Thursday, December 26, 2013

First Steps to Joining The Army

It's really difficult to find the answers you're looking for and that's why I created this blog.  I am 27 and just joined the Army Reserves.  I have questions about everything.  I created this blog to share my experience and help others find the answers they're looking for.  This is my story.

I am 27 and I find myself unhappy with life.  I have a college degree, nice family, good boyfriend, but I'm lacking somewhere.  My job's okay,  but not great.  I have always wanted to join the military but I felt it was always the wrong time.  Truth is, you can always make up an excuse about it being the "wrong time" to put your dreams aside.  

After a few weeks of saying to myself, "I can do this," I went "shopping" and explored the different branches by talking to recruiters and friends, reading blogs, and trolling Facebook pages of those that are already in the military.  After a lot of research, I found the Army was for me.

I live in State College, PA. The nearest Army recruiting station is in the Nittany Mall.  The past few weeks, I've spent a lot of time there. There seems to be about 8 recruiters there, but each one does a slightly different job.  I spent most of my time with two of them. They have a lot of stories to tell and information to give.  Unfortunately, I think it's been 10+ years since any of the 8 were in basic training or AIT.    

During the first meeting with my recruiter, we discussed speeding tickets, medical history, criminal records, education, and other things that need to be discussed.  Don't worry. There's a waiver out there for any of the above you might have.  Then you fill out paperwork. It's a lot!  I'm talking 20+ pages.  Most of it is the SF 86 which gives the investigator information about you.  Many military jobs need a clearance whether it be Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret.  I think the Air Force does a Secret clearance for each recruit, but the Army only conducts a security clearance investigation if it applies to a job you're doing, such as intelligence.  I think.  You'll need to put EVERYTHING on these forms.  Be prepared to divulge where you lived and worked for the past ten years, criminal history such as traffic violations, and any medical ailments you have.  Also, you will need to list references that are able to verify you lived and worked and attended the schools you list on the forms. They will also want to know if you have had debt issues, hospitalizations, ADHD, asthma, allergies, headaches, fainting spells, broken bones, and the list keeps going.  Don't worry, though.  I had broken bones and a few surgeries.  None required waivers.  Then, be prepared to give your recruiter originals of the following: diplomas (college, high school), college transcripts, social security card, drivers license, marriage license, divorce license, and children's birth certificates. I don't think that's a complete list, but you get the gist.  The Army has to know everything abut you!  

Once everything was turned in, it had to be approved for me to go to MEPS or military entrance processing station.  For a minor medical issue I had in 2009, they denied me until I went to the doctor, took care of it, and brought back the updated medical records.  Last, my recruiter took my fingerprints that went along with my other electronic paperwork.  The next step is MEPS.

No comments:

Post a Comment