Loan repayment--possible pitfall

lifeafter40 · Jul 9, 2008

Thanks for the Heads UP! I know that, as a new inductee to the Military, it can easily be overwhelming... all the paperwork required. The 30 day window for LRP could be a big surprise for those of us that are counting on that benefit.

On a side note... as a prior-service Army Enlisted, I am struck by the differences I read about in being an Officer. Most notably the level of accountability/personal responsibility. Now this is not surprising really, because Officers are expected to be responsible for themselves as well as their charges, but the change in mentality will take a little getting used to. As an enlisted soldier, EVERYTHING was laid out for you, provided for you, and reiterated for you. This was part of what I disliked as a junior enlisted soldier... being treated as a child. Yet, one gets used to not thinking for yourself. I can see how someone who is prior-service going back in as an Officer (especially direct commission) would need to adapt to finding things out for yourself, and making sure things are done correctly and timely. I for one, would sure hate to miss out on my LRP because no-one told me I had not submitted the paperwork properly or timely enough... but now I am rambling:chuckle

Take care all,

S

Miss Mab · Jul 10, 2008

I am struck by the differences I read about in being an Officer. Most notably the level of accountability/personal responsibility. Now this is not surprising really, because Officers are expected to be responsible for themselves as well as their charges,
I can see how someone who is prior-service going back in as an Officer (especially direct commission) would need to adapt to finding things out for yourself, and making sure things are done correctly and timely.

I enjoyed your 'rambling' and wanted to add on something that strikes me quite relevant to those non prior service RN's (myself included) who desire a higher rank on entry based on experience alone. Until I was actually in(and I did get some constructive credit so I will pin on 1Lt after approx. 8 months) I didn't quite understand the real and potentially damaging pitfalls that assuming a position as an officer, higher ranking or not, will open your self accountable for.

There is A LOT of info, requirements, paperwork, etc. that WILL NOT be spelled out for you or sometimes even addressed at all. It is in many ways, I suppose, just 'assumed' that you should know. That is, until you have missed it, done it wrong, whatever. Particularly if you hold higher rank because at that point, well, you really should know!

This is in no way a sour grapes post, just fact. I happen to be a very inquisitive, proactive and inquiring kind of gal but frankly, there are just some occasions where i fail because 'no one told me about x.' Well, guess what, of course that is still on me(though I still am struggling with the 'how' part to address these unknowns..)as it should be as I hold a leadership position and am therefore suitably accountable.

Anyway, just a little personal steam off and perhaps suggesting again to others that they might remember to look at both sides of the "i want to enter at a higher rank' statement. My couple of oops's have been forgiven, I believe, because of my lower rank. You get up there, there's less room to mistake and way more that you'll undoubtedly simply 'not even know' about.

But I'll leave that to each experience.

best to all!

Miss Mab

lifeafter40 · Jul 10, 2008

thanks, Miss Mab. That is exactly the kind of thing I am talking about.

Even something as "simple" as in-processing to your new Unit... I have read several accounts of new 2LT's being totally lost at their new post, and wondering around figuring out what they need to be doing next during in-processing. New Enlisted soldiers simply do not experience this. Sure it can be overwhelming your first time, and a little confusing, but there is so much "hand-holding" that it is really hard to go wrong. But as an Officer, this seems to be kind of a testing phase in your career... a time to see if you will grow and prosper or founder. And you are right that it would be a lot better, even expected to some degree, for you to make those mistakes as a 2LT, rather than say as a CPT.

The Little Greek · Jul 10, 2008

I absolutely love that this post has turned to this topic because I agree 100% with both of you! As a recent graduate of COT, it is fresh in my mind the situations that are posed where you must make quick decisions and stick by them. I was convinced that the whole experience was sabotaged on purpose (email accounts and computers not working, told to report to the wrong people, being asked to do more than one person is physically capable...I could go on). Everyone thought I was crazy, but my rational was that "the powers that be" wanted to see how we would handle the stressful situations and pitfalls that ensued. Quite frankly, the whole experience has changed my way of thinking.

Like Miss Mab, I am also a generally inquisitive person (as well as a bit impatient). I ask questions until I get an answer and I'm quite persistent. Nonetheless, I imagine that I will still make quite a few mistakes. I came into the AF as a 1Lt with time toward Capt and I can already see how much rank means in relation to responsibility! I'm up to the challenge but I certainly have so much to learn.

iToniai · Jul 12, 2008

Question about the loan repayment. I'm looking into the Army and my package is almost ready to be "boarded", my recruiter told me that I can send in my package first and then send in the loan paperwork that my guarantors and I would need to sign. Is that true? I want to believe everything my recruiter tells me but I'm also not naive.