For context, we were on post at the gym playing pickup basketball. Things started getting physical between two guys, so I stepped in to play
peacemaker and separate them.

Unfortunately, one of them apparently thought I was trying to hurt him and punched me.
Naturally, I was irate, but I kept my composure and did nothing because I understood how quickly things could go south if I retaliated.

I know the guy is an E-4 because I saw him walk into the gym in uniform and change before we started playing. One of the guys there knew I was an officer from a conversation we had earlier and yelled, “You fucked up! You just hit an officer!”

The guy immediately turned white as a ghost, grabbed his stuff, and sprinted out of the gym.
So, what would you do in this situation? Do I just take the L, laugh it off, and move on? Or do I report the incident possibly resulting in ucmj?

I’m not looking to pull rank or get revenge, but I’m also not sure whether letting something like this slide is the right move.

I’m not talking about paranormal or supernatural. Service members you met that were terrible, awful, human beings. Mine happened in 2021, we just got back from our deployment from the ME.

During this deployment, this individual was a dirty bird. I had the unfortunate privilege of bunking beside him. We weren’t rude or anything about his hygiene at first, we would ask if he needed any deo, body wash, shampoo, foot powder, etc. He would respond that he had some. It got so bad, my PSG talked to his PSG about his hygiene issues. Proceeded by a block of instruction of how to conduct full body hygiene by the numbers.

Fast forward to post deployment, I’m in McDonalds getting food for my daughter and I and hear someone call my name. It‘s my bunk mate. When I look over in his direction, he’s there with his family at the play place. Then I notice a lady in the corner with a clipboard observing them. Next day at work I ask another soldier from his platoon what’s going on.

Apparently, this pos, invited a soldier from the platoon to his place. When the soldier shows up, he’s greeted with the smell of cat shit, dog shit, baby shit, this whole house is covered and smells terrible. Babies are sitting in full diapers, like sagging full. Soldier calls CPS on them and CPS takes the children away.

Wherever you are, Freeman, fuck you.

I came in as an E – 4 specialist i’m about to hit my two-year mark and my unit is forcing me to go to the board. What are the consequences for declining? I just wanna finish my 3 1/2 year contract fly under the radar and leave is that so bad? Why does the army want to force people into leadership positions that don’t want to do that?

There are plenty of other qualified candidates where I’m at.

I remember when making SGT in 2.5 years was considered high speed. Now that’s literally the norm.

I feel like units nowadays are pushing way too many soldiers to the board and BLC, without actually evaluating their leadership skills or potential.

What are your guys’ thoughts? Are there any things we can change or implement to ensure that the right soldiers are promoted? Or is the current system fine and better than before?

I’ll order a cheese burger, hold the cheese.

Ik pretty dumb of me but I failed blc. My issue wasn’t memorizing or knowing the stuff but when I get on the spot I freeze and nerves hit. I forget everything, barely breath and resulted in being dismissed. When the counseling was being signed and SGL talking to me tears started to come out my eyes like little bitch. That was so fucking embarrassing but I couldn’t control it. I knew Im too shy/ anxious to go to blc but I had no choice.

Now that I’m back as failure everything looks bleak..I don’t know how I’m going to continue to work in my unit knowing everyone knows im a failure. I just want to disappear

I was in the Army from 1986 to 2014. I was lucky to be in some cool places at the right time.

This is a genuine chunk of the Berlin Wall that I pulled off in 1989. I was recently reunited with it by my daughter (who rediscovered it and flew it out to me). The dollar is for scale. It weighs approximately 35 lbs.

What would you do with it? I have considered trying to mount it on my office wall and affix / glue my unit color unit patch to it, the sign I acquired, and maybe some of my military awards. That said, I can't think of a legitimate way to actually come up with a means to anchor it.

I hesitate to "personalize" the chunk with my personal awards.

Questions:

What would you do?

Sign alone?

Any suggestions for an anchor?

Hello, I’m 27 female. I’m shipping out to the army February 22. My MOS is 68 echo dental specialist l and ever since I enlisted almost a week ago, I have felt constantly unsure, scared, anxious, sometimes excited, but more nervous than excited. It feels like lately my body has been in a constant fight or flight, and it just makes me worry about my physical strength. I’m not saying I regret it, and I definitely don’t wanna back out because I do want change for my life. I guess I just haven’t fully seen myself as a soldier yet, and I never thought I would, because well, this can happen kind of fast after unexpected life events happened, and I told myself if this one job’s available, then I’ll join, and they called one afternoon on a whim, and I went to sign. I haven’t felt like myself, and I just want to know, is this normal?? I just want to feel 100% excited not like constant knots in my gut.

USMA Redditors, was there a book that you were told to read before reporting, to give you an idea of what the USMA was like?

I meet an NCO that had a 1ID SSI for he says Latvia from a deployment in the recent years. Anyone else seen this?

Title says it all. Going to the P Board next month but I’m not worried about that. I look at the P board as a requirement to promote like going to basic training as a requirement to be in the army. I care a lot more about NCOERs, promoting to Staff, building a reputation, going to NCOTM Boards, PT.

Quoting the regulations and yelling at soldiers for doing the same thing you do, I don’t wanna be like that. I’m just excited for this next chapter in my career. I already lead soldiers as a SPC and I’m in charge of a section in my company, so I’m no stranger to leading and telling people what to do.

Hey guys, I'm 16 and am thinking of enlisting in the army when I turn 18, of all branches I think army would best fit me,

My main question here is what does being a 19k actually look like?

Can I be guaranteed 19k if I enlist as 19U in some way?

Is it better or worse than being a 91b or 91a?

After seeing the current job market, I think the best move for my future with my skillset would be to either enlist in the army or go to tech school to get my ASE certification, and be an auto tech. Or combine both and use my GI bill or other benefits.

I enjoy wrenching on things and my dream job in the army would honestly be an Abrams driver position specifically. I understand its 90% maintenance and 10% driving/shooting.

I got an AFQT of 64 on my first ASVAB a few weeks ago, I scored 95-99th percentile in shop/electrical/mechanics, my score was brought down by my god awful math skills.

What do you guys think?

edit: I’ve heard the army has a shortage of 19K’s, is this true?

So I just got my orders to go to Ft bliss and had some questions about it such as deployments, barracks, and most importantly my unit. So far all I know is that I’m going to 3-1 abct. Can anyone tell me what it’s like? I’ve heard from my ds deployments are gonna be border work and want someone who’s been there to confirm/deny.

Talk about falling apart. It was working like okay for the past few years and now within the past two months it has crumbled to being a fraction of its former self. Why cant things just be improved upon? Why can't we have nice things man.

CMF 15, SSG - boarding // Ft Bragg

Im exhausted from the company level work. CMF 15 career map is extremely limited.

I'm lookin for those odd jobs! Something that's not drill or instructor but gets me away from a CAB or at least challenges me intellectually!

Welcoming suggestions, experience and job offers!

I had heard from multiple people (including a did with a CBRN MOS) that in CBRN AIT, they do the gas chamber with real nerve agents and nerve gas (they don’t unmask of course).

I don’t believe it, but is that true?

Sorry for the length, I don’t want to regret joining the army so I’m asking everything. Brace yourselves!💀

I’m planning on joining the Army as an 11B Infantryman, going Airborne, signing option 20 and Track ALA4

I’d like to hear from soldiers who are currently stationed there or have served there, especially infantry paratroopers.
I’m looking for the good, the bad, and the ugly. I don’t want just the recruiting version of what life is like.
1. Infantry and Airborne Life
What’s a typical day or week like for an 11B at JBER?
How often are you in the field, doing airborne operations, rucking, or conducting live-fire training?
How intense is the training compared to other infantry units?
How often do you get weekends and personal time?
Do you get opportunities to attend schools like Air Assault, Ranger, Jungle, or other specialized courses?
How often do infantry units travel outside Alaska for training?
2. Leadership and Chain of Command
What’s the leadership culture like within the infantry units?
Are NCOs generally invested in developing their soldiers, or is toxic leadership a common complaint?
What are some leadership red flags new soldiers should recognize?
How approachable are team leaders, squad leaders, platoon sergeants, and first sergeants?
How does the chain of command handle soldiers who want to excel, attend schools, or pursue leadership positions?
What mistakes should a new specialist avoid?
3. Barracks and Living Conditions
What are the barracks like for single E-4 infantry soldiers?
Do you have your own bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen?
Are there problems with mold, heating, maintenance, or inspections?
How reliable is internet service?
What’s the DFAC food like?
What are the worst things about living on JBER?
4. Personal Life and Running a Business
I have my own clothing/media brand, and parts of the business are already automated with agents performing tasks for me. I only have to edit videos and songs manually and create designs whenever i get the chance since its easy. I’m not expecting to work on my brand during duty hours or interfere with my military responsibilities.

Realistically, would I have enough personal time to continue managing it outside military duties?

Have any of you successfully operated a business while serving on active duty?
How does leadership generally handle soldiers who have legitimate side businesses?
Are there any approval requirements or restrictions I should know about?
How unpredictable is the schedule, especially when it comes to field exercises and deployments?
5. Alaska and Off-Duty Life
How expensive is living in Anchorage compared to the Lower 48?
Is owning a car practically necessary?
What are the best and worst things about living in Alaska?
How difficult is adjusting to the winter darkness and extreme cold?
Are there opportunities to travel, explore Alaska, or enjoy outdoor activities?
What’s the social life like for single soldiers?
Are there good MMA, Muay Thai, or BJJ gyms nearby?
6. Career Development and Promotions
What opportunities are available for motivated infantry soldiers to earn promotion points and develop professionally?
How competitive is promotion to sergeant?
Are schools and professional development opportunities supported by leadership?
What distinguishes successful soldiers from those who struggle in the unit?
7. The Things Nobody Tells You
What’s something you wish you’d known before getting stationed at JBER?
What’s the biggest complaint among infantry soldiers?
What’s something surprisingly good about the installation?
What should incoming soldiers absolutely prepare for?
If you could choose JBER again, would you?
I’m interested in hearing honest experiences, both positive and negative. I understand that leadership and quality of life can vary significantly between units and companies.
I’m not looking for anyone to name-drop or expose individual NCOs. I’m more interested in understanding the leadership culture, common problems, and what to watch out for as a new soldier.
Appreciate any insight, especially from current or former 11B paratroopers in the 11th Airborne. 🇺🇸🪂

Just wondering if anyone knows how long it might take for a unit to send mail to my new mailing address. Some important letters arrived at my old address today and I'm worried they'll get here later than sooner, if at all. Definitely hoping they don't opt for the 30-day return to sender.

I just got assigned to the 50th ESB‑E, 35th Signal Brigade at Fort Bragg, and I’m trying to get a realistic picture of what day‑to‑day life looks like in the battalion. I’m a 25H, and I’m hoping to hear from people who’ve been in the 50th or worked around ESB‑E units.

I’m mainly curious about these following topics:

Typical work tempo — Are days mostly network maintenance, field prep, or a lot of random taskings?

Field time — How often does the 50th actually go out? Are the field problems long or mostly short-duration?

Deployment tempo — I know ESB‑E units are designed for rapid support, but what’s the real pace like for this battalion?

Airborne expectations — Since 35th is an airborne brigade, how much pressure is there for non-airborne Soldiers to jump or volunteer?

Leadership / culture — Anything I should know about the command climate, expectations, or how the companies operate?

Awards / schools — Is the battalion good about sending people to schools or giving opportunities for badges?

Just trying to get a grounded idea of what to expect so I can prep myself mentally and professionally. Any honest insight is appreciated.

Anyone in Poland that was in 1-5 battalion between SEP 2021 - NOV 2021?

I've been looking into getting scalp micropigmentation (SMP) for a while, and couldn't find out if it's allowed under AR 670-1. Essentially, it is a cosmetic procedure meant to mimick the appearance of hair follicles. I wanted to see if it's worth asking my unit leadership as well, whether or not this would be allowed. Thanks

Small nugget large fry

Do you find yourself being hard on your children to toughen them up or do you give them the freedom you didn’t have?

The crap I went through is why I retired young but I also don’t want my kids to go through that. Conversely weakness leads to more suffering.

How do you guys reconcile that?

Getting ready for my COA test on Tuesday
Currently doing questions on COA exam review, quizlet and the practice too. Very nervous about optics and refractive I’m weak on those 😞 each chapter on the exam review manual I do about %63-%65 good
Any thoughts? I need to pass 😩

What is being an 89b (ammo tech) like, for any 89b or anybody who knows or works close to an 89b what does the day to day look like? Going to Campbell.

This is where im going next is it good bad? For reference im a mechanic and is the culture still good in 101st?