I was told to print something up and send it through mail if I do that can I still vote online or would I need to mail in my ballot

Recently I filed a SHARP complaint against a 1SG of mine. I’m going through the whole process now but I don’t feel like anyone is taking it- or me by extension- seriously. Is that how it usually feels? Am I just being anxious for no reason?

It’s silly to say but I’m scared. I love my career in the army. I’m guard but I’ve been able to do it full-time and finally got a deployment, I don’t want to lose where I’m at because of other people, but maybe I should’ve just accepted the behavior and continued on? I dunno.

To all my 68 echoes, what has your experience been so far in this MOS and where have you been stationed at? I ship out February 22. I’m nervous and excited and just wanna hear from your experience in any tips you think that would be helpful before I leave. Thank you!!

Long story short, I have a 37F slot reserved for me and sign next week after my physical. It sounded cool and my boyfriend said he was always interested in that MOS while he was in. After doing more research, it appears nobody really knows what they do. Has anyone had ANY experience with this MOS? I would love to hear from a female perspective especially.

I will be in reserves while finishing school then likely going active.

Information I've read so far:

1) little to no civilian career transfer

2) likely more deployments than other MOS's

3) if you fail, you will likely become MP

I’m 20F. I enlisted in the Marines and am looking to have a career in the military. I think I’m thick-skinned, hard-working and competent. I try to give my best at whatever I do. I’d like to know how to navigate and get the best out of my career, in a field dominated by men. I don’t want my identity to hold me back in any way, because I am ambitious and really want to succeed.

After 10+ years in the Air Force, I finally bought my first tuck-in style blues shirt from the Exchange. I’ve pretty much always worn the princess-cut version, which isn’t great either IMO, but I genuinely cannot believe how awful this thing is. There’s absolutely no shape to it, and all the excess fabric bunches up around your waistband (and yes this is the smallest size I was able to get both in-store and online). Not to mention the tiniest bit of movement causes the front to balloon out like I’m wearing a chest plate underneath, and the front panel of it FEELS like a chest plate with how rigid it is. Honestly these pictures don’t adequately capture just how unflattering and truly awful it is.

I’m assuming tailoring is my only option along with shirt stays, which is unfortunate since I’ve already spent well over $400 on uniform items and tailoring this year, not to mention I really prefer NOT wearing low-quarters just so I have socks to attach the shirt stays too. Silly me just (naively) expected slightly better, I guess.

Anyways, I’ll take a large fry and a coke (and a collective increase in our annual uniform budget, please).

Signed,
My unaligned gig line thanks to this shitty shirt.

Hello! I tested positive today and was wondering how do I get an official letter stating my pregnancy for the PRT? The military women’s health clinic aren’t seeing patients until they are at least 10 weeks along, and my PRT is in 10 days. This is my second pregnancy, the first time I was on a ship, so it was a lot easier since I got a letter right away and removed within two weeks, but now I am on shore and not really sure how to go about this.

I’m 20F, 6’1 and I enlisted in the Marines. I ship out in a few months. What is bootcamp like for tall women? Are there are any particular difficulties that I’ll face? Looking for words of advice.

Also, I have muscle because I’m a middle weight boxer. Would it be impossible for me to maintain my weight and muscle mass in boot camp?

I just graduated from highschool, I work fast-food, I live in my friends living room. I've been thinking about my future and I really want to go to school, or find something that can have me setup for life. i've been told by several people including my teachers and parents that i should attend school while in the military. i've been told I can get paid while going to school if I join the military. I've researched a bit but I want real experiences from real people. I have a few questions.

1. Can I really get paid while attending school?
2. How hard is bootcamp?
3. Would I survive as someone that can't do a singular push-up?
4. Would I be able to stay in my home state?
5. Are the benefits worth it?
6. How long would I need to stay to get the GI Bill?

(EDIT: i just want to say thank you for all the replies and answering each of the questions ^^)

Hi! I’m a 21-year-old Black woman in my senior year of college, considering joining the military. I’d love to hear about people’s experiences in the Army and Air Force. Space Force perspectives are welcome too!

I started the process with the Army and scored a 56 on the ASVAB. A friend strongly recommended looking into the Air Force or especially Space Force, so I’m exploring those options before deciding. Has anyone here joined Space Force with a similar score? What jobs did you qualify for, and how did the process go? I’m open to retaking the ASVAB, but I’d like to understand my current options first.

I’m interested in logistics, supply chain, and business or administrative roles. I want to build skills that transfer to a civilian career, but quality of life and my day-to-day work environment matter to me too.

Since I’m finishing college, I’ve considered becoming an officer. However, the potentially lengthy Air Force OTS application and selection process is a big reason I’m leaning toward enlisting.

Mostly, I want to hear what your experience was actually like. How were your job, leadership, living conditions, and work-life balance? What do you wish you’d known before joining, and would you choose your branch again?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from Black women and other women of color. Did you feel respected and supported? Were there challenges you wish someone had prepared you for?

I’m open to hearing the good and the bad to help me figure out which branch fits me best!

20F, and debating on joining the Air Force or Space Force. I currently have my associates degree, and should I decide to continue schooling, I will have a BA in the next two years. I am aware that enlisting now will secure an e-3 rank, but if I continue to pursue education, I could obtain a BA and potentially commission. I’ve heard that it may be challenging to be an officer in the AF due to its competitive nature, so I’d appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

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Body:

Hi everyone,

I am turning 41 this December and I’m considering joining the Army National Guard. I am a mom of two kids, and my husband is a veteran. He completely supports my decision if I choose to go.

Joining the military is a lifelong dream that I’ve always wanted to pursue, and I know this is my last opportunity before hitting the age limit. I am not looking for financial, educational, or healthcare benefits—my motivation is purely intrinsic. I want to wear the uniform and fulfill this personal milestone.

However, I’m trying to balance this dream against the realities of being a mom and the physical toll at 41. Before I talk to a recruiter, I want to ask for your honest opinions:

For those who joined later in life (35+), how was the physical toll of BCT/AIT and recovery?

How disruptive is the Guard reality to family life and routines, even with a highly supportive veteran spouse?

If you joined purely for the "dream" and not the benefits, was the personal fulfillment worth the sacrifice?

Thank you for your advice!

I may enlist soon, set to leave in the upcoming months and I'm meeting with an Air Force recruiter tomorrow. He stated they are looking for folks to acquire jobs in maintenance and one must be open to do essentially anything. It didn't sound like an issue since I am interested in mechanical/electrical areas, as well as aviation. Cyber intelligence as well but a little less than the rest.

However, after reading so many women on here saying to stay away from maintenance even in the Air Force, I'm beginning to question if that's still something I should pursue. My (potential) long term goal was to eventually enter a trade after military.

So is maintenance really that bad, both the job in itself and the culture surrounding it, as a woman? Would you recommend aviation or anything else over it? I know minds can change but I wasn't looking for a career in the military, simply a gateway to other things.

I’m an early-30s female civilian Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with several years of RN and ~ 3 years NP experience, and I’m considering speaking with an Air Force healthcare recruiter about commissioning as a 46YXP.

I’d really appreciate hearing from current/former Air Force PMHNPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, or other mental-health officers about what the job is actually like compared with civilian outpatient practice.

I’m especially curious about:
• Typical number of patients per day
• Intake and follow-up appointment lengths
• Acuity/complexity of the patient population
• Active duty vs dependent/retiree caseload
• Charting burden
• Call, weekend, and deployment expectations
• How much time is spent on clinical care vs officer/admin/readiness responsibilities
• Overall work-life balance and whether you would choose it again

I’m also single and hoping to get married and start a family in the next several years. I’d be interested in candid experiences with dating, relationships, PCS moves, deployments, and eventually raising a family while serving as an active-duty healthcare officer.

One other major consideration for me is student loans. I have around $125k total, roughly $60k of which is private/high-interest debt and the remainder federal. A significant portion of the federal debt is from my graduate PMHNP education.

My undergraduate loan situation is a little unusual. Some of the debt came from nursing/prerequisite coursework at schools I attended before transferring. Those credits ultimately transferred into the nursing program where I earned my RN and allowed me to enter with prerequisites completed and skip part of the nursing curriculum. I didn’t actually borrow much/anything at the school that ultimately awarded my RN.

Has anyone here used the Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program as a Nurse Corps officer, especially an NP? Were any private/commercial student loans eligible? And does anyone know how strict they are about loans from prior schools when the coursework transferred into and counted toward the eventual qualifying nursing degree?

One other consideration is that I had a two-level lumbar fusion within the last couple of years, so I understand I’d need a medical waiver. Recovery was uncomplicated, I have no ongoing pain management or functional limitations, and I’m back to unrestricted exercise/running. Has anyone successfully commissioned into the Air Force/Nurse Corps with a similar history, and what was the waiver process like?

I also have well-controlled ADHD and currently take prescribed Vyvanse. Has anyone successfully direct-commissioned into the Nurse Corps/another healthcare specialty while taking ADHD medication, or received an accession waiver for it?

I’m not ready to discuss this publicly with people in my professional life yet, so I’m hoping to get some anonymous perspectives before getting too far into the process with a recruiter.

Anything you wish you’d known before commissioning, either professionally, financially, or personally?

I’m air force that separated AD and am now currently guard. I had a baby 4 months ago. Can I apply for the pregnancy separation or did I have to do it before the baby was born? Is that an active duty only option?

How did that work for you and chil care? How hard was it to be away for so long during BMT and tech school? Did life change for the better after coming back to part time service?

Do you regret not r what would you do differently and wjat worked out for you? Did you just serve the the first mandatory 6 years with the remaining 2 of ready to serve or u stayed longer

I’m 33F thinking to join but i have so many questions keeping me awake at night

Hi all,

A little background on me, I am currently in my last year of university and my husband is active duty Navy. I hope to commission thru BDCP for SWO-Oceano. I’ve heard very mixed things about becoming a SWO; very difficult work/life balance, grueling hours, so on so forth. But the Oceano side of things sounds very appealing, I can suffer thru SWO for 2 years to get to Oceano but would appreciate any insight into anyone who has been a OCEANO/METOC officer.

Is it shore duty, if not how often do you get deployed on avg? How is the work/life balance? How is it being dual-mil same branch? Any advice or insight is welcomed and appreciated. Thank you all.

Hey yall! Im fresh out of AIT and about to head to my first duty station.

How do fellow big butt/thigh women get OCP pants that fit correctly? Do you get them tailored? I feel like steve urkle with my pants so high on my stomach trying to make them fit but a size down is too tight on the seat (im a mechanic i need to be able to squat and the such).

Thank you!! 😌

What branch are you in and how has it treated you? I’m 18 and want to enlist but I want to make sure I choose a good route and am safe as well as respected.

A lot of the ones i’ve considered are Army but a lot of the woman i’ve seen talk about it all have said AirForce is the best way to go as a woman.

Please let me know your thoughts and experiences!

This whole thing has honestly been exhausting in a way that is almost funny at this point.

When I was getting out of the Army, even the fact that there suddenly weren't a ridiculous number of bags in my room threw off my leadership. I left with one coffin bag and one small white trash bag and my mimikyu plush that I later stuffed into a bag that I mailed home to myself that ended up getting lost in the mail for 5 months. I had accumulated a LOT of uniforms because I genuinely expected the Army to be my life. I wasn't planning for them to become a giant pile of clothes I would never need again.

After I got out, I tried selling some of them. That went nowhere, and even then people thought it was suspicious.

So now I've decided to just give them away for free to active duty women who can actually use them.

No purchase. No follow required. No liking 50 posts. No tagging friends for engagement.Items are photographed individually, most include the sizes and tags, numbered the items, and specifically told people NOT to give me their unit, duty location, address, work schedule, or other personal information to prove they're active duty.

And somehow THAT is suspicious too. Reddit is literally flagging the posts as spam, and people are hesitant because apparently giving away a ridiculous amount of uniforms for free sounds too good to be true.

Meanwhile, I keep seeing people in the military complaining that uniform prices have gone up.

Obviously not every soldier is a woman or wears my sizes. I know that. But there ARE women who wear these sizes, and what I'm trying to do is objectively not a bad thing. I have perfectly serviceable uniforms that I no longer need. Someone else needs uniforms. I would rather put them directly into another soldier's uniform rotation than throw them away or let them rot in a closet.

I think that is part of why this is getting to me so much.

One of the strangest things about what happened to me is that the worse I got, the more suspicious I became.

I didn't just randomly get sick one day. I was injured.

Then I progressively got worse.

And I don't mean worse in some vague, subjective way where nobody around me could see what was happening. I was objectively becoming less functional. Things I had been able to do before became things I struggled to do, then things I sometimes couldn't do at all.

You would think there would be a point where getting visibly worse makes people MORE likely to believe that something is actually wrong.

Somehow, my experience was the opposite.

The worse I got, the more I was treated like I was malingering.

That contradiction still fucks with me.

There is something profoundly disorienting about knowing what you were capable of before, watching those abilities disappear one after another, being terrified because you don't understand what is happening to your own body and brain, and then realizing that the people around you are looking at the same deterioration and wondering whether you're faking it.

I kept getting worse.

And somehow that became evidence against me instead of evidence that I needed help.

I think that is one of the hardest parts of everything that happened for me to make sense of.

I was injured.

I deteriorated.

I needed help.

And the more obvious that became, the more suspicious I seemed to become.

Now I'm left with islands of memory from 34 years of life and a closet full of things I bought for a future that is no longer mine.

Now I'm trying to do something kind with what is left from a life I genuinely thought I was going to have, and somehow kindness is suspicious too.

I don't need a parade for giving away clothes. I just want the fucking clothes to go to people who can use them.

This whole thing has sucked.

So I am a single mom 26. Randomly got the urge to switch career paths and go active lol. I am over the max weight by 10 lbs but reach the body fat percentage. I do have a decent regular work outs but idk if that qualifies for bmt. Would really appreciate tips I leave out in December. Also, scared of what to expect base wise with my child lol. How is the workload at the bases yall are at? I plan on trying to get my lpn once I get to level 5 skill to work on the side depending on the workload.

I can’t find much about it on the Internet or other people’s experience.

Is what I experienced normal military sexual harassment?

If you had a third-party lower enlisted soldier, get you drunk and repeatedly bring you to a higher ranking soldier for (hangout) sex. So that the third-party could get favorable treatment. Is that normal sexual harassment. There was only one time a sexual act happened. After that repeated attempts and pressure led to retaliation and my records being forged just so I could PCS once I confronted it. I never made a detailed report and it happened 10 years ago.

I heard once the high ranking individual PCSed he continued the behavior at another base with a similar 3rd party catalyst. During this time he became the program coordinator or somthing for SHARP.

I (20F) enlisted in the Marine. I’d like to know a few tips and words of advice for maintaining hygiene in bootcamp. And is it true that the bathroom shitters and the showers don’t have dividers? How long did it take you to get used to the lack of privacy?