My son spoke with an Army Recruiter?

Question

I was wondering how all of this works, He spoke with a recruiter, took some sort of test, chose his field and now goes for some other type of test plus a physical tomorrow. At this point is it a done deal? What could get in his way? Will he come home with a date and time to head to Fort Benning...which is where they said he would go.

He is a very strong, very healthy 22 year old, they already took his diploma,SS card, did a background check, Im not sure what he signed but he said he signed something. Now, since there are so many army smart people out there can you tell me what you know about Air Borne Infantry

Answer 1

I noticed a lot of people throwing the word ASVAB at you. Let me help. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It is a test that determines what military jobs your son is qualified for. Also, in the military, your job is called your MOS, or Military Occupational Specialty. Army infantry is, I believe 11B. It is true, you want to get any promises from the recruiter in writing. This will help in case of a breach of contract. Now, Airborne. I was Airborne in the Marines, but jump school is Ft. Benning. Soldiers who are Airborne have a certain amount of respect among other non-airborne(legs we like to call them!) personnel. The training is hard, but if he is determined, he will be fine. Tell him it's mind over matter. If he doesn't mind, it won't matter!! I hope this helps and feel free to contact me through my 360 page. If I don't know an answer, I may be able to put you in touch with someone who does.

Answer 2

It's not a done deal until he signs the contract and swears the Oath of Enlistment. He can back out at any point until he signs on the dotted line. (Not really a dotted line, just a signature line on DD Form 4)

The test he took is called the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). The highest score possible is a 99. His scores will determine what MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) he is allowed to choose. Since your son sounds intelligent and healthy, he can probably choose any MOS he wants.

The tests he's going to take are extremely varied. A UA (urine analysis) to check for drugs, a vision test, a blood test, a hearing test, and something we lovingly refer to as "The Underwear Olympics" where you strip to your boxers and do all sorts of weird motions to prove that you have full mobility and balance. Oh, I can't forget the test to check for bleeding hemorrhoids. Thats a fun one... ;)

If they haven't found anything at this point to disqualify him from service they likely won't before he swears in. If they do find something wrong, anything and everything can be cleared with waiver, although the paperwork can take a few months to process.

He should get a date for Benning before he signs his contract.

Airborne Infantry is highly trained and specialized infantry. There are more commonly known as paratroopers. Airborne School is a 3 week course in which he will learn to jump out of perfectly good airplanes.

Edit: He probably had to go 11X to get the Airborne slot. If for some reason he can't pass Airborne School (ankle injuries are very common) he will be assigned to a regular infantry unit as an 11B.

Answer 3

you got alot of answers so I'll fill u in on what didn't get mentioned. He has no actual obligation, and can legally back out up untill the day that he actually ships out for basic training. Thats a big secret the recruiter will keep from you and will probably deny being true, but it is. If he passes his asvab and physical he'll come home with a date. Thats a tactic recruiters sometimes use, just get them to meps and in a high pressure situation and they feel almost obligated to enlist. He'll only go to benning if he's infantry although the do send a small amount of other guys there for basic. God Bless

Answer 4

He probably took a practice ASVAB. Here's what he should do: take the actual ASVAB completely separate from the physical. That way, he can discuss his MOS options without the influence of the MEPs liaisons. They have goals to meet just like recruiters, and they're different. If he scores above a 70 on the ASVAB, he can do whatever he wants, assuming his background is clean, regardless of what anyone else says. If he's already done all that, good on him.

And not everyone who goes to Benning is in the infantry. I know intel guys that went to Benning for basic.

If he goes to MEPS tomorrow, and signs anything, he'll come back with a ship date.

Answer 5

It depends, When I went thru the process in 2000, I took the initial test, then a couple day's latter went back for the physical, at this point if everything looks good they'll have him talk to another person on his potential jobs, watch a video on them if wanted, etc... They will also be sworn in that day and get the date of Bootcamp, My mother called the recruiter and ended up showing up for the swear in process, everything else is kept between your son and the Army or other service

Answer 6

When he does his physical and he passes, then it's pretty much a done deal. After the tests involved with the physical (including an STD test...some do it, some don't), all he has to do from then on out is paperwork, and he'll be gone sooner than you know it.....unless something happens.

He wont come home with a date and time instantly, those take time. When most of his paperwork is finished and his has been sworn in, soon after he will get his date and time.

Answer 7

Once he is good to go with his physical, then its off to go sign some more paperwork. And once he says his oath, thats it. He's in and yes after saying his oath and all that HE WILL COME HOME WITH A DATE AND TIME to take off for basic. At least thats how it happened to me. He'll do basic and AIT there in benning. The only thing from there on out that could get in his way is him. If he cant pass the demanding tasks of the airborne infantry.

Answer 8

Well your son probably took the ASVAB if not the practice ASVAB to identify his smarts along with his strengths and weaknesses in thinking. When he goes for his physical they will look for any physical defect or drug use that would prevent him from being a good soldier. When he comes back MEPS (medical exam) he will have gotten his job, signing bonus amount, and boot camp date all locked away.

Answer 9

yikes! he's going into infantry. he'll need to pass a physical before he enlists. he'll also have to swear in. they'll try to get him to as soon as he passes all of the tests. so there's a good possibility that he'll come home with a date. the army is wonderful, though. if he wants to be in the military, the army is the best. my fiance's in the army. he's been to iraq once already and will be going shortly after our wedding. but they take great care of their soldiers. they've got a million programs for the families and everything. i whole-heartedly support the army and all of our soldiers. thank your son for me. he's doing a great thing. be proud of him!

Answer 10

He has to pass his physical, backround check, and aptitude test, then he has to sign an agreement saying he will serve for four years. Then he gets shipped off to Fort Benning for basic training, and then on to specialized training in his field.