Rumely

I'd like some input, since I have no experience or much knowledge of the modern military:

My daughter graduates High School this spring. She is considering signing up for the army reserves (6 year commitment) and ROTC and attending the University of Wisconson. She plans to major in Linguistics in college and specialise in linguistics in the army. Her ASVAB score is 99 and her DLAB score is 132 (out of 136 possible). If we understand the recruiter right, she can do both reserves and ROTC, which will help pay for her school and she should end up as a Lieutenant. I should mention that she will also have 39 college credits from the U of Minnesota when she finishes spring semester. This apparently is good for some kind of perks which I can't remember off the top of my head.

If the recruiter has given us the straight scoop, it sounds like a good plan, but I'd like some input before she signs her life over to Uncle Sam.

Pastor Gary

The daughter of a colleague of mine locally, went into the same basic type of committment in the US Air Force about a year ago... the same linguistics field that you mentioned.

She has completed her training and has been assigned to an AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System) team at a base in Texas. Her duties are to monitor agressor radio traffic and TRANSLATE those communications for the tactical Flight Commander to evaluate possible hostile intentions.

She enjoys her work and is an asset to the overall military goals of the USA. She has already gone up 3 pay grades and will be promoted as the various additional trainings are completed. A very noble and educational vocation... but not without some risks. Your family is the best discussion group for that aspect of the military service.

Rumely

Thank you for your reply, Pastor Gary, though I had to go all the way back to page 5 to find it! So many new threads lately! Anyway, looks like she'll be going ahead with it. She is taking a preliminary physical test tomorrow and a physical next weekend. I'm continuing to ask God for His direction for her.

It's hard for me to face the reality that my girl is going to go off into the world. I'm not ready to be an empty-nester. I'm not ready to let her go out on her own into the big, nasty world. Maybe I could hire a couple of burly body guards to screen her boyfriends, protect her from unfair bosses, scare off telemarketers and door to door salesmen, stuff like that.

Who am I

Well hello Rumely
A fellow Minnesotan. I didn’t know there were any on this forum. I’m from out In Buffalo.
I can’t help you with the modern military. I was in the Marine Corp from 83-87. I’m sure things are a lot different now. I may, however, be able to help with the body guard position. Of course with my view of young men, you may not have grandkids until you are in your 70’s or 80’s. I’ve noticed that I can be intimidating without even trying. I guess I just look the part. 6’2”, 200 pounds, leather and tattoos… I don’t look like your average nice guy. If you want me to scare anyone off, I work for food.

Take care and God bless
Dean

__________________
Blessings to all

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Rumely

Dean, I may just have to take you up on your offer. Stocking the refrigerator in preparation. My physique is beginning to look like I am stalking the refrigerator. I've weighed the same for the past 15 years, but it has reconfigured itself since I stopped throwing mail sacks.

Watchman

I'm actually in the Navy Reserves (Merchant Marine Reserve) to be exact. I've been in the ROTC program for a half semester and do believe it is a good program. Howver, My parents aren't really supporting the decision, so I may pull out before I am committed.
The deal is once you graduate, you are a commissioned officer. They require 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks once a year for 6 years. Then two additional years you are still bound with no requirements.
If she is passionate about the program, go for it, but only if she is fully committed.

I know in my case, I am required to get a coastguard liscense for the Navy. And if i happen to fail the exams they throw me into the enlisted on active duty. So in my case, there is alot riding on these exams coming in the following years.

If you have any questions about ROTC, or the reserves feel free to PM me, or post back in this thread.

__________________
Habakkuk 3:2LORD, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.
Renew them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy

Rumely

After a busy couple of weeks, my daughter signed up for the cryptolinguist MOS in the reserves. There was some confusion as the army apparently has combined some MOSes and changed the names of others, so it appeared for a time that she couldn't get what she was interested in. Her recruiters worked hard to get everything straightened out, so that was a relief. She ships out for basic in July, then on to her MOS training for about a year and a half. After that, probably some combination of college, ROTC, and weekend warrior.

My little girl is going to shoot an M16 and throw hand grenades. No more Hello Kitty? I'm all proud and scared for her at the same time. My hatchling has become a fledgling. I only have a few more months to pretend it isn't happening.....uh....what I mean is....to prepare her to go out on her own.

Watchman, I b'lieve I will PM you one of these days soon. ROTC won't be an immediate concern for a bit, but I am quite curious about the program. Thank you.

Boanerges

I will pray for your daughters safety as I do daily for all who honor this nation with their service. Much respect and much love, Larry.