just wondering, im in high school, and im thinking bout joinin the army. should i? should i wait?
115191
Listen bud... I am an Army vet... \n\nFirst, do not listen to agenda driven, uber-liberal peaceniks\n\nSecond, the casualty rate in the Army has been as high in peace time as it has during the Guld War(s)\n\nThird, do not go in with a pre-chosen job or idea. Study for the ASVAB, see what you qualify for. Ask questions of current soldiers. Ask questions to your parents. Ask questions to your pastor or someone you trust. And ask questions of yourself. Then and only then if you feel the benefits outweigh the risks, then do it and choose the job that will also help prepare you for a career outside the Army. **By this I mean that an infantry man is prepared for what job when he gets out? Look to learn a job you like that means more on the outside as well. Not that I am knocking the infantry, but if you can do better, do better.**
504336
there is a man for every women and a women fro every man!\nthe lucky one for you will be coming soon i am sure...you shouldn't be in such a rush....you are still in high school right? you have you whole life a head of you! think about it!
368406
i joined the military a year after high school.  In my mind it has bettered my future.  I have learned leadership and management skills that most Citizens would pay to have.  Its easier to get a job saying that you retired from the military.  It shows that you come from a background of lots of hardwork, dependability, and that you will get the job done.  Its a great way of life, but not for everyone.  You have to learn to sacrifice your time to take care of others, and that its not all about you anymore.  The benefits are great.  The pay isnt that great unless you are an officer.  But, you can learn to manage your money and put it to use and have a great retirement.  When i get done with the military i wont have to work again unless i choose to.  Id say give it a shot...just dont be a douchebag, do what your told, be where you are supposed to be, in the correct uniform, and dont cock an attitude at your seniors and you will do great.  You dont have to be smart to make it far (on the enlisted side that is).  If you do then good luck, and remember it is only what you make of it...if it sucks then your attitude sucks.\n\n\nAlso served in iraq, now in korea...and education is possible.  Dont listen to what the others say on that issue.  If you are willing to give up some of your "free-time" then you can do it.
552505
well brother, joining the army is a big deal. i myself joined the military but decided to go the navy route because they focus mostly on school, a career, and family. i met several army and marine hopefuls at MEPS. these kids (that's right KIDS) thought they were invincible. they couldn't wait to serve their country and blow sh*t up! has the thought of going to iraq crossed my mind, totally. but i have faith i will see the other end and take what i have learned from my future experience. if you have researched enough about that branch and you're confident that is your path, go for it.
842561
i'd say if you want to start early freshman in high school but normally people start sophmore year but no age that you should start when you feel the need to then start!
545917
The National Guard and Army Reserves will still have to do their time as a soldier.  That means that if you are enrolled in college, and have to deploy, you're college will take a back seat.  The flip side of that coin is that you will be able to take college course while you are active.  There are a variety of colleges that offer online course, there are colleges on military installations, and the Army also has E-Army learning.  The Army pays for the tuition while you are active.\n\nYou, however, have to do some soul searching to determine just what you are joining the military (part-time or full-time) for.\n\nI congratulate you on thinking about it.  Someone earlier said that you should talk to service members and don't believe everything you hear.  That's good sound advice.\n\nI wish you the best in your endeavors.
672668
You can't join the military unless:  you are 17, have parents permission, and are a junior in high school (or have already graduated).\n\nAll military training is design to be hard.  It is NOT harder than necessary, remember you are learning how to survive.  Is it hard?  Yes.  But if it was TOO hard, how come some many millions of people have already completed it?
1109573
I enjoyed my stay in the Army, had a pretty high ASVAB score, but still wanted to be combat arms (fire support specialist), and had the time of my life.   I also had some friends that went in the Marines, and they loved it too, I don't think you can go wrong, it will probally be some of the best years of your life.  Just make sure you figure out your job options first, I chose the Army because I could pick my specific job instead of just a general field, not sure if that has changed lately.
644508
you should seriously reconsider your decision, look around at whats happenning in this world, you are very young give yourself a chance, you seem to be very smart so think long and hard about any decision you make to join the armed forces, our soldiers are the bravest and best in the world but i womder how many would tell you to pick another career, whatever your decision may be God Bless You and all of our brave men and women who protect and fight for our country, also don't forget to include your parents in this decision.
686996
I think all young men should sometime or another go into the military but right now is not a good time. Both my son's are in ( one in the Marines and the other Army ) My son that is in the Marines loves it very much but he was sent to Iraq and came back hurt and he still wants to stay in. So I think it depends on the person and how that person feels but please don't join for the wrong reasons !!! And Michael joining the military is NOT just to fight wars. It's all about loving your country and wanting to serve it.
464021
I am currently a military spouse and if I could do it all over again I would have told my husband to just get a job in his major and not the Army.  The Army takes care of us, they have some great benefits probably the best in the world.  But none of that is worth risking your life for.  I'm not anti-Army, I'm just living the life supporting my husband.  We have a 3 year old, and he just came back from a deployment in Dec and possibly will be leaving again within a month.  Imagine a 3-year old asking for his daddy everyday while he is fighting in a senseless "war".  If you can't, it's pure hell.  I don't recommend military life to anyone unless you are single and times are REALLY hard for you financially.  There are alot of sacrifices you have to make in a military environment.  I have some research for you, go and find out the divorce rate for military servicemen, its beyond the means of high.  I think I just told you the reason why!!
102418
Most men my age have served in the military.  In my opinion, over all it is a good experience.  Your life doesn’t have to seem as if it is on hold.  In addition to the military experience, it is an opportunity to look into other things.  Your training is one such experience, but as a member of the military there is one thing that all soldiers have in common, time.  Most military organizations have access to libraries and similar services.  Use them and you may develop a new path in life.  Six months is a very short time to conclude that you like or don’t like the military You a barely through your training period.  For myself, if I hadn’t been injured, I won’t have made the military a career.  Even so, it was one of the better life changing experiences of my life.
711986
If you need to ask us for our opinions than you are too young to make this commitment.  Wait until you graduate from High School and see how you feel.
639042
lou, if I was still on Active Duty in the Army, you are just the person I would want in my Platoon. You want to enlist for all of he right reasons.\n\nThe Army wants people who are goal oriented. You are not taking advantage of the Army or the taxpayers for having these goals and letting the Army provide you with the skills.\n\nYou will pay me and all the other taxpayers back many times over, for the cost of your education in the Army.\n\nSo go ahead and enlist and "Be the best you can be", cause I can tell you will be one of the best.
1152404
Do you have a degree in a field that would make you a candidate to be an officer.  \n\nGo to the Army recruiter, I am sure they will be more then willing to help you.\n\nBTW There is nothing wrong with be enlisted.
1074994
a lot of these answers are great just to stress on a few get some college first and you will have a higher rank when joining. If you can't. just be prepared to be broken and rebuilt they will break you down and rebuild you into a soldier.  Your life will revolve around the USMC you can't come and go as you please it is up to your ranking officer. I think the Army is a little slacker and not as tuff as the USMC both are standing for your country which is a great honor make sure you pick the job you want when you sign up because it is hard as hell to change once you sign those papers.  Basic training and  the schooling after sucks you do stupid jobs like kitchen duty and detail work.  Defiantly start running/  it is up and at um every morning for PT during your first 6 months to a year.  Lots of push ups and sit ups.  But you build great bonds and great friendships and you make it into what you want it can be the best experience or the worst it is all up to you!\n\nProud to be an American
828350
Well if you wait a year you lose a lot of your scholarship opportunities that you will have right now, as a senior coming out of high school. Unless you have college already payed for that is the biggest reason. Otherwise it reallly doesnt matter if you decide to wait a year, except  you might need to take a refresher course.