{"id":39,"date":"2020-01-08T21:06:48","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T21:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nickkoumalatsos.com\/2020-1-8-7-pieces-of-advice-for-joining-the-military-in-2020\/"},"modified":"2023-08-23T09:48:25","modified_gmt":"2023-08-23T09:48:25","slug":"7-pieces-of-advice-for-joining-the-military-in-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nickkoumalatsos.com\/the-guide\/2020\/01\/08\/7-pieces-of-advice-for-joining-the-military-in-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"7 PIECES OF ADVICE FOR JOINING THE MILITARY IN 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">1. Graduate School<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>While I put almost ZERO stock, faith, or trust in our school system, it still is a requirement for joining the military. I personally left school after the 10th grade and received my GED (Good Enough Diploma). The only issue with this is one will have to get a waiver for a GED, get a minimum of a 50 on the ASVAB, and at least do 1 semester of college to get a minimum of 12 college credits. While all of this is doable, it is just easier to stay in school!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">2. Stay out of Trouble<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Man\u2026. I don\u2019t even know where to start here\u2026 Just don\u2019t do it! The friends you currently have, 99% chance will not be the friends you have as an adult. That one night that you think you are just out having some fun could be the one night that ruins your life. I personally had 2 felonies and let me tell you it is a very steep climb to try and overcome. Is it possible, yes, but not necessary if you keep your perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember this, \u201cNothing good happens after midnight!\u201d -Every Dad Ever<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"HOW I JOINED THE MILITARY WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD | Nick Koumalatsos\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XOdbg83uf6I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">3. Tattoos<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>While I don\u2019t personally have an issue with tattoos as long as they don\u2019t have ill moral implications, the military has taken a pretty hard stand against them. Will it be forever, no, but it is currently. For instance, the Marine Corps is the harshest and the Army has already relaxed their\u2019s a bit. Nonetheless, just don\u2019t complicate your life by getting them. The ones I got when I was 18\/19 years old are the ones I don\u2019t like anyway. The ones I got while I was in a team and as an adult, I would never take off my body and to this day, still love them. So my advice is again, don\u2019t do it so that you don\u2019t over complicate your life. You will thank me later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a link to a podcast that I did with Ret. MSgt Cody Alford on our thoughts on the Tattoo Policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/nick-koumalatsos\/episodes\/Discussing-Marine-Corps-Tattoo-Policy-w-Raider-Cody-Alford-e26fh5\">LISTEN<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">4. Convincing your parents&nbsp;<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>I get this one a lot! I want to join but my parents don\u2019t want me to. Well, most parents don\u2019t want you to. That is because we as parents don\u2019t want to see our children hurt or have to go through hard times which you most 100% certainly will if you join the military at some point. My parents did not want me to join either. Hell, my old man didn\u2019t even think I would make it. He said \u201cThe Marine Corps is hard son, you are kind of soft\u201d (he could have just been trying to push my buttons.) Then I ended up going to Force Recon and MARSOC, I showed him! Lol\u2026 At the end of the day when you turn 18, it is 100% your decision! If I would have listened to my parents I would not be where I am today. Would I not have dealt with some of the heartaches that I have, sure. But, that heartache is what has made me who I am. I see the world in a certain way because of my experiences. When you become an adult you have to take responsibility for your own life. Don\u2019t be the 25, 35, 45-year-old person that is resentful at your mom because they did not \u201clet\u201d you join the military. IT IS YOUR CHOICE! For better or worse the decision is yours and you have to accept responsibilities for ALL outcomes of YOUR decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">5. Training<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>This one just flat out wears me out. I see it so much that it just makes me sick! I hear and see people tell young people to just run till you puke then repeat 5 times. If you want to get better at something then just do a bunch of it. STOP this nonsense. Let\u2019s look at every professional athlete in the world and ask them if that is how they train. The only answer you are going to get is NO! While you are not an NFL or an Olympic athlete you are going to be a Tactical athlete! So train accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Now can you do the bare minimum and pass? Yes, you can. If that is the way you want to go through life then have at it. But for me, I want to be the very best version of myself. That means working with someone who knows what they are doing and has a PLAN of attack on how to get me to where I can be the very best version of myself. You don\u2019t have to buy our programs, (even though they are proven to be successful for thousands of candidates at this point), but in all seriousness, get with a professional who is going to get you the training you need and deserve. Set your self up for success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"HOW TO PREPARE FOR MARINE CORPS RECRUIT TRAINING | Nick Koumalatsos\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vekMzHfclzA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">6. Studying for your ASVAB<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-9 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><p class=\"\" style=\"overflow-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 18px;\">Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance! I\u2019m not sure I should say anything else lol. But for real, set yourself up for success. If you want to join the infantry so you say you don\u2019t need a good score that is very short-sided thinking. If you want to join Special Operations, Intelligence, or another specialty job you will need to have a GT (General Technical) Score of 105-115.  I got my GT score at MEPs and never had to take it again. That means when I went to apply to go to Force Recon I had the score, going to MARSOC I had the score. Do you see my point? Set yourself up for success early on so that your future self thanks to your present self. <\/p><span style=\"color: rgb(54, 54, 54); font-family: proxima-nova;\">Here is what you do. Download the app ASVAB for dummies or get the book online. Here I\u2019ll even give you the link.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/nickkoumalatsos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/41mHMKKmCAL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26433\" style=\"width:323px;height:421px\" width=\"323\" height=\"421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nickkoumalatsos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/41mHMKKmCAL.jpg 384w, https:\/\/nickkoumalatsos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/41mHMKKmCAL-230x300.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-7 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/ASVAB-Prep-Plus-2020-2021-Strategies\/dp\/1506250653?SubscriptionId=AKIAIA3UEVTLIG7AIKFA&amp;tag=&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=2025&amp;creative=165953&amp;creativeASIN=1506250653\">Buy on Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">7. Picking your MOS<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>This one seems to be easy. It is your career, your life, thus for it\u2019s your choice. If you want Recon (and you qualify for it) But your recruiter says no or there are no spots so he wants to give you Aviation Supply, it is up to you to say NO, I\u2019ll wait. If you just say ok and take it. You can and should never complain about it. Don\u2019t be the guy or gal saying \u201cMy recruiter screwed me\u201d. It is your life and future, be the master of your own ship! So Captain the damn ship!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MY ADVICE FOR JOINING THE MILITARY IN 2020 | Nick Koumalatsos\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mm2LOi0CkwQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. Graduate School While I put almost ZERO stock, faith, or trust in our school system, it still is a requirement for joining the military. I personally left school after the 10th grade and received my GED (Good Enough Diploma). The only issue with this is one will have to get a waiver for a&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":26431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,81],"tags":[109,107,105,106,104,108],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>7 PIECES OF ADVICE FOR JOINING THE MILITARY IN 2020 - Nick Koumalatsos<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nickkoumalatsos.com\/the-guide\/2020\/01\/08\/7-pieces-of-advice-for-joining-the-military-in-2020\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"7 PIECES OF ADVICE FOR JOINING THE MILITARY IN 2020 - Nick Koumalatsos\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"1. Graduate School While I put almost ZERO stock, faith, or trust in our school system, it still is a requirement for joining the military. I personally left school after the 10th grade and received my GED (Good Enough Diploma). 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