On the way...

Yesterday morning I met my recruiter at the station for a weigh-in/check-in. Once a week until I leave for Boot Camp, I have to call my recruiter to check-in just to make sure i am still alive I guess. Once a month, I have to go in for a 'weigh-in' since I didn't meet weight at MEPS when i signed just to make sure I am losing and on the right track before I leave for Basic.

As of yesterday morning, I have 5 POUNDS to lose!!!! Then I will be ready to ship for Basic Training. This is some great progress.

MEPS

I went to MEPS on 22Feb2010. First thing I had to do was take the ASVAB. I got a descent score which I believe was a 65. Then, I went to medical and was cleared. Although I didn't meet the weight requirement, I did meet tape. So, I have about 8 more pounds to lose. Then I went to pick my job. They offered me several jobs based on my scores from the ASVAB but none were appealing. I asked for paralegal and they had it available. Then I went and took the oath. It was an awesome feeling. I signed and put my fingerprint on everything and then I was ready to leave.

Details are as follows:
Ship to Basic Training on 01Jun2010 Fort Sill, OK
Ship to AIT on 16Aug2010 Fort Jackson, SC
Signed for 4 years
Job: 27D, Paralegal Specialist
Signed as an E3-PFC

Why I Joined the Army

I was on my way to work at my second job when I got to thinking "I am going to be 25 this year". I am turning 25 this year and I feel like I haven't accomplished a thing. I don't own my house or my car, I work 2 jobs to make ends meet, I am not married nor do I have kids and I never finished college. So, within about 15 minutes of being bombarded with these thoughts, I decided to look into the Army.

I called Tony, my little brother, who is in the Army and asked him lots and lots of questions. He put me in touch with a Recruiter and by that Tuesday, I had an appointment set. At my first appointment with the recruiter, he had already picked the date when we would go to MEPS. The ball was rolling, fast.

The ultimate decision to join the Army was decided when I weighed my pro's and con's and the pro's looked a hell of a lot better than the con's. I will get training that I can take with me if I decide to ever leave the Army. I will have a sense of pride and accomplishment. I will be surrounded by people from all over and it gives me a chance to meet people, some just like me. Also, I can earn money to finish college once i decide what I want to go for. Also, the benefits and money are definitely a plus.

So, after much deliberation, I decided this was the best option for ME. I didn't want anyone to talk me out of it so I decided to keep it on the 'hush-hush' until after I walked out of the door of MEPS, knowing for sure that I was going to be a soldier.