Yes, I Joined the Army.

I started this blog so everyone can know what's going on while I'm in the Army. So I guess I'll start off by explaining why I chose the Army. I've spent the last year stretched really thin between working, school, and living on my own. It's becoming really difficult to pay for college, but I still want to continue my education. I also just wanted a change, some excitement. So I was at a cross roads in my life. I wanted new experiences and more education, with little money to do it. Then I thought of an option that will give me money for school and I'll get to travel around both the country and the world: the Army.

I first considered the Army when I was a senior in high school. What would be a good way to get money for college? Well ROTC of course. But, obviously, I didn't do that and I'm now struggling under the weight of private college loans. Oh Salli Mae! So when I first thought of joining the Army it wasn't totally out of the blue and I thought long and hard about it: researching online, reading blogs, self reflection; before I even talked to a recruiter. So I want everyone to understand that this is first and foremost my descision, not a last resort or something that was pushed onto me by some one else. I made this descision independently and I know that upset some people, but it was a big desicion that I needed to decide on for myself, free from the influence of my loved ones, because I knew that being without them would be the hardest part of my descision.

My journey into the Army first started with the descision to pursue it. I went to my recruiter with my mind already set on joining. First off, recruiters do sugar coat things. I won't say I was directly lied to, but I'll have a better opinion on that after I've actually been in the Army for a while. I went to my recruiter with the hopes of securing the job as a Public Relations Specialist, pretty much an Army Journalist. However, right from the beginning Sgt. Gary told me that the jobs are sparse because the Army is not lacking people willing to enlist. It makes sense. The economy has tanked and the Military is one of the few places still giving out jobs. I hoped for the job I wanted, but also looked for other jobs I'd be willing to take. After filling out a bunch of paper work and getting grilled by Sgt. Gary, I was signed up to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The ASVAB is a test that is like miltary's version of the ACT. It's a timed test designed to see how much you know about general subjects like math, English, and science, but also skills like electronics and mechanics. I am proud to say I scored really well. I got a 96 out of a possible 99, leaving my jobs options wide open. After the ASVAB came the physical. This was the part I was most nervous about. I was over the weight limit for my height according to Army standards. So a week before my physical I watched what I ate and worked out like I never had before. I managed to lose 9lbs in a week and weighed in comfortably under my maximum weight. They took blood, tested my hearing, made me do exercises in my underwear; pretty much the makings for a long day. But at the end of it I passed my physical and the next step was to look at what available jobs I qualified for.

I had two job options to choose from either be an electrician or a linguist. Linguist was on my list of things I wanted to do so I had my recruiter reserve it for me. After reserving the job, I had one week to sign with the Army or I would lose that job. I also had to take another test. This one, the Defense Language Aptitude Battery, would measure how capable I am of learning a new language. This test was crazy hard, but I managed to pass it with a decent score and qualify for my job.

After this I went and signed with the Army last Monday 4/25. It was mostly a lot if waiting around, but eventually I signed a contract and took an oath. The picture above was taken by my dad, who very paitently waited around all day, of me with the Lt who swore me in. I stood in a room with three guys and repeated an oath to defend the Cobstitution and to obey the orders of the President/Commanding Officers.

Now for logistics. No one needs to worry about not seeing me because I won't ship out to Basic Combat Training until October. Unfortunately, I'll be spending my 21st Birthday at Reception Week, where I'll be processed, issued uniforms, and shot full of immunizations. I'll be doing BCT at Fort Jackson, SC. I'll put a post on how to send me mail at BCT up later. I'll be able to make few phone calls while I'm there for 12 weeks. After BCT I'll be in CA for about a year at the Defense Language Institute learning a new language. After that it's up to the Army where I go, but I can bet it'll be a place I've never been before.

So looong post later, that's all I have to say. I'll be updating how I'm preparing for BCT all summer, but nothing too interesting until October. I just wanted to create this blog so my loved ones can stay informed and in touch every step of the way. Thank you so much to every one who is supporting my decision. It means a lot to me.

-Annie Rose Tarr
Future American Soldier