r/army

Wanted 15R, Signed 25Q

Title, any of yall decided to go back to iraq but for tourism? See old sites you previously been to on deployment?

Thinking about doing this

I’m gonna be 25 when i leave for basic. Multiple people have told me people are joining the army at an older age than they used to.

Would yall say this is true?

SFC here with 13 years in. My next reenlistment would put me into indefinite, but my body has taken a lot of wear and tear over the years, and I’ve got a personal situation coming up that’ll take about a year to work through. Timing and age both matter for me, so I’m trying to make the decision now instead of later.

If I stay in and push to 20, I’d be around 38 by the time I retire. Part of me wants to finish the full ride. Part of me feels like I’m asking my body and my life to hold on for seven more years when I could step out, heal, and rebuild on the outside.

Anyone been in a similar spot, mid‑career, physically worn down, big life decision on the table? What helped you make the call?

Can I get a chicken chalupa-chupa and a baja blast please?

I recently met with Behavioral Health and spoke with the psychiatrist about a possible ADHD diagnosis. My provider agreed that it warrants further evaluation and asked me to complete the ADHD questionnaire. The psychiatrist indicated that my symptoms are consistent with ADHD but would like to gather additional information specifically by speaking with someone who knew me well during my younger years before considering medication.

I’ve heard from others that ADHD medications can be life-changing, significantly improving daily functioning both personally and professionally, including in a military environment. I have a deep passion for the Army and am committed to my career. I’m concerned that starting medication could negatively impact my ability to serve, limit my assignments, or otherwise affect my progression.

For those who are currently on ADHD medication or know someone who is (especially within the military), I’d greatly appreciate hearing about your experiences. Specifically, what are the practical implications what can and can’t you do while on medication? Any insights regarding career effects, deployment eligibility, or daily life in uniform would be extremely helpful.

Thank you in advance for any guidance.

Hi, folks. I was taking some time yesterday to reflect on the National Guard's Armored Brigades (The 278th and the 30th are top of mind), and was sort of stopping to morn their loss due to the planned transition of those units from armored unit to "Mobile Brigade Combat Teams." I'm still not sure what an MBCT is really supposed to be doing except for cosplaying as the Marines in the Pacific, or relearning lessons in the next Middle Eastern war that we learned in the last round of Middle Eastern wars. Nor do I understand why ABCTs, and the associated institutional knowledge built up through dozens of expensive and mentally exhausting rotations of being f-ed from behind at NTC or JMRC, are the key candidates for a light infantry unit based around a vehicle that makes the original tent-doored HMMWVs look like an MRAP. Nor do I understand how golf-carts address the threat of FPVs and Lancets. But I suppose that this is all part of the grand-plan to make our war-fighters even more lethal-er.

Seriously though, the point of this post isn't for a middle-aged man to rant about the new-fangled infantry unit, I actually have questions. From the looks of things, the transition hasn't started yet for either of the three ABCTs that are supposed to transition. Is there a chance it just... doesn't happen? I've heard rumblings that congress was going to say no to this whole idea, any truth to that? Have armor crews been given an off-ramp, or are they going to have to re-class or just leave the force? Also, from an active-duty ABCT perspective, doesn't this just make the already prohibitively insane work-load and schedule... worse? Like, sorry 1st Armored, we're gonna need you to rotate into Adazi again! Also, why is this a good idea, from your POV?

I’ve owned my business for the past 8 years ( I don’t work any 9-5 or W2 jobs ), and all of my work is contract based. Most of my contracts are booked 8–12 months in advance, with deposits already collected to perform the work on the scheduled dates.

Long story short, I have AT scheduled this summer, and no orders have been cut yet. My unit is aware of my business obligations but is still insisting/making it sound like I have to go.

I’ve already prepared a memo and attached invoices/contracts showing that I currently have 7 projects scheduled during that time, totaling $15,800. While I am sending team members out to assist, I still need to be personally present at those jobs, as far as quality control goes.

My question is: if my unit is giving me a hard time about this, who should I send the memo to in order to properly explain my financial situation and request consideration, split training?

Any advice from anyone who has dealt with something similar would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, I leave for basic training next month and I will be at fort lenordwood. Weirdly enough the thing i am most nervous about is my hair. Growing up i never did anything with my hair like put it up or braid it so this is all pretty new to me. Right now I have hair down to my mid upper back and I have been practicing braided buns and sock buns and I kinda suck but it is slowly getting better. Anyways my concern is that when I get there I am already gonna be stressed and im gonna fumble with my hair or something. So I was wonding if I should cut it to a shorter Bob? But I have heard those become a pain and idk if that has to go into a bun? I was also thinking of just cutting it like to a pixie to just make everything easier. So im kinda just stuck right now and would like to hear what you guys have done and what you suggest?

Thank you for reading through this and helping me out!

I’m in AIT. I’ve been here 2 days and I just feel so anxious and stressed out trying to get everything to standard and I feel like I have so much stuff and so little time. I just feel so overwhelmed. Any tips/tricks to calm a mind and feel less stressed and anxious?

When I got to my unit, my clothing record showed that I had an iotv, Ach helmet with pads and straps, and a litefighter tent (complete system) all things I turned in at AIT

I did a full showdown in November of 2025 and laid out all my gear, highlighted missing gear, informed my leadership and the supply clerk. The supply clerk who taken note of my missing gear still had me sign the record. I was under the impression that the missing gear would be taken care of. Now I’m deciding between doing a FLIPL or just pay for the equipment

I think I might be out of luck, I just need advice even if it’s bad news

I asked for advice on the situation,

I was told to fill out the FLIPL but be careful with how I write it and if possible have somebody I went to AIT with fill out a separate FLIPL basically agreeing that we went to school together and turned in all REQUIRED ocie items —> buddy statement helps as a supporting document to my case

(Asking people with experience with VA loans and purchasing homes)

I'm wondering at what pay grade and how much in savings would it be appropriate to purchase a home?

My spouse is in the military, but I usually handle financials and stuff like this. Our pay grade right now is E-3.

He plans to re-enlist for another 4 years. We're both younger 19 and 21 so we don't really have experience with this stuff.

Currently we rent but I've heard VA loans make it so you don't need a down payment. So we've been thinking it may be smarter to pay a mortgage instead of rent, that way we're actually getting something. ( I'm aware of the difference between owning and renting).

Right now there's no plans of PCS.

Our lease is ending in December so we have a lot of time to plan if we want to buy a home from then on or re-new the lease.

I'm also wondering theoretically if we do own and PCS

Would it be smarter to rent out the home and get a new one, or to sell it?

So just want to know yalls experience.

I’m just curious if there is anything I should know for someone who is going from AIT to their first duty station. Should I prepare in any way to move or stuff I should get in order to be ready for Guam.

Last reported at the Main PX. Stay safe y’all.

Edit: Shelter In place order issued.