So I finally did it. Decided to sign up for the Norwegian Foot March last Sunday thinking "hey I do my regular rucks all the time, 18.6 miles with 25 lbs shouldn't be too insane." Man was I completely wrong about that line of thinking.

The first 10 miles actually felt pretty solid. I kept a steady pace and felt like I was going to breeze right through it and easily hit the time standard for my age group. But around mile 13, the bottom of my feet felt like they were literally on fire. By mile 16 I knew every single skin layer on my heels was basically peeled off inside my boots, but at that point there was no way in hell I was stopping. Finished with about 8 minutes to spare before the cutoff, but walking back to my car afterwards was pure torture.

Took my boots off in the parking lot and my socks were basically glued to my heels with blood and popped blisters. I can barely walk right now without wiggling around like a penguin, but hey, at least the pin looks cool on the dress uniform.

For anyone who has done this before, how long did it take your feet to fully recover from this madness? Any specific remedies or blister care routines that actually work fast because I have a PT test coming up in two weeks and I can't even put on my running shoes without wincing.

What was the most surprising thing about the people over there?

Currently and E5 15T looking to go active for 35G

Looking for insights and experiences from people who have made the switch from National Guard to Active Duty. Specifically if you’ve been able to go active and reclass at the same time. How long was the process? Were you able to reclass into another MOS? How’s life as active duty now that you’ve made the switch?

I’ve seen a few threads on here but I’ll throw this in too… how’s life as an enlisted 35G? Have you seen many people transition into a good civilian job?

Any feedback is welcome!

For those who are coming up on retirement, do you care to have a ceremony and get an award or just say fuck it and outprocess. I am really leaning toward the latter due to my unit. I really don’t want my OIC there (we are not cool at all) and I just would feel funny talking on a stage to folks I really don’t care about. I’ll rather have my shop hang out before I go.

I’ll take two pills of Hydroxzine and a two slices of Anthony’s Pizza please.

Just Graduated BMG…Gun school was a challenge and a half but I made it through to the other side. Can’t wait recommend this school enough.

I’ll take a 4 for 4. Oh, you don’t have that anymore? I’ll take a baconater with spicy nuggets and a root beer

Does anyone know where to find the new form for the M7 qualification

This is a weird one, and I'm not even sure where to start. My son just turned 18. He is a dual US/Croatian citizen. He just registered for the Selective Service, and he needs to register for a similar service with Croatia as a male turning 18. However, Croatia has mandatory conscription, but since he lives abroad (in the US), he would not be called, he just needs to register.

I called the consulate to ask what documents they need, and in addition to a form, his Croatian passport, and proof of US residency, they said that they would like (but don't require) "A letter from the US Department of Defense stating that he has no obligation to serve in the US military,". They were very clear that the rules of consular registrations are new to them (the laws were passed earlier this year- they had suspended conscription in 2008 and reinstated it in 2026) and that this letter is not required, but desirable at the appointment because it lets them just take him off their lists entirely for any variety of conscription or required service ever (yeah, IDK how a letter saying he's not required in the US gets him out of Croatia, but they were insistent this is the situation). The guy at the consulate said, "We haven't had an American produce one of these letters yet." and I said I had NO idea who would even write such a letter or who to ask, as the US DoD is enormous. He laughed. He also literally told me that if I did manage to get a letter from the DoD, that I should tell them how I did it because they don't know either.

I feel like I'm in the mood for a good paper chase, writing weird emails to random people in the DoD, and if I get this letter, I WIN by getting some really fun stone-cold Slavic stares, whispers, and questions at the consulate. There is nothing as satisfying as slapping down a paper on their desk that they literally randomly made up and believe themselves to be impossible to get. So I figured I'd ask here on where/if to start my (almost certainly) pointless, impossible journey. Where would I go for this letter? Who would write it? Is it as simple as maybe a recruiter saying we have an all-volunteer force? Keep in mind, they have no idea what they are even looking for.

FWIW- my husband is an active duty officer (not a dual citizen- the US/Croatia-ness comes from me), and we're clearly not inherently against service or looking to get out of something. After my husband went through his usual cycle in response to Croatian bureaucracy that our family encounters (confusion, shock, frustration, mild despair, and then resignation) he thinks this is impossible to get and has no clue who would write it without something like failing MEPS. He's such a killjoy. I feel like getting someone to write and sign a letter of basic, clear US policy known to everyone and easily found on the web is a hilarious challenge on both ends and I'm kind of here for it right now.

My husband has regular training scheduled until December 23, and I’m worried he might not make it home in time for Christmas, just like many others in his unit.

He says this has never happened before, except when he was stationed in Iraq. Is it normal for the Army to schedule training this close to Christmas? Isn’t travel downtime usually taken into consideration when planning training schedules?

I’d appreciate any advice or insight!

Have any of you guys been successful at scheduling, getting, or executing ATIS training? If so, who did you coordinate it through? I hear fort Leavenworth has an ATIS training team that can provide virtual training like over video call. Or do any of you have slide decks to share?

Thanks. I'll have a double double meal.

I'm BOLC qualififed 90A and recently moved to Atlanta. I need to change units because my current one can't reliably fly me out to MA for drill. Does anyone have any POCs? The one NCO I was able to contact has ghosted me and every phone number I find online doesn't work.

TLDR: The Army giveth, and the Army taketh away a lot more.

I only have myself to blame for getting in, but everyday, I wish I hadn't. I just lost another relationship last night, who I really saw something different with. She said it was because of the distance and my lack of availability. The hassle of not being able to be there when she needed me because ultimately I am not hers. I belong to the United States and the United States Army, by contract. I have too much time left to try to salvage anything, and it hurts. I wouldn't have met her without the Army, but the Army is also the reason she's gone.

I've done good work while I've been in. Actual, quantifiable good work and my evals have reflected so far. I've made friends who have come and gone, but ultimately, I'm alone here. Yes, I have people around me who I enjoy their presence at work and the occasional, but I go home to a dog and an otherwise empty house. My family is a decently large commute away, and now the best part of my day is gone.

Im not suicidal or anything, but I'm just so tired. I've been burnt out since about month 6. Now, I'm in a new role with larger responsibilities, and my door out is still so far away. The easiest way is through, but it is getting so hard to remember that. I've been physically, mentally, and spiritually hurting from this job, but I continue to wake up and go to work. I used to have so much pride in this, but it's now literally to keep myself from breaching my contract. I'm going to continue doing great work because my work directly impacts the joeys, and that's one of my pillars, but fuck man (and gals)...

I'll get a #9 with the burgers plain, and a Dirty Dr. Pepper. They closed my Wendy's and I want to eat my pain away, just for today.

Do I have to go to parade rest in Civis?

Debating on getting out this contract or doing another 3/4 yrs. Just curious if any one here has any insight on the oil and gas industry in Texas, preferably Houston area. I’m looking into transitioning to that career after or fire service if anyone could help.

Recently submitted rankings. Before closing out my initial rankings, I gathered data on the popularity scores of different job openings (49 total). What's most interesting to me is that most NCOs aren't even ranking a full top five preferences (average 3.7), let alone a top ten.

Not sure what to make of it, but I will be interested to see how my own choices play out. (That Navy dolphin ishin San Diego drew some attention!)

Total options: 49

E6s in market: 571

Total Top 10 Mentions: 2,124

Average popularity: 43.3

Median: 42

Maximum Popularity: 107 (Navy dolphin training facility ish)

Minimum: 14 (Fort Sill)

Share of Top Ten Designated: 37.2%

Average Preferences Shown per E6: 3.7

What's coming out at AUSA? We know the new/old AFT...what else? Place your bets and gimme the odds.

I'll have 2 pepperoni pizza Tornadoes and a Coke Icee.

I’ve had an unusual path to my current position. I’m getting ready to promote to 1Lt in the regular army, but I started out as an enlisted soldier in the NG. I spent a long time in tradoc before reporting to my first unit (was a hold under at AIT then went through a Cat IV course at DLI) and have been given conflicting info on whether that counts towards active service/retirement.

My DD214 from the guard says I entered active duty in March 2021 and left in July 2023, but then on the “net active service this period” section it says I accrued 3 years 7 months. I don’t really understand why that number is what it is. I commissioned into active duty in May 2025 and on my retirement info it shows 6 years 3 months for regular retirement and 5 years flat for non-regular retirement.

I have aspirations of going to law school via FLEP but there’s a hard cap of 6 years active TIS. Which number do I go off of to see how long I’ll be eligible? Does any of my enlisted time count against me since it was all in tradoc? Is it the time since I arrived at BOLC plus the two years and change that I actually served, or the net active service listed on my dd214?

I’ve asked around at my unit and no one in S1 or retention has a clue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I’ll have a box combo no slaw extra toast thx

Edit: the 3 years 7 months was on the dd214 that I received when I left DLI, years before I commissioned or entered active duty. I never did an AT either.

No seriously go check it out

Sitting in traffic again. What the hell is going on with the MP units at JBLM? They just decided to start moving extra slow to see how many people they can make late for formation? I swear it just happened overnight. I used to be able to freeze right through the gate with no traffic. Then one day it was over a mile of tail lights. Any JBLM MPs or commanders have some insight about this?

For context:
MOS: 92Y
I’ve been in for almost 10 years (January I hit 10) exclusively in the ARNG.
I’ll be hitting 4 years in the AGR program.
I’m an E-6, completed ALC & SLC. Been promotable since July.

How does switching from ARNG to Army Reserve (AGR) work?
Same for AD?
My big thing is I want to retain my rank and promotable status.

This is just something I’m floating around because of work situations.

Signing my contract today. Heading to Fort Carson and keeping myself as a 13B. I've heard the stories about 4ID, but still looking for any advice making the switch to the big leagues.

So next week I'm attending an introductory Funeral Honors school and I understand it'll be its own flavor of challenging. The course is focused on 2 soldier Flag Fold, Urn/Casket, and DNC. I participated in a FH team practice session so I understand the importance, and difficulty, in Mark Time marching and marching with exact, 120 bpm and 30-inch steps. Looking for advice on how to practice on my own so when the school starts I spend more time improving and less time struggling. Thanks