Army Reserve thoughts?

[rebelcowboysnb]

I don't think the ARMY should judge you on how you do on a test...

The ASVAB must have changed sense I took it in high school. It had mechanics an construction related stuff among other things back then. I did not know what if was for back then an lets just say I did better than I should have. It took me years to get recruiters to stop calling me. Calls week after week for what seemed like forever. I finally had to meet one face to face to show them that I was ineligible before the calls stopped. The one that came out told me that I had only missed one question in the mechanical section so that's why they all were fighting to get me.

The test helps determine aptitude for different jobs but not sure it really shows your ability to fight.

 

[Matthew3590]

I think I would be better with bullets firing at me then taking a test. To my knowledge, I think you need to use more common sence than be book smart in the army... Just take a look at Vassili Zaitsev from WW2, he couldnet read or write very well but he became one of the best snipers ever.

The ASVAB must have changed sense I took it in high school. It had mechanics an construction related stuff among other things back then. I did not know what if was for back then an lets just say I did better than I should have. It took me years to get recruiters to stop calling me. Calls week after week for what seemed like forever. I finally had to meet one face to face to show them that I was ineligible before the calls stopped. The one that came out told me that I had only missed one question in the mechanical section so that's why they all were fighting to get me.

The test helps determine aptitude for different jobs but not sure it really shows your ability to fight.

we just had the asvab at our school and there were mechanic questions on it and stuff about engines.

 

[Vamvakas]

What's that supposed to mean? I want to be an infantry in the army not a mechanic ... A mechanic wont help unless they fix stuff... Idk why, but you seem to be anti common sence and pro book testing to be honest.

I suggest taking a look at people who wern't the best at taking test but they became the best soildiers.

 

[ChickenPrnces]

Ummm...yeah...... so maybe back in the 1940's infantry was all about firing a gun! In the modern army everything is super high tech. That means your chances of firing a simple weapon are pretty slim! So you suck at math.. guess you won't be much good when my hubby needs grid coordinates to drop a bomb now will ya! Once again your stupidity and ignorance is gonna get my husband killed! You gonna be here to explain that to our 4 kids????? All because you wanna go to college for free! PLEASE!!!! Get a grip on reality! The army is not all common sense! You gotta know something about everything to succeed in todays army!!!!!

 

[OldGuy43]

Just an update on joining the Army Reserve...
I was very mad after that cause I don't think the ARMY should judge you on how you do on a test... Some people suck at taking test (such as me) they could be the smartest person ever but suck at taking test...

As a survivor of the unpleasantness in SE Asia I have to agree with ChickenPrnces. Back in the days of the draft we had people like you. We called them "Vietcong Trap Detectors". Not very PC I admit, but life gets cut down to basics when the bullets start flying. PC goes right out the window when your life is on the line.

Just curious, how well did you expect to do in college since, by your own admission you "suck at taking test(s)"? After serving (and I was not drafted, by the by) I used my benefits, went to college and got my degree. My memory may be faulty, but as I recall, we had to take a lot of tests.Some even involved math.

edited by staff

 

[Vamvakas]

I'm already in my 3rd year of college, and im not looking for free college cause I paid for it the last 3 years... My IQ high but it depends on the subject.. Like I said, my math isnt the greatest but I am going to take practice test so I can learn and prepare better.

 

[OldGuy43]

I am going to join the Army Reserve this fall so I can work at my job and do this part time for the benefits.

Has anyone joined the reserves and what's your thoughts on it? Any info would be great before I officially join.

You asked for opinions and when one lady gave you her's you reported her. When you ask for opinions you shouldn't be surprised or offended when some of them aren't what you wanted to hear.

Just an update on joining the Army Reserve...

I went to the recruiters place to take a practice ASVAB test and it only was english and math..
I did well in the english but the math I did horrible (I hate math)...

My recruiter showed my test scores to another man in the army and he told me... "Were you serious about this test.." "Do you have some kind of learning disorder or something, do you really want to be here"

I was very mad after that cause I don't think the ARMY should judge you on how you do on a test...

Yet another example; By taking the test you asked the if military if they found you acceptable. They didn't and emphatically told you so and once again, you were offended.

You don't seem to fully understand how the real world works. The military doesn't give a darn about what you think until you have proven yourself to have an opinion worthy of consideration, and they will not be politically correct or worry about your feelings when telling you so. That's not the business they are in! Trust me, they can be a lot blunter and to-the-point than that. I know from experience.

For this reason alone I suggest that you not join any branch of the U.S. military. That's my opinion and if you want to report me for stating it I don't care.

I will now wait at least one-half hour before clicking the SUBMIT button...

I waited over an hour and my opinion hasn't mellowed at all. Be offended if you wish. You already know where the REPORT button is, but be advised, unlike here on BYC the U.S. military does not have a "report because someone offended me" button. They do have however a "report for insubordination" button, and they have no compunction about using it.

spelling correction

 

[conny63malies]

Actually and unfortunatley they listen to people who have gotten their feelings hurt. That is why old school soldiers like my husband leave the Army now. THey are tired of those new soldiers jumping the COC or run to JAG because somebody got loud or hurt their feelings. Instead of kicking screwups out they get chance after chance after chance. Good soldiers are getting tired of that. It seems like screw up and move up. The Army , military in general, is not a babysitter.

 

[mandelyn]

You don't seem to fully understand how the real world works. The military doesn't give a darn about what you think until you have proven yourself to have an opinion worthy of consideration, and they will not be politically correct or worry about your feelings when telling you so. That's not the business they are in! Trust me, they can be a lot blunter and to-the-point than that. I know from experience.

If the recruiter offended you that mildly, imagine how terrible you'll feel in infantry school. My husband and brother in law did 10 years each, my brother 7 years. Brother and husband started out as CAV, my husband switched to Machining. Brother in law started as a mechanic and finished Active Duty as MI. The stuff I have heard them talk about, and other soldiers too... and then seeing what offends you... well... you're going to have culture shock.

I've read through this thread a couple of times. My husband's last deployment, he was injured and packed off to Walter Reed for surgery. We met a lot of guys there who saw way worse than he did. I'll tell you about Mike.

Mike was in the Guard. Signed up for college. Wanted to be a soldier, but not full time, too much going on in his life. Sent off to Afghanistan first thing. Some events happened and he woke up in Walter Reed, to doctors telling him how many pieces were missing, how many surgeries he'd need, and someone else telling him what happened to him since he had no memory of it. When we met him, he had been there 2 years recovering, and a lot more to do. He'll likely never walk again, the way his lower torso was injured and where the left leg had to be removed, a prosthetic wasn't going to fit him. It's easier to get a new leg when it's cut off at the knee. Plenty of guys were double amputees but up and walking after years of therapy.

He was bitter, mean, hateful, resentful. All he wanted was the college money. Now look where he's at. He's still successful, started investing and created his own web business. He got his benefits. But at what cost?

My husband is going to Electrical Engineering school for free. But he hasn't slept right in over 5 years, ever since his first deployment. He's been over there a couple of times. He has some new physical limitations after that last deployment. He clenches his jaw so tightly when he sleeps he wakes up with lock jaw. Sometimes it'll unlock and his mouth works normally, other times he has to talk through his teeth and eat very small bites.

He didn't sign up for the benefits, those were just perks of the job. When you deploy, it doesn't matter if you're active duty, reserves, or in the guard. Your job won't always protect you, you're a soldier first. The sights and sounds are offensive, the other guys are offensive. The smell is offensive. The whole situation is offensive, so you better develop some thick skin. Heaven help you if you catch 1st Sgt's attention as needing extra focus, you'll never hear the end of it. He will tell you exactly what you are to him.

Are you good at politics? Talking to people? Are you amiable? If you go into with an ego, they'll knock you down. If you went in passive, they'll pull you up. At Ft Knox in CAV school, at the end there is this hill at the tail end of a long ruck march. My brother, high speed as he is, hard charged his way through it. First to the top of that hill, all proud of himself. Drill Sgt dropped him for push ups, he had to keep pushing until the last man came up that hill. That's what he got for leaving the rest of them in the dust. He had been dreaming about being a soldier since he was 5 years old. They taught him it isn't a one man show.

He deployed with SF one time since he was CAV. Time of his life, soldier through and through. Those guys will rock your world, and you better play by their rules. Nothing will make all your training feel as inadequate as it is until you hang with SF over seas. They'll teach you something, if they think you're worth it. They're not shy in their opinions either.

You won't get any respect at all, from anyone, until you've earned it. And don't forget, make 3 copies of every paper they hand you, it gets lost way too easy. Be patient, hurry up and wait. Things change all the time, where a formation will be held, what's happening that day... be good at change. Adapt and overcome. It's frustrating. It's hard. It's infuriating at times. When nothing is going on, it becomes a political dog and pony show. Cliques form. Hopefully you can navigate through that nonsense.

MY husband, brother, and brother in law wouldn't trade the experience for anything. They each got what they wanted from it. Mike didn't.

 

[Vamvakas]

I'm not gonna report you.. And if your waiting for me to report you goodluck with that...
My whole life people doubt me of what I can do and thought I can never reach my goals. The only reason why I got mad at the recruiter was because he didint have hope for me right after the pratice ASVAB, but before the test he seen how fit I was and wanted me to join speical forces... It sucks being the youngest son of 2 older sisters when they have good jobs and you have no clue what you want to do in your life...

This is why I am so sensitive, but I am the type of person that keeps it to myself and sucks it up after.

P.S. To the trolls on this topic...