Two part question about joining the Army?

I enlisted when Desert Shield was in effect. It was changed to Desert Storm while I was in basic training. My family was fearful of my decision also. I told them that I didn't want to work in a factory. I wanted to be productive while I figured out what I really wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be part of something bigger and more important than myself. While I was learning the concepts of hard-work, discipline, and team work; I would also earn the Montgomery G.I. Bill for future college attendance. I also wanted to go to Airborne school like my brother. I did!

There are many good things that come out of serving in the military:

1. GI Bill for college. I now have a Masters degree and am a college strength and conditioning coach. The athletes respect the fact that I was in the military. It makes me more credible.

2. Life long friendships

3. The ability to really understand sacrifice, team work, and honor.

4. It looks great on the resume! I actually got an interview with the Cleveland Indians because I served in the military and so did the Head Strength Coach.

5. You earn respect and learn how to give it.

6. Travel. I was stationed in Hawaii. Being from Indiana, that was a very cool duty station.

Physical preparedness: Besides running, pushups, and situps, you may want to start a martial arts class. I recommend boxing, wrestling, jui-jitsu, and muay thai kickboxing. If you are a member of a local gym, go to the cardio kickboxing and weight circuit classes. Any circuit training would be beneficial because of the conditioning aspect of it.

My wife is still in the military. She has been to Iraq once and is getting ready for Afghanistan. Whatever your decision, good luck.

Airborne!

Hey man, I got 68W in my contract, im just waiting to get shipped off for basic.

Really there is no way to prepare for basic, just do as your told and don't give up, I have plenty of friends that went through basic. Keep running, pushing, and doing situps.

Yea I run into that one a lot but I quickly shut them up saying that as a medic I get a EMT-B license which would give me a strong chance of getting a decent paying job in the civilian world working EMT which would open up even more possibilities for me in the medical profession, my college is paid for in full (national guard pays for your college unless you fail a class), and I become stronger physically and mentally and will be able to walk in the real world with pride knowing that I can handle anything thats thrown against me.

Your making the right choice and 68W is a great MOS, and im not being biased either.

You are doing the right exercises. Also, try to "mentally" prepare yourself to give up so much freedom and have to answer to the DI once you hit basic. Take comfort in knowing it is only temporary and meant to challenge you, not hurt you.

Please know that your family and gf may never be convinced this is the right thing, though I'll bet they eventually come around. Especially if you go there and exceed expectations, become a high-speed soldier medic (is what we call 68Ws at my former unit), and be happy with what you do. Thank you for considering service to your country.

Read the articles at the site below.

As far as physical training

push ups

sit ups

squats

jumping jacks, (yes, they still exist)

sprints

sprints

more sprints

chin ups (pull ups)

crunches

When I was a kid, there was a guy on tv named Jack Lalaane the "The Godfather of Fitness". He not only was fit, he still is fit (94 years old), and he is a great American Patriot. He did good old fashion calisthenics. You have GOT to read the second link about Jack!

Now, as far as the family situation. Stand up, look them in the eye and say, "It's time for me to become a man and to protect the people I love."

Learn the ranks and maybe brush up on military code and perhaps basic medicine. Good luck being a whiskey.

you are doing it right

keep running and running

also

tell your family they are not going to talk you out of enlisting and they can either be for you or against you but you would prefer they respect your decision and give you support

The PT stuff you are doing is good. It will get you off to a good start

The best was to convince them is to go in, do your very best, and they will be proud. They'll be concerned, but they'll be proud.

Thank you for your service

The same way my son told me. Mom and dad, i am a grown man, time i start acting like one...that said it all.Best of luck.

Try to learn your basic chain of command structure.

If they mean that much to you than they will come around. Just follow your heart and do what you think is right and you can't go wrong.