Joining the Army

Well, I joined the Army on Thursday under the Delayed Enlistment Program. I'll go to basic training for 9 weeks starting in early July, classified as an 09S officer candidate. Once that finishes in early September, I start the 12 weeks of OCS. With all luck, I'll get commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant, get my "butter bar," and be able to visit family by Christmas.

After that, I would go into my branch training. Since I would only find that after the first half of OCS, I'll have to write about that later.

Here are some technical details about the process. Under the enlistment terms, I'm technically in the Army right now, though I don't actually work or get any benefits. I just have to report in to my recruiter every week.

Pay and Benefits
Once I start training, I'll be an E-4 corporal because of my bachelor's degree. Then, once I start OCS, I'll be an E-5 sergeant. Because I'm married, I think I also qualify for a separate allowance and a housing allowance, though I'm not sure how much that will be since SY will probably stay in Korea during training.

Becoming an officer
I completed all the paperwork and passed the review board. So I'm all set to become an officer once my training is finished.

Technically, right now I'm considered "enlisted" for three years. I'll get commissioned after finishing OCS, and at that point my three year commitment starts over. A promotion to 1st lieutenant would come automatically after about a year and a half. If I stay in for another term, I'd get another promotion to captain at about the three and a half years of service mark.

Student Loans
As a non-prior service OCS candidate, I qualified for the student loan repayment program: for a three-year commitment, the Army will pay off all of my existing federal loan principal (currently over $50,000). The Army pays off one-third of the total at the end of each completed year of service, but not the interest. Service starts at the beginning of basic training.

During those three years, my loans would go into deferment, meaning I don't have to pay anything if I don't want, but the interest will still build up on the unsubsidized loans if I don't pay. No interest builds up on the subsidized loans.

Physical fitness
As a 32 year old, it behooves me to get in shape now. My goal, by the *end* of basic training, is to get the highest score in each of the three exercises -- 75 push-ups, 76 sit-ups, and a two-mile run in less than 13:18. Not that this will be easy -- in each case, it would be better than I ever did in high school.

As a matter of fact, as a 32-year old, it will probably be downright painful. But I'd rather deal with that now than get it thrown at my later. Those 9 weeks of basic training at the peak of summer will no doubt be nasty enough.