I've seen the movies, heard stories, and read articles about the Army. All of them have one thing in common. Somewhere in them the phrase, "Thank your recruiter," is said. I know my story will be different. Sure I'll be thanking my recruiter, Sgt. Moffett, however the real person who I'll be thanking the most was my old boss, Daryl. He was a sergeant in the Army and if it wasn't for him I would have never thought twice about enlisting.
I'll admit I was nervous about even talking to a recruiter. I've always been known to fall for a good sales pitch, and after all, recruiters are the Army's sales force. Sgt. Moffett never once pressured me into joining and neither did his superior, Sgt. Radford. He simply showed me what the Army had to offer for me as well as my wife and 4 month old daughter. I brought my wife up to meet Sgt. Moffett a few days later and we all talked some more and Kera seemed to get excited about it as well as I had.
The next afternoon, Sgt. Moffett drove me downtown to go and take the ASVAB test to see what jobs I qualified for in the Army. It wasn't hard, just long. It took me about an hour and a half to take it from start to finish. It tested me on math, reading, science, history, code interpreting, simple machines, and automotive knowledge. I scored an 86 on the test. At first I thought I had not done very well until I learned that the average score was around 32-36 - shocker!
The big day had come. Sgt. Moffett picked me up at my apartment at 5:45 AM. I think the last time I got up that early was .... .... .... ok I have never gotten up that early before in my life. Sgt. Moffett drove me back downtown to the Houston MEPS (Military Enlistment Processing Station). I swear that this was the longest day of my life. It started out with a bunch of paperwork - sign this, sign that, make sure this information is correct - a bunch of dotting i's and crossing t's. Afterwards we went and did the actual physical. Let me be the first to tell you, they were not kidding when they say it is VERY thorough. I had the urine test, the blood test, the color blind test, read this line test, listen for the beeps test, the walk towards me turn around and walk back test, touch your toes test, the turn your head and cough test, and one more that we do not need to talk about test.
After they physical. I sat down with the counselor and he reviewed my ASVAB tests, and pulled up every available job that I qualified for. I had about 30 to choose from. I would say that 25 were infantry type jobs. Some of the infantry jobs sounded pretty cool. If I wasn't married and didn't have a daughter, I probably would have signed up for one of them. But that was not the reason I signed up. I wanted something that was not infantry related, something that I could do and still go to school at the same time. My background is computers and I wanted a computer job. It was a perfect fit for me:
Network Switching Systems Operator-Maintainer
MOS-31F ( thirty - one - foxtrot )
Major Duties- The network switching systems operator-maintainer supervises, installs, operates, and performs systems maintenance on large and small electronic switches; system control centers; node management facilities; associated multiplexing and combat net radio interface equipment; short range line of sight radio systems; communications security devices; and other equipment associated with network switching operations.
Entry Level- Installs, initialize, operates, and performs unit level and direct support maintenance on electronic switching assemblages, systems, and ancillary communications equipment. Uses computers to perform system/network operations. Interprets BIT/BITE and error codes to correct system faults. Installs, operates, performs strapping, restrapping, preventive maintenance checks and services, and unit level maintenance on communication security devices. Operates and performs preventive maintenance checks and services on assigned vehicles. Installs, operates, and performs preventive maintenance checks and services on power generators.
Skill Level 2- Supervises, and performs as senior team member, in the installation, operation, employment, and direct support systems maintenance of large and small electronic switches and associated equipment. Performs and assists subordinate operators in the conduct of switching and communication security operations, Combat Net Radio Interface procedures, and associated computer related technical tasks. Interprets orders and compiles system statistics for the Shift or Node. Requests logistical support for switching teams or shifts. Implements network control center generated changes to support operational requirements. Assists in the conduct of preventive maintenance checks and services procedures on assigned vehicles and power generators.
After picking my MOS I had another long wait to talk to some other people about my background. I had to read a bunch of documents concerning the Army's policy towards sexual harassment and other things of that sort. They informed me that they would be doing an extensive background check on me because I would need Top Secret Clearance with my MOS. Then they scanned my fingerprints into a machine and sent me on my way.
It's about 2:00 in the afternoon now and I am starving. They provided lunch for everybody, however I was in a line when chow opened and I didn't want to get out. By the time I was free to eat, the chow hall had closed. Oh well - probably tasted like hospital food anyways!
Finally the moment came around 3:00. Time to take that sacred oath before the captain. That was a very proud moment for me - knowing that I would be serving my country, especially in wake of the events of September 11.
It's official ladies and gentlemen. I have enlisted into the Army. I leave Houston on January 24th to go to Basic Training at Ft. Jackson in South Carolina. After BT, I'm off to Ft. Gordon in Georgia for AIT for 21 long weeks, then I will be stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX.
Specialist Charles Williams
286 Signal Company
11th Air Defense Brigade
Fort Bliss
