Originally Posted by lyrad89 (Post 715928)

Update: I passed my EOC PT Test retake! (63 PU, 54 SU, 15:35 2MI)



88H as an MOS is fine. Tests are easy, most activities are outdoors. It's a low ASVAB score MOS, so similar to Sorrybrah's 92A experience, there are many characters you have to learn to navigate through, but a lot of them are fine too. I was in the same boat with not many choices as a Reserve MAVNI. The duration is short enough (8 weeks as long as you don't end up being a holdunder/over). E Co here at Ft Eustis isn't the typical AIT location, and it's not the most pleasant either. You don't get to keep your phone, instead you get it only on weekends at the end of your 4th week of training. You will be stationed with other 88 series trainees (88K/L), and will have a pretty hectic PT schedule (M 3-5 mi AGR, T muscle failure, W interval run, TH platoon-led PT, F 3-5 mi company runs). Just stay out of trouble by following their rules. Avoid all counselings and articles by not being a "sh*tbag," pass your PT tests, and don't fall out of the runs to keep your privileges and avoid remedial PT.



I don't think it'll be an issue with USCIS, since there have been many naturalized expired F1s. There's been talk here at E Co though, that people without status might become holdees. I haven't been naturalized, but I renewed my DACA until 2020. I'll find out if me or other expired status MAVNIs aren't released at the end of the coming week, which is when we're scheduled to graduate and go home.

Originally Posted by Sorrybrah (Post 715976)

Question for you Mavnis out there. I received my oath taking letter the day I ship so my lawyer sent out a letter to reschedule around the sept/oct time frame, we haven't received a reply yet and I already missed the appointment obviously. The way uscis Santa Ana does it is that they do a mass oath taking in the LA convention. Do you think it's possible for me to just go in and ask for a private administrative oath taking once I come back? My assumption is that they'll have my naturalization certificate already printed in my file.. thoughts?

Originally Posted by lyrad89 (Post 715928)

I don't think it'll be an issue with USCIS, since there have been many naturalized expired F1s. There's been talk here at E Co though, that people without status might become holdees. I haven't been naturalized, but I renewed my DACA until 2020. I'll find out if me or other expired status MAVNIs aren't released at the end of the coming week, which is when we're scheduled to graduate and go home.

Originally Posted by Hackathon31 (Post 715971)

Thank you so much for great information. Very helpful. I am active duty and only jobs that were available were 88h and 11x. I feel like recruiter screwed me over. Whatever i will try to reselect my job once i get naturalized. Anyway good luck with rest of ur military career. Salute!

Originally Posted by Hackathon31 (Post 716941)

It seems like most mavni Korean soldiers deploy to Korea after AIT. My question is if you are not a naturalized US citizen yet, will you be a holdee until you get naturalized to be able to ship oversea to Korea? I am asking this because as a male Korean citizen, it is unlawful to not serve in their military.

Originally Posted by lyrad89 (Post 716946)

I can't speak for other companies, but for E Co at Ft Eustis, which is where you're going, duty station assignments alternate by class between CONUS (Ft Eustis VA, Ft Hood TX, Ft Lewis WA, Ft Campbell KY) and OCONUS (Korea and Germany)--that is, active duty soldiers in our class were all given domestic assignments, while the previous and next 88H classes were all given overseas assignments regardless of ethnicity.

As for becoming a holdee, E Co's easy solution for anything is always to make you a holdee. The drill sergeants/platoon sergeants there are not well-versed on how MAVNI works at all. While there is no USCIS presence, there is one MAVNI liaison on post, Mr. Charles Harris at the ACS center in bldg 650, and all he does is e-mail USCIS Norfolk to try to get MAVNI soldiers interview dates--but that's given that your N-400 packet is already at the Norfolk field office.

Since our AIT is only 8 weeks, and I'm not sure where you are on your naturalization process, I suggest getting with Mr. Harris as soon as you arrive, especially given that active duty soldiers now must wait 180 days to naturalize. There are instances that non-naturalized soldiers have shipped overseas, but if you do get stationed in Korea, your case is definitely more complicated as a Korean male. I suggest connecting with Sgt. P once you arrive at E Co so you can get an appointment with Mr. Harris as soon as possible.

Hope this helps~

Originally Posted by unthinkable (Post 717887)

Completed the basic training. Currently waiting for my bus to AIT. Wasn't hard physically but was super annoying. Am so glad to be done with playing fuck-fuck games.