I went down to the recruiter place today to find out some info for all the branches and the Navy and Air Force guys were very candid and honest with me. About what to expect and all that. They both basically told me that if I wanted anything from those branches I would have to give a little to get a little. In other words to take advantage of any of their benefits I would have to give at least a minimum of 1 year, and I would not be guaranteed of the place I choose to take a job. In other words lets say I wanted to become a mechanical specialist stationed in Ft. Lee, NJ; I would not be guaranteed a spot there but rather would go where the Air Force needed me. They both did say that more than likely I would be a candidate for officer, BUT were not promising anything. It would all depend upon how I score on the ASFAB or whatever the hell that test is you take for the military. The Navy guy told me legally he really could not push recruiting to me because I have to be offered a chance at the naval Officers Candidate School (OCS, for those not familiar with military lingo), and be turned down before he could recruit me. The Air Force I would have to hurry up and enlist cause the cut off age is 28, of which I am rapidly approaching...The Air Force is the more appealing of the two and is the branch that I would more than likely go into. The way I figure, there will still be teaching positions available when I got out, and someone with a military record (hopefully kept clean) would look good on any resume'.

Notice I have not mentioned the army yet. The building I went to has all four branches, and I was NOT visiting the Marines. I have NO desire to become a Marine. The navy guy was very candid with me and even advised me I might be better off checking out the Air Force or just staying home altogether. He liked my qualifications and my reasons for visiting him, but he may not be ready to promise me anything, hence the reason for his recommendations. What he did say to me was that the Army was going to hold me there for two hours if they could blowing smoke up my ass. And he was not too far from the truth. I visited the Navy recruiter 1st, Air Force 2nd, and Army last. Well what a difference in the way that I was treated between the navy/air force guy and how the army treated me. They acted like I was an 18 year old kid, and started by showing me videos and all the bonuses and the guarantees they can promise me. And talking with people who I know who served in the army, they also warned me of that pitch. To me the Army guys seemed like sales people than soldiers. It was all about the pitch and their really bad videos. And considering the candid attitude that I had and the fact that I pointed out that a soldier from their Gulf War 1991 footage was a French Paratrooper, still did not deter them from trying to sell me. The guy would have of promised me the moon if I had stayed any longer. He guaranteed me to be located ANYWHERE despite the fact that I had no clue what sort of a role I wanted to play. It just was a crock of shit that really turned me off...

Time spent chatting with Navy guy-10-15 mins, chatting with Air Force guy 40-45. The guy was cool candid we had a few guffaws he answered honestly a lot of my questions and what I more than likely would not expect. Basically that idea he was promising me nothing, and he didnt show me no fancy videos. He was the one who signed me up for the ASFAB, which does not mean I am signed up for military. Cool lad... Time spent with Army guys through their BS 50-60 mins. And it was one giant sales pitch. Long story short...If I join it will be the Air Force.


Here are some lyrics from an artist who is famous for one song but not so famous for others. Doesnt mean he is a one hit wonder, just a forgot artist known for mainly one song but was a hit in his time...I am curious to see who can correctly name the artist:
Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps, they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how