Although, your recruiter has given you a packing list that tells you what items to bring to basic training. In this article, I’ll explain further on those items you must have with you to boot camp in order to have a smooth transition from civilian to Army life much easier.

Clothing

• Pants and shirts. It is advised that you just wear the clothes on your back because you will be issued uniforms on your first day upon arrival. Most likely you will arrive late and have less than a few hours to rest before they start in-processing recruits into reception.
• Footwear. Again, just wear the same casual tennis shoes with you and bring one pair of shower flip-flops.

Documents

• A picture id. You will only need one of these items: A valid driver’s license or a current state identification card and/or green card.
• A social security card.
• A direct deposit form. You will need your bank checking account and routing number. It is highly recommended that you have this information readily available and is in good standing.
• Legal documents such as birth certificate, marriage license, high school diploma, college transcripts, GED, divorce decree and copies of your children birth certificate if under 18.

Lock

Two combination locks will be sufficient enough. You will have a wall locker to lock your valuables up. There is no place to secure valuables other than the lockers you will be provided. You must provide your own lock to secure your personal belongings. It is advisable to buy a combo lock that will fit a wide variety of locker types. Larger sturdier locks will not fit.

Toiletries

You will smell bad in the first couple of hours after arriving to basic training and you will need to bring your own personal hygiene products. It is advisable that you bring a small travel-sized kit that is acceptable with airline policy.

Technology

A Cell Phone. You can bring your phone with you but it will be taken and safely stored by the drill sergeants until you earn the privilege to use them again.

Money

• You will need to bring $10, but not more than $50 dollars in cash.
• Debit Card. Nothing is free so you have to use plastic to pay for personal hygiene and also to withdraw funds out of the ATM machines.

It is not necessary to buy everything on the list. Your bag will be heavy and you’ll regret it once you actually get to your company. You will be given the opportunity to go to the troop store to get the things you need so don’t over load your backpack.

Many people attend the Army Officer interview but only a small percentage succeed. The reason for this is simply because they fail to provide sufficient evidence of their ‘officer’ potential. You are guaranteed to get asked the following question during the Army Officer interview:

Can you tell me why you want to become an Officer?

You must have valid reasons why you want to become an Officer in the Army. This job is entirely different to being a regular soldier. You will have far more responsibilities and the training that you will undergo will be extremely challenging, both mentally and physically. Here are a few positive reasons for wanting to become an Officer:

“An opportunity to become an elite Officer in the Army is an opportunity to be the best that I can be.”

“I believe that I have the potential to become an exceptional Officer and I don’t want to waste my potential.”

“I want to become an Officer simply because I believe I have the skills and attributes to lead, inspire and develop people. If I am not in a leadership position then I believe those skills and attributes will be wasted.”

“I am a confident, professional and enthusiastic person who believes that everyone should be given the opportunity to be there best. As an Officer I would have the chance to make a difference and I would thrive in a position that could help the Army to achieve its organizational goals and objectives.”

“In any organisation that I have worked in so far, I have always held a keen interest in the development of staff and the development of the company as a whole. The experiences that I have gained in life so far and prepared me to become an Officer in the Army and I believe that I could be a excellent member of the Army’s leadership team.”

If you use any of the above reasons for wanting to become an army officer you will have more chances of success.

INTERVIEW TIPS FOR THE ARMY OFFICER INTERVIEW

– When you walk into the interview room stand up straight with your shoulders back. Project an image of confidence;

– Don’t sit down in the interview chair until invited to do so;

– Sit with your hands resting on your knees, palms downwards. It is OK to use your hands expressively but don’t overdo it;

– Don’t slouch in the chair;

– Speak up and be positive;

– Smile, be happy and have a sense of humour;

– Dress as smart as you can and take a pride in your appearance. If you don’t have a suit make sure you wear a shirt and tie at the very least.

– Improve your personal administration. By this I mean your personal hygiene and cleanliness. Make sure you have washed and your hands and nails are clean.

– Make sure you have researched both the Army life and your chosen career/careers. This is very important.

– During the interview do not be negative or disrespectful towards your teachers, parents or people in positions of authority. Remember that you are applying to join a disciplined service.

– Go the extra mile and learn a little bit about the Army’s history if you get time. When the panel asks you ‘What can you tell us about the Army?’ you will be able to demonstrate that you have made an effort to look into their history as well as their modern day activities;

– Be respectful and courteous towards the interview panel. At the end of your response to each question finish off with either ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am’ or as otherwise instructed.

– Ask positive questions at the end of the interview. Try not to ask questions such as “How much leave will I get?” or “How often do I get paid?”

– If you are unsure about a question don’t waffle. If you do not know the answer then it is OK to say so. Move on to the next question and put it behind you.

Finally, believe in yourself and be confident. A positive attitude will bring positive results!

Perhaps you may have thought of enrolling in the army, if you happen to be a Pakistan resident, do not panic, there are a variety of strategies you may use to arrive at your ambitions. The assortment process involves numerous stages. Read through to comprehend the various ways to enroll in the Pakistan armed forces.

PMA are long courses which are inducted in the Pakistan army to the officers on the rank of second. Normally, this courses are taken twice a year. Once is done during the winter while the other during the summer. Thereupon, all who are willing to join the Pakistan army must check the eligibility criteria provided in the application sites. The candidate must pass through the following:

-Registration

-Initial test

-ISSB

-Medical test

1. Registration:

It all begins with application. You are required to fill in all your details on the application forms and later submit them to the relevant army recruitment and selection centers. With the technological advancement, you are able to make an online application. Upon the receiving of the application, you will be given a slip to appear in the initial test. This registration starts at around July.

2. Initial Tests:

Upon the validation of the registration, candidates are called for the initial test. This stage comprises of numerous tests such as online, medical and physical tests.

a) ONLINE TEST: This comprises of tests on verbal, non-verbal and academic tests. Verbal comprises of 94 questions which should be completed within 30 minutes. Non-verbal comprises of 96 questions which also requires to be attempted in 30 minutes. Academic test has 50 questions and similarly requires 30 minutes. Both verbal and non-verbal tests comprise of common sense questions. They are meant to give a range of your prudence.

b) MEDICAL TEST: Here, the candidates are commissioned a doctor to examine their height, weight, bones and many health conditions. All candidates found with health issues are disqualified from continuing with the military training.

c) PHYSICAL TEST: All candidates declared fit by the doctor are summoned for a physical fitness assessment. They are made to run, push-ups, reach-ups among other physical fitness schemes. You need to understand that not many individuals get through this stage, thereupon, you need to keep yourself fit to secure a job in the military.

3. ISSB:

This is the inter services selection board. This is the most versatile part of anyone’s application. You are only legible to apply twice in your entire life. Failure to go through it the second time results in an eternal disqualification for a position in the Pakistan military.

To begin, there are nine levels of enlisted rank in the United States Army. Rank begins with the Private, and ends with the Sergeant Major of the Army. Along with each proper rank name, is an abbreviated rank identifier and an enlisted grade, or pay grade. The enlisted grades also start at E1 and end at E9. Four grades, E4, E7, E8 and E9, are distinguished because they each have multiple ranks associated with them.

People usually recognize that soldiers wear ‘stripes’ on their sleeves and collars. There are two types of stripes that are used with one another. The stripes that point up are called chevrons. The lower stripes that attach to the chevrons are called arcs or rockers.

Private, PV1, E1 – This is a basic recruit rank and grade. The private wears no insignia. His sleeve and collar are bare.

Private, PV2, E2 – The Private wears the insignia of one chevron on his sleeves and collar. Advancement to the rank of E2 is usually automatic upon completion of six months service.

Private First Class, PFC, E3 – The Private First Class wears insignia of one chevron and one rocker. Advancement to the rank of E3 is usually automatic upon completion of 12 months service. The E1, E2 and E3 are all addressed as ‘Private’.

Specialist 4, SP4, E4 – The Specialist is a somewhat unique rank. This is the only enlisted rank that does not bear chevrons or rockers. Instead, the Specialist rank looks like a solid shield with an eagle centered on it. The Specialist has been trained in a military occupational specialty (MOS), his Army job, and has some amount of experience in the service.

Corporal, CPL, E4 – The Corporal wears the insignia of two chevrons. The Corporal is the first rank in the US Army identified as a non-commissioned officer, or NCO. The Corporal and the Specialist both make the same amount of pay, but the Corporal outranks the Specialist because of his NCO status. Also, the Corporal is the first rank designated as a ‘Junior non-commissioned officer’, or Junior NCO.

Sergeant, SGT, E5 – The Sergeant wears the insignia of three chevrons. This rank is sometimes referred to as a ‘Buck Sergeant’. A Sergeant may serve as a squad leader in the absence of a Staff Sergeant. The Sergeant is a Junior NCO.

Staff Sergeant, SSG, E6 – The Staff Sergeant wears insignia of three chevrons and one rocker. The Staff Sergeant is generally placed in charge of one of the platoons four squads, but Staff Sergeants can also act as a Platoon Sergeant in the absence of a Sergeant First Class. The Staff Sergeant is a Junior NCO.

Sergeant First Class, SFC, E7 – The Sergeant First Class wears insignia of three chevrons and two rockers. The Sergeant First Class is the first rank designated as a Senior NCO. The ranks of E8 and E9 are also Senior NCO’s.

Platoon Sergeant, PSG, E7 – The rank of the Platoon Sergeant is the same as the Sergeant First Class. There may be more than one Sergeant First Class in a platoon, but there is only one Platoon Sergeant. The Platoon Sergeant is the primary assistant and advisor to the Platoon Leader, who is usually a Lieutenant, and therefore the Platoon Sergeant has authority over any other E7’s in his platoon.

Master Sergeant, MSG, E8 – The Master Sergeant wears insignia of three chevrons and three rocker. The Master Sergeant works in a staff position, such as Operations.

First Sergeant, 1SG, E8 – The First Sergeant wears insignia of three chevrons and three rocker. A First Sergeant and Master Sergeant both earn equal pay, but the First Sergeant is the highest ranking enlisted soldier in a company, and therefore, has more authority than the Master Sergeant. A small diamond resides within the space of the chevrons and rockers.

Sergeant Major, SGM, E9 – The Sergeant Major wears insignia of three chevrons and three rocker. A small five pointed star resides within the space of the chevrons and rockers. Typically, the Sergeant Major is found in battalion level or higher units.

Command Sergeant Major, CSM, E9 – A small five pointed star with a wreath resides within the space of the chevrons and rockers. The Command Sergeant Major is the senior enlisted advisor to the commanding officer. His duties carry certain ceremonial functions such as caring for the unit’s colors, as well as serving as a monitor for, and advocate of, the enlisted men in the command.

Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA, E9 – The Sergeant Major of the Army is the highest enlisted rank. There is only one Sergeant Major of the Army at any one time. He represents all Army enlisted soldiers. The eagle from the Great Seal of the United States is centered between two five-pointed stars centered horizontally between the chevrons and rockers.

Each of the aforementioned ranks is special in its own way, and holds a valuable place in the military hierarchy. Though their ranks, duties and responsibilities may vary, soldiers serving at every level of the military order are equally as important as their fellow service members.

You’re not eligible to retire from the reserves until you receive a “Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay at age 60” letter. This is known as the “20-Year Letter”. You’ll get this letter after your 20th good year; approximately 90 to 120 days after your retirement year ending date.

Along with this letter, you’ll also receive a “Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RC-SBP)”. Someone at your unit, or a career counselor, will work with you at this point. Your spouse and you will complete the RC-SBP and submit it to your unit. Your unit will send it to the office that’ll hold your records after you retire. For the Army, this’d be HRC.

You’ll have three major options.

You’ll also have three options. The first one is to continue your reserve status. The second one is to transfer to the retired reserve. The third one is to choose to be discharged from the reserves. There’s also a fourth option, more on that later.

You can continue your reserve status. If you’re a drilling reservist, you can continue to drill and follow your troop program unit plan. If you’re in the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR), you can continue meeting your requirements for the IRR. If you’re in the standby reserves, you can continue to drill without pay.

This option allows you to gain time in grade/service credit for the duration of your ready reserve time. It also allows you to continue to accumulate retirement points. The more retirement points you have, the higher your paycheck amount. Ideally, you’ll want to remain in this status until you reach paid retirement eligibility.

As a ready reservist, you’re a mobilization asset.

If you continue to remain in the ready reserve status, you’re still obligated to get 50 retirement/reserve points each retirement year. If you drop below that requirement, you’ll be subject to transfer to the retired reserves.

The second option you have is to transfer to the retired reserves. In this case, you’ll submit a retirement packet. You’ll transfer to the retired reserves once you get your retirement orders. Once in the retired reserves, you’ll be a “grey area” retiree. You’ll receive a retired reserve ID card, and have most the benefits that you had as a ready reservist.

This option allows you to gain “time in grade/service” credit for the time that you’re a grey area retiree. It also keeps you as a “mobilization asset.”

The third option that you have is to choose discharge from the reserves. This option removes you as a mobilization asset. However, this option also short changes your retirement pay. If you chose discharge, your retirement pay/rate will be that in effect the retirement year you got discharged. This means that the value of your future retirement pension decreases each year before you start receiving it.

The choice that you make, between transfer to the retired reserves or discharge, will be final.

Qualitative Retention Program:

Now, let’s say you chose to remain in the Troop Program Unit (TPU)/Selected Reserves (SELRES). What happens next? If you’re Army Reserves, or Army National Guard, you end up subject to the Qualitative Retention Program. The Army will review your record once every two years. They’re going to determine whether you’re among the best chosen to continue drilling, or whether you should be transferred to another status.

Once your record is flagged for consideration, they’ll send a packet of information to you via your chain of command. One of the items in that packet will give you two options. If the board removes you from your drilling status, where do you want to transfer to? Do you want to transfer to the IRR, or to the retired reserve?

If you choose transfer to the IRR, you can continue to accumulate points. You’ll also have a chance at doing AT/ADT or volunteer for other training opportunities. If you have other priorities, you could choose transfer to the retired reserves.

You’ll also get advice to check your records and make sure that they’re complete. They’ll also give both your commander and you an opportunity to make statements.

The fourth option, pending unit policy.

Depending on your unit (Army Reserves), or if you’re in the National Guard (Army), you have another option after receiving your 20-Year-Letter. You can apply for transfer to the IRR.

Even if you’re not close to receiving your 20-Year-Letter, you should carefully consider the above options.

Final reserve years required for retirement.

If you reached 20 qualifying years fore retirement before October 5, 1994, the last 8 qualifying years have to be reserve years. If you reached 20 qualifying years for retirement from October 5, 1994 to April 24, 2005, the last 6 qualifying years have to be reserve years.

If you reached 20 qualifying years for retirement after April 24, 2005, you don’t have a minimum reserve requirement at the end.

Who is this article for?

This article is for members of the Australian Army looking to purchase their first home to live in.

Can serving members of the Australian Army get a home loan with no genuine savings?

Yes, by taking advantage of the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) and the Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS).

How much can I buy for using the FHOG and HPAS as my deposit?

In NSW and QLD first home buyers do not pay stamp duty for purchases up to $500,000. As there is no stamp duty payable, by using the $7000 FHOG and $16,949 HPAS only, the maximum purchase price without using any of your own funds would be $340,000. The HPAS and FHOG is sufficient at this purchase price to pay for the 5% deposit, legals and purchasing costs. Of course if you do have some savings or access to a gift then this purchase price could be higher providing your income is sufficient to afford the repayments.

What is the criteria to get an Australian Army Home Loan approved without genuine savings?

1) Minimum 1 year employment with Australian Army,

2) Clean credit history – absolutely no defaults or bankruptcies,

3) Positive asset position. Positive asset position refers to having more assets than liabilities. Assets for this test exclude superannuation and home contents.

4) Sufficient income taking into account existing liabilities to afford the repayments if interest rates where to rise by 1.5%

5) Perfect repayment history in the previous 6 months on all liabilities including credit cards and personal loans

Is the interest rate higher?

No, the interest rate is standard – you are not being charged higher because you do not have genuine savings.

There are many questions asked by future solders when they consider joining the U.S. Army. Some of these questions involve eligibility requirements, citizenship and other mind-boggling questions. However, if you need to gain more answers to these questions, it is always necessary to contact a local recruiter.

There are various frequently asked questions (FAQ) that arise when future soldiers want to join the U.S. Army. Some of these questions can be as follow:

1. How long is basic training? – 10-weeks long, gender integrated training produces values-based, discipline Soldiers, who are trained in basic skills, Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills.
2. What are the eligibility requirements? – Currently to join the U.S. Army, you must be between the ages of 17 and 34, be a U.S. Citizen or resident alien with an I-551 card, a high school senior, high school graduate or possess a GED. If you are single, you cannot have custody of minor children. You cannot be undergoing or have any pending civil actions, as some law violations may be disqualifying.
3. Can immigrants enlist in the U.S. Army? – Yes, to seek U.S. Army service, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or a legal resident alien of the United States; if no, you must have an I-551 or G-845 to join the U.S. Army. You may apply for that here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis. Once you have an I-551 or a G-845 verifying your approval for permanent residency, you can process for enlistment.
4. I didn’t finish high school and I was wondering if I can still join the army? – No, until you get a GED first.
5. Can you join with a felony? – Absolutely, not! Criminals are not accepted because of security and safety reasons.
6. Can you enlist with a friend who is also planning on enlisting? Yes, you could join together. You would have to be there to enlist the same time. They could get you jobs that would take to the same training base. There is no guarantee you stay together at the training base.
7. If you’re enlisting at 17 during high school, how does it work? You will be put into the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), in which a high school student can attend basic training in the summer junior year of high school and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) after they graduate their senior year. Also, the DEP program gives an applicant the opportunity to join the Army Reserves or National Guard but not Active Duty.

The best tactical paintball guns have a balanced combination of both realism and performance. No matter how cool your marker looks, you’re not going to get very far in a scenario paintball game if you can’t hit anything. In contrast, you can have a super accurate and powerful marker but it’s hard to become fully immersed and committed to the military mission you’re in if your paintball gear isn’t as realistic as possible. Tippmann’s US Army Alpha Black paintball gun is a.68 caliber hopper fed tactical marker that’s a military replica of an M4 carbine assault rifle. While there are other tactical paintball guns that are more detailed replicas on the market, they have a hard time beating the Alpha Black’s durability, reliability and ease of use. This marker makes a terrific first gun for the scenario paintball newbie.

One of the reasons the US Army Alpha Black is so durable and suited for the rough environment of scenario woodsball is because it has a die cast aluminum receiver. While Tippmann has a good reputation of building tactical markers that last, they put extra muscle into the Alpha Black as these paintball guns were originally meant to be used by the US Army for realistic simulation combat training exercises. The metal receiver gives this M4 replica a nice weight that feels great in your hands. This US Army Series marker has plenty of power and will easily shoot 150 feet accurately right out of the box, however its velocity is adjustable. This tactical paintball gun not only looks realistic but also has a slight kick with each pull of the trigger, yet remains very easy to wield and nail pin point targets if your hand is steady enough.

Tippmann’s US Army Alpha Black comes with an 11 inch stock barrel, m4 style shroud and collapsible/adjustable carbine stock. The carry handle has built in iron sights that you can line up nicely with the front site on the end of the shroud for surprisingly accurate shooting right out of the box. This Tippmann paintball gun is fed paintballs by a 200 round hopper located on the right side of the gun’s receiver just in front of the carry handle. This tactical marker’s magazine is non-functional but still useful as a small compartment perfect for carrying tools and your barrel squeegee. With the recent popularity of realistic magazine fed paintball guns, the US Army Alpha Black still competes with this new technology because they’re so much easier to manage, shoot and take care of. While magazine fed markers may be more authentic than this gun, you can’t beat the convenience of 200 rounds of ammo on board when compared with 20 round magazines.

One of the best features of the Tippmann Alpha Black is how upgradeable it is. The new elite version includes a 20mm rail built into the base of the shroud; great for adding a vertical grip, laser or tactical flashlight. The carry handle of this US Army elite marker is removable, revealing a lengthy top rail perfect for adding a scope or sight. If you do this however, make sure to either attach your scope with an offset rail or add an offset hopper adapter or your hopper will impede the view of your scope or sight. The Alpha Black paintball gun is compatible with Tippmann 98 stocks and barrel threads. This is great news if you’re looking to customize and want plenty of options as there are thousands of tactical accessories available for these guns that are cheap and easy to install. There are also numerous upgrades for the US Army Alpha Black marker should you want to make your gun faster, more powerful and/or more accurate.

If there are any drawbacks to Tippmann’s US Army Alpha Black paintball gun, it’s with the stock shroud and barrel. While this gun is plenty powerful and accurate right out of the box, the stock barrel isn’t much compared to after market rifled barrels and other high tech upgrades of this sort. Upgrading this marker with a tactical rifled barrel will produce an immediate noticeable difference in both range and precision. The stock shroud also looks a bit plastic and some complain is not as realistic as others available. Even though it comes with a rail already attached, the Alpha Black shroud looks more like a toy while the rest of the gun looks like a fierce carbine tactical rifle.

These few cons are easy to either overlook or improve with after market upgrades. Overall however the performance, ease of use, simple maintenance and cheap sticker price of the Alpha Black far outshine its few faults. The US Army Series Alpha Black semi-automatic paintball gun is extremely reliable and will rarely break down even under the most intense pressure and hardest play. Despite this, Tippmann offers a solid one year warranty. This tactical marker is a terrific gun for both beginner and advanced players who take their scenario paintball game seriously and don’t hold back on the field. This gun is a great buy and shouldn’t be overlooked when shopping for military replica guns that have the best combination of realism and performance.

Wenger, the company that produces Genuine Swiss Army Knives was founded in 1893. In 1897 Karl Elsner first created the Original Victorinox Swiss Army knife. Since then the Swiss Army Knife collection from each of these companies has grown to include knives for everyday use, camping, multi-tools, specialty knives, executive gifts and more. The reputation for reliability and quality has grown along with number of knives available.

As with most successful products, imitators and copycats have arisen, producing cheap imitations of both brands of Swiss Army Knives, taking money from unsuspecting consumers and damaging the reputation enjoyed by the Swiss Army Knife. The “Swiss Army Knife” is constantly being copied but the original quality has never been equaled. Some of the foreign imitations have even include the Swiss cross. The application of the Swiss Cross was done to confuse the public and give the impression that they were dealing with a genuine Swiss Army knife product.

Do not be tricked into buying a counterfeit or cheap imitation Swiss Army Knife.

How can you avoid being tricked? Genuine and Original Swiss Army Knives are quality products, using quality craftsmanship and quality materials. First, look at the price. If someone is offering to sell you a new Swiss Army Knife for $10 when everyone else is selling the same model knife for $50, be suspicious.

To identify an Original Victorinox Swiss Army Knife look for the trademark cross and shield. The shield has 5 corners and the top of the shield has a small depression in the middle of the top of the shield, similar to the depression seen on many police and fire badges. The outline of the shield is white, the center of the shield is red and the cross is white. Look for Victorinox stamped on the blade.

To identify a Genuine Wenger Swiss Army Knife look for the trademark. It is an emblem in the shape of a square with rounded corners. The outline is white, the center of the shield is red and the cross is white. Check the blade to make sure it says – Wenger Delemont Switzerland Stainless.

Keep in mind, imitation, counterfeit and “just like” are not the same as “genuine” and “original”. Counterfeiters are cheats and they very well may put a fraudulent emblem or an emblem that is close to the authentic emblem on their knife. If the price is “cheap” be cautious. If you want to get an idea of fair prices for Genuine or Original Swiss Army Knives visit: www.SwissArmyKnifeMall.com They only carry authentic Swiss Army Knives.