BTHURK

Papote, Yeah, get use to that sadly enough. Doesn't look like it's getting better anytime soon. But on the bright side you are joining the best ranks around so to that I say congrats! Mest is mission essential skills training which is a long fancy term for on the job training after technical school. Each AFSC has a certain amount of days allotted for MEST. Also I was reading previous responses and noticed people talking about commissioning. AMS is no longer available as everyone now goes to OTS for officer training. AMS used to be a shorter officer training for prior national guard guys, six weeks long instead of the eight weeks of OTS. By the way, if you do consider commissioning my opinion is to start enlisted first, do a good job and they will give you a waiver for your age. Easy as that! Good luck!

You will be paid as an E3 from day one of your enlistment. Even though you are technically an E1 in basic training you will still receive E3 pay. You will sew on E3 at the completion of BMT. You will be getting E3 pay during drill before you leave to basic as well. The state pays for your drill status checks and the federal government pays when you are on orders during BMT and technical training also when you are on MEST training days. Your job is bound by the law to hold your position while you are on orders with the military. Hope this helps and good luck!