Advice for all you cadidiots

[Redleg]

When it comes time to weigh the options at the end of your service commitment, remember these words of advice:

The grass is NOT greener on the other side.

I have a BE in geologic engineering from WSU (which is probably the root of the problem) and separated as a captain at 6 yrs. I was making 54,000 (including BAH, BAS).

I am now a furniture mover, making $12/hr.

My brother just had his 5 year reunion at USMA, and out of 50 people who showed up who were separated from the Army, 40 had sales jobs at a 100% commission rate.

So, all things considered, I wish I could have stayed in, which brings me to my next piece of advice: Feet and knees together, dammit! (3 knee operations, Army didn't want me anymore)

Anyways, make sure you:

1) Really weigh the options and think about what you may be sacrificing (pay, friends, health and medical, etc.)
2) Have an equitable job on the outside.

Brian

[Sammy Sandbag]

Good advice sir. This is the kind of information we all need to hear more of on AIFA.

BTW: One knee operation as well. Advice: don't do ruck runs with 80+lbs.

[The Sharaffe]

Fuck it, I'm going in like a lawn dart everytime. I blame it on a severe case of barrel ass and man tits

[airjun]

what kind of knee ops? ACL or what?

[Sammy Sandbag]

Mine was for a possible torn meniscus. It ended up being foreign material (cartilage) floating in and out of the joint, their was also a small tear that they trimmed up.

[Redleg]

The first surgery was for a torn ACL. While they were rooting around my knee during that first operation, they came across a suspicious growth on my tibia.

6 months later, I had the tumor excised (with about 8 square inches of surrounding bone). That healed just fine and I was back to PT-ing daily.

2 years later, at the advanced course, during a run, my knee gives out and is painful as all hell. Go to the doc who says that my first operation (done at Madigan) had left some metal shards...yes, metal shards, inside the knee joint, which just chewed my knee to hell.

So, I had that removed and got the F out before Army witch doctors could do anymore damage to me.

[airjun]

My knee is fucked up its those damn Ragner challenge ruck runs. it pops when I extend it out but im not going to have it looked at. I'll take my chances

[Sammy Sandbag]

Uhmm, probably not a good idea. I'd have it checked out. The Army paid for mine while I was a cadet, I'm sure you can have something worked out. Now is the time to get that stuff done (you're a MSII right?) It would really be taking your chances and you could end up with something happening as a MSIII or IV and could have to delay camp or commissioning. Or you could be like Redleg and have something compounded on and end up being a career ender after a few years in.

[Domer]

Yeah, at my AF field training I broke my ankle, and didn't tell anyone. Long story short, it hurts when it rains and is cold, and I still have a little of a limp. Not to mention the loss of movement. Yes Sammy, my ankle is fucked up. It don't move as good as the other. Excuse #1 I'm so slow. Excuse #2: I smoke and don't PT.

[Sammy Sandbag]

"AF field training" awhh, how cute!

[airjun]

Its funny how they call it field training when very little time is spent in the field and we call ours camp. Go figure

[Zirkowitz]

"AF field training" awhh, how cute!

Wasnt it? he even sang "leaving on a jet plane." it was precious!


fag

[Emerson]

Hey everyone. This is a great topic, I was just going to start a new post on this subject.

I was looking at some Military to Civilian book at my campus career center and it really got me thinking. Has anyone here planned out their career to the point when the leave the service and try to find work in the civilian job market?

I think it’s safe to say that a degree isn’t just a means to a commission. Even if we go career most of us will be out in less than 25 years, which still leaves us a ways off till retirement.

My degree is in business. I’ve read a lot about how JMO’s get “the critical management and leadership training” that employers are looking for. I was reading throught some stuff in the career center that said that wont mean a lot if you have been in for under five or six years. (It sounded a little suspicious to me…)

My point is has anyone here thought about this? Does anyone have any info on JMO’s going into the civilian work place? Are people planning on using their degree when they get out? Are you planning on suplementing your degree with training through the Army, or do you think you would go in a completely different direction?

I have looked online. I'm looking for some of your personal experience or thoughts on the topic.

Thanks
Emerson