Time for Models IN the ARMY ?

In my barracks I'm not really "allowed" to model or posses flamibles but I did. Things went great until I spilt gold enamel on a $400.00 green chair. The point is its ok to get paint on your rug or whatever but you'll have to pay for whatever gets destroyed in the barracks. P.S. you're in college, go for an officer

I too would ask you to consider ROTC. I just finished up my four years of ROTC at Ohio University and am now in OBC at Fort Sill for Field Artillery. ROTC was a great experience and ROTC can probably help you with school costs too. You do have some choice in which branch you will serve in. You turn in a list of your top choices and through a complex and no doubt highly secretive computerized process they determine which branch you get. They try to give you one of your top three choices. The same also goes for your first duty assignment. I can say that while in college I did not really have time for modeling but now that I have my own place and some free time (and some more money now that I have a real job) I have picked modeling back up. If you have any questions about ROTC you can email me and I'd be happy to answer any you have.

I might add, go in for the minimun amount of time you have to. That way if it's not for you and military life isn't for everyone you can leave when you are done
John
heiicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission

I have to echo whay MAJ Rob and others have said. Stay in schol and go the officer route. You will find you have more time on your own to do whatever you want. It is a whole diffrerent world. Not alwasy better, don't get me wrong, just a different way of looking at things. I had friends who enlisted and now wish they too had toughed it out through school and become officers instead.

WOW , I really appriciate the outpoor of help you guys , this has really helped w/ my decision, I think for now I will be staying in School Im only half way through my second year so ROTC is still an option, thanks again everone , and thank you for serving this country , I really look up to you guys , and wish the best for everyone of you
Happy modeling

I would echo the sentiment to stay in school and become an officer. Having done both sides, I can definitely tell you which one is a more pleasant life style. I can also confirm the "recruiter told me" stories. When I was 18, I wanted to be a tanker. The recruiter showed me a CEV at the local armory. Hey, back then it looked like a tank to me. Needless to say I ended up as a 12F combat engineer vehicle operator.

As a cadet, you submit a dream sheet of the places you want to go and the branch you want. If you're good enough and your first choice branch wants or needs you, then you will get that branch. If not, they pass you on to your second choice or third or to a branch that just needs bodies.

I was lucky and had a good amount of time riding tanks and Brads, some armor guys aren't so lucky.

I built in my barracks room (a long, long time ago, it seems) and never caught flak for it, though I made sure to pick up for field day and kept it all organized, so you should be able to do the same.

Like others have said, make sure you know what you're getting in terms of the contract and don't fall for the sales pitch and empty recriter's promises. Getting it in writing is good, but make sure it's in your contract when you sign the next few years of your life over to Uncle Sam.

the same goes for me, if you have any questions about how to get an all expence paid trip to the desert, just drop me a line. LOL I am telling you the straight dope on the whole E-3 E-4 thing in the army. I had a bachelors of science degree when I enlisted. I was cautioned not to go after my 4 by some close friends of mine who were in the service. I was told that I would catch grief at basic. Id be put in charge of everthing and when it failed I was doomed. Soooooo, I only gave the army my transcripts from the Junior college that I went to. I went in PFC Gentry, and cause I was older, 30 at the time, I was still put in charge of everything. LMAO my master plan failed. However, the moral of the story is, by the regs, you can only come in as a SPC if you have a bachelors degree. I hope all of this helps, and again please email any of us if you have any further questions. Personaly, I realy like the army and would encourage anyone interested in it to educate them selves before making the leap.

I put my builds together in the comfort of my barracks room. I have to clean everything up real nice before our weekly inspections, but It works out. Jeff Gunn is right about recruiters. He's gonna be your best friend until you sign, so don't believe a thing he says. However, it's a great job. If they give you E-4 because you have some college, take it. The Marine Corps gave me E-2 because I had some college. Even still, I'm glad I picked the Marine Corps. We have so much fun.

ok, Im back.

From an enlisted point of view. Remember that there are so many variables here that its impossible to give an accurate awnser. Things you have to consider... Your MOS? Does it allow for quality down time? I can tell you as an MP it changes so much... In Germany I NEVER had time to model. If I wasnt working 12hr road shifts I was training for training exercises (that sounds funny doesn't it?) I lived in the Barracks where every where Ive been this is a golden rule "NO FLAMABLES" ie glue, paint, cleaners, candles... This can be side stepped to a degree depending on 1: your chain of command (In my unit barracks inspections where common thus few if any rules where broken. In other units they were'nt so strick and if you were willing to take the chance...) 2; find ways around the rules. I still bought and kept modeling supplies and models. My stuff was stored in the cleaining closet in a tool box where such items are allowed to be kept. My next duty station was better. Straight Garrison and I was married living off post. So free time was my free time. I also had my own hobby room which some of the guys in my unit that lived in the barracks used to build thier models. Hopefully you'll hit it off with someone who has the same intrests and you guys can work something out. Though I have to warn you, most free time is spent drinking and chasing women :) few people fresh in the military are into models until they've been in a couple years and settle down. The Arts and Crafts store is always an option but here again, its mostly dependent wifes doing pottery and ceramics or older guys using the wood shop. Finding the space to slap glue and plastic together could be intresting. Add this to I can almost promise that the store will only be open during your duty hours and it doesnt look promising.
That said, your best bet for modeling will be if your married living in quarters. Modeling in the Barracks is next to impossible. However where theres a will theres a way.
As for joining the Army, I hope it works out for you. I love it, but its not for everybody. Take nothing the recruiter says at face value, only what you can get in writing. Lemme say that again... "GET IT IN WRITING" duty station, enlistement bonus's, enlistment rank, MOS,... "GET IT IN WRITING" if its not in your contract your not getting it. Cool job picks BTW MP's and Cav Scouts have very similar missions minus the law enforcement. Another word of advice. Expect nothing!!! I say this because many people I know who come into the Military with high expectations are often dissappointed. If you expect nothing then you wont be disappointed if thats what you get. However if you expect nothing and get alot it will be more than you expected and thus you will be a happy soldier :) Everything the Army gives you can be both a blessing and a curse... you gotta find the good in things to help you ignore the bad :)
I dont want to turn this into a recruitment thread so if you want more info email me at Awood23@yahoo.com Id be more than happy to awnser questions you may have (im sure others here wouldnt mind either if you asked) Make sure you put something in the subject block or it will be sent to my junk mail

jessiah, I am a Brit but currently serving on an American Camp in Iraq. Yes there is time for models, infact we are provided models free through MWR, sent from all those good people of America lucky they dont ask to see my passport when I go in so even on active service there is still time and a capability for building. As for recruiters well, they Lie !!!! its not that they mean to, its just they have the interests of the service to put first pehaps before the interest of the individual. I can here all the recuiters belowing in anger now...its nothing personal guys its just the way things are. At this time I would imagine there is a massive push to get guys through the doors of the recuiting offices so be carefull as to what you are being promised.

Jessiah,

I'm currently an MSIV in Texas Tech Army ROTC looking forward to commissioning this coming summer. How much school do you have left? If you've got at least 2 years, go ROTC (you need a minimum to be eligible for the program). It is really worth it, plus you get lots of time to work on models! I'm halfway through my second year of ROTC and absolutely love it. Plus, the extra money every month works really well for keeping that workbench stocked with all sorts of goodies!

Drop me an email if you've got any ROTC questions.

QUOTE: Originally posted by armydogdoc recruiter tell you stories. You know what the 3 biggest lies are, "when elected I promise to", "This car runs like a dream I have never had a problem with it," and "my recruiter said."

LOL thats funny man, I really think your right about the ROTC thing I have talked to a fellow modeller who served in Iraq as a 19D , and he told me to stay in school and do the officer thing, I guess that would probably be the best bet , Awood I think your right I was told you wouldnt be able to choose your MOS as an officer, but Ive been told alot to get me to Enlist right now, I really enjoyed hearing everyones suggestions god bless you guys.

armydogdoc, I dont think they get to choose thier MOS unless they graduate in a certain percentage of thier class.. I'll get back to the modeling in the barracks question in a bit. My daughter just woke up. :)

Just one other thought after rereading your post. Are you in grad school? If you havent finished your BA then you will go in as a PFC. Dont let your recruiter tell you stories. You know what the 3 biggest lies are, "when elected I promise to", "This car runs like a dream I have never had a problem with it," and "my recruiter said." Another possibility for you to try is ROTC. It will give you a taste of service life, help to pay for college, and you will come out with a commision. As far as I know, you can choose your MOS, so why not put that college degree to work and serve and as a cav officer? But I guess I cant talk, cause here I sit with a BS and I am elisted. Oh well, just some things to think about.

Jessiah, Im currently deployed to the middle east. At the moment I am in Afghanistan but will be returning to the other theatre soon. That is where all of my stuff is. I find a great deal of time to model, of course, my MOS allows for that. Im an animal health care specialist, and if a dog is not sick or hurt there isnt a whole lot for me to do. Since I am one of the few 91T's here and am on 24 hr call, I am generally exempt from a lot of the details that go on here. I dont know about how much time a cav soldier will have to model, but for my MOS it isnt an issue. Also, there are ways to model in the barracks, I do it all of the time. As long as you are respectful of the people around you and keep things organized you can make it work. In fact, before you know it you will have guys modeling with you. There is power in numbers. Another resource to look into when you are in garrison is the base craft center. Often times you can utilize this facility if problems arrise as a result of modeling in the baracks.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the help guys, I wasnt going to let modeling stop me , I just wanted to know what I would be in for when I get out there, I have been told by many that I should just stay in school but something keeps telling me to join, whatever happens I will keep you guys posted, thanks again everyone.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rob Gronovius BTW, Calvary is a hill outside of Jerusalem, cavalry is mounted warriors.

oops I feel uneducated, someone forgive me

BTW, Calvary is a hill outside of Jerusalem, cavalry is mounted warriors.

Well, from the Marine point of view, once you reach your duty station/unit there will be time to indulge in this hobby, and you should have the room to work. It can be a pain to restock some things the movers won't pack, but most times I just box that stuff up and put it in the car. So military life and modelling are not exclusive of each other. You just have to make the time for it. Whatever you decide, good luck and make the most of your opportunities.

I have been on active duty for almost 11 years now and never had a problem finding time and/or space for modeling. Granted, I have been a married officer the whole time, living in on-post quarters, so I never really had to deal with the barracks. Only barracks time was in Korea and it wasn't really a barracks, but Bachelor Officer Quarters (BOQs). I had no problem keeping all my supplies in the BOQs; glue, paint, lacquer thinners, etc. You will have to find time between work/field time and other activities. As for moving around, I always let the packers pack up my models (with some guidance), I have only had a couple that had to be scrapped. Most have small items such as antennas, doors, etc. broken off, but are all in the paper in the box. Also, I build them so they are packer friendly. I leave things like MGs, rotor blades, hatches, etc. movable/removable so they can easily be packed up.

Bottom Line-----
Don't let your modelling keep you from joining one of the greatest institutions around. Good luck.

Whatever you do, wherever you go I'll pray God's blessings on you!

Glenn

As a recent retiree from the USAF, I'll toss out a couple thoughts.

Until you obtain enough rank, time in service, and/or get married, you will be religated to barracks living. I can't speak for the Army, but USAF personnel in barracks can't possess liquid glue (except elmer's type glue), spray paint of any type, or flammable liquids (no thinner) in their rooms at any time. Once you get "off post" housing or are allocated married quarters, these restrictions are obviously lifted.

During my 20 years of service, I did not build a single model until the last year. There were only two tours of duty that I possibly could have done some serious modeling, but didn't. I have to agree that the moving thing was a big factor for me. Since many of the products we use are hazardous and can't be shipped, having to completely restock every two or three years would have gotten very tedious.

Whatever your decision, I wish you all the best.

Enjoy your modeling...

I grew up as an armor officer and had plenty of time to build kits casually. It wasn't until my current assignment that I really had the time to build the good stuff and enter contests and shows.

Most of my built kits do not survive the umpteen moves I've made.

When you're actually in garrison it's alost like having a 9 to 5 job, almost. You most likely will have half of a room to yourself in the barracks. Barracks life is alot like a college dorm due to Single Soldier Initiative and other Quality of Life measures. The problem with modelling in the military is moving your models every 2-3 yrs without breaking them and, depending on what kind of paints you use and how late you model, bothering your roommate. I had to take a break for the 10 yrs I was in. I was a fuel handler but was always a wanna be 19D. Spent 4 yrs with the Cav and you couldn't ask to be in a better unit. Your gonna spend ALOT of time in the field with either 19D or 19K. Best of luck to ya!!