Is it better to wait until October (the new fiscal year) to join the military?
actually i just talked to my recruiter about how the navy's been downsizing. he told me that for fiscal year 2010, over 30 rates have been completely closed, and that they were the kind of ones that didn't require high asvab scores. he was telling me about it cuz his chief and everyone is scrambling to figure out what to do with all the new recruits. and 62 isn't really all that great, its not bad, but its not that good either. so i'd say study up, retake the asvab, shoot for a score in the 70's to 80's, and if you really want to join, join soon. the economy is driving people towards the military like no other. i know that nobody in the army is shipping out until at least march of 2010, and when i was down at meps the earliest i saw people leaving for navy was december (and this was last month). and as for the bonus, well it depends on the rate you're trying to get into. bonuses are actually awarded based on the day you ship out rather than the day you sign the contract. for example my rate is nuke (NF). my ship date is march, so i got the highest possible bonus for my rate (25k) because it falls within the Jan-May time frame. if my ship date had been Jun-Oct, it would have been 21k. and if it was Nov-Jan it would have been 23k. so again, it really just depends on the particular rate you are going for as well as when your ship date is.
When does the fiscal year start for the army?
Every October 1st.
US Marine recruiter question?
Do they have an annual quota? Because it seems my recruiter keeps pushing my MEPS date back and back and making different excuses which some contradict each other and when i pointed that out he said they keep changing the dates and rules at meps when u test and do the physical. Also that he wanted more than 1 recruit to go, even tho im 40 minutes away from meps U think hes just pushing it back til next year so he can get his quota for next year
Fiscal year? getting my MOS? us army?
It goes like this The Army makes a prediction based on reenlistment and ascesion and decides how many open positions it will have to fill about 1-2 years from now. They then create training slots based on those numbers and they are filled, up to and not more than 1 year (unless you are a high school senior joining at the end of your junior year then it is up to 15 months) from the day training starts. As for Airborne, it is an enlistment option offered by itself, called option 4, with a shot at ranger, called option 40, and with a shot at SF, I dont recall the option lol. Infantry is the most in demand job however it has the highest turnover rate as well, people get out, change MOS or get promoted. Things to keep in mind, how many airborne Marines are there as opposed to Airborne Army? You can see your contract before you sign up (you will have to sign some non binding documents regarding your qualifications as well as your personal data however you can only join at the MEPS) in your Army recruiters office or even in your living room with your parents/gf whatever. It is a non binding (as far as your commitment to join) reservation that ensures (guranteed) that is what you will get at MEPS. You will see all options available and be able to choose your MOS, bonus, Airborne, Ranger, SF ect. Just ask for Guranteed Choice of Training and tell them what you want. I reserved the exact contract you are seeking this moring, it is available (for now). If it is not, wait until it is how you want it but be advised the longer you wait the more "stuff happens" and all it taks is a tweeked ankle and you wont pass the Airborne Phys anyways, or Infantry (requires the highest physical standards) physical for that matter. If all else fails, take 11x and walk on to Airborne at benning, there will be plenty of people that did not show up and they wil put you in that spot no problem. This is called a "Walk On". Empty seats are wasted money in the Army. Lastly, Good Luck!
Why doesn't the military recruit more people to help reduce unemployment?
Firstly, the military isn't a babysitting service. It exists to fulfil certain policy goals (defending the nation, certain sorts of disaster relief etc). There is no indication that more troops would make it easier to fulfil these policy goals. Secondly, where are you going to get the money from for this extra 0.7m personnel?Thirdly, lots of unemployed people don't want to be in the military, and you can't go about conscripting people. So it wouldn't necessarily even solve the unemployment issue.
Is my recruiter lying?
I went and spoke with my army recruiter for the second time today. She had me take a practice asvab test and she found me a list of available jobs based on my score (she called ROC i think, but i could be wrong). I got five available, and I picked 42A Human Resources. she said its a great job and pays well. theres no enlistment bonus though, so does this even mean that its a good job? and is it possible for me to even have a reserved spot in that job before i took the actual asvab? she told me if i test well then it's gauranteed. i'm planning on reenlisting after two years as a vet tech or officer (spca will be my long term goal if i chose to be an officer). but the HR MOS is a 4 year commitment, so is this possible? i'm kind of confused and feel like i'm being screwed with by a really nice recruiter. im taking my physical and test tomorrow. is my MOS at HR even really gauranteed? or can they move me to combat if they want?
How can I join the military?
Figure out which branch you want to go into, then go to a recruiters office for that branch. Each branch has its own website with a tool to find a local recruiter. You will not be signing up on day one. First thing, you will have to take the ASVAB. This is a test in which your scores will tell you what jobs you qualify for in the military. This test is not taken at a recruiters office. The recruiter will bring you to a place called MEPS. It might be a few days or a week before you go to take the test. You get the results immediately.Have you had any issues with the law? This will stall your process. You will need to get a waiver if you have been arrested before. This could take several months or even a year or they may not award you with a waiver. If they deny you then your military career has ended before it began.Do you have any medical issues? Don’t tell them unless its something they can easily find out about such as asthma, or you had surgery at one point in your life and you are left with a scar they can see(you will be naked in a room with a doctor). Also, you never took any drugs in your entire life, ever. DO NOT TELL THEM YOU HAVE USED DRUGS.Okay so if you are clear in legal and medical issues you will now get an appointment to go back to MEPS. You will take a physical and enlist. In the Army you get a guaranteed pick on your job. Meaning the career counselor will give you a list of jobs and you pick one. That will be your job in the Army, guaranteed. I am not sure how the other branches work. Also in the Army your recruiter can reserve your job prior to going to MEPS. Side note - if you go to MEPS and there is not a job available that you want then it is okay to say no. You are not in any trouble and this does not prevent you from coming back at a later date to try to pick a job you want.Okay so you have now finished everything at MEPS and have picked your job. You will now go into a room at MEPS and lift your hand to swear oath. Pretty simple process. Now your recruiter will pick you up from MEPS and bring you back home.All you do now is wait for your ship out date. On this day you will go back to MEPS. You will take a bus from MEPS to the Airport and fly out to wherever your initial training is. GOOD LUCK.
Why is the army recruiting?
Because just like humanity, i.e. people die and are born every day, the Army needs to recruit to maintain numbers. People leave the army everyday, therefore people need to come in to replace them and even more in anticipation of people leaving. I’m pretty sure Branch has some kind of tracker that lists how many people are up for retirement, or reenlistment that don’t, but still have time. 18 months out is the window. Also you have soldiers who have reached their RCP or Retention Control Point. They have been at their current rank too long (“up or out”) and are forced to either get promoted, reclassify into another MOS or get forced out. Usually E4-E6, as they require promotion boards and points to be able to be promoted. Officers too, if they do not picked up for next rank so many times (3?), they get the boot. The Army could force people who qualify to retire to get out. For those who joined straight out of high school and have been 20+ years, a transition to civilian life can be difficult.