How is BOOT CAMP?????Im thinking about going into the military!?
366819
Anyone with any sense is scared of boot camp and war.  So congrats, you've got sense.\n\nBut facing your fears helps you grow.  You'd probably enjoy the service.  There's lots of great people to meet and work with, places to go, things to do, and money to make...\n\nBUT one thing a soldier can't be is political... if they say go, you go.  They're not gonna tell you it's a Clinton thing or a Bush thing.  And they're not gonna care if you have an opinion.
878449
I was in the Air Force so you know what I'm going to pick!! And I spent six months for training on a Navy base and it was horrible!!  The Air Force seems to treat you better and the food was definitely better!
1120345
I was in the Air Force and loved it.  If you're looking to get out into the wild and rough it a lot, then the AF isn't for you -- it's a bit more cushy.  But I had my share of field exercises as well, so it's not all easy.  I honestly can't think of any reasons NOT to join the AF, it was the smartest thing I ever did for myself.  But some other reasons to join any branch of the military would be the educational benefits, job training, early retirement (if you stay in long enough) and lifelong benefits, a sense of partriotism, job stability and the chance to travel/experience the world.  If you're already seriously considering joining, I don't think you'll be sorry if you do.  Good luck!
228530
Ok I'll do my best given my experience in the Marines and raised as a military brat to explain military life. As you know Marines get the opportunity to work with the Navy, being in the Navy even as a female you may be task to go to sea for 6 months plus. That means the only communication between you and your husband and kids will be via mail and the sporadic phone call. It's hard demanding and you'll work a load of hours. If you break the amount of hours down per month at work then calculate the amount you received in pay you'll see it's not much (below poverty). So if you’re in it for the money don't do it. Health care is great however, not the best. You'll stand around in uniform waiting for a prescription then along comes an officer and he gets his drugs filled right away. You'll wait. Job security definitely, study learn your trade, wear a sharp uniform and stay fit you’ll definitely be able to stay in. Become a "S^&*t bird" as they say and you won't last. Positive experience, well you'll learn what real discipline is and leadership. These are traits required in the civilian world.\n\nPlease do not believe every promise from the recruiter. They will promise you beautiful bases and great life overseas. Most people go in to the military, go overseas for an unaccompanied tour  (Meaning no family can come with you) for a year then you come back. That can be about as stressful as it gets. Make sure if you do go in that you have a guaranteed slot in a school to learn an MOS (Military Occupational Skill). This is a ticket into a school. This does not give you the ticket to graduate; you actually have to work hard and study to pass. I went to the Naval Aviation Electronic course and did 2 years of college in 8 months. A lot of my friends did not make it. They ended up going to the Infantry. \n\nAlso keep in mind that the Marine Corps has the highest divorce rate in the Military followed by the Navy. When I was in, about 75% of marriages failed. Life for the family members can be more difficult then it is for the enlisted person. They have to move, meet people, learn new cities, etc… Some people just are not cut out to be uprooted and replanted some where else. \n\nWith this said prior planning and an active role from your husband and kids can make the transition to Navy life a great positive change. You have to be committed first to yourself and family then to the Navy not the other way around. This will have a great impact on your success or failure in the navy and as a wife/mother.\n\nAs you said there are good and bad things about the Navy. Keep in mind that it is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. It is a hard life. You can do it, and you can do it happily with the support of your loved ones. If any of them find it difficult you’ll end up having a very hard 3,4,5 year tour. Think really hard before you make this step your family will go through a great sacrifice. \n\nI would advise you if the Military is what you want go in the Air Force. They treat the poeple better and the families are generally happier. They actually get stationed in cool places.\n\nI hope my rambling has helped in some way.
30550
The gas chamber is to give you the confidence in the equipment you use. You will go in with all your equipment on and will be fine, then you take off your mask and realize what your sitting in, your eyes will burn and your nose will run and you will probably puck, I even seen people piss on them self but it is over in minutes. Basic training is a great experience. Remember they can't hurt you physically but they will push you mentally. You will be in great physical shape when you get out. The best thing I can tell you is hook up with some good people and get thru it together. Friends for life come out of the military
569354
Its not as bad as everyone thinks it is...sleeping arrangements are depending if you are an officer...a chief...or a seaman...Depending on all of that. You'll sleep in "bunks" if you're enlisted...and you'll get a room if you are a high end chief and officer. Mess Hell (cafeteria) has everything you could ever ask for...soda machines...all that fun stuff...and the menu the chef cooks up is what YOU want to eat...they will poll weekly depending on each squandran wants and desires...and will plan the menu accordingly. When you're out on sea cruises...its kind of hard to get personal time...but you'll have your watch hour..included into your actual "job"...but each night..I found about 1 - 2 hours to actually sit down and play with a couple friends...or talk online to family and all. Get my Biz done. When you're ship port...you can have leave...and you may have 1 - 2 days on your own as your own free time and are allowed to roam the city...but there are days where you have to work on board...so it honestly depends on your rank...and your work title...and how high up you know in your chain of command ( its best to know the chiefs and officers on the ship you're deployed on...trust me lol. )...as an officer in the Navy...for 18 years...I've grown to know that if you work hard...the more days off you'll get from your superiors...and so on. If you need anything more...or more info...or even chiefs / officers on board any ship...feel free to IM me...I know lots...and I'm pretty high up myself...but then again...haven't been on a cruise in about...6 years lol. Hit it up. \n\n\nCaptain Matthew McPherson Jr.
369151
Well if its anything like Army basic training you won't get a lot of time to eat so don't be picky. Take what you're given, scarf it down and try not to get noticed. Make sure you drink a lot of water, you won't be allowed pop, you may or may not get juice and milk (in our basic we had to drink at least one glass of water before getting juice or milk). Generally chow halls serve some kind of meat with a starch and a vegetable, its all normal American food, maybe not the tastiest or best cooking, but you're not going to get weird food you've never seen before most likely. For breakfast its bacon and scrambled eggs, maybe sausage, hashbrowns, maybe pancakes. The first few weeks of basic I got pretty much about 4 minutes from the time I sat in my seat to the time the drill sergeants were yelling at me to throw my stuff away and get out of the chow hall. Learn to eat quickly! A good trick I saw a lot of guys do was to grab a few slices of bread and cram those down, at least you feel full for a little while. Also, if you ever get  night when the chow hall puts on a big spread like steak and lobster etc (it happens sometimes) and the drill sergeants let you all eat your fill be very suspicious! Chances are you are going to go straight from the chow hall to physical training and work out until you all puke. Good luck!
774863
You should log onto www.armycadets.com.   This will give you a good idea of what it is like, where they are etc.   It is a good idea to try it out in the cadets to see if you enjoy it before you join the armed forces, as there are no strings attached, and if you don't like it then you have not committed to anything big.
1161596
First off, most of the people on here are idiots. Top Gun was a movie about the Navy and actually "Top Gun" no longer exists, at least not as it used to...(a new name, a new base).\nSecondly, the Navy was great. You will have a sea/shore rotation depending on the rating you choose. As an AO, my sea/shore was 4/3 (I think). After boot camp and "A" school, I went to my first duty station and luckily got shore duty in Nevada. It wasn't always a picnic, but for the most part I enjoyed it. I never did go on a ship, I got off active duty after four years to move to Virginia with my husband (who was also in the Navy). I did stay in the reserves and had a great time being a full time reservist (I worked about 200 days out of the year) and even did a few deployments to the middle east, which were lots of fun (and hard work). \nAs for the ships...when you are on sea duty, you'll have 6-9 month cruises and work-up periods in between those. You'll just work on the boat while in port...you won't to LIVE on the boat unless you are low rank and single. While you're on cruise, you will stop in ports around the world. It's not as if they keep you locked on the boat for 6 months straight (unless you do something very bad in a port!)\nIf you choose Navy, I'd suggest a rating like IT that will translate well into civilian life! This website: http://www.spear.navy.mil/profile/profile/jan01/pages/Navy.html has some good information and briefly describes each individual Navy rating.\nGood luck and I hope you have a good time in whatever branch you choose:)
118167
Speaking from personal experience and pride.  I would say the Marine Corps is the way to go.  Something my friends and I noticed while I was in; if you ask a soldier what he does, he will tell you "I am in the Army." Navy? "I am in the Navy." Air Force? "I am in the Air Force." But if you ask a Marine what he does, he/she will tell you "I am a Marine!"  That is something no one else in the world can say.  For 230 years the Marine Corps has been monkey stomping anyone that needs it.  There has never been a mutiny in the Marine Corps.  Hence the motto "Semper Fidelis." Which means "Always Faithful."  It applies to more than that also. It applies to the fact that, if we can help it, we never leave a man on the battlefield.  Wounded or dead.  We take care of our own.  From experience with other branches of service they learn a little about their service history.  Marines learn everything about their service history.  It is no longer the history of the Marine Corps, it is MY history as well. I was a Sergeant. I was leader of Marines.  That is one of the greatest feelings in the world.  Almost as good as the day I stood on top of "The Reaper," and my Senior Drill Instructor put that Eagle,Globe, and Anchor in my hand, and told me(this by the way was the first time in the entire 13 weeks of boot camp that any Marine is addressed as Marine, only when their training is complete are you a Marine.) "Congratulations Marine. Welcome to the Corps."  Marines have pride in their service in part because of our history, and also because we had to earn the title Marine.  We had to earn the right to be called Marine.  Everyone else is a soldier, sailor, or airman as soon as they get to basic training.  Not Marines. I was every derogatory term except.  I certainly wasn't a human being. But then it was all worth it.  Marines are the first to fight.  Whatever you think your chances of going to Iraq or Afghanistan are...double it.  I'm not trying to Scare you away, but every Marine is a rifleman. Our pilots learn learn infantry combat tactics.  Oh by the way the whole Navy pilots are the best thing. Only the top 10% of Naval Flight School, are allowed to be Marine pilots.  Someone had mentioned the Navy SEALs.  You can be a Navy SEAL even if you are a Marine.  The SEALs are Special Forces and thus are open for anyone in the Armed Services to try.  But why do that, the Corps just started its own Special Forces program.  I would have retired if I could have.  Anyway I say go Marine.
261431
Bootcamp is a short time. 13 weeks for Marines. (been there done that). However the hard time comes after that when you are actually able to talk on the phone or fly out to visit each other... If he is a reservist he will be back after boot for a couple weeks and back to training for his MOS school.. and then back home to his reserve unit.. If he is active he will be back from boot as well but once he leaves for MOS school he will go straight to his unit after that.. \nThen come 'floats' or wartimes or being sent here and there and mostly out of U.S... this is the time when you will talk to your bf maybe once a week and will not see him for 6 months or sometimes even over a year.. I would try to see what he really wants to do.. I do not recommend military to anyone who is doing it to get benefits and school paid.. If you are going in might as well stay in for the whole 20 and retire... \n\nif he doesnt he will come back after all your friends are done with their degrees and have nice jobs.. he will start from scratch.. start school or go work as a landscaper or a construction worker.. \n\nTalk to him and see what he wants to do.. If this is trully what he believes then he should do it.. do not try to hold him back because if he stays then he will blame you for not following his dreams.. \n\nIt will be hard.. go out with friends and keep busy.. stay away from clubs or bars.. and stay away from guys who will give you the ear and a shoulder to cry on.. he will just use you... (i got dropped when i was away... but its ok.. im married and very happy with someone else now)\n\nGOOD LUCK...
519223
Economically, it makes great sense.  You'll have to go to Basic Training (not a big deal) and then AIT (even easier, where you learn your job).  All you have to do is apply to a college and you'll be able to do them simultaneously.  You could try an ROTC scholorship and skip the Guard, but you can do both!  My buddy did that and had enough extra money during college to buy a car, I still had a bike.  The National Guard is cool because it's not just "go to Iraq and die" like uneducated people think, you get to help out your local community in times of crisis.  If you're willing to spend a couple of months learning to be a team player and shoot a rifle, it's worth it.
1103797
God Bless you and thank you!  My son is at infantry basic training at Fort Benning and we just welcomed my daughter (Air Guard) home from Iraq.\nMy advice for boot camp would be to make sure your loved ones write to you and OFTEN and that they understand you probably won't be writing back too often but you need their support!\nIf you aren't used to working out, start!  Run, walk, do pushups, situps anything to help your endurance.  Start going to bed early and rising before dawn, just the little things so the bootcamp schedule isn't more of a shock to your system than it already will be.\nAnd be proud of yourself, you accomplishing something!  Your country loves you and believes in you!  You must too!
347502
well if ur east coast good luck. there is a dvd out that called making a marine. they put it on the military channel if u get it. the first month is the roughest. then ur fine. me myself i would of liked it wish i could of went. u well get there early in the morning and thats when the yelling starts. for me to watch it. it pumped me up. i wish u well 3 min showers. yes sir all the time it dont look all that bad. better to go now then back when my uncle went. and marines are hot. sorry! about that. wish u well!
584048
With a law degree, almost any branch would be jumping for you.  The big part would be to pass OCS (officer canidate school)  where they teach you to lead troops.  I've never gone, but it sounds like a tougher boot camp than the one I went to.  As long as you are physically and mentally able to hack it, I'm sure you'd be sent to the legal section.  Your recruiter would be able to confirm that with the contract he draws up for you.  You'll know all the legal jargon by then and can read for yourself exactly what you are being promised.  If it's not to your satisfaction, have him change it or look to a different branch of service until you find what you want.
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.
625116
It depends on what you & the Army decide to do.\nBoot camp is 13 weeks & infantry school is 6 weeks.\nIf you go in to Officer Training (as college op),\nmy son has had everything from boot camp, BOLC, IOBC, Marksman, Jump School, Ranger School (he has 2 weeks left)\nhe will have been trained for 78 weeks. A long time.\nHe graduates from Ranger school in 2 weeks & leaves in 4 weeks for Afghanistan to lead his men who are already there under command of his Sgt. ( He is a Lt. - due to be Captain in Dec.) So training can vary alot in the Army.