To all 1st Class Midshipmen interested in possibly commissioning in the United States Army, now is the time to start preparing to put your packets together. You will not have to make your final decision and commit to the Army until February 2011 at the earliest. So if you have made your decision and are ready to join the Army immediately, contact us to get things started. If you are still undecided on which service you would like to join or whether you should go active duty, National Guard or Army Reserve, fill out a packet to keep your options open - there's no formal commitment. Whatever you may decide later, the process needs to start now.
The first step is to gather original copies of your personal documents. You will need the original copy of birth certificate, social security card, driver's license or state identification, passport (if you have one), high school diploma and high school transcript (if you have one). You will need these on-hand when meeting with the recruiter and when you take your trip to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) Fort Hamilton.
One of the more daunting forms to complete is the SF 86 - Questionnaire for National Security Positions - SF 86. I would suggest that you take a look at it and start to collect the necessary information to make completing it easier.
In early September you will sit down with a recruiter to review the necessary forms that must be completed. We will be emailing all required forms in a fill-able pdf format to make the process a little easier.
Not sure on what branch to select? You will not have to make a decision until the end of October. To date, every Kings Point grad that went Army has gotten their branch of choice - whether Aviation, Infantry or Transportation. We foresee this trend continuing this year and this is a very unique and valuable option.
So stop by the office as soon as you are able to inform us of your intentions and we can get things started.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
CPT Burgos - Airborne Creed
I’m CPT Luis A. Burgos, member of the US Army Liaison office at the USMMA. It is great to be here in Kings Point, NY! I have been in the Army for almost 17 years and my previous duty station was Fort Lee, VA. Recently and due to the Army’s ongoing transformation, the Transportation, Quartermaster and Ordinance Corps were merged into the 90A Logistics Officer Corps, my current military occupation specialty (MOS). Prior to commissioning via Officers Candidate School in Fort Benning, GA, I was a helicopter crewchief and ground scout and held the rank of Staff Sergeant. My question to you is…why would someone jump out of a perfectly flying airplane?
Have you heard that question? Maybe because your given mission calls for you to arrive at a certain location under enemy fire at a certain time with only certain equipment, maybe your fellow comrades need you to accomplish the mission or maybe it is part of your job as a leader of Soldiers.
Airborne Soldiers have a long and distinguished tradition of being an elite body of fighting men and women who have always set the example for determination and courage. When you volunteer for this training, you accept the challenge of continuing this tradition. Airborne Troopers are expected to lead by example because they have the discipline, guts and willpower. The Basic Airborne Course (BAC) qualifies Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors in the use of a parachute as a means of combat deployment and it develops leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through mental and physical conditioning. The school cadre (well-known as Black Hats and trust me, you will know who they are immediately!) will demand the utmost performance from you and will let you know if they feel you are not giving 100 %. The Airborne Soldiers of the past set high standards – it is now up to you to maintain them!
To successfully complete BAC:
Some of the things you will need include unbridled, excellent physical, mental and spiritual fitness, great ability to pay close attention to details and last but not least, comfortable well broken-in boots. You need to constantly hydrate and continually display a high level of motivation, dedication and Espirit de Corps. Please take a moment and read the Airborne Creed.
If you have any questions contact us by email, blog or stop by the Army office. Do not forget to visit us via Facebook!
AIRBORNE!
Have you heard that question? Maybe because your given mission calls for you to arrive at a certain location under enemy fire at a certain time with only certain equipment, maybe your fellow comrades need you to accomplish the mission or maybe it is part of your job as a leader of Soldiers.
Airborne Soldiers have a long and distinguished tradition of being an elite body of fighting men and women who have always set the example for determination and courage. When you volunteer for this training, you accept the challenge of continuing this tradition. Airborne Troopers are expected to lead by example because they have the discipline, guts and willpower. The Basic Airborne Course (BAC) qualifies Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors in the use of a parachute as a means of combat deployment and it develops leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through mental and physical conditioning. The school cadre (well-known as Black Hats and trust me, you will know who they are immediately!) will demand the utmost performance from you and will let you know if they feel you are not giving 100 %. The Airborne Soldiers of the past set high standards – it is now up to you to maintain them!
To successfully complete BAC:
Some of the things you will need include unbridled, excellent physical, mental and spiritual fitness, great ability to pay close attention to details and last but not least, comfortable well broken-in boots. You need to constantly hydrate and continually display a high level of motivation, dedication and Espirit de Corps. Please take a moment and read the Airborne Creed.
THE AIRBORNE CREED
I am an Airborne trooper! A PARATROOPER!
I jump by parachute from any plane in flight. I volunteered to do it, knowing well the hazards of my choice.
I serve in a mighty Airborne Force--famed for deeds in war--renowned for readiness in peace. It is my pledge to uphold its honor and prestige in all I am--in all I do.
I am an elite trooper--a sky trooper--a shock trooper--a spearhead trooper. I blaze the way to far-flung goals--behind, before, above the foe's front line.
I know that I may have to fight without support for days on end. Therefore, I keep mind and body always fit to do my part in any Airborne task. I am self-reliant and unafraid. I shoot true, and march fast and far. I fight hard and excel in every art and artifice of war.
I never fail a fellow trooper. I cherish as a sacred trust the lives of men with whom I serve. Leaders have my fullest loyalty, and those I lead never find me lacking.
I have pride in the Airborne! I never let it down!
In peace, I do not shrink the dullest of duty nor protest the toughest training. My weapons and equipment are always combat ready. I am neat of dress--military in courtesy--proper in conduct and behavior.
In battle, I fear no foe's ability, nor under-estimate his prowess, power and guile. I fight him with all my might and skills--ever alert to evade capture or escape a trap. I never surrender, though I be the last.
My goal in peace or war is to succeed in any mission of the day--or die, if needs be, in the try.
I belong to a proud and glorious team--the Airborne, the Army, my Country. I am its chosen pride to fight where others may not go--to serve them well until the final victory.
I am the trooper of the sky! I am my Nation's best! In peace and war I never fail. Anywhere, anytime, in anything--I AM AIRBORNE!
If you have any questions contact us by email, blog or stop by the Army office. Do not forget to visit us via Facebook!
AIRBORNE!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Airborne School
I have debated what the first subject I post should be, but since the intent of this blog is to provide information to the midshipmen here at the academy you have essentially made that decision. The most frequently asked question over the last few weeks has been, "I've heard you have slots for Airborne School, can I go?"
Here's the deal on attending the Army's Basic Airborne Course (BAC). The Army Program here at Kings Point has a formalized process through which we get 12 seats to BAC each year - six in the spring and six in the fall. We select classes that coincide with your breaks. This AY we have seats in class 006 which runs from 19NOV through 10DEC and class 014 which runs 04MAR2011 through 24MAR2011. We will hold a meeting in late AUG or early SEP and go over the selection criteria - an email will go out with the date, time and location. In general you must be in good academic standing and have at least a 2.7 GPA and 120 sea days. You will need to turn in a one-page essay on why you wish to attend Airborne School, meet the Army's body fat standards, pass the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) 17-21 age group, perform pull ups and a five mile run within 45 minutes. Throughout this testing your attitude, bearing and motivation will be assessed. All of these items will be used to establish an OML (Order of Merit List) which will rank all potential candidates for attendance to the Airborne Course. We will select the top six individuals plus two alternates to continue training in preparation for the course. We will continue to evaluate these eight individuals throughout the training period and the OML may be adjusted based on performance. Additionally the alternates may be used to fill a slot due to unforeseen circumstances that prevent any of the top six from attending the course.
There are some other administrative requirements and you must pass an Airborne Physical which is done at Patten Clinic; however, the greatest single factor in determining your attendance is the APFT. We expect you to do more than the minimum to allow for the additional stresses of taking the test in the heat of Fort Benning, GA at the school, therefor you must score a minimum of 70 in each event to be considered for attendance.
Males must correctly perform at a minimum 49 push ups in 2 minutes, 59 sit ups in 2 minutes, and 2 mile run in less than 15:12
Females must correctly perform at a minimum 25 push ups in 2 minutes, 59 sit ups in 2 minutes, and 2 mile run in less than 18:06
It is critical that the push ups and sit ups be performed correctly. You can Google "APFT" or FM 21-20 (the Army's Field Manual on Physical Fitness Training) for a description of the standards. Make sure it is the 1998 version. Click for FM 21-20
If you have further questions post a comment, send us an email or stop in. We will try to answer all questions about the Army Commissioning Option here in the blog so everyone can see them.
Link to Airborne School
Airborne!
Here's the deal on attending the Army's Basic Airborne Course (BAC). The Army Program here at Kings Point has a formalized process through which we get 12 seats to BAC each year - six in the spring and six in the fall. We select classes that coincide with your breaks. This AY we have seats in class 006 which runs from 19NOV through 10DEC and class 014 which runs 04MAR2011 through 24MAR2011. We will hold a meeting in late AUG or early SEP and go over the selection criteria - an email will go out with the date, time and location. In general you must be in good academic standing and have at least a 2.7 GPA and 120 sea days. You will need to turn in a one-page essay on why you wish to attend Airborne School, meet the Army's body fat standards, pass the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) 17-21 age group, perform pull ups and a five mile run within 45 minutes. Throughout this testing your attitude, bearing and motivation will be assessed. All of these items will be used to establish an OML (Order of Merit List) which will rank all potential candidates for attendance to the Airborne Course. We will select the top six individuals plus two alternates to continue training in preparation for the course. We will continue to evaluate these eight individuals throughout the training period and the OML may be adjusted based on performance. Additionally the alternates may be used to fill a slot due to unforeseen circumstances that prevent any of the top six from attending the course.
There are some other administrative requirements and you must pass an Airborne Physical which is done at Patten Clinic; however, the greatest single factor in determining your attendance is the APFT. We expect you to do more than the minimum to allow for the additional stresses of taking the test in the heat of Fort Benning, GA at the school, therefor you must score a minimum of 70 in each event to be considered for attendance.
Males must correctly perform at a minimum 49 push ups in 2 minutes, 59 sit ups in 2 minutes, and 2 mile run in less than 15:12
Females must correctly perform at a minimum 25 push ups in 2 minutes, 59 sit ups in 2 minutes, and 2 mile run in less than 18:06
It is critical that the push ups and sit ups be performed correctly. You can Google "APFT" or FM 21-20 (the Army's Field Manual on Physical Fitness Training) for a description of the standards. Make sure it is the 1998 version. Click for FM 21-20
If you have further questions post a comment, send us an email or stop in. We will try to answer all questions about the Army Commissioning Option here in the blog so everyone can see them.
Link to Airborne School
Airborne!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)