Update of enlistment.

[Willy_P]

Evening Rangers,

I figured I would update with my situation. I've obtained the green light from my parents, working with a recruiter now. I had a good chat with him today. I'm pursuing a 68W/opt40 contract, he placed a 68w/opt4 in front of me. I declined. I simply stated that I would sign as soon as the contract said what I wanted. He then placed 11B/Opt40 in front of me, yet again..declined. He was on a rant about how these contracts never open up, my response "I'm young, I can wait." Guess this pissed him off and put a fire under his ass, as he said he'd talk to his Sergeant Major. As of right now, I guess I'm playing the waiting game. Will update further as soon as I get more information.

[rgrwest]

OK, for you smart guys, what is OPT/4?

[Willy_P]

Sorry Ranger Rgrwest, Option 4 is just Airborne training.

[rgrwest]

Sorry Ranger Rgrwest, Option 4 is just Airborne training.

Thanks Don't be sorry, I just didn't remember what it was.

Hooah, hold to your guns, and wait for your OPT 40!

[Willy_P]

Yes sir, Ranger Rgrwest. I view it as MY 4 years, not theirs. I realize these contracts are sparingly given out, but I'm just as good of a candidate as anyone else. Another thing he said that was in contradiction was that he has students coming out of our area college that have scored 85's on the ASVAB, but can't get these contracts.. I then asked if it would benefit me to retake it, as I could score higher. All he said then was that I was qualified and there was no need for that, which made me question where he was trying to go with the higher scorers information.

[rgrwest]

He is just trying to fill slots. That is a scare tactic to let you think that more worthy people are not getting the slots, so you should take what he can get you. Just hold your ground and next time he pushes you tell him you are going to see the Marines. He will se what he can do...no Army Recruiter wants to lose a potential candidate to the Corps.

RLTW!

[Willy_P]

Oh I did, except it was a Seal contract, not the Marines . Thank you, Ranger Rgrwest.

[Ranger Bill]

Hold firm.

[Jim]

Don't settle for less than what you want. Never, never quit!!!

[Willy_P]

Will do Ranger Bill and Ranger Jim, thank you. He came again today, same contracts, blah blah. Told me yesterday that there were 134 68W spots open, today there were 32. He acts like its a contract that NEVER comes up. I would like to sign before I'm out of high school, though.

[Ranger Ron]

You have already got the best advise. Don't sign any contract unless it has EXACTLY what you want and then NEVER QUIT!

[Willy_P]

Thank you Ranger RangerRon, spoken words don't mean anything when they come from a recruiter.

[Willy_P]

Good evening Rangers, I am back to once again update with my status and how the recruitment process is going. Further into my research, I believe the MOS of 11B would suit me better. I told my recruiter of this and he went "hard at work" digging me up an 11x/opt40 contract. This was around a 2 month dilemma. The parent signatures are the only thing standing in the way, with my mother at the helm of this. I respect her decisions in her being ardently against signing a contract for me becoming an Infantryman. Regardless of telling him this, he reserved the slot (I have no idea why). I told him that waiting until I am 18 would be the best thing, which will happen in April. Receiving this contract just proves to me that its not too complex to get, its just being hard nosed and waiting the recruiter out. I sit here with the "reservation" sheet in my hand, and I would like to ask a little about it.

The contract has an option 502, which says is the US Army Senior Delayed Ship Bonus. The recruiter told me this is where my signing bonus of $800 dollars came from. He basically stated that signing bonuses were out the window for this job at the moment. I'm satisfied solely with the opportunity to be awarded the contract itself, so a signing bonus is just that, a bonus. But where I question this is, not getting screwed out of anything because of the recruiter. Are signing bonuses currently at a low on the scale?

[Ranger Bill]

Bonuses come and go and rise and fall depending on the Army meeting its recruitment goals. It also varies depending on the job you enlist for. Generally, there is no shortage of young men wanting to be Rangers, so the bonuses have traditionally been on the low side for Option 40 contracts.

[Oto-Man]

If you want to be a Ranger (read serve in a Ranger Batt.), 11x opt40 will get you there. Bonus, no bonus, who cares...you get Ranger Guaranteed in your contract...When I signed up, I missed the fact that I could also have my college loan paid...I just didn't see the check box..but I got what I wanted (there was just more waiting for me that I didn't see )...opt 40 is the current guarantee to the Ranger Batts. (assuming you make the grade, of course). Take nothing less, and you will get the path you want.