u/BlindPilot_x

Does anyone here have bad blood drawn phobia? I’m in talks with my recruiter and I’ve meps in two weeks but this fear is making me wonder if I should cancel it and give up.

Does anyone here have bad blood drawn phobia? I’m enlisting in the military but I the blood drawn on medical is making me feel like I should give up.

My current life circumstances won’t let me join active duty. But I’m wondering if joining the national guard instead of reserves will hurt my chances of volunteering for deployments.

88M joining as E4

Hey everyone,

I’m curious if anyone has experience with major misconduct waivers.

I have an 8-year-old road rage case that was ultimately dismissed after I successfully completed probation, I had to do what I did to protect my life.

With current recruiting levels, is a waiver like this still worth pursuing, or are these types of cases generally not getting approved anymore?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through a similar situation or has recruiter experience. Thanks!

Long story short, have full sleeve tattoo, back piece and all that. I’m petrified of getting my blood drawn, I want to enlist but I’m afraid of panic during meps/reception blood drawn. People here have same fear and did well? Am I being dramatic and isn’t that bad? How should I deal with this? Is this common? Am I overthinking? Other then that 14-15 weeks away from home is another point but, blood drawn is holding me back.

Like tittle states, looking to enlist in the military but blood drawn is my biggest fear. Tried hypnosis already I’m not sure if helped directly but I know i feel a little better thinking about but, still petrified…

I’m 28, married, have a 10 month daughter, and we own a home.

I’m in the process of joining the Army Reser ve and will be gone for Basic and AIT. We have some savings set aside, so it’s not really the money that’s eating at me. Joining as E4 the BAH and a little of the salary should cover the bills at home.

What keeps running through my head is being away from my family for the first time and not really knowing what’s going on back home. Bills, house stuff, my wife handling everything, missing time with my daughter… it honestly makes me nervous.

For those of you who joined around 28–29 with a wife, kids, and a mortgage, how did you get through it? Was it as hard as you imagined, or did it get easier once training started?

I’d really appreciate hearing how you handled being away from your family.

I want to join the military service but I’m petrified of blood work. Anyone have the same fear and what should I do to coupe with this?

Hey everyone,

I’m in the process of joining the Army Reserve as an 88M through ACASP, coming in as an E-4 due to my CDL experience.

One thing I’m really curious about is deployments. I’ve heard that 88Ms are often able to volunteer for deployments or other tours if they want to.

Is that actually true? If so:

How often do volunteer opportunities come up for 88Ms?

Are there usually enough tours available for someone who wants to go?

Does it depend mostly on your unit, or can you volunteer for missions with other units as well?

How difficult is it to get selected once you volunteer?

I’d love to hear from current or former 88Ms, especially those in the Army Reserve. Thanks in advance!

Hey guys,

Joining the U.S. Army is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m currently talking with a recruiter about joining the Reserves. It seems like a good opportunity—joining as an E4, and the unit isn’t too far from me. However, the MEPS blood draw is really freaking me out.

I have a full sleeve tattoo and I’m fine with getting shots, but blood draws hit me pretty badly, and I’m not sure how to handle it. I’m 28 years old, married with one kid, and this is something I really want to do, but my fear feels bigger than me right now.

Does anyone here struggle with the same problem and eventually get used to it? Has anyone known someone with the same issue who still did well in the Reserves?

I really appreciate any input on how to handle this.

Thanks,

Debating in joining Air Force or USAR, I was just wondering how hard to get in as Admin or HR in the Air Force Reserve/Guard spectrum of things.

Thank you.

I'm a bit embarrassed, but I’m seriously looking into joining up (thinking USAR but debating NG as well) and I have a massive, legitimate phobia of needles. Like, vasovagal response, cold sweats, the whole nine yards. But do fine with shots and tattoos.

I know you get absolutely bombarded with vaccines (this doesn’t bother me), but how do people with serious trypanophobia actually survive MEPS, reception batallion, and the rest of a military career?
Do the medics give you any grace if you tell them ahead of time you pass out, or do they just roast you?

I really want to serve, but the thought of blood drawn at MEPS and reception is giving me serious second thoughts. Would love to hear from anyone who has a phobia and actually made it through. How bad is it really?

88M would be with an FSC supporting an artillery battalion, and the other option near me is 13M.

I’m debating whether joining the Army Reserve as an 88M would be the better option for me as a young dad with a house, wife, and a 9-month-old daughter.

It seems to me that National Guard units tend to have people who know each other well, which is probably a good thing if you get deployed or even during drills. On the other hand, I get the impression that Reserve units have more older people who are just there to do their time and go home. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

Any advice from people who have been in either one?

Add:. I’m looking to get deployed at some point, not sure if 88m in the reserves (engineer unit) is really easier to volunteer if I want too or nowadays my best bet is just join the ng and pray to get deployed.

Does anyone here know if hypnosis will work for this type of fears? Is any available online that I can try? I’m looking to enlist in the military but blood drawn is my biggest fear.

Thanks

Hey everyone,

I’m currently in the process of enlisting in the Army Reserve and had a question for those who have already been through it.

I’m just an average guy—a husband, a father, and I work a regular civilian job. Sometimes I wonder if people like me actually end up enjoying the experience or if it’s mostly something they just get sick of it and can’t wait to finish their contract.

For those who joined later in life with families and careers, did you end up having fun? Did you make good friends, learn useful skills, and genuinely enjoy being part of the Reserve? Looking back, was it worth it?

I’d love to hear some honest experiences from people who were in a similar situation.

I’m trying to decide between Army Reserve and Army National Guard and I’m kind of stuck.

I live in southern New Hampshire and the two units I’m looking at are the 220th Transportation Company and the 368th Engineer Battalion. My plan is to enlist as 88M (Motor Transport Operator) and try to come in as an E4 through ACASP since I already have civilian CDL experience.

The Reserve recruiter I spoke with was pretty straightforward. He said he’s fine with ACASP, just needs me to send in my civilian experience paperwork, and told me to study for the ASVAB and go in to do a practice ASVAB before move forward with MEPS.

The National Guard recruiter is a bit different. He said he’s not sure he wants to push ACASP because it’s a “pain in the ass” to process, and he mentioned possibly steering me toward 13M instead. He already has a plan for me to go to MEPS for ASVAB and medical (with dates).

Right now I’m kind of torn.

On one hand, ACASP and starting as an E4 sounds really good, especially since I already have truck driving experience and 88M fits that. On the other hand, part of me wants something more hands-on or “exciting,” like 13M work.

I’m not really interested in college right now, but I am open to deployments and actually being involved.

My hesitation with the Guard is also wondering if I’ll end up getting called out in situations like blizzards to clear roads and handle emergencies in New Hampshire.

For anyone who’s been in either the Reserve or Guard, especially in transportation or engineer units, what would you pick in my situation?

Is it worth prioritizing ACASP and rank, or better to choose the job/unit that might be more interesting even if I start lower?

I’m trying to decide between two National Guard options.

I’m a CDL truck driver in my civilian job, so I qualify for 88M ACASP and would come in as an E-4. The downside is I’ll be trucking lol

My other option is 13M. I’d start lower rank, but the unit is only 5 minutes from my house and the job seems a lot more fun and different from what I already do for work.

If you were in my shoes, would you take the guaranteed E-4 and 88M experience, or go 13M for a more interesting MOS and shorter commute?

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to make a decision and could use some real-world advice from people who’ve been in similar situations.
Right now I have the option to go in through ACASP as an 88M (E4). The unit is solid, but it’s about 1 hour one way commute for me.

My other option is going in as a 13M, but I’d be starting at the bottom of the ranks (E1/E2 path) and the unit is literally 5 minutes from my house.

I’m trying to figure out what actually matters more long-term:
Is the ACASP E4 jump worth the daily 2+ hours driving?
Does starting as 13M and being super close to home make life way easier than it seems on paper?
Any regrets from people who chose rank/pay over commute or vice versa?
I’m not trying to overthink it, just don’t want to make a dumb decision I’ll regret later.

Appreciate any advice.

I’m absolutely petrified of getting blood drawn. For some reason, anything involving needles or someone sticking my arm makes me extremely anxious. (I have a full sleeve and a full back piece - go figure)

Has anyone here had the same fear and still made it through MEPS, reception, and a successful military career? If so, how did you handle it, and did it get easier over time?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been in a similar situation.

I’m interested in enlisting, but I’m absolutely petrified of getting my blood drawn. It’s something I’ve struggled with for years (I’ve a full sleeve on my left arm and back - go figure). Recently I started hypnotherapy, and it has actually helped with controlling the anxiety around it, but I still have a hard time believing I’ll ever completely get over the fear.

Has anyone here enlisted while dealing with a severe fear of blood draws or needles? Or do you know someone who went through it? How did it go for them? Did repeated exposure eventually make it easier, or was it still a major challenge?

I’d really appreciate hearing any experiences, good or bad. Thanks.