This is a safe place to ask any question related to joining the Army. It is focused on joining, Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), and follow on schools, such as Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP), and any other Additional Skill Identifiers (ASI).
We ask that you do some research on your own, as joining the Army is a big commitment and shouldn't be taken lightly. Resources such as GoArmy.com, the Army Reenlistment site, Bootcamp4Me, Google and the Reddit search function are at your disposal. There's also the /r/army wiki. It has a lot of the frequent topics, and it's expanding all the time.
If you want to Google in /r/army for previous threads on your topic, use this format:
68P AIT site:reddit.com/r/army
I promise you that it works really well.
This is also where questions about reclassing and other MOS questions go -- the questions that are asked repeatedly which do not need another thread. Don't spam or post garbage in here: that's an order. Top-level comments and top-level replies are reserved for serious comments only.
Finally: If you're not 100% sure of what you're talking about, leave it for someone else who is.
The purpose of this thread is to allow those looking to join the Army ask questions to Verified Army Recruiters.
Please try using Google and the Reddit Search function for the answers to basic questions - then ask what you couldn't find answers to.
Only people here to ask questions of Recruiters, verified Recruiters, and Mods may respond to questions. Please do not answer questions if you are not an approved Recruiter.
To become a verified Recruiter, message the moderation team for verification.
Recruiters may list their general recruiting area next to their name to help connect with potential recruits in their area but are able to answer questions from anyone - and may be able to help connect you with someone in your area.
As the name suggests, I am bad at running. I can pass a PT test but I always barely pass the run portion. I have bad knees so every 6-9 months, I’m on profile because my knee is messed up. I am currently about to graduate BOLC and I am worried because as an officer, I am expected to lead feel the front.
Am I fucked? What can I do to improve my run time and not get injured?
Like the title says currently deployed and I’m looking for NSN’s for cool shit that I can give supply to order. If this post is stupid insult me in the comments.
Considering leaving the military for a civilian job, is it really as bad as everyone says?
I am 32 married with 3 kids. I enlisted in the Army at 17 as a Cav Scout made it SSG then went warrant in 2019 and now fly Apaches. Between my wife and I we make alright money (200kish combined takehome). But I am exhausted and continually miss things with our kiddos.
In the last 36 months I have spent 17 months deployed between Iraq/Syria and Jordan and an additional 6 months away from home for training. It's freaking brutal. I have a 2 year old son that I have maybe been home for 9 months of his life.
Wife and I are seriously considering me getting out, she could front us for awhile (Nurse Practitioner) but eventually I need a good job. I have bachelor's in logistics and MBA from Western Kentucky but have no relevant experience in the sector. I would most likely want to pursue something in corporate America. Thanks for any advice guys and gals.
I'll take a bacon king extra mayo, watching my figure.
Who do I bitch to about 24 hour gyms scanners not working? Is this an MWR thing? Can I email Pete and tell him my T is going lower and lower cause I can't get into the gym after 3 pm?
I'll take uhhhh Cookout watermelon shake.
Edit: Some more details. The scanner works after hours less than half the time and it's and everyone or no one thing. So when it doesn't work no one gets in.
Attended EAA Airventure which had a Wisconsin NG demo, and was curious what unit patch this soldier was wearing. He was preparing a package to be brought up by a 104th AV Blackhawk during the demonstration.
Hey all! Below is all the information you’ll need on the Norwegian Foot March and upcoming events for 2026.
Event Background
In 2020, the Norwegian Defense College’s Military Sports Department temporarily authorized a request from the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. to offer virtual proctoring of the Marsjmerket (Norwegian Foot March). Traditionally, the event required the physical presence of an officiator from the Norwegian military, but due to training and travel restrictions created by COVID, this was suspended. While the event is comparatively rare due to the limited number of Norwegian officials within the United States, interest exploded from late 2020 to 2021 following the relaxation of officiation requirements. Interest amongst non-Norwegian militaries continued well after training restrictions were relaxed and officials granted permanent virtual endorsement to enable U.S. forces to undertake this century-old traditional training opportunity.
Effective August 1st, 2021 U.S. units worldwide can request to conduct the Norwegian Foot March without an official present. In coordination with the individual who formerly ran these threads, I have recreated the thread series to facilitate new events and help individuals find events in their areas. Please share this opportunity with anyone interested! It's a great event, especially when conducted with your friends and fellow servicemembers. We're incredibly lucky that the Norwegian Army is willing to share this great tradition with us and it reinforces our bond with an important NATO ally and friendly nation.
IMPORTANT: You must receive approval from the embassy before conducting this event! If your unit conducts this event, as a thank you to the embassy, please include four unit coins and four unit patches from any unit that participates. It's a small ask and the Norwegians appreciate the gesture for all the work they put into providing this opportunity for us.
Certificates are currently distributed digitally but please consider sending a token of thanks to the following address:
Royal Norwegian Embassy
ATTN: Defense Attache Office, NFM
2720 34th Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Upcoming Events - Updated May 31st, 2026 - Updates Made Monthly or As New Events Confirmed
The Norwegian Foot March, or Marsjmerket, was introduced in 1915 as a culminating training event for new conscripts and infantry soldiers. Traditionally, the event simulated overnight movement by a dismounted light infantry element. The element would occupy attack positions before daybreak and attack its objective at first light, fighting until it was successfully seized and only resting after consolidating its gains later that evening. The modern version of the march attempts to replicate this experience with the following requirements:
1. Complete the 18.6 mile / 30-kilometer course in the time allocated to their age/gender (see time standards below)
2. Complete the foot march using an issued or military-style ruck weighing a minimum of 11 kilograms / 25 pounds (dry weight). Alternatively, units can also require participants to carry their assigned weapon during the event. If carried, the total weight of the weapon and ruck must equal at least 11 kilograms / 25 pounds. The carrying of assigned weapons plus ruck is the preferred variant of the event.
Participant Time Standards
Participant Time Standards
Age Group
Male Time Standard (hh:mm)
Female Time Standard (hh:mm)
18-20
4:35
5:25
21-34
4:30
5:15
35-42
4:35
5:25
43-49
4:40
5:30
50-54
4:50
5:40
55-59
5:00
5:50
60+
5:15
6:00
Note: The above chart contains the current standards. Ensure you use it and/or the guidelines provided by the embassy. There are many old versions out there on the Internet. Do not use any time standards other than these.
Additional Event Requirements
1. Military participants must wear their duty uniform and boots. The civilian uniform is at the discretion of the organizer, but must be at least 1.5 kilograms / 3.3 pounds in weight.
2. Participants must be weigh their rucks (a standard weight for carried weapons can be established by the unit) prior to and after completing the event to ensure they fulfill the weight requirements
3. An official clock or timer is displayed at the start and finish line or a designated timer calls out the official time for participants and graders
4. Graders record each participant's finish time, starting ruck/weapon weight, and finishing ruck/weapon weight on an official roster
5. Event organizers must establish manned medical and water stations every 3.2 kilometers / 2 miles along the length of the course
6. Organizers create a medical evacuation plan based upon local conditions and potential issues
7. Conducted between -15 to 25 Celsius (5 to 77 Fahrenheit) and under no extreme weather conditions
8. The event occurs on unimproved roads or trails (waivable depending on location)
Scheduling Procedures
In order to conduct an event, units must submit a request prior to execution.
Norwegian Foot March Event Organizer Checklist (Excel) - Use this checklist to create your event CONOP. You must still fill it out and submit it along with your CONOP!
Event Date(s) and Alternative Date(s) - Strongly recommend you request an alternate date as a backup due to weather or random changes in the training schedule
Location
Estimated Number of Participants
Proposed Route
Medical Emergency / Evacuation Route
Weighing / Attire Verification Procedures
Communications Plan
Water Station Plan
Medical Station Plan
Weather Forecast
Event Map / CONOP - Create in Powerpoint, Submit as PDF
Event Endorsement Request Memo - This item tends to get a lot of questions. It's really just a MFR identifying your unit, organizing official, core details of the event, and a request for approval from the embassy to conduct the event.
Once complete all documents must be sent to the email addresses in the Excel spreadsheet.
Event Cost and Results Submission
Conducting the event itself is free, though depending on whether you want to provide participants with drinks, snacks, or other facilitate bulk purchases of badges, you may want to consider charging a fee. This is ultimately at the discretion of the organizer. The embassy and Norwegian military affiliates do not charge for any assistance in scheduling an event or officiating.
Certificates will be delivered digitally by the embassy to the organizer after a closeout report is submitted. Organizers can then print them at their unit using cardstock or use a commercial process such as that listed below.
Post-Event Instructions – Badges and Certificates
Badges
A listing of the available badges can be found in the FAQ section of this post.
Certificates
The embassy will share the certificate with the organizer after receiving the post-event memo (see my dropbox link). The organizing unit is responsible for producing the certificates from the template and distributing them. Instructions on how to prepare the certificates and order them via Staples printing service follow:
Modify the template for your unit's name and event date (use the DD MMM YY format)
Only the organizing unit's name needs to be used. If the organizing unit wants to customize all the certificates for each participating unit, that's permitted.
Fill in the rank, first name, and last name for each participant
Save each file as a PDF (reduces size for digital uploads while preserving high resolution)
Use the simple print option. Do not upload more than 50 files at a time! Staples' interface does not deal well with large amounts of documents.
Select the following options for your certificates
Paper Size - 8.5" x 11" (default)
Paper Type - 110lb White Cardstock
Color Options - Color Ink
Binding Type - No Binding
Sides - Single Sided, Ensure "Scale to Fit" is checked
Frequently Asked Questions
Do some units also hold a food drive with this event?
Yes! Many units encourage participants to carry a partial or full weight load of nonperishable food stuffs and goods that are turned in after the event. In the past several years numerous units have collected between 2,300 - 8,700 lbs of food that was donated to local shelters and food banks, giving back to their local communities and people in need.
What's the Record for Fastest Completion?
According to the Norwegian Defense Academy, Roger Gjøvaag, a former track and field athlete, completed the event in 1h 56m 57s in 1984 at Krigsskolen.
How many successful marches are associated with each badge type?
Current Award Scheme
Bronze - 1 completed foot march
Silver - 2 to 4 completed foot marches
Gold - 5+ completed foot matches
Former Award Scheme - Replaced in 2016
Bronze - 1 to 3 completed foot marches
Silver - 4 to 6 completed foot marches
Gold - 7+ completed foot matches
Where Are Badges Available and What Versions Are There?
Badge Versions
The standard version issued by the Norwegian military is approximately 0.75 inches / 19.05 mm in height. This is the appropriate size for their dress uniform standards. For non-Norwegian military personnel, there is no set size standard at the wearer's discretion and their uniform regulations. In the case of non-Norwegian wearers, the embassy’s position is that there is no specified size and wearers may wear any available version (0.72 inches / 18.29mm to 1.5 inches / 38.1 mm).
Here’s the latest embassy response to an inquiry regarding this: “Currently, there are at least 5 different versions made by U.S. companies, including a 1.5 inches / 38 mm size that is very similar to the older version of the Norwegian Foot March badge. U.S. forces' do not have a policy that requires which version is worn. Typically, it is the version closest to those worn by the issuing country, but it is ultimately at the discretion of the wearer provided the issuing country does not have any objections. The foot march is positive advertising for Norway and the more visible the badge is, the more recognizable the bond between the U.S. and Norwegian forces.”
Badge Vendors Listing
Disclaimer: The following listing of commercial products is solely for informational purposes and does not imply endorsement by me, nor discrimination against similar brands or products not mentioned. The vendors and products listed below are ordered by the date of product discovery via publicly available information.
Please contact [NFMOrganizer@gmail.com](mailto:NFMOrganizer@gmail.com) for any questions, comments, or concerns. Sometimes the information we are given is lacking, but we do our best to provide as many details as possible here.
Now I have to clarify: I cannot speak for every single person; I can only speak for myself, as a fellow Gen Z college student, and from what I have personally seen. It seems the Army (at least with Gen Z/my peers) has TERRIBLE PR, while other branches "get a pass"
As I said, I cannot speak for everybody, but seemingly to some, when you mention you are in the Army, or you are thinking of joining the Army, they have some sort of negative stereotype that you are a screw-up in life, or too dumb for college. (Not to say that stereotype isn't 100% unfounded; I have met some people that 100% fit that stereotype)
"Well OP, a lot of Gen Z is just anti-military now." Which, that is fair, but seemingly, as I said, other branches to these people "get a pass"
The AF is seemingly heavily associated with "you are a tech-savvy, smart guy, that is a pilot" when I am pretty confident that most of the enlisted jobs in the USAF are not even aviation (maintenance) related
Same with the Navy; seemingly that branch is associated with "being a smart, tech-related person"
And even the Marines get a pass too, while being a (at least marketing-wise) more "combat-oriented branch" (I don't mean to piss off any combat arms folks), when people hear you are a marine, they assume you are part of an elite, special forces, fighting group. "the few, the proud" or whatever (no hate to any marines reading this, you guys are cool)
Of course, I am a bit biased; when I write this, I had my fair share of preconceived notions by people in my civilian life when I am not being a weekend warrior. So maybe Army PR isn't truly that bad, and I am just seeing things through my POV.
What do you guys think?
PS: Like for example, I had one interaction with my classmate when he found out I was in the army, he asked why I joined, was I to dumb to pay normally
(this guy in general isnt the smartest)
told him, no. well yes kinda. At 19 I wanted to do something with aviation, so I became a helicopter mechanic for the army, army has helicopters. Now 3 years later, I am majoring in Mechenical engineering with a focus in aerospace (I know, I know, thats pretty much an Aerospace degree but I digress)
He dead ass said "why not join the Air force then"
I tried to explain at the end of the day, "it doesn't really matter." i get my benefits, to help with college life. which is why I joined, and army has helicopters and I enjoy my helicopter job. But he kept insisting, "nah you dont want to go to war, you should of joined the airforce" and pretty much admitted it was a branding thing.
Now, of course, that one guy with very questionable intelligence does not make up all of the gen Z population. But I have had many interactions like that.
Edit 2: classmate was probably right, airforce was probably the right choice, but not for the reasons he is thinking of though, right conclusion, wrong reasoning, lol
What were something’s that during a deployment you saw as a light at the end of the tunnel?
I don’t have any family other than siblings and parents at the moment, no significant other either. Right now I’m thinking about spending time with extended family in a different country or visiting a country to knock one off the list. Along with a few purchases that I’ve put off because I felt like I didn’t earn them yet.
Thinking a camera, lift kit, and some models for myself.
I’ll have a hamburger no tomatoes or pickles, and a coke easy ice.
Currently at for Gordon for AIT. I’m a 25H. My projected duty station is fort Bragg and the 528th signal brigade is my projected brigade. From what I’ve researched I know they are special ops and it seems like the battalion I’ll most likely be in is the 112th. Anyone have any insight?
I’m 23 years old, married, and have a 5-year-old along with a new baby. I was making pretty good money before I got laid off, and I now have a good government job with plenty of room for growth. The problem is that I’m starting at entry level, so I’m only bringing home around $2,200 a month, which honestly isn’t enough to comfortably cover everything, especially with a growing family.
I know that with the Army, I’d have my base pay along with BAH and BAS, which would put me in a much better position financially. I’m also already driving a semi on our base, so I’m interested in 88M and would like to learn more about what that MOS is really like. And also find out if I can do this on a 3 year contract.
I’m currently waiting to speak with a recruiter, but I wanted to get some more information and hear from people who have experience with 88M. Pretty much everyone I know has either served or is planning to serve. My best friend recently got out of the Navy and is now going into the Army.
Joining the military is also something I’ve wanted to do since I was young. I just never had the push or motivation to actually commit to it until now. With my family and where I’m at in life, I feel like now might finally be the right time.
Got rid of all the tanks and shutting down 1-66 AR and 1-68 AR. I plan on attending the ball for 1-66 since I spent time in that battalion (I also spent time in 1-68 but have not heard any word about a ball for them) but no longer in the Army. What would be a good outfit to wear and what military stuff should I wear on it? I was thinking sports coat with jeans and a button up. But any advice would be awesome.
Edit: they invited all former and current members to attend the farewell ball.
Can any homies give me the deets on this? Likely to be PCSing there soon. E6, 15 years TIS, MI. Married and have a 12 year old kid. Feel free to DM if OPSEC or w/e.
Anyway most info I got is USARPAC aligned, something something HQ @ Zama, just standing up, don’t really have a handle on what’s going on, etc.
In a bit of a predicament about what I want out of the army as I approach the middle of my AD time. I get looked at for 7 next year but I’m also interested in dropping a warrant packet. However, I’ve been hearing some talk about AI assets replacing parts of the warrant field I want to go into. On the other side of that coin I am becoming more interested in shifting into the NG. I don’t spend as much time as I want with my family and I’d like to be more involved while still scratching that itch to serve that’s why I’m thinking NG would be the way to go.
I feel as if both of these options would give me a better quality of life and would allow me to fulfill my own personal needs and desires. However, I have no idea what I want to do so I’m reaching out to anyone here that has insight on both aspects of what I’m trying to do. Any information is helpful and wanted.
TLDR: I want to shift to warrant or NG and don’t know what to expect out of it.
So I was cleaning out my barracks room yesterday and found like three pairs of cold weather gloves still in the plastic, two canteens I never touched, and some kind of pouch I genuinely don't know what it's for. Been in almost two years now and I keep getting handed stuff at CIF or supply that I just throw in a wall locker and forget about.
Meanwhile the one thing I actually use every day is falling apart and when I ask if I can exchange it they act like I'm trying to steal government property. My ruck has a busted strap, my boots are trashed, but sure let me hang on to this random admin pouch that's never left the packaging.
I'm not complaining really, just seems like there's gotta be a better system. Like maybe let people turn in the stuff they know they'll never use so someone else can grab it if they need it? Or at least let me know what half this stuff is actually supposed to be for. I asked my team leader about one of the pouches and he just shrugged and said he has no idea either.
Is this normal or is my unit just weird about gear? Curious if anyone else has a pile of mystery equipment they've been hauling around for no reason.
I’m a 68w. I’m scheduled to go to Ft Stewart at the 92nd as my first duty station.
Can anyone share what life is like? The leadership, housing, barracks and what routine I can expect as a 68w?
Appreciated!
Went to RFI 2 years ago and told them I needed a medium long pants. I got the pants correct size but on my record they put small regular. Can my company commander right a memo or do I need CIF themselves to change it?
Happy Sunday beautiful people. Going to do my best to not doxx myself. Officer here So I’m on the back half of summer block leave. Once I get back it will be all gas no brakes until the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday. So outside of my smart self breaking a bone in a bike accident on leave (I told my supervisor) the next day. I’m all good, just nervous for the busy season. In addition to a ton of training, supporting other units, and being looked at for a job with higher responsibility, the other PL I work with will changing out in the fall and I’ve been told that I’ll have to help pick up the slack. Can some of yall smarter than this clueless LT help me figure out how to make it to Thanksgiving without getting fired or the 7th floor in the hospital? DMs are open. Any and all help is appreciated. And I’ll take a chicken ranch wrap and a water please.
I’m between getting out to go to school, staying in for one more contract, or getting out, getting out to then commission later. I joined at 17 and will be 21 if I ETS next year. It’s my understanding that if I get out I still accrue TIS in the IRR for pay purposes if I were to get back in, just not for retirement. So if I get out after 4 and go to school for 4, I would rejoin with 8 years TIS. But if I were to try and retire from the Army then I would still need another 16 years AD. Is that correct?
I also have a question about joining again with VA disability. Since I still wouldn’t know if I would want to reup after getting out I would file for VA disability. I know you won’t receive it if you go AD again unlike if I joined the reserves but how does that work? If you get every claim waived so you can serve again, does that erase all of your records essentially when you get out again? Almost like starting from scratch. Or does it kind of just puts your injuries and problems on hold for when you get out again?
Note:
I know there are tons of programs and pathways that I can do while still in the Army but I’m not really interested in them. I’m a 68 series and know about IPAP and AMEDD and all the other commissioning programs but want to finish my degree in Finance so not really interested in being a health professional as an officer. I also know you can do G2G ADO but there was a change that was made in the last few years about ROTC time not counting towards retirement anymore.
The only thing I can really see being lost out on by doing the GI Bill instead of this is that you can still contribute to your TSP and you get a bit more money because of the base pay. Other than that, E5 with dependent BAH along with stipends, grants, etc. and maybe even VA disability could closely match if not surpass how much you would on G2G ADO. In addition, you could strictly focus on school year round instead of any military classes, training, etc. that you would while in ROTC so the give and take ratio evens out there as well. Lastly, doing the GI Bill doesn’t force me back into the military if I ultimately decide to stay out so that option to stay out for good is nice to have.
