Last Minute Contract Advice

[Marvin Blank]

Well guys,
On Thursday I finally go to MEPS to sign an 18x contract. Once I do, I will PM one of the mods, as I am really interested to see what is in the 18x prep board.
I wanted to thank all of you here, as well as those of you on SOCNET, for all of the advice and knowledge you've given me either directly or indirectly. Although I've never met any of you, many of you, although you don't realize it, have directly played a part in convincing me to finally join after 8 or nine years of "thinking about it". Anyway, I won't be shipping till the summer, so I'm sure I will have a lot more to ask over time, but thanks to all of you.
Now, the point of the post: I am 23 years old, will graduate with a BA from UGA, do not speak any languages, got a 99 on my ASVAB, and obviously want to sign an 18x. I was wondering if anyone has any advice about what I need to get on my contract. Other than making sure it says "18x", is there anything else negotiable, or is it a set package deal? Is there anything that can come back to haunt me later?
I know the timeline and progression of the contract, but I am just a little concerned that maybe one or two things need to be asked for to get. Any responses would be greatly appreciated about anything from enlistment times to bonus amounts, ect. I'm going to sign the contract even if there are no bonuses and it is a ten year enlistment, but obviously I might as well get the best "deal" I can. Thanks in advance

[Marvin Blank]

Man, 70 views and no replies! I feel like the fat chick at the middle school dance. Oh well, off to the snack bar....

[Kyobanim]

I'd like to help but my info is 20 years out of date.

Just remember, if it's not in the contract it's not gonna happen. I experienced that in my first enlistment.

Good luck.

[Surgicalcric]

An 18X contract is an 18X contract is an 18X contract. The only exception is a clause that can be added to your contract if you are prior service so you can be discharged if you do not complete training. You will get 11X OSUT and BAC at Ft Benning School for Boys then PCS to Bragg for SFQC PH-1A SFAS, etc...

Nothing special to ask for.

Good luck and prepare yourself well.

Crip

[Archangel]

An 18X contract is an 18X contract is an 18X contract. The only exception is a clause that can be added to your contract if you are prior service so you can be discharged if you do not complete training. You will get 11X OSUT and BAC at Ft Benning School for Boys then PCS to Bragg for SFQC PH-1A SFAS, etc...

Nothing special to ask for.
Unless you're expecting a bonus. If so take Kyobanim's advice & get it in the contract.

[Marvin Blank]

Unless you're expecting a bonus. If so take Kyobanim's advice & get it in the contract.

Thanks for the replys. As for the above quote:
Should I be? As I said before, I will have a BA and a 99 ASVAB. Is there a set bonus for that, is it all kinds of circumstances together, or is it just up to whomever I talk to? Obviously, thats not why I'm joining up, but if I can keep myself from getting screwed out of an extra grand or so.......

[Surgicalcric]

With your degree and an ASVAB of 99 you should be getting a bonus, you should also be enlisting as an E-4.

[Marvin Blank]

Any idea how much? I've heard people on Socnet talk about $15,000, my recruiter showed me a contract for MI that was $11,000, and I read some guys blog that said he got $9,000....of course, most of the actual SF guys I've talked to have said something along the lines of "My bonus was a bad back and bad debts, so why in the name of fuck would you even want to do this, anyway?"

[Kyobanim]

Marvin,

I would sit down with the recruiter to talk about the bonus and rank, if it's an important part of your enlistment. Go to your recruiter and get the contract, take it home and read it well. Write down your questions and take them back to the recruiter. That's the only way you're going to get what you want or understand what it says. Just don't sign the contract until the recruiter is there to witness it.

In the mean time, get your body and mind ready.

[Marvin Blank]

Marvin,

I would sit down with the recruiter to talk about the bonus and rank, if it's an important part of your enlistment. Go to your recruiter and get the contract, take it home and read it well. Write down your questions and take them back to the recruiter. That's the only way you're going to get what you want or understand what it says. Just don't sign the contract until the recruiter is there to witness it.

In the mean time, get your body and mind ready.


Rgr that. Thanks for all the replys.

[NousDefionsDoc]

Well, did you sign the thing or not?

[Marvin Blank]

As of this morning, I am now enlisted in the Army with an 18x contract DEP July 14. Sorry it took so long for me to reply. I had not realized that my recruiter needed to have everything in (SF86, Passport, Transcript) a week before MEPS, so when I showed up to go down the other week with all of my paperwork, we couldn't. Between work and school, yesterday was the soonest I could go down.
Anyways, thanks again for all the contract advice. I'm glad it's finally over with, and now can focus completely on graduating and preparing myself for the next stage of my life.

[Weazle23]

First baby step done.

keep crawling Specialist (assuming they gave you E-4).

[Marvin Blank]

Not finished with school, so I'm an E-3 right now, and when I go to MEPS to ship (which will be after I graduate), will be made E-4 before I process. Or at least thats what they told me.......

[ghostinashell]

If they were going to give you E-4 it should be in your contract if it's not I would contact your recruiter. I am in DEP also until I graduate and was classified as an E-4. Your situation may be different than man but I would check that out and then double check again if it something that is important to you.

ghost

[Weazle23]

When you go into MEPS to ship out, bring a copy of your degree and you should be good. Double check with your recruiter though.