I have a slightly random question about enlisting...

birdie1020 · October 2011

Hi there! First off, I love lurking on this board. You guys are a great group and you keep me entertained

So I was wondering if any of you knew what the average time between getting in contact with a recruiter for the first time and, let's say, leaving for boot camp/basic training is. I ask out of pure curiosity -- my fiance decided he wanted to join the military in January, and will most likely be leaving for basic in late April of next year (he was supposed to swear in/confirm all this on Monday, but the Army's computers were down all day Monday AND today, and he's now spending his third night in a hotel hoping that the job he reserved is still available... but that's a whole other story!). That's quite a long time to me!

I know part of the reason it's taken him so long is that he was trying to decide between branches for various reasons (it was the Marines originally -- I actually posted a few times on here about it back in March or May of this year, I think), but I'm just curious to know what other people's experiences have been. Anyone want to satisfy that curiosity?

ETA: Edited the title because I'm a compulsive English major like that.

amh04 · October 2011

I think it depends on the needs of the branch - and the rate (job) he is wanting to go into.

I would imagine someone with Army background would know better than I would tho.

Edit: Because I reread OP's post.

SamiJoeB · October 2011

I enlisted in September, but didn't go to boot until the following July. It just depends really on the branch and his job. Plus, with the less than ideal economy, soo many people are trying to enlist so now the Military can afford to be picky. Best of luck to your FI!! Hopefully he gets sworn in and all soon!!

shayNnik · October 2011

I signed up December of 03 and left in August 04. Like PPs said, it really depends on the job. I was waiting forever for Air Traffic Control and after 6 months, I found out it was going to be another 6-8 before I could get in for that so I switched, then still had to wait another few months to get the second choice. Good Luck!

iluvmytxrgr · October 2011

Like everyone else said, it depends on the job he is wanting and the availablility. I shipped out with in two weeks of walking into the recruiters office back in '05. Things are a bit different now.
Tell your FI not to take any job because they offer it to him. If they tell him the job he wants isn't available, he can walk out and come back later. Don't take any job because they tell him to.

firsttimersluck · October 2011

H took a full year from recruiter to OCS (I realize that's not enlisting, but it's still "getting in" ).
It really depends on the branch, the economy, what the military wants from you, etc. I think it NOW ranges anywhere between 3 months and over a year.. (of course I said "now" because I know a few people from both ends of the spectrum, and like iluvmyt mentioned, it look 2 weeks back in the day

tehehehe )

birdie1020 · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_slightly-random-question-enlisting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:a7d9d76c-9b4b-42b9-ba31-684fb035df80Post:707f37e7-f716-41a6-a229-8fadeafc1e9e">Re: I have a slightly random question about enlisting...</a>:
[QUOTE]Like everyone else said, it depends on the job he is wanting and the availablility. I shipped out with in two weeks of walking into the recruiters office back in '05. Things are a bit different now. <strong>Tell your FI not to take any job because they offer it to him. If they tell him the job he wants isn't available, he can walk out and come back later. Don't take any job because they tell him to. </strong>
Posted by iluvmytxrgr[/QUOTE]

<div>Don't worry -- that's part of the reason this has taken so long! He's been very firm from the beginning about getting what he wants (within reason, of course).</div><div>
</div><div>ShayNnik -- That's almost exactly what happened to my fiance! He wanted to do the band with the Marines, but it became clear after about 6 months that it was just a waiting game he wasn't going to win, so he tried band with the Army... which turned into another waiting game. Then it was down to two or three MOSs within intelligence, and he had reserved a job as an intelligence analyst, but that reservation expired Monday when the Army's computer system crashed. Oy vey. Here's hoping it's still open when he tries again tomorrow!</div><div>
</div><div>Thanks for the good wishes and for satisfying my curiosity, everyone! I'm sure he'll be happy to know that it's not his fault or anything that it's taken so long (he was feeling a little guilty on that score). I'm proud of him for sticking it out, and it'll all work out in the end, and that's all that matters!</div>

CAB1217 · October 2011

We're still waiting to see when my FI is getting in unfortunately. It's been about a year now, but he's waiting on a scholarship,so I'm sure this is part of the reason the wait has been so long. Good luck! Wow, another local to me! I'm happy to see more So Cal people coming around here!

birdie1020 · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_slightly-random-question-enlisting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:a7d9d76c-9b4b-42b9-ba31-684fb035df80Post:82d69d00-1fc0-4376-99db-150d8e836e4e">Re: I have a slightly random question about enlisting...</a>:
[QUOTE]We're still waiting to see when my FI is getting in unfortunately. It's been about a year now, but he's waiting on a scholarship,so I'm sure this is part of the reason the wait has been so long. Good luck! <strong>Wow, another local to me! I'm happy to see more So Cal people coming around here! :)</strong>
Posted by CAB1217[/QUOTE]

<div>I was so happy when I noticed you, too! Sadly, I no longer live in Orange County, but it will always be home to me. My family, including my fiance, are still out there, so I go back as often as I can, and we're definitely having the wedding out there. I miss In 'n' Out like nobody's business now that I live on the east coast! Best of luck to your fiance on getting in!!</div>

firemedicrr · October 2011

Haha, my FI and his stepdad both are CRAZY about In N' Out. When we were in Cal for his family reunion (on the way to Tahoe) they made us go to In N' Out, because FI and his dad said "You have to experience this burger".... It was pretty good, haha.

I thought it's cool that on the bottom of the cup on the inside lip it says "John 3:16"

Sorry, I have nothing to add to the OP since my FI has been in for years.

CAB1217 · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_slightly-random-question-enlisting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:a7d9d76c-9b4b-42b9-ba31-684fb035df80Post:994bef86-79c7-48d9-8f61-312aed0d655b">Re: I have a slightly random question about enlisting...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I have a slightly random question about enlisting... : I was so happy when I noticed you, too! Sadly, I no longer live in Orange County, but it will always be home to me. My family, including my fiance, are still out there, so I go back as often as I can, and we're definitely having the wedding out there. I miss In 'n' Out like nobody's business now that I live on the east coast! Best of luck to your fiance on getting in!!
Posted by birdie1020[/QUOTE]

I will be soooo sad the day I move away from an In n Out! :)

picnic2012 · October 2011

My fiancee joined the Army like end of June and he's leaving for BCT and AIT in early Feb, So it was about 6 months for him. He really wanted to go to training right away too. But its been good for him to wait, he's been working out and brushing up on his training alot. So he's going to be really prepared when he goes.

birdie1020 · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_slightly-random-question-enlisting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:a7d9d76c-9b4b-42b9-ba31-684fb035df80Post:399330b5-a9b5-40d9-a6a8-1f06b06c67d8">Re: I have a slightly random question about enlisting...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I have a slightly random question about enlisting... : I will be soooo sad the day I move away from an In n Out! :)
Posted by CAB1217[/QUOTE]

I swear, there's drugs in the burgers. It's the only explanation of how addictive it is. Now I'm making myself want one, which is no good because I won't get it until December!

kmmssg · October 2011

I'm not a recruiter but I do work in the recruiting command. When a training seat is available is what drives the train here. Basic Training classes start all the time, but the MOS school may not have a training seat for another 5 months. They would put you in the Basic training that would end closest to the start date of the MOS school. If there are no dates for a few months you won't be going to basic for a few months.

Some MOS schools are really long or really popular. Those are the ones that usually have a longer wait time.

calindi · October 2011

I loooove In 'n Out! I'm sad they didn't expand out of California, but it's good for California tourism

My FI first spoke to the OSO in December, spent the spring prepping his paperwork and applying (it was the JAG program, so it was a bit complicated - he had to submit his acceptance to law school with his application, along with his PFT scores and recommendations and such). He finally heard for sure early April and he left the end of May.

The OSO or recruiter would have a better idea as to the timeline based on current demand and recent applicants. Good luck!

ETA: He's a Marine.

lmarsh90 · October 2011

as many PPs have said it depends on job and branch. i only waited 3 weeks when i joined but that was also 3 yrs ago and not with the army, the few friends i have that are in the army generally waited about 4 months. regarding recruited saying that they dont have a job oper; that typically isnt the case, more often than not they are trying to make quota so they will used that to try and deter a potential member for pursuing that and to fill the spot of a job that they know are low on numbers, or at least that is what i have seen with the Corps

birdie1020 · October 2011

Thanks for the info, everyone! It was pretty much what my fiance has been telling me, but I wanted to hear what some individual experiences had been.

I am happy to say that my fiance just texted me to tell me that he was able to re-select the job he wanted when the computers came back up, and that he is now officially sworn in! Now he just has to find something to do with himself (besides continuing to get in good shape, and all that!) between now and April!

kara811 · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_slightly-random-question-enlisting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:a7d9d76c-9b4b-42b9-ba31-684fb035df80Post:399330b5-a9b5-40d9-a6a8-1f06b06c67d8">Re: I have a slightly random question about enlisting...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I have a slightly random question about enlisting... : I will be soooo sad the day I move away from an In n Out! :)
Posted by CAB1217[/QUOTE]

<div>I know I'm late to this thread, but this is so true!!!! I miss SoCal so much not only for this reason but for a lot of other things like friends and family. H and I visited a couple days on our roadtrip to VA. We had to get In n Out of course! Thankfully when I moved to Vegas, In n Out opened up there too so I still got to have it, but now that we're in VA, I am so sad that it will be so long before H and I can have it again. I wish they would franchise, because H and I would totally want to open our own branch! We've talked about it so many time too! Haha</div><div>
</div><div>Btw, White Castle may be good, but it doesn't come close to In n Out AT ALL. </div>

CAB1217 · October 2011

To you In n Out lovers... have you tried Five Guys?!? OMG!!!!!!

SamiJoeB · October 2011

I've never had In N Out, but I've had 5 guys and I looooovveed it!! We used to smuggle it back to the boat with us when I was on the Carl Vinson. We would order and eat there, and then order something to go and heat it up in the ready room! Good times!!

kara811 · October 2011

We have yet to try Five Guys, but we have been hearing so many good things about it! They have them out here, so H and I will definitely have to try it one of these days!

calindi · October 2011

I hate Five Guys. Really hate. I like Shake Shack, though.

birdie1020 · October 2011

Five Guys is definitely my second favorite fast food burger, and what I usually turn to when I'm craving In N Out, but the fries are sorely lacking in comparison (at least in my opinion).

Apparently they opened a Five Guys right next to an In N Out by the UCSD campus, and on the first day there was a huge line of people waiting to try it... and by the next day everyone was going back to the In N Out

I think that and my story about being in a movie theater when an earthquake happened and watching everyone shrug and go back to the movie are my two favorite Southern California stories!

Edited: Because of my compulsive need to clarify my sentences. Blame my senior thesis.

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