What are some tips for a woman joining the army?

[jolie]

I'm a sophomore in High School and saw one of the pamphlets for the army in the library a while ago. I've done hours and hours of research but need help not only on the decision, but what to DO. I have been considering joining the army or marines for a while now, maybe a little over a year. I know the risks, I know the pros and cons, I know the basics on what to expect. My questions are: How to prepare, extreme detail on the training drills and manners, details on relationships, how females are treated, if I can pursue a career after my few years in the army are over. I want to go into family law, but I want to go into the military first. Is this possible? Really, any details from experience or help would be appreciated.

[winwood]

Stay away from drill instructors hitting on you.

[aescby]

1. Expect to be raped
2. Expect no one to take you seriously when you report it
3. Expect to come back home traumatized and homeless

[gerard]

Do what feels right.
Be disciplined and work hard.

[webb]

Go to google and type in " everything females should know before joining the army" then clock on the link that saids the same thing that should help you :)

[sylvester37]

I just joined the army and ship out to basic in a few weeks.this is what i have gained from our weekly workouts and from other women in the army.
before basic you would more than likely have to go to the station and work out with the recruiters. we have done running, and pt test most weeks. we also have done fun work outs like cherry pickers and flipping the large tires.
relationships- I was told that guys will do anything to get with you and then if you do choose to sleep with him he tells all the guys he is friends with and it spreads like crazy. so like high school.
how women are treated- so far its been normal. the guys think they are :complete bad a**es. you just have to let them know if your in charge they have to listen to you. they do not really argue with the women who out rank them.
just find a job in the army that can closely relate to the job you want in the real world. you would have the training for the job while in the army, or the army pays for school after (like combat medic is the same as an EMT)

[abisha]

I'm just in the Army National Guard and not the regular Army, but we train together at basic and AIT along with the Army Reservists.
Work on your PT. Practice good form on push-ups. Since you're a female, and you'll be in the 18-21 age group, you'll have to do at least 19 good push-ups (definition of "good" depends on the grader). Practice your sit-ups and practice your running. Since you're 16 you'll have plenty of time to get prepared. They'll go over a lot of the basic stuff when you get to basic training.

Relationships are really tricky. They're definitely not allowed at basic or AIT. There were a couple of people who got in huge trouble, because they were caught doing something or other at basic. So best not to flirt or hook up with anyone. Military is not the best place if you're hoping to meet someone. We weren't allowed to contact anyone who was in the military, unless they were family members while in training. We could only contact civilian people. Unless you're previously married, an officer/officer trainee and enlisted relationships are a definite no. This applies to all military branches. I've been told it's fine, if you're in the same rank. Adultery is bad if you get caught. So stay away from married people. They should go over more details when you get to basic.

I'm a woman and I haven't had any problems dealing with men in the army. Some men have never worked in with women until they became drill sergeants and they say some of their best soldiers are women. The women kind of put on a tougher act than men sometimes, but it's pretty chill. Just make sure you don't get pregnant before basic and AIT, that'll end up in delaying you even with an abortion. Some of the jobs are closed to women though. If you do National Guard or Reserves, (I think Marine just has Reserves, I wouldn't be the one to ask on Marine stuff) it's easy to do that and go to college. Drill is one weekend a month and two weeks a year. You can still pursue a career and go to college and what not after you finish your military. Choose wisely on what job you really want to do. Some people will choose something similar to their civilian careers/goals, others will choose something totally different. It all depends on you and what you want to do. If you would like to do law in the military, you could probably look into JAG, but it's different from civilian law.

Just basically don't do anything stupid, do what you're told, respect your ranks, and address them accordingly. A lot of this stuff they'll teach when you join and start training you. You'll learn how to stand in formation, march, how to stand, and other stuff. So, I wouldn't worry about that. Some people have had few months of drilling before going to basic, others not quite as much. I signed up in October of 2010 and had to wait until June to go to basic, because I was in school. And I did the 100 and 200 level military science classes from ROTC. Some kids may have done JROTC in high school, so they'd be ahead if they choose to become an officer and decide to go to basic. It's not required for people signing up for officer jobs to do basic/AIT. But I wouldn't worry if you have prior knowledge or not, you'll end up learning it anyway.

Just keep talking to people and asking questions. Be careful with the recruiters. There are some good ones out there, but there are some who shouldn't be recruiters. My recruiter was good, however, there is another one I know and she's terrible and messes up on people's paperwork a lot and there was a bunch of other stuff that went on. MEPS gets annoyed with her. A handful of people ended up switching to a different recruiter. Definitely research you're recruiter if you can and don't rely on all the information from them. They don't just sign you in. They're responsible for trying to get you to MEPS, training, and a couple of other things. Ask people who've been in awhile and don't depend on other recruits to give you accurate information.

Right now, probably focus on getting into shape, finding a good recruiter and talking to them, research different jobs and have a couple of options available in case one doesn't work out.

[sonny]

I'm just in the Army National Guard and not the regular Army, but we train together at basic and AIT along with the Army Reservists.
Work on your PT. Practice good form on push-ups. Since you're a female, and you'll be in the 18-21 age group, you'll have to do at least 19 good push-ups (definition of "good" depends on the grader). Practice your sit-ups and practice your running. Since you're 16 you'll have plenty of time to get prepared. They'll go over a lot of the basic stuff when you get to basic training.

Relationships are really tricky. They're definitely not allowed at basic or AIT. There were a couple of people who got in huge trouble, because they were caught doing something or other at basic. So best not to flirt or hook up with anyone. Military is not the best place if you're hoping to meet someone. We weren't allowed to contact anyone who was in the military, unless they were family members while in training. We could only contact civilian people. Unless you're previously married, an officer/officer trainee and enlisted relationships are a definite no. This applies to all military branches. I've been told it's fine, if you're in the same rank. Adultery is bad if you get caught. So stay away from married people. They should go over more details when you get to basic.

I'm a woman and I haven't had any problems dealing with men in the army. Some men have never worked in with women until they became drill sergeants and they say some of their best soldiers are women. The women kind of put on a tougher act than men sometimes, but it's pretty chill. Just make sure you don't get pregnant before basic and AIT, that'll end up in delaying you even with an abortion. Some of the jobs are closed to women though. If you do National Guard or Reserves, (I think Marine just has Reserves, I wouldn't be the one to ask on Marine stuff) it's easy to do that and go to college. Drill is one weekend a month and two weeks a year. You can still pursue a career and go to college and what not after you finish your military. Choose wisely on what job you really want to do. Some people will choose something similar to their civilian careers/goals, others will choose something totally different. It all depends on you and what you want to do. If you would like to do law in the military, you could probably look into JAG, but it's different from civilian law.

Just basically don't do anything stupid, do what you're told, respect your ranks, and address them accordingly. A lot of this stuff they'll teach when you join and start training you. You'll learn how to stand in formation, march, how to stand, and other stuff. So, I wouldn't worry about that. Some people have had few months of drilling before going to basic, others not quite as much. I signed up in October of 2010 and had to wait until June to go to basic, because I was in school. And I did the 100 and 200 level military science classes from ROTC. Some kids may have done JROTC in high school, so they'd be ahead if they choose to become an officer and decide to go to basic. It's not required for people signing up for officer jobs to do basic/AIT. But I wouldn't worry if you have prior knowledge or not, you'll end up learning it anyway.

Just keep talking to people and asking questions. Be careful with the recruiters. There are some good ones out there, but there are some who shouldn't be recruiters. My recruiter was good, however, there is another one I know and she's terrible and messes up on people's paperwork a lot and there was a bunch of other stuff that went on. MEPS gets annoyed with her. A handful of people ended up switching to a different recruiter. Definitely research you're recruiter if you can and don't rely on all the information from them. They don't just sign you in. They're responsible for trying to get you to MEPS, training, and a couple of other things. Ask people who've been in awhile and don't depend on other recruits to give you accurate information.

Right now, probably focus on getting into shape, finding a good recruiter and talking to them, research different jobs and have a couple of options available in case one doesn't work out.

They will teach you drill once you start training. Don't try and learn drill, saluting etc from anywhere not the internet, books etc. You may pick up bad habits that they will have to break you of. You will mess up enough as it is in BASIC. If you try to learn things like that yourself and you learn it wrong that just gives another reason for Drill Instructors to come down on you. Why add fuel to the fire?

If you want to do law when do you plan on going to university and do a law degree? Serve first then try to go to university? Personally I say stay in student mode, you could try to apply for ROTC and see if you could get your university paid for.

Personally I say if folks want higher levels of education try to do it as soon as you can. IE) If someone wants to get a masters try to do it right after you get your Bachelors and if they want to do a PhD unless it requires field experience try to get into it as soon as you can after your Masters. I just personally think once you are out of school for a while working or what ever it's harder to get back into the student mind set, just my personal belief.