What will you do after?

[2012Cadet]

It is good you have goals, and you should not let anyone deter you from them, but that last comment to AF was uncalled for. He is simply trying to provide you with advise to make you more successful. You can take or leave his advise, but there is no reason to show him disrespect. He is very helpful to many here on SAF.

Hate to join in the flame war, but 2012, AF and scout are seriously trying to help all of us. I mean you can say whatever you want man, but at least for me, in 60 days im there, and I am not going (well knowing my big mouth I probably will on accident ) to pull something knowingly that gets myself and my buddies smoked. At least from my understanding a soldier is supposed to look out for the guys next to him. So come on at lest be civil to AF, hes just trying to help us out and make going through what he did a little bit easier.

As I previously stated, I don't plan to "pull something knowingly that gets myself and my buddies smoked". All I said was that if asked I will state my goals truthfully and honestly, and if they PT me for that then I'll be fine and cool with it and not be phased by it. Is this so wrong? AF seems to have problem with this and me, thus my comment to address the situation.

 

[America's Finest]

AF seems to have problem with this and me, thus my comment to address the situation.

I have no problem, I was once a sophomore in high school too. Things will get fixed with time and experience.

 

[mom3boys]

I have no problem, I was once a sophomore in high school too. Things will get fixed with time and experience.

Oh, AF...this is just bringing a big smile to my face! We have come full circle!

 

[Dixieland]

As I previously stated, I don't plan to "pull something knowingly that gets myself and my buddies smoked". All I said was that if asked I will state my goals truthfully and honestly, and if they PT me for that then I'll be fine and cool with it and not be phased by it. Is this so wrong? AF seems to have problem with this and me, thus my comment to address the situation.

No, he's speaking from experience and trying to save you some headache and aggravation. It's called "a word to the wise".

AF has been very gracious in answering questions and advising here when he probably has very little free time. I appreciate it and it has been very helpful.

 

[Ken2012]

I have no problem, I was once a sophomore in high school too. Things will get fixed with time and experience.

... Are you saying I need fixing, since I'm also a sophomore?

 

[America's Finest]

Oh, AF...this is just bringing a big smile to my face! We have come full circle!

I knew you would like that statement. I must admit, I did have a slight feeling of deja vu.

... Are you saying I need fixing, since I'm also a sophomore?

Everyone does, there is a reason they make us learn the definition of leather.

Find the definition of leather from the knowledge book and you'll see the connection. I would tell you myself, but it will mean more if you make the connection yourself.

 

[Ken2012]

I knew you would like that statement. I must admit, I did have a slight feeling of deja vu.



Everyone does, there is a reason they make us learn the definition of leather.

Find the definition of leather from the knowledge book and you'll see the connection. I would tell you myself, but it will mean more if you make the connection yourself.

Yeah I found it.

 

[2012Cadet]

No, he's speaking from experience and trying to save you some headache and aggravation. It's called "a word to the wise".

Again, what's wrong with what I'm saying I'll do...

I don't plan to "pull something knowingly that gets myself and my buddies smoked". All I said was that if asked I will state my goals truthfully and honestly, and if they PT me for that then I'll be fine and cool with it and not be phased by it. Is this so wrong?

One should want to have honesty and should be able to deal with PT (not by one's own cockiness and proclaimation, but by a question, response, and their feeling the need to PT you for whatever reason), am I right?

 

[scoutpilot]

Again, what's wrong with what I'm saying I'll do...



One should want to have honesty and should be able to deal with PT (not by one's own cockiness and proclaimation, but by a question, response, and their feeling the need to PT you for whatever reason), am I right?

What's wrong is that you feel the need to keep saying anything at all. Less is more, and until you prove that you make the cut to gain admission to USMA, less is best.

 

[2012Cadet]

Look, no disrespect cause apparently you are a veteran, but all your doing with your last comment is showing your avoiding listening to what I'm saying. Again, what is wrong with:

I don't plan to "pull something knowingly that gets myself and my buddies smoked". All I said was that if asked I will state my goals truthfully and honestly, and if they PT me for that then I'll be fine and cool with it and not be phased by it. Is this so wrong?

One should want to have honesty and should be able to deal with PT (not by one's own cockiness and proclaimation, but by a question, response, and their feeling the need to PT you for whatever reason), am I right?

Enlighten me, please?

 

[bakermiddle]

Look, no disrespect cause apparently you are a veteran, but all your doing with your last comment is showing your avoiding listening to what I'm saying. Again, what is wrong with:



Enlighten me, please?

Come on now everyone.

This isn't the place to be debating this kind of thing. 2012Cadet, they are simply trying to pass on some words of advice that they feel will help you in your endeavors at USMA, so don't take what they're saying as if they're insulting you.

EDIT: But of course they can still answer your previous question.

Why not continue to talk about the topic at hand, which I believe is what we plan to do after USMA graduation.

 

[AKH]

Why not continue to talk about the topic at hand, which I believe is what we plan to do after USMA graduation.

Well, I for one am really interested in Military Intelligence! Infantry isn't open to females, otherwise I'd go for that

Anyone know anything about MI? I know it's a big part of the current war on terror, and more and more cadets are attempting to go that route.

 

[scoutpilot]

Well, I for one am really interested in Military Intelligence! Infantry isn't open to females, otherwise I'd go for that

Anyone know anything about MI? I know it's a big part of the current war on terror, and more and more cadets are attempting to go that route.

You'll have to narrow your question a bit. Most everyone (especially those of us who are "apparently veterans") have dealt with plenty of intel officers. If you have any specific questions, fire away.

 

[croc92]

Ok i'd first like to thank Scout pilot and AF (given he's still a cadet) for their service!!! Both of your posts have been informative and beneficial. and again, Thank you.

For the record. There are no such things as "apparent veterans". You are or your not, and Scout is.

2012 - I used to be alot like you and thought I knew a whole lot. Trust me from personal experience, your world will get rocked. I dont know if your going to SLS or not, but even that is not even a glimpse of what reality at the academy is like, much less even the military. The special ops world that your interested in is quite a place, and if you can make it there, bravo. But its not a movie like BHD or Tears of the sun, or like a Tom Clancy book. MY ADVICE, just as you get closer and closer, use your ears more than your mouth (in this case your fingers!) and you will be surprised at what you will take in. Dont take this offensively, but advice is always good


As for me, after graduating in 2014, I'd like to get a posting with the 173rd Airborne over in Italy.

 

[another13mom]

AF -- it's been a long year, just a few weeks left -- good luck on TEEs and enjoy your summer ---- congrats!

Scout Pilot -- thank you for your service!

 

[Just_A_Mom]

@America's Finest and mom3boys -

Cadet2012 - someday you will "get it". For now, just go along with the kind advice you are given here.

 

[another13mom]

^^^I was so so tempted to add my but I'll just join in on your's ...

 

[Luigi59]

..but all your doing with your last comment is showing your avoiding listening to what I'm saying.


Enlighten me, please?

OK, here goes:

Your

Your is the second person possessive adjective, used to describe something as belonging to you. Your is nearly always followed by a noun.

What is your name?

Is this your pen?

Your book is on the table.

This is your chair and this is mine.

What happened to your dog?

Your being here is causing some problems.​

You're

You're is the contraction of "you are" and is often followed by the present participle (verb form ending in -ing).

You're going to be late.

Is that what you're wearing?

I think you're lying.

If you're ready, we can go.

I can't believe you're a doctor!

When you're my age, you'll understand.​

The Bottom Line

The confusion between your and you're occurs because the two words are pronounced pretty much the same.

The ironclad rule - no exceptions - is that if you're able to replace the word with "you are," you're saying you're. Otherwise, your only choice is your.

 

[sprog]

OK, here goes:

Your

Your is the second person possessive adjective, used to describe something as belonging to you. Your is nearly always followed by a noun.

What is your name?

Is this your pen?

Your book is on the table.

This is your chair and this is mine.

What happened to your dog?

Your being here is causing some problems.​

You're

You're is the contraction of "you are" and is often followed by the present participle (verb form ending in -ing).

You're going to be late.

Is that what you're wearing?

I think you're lying.

If you're ready, we can go.

I can't believe you're a doctor!

When you're my age, you'll understand.​

The Bottom Line

The confusion between your and you're occurs because the two words are pronounced pretty much the same.

The ironclad rule - no exceptions - is that if you're able to replace the word with "you are," you're saying you're. Otherwise, your only choice is your.

AMEN!!!!

Mr. Strunk and Mr. White have been heard from today!!

 

[scoutpilot]

AF -- it's been a long year, just a few weeks left -- good luck on TEEs and enjoy your summer ---- congrats!

Scout Pilot -- thank you for your service!

Thank you for your appreciation.

While we're on the subject of veterans/war/branches, I would like to offer a caveat to our prospective cadets. Well, three caveats really...

1. Don't get too tied to one notion or another of what you want to do in the Army. You are young and inexperienced, and your notions of what the Army has to offer are not based on much beyond pictures and daydreams. That's just fine, but don't let it cloud your vision. As cadets, keep your eyes open to all the Army has to offer.

2. Try not to form your concepts of what the branches do based solely on the here & now. Soon, the deployments will ebb and the Iraq and Afghanistan rotations will be a thing of the past. The Army, as it has before, will turn its attention to other matters and other conflicts--warfare of a type and scope we can hardly predict. Remember that in the span of under four years we went from staring across the Berlin Wall at the Soviet Bloc to the sands of Kuwait & Iraq, and on to the streets of Mogadishu. It was a change that was hardly foreseen, as the next sea change is likely to be as well. Keep your eyes open and look at the core competencies of each branch. The high pay-off branches like infantry and aviation are, right now, the workhorses of the deployment cycles. Before Iraq, we had hardly imagined the concept of route clearance teams, but now engineers work in concert with joint EOD teams to find and reduce IEDs across both theaters. My point is that when you think about a branch at this young age, try to think of it as a way of both a personal way of life and a professional capability, and not so much as a movie-style vignette of Iraq or Afghanistan with you as the star. By the time your day comes, the movie reel will change.

3. Think about a career in a peacetime Army, as it is likely what you'll find in four or five years. Be it five years or twenty-five years, you may find yourself with a career in a largely US-based, peacetime force. Think about how that will affect your goals and your ultimate destinations both professionally and personally. The rich-man's Army we enjoy today will see much leaner times in the near future. Drawdowns of foreign posts are likely to accelerate, especially in Europe. The Army is quickly changing shape.

Food for thought for all our young prospective cadets and appointees. It is my sincere hope that none of you are ever counted among our nation's veterans. While I have no doubt you will be well-prepared to lead men and women in struggles around the world, it is far better to prepare for such things than to actually undertake them.