should i join the military to better my future?
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.
985738
Follow your heart, young man. Of course, give the choice plenty of thought and think about it from all angles. After you graduate, if it still looks like the right choice for you, by all means go for it. I would also suggest looking at the other services and comparing your options. \n\nMy parents made me do the same thing but it didn't matter to \nme. I knew by the time I was maybe 10 that I wanted to be a Marine. I enlisted and served proudly, and would do it again.
188668
If you like the military experience, with your time in service you can either apply to go to a base assignment in an interesting location, or you can choose to retrain in another specialty.  If you have been happy so far and have not been in any trouble, you can apply for 1-2 years of recruiter duty.\n\nYou can also use the available education resources to go to college and work toward a degree.  I assume that you are enlisted, it can allow you to become an officer if you wish.  The combination of college degree and military service are extremely valuable in the commercial world.\n\nDon't think that the kind of benefits you have are readily available in the "real world."  I have been out of the service for 26 years, and I have never had as good benefits for me or my family as I had as an enlisted man.  I started college while in my 3rd year of a 4-year enlistment; when I got out, I was a sophomore in college.  I had more maturity than any of my classmates and I was more motivated to succeed than any of my younger classmates.\n\nI wish you the best in your decision.  Jstmother at yahoo.
359110
Regardless of the political ramifications of joining the armed forces in a time of conflict, the experience can be very rewarding if you go in for the right reasons.\n\nYou'll need to evaluate the reasons of why you want to do this and balance it against other important relationships and plans for the future.\n\nIf you're running away from problems, it's not a good reason to go...they'll still be there when you return.\n\nOn the other hand, if you see this as a path to bettering yourself and taking yourself to the limit, I can think of no better choice.  It will truly make a man of you....get what you can out of the experience.\n\nMost importantly.....come home alive.  I'm sure there are people who would deeply regret your loss of life.\n\nIn peace....
996920
Join the Air Force...\n\nAIRBORNE LEADS THE WAY!
280340
I am not in the army but have worked on bases overseas for many years. There are definite benefits for joining the armed forces like a steady job, no rent, ultilities, health care bills, etc. You can go overseas and have interesting life experiences. It could help you figure out what you want to do with you life and provide you future career and education options.\nHowever, I have seen many bad things about the army. It is a difficult life. Depending on the job, you could have extremely long hours. There is a lot of drinking, sleezing around and promiscous behavior in general. You may be assigned to a job that you don't want and have no choice in the matter. You could die.\n\nI would go back to college if I were you and try to find an area that interests you. Having a college degree opens up so many doors that will remain shut until you have the degree, even in the military. If you really want to go into the armed forces, I would recommend the air force over the army. The quality of life, general level of education of its members, and overall organization seems to be much higher on air force bases. I have lived on army, air force and naval installations. \n\nLet me know if I can be of further assistance.
897554
I think it is an excellent idea.  Immediately after High School, if you're not registered in College,  you go military for 2 years, minimum.  Every one I know, including myself, who went military right out of High School, or College, turned out to be a much better person for it.  They found respect and discipline.
761001
I enjoyed my time as a Marine, I miss it and would love to go back but I have a family and cannot leave them for extended periods. If you join the US military you will be gone for extended periods and you will go to war. Since you do not have a spouse the development of your children could be compromised. I would tell you to stay home and raise your kids.
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.
628059
Depends on your age. If your under the age limit, then yes. That is if your talking Active duty. The best way is to talk to a Recruiter. If your talking National Guard or Reserves then you should have a good chance joining. You may have to go through basic again, that is if your considering Active Duty. Again, if your talking National Guard or Reserves, your previous basic training would probably be waived.
240062
Yes there are many benefits to joining the armed services and the Air Force is by far the best of the bunch ( that is if you can get in, they are very selective) If I had known about all of the VA benefits (money for school, Home loans etc) before having a child I would have joined
244075
Here is my two cents. I have been in the Army for 15 years (ten years active duty and five years in the National Guard).\n\nPROS\n\n1) You will grow up and become a man or woman. You will learn to accept and handle responsibility in stages.\n\n2) You will travel far more than you ever imagined. In the ten years I was on active duty, I was stationed in Korea, Germany, Bosnia and Kosovo. I traveled to five of the seven continents and have visited over 70 countries. All without a passport. All without paying commercial airfare (most I ever paid was $30)\n\n3) You can get over $50,000 in college money for an initial investment of $1200. It may not get you to Harvard, but it can get you a degree in many schools.\n\n4) While in active duty, the Army (don't know about the other branches) pays 75% of your tuition. So in addition to the GI Bill and Army College Fund, you can get a great head start for 25% of the cost of normal tuition.\n\n5) As long as you declare a major and fill out some form (I forget which one, but your Education Center can tell you), there are hundreds of colleges who will accept EVERY CREDIT you earn while in the military. Most schools will accept some but not all if you are not in the military.\n\n6) Real world experience is just as valuable as a college education. And you will get plenty in the military. If you have both real world experience AND a college education, the sky is literally the limit to what you can achieve.\n\n7) You get credit for attending college while in the military toward promotions. That means all other things being equal, the college student will get promoted before the non-college student.\n\n8) Income is FANTASTIC! Don't buy the hype that the military doesn't pay squat. Where else can you get a SECURE job straight out of high school, pay no rent or utilities AND have over a thousand dollars a month to spend or save or invest in whatever you want? If you work minimum wage somewhere (about $850 per month) and then pay for an apartment and utilities, there isn't going to be much left over after everything is paid for.\n\n9) Access to a Thrift Savings Account (TSP). It is the equal of a 401(k) account for government employees. Take advantage of it and sock away as much as you can while you are young and take advantage of compound interest. I have two TSP account - one military and one civilian (I also work for the Department of Homeland Security). The funds I invest in have grown between 60% and 80% over the last two years. Senators have TSP accounts, the President can have one, every government employee can have one.\n\n10) An AWESOME retirement program. You can retire after 20 years (15 years sometimes if they offer early retirements) and begin drawing a pension IMMEDIATELY. If you go in at 17, you can retire with a pension at 37 and still have the next 30 for another full career with pensions.\n\nCONS\n\n[ crickets chirping ]\n\nHonestly, there is nothing that I can say is really bad about the military. It is definitely a lifestyle, and it either agrees with you or it doesn't. As long as you can figure out the head game aspect of it, it can be the easiest, most rewarding job you ever have. I currently make over six figures, and I got the job due to my experience in the military. I enjoy the military so much and it is such a part of my life that I continue to stay in.\n\nThe military is not about the money. It is about opportunity. It is about patriotism. It is about Duty, Honor, Country. It is about camaraderie. It is about your fellow brothers and sisters in arms.
113550
Chris,\n\nThis is actually a very good question, and I'm glad you had the wherewithal to post it.  The only problem is that you're going to get a LOT (seems to me you already have) of answers from folks who have absolutely NO IDEA what military training, or life in uniform is about.  My opinion is that if you haven't been through it yourself, your answer is formed without basis, and is basically without any merit whatsoever...you people reading this that posted above...you know who I'm speaking to.\n\nAnyhow, good question, Chris!  There are a lot of advantages to military service, but it is not for everyone.  I enjoyed every second of my active service, even basic training...I thought it was FUN.  My experiences were positive, but I noted some things.  These are:\n\n1.  Basic training AKA "boot camp" - I had fun there...it's a mind game more than anything else.  So far as the physical part, that's easier to negotiate.  I saw a bunch of people break down however...but understand that this is what "they" want to happen.  If the lifestyle, mind-set, discipline and taking orders is not for you, you will find that out quickly...the military does not want folks that are not cut out for the life any more than those folks want to stay.\n\n2.  The enlistment period - this isn't as bad as it could be.  One can opt to sign up for two years at a time now instead of four...two years ain't so bad, but it could be if you're miserable.  Four years, if you're not having a good time, must be like purgatory.  Once you sign the contract, it is binding...so, if basic training doesn't weed you out, it could be a loooonng wait.\n\n3.  War - let's face it...that's what you're there for.  You could minimize your risk by picking a specialty that doesn't involve actual combat...nothing wrong with that, everyone has a job to do.  Combat situations are stressful in of itself though...\n\nThat's all I can think of right now.  I'm sure I'm missing something, and I'll update the answer if I think of any more.  Like I said before, it's not for everyone, but heck, either is say, being a CPA.  The only way you're going to know for sure is to try it...you never know, you might be the 1% of the U.S. population that could not think of doing anything else.\n\nADDED 2/25/06 1531 EST:\n\nmedolfan,\n\nPlease read my post, sir...did I single YOU out?  I opined, like you, that SOME folks are offering opinions without basis in fact...since you answered, Chief, are you feeling guilty about something?\n\nIf the statement doesn't apply to YOU, then it should be ignored.  Live and let live, guy.\n\nADDED 3/1/06 @1317 EST:\n\nmedolfan,\n\nYou did imply that you did retire, did you not?  If you cannot accept being called "sir" now that you are in the civilian sector, you're in a world of hurt.  To tell anyone unsuspecting that you "work for a living" when anyone dared show you a bit of respect would mark you as one who can't let go of being out of uniform...your loss, sir.\n\nIF what I wrote was truly meritless, then why post a reply?  Live and let live, guy...your FIRST lesson on being out in the civilian workforce.  I hope you learn it well Chief.
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
563655
Why would it matter? You join the military to serve where they place you. That is the whole point; to serve your country wherever they need you.
1116344
It sounds to me like you have already made up your mind to Serve... Being in the Army Reserves myself, I think there are a few things you should know. \n\nFirst and foremost joining the Reserves does not guarantee that your college debt will be payed off. The fine print of the contract states the Army will pay IF there is the money to pay with.  That means you may not see  anything payed towards your debt and I have seen this happen to a few people especially with this Iraq thing going on.\n\nSecond, depending on what your degree is in, it would benefit you more to go into the Airforce as Active duty. The Airforce is a fraction of the size of the Army so they are able to spend more money per person. This translates into better benefits and better quality living quarters, food service and education. I don't know if it would be better to join before getting your degree, you may want to talk to others who are in the Airforce.\n\nThird, I found my experience in training to be challenging and very valuable but I believe you will benefit just as much no matter which branch you choose. \n\nAs an end note the benefits received by active and former military are being reduced all the time. There is no guarantee a benefit you signed up for will be there so do not make this important life altering decision based on promised benefits. The conflict in Iraq is going to be there when you are done getting your Degree and I have never heard someone say they regretted getting a Degree but I have heard them regret NOT getting the Degree.
382911
join the army. they will tell you what to do.