black_phoenix

iTrader: (27)

Hi fellas, well to start off, im 21 year old guy going on 22 soon, and pretty much been wanting to join either Army or Marines ever since high school, my bro was in the Army for 4 years so ive been wanting to get into the military as well, but something different with a bit more challenge (i know bootcamp will be brutal)... but then parents stepped in saying " no, go to college... blah blah" So i did that and obviously college is not my thing... and right now am very serious about joining USMC reserves (due to family situation) and my current job that pays me descently and has lots of great benefits.

I am pretty committed to this and feel like i should finally do this instead of just procrascinating with my life having no direction...

So i have a few questions:

I am about to take an ASVAB test on thursday and been reading a book but ****! there is a ton of material there, i mean i know my math and english but all that other mechanical/ electrical stuff seems pretty hard to me and guess what... those are the fields i want to get into in USMC, sort of like a mechanic or some job like that.

Based on my college credits, i will be going in as an E2 if i sign up, but last time ive been to college was 2 years ago and just been focusing on my current job

Anyone have any pointers on the ASVAB? what score would i need to get into a field that deals with mechanics, such as vehicles??????

Oh and on the side note, i did a quick pretest and physically qualify to join marines, the asvab is the one is the thing that kind of messing with me.


Any help appreciated, thanks!

msgZ28

iTrader: (1)

I can't really offer you help on the ASVAB, I walked in and aced it. It's not that difficult to make a decent score, and for the jobs you're describing, you don't need very high scores. Motor T mechanic IIRC is cake to get into, so are most comm jobs. Is there a particular reason you want to do the mechanical / electrical jobs? You could get better training for that kind of thing at a community college or tech school. I'm asking because you will have a lot more fun and get more out of the Marines with more of a field MOS. I couldn't imagine going back as anything but artillery, and I turned down nukes and intel to stay with my howitzers. That's just my opinion.

Back to the ASVAB. General test taking tips apply. Don't read too much into the question. Go with your first impulse and don't change your answers. Use the process of elimination so that you can get it down to a 50:50 guess. ANSWER EVERY QUESTION!!! They'll be wrong one way or the other, and you may get a few lucky ones in.

Good luck!

jsteele90

iTrader: (13)

asvab is a joke.dont even sweat it.

black_phoenix

iTrader: (27)

thanx guys, i will try my best, but im pretty much "one foot in" already... pretty stocked about joining!!!! Looking forward to that boot camp!!!!! I know imma hate it though

jsteele90

iTrader: (13)

yeah marine boot camp is no picnic, but it's not the worst thing in the world. just do as your told and nothing more, move as fast as you can, and sound off. start running now also. we ran three miles every other day.

Swiat34

iTrader: (9)

I aced it in 30 minutes. The mechanical as electrical stuff is basic, very basic. The math wasn't too difficult either. Since it's multiple choice it's easy to get a ballpark figure answer in your head and eliminate the 3 WAY OFF ones. I never touched my piece of scrap paper! Talk to your recruiter about a practice ASVAB. I also advocate for 0811 Artilleryman. We shoot the biggest guns on land, "if you can't truck it **** it", and then still get some infantry play too. Artillery is a moto job! I'll post a pic for you when I get in my laptop later!

black_phoenix

iTrader: (27)

i run at least 4 times a week and at least a mile an a half at a steady "9 minute pace" without being tired. I mainly focus on upper body, mainly lifting. But thats where i will ease off on it and run run run... oh and did i say run? Especially after i sign that contract.

black_phoenix

iTrader: (27)

Yea, i have a book, i will skim through it and will not sweat it. Whatever happens... happens... **** it

Swiat34

iTrader: (9)

Here's the pics I promised! Oh and "God fights on the side with the best Artillery!" OOhRAH!!

VinR1

iTrader: (17)

99 ASVAB and 147 GT score and I still chose 0311... still kicking myself for that one

on that note, ask your recruiter and he'll let you take all the practice exams you want

also, as far as jobs, its really dependent upon whats available at your closest reserve unit... your recruiter should be able to see whats open and give you a list to choose from... not like you can say "I want to be a Cobra mechanic" when you're reporting in to an Infantry unit...

jarheadtex

iTrader: (2)

DAMN!!

MUSTANGBRKR02

iTrader: (91)

I was a 6114 which is a Huey/ Cobra flightline mechanic. I loved it and I now work on them as a civilian and still absolutely love it. I am also working on getting on orders to get up in the air on them. That would be a 6174 Huey Crew Chief. You get to hang out of a UH-1N and soon to be UH-1Y and shoot the 50 cal, 240 and the ever popular GAU-17(six barrel mini gun). I couldn't imagine being anything else.

http://youtu.be/WwYjNTNB2TQ

Being in SoCal you have the air station right there in Oceanside.

cookba

iTrader: (10)

what changes in your life do you expect going into the weekend warriors? Regardless of the MOS you choose your still not going to be doing it day in and day out like the rest of the Active community.

Motor T doesnt need rocket scientists. The ASVAB is a joke. Bootcamp is no joke. Reservists dont get the same respect from Active. Go Active or stay home.

Swiat34

iTrader: (9)

^ Right on. Govactive for at least an enlistment. If you still want to stay in you can or you can go reserves or even just GTFO. But do it for yourself and go active duty, you'll regret it if you don't.

msgZ28

iTrader: (1)

Oh HELL no. 44's FTMFW!

black_phoenix

iTrader: (27)

quick update: 2 years ago i applied for the army, was still in college and scored a measly 44, but today without studying or anything pulled off a 73
Tomorrow is my physical and hopefully part of the IST...

Oh and im set on the reserves for now... i can always go active duty if i get fired from my job lol!

cookba

iTrader: (10)

you can't always go from reserves to active. easily it depends on the needs of the Corps. and the Corps will be reducing it's numbers soon (next couple years)

KevinR

You are doing it right. I did the opposite and went from active duty to the reserves. I really wasn't a fan of the reserves after doing active duty for 4 years. Good luck

Yeah, I've heard they have already started reducing the number.

Swiat34

iTrader: (9)

They started reduction last year. I was trying to return to active duty and go Counter Intel ( they never meet reenlistment mission) and couldn't get back in...and I fully qualify for CI. I wasn't so heartbroken from my 1st divorce.

black_phoenix

iTrader: (27)

Hey, i need your guys' opinion!!!
I am pretty much one foot in the marines already, about to do the physical and everything and sign the contract wednesday! The job that is available that is 3531 so i got locked into that position as of today. I misunderstood a bit and want a 3521 position. My recruiter told me that if i sign the contract with 3531 positon, i can filll out the form where as soon as 3521 becomes available, i can take that spot...

Can i do that??? I will take my bro who was EX army with me at the day of contract signing.

Oh, and 3531 is a vehicle transport with basic mechanic knowledge, but 3521 is an actual mechanic by the way.