Traditionally yeah, but is that the case today? ie most WOs don’t have degrees?
I can’t believe I started this thread less than a month ago.
In that time, Hallboy took the ASVAB and scored well and today he went to MEPS and…well, now he’s an Airman, waiting for a job opening to be called to BMT (basic training). That could be anywhere between now and 12 months from now.
My how time flies.
I was rejected by all of the branches of the US armed forces due to psoriasis. I’d taken the ASVAP, they scrambled over themselves to get me in <they seemed to think I’d be a shoe-in for translator, or somewhat> and when I showed up to the physical the doc asked 'what’s that on your knee?" I shrugged and said “I dunno, dry skin.” I’ve had psoriasis since I was 14, so I knew what it was, but never had any doctor say anything except “It’s ugly, but harmless unless you get a kind of arthritis when you’re old, which you’ll probably get anyway, so don’t worry about it.” Kinda like acne.
This doc came back within a couple minutes, confirmed it was psoriasis, said it was a no-go. This was almost 30 years ago, and there were no biologics or really even any creams, nothing for it. It just was there. Like acne.
I asked him why it was a disqualifier, since all it meant, for me, was that it looked like I had grease burns or something <the flaking, at that point, was barely there. Even now, when I have a lot more of it and it IS flaky, it’s just that…flaky, not even itchy just…there. Like full-body dandruff> and his response was “It’s been on the books for 100 years, nothing I can change about it.”
I wasn’t happy with that answer, as going enlisted was the only way I was going to get any college in. Or, hell, any kind of training. So I hit the medical library at the college and looked up what I could, and…ouch. It can be, apparantly, quite a problem. Some of the pictures I saw, especially of people’s feet, made it obvious that if mine ever ‘changed’ and went that direction <or whatever psoriasis can do; mine just sits there> that it might be painful to be on those feet all day.
And that’s the only thing I could come up with as far as why psoriasis might be a problem. Of course my next argument was going to be 'If THAT’S what you’re worried about, I clearly don’t have THAT,", but I gave up. Not like I could afford legal counsel to fight it. And every branch said the same thing: ‘No psoriasis, no exceptions.’
In retrospect, they should have taken me. Never had a physical problem due to it, and I’ve been actually ill with the flu maybe once a decade in my life. I get a cold maybe every 3 or 4 years. Anyone in my family with psoriasis is the same way. My immune system is ridiculously overcharged, and as I do believe that is due to the psoriasis, they lost out on an OVERLY healthy specimen. 
Wow!! Congratulations, and…<hugs>. That is scary. But I bet he learns a LOT there, a lot faster than in the ‘real world’. I am betting it will be good for him, if bad for your grey hair.
Congrats!
PS don’t expect him to learn much of anything frankly, other than how to fold socks. 
And let middle-aged yahoos yell at him. It’s all a silly game, he just does as he’s told and he’s fine.
Just a quick update…Hallboy heard from his recuiter today–he has a ship date of December 11. After basic, he’ll be in training for an Aircraft Metals Technology Specialist.
…December 11 will be here before we know it!
Wow, that looks like a great opportunity to learn a trade that will actually be useful in the civilian world! Even in the worst of the latest job market I was still seeing ads for machinists and experienced welders.
I was an Aviation Ordnanceman in the Navy, not a whole lot of civilian carryover there,
That seems very cool. Congratulations, Hallboy! Good luck!
Congratulations to Hallboy! And condolences on your grey hair, hehe. <hugs>