Anyone here hoping to join the military?

Hey there! Yes, I'm 20 and trying to reenlist into the Air Force (got kicked out in basic training after I hurt my foot)

Been there, done that. I highly recommend Navy or Air Force, but I hope that whatever you choose, you'll be happy.

Been there, done that, Air Force. Military wasn't for me. I got fat when I was in, and lost weight the second I got out.

As far as losing weight goes, if you haven't already, meet up with a recruiter. If they are a really good one, and they really want you (like they're supposed to), they'll work out with you to get you down to the weight requirements. If your recruiter doesn't act like you're valued, go to a different one. They need you, not the other way around.

19 years of service (Navy), 1 more to go. Retiring next fall.
If you decide you want to join, research all your options BEFORE talking to a recruiter...I'm not trying to say anthing negative about them, but remember they are trying to sell you a product--and therefore may not present to you everything that is available. So getting in shape is a good idea, but MOST importantly, figure out what you want to do (type of job rating), and research options (NROTC commissioning path, Service Academy, or go enlisted, etc...).

19 years of service (Navy), 1 more to go. Retiring next fall.
If you decide you want to join, research all your options BEFORE talking to a recruiter...I'm not trying to say anthing negative about them, but remember they are trying to sell you a product--and therefore may not present to you everything that is available. So getting in shape is a good idea, but MOST importantly, figure out what you want to do (type of job rating), and research options (NROTC commissioning path, Service Academy, or go enlisted, etc...).

This is SO true - You need to have an idea going in or you're going to get sold whatever they are hurting for most at that time where the recruiter thinks you would fit. I did 6 years in the Army and when I enlisted the recruiter and I were NOT seeing eye to eye on where I should go, he kept trying to convince me otherwise. I came in prepared and was able to not only say where I wanted to go but list the reasons why I had made that choice... by the end he was in agreement with me. Make sure you are knowledgeable going in there!

^^Yes, that too! I got lucky and my recruiter was very honest with me. My job was a 68W, which they called some kind of health specialist....well he told me right away that this actually translates to Combat Medic. I was cool with it but so many fellow medics I trained with had no idea that they had signed up for a super stressful and dangerous job. Some of them even got suckered into the LPN program and didn't even know it until AIT.

Go ahead and add me! I'm active duty Air Force, and let me tell you that the focus on fitness will not stop after basic training. Some people can be kicked out for two bad PT tests, so we've got to support each other! I've always been a chubby, non-athletic kid and adult, but I made it under the maximum weight, so you can too! Also I have a cousin in your shoes, she's losing weight to join the Air Force too. If you have a good recruiter (mine was FANTASTIC), they should do some kind of workout with you at least once a week. The recruiters will engage with you as much as you do them, typically.

Yeah, that was the rule when I got out, but we had a guy in my shop that failed once and got his promotion to MSgt denied. He was so pissed because that's exactly what they would do for drunk driving, and failing a PT test and drunk driving aren't exactly similar.

Go ahead and add me! I'm active duty Air Force, and let me tell you that the focus on fitness will not stop after basic training. Some people can be kicked out for two bad PT tests, so we've got to support each other! I've always been a chubby, non-athletic kid and adult, but I made it under the maximum weight, so you can too! Also I have a cousin in your shoes, she's losing weight to join the Air Force too. If you have a good recruiter (mine was FANTASTIC), they should do some kind of workout with you at least once a week. The recruiters will engage with you as much as you do them, typically.

Yeah, that was the rule when I got out, but we had a guy in my shop that failed once and got his promotion to MSgt denied. He was so pissed because that's exactly what they would do for drunk driving, and failing a PT test and drunk driving aren't exactly similar.

I am sorry...I have to poke my 2 cents in right here as this is one thing that pisses me off more than anything at my command. You guys go into the military knowing there are weight and body standards. You sign contracts stating that you will abide by the rules and regulations set forth for your respective service. That MSgt who got his promotion denied for failing a PT test....good! That is how it should be. You are taught it in boot camp, you are told about it your entire military career...it isn't like it is some shock that you have to pass a set of standards.

---

OP....what do you want to do for a career? Because honestly...that is what you should base your desicion on. Do you want to go into a medical career? Are you wanting to do a communications job? Maybe electronics? Etc.... Do you want to see a lot of the world? Do you like the water? Do you want the choice to stay in the states or go over seas (Coast Guard you have a choice actually)? Would you like to go over seas for a long period of time (AF or Army will be a better choice then)? All kinds of questions to think about and answer.

If I could redo my choices, I'd join the Navy. I love the Air Force, and my job, and the fact that there are so many women to support me since we have the highest percentage out of the military. Also my husband is Air Force, so that pushed me in that direction.

As far as PT standards are concerned, I have chronic pain, and I wish I was in the Navy because I LOVE water, and I would blow a swim test out of the water. In the Air Force, you have a run test... unless you have a legitimate medical reason to do the walk test. I guess I like the idea of options. I hurt when I run. I don't when I swim. That would be so nice.

Army vet. Three years in as an Airborne infantryman.

Depending on your MOS, you could be sent to any number of basic training camps across the US. Some are harder than others. I went to Benning and did OSUT there, which is considered the hardest of them. But you won't have to worry about that.

The biggest thing is it's all a mental game. And it doesn't matter how good of shape your in. Least that's how it was at Benning. They'll break you down. When they have the platoon in the front leaning rest they'll keep you there. Doesn't matter if you can do 100 pushups. They'll make sure you get to 101. You'll just want to make sure you can get low enough to pass the physical requirements. It'll be good if you are in shape before you get there. But once again, you're still going to hurt.

Just work on three things and become an expert on them.

Running, pushups, situps. End of story.

I'm retired military. Good for you, wanting to serve!
I did 4 years as a Minuteman 3 launch commander in the Airforce.
Than Army as a doctor. Last position was III Corps Artillery Surgeon.
Moving to NC, starting a job as a civilian in the Family Practice clinic at Ft. Bragg.

Army Vet here.

If you are not running yet, get started with C25K. It will help build you up to 3 miles and then you can work on your time after you get used to running.

Google APFT standards and look up what the standards are for your age and gender so you know what will be expected of you once you get out of BCT. Work on meeting and exceeding those standards before getting there.

Like Rocklion said, it's a mental mental game with a lot of physical work. It might sound intimidating, but the time goes by so fast.

As far as jobs go, the best advice I can give you regardless of what branch you choose is to study for the ASVAB. The higher you score the more job choices you will have. You can get study guides on Amazon.

I know this topic has been inactive, but I hope I can reactivate it? Anyway… hi. My #1 goal is to be able to finally join the military next year, around this time. I have wanted to for YEARS but never motivated myself enough to get off my butt and work for it. Now I am, and that inspiration has kept me going for over 46 days. I am ready and willing, and driven to succeed. I have a ways to go but I am already doing well and I won't give up this time.

I am doing good with cardio but I REALLY need to start running, weight/strength training, and a lot more. I wanted to get a trainer for some of that but I don't have the $$$$ right now. Been looking into doing a 5K… would that be a good idea, since I'm such a beginner?

A few years ago I was in touch with a Navy recruiter that was willing to help me, but I lost touch with him and don't have his contact info anymore. An Army recruiter visited my house once too but I didn't get to speak to them. I'm probably going to look into that again. I am primarily considering Navy and Army, but who knows… if I can get my PT into proper shape, we'll see.

I have a lot more to say and more questions too, but I will hold off until I know if this post can be reactivated or if a new version is needed.

Go ahead and add me! I'm active duty Air Force, and let me tell you that the focus on fitness will not stop after basic training. Some people can be kicked out for two bad PT tests, so we've got to support each other! I've always been a chubby, non-athletic kid and adult, but I made it under the maximum weight, so you can too! Also I have a cousin in your shoes, she's losing weight to join the Air Force too. If you have a good recruiter (mine was FANTASTIC), they should do some kind of workout with you at least once a week. The recruiters will engage with you as much as you do them, typically.

Yeah, that was the rule when I got out, but we had a guy in my shop that failed once and got his promotion to MSgt denied. He was so pissed because that's exactly what they would do for drunk driving, and failing a PT test and drunk driving aren't exactly similar.

I am sorry...I have to poke my 2 cents in right here as this is one thing that pisses me off more than anything at my command. You guys go into the military knowing there are weight and body standards. You sign contracts stating that you will abide by the rules and regulations set forth for your respective service. That MSgt who got his promotion denied for failing a PT test....good! That is how it should be. You are taught it in boot camp, you are told about it your entire military career...it isn't like it is some shock that you have to pass a set of standards.

---

OP....what do you want to do for a career? Because honestly...that is what you should base your desicion on. Do you want to go into a medical career? Are you wanting to do a communications job? Maybe electronics? Etc.... Do you want to see a lot of the world? Do you like the water? Do you want the choice to stay in the states or go over seas (Coast Guard you have a choice actually)? Would you like to go over seas for a long period of time (AF or Army will be a better choice then)? All kinds of questions to think about and answer.

My 3 cents-you don't make standards you don't get promoted-pretty simple- the way it should be. It is the Military. I think a few Police Departments I know need to do the same thing. The guy that did not make MSGT had to be in for over 10 years to have a shot at that rank so he had a long time to think about it.

And to one of the posters above I can't figure out how the Air Force made you fat ?

Go ahead and add me! I'm active duty Air Force, and let me tell you that the focus on fitness will not stop after basic training. Some people can be kicked out for two bad PT tests, so we've got to support each other! I've always been a chubby, non-athletic kid and adult, but I made it under the maximum weight, so you can too! Also I have a cousin in your shoes, she's losing weight to join the Air Force too. If you have a good recruiter (mine was FANTASTIC), they should do some kind of workout with you at least once a week. The recruiters will engage with you as much as you do them, typically.

Yeah, that was the rule when I got out, but we had a guy in my shop that failed once and got his promotion to MSgt denied. He was so pissed because that's exactly what they would do for drunk driving, and failing a PT test and drunk driving aren't exactly similar.

I am sorry...I have to poke my 2 cents in right here as this is one thing that pisses me off more than anything at my command. You guys go into the military knowing there are weight and body standards. You sign contracts stating that you will abide by the rules and regulations set forth for your respective service. That MSgt who got his promotion denied for failing a PT test....good! That is how it should be. You are taught it in boot camp, you are told about it your entire military career...it isn't like it is some shock that you have to pass a set of standards.

---

OP....what do you want to do for a career? Because honestly...that is what you should base your desicion on. Do you want to go into a medical career? Are you wanting to do a communications job? Maybe electronics? Etc.... Do you want to see a lot of the world? Do you like the water? Do you want the choice to stay in the states or go over seas (Coast Guard you have a choice actually)? Would you like to go over seas for a long period of time (AF or Army will be a better choice then)? All kinds of questions to think about and answer.

Actually, the standards changed the year after I got in. There were no weight and measurement requirements other than passing your run, pushups, and situps. So yeah, a lot of folks that had been in a long time ended up failing and missing promotions. Do I feel sorry for him though? No, not really. I do think it's ridiculous to equate a punishment for failing a test to that of a DUI. That was my only point.