I guess this is the wonderful world of the military

[Tombor]

I've been trying to get into the Air Force for about 7 months now dating back to last July. I get an 87 on my ASVAB, but I'm overweight... the odyessy begins when I meet one group of recruiters who weigh me at 241 and measure me at 6'2 and half. I'm suppose to get down to 217 because they fear the MEPS guys will send me back down. So I try to. I get down to, I think, 230ish. They now measure me at 6'3 (guess I slouched the first time...) now I need to get to 224. Those recruiters never call me back to check my prognosis after I give them my big giant case file...

I go see another recruiter in December. I'm 248 (holidays...). New recruiter reminds me of a break dancer filled with wisdom from those movies about break dancers made in 1984... Guy has me come in every week to get weighed. I lose weight. I get to 243 the first week. He believes I want this for real (I do...). Keeps me coming in. 238. 236. Guy has me fill out another case file. Wants me to get to 224.

I come in a week later. 232. Impressed. Hand him case file. Come in again a week later. Same weight. Give him my diploma. Give him SS card.

Now he freaks out at my case file. I answer yes to a couple medical questions. I got flat feet. I got a scar on my leg (scratched it on a mattress spring a year or so ago). I broke my right arm twice when I was a kid. I saw a therapist for maybe a month a year or so ago. Never got put on anything. Had 3 speeding tickets. Those are all issues that could send me back on a shuttle.

What does he do? He tells me to lie about all of it. He thinks I can't or I won't ("you seem like somebody who won't shut his yap"). I agree that I won't. Initial a couple papers about drug abuse. Has me set up for next week.

225 and a half with clothers. Sees that I got flat feet. His CO looks semi-pissed about something. Delays it to this week.

Sorry for the ranting. I think I rather be a coward and go to school on a loan... Wonder if the other branches are like this...

[GameMaster]

Might I suggest cutting bread and sugar out of your diet until you lose the desired amount?

[Tombor]

I have. Been doing the Atkins thing since last year. Use to be 312.

[gekko]

Originally posted by Tombor
Wonder if the other branches are like this...

Holding you off like that is the recruiters, not the service.

Being told to lie happens frequently, from what I can tell from various military forums. Basically, if you get some dick at MEPS who decides he wants to ruin your day and DQ you for some stupid thing, he will, and then you need to file for a waiver, and wait for all that paperwork to clear. You still may not get the waiver, of course. It's easier for the recruiter to just have you lie. And why not? If you're ever caught, it's your ass serving the 10 years in jail and paying the fine. Of course, once you get out you'll be able to get a job again now that you have a felony and dishonorable discharge on your record.

They also tell you to lie before you get to MEPS. In the morning brief the CO tells you not to lie, and mentions the punishment. When you fill out medical papers, you sign that you are not lying on anything. During your History portion of the physical, they question you to see if you're lying. On your pre-enlistment interview, they ask you the same thing again. Always reinstating that if you get busted it's your own fault, your recruiter will not get punished, and you can will be convicted of a felony and face 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. I feel bad for the kids who try to keep a lie going through MEPS, I would **** my pants.

Go through, hope for the best. Good thing about recruiters is that you may never have to see them again after you ship.

Why with less than 1.5 million people serving in the military, after a war with Afghanistan, and threats with Iraq and North Korea do they make it so ****ing hard to get in the military? I have no idea.

[Mushlafa]

I have flat feet too... dun really have a take on your post.. the guys a jerk.. and what if you told someone he was tellin you to lie about your stuff?

[Tombor]

What's funny is he sorts of alluded to "losing a stripe" if I told the truth. I'm going to tell them everything. I've been trying for this thing for 7 months and I've gotten to his almost "zen" moment. If I get in I get in. If I don't get in. Well, I don't get in and I go fill out a FAFSA and get a big loan and go into debt. At least I don't have to put with ****....

I've been, at least for the last few months, feeling that this was my only "out" but I'm seeing that it isn't and I'm just sick of this. I know they try to "challenge" you and try to put pressure on you to see how you react, but I don't know. I got nothing against the Military at all, but I'm wondering if I'm AF material. I got long hair, I see through every BS thing he tells me, I freely admit to everything on my medical record, and never call him sir. I think I'm not military material.

[gekko]

Originally posted by Tombor
What's funny is he sorts of alluded to "losing a stripe" if I told the truth.

From what I've heard at MEPS, they don't get ****, it all comes down on your ass. I hear quite a few kids saying their recruiter told them to lie, I doubt they would be willing if they actually lost a stripe.

I got long hair

They will cut it.

I see through every BS thing he tells me

Join the Marines, they don't promise you ****, and you don't recieve ****

I freely admit to everything on my medical record

As you should.

and never call him sir

You can learn.

[Tombor]

You forget you're a stronger man than I... you bought Steel Battallion while I merely dreamed of buying it...

No to the Marines sorry. The Marine recruiter I talked to promised me the world and claimed I get a non-get-shot-at job. Something involving a gun and a computer.

I will say this... The military helped me get into the best shape of my life and I'm not even, potentially, in.

I'm going up to MEPS no matter what. Mainly because the recruiter still has my diploma and SS Card. He supposed to take it... Gotta get it back somehow.

If I make it in I'll do everything they tell me to do. I'm malable and all, but err. I got second thoughts