Is it better to join the military as enlisted or officer?
345480
I enlisted and then became an officer through ROTC.  I would say that is the best way to go.  On my first day as a young tank Platoon Leader in Germany, I got in and helped a bunch of very shocked soldiers change track.  Few had seen an officer ever do that.\n\nKnowing what it's like to do the jobs EMs do and having done them is a good way to earn, initial, respect.  Your actions everyday, even on your bad days, determine the long term respect.  Standing up for your soldiers when they are right and going through demanding training with them are just two ways of building this long term respect.
441452
personal opinion?  couldn't find any web statistics so, here's just what I would think.....\nif you have the option to do so, I'd go to college premilitary.\nin case you haven't noticed, there is a very vicious war going on & God knows when we will EVER get out.  Once you are deployed, you could experience things in war that will haunt you/distract you the rest of your life hindering your ability to concentrate & learn.\nIt may even destroy your motivation to go to college...if it was peacetime with no chance of war, i would say go for it, pick up the experience & training the military has to provide, but in the present/ongoing world climate, go on to college first....besides once you get your bachelor's degree, you can enlist & go into officer's training & commission in as an officer with all the ammenities attached.  good luck in your decision
694305
College first. You have a better job of going places in the military with a college degree
1176179
This question can probably go either way. It depends on many factors such as the branch of service they were trying to get back or go into. You would have less of a chance going into the Marines or the Air Force, but have a greater chance of getting into the Army. Then, it would also depend on the recruiter.
1050744
College, if that is an option for you.  Only people who can't get into college should be forced to consider the Army as an option.
704980
ROTC will by far and away be the least complicated way to do it. There are other commissioning sources, but based on your situation - ROTC will be simpler. (P.S. The benefits/status for these sources are all identical - theonly one that may have more prestige - a Service Academy is not an option for you - so I'd go with the most available option for you).
786993
Hmm, well yes I was gonna say the Rotc thing for you, but it seems you don't want to be an officer (not sure why).\n  From what I see you have alot of preconcieved ideas of what the Army is really going to give you in life.  If I were you I would not trust those ideas.  \n  First of all, the GI bill isn't all that great .. 255$ a month for every month you are ATTENDING school.  Not all that great to tell you the truth. It doesn't even touch tuition costs!  Yes you can get student loan repayment program, but again it sounds better than it accually is.  First, you have to make sure you GET it. (has to be in your contract).\n  I advise staying in college for a few reasons.. \n1. the army isn't gonna help you get a job after school \n2. Your college credits will help you in promotion once you get into the army. (promotion boards work on a point system and for every credit you have you get a point)  Makes a HUGE difference in being promoted\n3. Overall in life a college degree is more important than being in the Army. Get college done first then move on from there.  \n4. Student loan repayment doesn't kick in until you are DONE with school. Doesn't do anything while you are a college student.\n5. Your gonna have WAY more oppertunitys in the army if you finsish your Arabic degree first.  The intell field really needs foerign language speakers. This could help you get into other government agencys like the CIA or FBI as well.\n6. The Army is gonna take 5 years of your life: Do you really want to be in college starting out when your like 25 and then graduating at around 30?  That is gonna really be hard on you financially when your out on your own and thinking about buying a house when your still in school. \n7. I think you believe Officers sit behind a desk all day. Doesn't have to be that way you know. Plus being out in the field in the grit and grind gets old FAST.  Life sucks out there. Being enlisted and at the beck and call of anything the Army wants also gets old fast as well.  You get little authority, and it's hard to make what you want out of life happen. \n  Dropping out of school is a big decision and rarely ends out benefiting you (even if you have intentions of going back).  Finish up your college degree then think about the Army if that is what you really want at the time. Remember, people change from year tto year in what they want, how they act and what financial situation they are in. \n  Look at it this way. You finish school, get a great Army job in intell and save money while your in the military for a house.  You get out and then you can have some money, have tons of oppertunitys with your degree and really be able to find somthing high paying possibley with a government agency.
71400
If you have the desire, then you have what it takes.  Don't be scared by the taking orders because you'll learn that you have a choice.  You'll pick up on what's involved in advancement and how you can move through the ranks and get ahead of those who may actually be lame.  I'm not talking about moving up the ranks by doing indecent acts, but just applying yourself and displaying the army values, Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal courage.  If you incorporate these values, you'll be ahead of the game and you'll do fine.  Excel in every aspect that you can, score a 300 or above on the physical fitness test, achieve an expert marksman badge, complete correspondence courses and take college courses.  About an earlier comment, tuition reimbursment isn't a bonus, the military already pays 100% of your tuition while you're on active duty.  You just have to pay  for the books.  So take advantage of that program.  \n\nThe military isn't about taking orders.  It's about working as a team to accomplish your mission.  It's about following the instructions and guidance from your leaders.  Yes, you'll have some very bad leaders and at that point, you can stand up and suggest alternatives and work the chain of command to your advantage.  There are the proper ways to do things and then there's the defiant way to do things, which will only land you in trouble and eventually out the door.\n\nOh, it's a two mile run by the way.  See if a recruiter could give you a APFT card and check the score chart.  Work on reaching the max amount of push ups, sit ups and two mile run.  This will help in the long run, for a promotion to E-5.  I earned E-5 in less than three years and was barely 21 when I was leading soldiers.
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
360459
You most certainly do not have to be a citizen to join the US military. You do, however, have to be a legal resident. Those legal residents serving in our armed forces, however, can cut their required waiting time to become a US citizen down to three years.\n\nIn fact, many people join the military SPECIFICALLY to speed up the citizenship process. Our country realizes that serving in the armed forces requires a sacrifice. It is a dangerous job and your life is always on the line. That sacrifice is rewarded by speeding up the citizenship process. These soldiers has already shown their loyalty to this country.
399457
once you have signed yourself over to them you have to wait until your enlistment is up. it doesn't matter what branch you choose.
156807
I would say join the armed forces and find out, preferably in your own country.
544748
I served during the Viet Nam era, in the Army, also I am a guy so things can be a little different for women. If I was a woman,  I would pick the Air Force. The Navy can be quite confining and in the Air Force when you go on 'leave' it is allot easier to 'take-off' from where you work. The one big factor about military service you have potentially at your finger tips, schooling and education learning you can use almost endlessly.
442415
Personally I prefer college then navy.\nLearn more than contribute.\nPrepare more than enjoy more.
811798
I am enlisted Air Force I think you should, having a occupation that fits the Air force is more important. In nursing for instances you can get direct commissioned. \nHuman resourses, weather, Air way science, computers and Military science are big ones. You should be thinking about a Masters too if you are considering being an Air Force Officer.
553227
Enlist in a branch of the military, especially the army and ask your recruiter.
576163
Joining the Air Force was the best thing I ever did for myself -- I loved it.  The Air Force is one of the more "intellectual" branches of the military (no offense to the others).  It's just a lot more cushy, but that's not everyone's thing.  If you want to sleep out in the wild during your field exercises, go Army or Marines.  If you want to stay in a nice hotel-like room during your deployments (complete with maid service) then the AF is for you (my brother was in the Army while I was in the AF, and he just hated the unequal treatment, but the mission is just different for the various branches so the lifestyle is as well).  Bit it wasn't all peachy keen when I was in, we had our field exercises and mock-wartime scenarios to contend with, too, but for the most part it wasn't all that tough.  I'm not opposed to doing my part when wartime arises, but the reality is that the Air Force is probably a safer branch of the military when that arises.  I just can't say enough good things about it, the opportunities are so great and I think everyone would be better off having experienced any military service, not just the Air Force.