Hello, Im Josh and im from Michigan. Ive made up my mind on going into the Army and im not turning back. The Army got me my high-school diploma the Army kept me on track. I am 18, fresh out of high-school and im going to serve Uncle Sam. I am 6'2" and 190 lbs so im not really out of shape. But im lost, i have questions and lots, this post will probably only grow as i think of things but id appreciate any help people can give me and im already going in so just give me the raw truth.
Im going into 11B Infantry. Where do i go for basic, one of the recruiters mentioned a "Fort Benning" is that correct...?
Once im at basic and i complete and i have job training do i leave and go somewhere else or do i stay at the above mentioned base. After i get out of job training i would probably take an Airbourne school. How long does that take and where is it usually at....?
Once im done with Airbourne school..what next?
If i want to go to a certain station can i make the recruiter list so in my contract...?
Now can i come to the station near my home town or anywhere i feel....? This includes other countries....?
Im sorry for asking some stupid questions but i would love to know these things before i make a mistake by not having them include something in my contract or signing up for the wrong things, etc.
I also heard horror stories from a friend who is an ex-ranger he told me in Afghanistan on Sunday nights he used to break enemy lines and sneak up behind them and cut there throats and steal there AKs. Is this true, i mean ill do it if im ordered to but is this type of thing a weekly activity....?
This post will probably grow as i think of more and more questions please stick around.
I thank you all for your help and hope you have a wonderful day.

First off congratulations on your decision. Now to your questions. If you pick infantry recruit (11X) you will go to Ft. Benning for what is called OSUT (One Station Unit Training). That means that your basic and AIT are all combined into one. It lasts, if I am not mistaken, 15 weeks. From there if you do go airborne you will stay right there at Ft Benning because that is where the airborne school is. Airborne is 3 weeks long. After you finish airborne school then you will go to your first duty station which may be here in the states or overseas. Sometimes an option comes up that you can pick your first dudty station and get it in your contract. What thismeans though is that the guidance counselor will give you a choice of a couple bases to pick from. It does not mean that you get a choice from any location that the Army is located at. Now as far as the questions your firend is telling you about.... People do tend to exagerate stories just like when people go on fishing trips and they talk about the "big" one that got away. No one can tell you if your friend is telling you the truth but your friend but I think it is highly unlikely that what he is telling you is very accurate. Any more questions just ask away. Also if you have already graduated from HA when you go to MEPS to pick your job be prepared to leave within a month. Headquartes of recruiting is pushing for grads to be leaving ASAP. They really want between 7-14days after pisking your job but you might be able to get it pushed out to about a month.

[quote:68b54ee0be="Dreamstalker"] Headquartes of recruiting is pushing for grads to be leaving ASAP. They really want between 7-14days after pisking your job but you might be able to get it pushed out to about a month.[/quote:68b54ee0be]
I think the Army recruiter told me average time was 6 days. I hope they send me out same day im not the type to delay. Thanks for the answers and hopefully youll see more questions from me.

in case no one has told you, Ft Benning is in Georgia. Also, tell your recruiter you want Airborne in your contract, that way you'll be gauranteed a school date.

browse the the forums, and you'll see several threads on what to expect from Basic ... any questions you have, we'll be glad to answer

what part of Michigan are you from? I'm from Flint.

Infantry OSUT is between 14 and 15 weeks.

I can tell you that in six years as an 11B/11M, I never slit any throats, or stole any AKs. That's not to say it couldn't happen but definately not a weekly experience for your average 11B. Should you be selected for Ranger or Special Forces, you may see that sort of thing more often, but even then I doubt weekly.

[quote:cc8f08f747="Bradmeister"]what part of Michigan are you from? I'm from Flint.[/quote:cc8f08f747]

Im from right around the Traverse City area.
Now what is the difference between this Ranger field and the regular 11B Infrantry, and what would i have to do to be selected as a Ranger, is it somethin i sign for or something they recognize along the way? I am not someone who strives to be a part of a big group. I want to be known as someone who took a step above and beyond and maybe make something more out of myself than just sticking in Infantry. Thanks again for the reponses.

[quote:31f317bc33]I also heard horror stories from a friend who is an ex-ranger he told me in Afghanistan on Sunday nights he used to break enemy lines and sneak up behind them and cut there throats and steal there AKs. Is this true, i mean ill do it if im ordered to but [b:31f317bc33]is this type of thing a weekly activity....?[/b:31f317bc33][/quote:31f317bc33]
...yeah, its weekly in accordance with the training schedule, but it only requires one squad of soldiers each time, so a throat-slitting duty roster is posted - you will probably only get tasked with that duty once a month when deployed.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Hurry up and wait, ehehe, I just signed up for 11x, Im leaving this fucking monday, Febuary 7th to BENNING, I may see you there if you already got it, ill be PVT.STOLWORTHY, a tall white ass bastard. Im getting pumped to hurry up and WAIT

[quote:575339668c="whoreable"]Hurry up and wait, ehehe, I just signed up for 11x, Im leaving this fucking monday, Febuary 7th to BENNING, I may see you there if you already got it, ill be PVT.STOLWORTHY, a tall white ass bastard. Im getting pumped to hurry up and WAIT [/quote:575339668c]

Id love to catch you there but i dont think ill be shipped off to Benning until more like February 21st or so. I still might catch you there, ill look for you.

eheeh, yah, itd be nice to see someone from the outside world. Good luck to you, im 19 (Turn 20 in basic in marc) so look for a 6"3 175lb white ass bastard with blonde hair.

just remember it's hard to tell someone's hair color when it is all shaved off. :twisted:

Oh yah, forgot, but ill shave that shit today, ill look like a skinhead, mauaahahah.

Ranger is a school you will apply for as well, you should hear about it in Aitborne school ... it's tough to get into, because they are looking for the best they can get

I remember we got to go through the pre-ranger confidence course at Bragg for STT (Sergeant's Time Training) and it was a bit tough ...

and here's a story for you ... the last station we went to was a one rope bridge 10 feet above a river .. you had to climb out to the middle, touch a wooden ranger tab, then drop into the water. We still had some time afterwards, so the Rangers took us over to the one rope bridge 100 ft above the river. It was voluntary, and there were 2 Rangers at the bottom of the river and 1 at the top, helping the Soldiers onto the rope and instructing them how to fall into the water.

One female climbed out alright, but as she was swinging her legs down one hand slipped off the rope. In the attempt to grab the rope again, her other hand slipped off and she plummeted to the water. The two Rangers dove in the water, getting there before she hit. [b:1e764e3134]Then the Ranger on top dove from the cliff into the water.[/b:1e764e3134] He saw her fall and jumped after her with no hesitation, just straight dive into the water.

That was one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my Military career.

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!!!!
Here you go hero!

[url]http://www.benning.army.mil/rtb/rtbmain.asp[/url]

Good Luck!



*admin note: fixed tag