I want to reclass my MOS (35G to 17C), but I'm having a hard time thinking about leaving my wife and stepson for a 9-month training. For context, I am in the Reserves. My wife and son (9 years old) would stay back home while I am gone.

My wife is getting her business off the ground, and I'm worried about leaving her to take on a lot more with work, her schooling, taking care of our son, and the house.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Any helpful resources that might help alleviate stress?

I keep talking myself out of going because I don't want her to stress more than she already is, but I really think this reclass training will be helpful in the long run to make a career transition to cyber. At the same time, I don't want it to cause resentment, because I really don't NEED to go; the training would just help more with gaining the work experience. Without it, I could just try to grind the education, certification, and projects route to break into cyber.

Folks tell me changing my address to somewhere I lived before or never been to at all is not a big deal. Just take DD2058 to pay office and don't worry about it. Can I actually do that? Or straight to jail/ CSM's dungeon?

Let’s be honest a lot of the people freaking out about the new standards are the same ones who weren’t passing under the old system.

Having been in the military for a long time, I’ve watched good soldiers leave service simply because nobody holds anyone accountable anymore. People get away with "pencil whipping" paperwork and passing people who shouldn't pass.

I acknowledge that there is way more to being a soldier than just a height/weight ratio or a physical standard. But standard discipline matters.

Whenever regulations change whether it’s beards, nail color, or grooming standards the common response to anyone complaining is always: “If you don't like it, you can get out."

Well, that same logic applies here: If you don't like the new height/weight tape test, you can get out.
Or better yet the easiest solution: Just go to the gym.

I’m a hold under right now before AIT and want to volunteer for rasp.
I was under the impression that you get sent to airborne after you pass rasp. If you fall out do you not get to go jump school? I already volunteered for airborne.
Does volunteering for rasp take priority over jump school?
Looking for an answer before I go to my ranger liaison to volunteer.

Would just hope to go airborne at least if I don’t pass rasp.

hello everyone! before i decide to pursue a significant request such as hardship separation, wanted to get some opinions from an army community first. i know that this request requires my own doing to initiate it but i’d like to consult with my leadership prior, then the legal office for specific steps to take. i’m no quitter, and had plans on pursuing OCS/WOCS later this year. but, family comes first. below is my situation/details. let me know what you think, and if i can’t get extensive documentation then is that gonna be an issue? thanks for the read and help!

Grandfather

• Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Requires assistance with eating.
• Requires someone to ensure medications are taken on time.
• Requires increasing daily supervision and care.
• Will be moving into my mother’s home later this year.

Grandmother

• Significant physical decline.
• Very weak immune system.
• Limited physical abilities.
• Also expected to move into my mother’s home.

(mothers parents)

Mother

• Marriage is in the process of ending (working through separation before making it official).
• Will become the primary caregiver for both of her parents.
• Travels for work approximately 8–10 times each year for several days at a time.
• Will have to balance:
  • Full-time employment.
  • Frequent work travel.
  • Caring for two elderly parents with significant medical needs.
  • Emotional stress from the end of her marriage.
• Previously experienced:
  • Anxiety.
  • Panic attacks.
  • Depression.
  • Required therapy when raising my siblings and me as a single parent.
• Concern that these same stressors may return as responsibilities increase.

Siblings

Brother

• Lives approximately 1.5 hours away.
• Works full time.
• Has his own household.
• Has a fiancée.
• Has personal responsibilities that limit his ability to provide consistent caregiving.
• No reasonable time to be present

Sister

• Lives approximately 1.5 hours away.
• Full-time biomedical student.
• Works part time.
• Limited availability to consistently assist with daily caregiving.
• Needs help with funds since biological father is out of the picture

Why My Presence Is Needed

• Assist with caregiving for my grandparents.
• Help during my mother’s work travel.
• Reduce the burden placed on my mother.
• Help coordinate transportation, medications, meals, appointments, and daily needs as required.
• Provide additional support during a major family transition.
• Be available when other family members are unable to assist consistently.

Personal Circumstances

• Serving on active duty while trying to manage these family concerns from a distance.
• Ongoing worry about my family’s ability to manage without me.
• Difficulty focusing because multiple major life events are occurring simultaneously.

Fiancée

• We lost our child.
• She is currently attending therapy following the loss.
• She has a history of suicide attempts.
• She has previously struggled with depression.
• Her parents did not initially take her mental health concerns seriously and now regret that.
• Her mother and maternal grandmother both experienced infertility, and she is now facing similar concerns.
• The distance prevents me from being physically present to support her.

Military Record

• No disciplinary actions.
• Good performance. (AAR)
• Good physical fitness. (470+ ACFT)
• Completed a border mission.
• Continued fulfilling duties despite significant personal stress.
• Request is based on family hardship, not a lack of willingness to serve.

* I know my fiancé doesn’t factor in hardship, since we’re not married. But what’s evident is how I can’t be present, and there’s some documentation that either doesn’t exist or I’m legally unable to attain because I’m not the actual person. Personal family testimonies is one thing, command support, but how am I supposed to stay afloat mentally if they decide to retain me?

I was AD back in the late 80s. "Back in the Nam" was a common smart ass line -- a gentle poke at some of the [then] old guys who were a little too quick to share their opinions. Not to their faces, of course. There were lots of NCOs and officers who HAD been in the Nam, and we respected them. I'm wondering if the term survived. And if not what is the current equiv (?)

I came across Lt. Col.'s briefcase and his footlocker in my attic(all empty). Nobody in my family knows where these came from nor what era these are from.

I'm unsure of what to do with these. I certainly don't want to throw them away!

What can I do?

I’m being offered 35F. I got an 81 on my ASVAB and 117 GT. I initially wanted to go into 15X but MEPS failed me for red green color blindness (even though I took a test with the FAA and passed holding a mild duetan in my records and many pilots have this).

I was wondering if I could take 35F and potentially reclassify in the future since the rules are different for those in the military vs those trying to enlist.

I’m confident I can pass my color vision test and classify as color safe if I did take a test with the military.

I don’t know much about 35F other than they sit inside and do more boring stuff like making power points. I don’t know if this is the job for me but it’s not the end of the world. I would have definitely loved going into uas and aviation since it aligns with my future goals and interests.

I must add that I hold a Russian passport that’s expired, I haven’t been there since I was 8yrs old, no connections that I know of, and my parents are pulling money out of the country. No history of drugs and other stuff.

Anyone who knows Intel well enough chime in?

Is it easy to reclass out of 35F?

Context- I am about to become a basic training PL. I am currently on profile for a knee injury and I will be getting off of it right before I come into the new unit.

According to my current CPT, PLs are supposed to ruck with the BCT PLTs. What pace are the rucks at? Also what does PT in basic typically consist of and do PLs do pt with their company?

Need to vent for a minute because I don’t really have anyone in my life right now who’d understand what I’m talking about. Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I don’t miss getting shot at. I don’t miss the heat, the shitty food, or wondering if something was about to kick off. What I miss is everything else. Back then everyday has a purpose. You woke up knowing exactly where you needed to be and what needed to get done. The people around you would’ve dragged your dumb ass home if they had to and even when everyone was bitching, you were all bitching together.

Now it’s been about 10 months since I’m back in civilian life, and I feel more stressed that I ever did over there. My wife, our two kids, and I have been living with her parents ever since I got out of service because we could no longer afford the rent in our previous apartment. Things got so tense between my wife and I had to move outand since then I have been staying around cheap motels when I can afford them, sleeping in my truck when I cannot. I’ve been picking extra shifts just to keep my head above water, and even then it still feels like I’m one bad moth away from being screwed. I’m technically homeless noe and it’s still weird to even write out that sentence. I’m employed, I do not do drugs. I did not gamble it all away.

I sometimes think that I’d rather be back in Afghanistan and then immediately feel like an asshole for even thinking about it. I’m not missing the war. It’s the mission and the feeling like what I did everyday meant something. I don’t know… maybe my brain just never adjusted after getting out. Or maybe civilian life really is this damn hard now.

How did you pick yourself up? How long did it take until you had your life figured out? Sorry for dumping all this here. I just figured if anyone would understand it’d be you guys.

Edit: Forgot to mention that I stayed in for a few years after my deployment to Afghanistan before I finally got out. When I think back on my time in, that’s always the first thing my mind goes to.

I’m currently an active duty Sergeant (E-5) and plan on ETSing. I want to do something different with my life and want to go to college. I was talking to a captain who told me to consider the Reserves, but I’ve been in too long not to know that the green grass they talk about is really green paint on mud when you get there.

College will be a priority when I get off active duty. I know little of what Reserve life is like and wanted to know a bit more from the peeps in the Reserves rather than some propaganda workers (recruiters).

If the Reserves are going to prioritize the field, deployment, or rotation and delaying my education, then I know my answer. Yet, I like to keep an open mind and understand all my options. Thank you for y'all's input.

I’ll have 55 burgers, 55 fries, 55 tacos, 55 pies, 55 Cokes, 100 tater tots, 100 pizzas, 100 tenders, 100 meatballs, 100 coffees, 55 wings, 55 shakes, 55 pancakes, 55 pastas, 55 peppers, and 155 taters.

I am joining at 36. I have a bachelors degree in business management. The main reason I'm joining is because I keep getting construction management jobs, but I cant get into commercial, or any role that has the potential to earn a reliable living. I'll be honest, it might be my lack of drive in toxic work environments, but I want to possibly have an abundance of opportunities and be highly desireable to employers if I want. to get out before I serve 20 years.

I am interested in tech and working with a group to achieve a goal. I scored a 92 on my asvab and passed the cyber test. Cybersecurity was my first choice, but it seems like they want you to be well-versed in the subject, and there is a high failure rate. Also, the MOS is extremely rare. Which Mos could possibly turn my life around for the better and achieve my goals of earning skills that will pay dividends for the rest of my life? 35F(Intelligence Analyst), 25B(Information Technology Specialist), and 25H(Network Communication Systems Specialist)

I am thinking about doing PPM since I have only 3 suitcase carriers and it costs me around 700 to ship them to my base. and HHG takes a 60days to get my stuff picked up per lady works at transportation office and she said i might not going to get reimbursed fully since i am moving my stuff with mail.
I am so confused and I also dont want to lose money on moving my stuff. What is the best way to get my stuff here?

For active duty I see that EN CCC is 21 weeks. However, I am also hearing that it is TDY en route. Can anyone confirm course length and PCS/TDY as of 2026? Thanks.

What’s a decent place to live out there? How much is the rent.
How far would the commute be to Camp Merrill.
And any other detail that would come to mind that I should be aware or take into consideration.

4X4 w/ grilled onions, animal style fries and a water. Thanks

How's everyone doing? Leaving for Fort Bragg tomorrow, just enlisted in the army as prior service. I'm going to be an E4, sadly my TIG resets. But does anyone have an infantryman's study guide or knowledge sheet with all the acronyms, weights of weapons systems and ect. Like the one's they give to a new arriving private. I have been studying but I feel like I'm missing a few things and I want to show up prepared. Thank you all for your support.

Best duty station for hunting like title says. Don’t wanna get stuck being bored agin haha!
Thanks

The title is kind of misleading but I recently fell out from heat exhaustion from doing a drill in 100 degree heat. We were in full MOPP 4 gear and even when I first put the mask on I could barely breathe and i didnt even have a proper seal. I got decent airflow into my Gas mask and it still felt suffocating. I have bad claustrophobia and now after almost passing out from heat exaustion even thinking about putting on MOPP gear stresses me out beyond belief. I'm on a recovery day from my heat exaustion and i'll have to return to the field tomorrow. We are not allowed to leave the field exercise until we do a drill in MOPP gear or the 31st rolls around. My main problem is that I refuse to get back into that gear. As i said just thinking about it stresses me out and if I put that mask back on im gonna have a panic attack. What do I do?

Title says it. I’ll be at 6 years TIS by time I finish school, just wondering what to expect, as far as my role goes, what the team structure is, what training cycles look like. I don’t have much experience working with them, they’ve always stuck next to the PL. I’ve heard that I’ll probably stay on Bradley’s but that’s it.

Just wanna hear some stories

Anyone you know that had some crazy success post-ETS? Bonus points if it wasn't expected. I'd love to hear stories of some SPC that became a CEO or something.

I pinned about two months ago and I'm struggling to find my footing. I'm trying to not be that "mean latina female SGT" stereotype, but being nice isn't working either. I get talked over and ignored when I try and give my guys instruction or any important info. Whenever I try to talk to them about what they did wrong, I get a "you dont have to get mad" when all I'm doing is talking to them. Or when I release them early for lunch and have them come back at 1310, I get a "thats nuts". I dont see out other NCO getting treated like this either. Its just me. I dont know if maybe its because they only knew me for a short period of time before I got pinned.

I dont want to be mean to them and just like jump to corrective action because I understand how much it sucked when I was that PFC getting smoked. Ive counseled them on other things (FTRs) I just dont know what I'm actually supposed to do. I dont want to fit into the stereotype either, but I can't keep letting stuff like this slide.

Context: I work in BN and we do not have a Senior NCO.

Anyways, I'll have a diet dr kelp

Same as title. The affected spouse is too scared to report. How do I go about this while also making sure alleged abuser won't be able to retaliate. They're not in the same CO or BN as me but have CAC info (semi) and Rank/Name.

So I spent 3 years at West Point (including 1 year at prep school), got kicked out and decided to enlist. I don’t have to pay anything back. But when I went to MEPS to sign my contract as a 35F I was told I won’t have to go to Basic. My orders say I go straight to AIT and start 2 weeks after arrival. I’m reaching out to see if anyone can help me understand this situation. My recruiter has done little to nothing since I signed and I’m just trying to figure out if they’re going to make me do basic once I get to AIT.

Thank you guys for all of responses. Also I’m not trying to seem like I’m complaining. My apologies if that’s the impression you received. I’m simply trying to have a better understanding of what I should expect. I appreciate everyone that took time out of their day to help me out.