Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 5/21/2009

Question

I am thinking about joning but I don't won't to get in and find out that I'm
Getting screwed. So what are same thing I should do to mack sher that dasent happen

Answer
Dear Matthew --

I cannot help you with this question because each individual is offered bonuses, job specialties or accelerated rank based on what skills they bring to the military and what skills the military needs at that moment.  Just because another Soldier was offered a bonus and accepted it, doesn't mean you would have been eligible for the same bonus.

Since you obviously have difficulty with basic English and spelling (unless you are faking that lack of skill for some reason), you are not likely to be offered a special interest bonus. Unless you have a hard technical skill that will compensate for your lack of ability to communicate in a standard manner, you will be offered the minimum enlistment options.

To be eligible for the best options, it is best if you graduate from high school with good grades, be physically fit, and have some means of demonstrating leadership potential, such as volunteer work, or boy scouts.  You will also need to do extremely well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).  This is a standardized test that predicts your likelihood of success in various military occupational specialties, MOS (job series).

Finally, if you do decide to join, read your contract thoroughly before signing.  Unfortunately, some recruiters will tell recruits one thing, show them a draft contract with all the good bonus offers in it, but then give them a reduced bonus contract to sign when the recruit is under duress at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).  Many recruits sign the bogus contract, and then are stuck serving in the military without getting the monetary bonuses or training they thought they had negotiated with their recruiter.

Good luck to you.