To submit or retake, to stay or to go?

[boudicca]

I am applying for intel, crypto and amdo, and got a 54 6/6/6 on my ASTB. I have a 3.72 GPA, and a Master's in War Studies. My recruiter is telling me I have a competitive package, but I'm all nerves, and I think I could do better if I took the ASTB again.

The other thing is, I just ended an Americorps program and my recruiter advises that I stay in-state during the application process. I just picked up a job in-town working on a horse ranch.

I still volunteer, but since I'm living in limbo right now, and in a small town with limited jobs, I can't exactly get a "professional" job when I can't give employers any definite on my future (not to mention that there aren't exactly a boat-load of professional jobs even here).

My questions are: does it look bad that I'm working on a horse ranch, nothing really of "leadership"-type material? My other question is whether it is advisable to stay in the state where you first began your application. Does it get really complicated if you leave the state, are you assigned a new recruiter?

I don't exactly see a big future in horse-ranch work, so I'm afraid of getting stuck in a small town while waiting for this app. Any advice is appreciated (even thoughts on my chances).

Thank you!

 

[Thisguy]

I am applying for intel, crypto and amdo, and got a 54 6/6/6 on my ASTB. I have a 3.72 GPA, and a Master's in War Studies. My recruiter is telling me I have a competitive package, but I'm all nerves, and I think I could do better if I took the ASTB again.

Your ASTB scores look fine. Since you're not going SNA or SNFO, that 6/6/6 means jackshit.

My questions are: does it look bad that I'm working on a horse ranch, nothing really of "leadership"-type material? My other question is whether it is advisable to stay in the state where you first began your application. Does it get really complicated if you leave the state, are you assigned a new recruiter?

Better than sitting on your ass and doing nothing. Seriously, most leadership positions people apply with are presidents of a club, or captain of a sports team, so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

 

[Flash]

Master's in War Studies.

War Studies?! What did you study for that?

 

[skim]

War Studies?! What did you study for that?

My guess would be war

 

[boudicca]

Thanks...

Thisguy, thanks a lot of the feed-back, I appreciate it. Flash, As for War Studies, I believe it is primarily a British speciality, and I earned my MA in London. As for studying war skim, ah, yeah, you've got that right. Specifically though, it focused primarily on the predominant post-Cold War era violence, sectarian and guerrilla style fighting more often seen in Africa and the Middle East.

In any case, I suppose I'll set up camp in Arizona until I hear back from the boards, I think I can deal with dust particulate and desert cacti for a few more months...

-Boudicca

 

[four o two]

Don't put all your eggs into one basket. I was interviewing/getting jobs lined up until the day I found out I was accepted. The day I got that call, I had just come back from a job interview (and offer) from Microsoft.

BTW, since you're not SNA/SNFO, the 6/6/6 means nothing. (As someone mentioned - just thought I'd reiterate.) The 54 is a high score. Nothing to frown at.

 

[Flash]

Thisguy, thanks a lot of the feed-back, I appreciate it. Flash, As for War Studies, I believe it is primarily a British speciality, and I earned my MA in London. As for studying war skim, ah, yeah, you've got that right. Specifically though, it focused primarily on the predominant post-Cold War era violence, sectarian and guerrilla style fighting more often seen in Africa and the Middle East.

In any case, I suppose I'll set up camp in Arizona until I hear back from the boards, I think I can deal with dust particulate and desert cacti for a few more months...

-Boudicca

Over here we call it military history, leave it to the Brits to come up with a better name . What else do you expect from a country that names some of its ships Battleaxe and Illustrious?

 

[boudicca]

War Studies...

Over here we call it military history, leave it to the Brits to come up with a better name . What else do you expect from a country that names some of its ships Battleaxe and Illustrious?

Hey Flash, actually, we really didn't study historical aspects of war. In fact it was really rather contemporary, I wrote my thesis on the involvement of private military companies in contingency operations (Iraq). Most of my studies focused on the current bout of civil war in Africa (though that's nothing new, of course). In any case, thanks again for your input, and yes, the Brits to have some quirky names for their ships (ie- the HMS Tireless that just blew and oxygen purification system and killed two sailors in the Arctic).

I'm still so anxious about this whole thing. I'm considering enlisting if I don't get pro-rec'd. Any opinions on that? My whole family is decrying my inclination to enlist, saying I wouldn't "fit in" and that I'd be wasting my education. I disagree.

 

[ChunksJR]

My whole family is decrying my inclination to enlist, saying I wouldn't "fit in" and that I'd be wasting my education. I disagree.

Cut the ties, enlist if you want. It's you're life - what's it going to take for them to support and be proud of you? A PHd?

Now, if you can stomach making $20k for a few years with an MA, than you have more character than 99% of those you'll be enlisting with. Not that they don't have character, but most will GROW character as they grow older and more mature. You can enlist at 17...and many of our recruits are younger...

Just a few ideas.
~D