Careers in the Army with low deployment rates?

And furthermore, I am thinking that you should definitely NOT decide to go Army or Navy or AF. Frankly, I feel that at 22, you are not a leader. You cannot stand up to the objections of your parents, I cannot imagine how you will lead my children in the Sandbox.

Military service is so much more than just "I want a job after college." And while you may be afraid of your parents' response, and while you may want the glory of wearing the uniform and the medals, really, an army , navy, air force officer is there to lead.

Yes, TO LEAD. To lead people into battle, to lead them into harms way, to lead them through situations they cannot imagine, to lead them when every fiber of their bodies says DO NOT GO THERE.

Yes, there are support jobs but even there, an officer is called to be a leader, not to be that guy who at age 22 is afraid to tell his parents he's following his dreams.
 
fencersmother said:
Gridiron: my daughter in law has just turned 23 and is in charge of of several hundred people and she's AIR FORCE, the corporate branch of our military services.

No offense, dear soul, but please, you are 22, if you can't stand up to your parents now, you will never be able to. Your life is yours to live... you either grab what you want and live with all the consequences, or fold and serve up hotdogs and eskimo pies in the family business for the rest of your life.

You decide, but either do it or get off the potty.

Go ahead flamers.... I've got my fire hose at the ready.
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How on earth is she in charge of *several* hundred people as a LT?
 
Maintainance... may have been a slight exaggeration but it's a lot of people and millions of dollars worth of equipment.
 
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fencersmother said:
And furthermore, I am thinking that you should definitely NOT decide to go Army or Navy or AF. Frankly, I feel that at 22, you are not a leader. You cannot stand up to the objections of your parents, I cannot imagine how you will lead my children in the Sandbox.

Military service is so much more than just "I want a job after college." And while you may be afraid of your parents' response, and while you may want the glory of wearing the uniform and the medals, really, an army , navy, air force officer is there to lead.

Yes, TO LEAD. To lead people into battle, to lead them into harms way, to lead them through situations they cannot imagine, to lead them when every fiber of their bodies says DO NOT GO THERE.

Yes, there are support jobs but even there, an officer is called to be a leader, not to be that guy who at age 22 is afraid to tell his parents he's following his dreams.
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As far as being a 'leader' goes I have held leadership positions in school obviously not as serious as a REAL military leadership where life and death matters, but a leadership role that opens my eyes up to what it is like taking a big responsibility is like. I never said I will listen to my parents or family I was just irritated by the constant nagging. Hence, the reason why I come here (and talk to former officers) to know as much as I can about the military--so that I am armed with information that will keep them from coming at me again with senseless chatter. I don't know why the people giving me advice also think I am doing this for uniform--as I have already stated I will follow my heart regardless of what they say (or you for that matter) no one can determine the kind of officer I will I be but I know for sure that I will bust my tail to reach that goal. Just takes one step at a time.
 
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gridironkid said:
As far as being a 'leader' goes I have held leadership positions in school obviously not as serious as a REAL military leadership where life and death matters, but a leadership role that opens my eyes up to what it is like taking a big responsibility is like. I never said I will listen to my parents or family I was just irritated by the constant nagging. Hence, the reason why I come here (and talk to former officers) to know as much as I can about the military--so that I am armed with information that will keep them from coming at me again with senseless chatter. I don't know why the people giving me advice also think I am doing this for uniform--as I have already stated I will follow my heart regardless of what they say (or you for that matter) no one can determine the kind of officer I will I be but I know for sure that I will bust my tail to reach that goal. Just takes one step at a time.
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Just my opinion but it seems to me this isn't an issue of information and logic for your parents. It's good to get them information but I don't think you're going to "win" with that. I think the only way to avoid the nagging is convince them this is what your going to do regardless, and not that this is a good path for you. I hope this is helpful in some way. You're the guy on the scene so you know far better than I.
 
gridironkid said:
As far as being a 'leader' goes I have held leadership positions in school obviously not as serious as a REAL military leadership where life and death matters, but a leadership role that opens my eyes up to what it is like taking a big responsibility is like. I never said I will listen to my parents or family I was just irritated by the constant nagging. Hence, the reason why I come here (and talk to former officers) to know as much as I can about the military--so that I am armed with information that will keep them from coming at me again with senseless chatter. I don't know why the people giving me advice also think I am doing this for uniform--as I have already stated I will follow my heart regardless of what they say (or you for that matter) no one can determine the kind of officer I will I be but I know for sure that I will bust my tail to reach that goal. Just takes one step at a time.
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Okay, we got it, you've just been venting. I was beginning to think these sporadic loose threads of yours were a clever and unique way of sticking your thumb out for a ride to military school. Believe me, if it came down to that I bet there are plenty here who would offer to drive you.

Until now I've steadfastly avoided offering my two cents on how you should deal with your parents on these matters. I don't know you or the dynamics of your family, and I didnt think it would be helpful to offer up a bromide like grow a pair or SOGOTP (which someone beat me to anyway).

But I've changed my mind. I'm suggesting you tell your parents that you're volunteering for the military because you'll be much better off than if you wait to be drafted. If that doesn't fly (Sergeant Hulka: "Son, there ain't no draft no more. Cruiser: "There was one?"), tell them that on the day you have to go you'll be standing on the side of the road with your portmanteau and a handlettered sign that says "Need ride to Virginia Tech. Parents anti-mil / won't take me." It would make the newspapers and the local evening news. You might even get on Fox.

Thanks by the way for that slovenly post below about the military automatically turning people into robotic killing machines. It got me to remembering a great song I hadn't heard in decades, which some of the more decrepit members of SAF may recall. Walk right in, it's around the back, just a half a mile from the railroad track.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57gzA2JCcM

Good luck at school.
 
The movie, Stripes, should be required viewing for the SA forum----boy, do the Stripes' quotes fly around! :biggrin:
 
I don't like to add another comment after this thread seems to be closed out, but I thought I'd just give some info about my own situation, even though it likely won't help.

At age 18, right after I finished my junior year in HS, I started to seriously considering applying to a SA (USNA actually). In August I sat down with my mom and dad and discussed my desire to apply to USNA, how I've always had the desire to serve, etc. Now my dad was definitely receptive; however, my mom was not. She's always said "Mark, you should be a doctor." I have no interest in being a doctor. Later she said I should be a research chemist (whatever that is!). My mom too has said some slightly ridiculous and ignorant comments regarding me joining the military as an officer. Point is, your parents do not decide what you want to do for a career. My parents and I have a very loving, mutually respectful relationship, but at some point I (will) need to take action.

Now I'm 19 and going to be a college freshman soon. I was declined by USNA in March, but now I'm moving forward with plan B and I have reapplied. Being declined has only strengthened my resolve. My mom still is not 100% on board with me reapplying, but too bad. I know that may sound heartless, but it's not up to her. However, just like my depressed aunt, you do not seem to be able to make up your mind, no matter how much advice is given. I don't want to sound superior and I probably can't totally understand your situation, but you are 22! I defer to the previous posts to close out my "advice".
 
Some people would sell their firstborn to get a deployment right now. I am pretty sure I have called every number and looked into every resource possible to try and get to Kuwait or Afghanistan. Not happening.
 
Aglahad said:
Some people would sell their firstborn to get a deployment right now. I am pretty sure I have called every number and looked into every resource possible to try and get to Kuwait or Afghanistan. Not happening.
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DS said last summer they would always stumble upon other units in his travels over there. The last few months traveling around there was very lonely. Less good guys there now and less in the future. Maybe stateside is not so bad. Be careful what you wish for.
 
NorwichDad said:
DS said last summer they would always stumble upon other units in his travels over there. The last few months traveling around there was very lonely. Less good guys there now and less in the future. Maybe stateside is not so bad. Be careful what you wish for.
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The slow death of the long war. Few things on earth are as sad and desolate as an abandoned base.

I always wanted to go poke around Khillegay. Once upon a time, the Soviets had an underground tank repair depot there.
 
scoutpilot said:
The slow death of the long war. Few things on earth are as sad and desolate as an abandoned base.

I always wanted to go poke around Khillegay. Once upon a time, the Soviets had an underground tank repair depot there.
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This made me think about Afghanistan. There a quite a few old bases there. Macedonian, Greco-Bactrians, Mauryas, Kushans, Kabul Shahi, Saffarids, Samanids, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, Timurids, Mughals, Hotakis, Durranis, Persians, Sikh, British, Soviets and NATO bases. 2500 years of bases. It is a graveyard of Empires.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/07/afghanistan.graveyard/
 
NorwichDad said:
DS said last summer they would always stumble upon other units in his travels over there. The last few months traveling around there was very lonely. Less good guys there now and less in the future. Maybe stateside is not so bad. Be careful what you wish for.
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It will become a big promotion discriminator in the next few years and I think the experience would have been beneficial to my officer development. I didn't join the Army as a nurse to just treat retirees stateside. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

I have been looking at branch transferring to CA (high deployment tempo) when I hit 1LT (P), the recruiter said they like med experience on teams. But who knows....
 
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NorwichDad said:
This made me think about Afghanistan. There a quite a few old bases there. Macedonian, Greco-Bactrians, Mauryas, Kushans, Kabul Shahi, Saffarids, Samanids, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, Timurids, Mughals, Hotakis, Durranis, Persians, Sikh, British, Soviets and NATO bases. 2500 years of bases. It is a graveyard of Empires.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/07/afghanistan.graveyard/
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Virtually every mountaintop a ridge line has some sort of fighting position. It's fascinating.
 
Aglahad said:
It will become a big promotion discriminator in the next few years and I think the experience would have been beneficial to my officer development. I didn't join the Army as a nurse to just treat retirees stateside. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
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For recently comissioned officers and future officers, deployments won't be a big promotion discriminator as most officers in the same year group won't have deployments. The exception will be prior service ROTC or OCS, otherwise majority won't have deployment. Deployment will only matter in close cases. In another thread, there is a link showing an analysis of CPT/MAJ getting separated, many officers with multiple deployment were selected. I am pretty sure some offciers with no deployment were not selected for separation.
 
Any chance gridironkid (our OP) gives a hollerin' hoot about any of this? I'm thinking he's already decided to forgo any commitment to any service.
 
MemberLG said:
For recently comissioned officers and future officers, deployments won't be a big promotion discriminator as most officers in the same year group won't have deployments. The exception will be prior service ROTC or OCS, otherwise majority won't have deployment. Deployment will only matter in close cases. In another thread, there is a link showing an analysis of CPT/MAJ getting separated, many officers with multiple deployment were selected. I am pretty sure some offciers with no deployment were not selected for separation.
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Yeah I am referring to my YG which seems to be 50/50 with deployments. I agree that for current classes it won't matter as much.
 
Aglahad said:
It will become a big promotion discriminator in the next few years and I think the experience would have been beneficial to my officer development. I didn't join the Army as a nurse to just treat retirees stateside. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

I have been looking at branch transferring to CA (high deployment tempo) when I hit 1LT (P), the recruiter said they like med experience on teams. But who knows....
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No, it won't. The big promotion discriminators are still much bigger things that the officer has more control over, specifically physical appearance, correctness of file, PME, and evaluations (far and away the most important is evals). Since the Army returned to a blocking system for everyone, that's your discriminator.

Frankly, most of the board will know what the "end of war" deployments meant...lots of FOB time and cleaning up. It's not like some of your peers were commanders in the surge and you were on the sidelines.
 
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