[Dave]

Originally Posted by Archren

Army promotion system is different than it is for Air Force. Doesn't mean I'm more or less qualified than you. And I guaran-fucking-tee you get paid more for TDY than I do. And you have better accomodations anywhere you go (unless you have to stay in Army barracks, haha.. and then you get paid more because you have to live in "sub-standard housing"). And you are far less likely to get stuck as a warm body on a gun truck in a convoy. And I'd take two-four month deployments over a year-long mobilization (9-10 months for this next deployment.. 11 months for my first one.. in one shot, except for my 2 week R&R leave.. and that's not including all the fucking training leading up to mobilization) any day. I don't mobilize until late June/early July, but between now and then I have 5 separate courses lined up (only one of which isn't related to deployment). 9 weeks of training, and I still have to work my normal schedule in between, AND go to drill weekends (which I don't get paid any extra to do).

I got lucky in that they promoted me to E6 because there was a conditional waiver due to deployment. I paid for it dearly, though, because there was a lot of responsibility thrown at me that I'm not really certain I was prepared for. E6 at 21? Not exactly the best gig in the world when you lack the experience. I learned a lot.. trial by fire is a quick way to learn, but I don't necessarily recommend it.

yeesh six in four? how the heck did you pull that off in a non combat MOS? im a 19 series and i thought i was doing great when i made five in four

Originally Posted by Archren

Bite me. :: I lived in a giant ass tent when I got to Kuwait.. then we flew to Balad, and we lived in what used to be office buildings (I had to room with 12 other females in the big room ) until they set up the trailer parks. I was E5 at the time and had an E3 roommate once we were set up in a trailer (3 rooms, 2 people per room). Oh yeah, did I mention that deployment was for 11 months? Hell, even that pales in comparison to some of the poor fucks who were extended to 15 months or more.

13 on the first one 23 on the second