TruBlu Goes Blue

[TruBlu]

That's right, I'm USAF now baby!

But seriously, I just got through MEPS today at Fort Jackson and have taken the Oath of Enlistment, signed the enlistment papers, and chosen my terms of service (sort of...). As of now, I'm an E-3 in inactive reserve, under DEP status. I have not been locked into a job yet and I've got 5 options (2 available at this very moment): 1. SERE Instructor, 2. Combat Control, 3. TacP, 4. Aerial Gunner, 5. A/C Load Master. Options one through three aren't available to me at the moment because I need to complete the PAST, but once I do that, I'm 'pretty much in' when it comes to those three fields. While I haven't picked/been assigned a job yet, I have signed on for the maximum amount of initial service time, 6 years active duty and 2 years reserve, which won't matter much, I plan on making the USAF my career. But they can't even touch me until after June 2010, so I've got some time to get ready for it all. Anyways, I thought I would share with you guys about what's been going on with my end and what everything has led up to so far.

And as a little PS, if anyone ever wants/needs to know about MEPS from someone who just recently went, PM or e-mail, or whatever at anytime, I'd love to tell you about being a walking bar code or being in a mostly naked congo-line of 'duck-walkers.'

[Buffa1oso1di3r]

Like I told you on failbook, congratulations!

And like I told you on failbook, bulk up, man! :P

[devin0116]

Congrats man, I hope you get what you want out of the USAF. Good luck with your travels!!

[AirPower3P0X1]

Congratulations on your decision and welcome to the dark side :)
On bit of food for thought for you on the 6 year enlistment:
You already have your E-3 through JROTC, right?
If so, keep in mind you can request Base of Preference (aka B.O.P.) as re-enlistment terms!
If you don't like your career field, that's 2 years sooner you can cross-train, as well (not to mention a year less for Palace Chase if you don't like acitve).
^^^And re-enlistment bonus comes two years quicker :D
You can always re-enlist, keep that in mind.
BOP is the one that usually gets people, as they don't realize it exists when they sign, and it's a constant subject of interest out in the missile complex.
The 4 year guys always like to rub it in the 6 year guys' faces.

-3P

[C/ B3RRY NJROTC]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Drill for life]

I am going today, I signed the enlistment papers and my PADD is June 15th (shipdate). I'm getting my physical today and I'm swearing in sundy/monday.

[soccermark23]

Congratulations on your decision TruBlu. If you need any help, information, or advice, don't even hesitate to ask. Like I tell all the airmen that join my Guard unit before they ship for BMT; I believe the most important things you can do to prepare yourself for BMT are getting into better physical shape and learning the rank structure of the Air Force. These will set you up for success from day one.

[TruBlu]

You already have your E-3 through JROTC, right?

Yep three years of AFJROTC has given me the instant pay grade jump. As to my enlistment terms, I was looking at the 6 year SERE bonus for a nice $14,000 one on completion of Basic and Tech School. As to where I'm stationed, I just don't want it to be Charleston, SC, which it won't as to my job area (hopefully).

And to everyone else (and 3POX1), THANKS!

[-BuLL-]

or being in a mostly naked congo-line of 'duck-walkers.'

I was going to ask how you liked that, but it seems you enjoyed it pretty well. :D

[SlightlyCatholic]

Congrats TruBlu...best of luck in your USAF future!

[TruBlu]

I was going to ask how you liked that, but it seems you enjoyed it pretty well. :D

Slightly hilarious yes, but the civilian in charge was such a... I can't really say... I really can't remember how many times we had to get dressed and undressed for no particular reason. We all just got to the point where we were like, "I don't care how many females are out there, I can take an eye exam in my boxers!" But there were a ton of people there, we had over 70 for processing, which was big for them. Next time I go, I ship, so I'm happy it only took one time for me.

[MOM]

Congrats TruBlu. I'm very proud for you and glad you sailed through MEPS so easily.
I didn't realize you guys get a pay jump credit for time in JROTC. I think that's great.

[TruBlu]

Congrats TruBlu. I'm very proud for you and glad you sailed through MEPS so easily.
I didn't realize you guys get a pay jump credit for time in JROTC. I think that's great.

Yep, for three years of JROTC and an instructor approval you get E-3 in any branch, except the Marine Corps who will warrant E-2.

[Drill for life]

Slightly hilarious yes, but the civilian in charge was such a... I can't really say... I really can't remember how many times we had to get dressed and undressed for no particular reason. We all just got to the point where we were like, "I don't care how many females are out there, I can take an eye exam in my boxers!" But there were a ton of people there, we had over 70 for processing, which was big for them. Next time I go, I ship, so I'm happy it only took one time for me.

We did the exact same thing. We had 50 people and the people at MEP's said it was the least busiest day of the month. Tomorrow won't be though there will be at least 100 people swearing into the US Marine Corps tomorrow.

[TruBlu]

We did the exact same thing. We had 50 people and the people at MEP's said it was the least busiest day of the month. Tomorrow won't be though there will be at least 100 people swearing into the US Marine Corps tomorrow.

Yeah, we had 76 people processing, which was the most they had had in a while.

[PhoenixCadet]

Congrats dude, and best of luck to you!

-PC

[C/SSGT Seifer]

Congrats, and best of luck with the USAF. I heard that SERE is really tough and I saw a 10 (?) episode series on a group going through the training. If you haven't seen it yet than look in to it, it was pretty cool. You can find the first two episodes on Hulu.com by typing in SERE. They used to have the whole series but I guess they got rid of the rest. Anyway, keep us posted with your progress.

[TruBlu]

Congrats, and best of luck with the USAF. I heard that SERE is really tough and I saw a 10 (?) episode series on a group going through the training. If you haven't seen it yet than look in to it, it was pretty cool. You can find the first two episodes on Hulu.com by typing in SERE. They used to have the whole series but I guess they got rid of the rest. Anyway, keep us posted with your progress.

Yeah SERE is tough, only about 300 airmen are apart of it, training is almost identical to CCT and TACP also. I saw something about the show, can't remember where though, might have been Airmen Magazine. I don't have the channel for watching it, but I'm sure I can find it somewhere on the internet. Thanks for that reminder!

[C/ZOOMIE]

TruBlue: Congrats! A word of advice, I don't know if you're interested in fun exiting jobs or not, but if I were you I'd go for Aerial Gunner. 1A7X1 is a very rare job to be available..just cause it's so awesome..

[SlightlyCatholic]

Did any of you USAF enlistees/personnel ever consider going 1N0 or 1N1? Those jobs look pretty cool, all that intel stuff.

[TruBlu]

TruBlue: Congrats! A word of advice, I don't know if you're interested in fun exiting jobs or not, but if I were you I'd go for Aerial Gunner. 1A7X1 is a very rare job to be available..just cause it's so awesome..

Did you read my whole post? Aerial Gunner and A/C Load Master are the only two jobs that I've requested that are currently available to me, at the moment I'm leaning towards SERE, although all five of my requests are really really interesting, and I don't think I would dislike any of the fields.

Did any of you USAF enlistees/personnel ever consider going 1N0 or 1N1? Those jobs look pretty cool, all that intel stuff.

I have never been interested in intel work, but one of the guys I talked to really wanted to get into that field, I'm sure there were a few more. We had 21 USAF eligible enlistees, so that's quite a range of jobs I bet.

[Nasphreak29]

Congrats!

SERE Instructor and Aerial Gunner def seem interesting :D


I'm going to be 4-7years behind you entering the Air Force though. I have college and then possibly law school before I enter.

And yeah, I wouldn't wanna be stationed at Charleston. Shaw isn't to bad but I wouldn't wanna be there. Been in SC for 5years, I like it and all I just wouldn't want to be stationed her as well.

[TruBlu]

SERE Instructor and Aerial Gunner def seem interesting :D

Yeah, I'm actually signed as an ATC at the moment, aircrew positions are rare, almost non-existent, for first time enlistees. As for being stationed in SC, I wouldn't want to, but if I were, it would be at Charleston AFB, it's too hot in the mid/upstate.

[Startingover]

Come to Seymour Johnson, good Air Force Base! Thats up near me whenever i have to go take MEPS/DODMERB physical sometime this year.

[C/CLN]

Congrats!

SERE Instructor and Aerial Gunner def seem interesting :D


I'm going to be 4-7years behind you entering the Air Force though. I have college and then possibly law school before I enter.

And yeah, I wouldn't wanna be stationed at Charleston. Shaw isn't to bad but I wouldn't wanna be there. Been in SC for 5years, I like it and all I just wouldn't want to be stationed her as well.
Shaw is terrible (coming from someone who lives near it and is on it often).