(05-21-2014 03:14 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:33 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Hey, now those same people that were running to Canada only have to get a tattoo if we get Conscription again.


IF, the army is having a hard time getting recruits how much more problems will the Air Force have with their harder to get in qualifications.

I was thinking about joining the AF. Comfortably had the quals, but I was told that promotions were slow (of course it was by another recruiter).

The Coast Guard always has a hard time with recruits. We're kind of the last service on people's minds.

It's true about slow promotions in the AF. The normal high is E-4 for four years. Not true in the army or marines. Navy is the same as the AF for the most part I think. I'm proud to say that I made E-5 in 3 and half years which is pretty good. I missed the E-5 promotion the first time by 2 and a half points. I got it the second time.

What was comical to me was how I was informed by my NCOIC and Commanding Officer. They told me I made it and the second thing from them was "do you want to re-enlist?" I told them no.

(05-22-2014 01:08 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:14 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:33 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Hey, now those same people that were running to Canada only have to get a tattoo if we get Conscription again.


IF, the army is having a hard time getting recruits how much more problems will the Air Force have with their harder to get in qualifications.

I was thinking about joining the AF. Comfortably had the quals, but I was told that promotions were slow (of course it was by another recruiter).

The Coast Guard always has a hard time with recruits. We're kind of the last service on people's minds.

It's true about slow promotions in the AF. The normal high is E-4 for four years. Not true in the army or marines. Navy is the same as the AF for the most part I think. I'm proud to say that I made E-5 in 3 and half years which is pretty good. I missed the E-5 promotion the first time by 2 and a half points. I got it the second time.

What was comical to me was how I was informed by my NCOIC and Commanding Officer. They told me I made it and the second thing from them was "do you want to re-enlist?" I told them no.

Making E-4 in Marines (though MOS depends alot) is normal, E-5 if youre above average.

My son made E-6 in six years. But then he got stuck on E-6 but hey better to be that than an E-3. He's retired now early out at 17 and a half. I told him not to make waves so he could go up in rank but he speaks his mind and you don't do that in the military.

(05-22-2014 01:08 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:14 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:33 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Hey, now those same people that were running to Canada only have to get a tattoo if we get Conscription again.


IF, the army is having a hard time getting recruits how much more problems will the Air Force have with their harder to get in qualifications.

I was thinking about joining the AF. Comfortably had the quals, but I was told that promotions were slow (of course it was by another recruiter).

The Coast Guard always has a hard time with recruits. We're kind of the last service on people's minds.

It's true about slow promotions in the AF. The normal high is E-4 for four years. Not true in the army or marines. Navy is the same as the AF for the most part I think. I'm proud to say that I made E-5 in 3 and half years which is pretty good. I missed the E-5 promotion the first time by 2 and a half points. I got it the second time.

What was comical to me was how I was informed by my NCOIC and Commanding Officer. They told me I made it and the second thing from them was "do you want to re-enlist?" I told them no.

I was also promoted pretty fast, partly because I had zero social life at the beginning.

Zero social life? That sure wasn't me. I got away with quite a bit of stuff. I'm (was) a pretty bad person. I'm glad I found God before I died. REPENT ALL YE SINNERS! Hee hee.

People aren't Christians because they think they're good, people are Christians because they know they're not, and need a Savior.

(05-22-2014 03:05 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Zero social life? That sure wasn't me. I got away with quite a bit of stuff. I'm (was) a pretty bad person. I'm glad I found God before I died. REPENT ALL YE SINNERS! Hee hee.

People aren't Christians because they think they're good, people are Christians because they know they're not, and need a Savior.

I shouldn't say zero. I did things depending on the event, but didn't make a habit out of being wild. Had my fun in Brazil, Florida, and Caribbean but didn't do it that often.

I wish now that I'm old and wiser that I had been a Christian then but like some of the guys here I didn't think I needed him. I was having too much fun, sinful fun. I envy those kids that know God from an early age and pray that they don't backslide as backsliding is easy to do. And the guilt afterward is a humdinger.

(05-21-2014 03:52 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:21 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:14 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  The Coast Guard always has a hard time with recruits. We're kind of the last service on people's minds.

Frankly, I think CG is cool.

I liked my visit to Coast Guard Academy. And helped the cause by purchasing some nice apparel for the family. Not a lot of people w/ CG and CGA garb.

Obviously, I think it's cool too.

But it's a lot less exciting to hear about our job than the USAF, Navy, Army, or USMC. I've personally been to a lot of interesting places but, while the Navy can beat their chests about being able to be stationed in Italy, it's a real possibility that you'd be stationed in Sault Ste Marie in the CG.

The CG is one of those things that you have to step back and really think about its duties in order to get excited about it.

nomad, despite graduating from annapolis, I recommend people look into the CG and their Academy frequently.

(05-22-2014 05:27 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:52 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:21 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:14 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  The Coast Guard always has a hard time with recruits. We're kind of the last service on people's minds.

Frankly, I think CG is cool.

I liked my visit to Coast Guard Academy. And helped the cause by purchasing some nice apparel for the family. Not a lot of people w/ CG and CGA garb.

Obviously, I think it's cool too.

But it's a lot less exciting to hear about our job than the USAF, Navy, Army, or USMC. I've personally been to a lot of interesting places but, while the Navy can beat their chests about being able to be stationed in Italy, it's a real possibility that you'd be stationed in Sault Ste Marie in the CG.

The CG is one of those things that you have to step back and really think about its duties in order to get excited about it.

nomad, despite graduating from annapolis, I recommend people look into the CG and their Academy frequently.

I'm glad you do. It's good, fun, and important work right at home.

I tend to recommend the Navy a lot. They have a great range of jobs that we don't.

Coast Guard kept my father-in-law out of Vietnam.

(05-22-2014 05:27 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  nomad, despite graduating from annapolis, I recommend people look into the CG and their Academy frequently.

No knock against the CG or CGA, but weather in Annapolis is better.