unless you are in super physical shape. if you are not there is the Air Force and the navy. There are a klot of opportunities to do your part without sinking yourslef that deep into the military. Anything medical will get you promotions and opportunites to go to a combat zone if that is what you are looking for.

With the Navy and the Airforce you get a bed every night. With the Army, you get a spot on the ground and a green blanket. We appreciate you wanting to do your part but don't kill yourself doing it. kwg

I went in as a 13B (Field Artillery).

We were sitting out in the field one day (surprise!), launching rounds down range, and I got to thinking...

Just how am I ever going to put this on a civilian resume, and make it sound attractive?

"Yes, I can kill you from 10 miles away, and you'll never even see it coming. Hire me, I'm your man!"

If you go medic in the USN odds are you'll be serving as a corpsman at some point with the USMC.

Ask yourself why you want to do this. There is lots to miss about the service but you've been there and you might have to plumb your memories for the stuff that wasn't so good. The comradeship is certainly one of the great things you likely remember but as others have pointed out, you're now a generation older than your peers.

As far as the tin foil mercenary stuff, ignore it. We haven't fought with a multinational force ever and it's not likely to change. Frankly, working with other countries services was one thing I really enjoyed in my 20 years of service.

Nothing wrong with thinking what you're thinking. Just go in with your eyes open and a family that is aboard with your decision and it's permutations.

yep, there's no cross-disciplinary services provided.

the British, the Belgiums, the Germans, the French, the Polish, all have their own "structure."

no crossing of UN lines. the US has their "advantage" points, as do the Canadiens.

but, is that efficient and effective in hard economic times??

just askin'

Stay home with your family...especially with all the kids!

why not join the navy again or how about the airforce.

Problems I see: First is money: not with four kids at a PFC's pay. Which is what you'd be most likely four a few years after you enlist.

Second is ETS, Expected Time of Service. Maybe ten years? You're 45 and a discharged E 4 or E 5? Nah. There's no career in it at that age. That's pretty old to start a new career, although it can be done. The odds are high against success: Do the math.

Third is the shape you're in. You have to be in superior shape to survive Ranger school, although Basic and AIT are pretty easy. And 35 is pretty advanced in years to give Ranger school a shot. We had a guy in our class who was maybe 31 and he was in tip-top shape and he still struggled. He could run, but running isn't all it takes. Lots of upper body strength and endurance. The body ages and needs more recuprative time than you're able to give it in school. So I'd look closely at that option.

But if you're determined on this life-changing move, go for it. The cost in if you succeed in training is very high, however.

I would never have enjoyed serving while married and still don't have kids, can't imagine that would be any good either.

Add to that raising kids in a military town! mmmm...No thanks!


Mike

War is a young man's profession. At age 35 you are pushing the physical limits. People in their mid-thirties get hurt sooner and take longer to heal. Even going to a police or fire academy can be much harder at that age. And in 5 year's you would be in your 40's.

Paratrooper and Ranger are likely to be no-go's , particularly Ranger.

As was pointed out, your peers will be 18-20 year old kids and your supervisors will be in their early to mid-twenties.

When you finish training you will low-man on the totem pole in your unit. And you are likely to be sent overseas for an extended period of time. That will affect you and more so, your family.

You may wish to consider police or fire academy as an alternative. Perhaps joining a volunteer fire unit can get you to the fire academy. And you can then stay home with your family.

Chuck