Army Enlistment Dos and Donts?

[Martin M]

hey there Guys
i want to enlist as a 09L soldier,so what are the main things to do (i,e Active Duty,enlistment bonus etc)?what else can you tell me about the enlistment process?
Come Guys,i need some answers
Regards

[Spc_Sampang]

its easy just talk to a recruiter bonuses dpends on ur test scores ones ur done with ur asvab and stuff thats when ull get what bonuses u qualify for.and try to go to a recruiter with a buddy

[Jordan]

The scoop on the 09L. You need to be a native speaker, or you can kiss your bonus good-bye because the odds are that you will be re-classed into an MOS that is not 09L, but something more like 13B. The only way that you can become an interpreter is if you can fluently speak the language, and the 9-week(?) school is NOT going to get you fluent. The next thing they will have you do is go to school for something that the Army is lacking.... Explosives Ordinance Disposal... front-line Infantry....

Consider another MOS.

If you are still interested, the Army is a good place to spend some time. It helps one grow and mature into a better person. And there are other benefits, like the money that they give you to go to college both while you are in and when you have gotten out.

If you are internet swavy, I would say to you to do research on the MOS that you want, as well as a few back-up MOS's. When I enlisted I wanted to be a Dental Specialist, which weren't being accepted at the time, so I accepted a slot as an Automated Logistic Specialist (92a) right before the signing. Know this: the recruiter can tell you if there are slots (openings) for your MOS. I guarantee that there are slots for 09L, but getting through the school is going to be very hard, unless you are very smart and have a GT score on your ASVAB of more than 130.

The ASVAB.
This is a test you will take. It is similar to the SAT or the ACT. It tells the military what your general mental capacity is. The thing about the ASVAB that distinguishes it from the SAT and whatnot is that it counts your scores for your abilities in military areas that are grouped together. For example, it gives you a score for how smart you are in technology, mechanics, administration, and general thought. There are a few other areas that are tested for, but they slip my mind.
The main score counted it the GT score on your ASVAB test. If you get over 110, you can get accepted for most any MOS.

Also, don't be on drugs.
Don't drink the night before the actualy enlisting.

The toughest part will be the paperwork (probably online now).... The tracking down stuff for your clearance. Clearance is a big thing, especially for a 09L. They will need to know everywhere you have lived, who and where all your immediate relatives live. They will also need to know who people are that knew you from each of the places you have ever lived (whether it was you lived at a place for a month or a year).

But do not be discouraged! If you feel the calling, and even if you don't! The Army is a good place. I had the best years of my life in the Army. There were times that were tough, but in the end, I was a much better person.

Hope that helped.