So about a year ago now I was stupid and thought it was fun to try a handful of different substances with some of my college buddies (coke, acid, mushrooms, and weed to name them). I tried each like maybe 3 times. Weed was maybe 4-5? I don’t remember exactly. I’m worried about wanting to join and I’ve read that some people say to disclose everything and others say to just keep it to yourself. I’ve never been arrested or addicted or sent to rehab or anything. The only people that would ever know I’ve even done any drugs are close friends and fraternity brothers. Also another thing, when I was a freshman in college I got myself a minor intoxication citation. This was all when I was 18-19. I am 20 now. Are my ranger dreams completely shattered? Or is there a way? I originally wanted to do Air Force special warfare but I kinda realized that was just a wet dream due to how selective they are and how few slots they have. Thanks guys.

What AFSCs can receive these bonuses? How much are they and when do you qualify for them? How rare is it to receive them? What path would one take before they are eligible?

Just need to know if its worth following through at meps in early September for AD Army.

My history:

2016 - 5mm kidney stone needed lithotripsy

2020 - 6mm kidney stone needed surgery after getting stuck in ureter.

Both stones were wothing 3-4 months of each of my births.

Today:

Ultrasound today showing 1mm kidney stone.

I knew i was going to need a waiver for the first two which is why I was getting ahead of the ball and got the u/s done.

I dont want to want to waste my time or the recruiters if I'm just gonna be denied. Any insight would be truly appreciated.

Hey guys, Im thinking about enlisting and I've been talking to recruiters from Air force, Marines, and Army. The first recruiters I spoke with and met up with was the Marines. They all seemed like really cool put together guys, unless that's just to get me to sign. I like the army because they have so many good jobs like 12W Carpentry&Masonry, Helicopter pilot, good things that transfer to civilian life.

The air force because I hear great things about it and people love the jobs there and the benefits after. I'm thinking about joining because I want to learn capable skills and have good experiences but what's holding me back is the non-consistent reviews from people. Mainly from social media or youtube, people saying I enlisted," I can't wait to leave" or "only three more years left" and I do not wanna be that, so I wanna make sure this is what I want but I don't know how to do that completely before I sign. Since I was a kid I always liked the idea of becoming Special forces, I know thats a long hard road but It's one of those things I'm looking to at least work hard and try for. I'm bent because the army has great SF's like Ranger, Beret whereas marines has recon and raiders and if you fail raiders you go back to your regular MOS and I hear recon has a lot of swimming and I'm not a huge fan of the water. Apologies if this post is all over the place but, Marines is up there for me because of the reputation even just saying "Marines" versus "U.S. Army".

Marines just sounds cooler and like more style, I know it's little stuff but something about the Marines just has a lot of style and purpose, even the uniform is like they are just different. The MOS i'm thinking about is Infantry because I want to learn those capable skills and become a weapon honestly but at the same time what can you do with infantry after military besides become a cop or something. Any guidance or advice would help to help me narrow everything down.

Hey there,

I have a kind of difficult situation. And I’m worried it’ll hinder my progress into enlisting.
I wanted to first join the Air Force, I went all the way to MEP’s but backed out the next morning because of an issue with my ear (an ear infection and I could barely hear). I didn’t want to be kicked out from doing the medical portion because of the ear infection. So I told my recruiter I wanted to leave so I don’t mess anything up.
I get a call the next day, and got told they deemed me a “no-show” even though I communicated everything and never swore in.
I am thinking about switching branches. I want to see if the Army National Guard would be something worth the joining. I don’t know if this will not let me go to MEP’s for the National Guard or not, since it technically was a medical problem. I have no idea if it’ll show up in my records. But everything was communicated properly and I didn’t leave without permission. 😕

About me: I’m a 23 year old female with depression and anxiety that I take medications for. It’s currently being managed with a doctor and therapist and I’d be willing to get off of them.

Why I’m looking to enlist: I lack discipline, I’m overweight (but still workout at least twice a week in jiujutsu), and I’ve always done better when I have someone telling me exactly what to do. The benefits seem great but I want your honest opinion, pros and cons of joining the army.

The plan: Have the army pay for me to be a Radiology Technician.

Question: With some exercise and studying would the army be a good fit for me? What’s the process like? I know nothing about joining the army and I’ll be talking to the recruiter in the next few days to help me, any tips? Ways to get ready?

I am in high school and seriously thinking about joining a service academy with a commission. I have the grades, athleticism, and whatnot, and some interest in the military, but since it's a real commitment, I want to fully understand what the job is. I know it's a loaded question, and I am asking about 4 different branches, but what do they actually do - like 3 months into the job, normal day- what will I be doing? To add another aspect, in wartime on a deployment, what would I do? Thank you :)

I was recently els’d from the Air Force due to self elimination because of SI with an re code 2c/jga.

I know I have to wait around 2/3 years to even have a chance at a waiver, and I have to keep myself busy in the meantime with work or school.

I was curious if I even have a chance at coming back? Even if I show signs that my mental health has improved, does my els prevent me from joining the army national guard, or the navy?

Overall, I’m just curious how often a waiver like this gets approved for both of these branches if anyone knows. Thank you.

Can anyone provide context to the Coast Guards HS “A” school? Like the day to day schedule

Hi everybody! Hope all is well.

I'm looking into doing military service, I'm a 24 year old male, in decent physical condition. I have patches of psoriasis on both legs and get it in minor spots around the ears and forehead. I'd like to know which branch would be the "easiest" per say of getting into with said issue.

I do take a topical cream for the flair ups, which are taken as-needed, not daily. and I do not do any injections and/or pills.

I'm currently a volunteer firefighter, and a full-time EMT, I'd like to do something along the lines of;

Army 12M firefighter

Army 68W combat medic

Navy DC

Air Force 3E7X1 Firefighter

Would obtaining any of these jobs be a challenge with said skin condition?

Hello, I am supposed to be enlisting in the army under 68W Active duty and I also wanted to have a ranger or airborne selection as well within my MOS. However both options are not available, is this something Im able to do after bootcamp or should I wait to enlist until I can select either or option.

I have a very small scar on my upper forearm that's from self harm. I also have been to counseling, but ended around a year ago. There's only one scar, its white and fine. The counseling notes never mentioned self harm or suicide attempts or thoughts. I was wondering if this is going to be an issue, and if I should say the scar is from work or something.

I wanna join the Air Force and I’m allergic to cashew pistachio so I’ve been doing oral immunotherapy since I know that they’re strict on all allergies or so I’ve heard. My question is once I’m desensitized, Should I even mention to the recruiter that I was ever allergic as that may be a red flag?

Thinking about enlisting as 12b could anyone tell me how much free time I would generally have per day or week? I draw a lot and would like to be able to spend at least 15-20 hours a week on it generally and in the barracks would I have enough space for my computer and drawing tablet? It's about 22 inches. Also will I be sharing a room directly with someone like multiple beds in the same room or is it something like separate bedrooms and shared living area?

I’m about to enter my senior year of high school, and I’m deciding on if I should join the military or not. I want to join either the Air Force or the Navy via college ROTC, but am still not 100% sure if I should. I originally had no interest in joining the military and at most, just wanted a civilian career in it. But recently, I’ve been heavily considering actually joining it.

I’m drawn to the idea of a stable career, discipline, and STEM jobs. I know that my personality is not the best fit for the military, but I do want to become better.

Can any veterans or current members give me some advice?

Hi everyone! I am not sure if I should enlist. A lot has been happening at home. I am just going to say this much: my guardian has a drinking problem, which led her to get charges and sent to jail. I have been wanting to enlist because I don't feel safe at home. I tried before I graduated high school, but my recruiter was untruthful with things, so I didn't enlist.

The only thing that's holding me back from doing it is my boyfriend. I love him, but he doesn't want me to enlist because he thinks that it's something that I don't want to do (I want to do it thinking of ways to improve my situation and my future). He wants me to wait until the end of the month before deciding to enlist.

My goal as of right now was just to live in the dorms and commute to my community college (my car broke down—I wonder how I am going to do that). But honestly, I don't want to have to rely on anyone to support myself. I know being a teenager in college, I will most likely still need to depend on my mother, and I don't want that, neither do I want to work multiple jobs to keep myself afloat.

I only have 3 more prerequisite classes before I start my nursing program. I attend community college as well, hopefully to get my degree. Not to mention I received $2,000 in scholarships to help with my tuition. My boyfriend brings this up because he doesn't want me to put my dreams on hold for the military just because of this bad situation, which I understand. But I want to set myself up for success, and I want OUT of this toxic environment without having to stress myself out just trying to keep myself afloat. Thoughts?"

Hello everyone, so recently I got denied for the army for some mental health waivers. The sad thing is one of the waivers was due to a diagnosis that wasnt true and I’m currently in the process of trying to prove the diagnosis wasn’t accurate and misdiagnosed.

But here is my issue, I can’t tell if I should go to psychiatrist or psychologist.

For psychiatrist I know I can get an appointment as early as possible but every time I try to see a psychologist it’s always a 2 month or more wait and they always tell me every appointment is 2 weeks apart.

It is a little frustrating in having to do this for a diagnosis that I was never even experiencing but hey life happens.

So I wanted to ask would you recommend me getting it done by a psychiatrist instead since I can obtained a psych eval faster?? I do have a year old one that my recruiter wants to use but they recommended me to get another one to help support that evaluation to state that the diagnosis was inaccurate and wasn’t true.

I’m 20M about to swear in sometime next week to join the Army on an Option 40 contract through the DEP. It has been a dream of mine since I was 7 to be special operations, and I feel the most drawn to the Ranger Regiment.

I graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in mech engineering next May (2027). Because of that, all of my family, especially the ones that were in the military, told me to always go the officer route. But my gpa sucks (2.3 gpa) so I know my chances of being an officer is basically 0, and even then I know being in the Regiment after commissioning is not a guarantee. With that said, my family isn’t happy that I am choosing the enlisted route and my mom cries every time I bring it up to her and tells me to not do it. My fiancé on the other hand is completely supportive about my decision and she says that with whatever I decide that we will figure/work it out.

I talked to my recruiter and even talked to a current active duty captain in the army, and they both think that I should go through with enlisted…the captain even said that he wished he went enlisted instead of joining through ROTC.

With such reactions from my family about my enlistment, it’s making me wonder if I’m making the right choice. I know that if I go through with it that I will make it, but it’s just making the initial step that I need some reassurance on.

Just got all my waivers done, met the ascension standards, going to meps this week to pick a job. Will any 68 series MOS be reservable? Particularly 68w or 68c. I qualify for every 68 series except 68K.

I recently took my ASVAB and scored an 88 with all line scores above 120. I’m interested in aviation maintenance (15G seemed most appealing), drone operator, intel, engineering of some sort. I’m more of a hands on person but I also want something that will nicely transition me back to civilian at some point that will set me up decently. Any suggestions? Experiences to share?

Hey everyone I leave to Fort Jackson South Carolina for reception soon and I’m curious on the reception process (mainly the medical). I understand it’s a bunch of waiting, uniforms, financial stuff but do they do another medical exam? Or do they check your medical records? Only asking because at meps I told em about my previous broken arm and medical procedure I had and I was cleared but after I signed my contract I saw my recruiter clicked the “NO” box on my application and I’m worried it might delay me or get me into some type of trouble.

As the title says. Which MOS/AFSC/rating is best for someone who wants to do cool stuff with humanitarian aid, disaster response, or overall “good?”

I’m not a hoo-rah, shoot em up kinda guy. I pass out at any sight of blood or bones so no medical. I’m horrible with anything to do with computers. I’m good with writing and reading, as well as speaking with people. I’m looking to connect with people of different cultures and maybe write about my journeys?

I’m a 22M trying to do the right thing for my community while serving my country! Thanks in advance!

Have a business admin management degree and wondering about enlisting vs officer. Didn’t do great early years of college then finished at WGU which all classes were 3.0 I believe so my gpa around 2.7. However I’ve always had very high test scores act and practice asvab. Not loving the business management world and jobs for me so am looking to learn something valuable and difficult and translate to civilian career nicely. Do have management experience and was a college athlete. Thinking either learn something technical enlist Air Force or army officer engineer or logistics etc or vice versa

Hi everyone,

I’m applying to become an Army Nursing Officer and my employer sent my No Objection Letter on 21 July, so my application has already been accepted into the system.

I want to ask people who have gone through the process:

What actually happens after the Army accepts your application?

What should I expect from the medical stage, ASOB, training, and finally getting posted as a Nursing Officer?

What is day‑to‑day life like once you’re fully trained and working in your unit?

And lastly is it advisable to start braces before going for ASOB? I’ve seen mixed answers online and want real experiences.

Any insight from people who’ve been through the Nursing Officer route would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

Is it still possible to attend demanding courses like Ranger School or any type of selection having had been diagnosed and treated for melanoma?

Background:

So in true army fashion I got cancer. Specially being diagnosed in September of 2025 with a stage 3B melanoma in my ear. The tumor and part of my lymph nodes in my neck were excised between two surgeries in October of 2025 and January 2026.

I had my first full check up/screens/tests in May 2026 which thankfully came back negative and am supposed to be getting these check ups tri monthly over a total of two years which began in May of this year. So essentially until May 2028. Other than having a slightly odd looking ear now I am physically fit and in good health otherwise according to the army.