Who wants to do the world's longest thread!

[airborneSGT]

Yeah the call for ministry is something you got to pray about. This dude is probably the most high speed soldier and chappy I ever met:

YouTube - Jeff Struecker - Black Hawk Down...

[airborneSGT]

Dude 1.5 years for E3? I made E4 in 18 months, E5 in under 3 years and could have had my E6 by year 4 or 5.

AF sounds like they promote SLLLLOOOOWWW.

The sad part of the military is the good troops end up leaving. It should always be about the individuals career but far too often other people get in the way. I have seen it many times with both enlisted and officers.

The great thing I have found about the reserves is you blend building your civilian career and military career. Its also a great place to network because nearly everyone is a working professional.

[50%plane]

This is what I've been watching lately:

YouTube - Pause-Part 1A

YouTube - Pause-Part 1B

YouTube - Pause-Part 2

YouTube - Pause-Part 3

YouTube - Pause-Part 4

[50%plane]

	Quote: Originally Posted by airborneSGT
	Dude 1.5 years for E3? I made E4 in 18 months, E5 in under 3 years and could have had my E6 by year 4 or 5. AF sounds like they promote SLLLLOOOOWWW. The sad part of the military is the good troops end up leaving. It should always be about the individuals career but far too often other people get in the way. I have seen it many times with both enlisted and officers. The great thing I have found about the reserves is you blend building your civilian career and military career. Its also a great place to network because nearly everyone is a working professional.

yes, it's pretty slow. E4 is 3 years, or 2.5 years if you get BTZ, then you test for E5 the next testing cycle, or so after E4, and if you make it first time, you're at least almost a year away from sewing on, then you wait 3 years to test for E6, etc.

How does the reserves work for getting the o1-3E pay? four years active, then one day as reserves, then OTS?

[airborneSGT]

There are several ways to make officer in the reserves OR active:

West Point (or other Academies)
ROTC
OCS
Green to Gold
Direct commission
Warrant (varying backgrounds and requirements)
Chaplain (6 year degree, endorsement from your faith, have completed seminary)
Chaplain Candidate (need 4 year degree and an endorsement from your faith and either signed up in seminary or in seminary)

If you have at least 4 years and 1 day of active duty time (Remember a 4 year enlistment usually will not give you that time because often your training does NOT count towards AT time). You can become an officer with as little as 2 years of college but it helps to have your 4 years or equal amounts of credits.

The kicker is there is an age cut off for the Army and even the reserves. You have to have your commission before the age of 29 or by that age usually. There are waivers for some and in particular for direct commissions and the chaplaincy.

FWIW the branch of service with the OLDEST cut offs for officer is the Coast Guard. You can be up to 41 I believe when you get your commission. The most diverse academy to get your commission is the Merchant Mariner Academy.

[airborneSGT]

Also I believe you can go to other branches also from the other military academies be it USAF, Army, Navy, etc. Most you must enter on or before your 25th birthday.

Even if you are senior enlisted (me in a couple years) you still have to play new trainee at some of the programs. I look at it as taking a few steps back to move forward.

[50%plane]

I appreciate all the info!

[3Dguy]

Yes, very informative.

[snap]

I was an E-3 in the Marine Corp for 4 years. With many Meritorious awards , the Commadants Accomendation ,300 PFT ,4.8 or higher Eval. score. When I got back from Desert Eagle and asked why I was not put up for promotion here was my CO's response "I forgot you were with us" to much time on operations on loan to other units..... The y offerd to promote me if I sighned a new contract. I told them to piss off.

[airborneSGT]

I had something very similar happen to me when I was active. No regrets though...or I should say I only regret not finishing more schooling when I was in.

If your sole purpose in the military is to finish school then go guard. In the guard you can get state tuition benefits and your army TA. In some cases if you are a veteran and a guardsman or reservist the benefits are even greater.

Nothing is perfect either in the military or civilian side. You have to just roll with the punches. Its like me flying 3D. I don't really plan anything I just roll with the punches. Speaking of flying its been like 6 months so I need to get out to the field.

[MrKiwi]

A bit of a non-sequiter, anyone here ever flown a phaeton II bipe? I got to remaiden mine after I think 2+ years. The landing gear came out, so we taped it to the plane.(I'll see if i can take some pics) The the second flight, we had flutter twice as loud as the engine! Got it down in piece thankfully....

[3Dguy]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MrKiwi
	A bit of a non-sequiter, anyone here ever flown a phaeton II bipe? I got to remaiden mine after I think 2+ years...

What the crap is that?