“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free . . . it expects what never was and never will be.”
—Thomas Jefferson
I have been fielding calls and emails from people all over the country since the printing of the first edition of this book.
“Which branch of service is best for me?”
“What does it mean when you say . . . ”
“Can I do so-and-so in the military?”
It did not take long before I started hearing and reading many of the same questions—over and over again. These are important questions, and they are obviously on the minds of many people about to enter basic training.
As a result, I decided to include in this book some of the most commonly asked questions about basic training or joining the military.
Q: Are Drill Sergeants allowed to hit you?
A: Drill Sergeants look and act intimidating. However, they are not allowed to physically harm you. This is a common misconception as many movies depict a Drill Sergeant physically striking a recruit. Previously, Drill Sergeants were allowed to hit a recruit, now they are not. When you get to basic training a senior official will address the recruits on this topic and give you the means to anonymously report such actions should you witness this behavior.
Q: What is the general difference between the branches of service?
A: For most people, deciding which branch of service to join isn’t difficult. Perhaps you come from a family with a long tradition of joining the Marines, or you would like to follow in father’s footsteps and join the Navy.
Military family tradition is certainly well acknowledged in American society. However, each person is different. Based on your particular interests and qualifications, you may be better suited for a particular branch of service no one else in your family has considered. Remember, joining the military isn’t like applying for a job: you can’t just quit if you don’t like it. You are signing a contract and taking an oath. Make your decision based on your interests and do what will make you happy. The military is not a good place to be miserable.
Here is a brief synopsis on the various military service branches:
Marines: For all intents and purposes, Marines are considered riflemen first. In basic training, they receive more marksmanship training than any other branch of service. Also, Marine basic training is longer than the other branches. The Marines have an incredible ability to convert their dollar power into combat power, as they do not have a big budget like the Air Force. So, in summary, if you are joining the military to be in on the action, to be on the front lines, and to shoot your weapon, the Marines might be the best choice for you.
Army: The Army has the second most intense basic training regimen (after the Marines). Three of the ten weeks of basic training are devoted to marksmanship. Soldiers in the Army have the ability to lead or defend against an assault. In the Army, a soldier can pick from literally hundreds of MOS’s (Military Occupational Specialties). The training you receive from your MOS often transfers well into civilian jobs.
Navy: The Navy, although more lax than the Marines and Army regarding marksmanship, is deep rooted with traditions and customs. If you like to travel, the Navy might be your best option. If you are a family man, you might want to consider the time you’ll spend away from your family should you join the Navy. On the other hand, if you’re single, the Navy can be a terrific opportunity for you to explore other countries and cultures.
Air Force: The Air Force is certainly an impressive compilation of machinery and technology. If you are interested in computers and electronics, you might want to consider the Air Force. The Air Force has the best housing units of all the other branches. As far as educational requirements, the Air Force is the most difficult to get into. Without a high school diploma, your chances of getting into the Air Force are slim.
Coast Guard: The Coast Guard is a branch of service that sometimes goes unnoticed. The Coast Guard has about 25 enlisted jobs to choose from. Their responsibilities are vast, ranging from search and rescue missions, maritime law enforcement, and even environmental protection. To join the Coast Guard, you will need a high school diploma. Basic training in the Coast Guard takes eight weeks to complete.
Q: I have heard that many people get sick in basic training. Is this true?
A: Oddly enough, it is nearly inevitable that you will be ill during a portion of basic training. Whether it’s a head cold or a sore throat you will most likely not be at your physical best in boot camp. Just expect this to be the case and you will be less frustrated with your condition.
Why? Basic training is too crowded and too fast paced for your body to get enough rest. Your body will be stressed for a long period of time, and this will break down your immune system. I had such a bad sore throat at boot camp, I was unable to swallow sometimes when I woke up. Further aggravating the sore throat was the Drill Sergeant’s relentless obsession with having us recruits yell everything at the top of our lungs. To reduce your chances of getting sick, drink a lot of water (I mean many glasses each day) and always wash your hands before you eat. Often you will be eating in the field, so always carry a wet napkin in your pocket.
Q: What is the meaning of HUA, or HOOAH?
A: This is one of the most widely used military acronyms of all times, and yet no one can agree on its spelling, origin, or even on its meaning. Undoubtedly it will be the first acronym you will hear as you arrive at basic training. You will hear thousands of new soldiers utter the acronym, whisper it, shout it, and even sing it. But what exactly does it mean?
I have scoured the Internet, referenced books, and asked military scholars. Only one conclusion has come from my research: there is no known origin for the meaning of “hooah.” There are many opinions, but there is no single definitive answer.
Urbandictionary.com claims the term “hooah” was originally used by the British in the late 1800s in Afghanistan, and was more recently adopted by the United States Army to indicate an affirmative or a pleased response. Many books call “huah” an “all-purpose” expression. Perhaps the broadest definition I have come across in my research might very well be the best, and even most comical, definition. According to the Department of Military Science and Leadership, University of Tennessee, Hooah “refers to or means anything except no.”
So while military experts and personnel disagree on the term, spelling, origin, and meaning of HUA, huah, hooah, etc., it is widely used throughout the military. Regardless of its meaning, a common aspect encompasses each of the definitions for this term. The term is an expression of high morale, confidence, motivation, and spirit.
Q: What is the ASVAB?
A: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multi-aptitude test maintained by the Department of Defense that tests four areas: Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge. Your scores determine how you qualify for certain Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). For more information, and even free practice tests, go to Military.com/ASVAB. The online practice tests at Military.com are a bit harder than the actual ASVAB. So, if you do well taking the free online tests, don’t worry too much about the real ASVAB.
Q: Can I choose my job specialty after basic training?
A: This depends on the branch of service you enter. Your job specialty is called by a different term for each branch. These terms are listed below:
Army: Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Navy: Ratings, then further categorized by Communities
Marines: MOS, then further categorized by Occupational Fields
Air Force: Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs)
Coast Guard: Ratings, then further categorized by Communities
Each branch of service has a different policy toward guaranteeing requested job training. For example, in the Army if the MOS you desire is available, you can certainly enroll. However, if the job you desire isn’t available, you can enlist in the Delayed Enlistment Program. The Delayed Enlistment Program is an agreement to enter basic training at a specific time in the future, when the MOS you desire is available. You must qualify for the MOS you select, and you do so by scoring at a certain level on the ASVAB. I would recommend discussing this topic with your recruiter. Do not, and I repeat, do not sign-up for a job specialty you are not interested in. On occasion the military may need recruits to fill slots for a certain job specialty. To do this, they will increase the bonus and/or benefits to entice recruits to fill these open spots. Remember, this will be your job and the most important factor when making this decision is that you should enjoy your chosen specialty. We are fortunate to live in a social media world now where everyone is connected. Feel free to log onto Facebook and search for someone who works in a job specialty you’re interested in. Ask questions and do proper research before making such a big decision.
Q: What qualifications are there to join the Military?
A: Every military branch requires the following: