i want to go in the army reserves but everybody looks at me and says it is not worth it?
827472
Joining the military is a very personal decision and nobody can make it for you.  When I joined everyone thought I was throwing my life away!!  Those ex-friends are now either college dropout or college graduates.  The funny thing is not a single one of them has a job.  Decide what you want to get out of the experience and go for it.  Many people, especially nowadays look very positively upon military experience.  \n\nYou are going to go to basic training and from what I can understand it is much easier now than it has ever been.  If you get Ft. Jackson don't forget to bring a teddy bear....j/k but that is the easiest of the basic training stations.  After basic you are going to go to AIT/school for whatever you decided you wanted to do in the military.  Then after that they ship you home and you drill once a month.  Not that big of a deal.\n\nFeel free to e-mail me if you need more specifics.  Stay strong and don't listen to anyone who has not served!!!  They are just giving you biased opinions based on experiences they have never had.  It is like a lawyer trying to do brain surgery, they are just not qualified and know nothing about it.
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.
53093
I feel very strongly and joined the Air Force in 2002.  This is a great country and this is a very important time in history.  There is nothing wrong with the reserves. I have friends in the Air force reserve and they do a lot for this country. Go for it and be proud.
287333
semper_fi_brother:\n\nFirst off, let me tell you I am 37 and have been in the Army for 15 years both on Active Duty and in the National Guard. The person BEST QUALIFIED to answer your question would be an Army Recruiter. That being said, let me answer your questions as best as I can.\n\n1. No, you would not be the laughing stock of the entire Army. Soldiers have a great affinity for ANYONE who joins our family of brothers-in-arms. I suspect you would have a somewhat harder time in Basic Combat Training (BCT) for a couple of reasons, though. The Drill Sergeants would probably key in on you to make sure you were physically able to do the job. They will undoubtedly harass you to ensure you were mentally capable to handle pressure. The biggest challenge, however, will be your age. I found it tough to go through BCT at 23. This is because I had already developed into a man with my own ideas of right and wrong; I had developed into an individual. The purpose of BCT is to break down a group of individuals and rebuild them as a team. Chances are, you will see and do some things you may not agree with, and how you respond to that will determine how easy or hard of a time you will have.\n\n2. It is possible to go in as a higher rank, but it will not be because of your age. If you have a college degree, you might be able to go in as a Specialist (just below Sergeant). Even if you don't have a degree and have some college, you may be eligible to go in as a higher rank. Sometimes, depending on the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty - your job field) you choose, you may be eligible to start at a higher rank. If you get anyone else to join with you, you may be eligible to start at a higher rank. When I enlisted, I got two people I worked with to join the reserves. I was awarded one rank per recruit and went in as a Private First Class. This is an area a Recruiter could help out in. Also, if you know someone in the Reserves, let him refer you to a Recruiter. It could make your friend eligible for a $1000 bonus! :-)\n\n3. This, too, is going to be a question for a Recruiter. To my knowledge, the age of enlistment was raised to 39 for the Reserves and National Guard only. It will never be raised higher than that. The reason is that you are forced out at age 59 1/2, and there is no chance of making a retirement if you join at 40. I am not too sure what the requirement is for active duty. You may be able to request a transfer to active duty status once you are in the Reserves, though.\n\n4. Not to my knowledge. I just checked the Air Force Reserve website and you must be under 34. I suspect the answer will be the same for the Navy and the Marines.\n\nIf you decide to go in, I wish you luck! I think you will find the job tough but rewarding. It truly gets in your blood, and I plan on being in for the next 22 years until the boot my old a$$ out.
764211
You've got to be kidding.  However, given the difficulty they're having getting people to enlist, they might work with you on it.  I would suggest you contact a recruiter rather than asking here on Yahoo Answers.
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.
717761
I was in the Air National Guard and I loved it.  I was also in the Air Force Reserve for a couple of years and didn't like it nearly as much.  My Guard unit was really close-knit and fun, we were like one big family.  We always did well on our inspections because we were such a cohesive unit.  For the people that were surprised the Guard would be activated overseas, I was told by my recruiter in the beginning that the Guard/Air Guard were usually the first to go because of greater mobility.  My unit was activated during Desert Storm, and I certainly wasn't surprised.  When people ask why you joined, just tell them with pride that it's something you love doing for yourself and for your country...and they should thank you for doing it, too.  It always blows my mind when people talk so harshly against military service while they enjoy the comforts of living in this country, and aren't willing to make any sacrifices for it themselves.  If you're not willing to serve in the military yourself, at least have some common sense and decency and don't patronize those of us who do.
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.
166211
First let me answer why no one is answering. Too scared to have been in the Army.\n\nNOW. The real quesiton. I have been in the Army for 8 years and about to finish my enlistment. Sometimes I hated it. Sometime I wouldn't give anything to change my being in. The Army is just like anything else you do. It's what you make it.\n\nBasic sucked. And it should. It should make you taste what war is like. And that little invention of Clinton's-- the Stress Cards were a joke.\n\nAIT was no picnic either. I was in Ft. Lee which is close to my home town. I guess it could have been worse and it wasn't as bad as Basic.\n\nMy career wasn't bad. A year in Kuwait that was better than it seemed at the time. And I made some friends for life.\n\nI joined for no particular reason. But after I took my oath I realized that I was swearing to protect what so many gave their lives to secure for us and I wanted to secure it for future generations.
1129125
First off, don't listen to the recruiter, they are there just for one purpose...to get people to join.\n\nYou have to make the decision yourself, so it is whatever time you think is best...at least consider about three month or longer...what ever you feel comfortable with.  You are the one to have to live with your decision.\n\nConsider other branches...what do you want to learn, what sort of job do you want to do?  Think very carefully about your decision.
663635
Just a question to the poster before me (teeney)...and of course this is just my opinion....\n\nWhat is the point of joining the military to "stay safe"? To me, it is dishonorable and disrespectful for a member of the military to join just for the "benefits" and label. If you are going to serve, you serve 100%. You serve your country and you do what is asked of you, no matter of the level of safety.\n\nFor the asker.....Hun, you join the branch that you feel is right for you. Join the branch which best suits your hobbies, interests, and career choices. Please do not join a branch because it was "safer" than another. Understand that being in the military is both an honor and a burden. If you can outweigh the burden with the honor you will gain....that's what has made the whole experience worth it.\n\nHonestly, as a footnote, I cannot believe the spouses and dependents out there that wear their red, white, and blue with presumed pride, but then complain when their loved ones are called into action. That's part of the job people. If you can't handle it, get off the proverbial porch! \n\n...stepping off the soapbox now\n\nGood luck in all of your future endeavors!\n\nLilD
458730
I am looking into my crystal ball....and I see\nI see o wait I see not good...You need to grow up face the facts of life and feel what you need to and pick yourself up by your own boot straps and carry yourself. People are always going to be back stabbing, your in the wrong group.Find a new group of people for your soul to grow and have faith in yourself.   Good luck
244319
After almost 20 years of service between 3 separate branches of the military I can tell you the pros and cons are as different as night and day. In many cases they can be the same thing. Travel for instance  Pro- You get to go to places where most people will never get to visit. Con - You might be visiting with the intentions of having to fight, kill or be killed. That is just one area to look into. There are others, but my suggestion is look inside yourself and see if you really have the desire to SERVE your fellow countrymen or are you just doing it for the "benefits". If its for the paycheck or the schooling or other benefits you Will be miserable most of the time. If you are here to try and "make a difference", All I can say is GO FOR IT! The worse that can happen is you quit or die. Everyone dies, but not everyone truly lives. Take a chance!
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.
694883
find a better job, enlist in the army, go to college, those are your options i can think of
562382
That depends on you.  Do you feel that the Army, or any other branch of the military, can help you in your endeavors?  The military has a lot to offer, and you can take it far.  The military, however, is also not for everyone.  There can be long hours, but we have a lot of time off for that.  You could be sent to war, or not.  \n\nYou need to get all the information you can get, and be honest with yourself about the reasons you are joining.  Read the material, don't just look it over.  Ask people who judgment you trust.  See if there are people in your area that are in the Army, and ask them.  REMEMBER, tho, there are always people that aren't happy with what they are doing.  Some people like the military way of life, others don't.\n\nLife is full of decisions.  Unfortunately, this is one decision that YOU have to make.
236705
The military is great for some people, and totally disasterous for others. If you have a problem with authority, and get into trouble at every chance you get, the military is not for you. You need to be able to follow the rules, and if you can't it will not be a good experience.\nI joined the Air Force right after HS, and I am deployed to Iraq right now. In my personal opinion, the Air Force is the best route to take, period. The other military branches get treated like crap, and many people usually try to switch to the Air Force. It is very rare to meet someone who left the Air Force for another branch.\nHowever, this choice MUST be made by you. Talk to ALL the recruiters, not just one branch. Then research them online yourself to verify everything that they told you.\nThe military isn't for everyone, but it will be a great expericence if you get a good job, and take advantage of all the opportunities that are out there.\nIf you have any further questions, feel free to email me: mfred987  at yahoo.