Well, in February I started my new job building a new PSYOP Company and I'm having a blast.
I'm the First Sergeant and the senior full-timer so I have pretty much freedom in shaping the Company as I see fit. Particularly since my Reserve Commander is on the exact same wavelength as myself.
My Company consists mainly of brand new privates (a good chunk which are still in High School) and our numbers are approaching 50, nearly halfway to our authorized end strength of 104 (to go up to 132 in 2012). Not a bad start!
We have no senior NCOs (outside myself) and lack officers (except for the Commander), but this is a CAPOC-wide phenomena and there isn't an easy solution to this.
At formation I asked who was born after 16 Jan 1991 (the date I joined the Army) and, depressingly, several Soldiers raised their hands. I'm now the grouchy, old First Sergeant.
In June the other units in the Reserve Center are moving out and I'll take over responsibility for the entire facility (consisting of four buildings). In September is our official activation and we can expect to be deployed a year later.
You joined the day before Desert Storm? Desert Shield made you horny?
Quote from: The Brain on April 10, 2009, 07:20:16 AM
You joined the day before Desert Storm? Desert Shield made you horny?
I actually signed up in August to be shipped out in January. I had finished MEPS and was in the hotel since my plane to take me to basic was flying out in the morning when the war kicked off. A bunch of us recruits huddled around the TV and watched as the war unfolded. Of course, this was the only part of the war I saw, since there was no TV in Basic.
I took the ASVAB and was going to do ROTC till my mother intervened. :blush:
I hope the recruiter wasn't beaten too badly when I withdrew from the process. :Embarrass:
Top! :cheers:
Sounds great Hans :cheers:
Just out of curiousity why did you decide to not become an officer?
Yeah, I would have expected Hans to go to OCS by now or something.
Sounds good Hans. Enjoy and good luck.
And grats on being the Old man, the Big Toe, Old Timer! ;)
Quote from: Valmy on April 10, 2009, 07:51:14 AM
Sounds great Hans :cheers:
Just out of curiousity why did you decide to not become an officer?
My wife would've had to give up her career for mine. Officers have to move around a lot, making it impossible for spouses to have careers. Any income I would've gained would've been more than offset by income loss of my wife.
I wanted to go MI Warrant but my wife vetoed that as well since I would constantly be deployed.
That's your wife who only has sex for reasons of procreation, right?
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 10, 2009, 09:06:50 AM
My wife would've had to give up her career for mine. Officers have to move around a lot, making it impossible for spouses to have careers. Any income I would've gained would've been more than offset by income loss of my wife.
I wanted to go MI Warrant but my wife vetoed that as well since I would constantly be deployed.
I think NCOs have a better life than officers, having seen things only from the officer POV.
Officers spend a lot of time apple-polishing and filling needles billets. NCOs do the important stuff.
Bravo for you, top!
Quote from: grumbler on April 10, 2009, 09:41:59 PM
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 10, 2009, 09:06:50 AM
My wife would've had to give up her career for mine. Officers have to move around a lot, making it impossible for spouses to have careers. Any income I would've gained would've been more than offset by income loss of my wife.
I wanted to go MI Warrant but my wife vetoed that as well since I would constantly be deployed.
I think NCOs have a better life than officers, having seen things only from the officer POV.
Officers spend a lot of time apple-polishing and filling needles billets. NCOs do the important stuff.
Bravo for you, top!
I've come to realize this very thing over the past two years. I was at one time seriously looking to Go Gold but I thought better of it.
Quote from: grumbler on April 10, 2009, 09:41:59 PM
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 10, 2009, 09:06:50 AM
My wife would've had to give up her career for mine. Officers have to move around a lot, making it impossible for spouses to have careers. Any income I would've gained would've been more than offset by income loss of my wife.
I wanted to go MI Warrant but my wife vetoed that as well since I would constantly be deployed.
I think NCOs have a better life than officers, having seen things only from the officer POV.
Officers spend a lot of time apple-polishing and filling needles billets. NCOs do the important stuff.
Bravo for you, top!
The pay is much better for senior NCOs than in days past. People outside the military don't even realize how well we get paid.
Quote from: Caliga on April 10, 2009, 07:41:55 AM
I hope the recruiter wasn't beaten too badly when I withdrew from the process. :Embarrass:
We had an Army-wide stand-down last month because a bunch of recruiters had committed suicide under the stress, so I hope not.
Congrats, Hans. I hope to join CA.
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
You would certainly revolutionize people's opinions about you.
:cheers:
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 10, 2009, 07:14:48 AM
My Company consists mainly of brand new privates (a good chunk which are still in High School)
How is that possible?
Aside: is Sgt. Major a temporary or permanent rank?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 11, 2009, 02:04:50 AM
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 10, 2009, 07:14:48 AM
My Company consists mainly of brand new privates (a good chunk which are still in High School)
How is that possible?
Aside: is Sgt. Major a temporary or permanent rank?
It's an Army Reserve Company.
And Sergeant Major is a permanent rank. Command Sergeant Major technically is a temporary rank, but rarely in practice.
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
There is no Armenian brigade, or Cataphracts.
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
What MOS are you thinking of?
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
Don't let us deter you. It's a worthy profession. :P
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2009, 07:51:43 AM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
There is no Armenian brigade, or Cataphracts.
But...but....how are we to deal with Sistani cavalry without our own Cataphracts?
Actually a big reason I've been thinking about joining recently was this ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRhVRf63su8 ). Getting Taliban is the closest I could ever get to getting Talat Pasha.
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 01:28:32 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2009, 07:51:43 AM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
There is no Armenian brigade, or Cataphracts.
But...but....how are we to deal with Sistani cavalry without our own Cataphracts?
Actually a big reason I've been thinking about joining recently was this ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRhVRf63su8 ). Getting Taliban is the closest I could ever get to getting Talat Pasha.
1) I'm turned on now.
2) I bet if you join, you won't see Afghanistan. So join the navy. See Asian whores.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2009, 01:37:28 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 01:28:32 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2009, 07:51:43 AM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
There is no Armenian brigade, or Cataphracts.
But...but....how are we to deal with Sistani cavalry without our own Cataphracts?
Actually a big reason I've been thinking about joining recently was this ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRhVRf63su8 ). Getting Taliban is the closest I could ever get to getting Talat Pasha.
1) I'm turned on now.
2) I bet if you join, you won't see Afghanistan. So join the navy. See Asian whores.
You think we'll be out of Afghanistan by the time I'd be ready for everything? I doubt it. If my 17 year old sister joined ROTC in two years I'd think she would serve in Afghanistan.
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 01:39:41 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2009, 01:37:28 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 01:28:32 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2009, 07:51:43 AM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
There is no Armenian brigade, or Cataphracts.
But...but....how are we to deal with Sistani cavalry without our own Cataphracts?
Actually a big reason I've been thinking about joining recently was this ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRhVRf63su8 ). Getting Taliban is the closest I could ever get to getting Talat Pasha.
1) I'm turned on now.
2) I bet if you join, you won't see Afghanistan. So join the navy. See Asian whores.
You think we'll be out of Afghanistan by the time I'd be ready for everything? I doubt it. If my 17 year old sister joined ROTC in two years I'd think she would serve in Afghanistan.
I think the numbers used in Afghanistan will never reach high levels. Most army pukes will spend their time at their bases in America.
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 11, 2009, 06:32:19 AM
It's an Army Reserve Company.
But still. If you guys deploy do they get yanked out of school?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 11, 2009, 02:43:34 PM
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 11, 2009, 06:32:19 AM
It's an Army Reserve Company.
But still. If you guys deploy do they get yanked out of school?
They're in what's called "split option", where they attend Basic this summer and their Advanced training next year. Thus, they can't be deployed until they finish high school.
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 01:39:41 PM
You think we'll be out of Afghanistan by the time I'd be ready for everything? I doubt it. If my 17 year old sister joined ROTC in two years I'd think she would serve in Afghanistan.
If you go officer you won't much say on where they send you, especially when you first get in, though the opportunities abound the longer you stay in.
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2009, 05:14:17 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 01:39:41 PM
You think we'll be out of Afghanistan by the time I'd be ready for everything? I doubt it. If my 17 year old sister joined ROTC in two years I'd think she would serve in Afghanistan.
If you go officer you won't much say on where they send you, especially when you first get in, though the opportunities abound the longer you stay in.
They wouldn't account for my interest and background in the area? I've studied the area a lot. :shifty:
What would I be doing?
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 05:44:51 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2009, 05:14:17 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 01:39:41 PM
You think we'll be out of Afghanistan by the time I'd be ready for everything? I doubt it. If my 17 year old sister joined ROTC in two years I'd think she would serve in Afghanistan.
If you go officer you won't much say on where they send you, especially when you first get in, though the opportunities abound the longer you stay in.
They wouldn't account for my interest and background in the area? I've studied the area a lot. :shifty:
What would I be doing?
If you score high enough on the tests you would probably get your first choice of MOS (mission occupational specialty). Also as I understand it, you're more likely to get your choice of initial duty station if you're a combat related MOS. Beware, if you score poorly then you're likely to get your second or third choice of MOS, or they just make you whatever they happen to need at the time and send you on your merry way. Iirc the tests are based on your aptitude and your soldierly training.
This is based off second-hand knowledge from the myriad of officers I've spoken to about this. If you're serious about this, try and find a current or former army officer. Recruiters... I don't happen to trust them. ;)
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2009, 06:02:36 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 05:44:51 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2009, 05:14:17 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 01:39:41 PM
You think we'll be out of Afghanistan by the time I'd be ready for everything? I doubt it. If my 17 year old sister joined ROTC in two years I'd think she would serve in Afghanistan.
If you go officer you won't much say on where they send you, especially when you first get in, though the opportunities abound the longer you stay in.
They wouldn't account for my interest and background in the area? I've studied the area a lot. :shifty:
What would I be doing?
If you score high enough on the tests you would probably get your first choice of MOS (mission occupational specialty). Also as I understand it, you're more likely to get your choice of initial duty station if you're a combat related MOS. Beware, if you score poorly then you're likely to get your second or third choice of MOS, or they just make you whatever they happen to need at the time and send you on your merry way. Iirc the tests are based on your aptitude and your soldierly training.
This is based off second-hand knowledge from the myriad of officers I've spoken to about this. If you're serious about this, try and find a current or former army officer. Recruiters... I don't happen to trust them. ;)
That's why I am asking Languish instead of a recruiter right now. :D
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2009, 09:02:40 AM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
Don't let us deter you. It's a worthy profession. :P
He could be like Hans and Siegy! :D
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 06:06:01 PM
That's why I am asking Languish instead of a recruiter right now. :D
Gotcha. ;)
You're more likely to get what you want if you graduate from West Point. From there it goes down to the other military academies, and then OCS grads and ROTC grads. Iirc every graduating class of officers is divided up into year groups. Every year or cycle or whatever there are 'n' number of slots. West Point grads get their pick right off the bat, followed by grads from the other military academies, and then OCS and ROTC grads get the rest. So even if you do awesome on your testing, if you're a ROTC grad you're going to lose out to the West Point grad vying for the same spot. You already have your degree I assume, so I guess you'd go through OCS? Or are you entertaining the thought of enlisting?
Or, you could do your part as a State Department or DoD civilian. I think they're hiring like mad now. On the other hand, you wouldn't have the opportunity to make Siegy to salute you. :D
Quote from: Martinus on April 11, 2009, 06:19:22 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2009, 09:02:40 AM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
Don't let us deter you. It's a worthy profession. :P
He could be like Hans and Siegy! :D
As much as I disagree with both of them, they're still my Army brethren. :cool:
The ASVAB is a total joke (or at least it was in 1994). Spellus will easily be able to get the MOS that he wants.
Oh noes am I recruiting MP??/ :o :o :o :goodboy:
Quote from: Caliga on April 11, 2009, 07:03:27 PM
The ASVAB is a total joke (or at least it was in 1994). Spellus will easily be able to get the MOS that he wants.
The ASVAB. :lol: :lol:
I believe officer candidates have to take another test at the end of their officer training, though. Combat skills, leadership, etc.
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2009, 07:07:57 PMThe ASVAB. :lol: :lol:
I believe officer candidates have to take another test at the end of their officer training, though. Combat skills, leadership, etc.
Spellus, an officer? :huh:
Quote from: Caliga on April 11, 2009, 07:09:42 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2009, 07:07:57 PMThe ASVAB. :lol: :lol:
I believe officer candidates have to take another test at the end of their officer training, though. Combat skills, leadership, etc.
Spellus, an officer? :huh:
With Spellus and Siegy defending you against enemies, and Tim and Jaron teaching your kids what could possibly go wrong for America? :D
Quote from: Caliga on April 11, 2009, 07:09:42 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 11, 2009, 07:07:57 PMThe ASVAB. :lol: :lol:
I believe officer candidates have to take another test at the end of their officer training, though. Combat skills, leadership, etc.
Spellus, an officer? :huh:
he will not rise above Kentarchos.
Every man a rifleman.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2009, 01:37:28 PM
2) I bet if you join, you won't see Afghanistan. So join the navy. See Asian whores.
My cousin in the navy just went back to Afghanistan this week. :P
Quote from: katmai on April 11, 2009, 07:56:07 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2009, 01:37:28 PM
2) I bet if you join, you won't see Afghanistan. So join the navy. See Asian whores.
My cousin in the navy just went back to Afghanistan this week. :P
Technically he'd still get to see Asian whores, just that they'd be Tajiks or imports.
Quote from: Queequeg on April 11, 2009, 12:14:51 AM
I'm considering joining the army, but I'm afraid of entering the army clique on Languish. :Embarrass:
Enlisting? Going to college? High school graduate? ROTC? OCS?
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 10, 2009, 09:06:50 AMI wanted to go MI Warrant but my wife vetoed that as well since I would constantly be deployed.
Should've fired your boss.
I just found out that I can't expect the rest of my full-time staff to arrive until next year at the earliest since the Army is broke. Furthermore, that second company that will move into my Reserve Center this summer will have no full-time staff for the same reason, so I'll have to run that one as well.
We're also out of money for training, so I can get trained up to use the various tools in managing a Company and a Reserve Facility.
Oh well, lots of extra work, it should at least be interesting.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 12, 2009, 06:44:09 AM
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 10, 2009, 09:06:50 AMI wanted to go MI Warrant but my wife vetoed that as well since I would constantly be deployed.
Should've fired your boss.
:lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:
Question: If you're a Sergeant, Hans, what are you doing running a Company (or now, as you put it, two companies?) I thought that was a Captain's job.
Quote from: Caliga on April 14, 2009, 02:31:53 PM
Question: If you're a Sergeant, Hans, what are you doing running a Company (or now, as you put it, two companies?) I thought that was a Captain's job.
Since we're Special Ops they are actually run by Majors.
However, since these are reserve Companies the officers are reservists, so they're only available 2 days out of the month. So I'm the senior full-timer actually running the company and having to make all the decisions. It helps that we have similar views on what we should do so she defers to me on most issues. She is an ROTC instructor at Duke in her regular job and that keeps her pretty busy most of the times.
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 14, 2009, 02:47:53 PM
It helps that we have similar views on what we should do so she defers to me on most issues.
She knows that if she doesnt do has you tell her you will fire her.
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 14, 2009, 02:51:03 PM
She knows that if she doesnt do has you tell her you will fire her.
Really?
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 14, 2009, 02:55:20 PM
Yes really
It took me a few seconds to figure out that has = as. :sadblush:
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 14, 2009, 02:19:45 PM
I just found out that I can't expect the rest of my full-time staff to arrive until next year at the earliest since the Army is broke. Furthermore, that second company that will move into my Reserve Center this summer will have no full-time staff for the same reason, so I'll have to run that one as well.
We're also out of money for training, so I can get trained up to use the various tools in managing a Company and a Reserve Facility.
Oh well, lots of extra work, it should at least be interesting.
One reason why I want to avoid Reserve duty and be activated/mobilized as much as possible. Don't get paid enough for all the extra work that needs to be done. I credit the non-paid hours for retirement points, but that gives me little solace.
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 14, 2009, 02:47:53 PM
She is an ROTC instructor at Duke in her regular job and that keeps her pretty busy most of the times.
Ask her about the quality of cadets they are recruiting these days. I am tired of dealing with cadets that have "moral waivers", cut themselves, and shit themselves drunk on the side of the road, but still get retained by ROTC because the Commander does not want his numbers to look bad.
Quote from: Phillip V on April 14, 2009, 03:15:35 PM
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 14, 2009, 02:47:53 PM
She is an ROTC instructor at Duke in her regular job and that keeps her pretty busy most of the times.
Ask her about the quality of cadets they are recruiting these days. I am tired of dealing with cadets that have "moral waivers", cut themselves, and shit themselves drunk on the side of the road, but still get retained by ROTC because the Commander does not want his numbers to look bad.
Normally they're supposed to wait until they make LTC before doing that.
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 14, 2009, 02:47:53 PM
Since we're Special Ops they are actually run by Majors.
However, since these are reserve Companies the officers are reservists, so they're only available 2 days out of the month. So I'm the senior full-timer actually running the company and having to make all the decisions. It helps that we have similar views on what we should do so she defers to me on most issues. She is an ROTC instructor at Duke in her regular job and that keeps her pretty busy most of the times.
Ok, gotcha.