I took it my Junior year in HS, and scored a 108 GT score. I wanted to be a helicopter pilot, so the recruiter tol me I needed at least a 110 GT on the ASVAB to qualify for WOCS (Warrant Officer Candidate School), then I had to pass the FAST. I had no way of studying for the FAST (Flight Aptitude Safety Test), and she had no material. Combine that with the fact that I didn't lose weight fast enough, (I was 5'11, 250 - needed to get down to 215 to get in, so the told me- but I saw a lot of really fat guys in basic- larger than I ever was- but, I guess she was trying to spare me the crap they went through) and I ended up (being told at least) that I missed my slot for WOCS, and the flight school.

I took it again the summer between my Jr & Sr, years, and got 118 GT, and my lowest line score was 111. Only one person out-scored me that day in Alexandria, LA, but we all scored high, according to the grader. I started my diet in March 1987 at 251 (I hadn't lost a pound since my Jr Year, but I was in shape (football). I decided to get real about it, so I went on a 1 meal a day diet, and I worked out in Spring Practice with next year's team. By May 15th, she came to see me, and I was down to 208, a loss of 43 pounds in roughly 7 weeks. I didn't know I had lost weight; I never weighed myself, and even though I had dieted and worked out (both of which I'd done before) I certainly didn't expect those kinds of results.

Ironically, many of my friends that were going to go in with me- when I went in (Buddy program), couldn't even pass the ASVAB. I was like, "Damn fellas?! We go to the same school, take the same classes, have the same teachers; how is it that I've smoked the ASVAB twice, and you guys keep failing?" That probably wasn't the best way to say it, but, what are friends for? No sugar coating! Needless to say, I went in by myself, E-1, August 1987.

One of my friends FINALLY passed the ASVAB, on what must've been his 6th attempt, and he joined the Marines in 1990; three years after high school. Having a GT score over 110 opened the door for every job in the Army for me. I was recruited more heavily by the services, than colleges. At the MEPS, as I entered the delayed entry program, I told them I wanted to work with computers and telephones. Those clowns offered me 31L (Wire Systems Installer). The video looked cool, lots of computers, a few hotties... Little did I know I was signing up to be an outdoor telephone repairman, climbing poles, and doing all sorts of stuff like that.

No enlistment bonus (I knew that- that was only for the infantry guys and other combat arms MOS's), no $25,000 for college, and worse yet- No computers, no indoors, and no comfort- for 4 years!

I re-uped in 1991, during the war, and selected 31F (MSE: Network Switching Systems Operator), and stupidly went BACK to AIT, and having to deal with Drill Sergeants all over again, after being a 4-year vet from the REAL Army. It was quite an adjustment; but it was fun, mostly...

Class A inspections took on a whole new meaning, as most of the Drills were too young to have gone to Vietnam, and on the trail, so they didn't go to the Gulf War. When we had dress green inspections, myself and a few other E-4's had more medals, and patches than the E-7's, E-8's, and Officers that ran the unit. They even had to laugh at that...

I can only imagine how many medals I'd have now, if I were still in... As long as none were the purple heart, or awarded posthumously, I'd be happy!