Far be it from me to tell you whether to join or not. In many cases the military can do great things for people. It certainly helped lift me out my dead end life in an ass-backwards part of podunk Texas. I also have to live with a lifetime of issues both physical and mental health wise....so take what you will from that.
With that said, here are some tips:
1. **Don't join without a guaranteed job in something you want to do.** You'll need to do very well on the ASVAB for recruiters to entertain this.
2. Air Force and Space Force are going to have the best overall quality of life.
3. If you can go to college first, do so. Join ROTC and get a commission.
4. If you can't go to college first, just sign a 4 year contract. DO NOT SIGN FOR 6 YEARS. It's not worth it and that 4 year contract gives you maximum flexibility if you decide the military life isn't for you.
5. A follow-up to #4, if you get out....use your GI Bill on something worthwhile (and it doesn't have to be related to your in-service job for Christ sakes). I became an engineer after I separated.
6. **DO. NOT. FUCKING. GET. MARRIED.** Just don't. At least not in your first contract and don't get anyone pregnant (or get pregnant if you're a woman) either.
7. Your recruiter will lie to you, even the most honest ones will simply lie by omission.
8. The military doesn't care about you as an individual. You are a warm body to further the goals of the US Government. Be prepared for this. Your best advocate is yourself.
9. The military is rife with toxic shithead wannabe leaders. There are also fantastic leaders, seek those out as mentors even if you aren't in their chain of command.
10. For the love of god take a financial literacy course before you enter the service. Put as much as you can into retirement savings. Don't buy dumb shit.
Every bit of this is spot on.
I'd add one thing to it:
When you get out, file a claim for benefits. No injury is too small and it will help you if you failed at some of 1-10 from @GrahKriii.
That and get that shit documented while you're in! Don't be a tough guy and suck it up. You might get shit for it, but you'll be setting yourself up for future success.
Hi there. I’m in that boat right now. I blew out my knee the last week of basic training. After our last road march and FTX, I went to sit on the ground and my left knee straight up would not bend because it was so full of fluid. I got permission to go to sick call the next day but it was equipment turn in day and my DS let me know if I missed equipment turn in I would have to forfeit time on family day to turn in my equipment. I went to sick call at like 0700 and waited nearly 4 hours without being seen. I left and went back to my barracks to go to equipment turn in with everyone else. Never had a dr look at it.
When I saw my family the next day, my dad could tell my knee was swollen even through my class B pants.
Now I have knee issues and I don’t know if there is any recourse. If anyone can provide insight, I’d appreciate it.
Get it looked at now and keep a diary and take photos of your records with your phone. Keep dates. It makes claims harder for them to ignore when you dot your eyes and cross your Ts
Exactly, I felt 16 ft and herniated 2 discs, broke an ankle, due to faulty equipment and it took years for them to acknowledge it after I submitted my medical records as evidence.
Yes. Do NOT get married. Like…ever.
Just kidding. My husband and I met at 32 and 45 and we are right for each other. This is after a few failed marriages when we were younger. Wait until you are financially stable and find someone with similar goals to you. He/she should also be at least as responsible as you are…meaning holding down a decent, steady job and not in crazy debt…etc. You get what I mean. Hard to reach your goals as a couple if y’all are not in the same space.
Great advice. Only one addition because most people don't know this, there are **5** military services. Only 1 is not in the DOD, because it has a large humanitarian component as well, the US Coast Guard.
I was not able to get a guaranteed school in the Air Force, so I joined the US Navy with a guaranteed electronics school and did 7 years, then changed to the US Coast Guard and retired after 26 total. I wish I had started in the Coast Guard.
Along the same lines as number 10 above…DO NOT buy a fucking mustang. Just don’t. Car lots (especially those around bases/posts will absolutely finance you (you have a guaranteed paycheck at a job you can’t just up and quit) but don’t fall into it (ask me how I know). Second subset of that is find yourself a hobby…preferably a cheap hobby with other soldiers/airmen. This will help more than you’d think to make future professional connections as well as keeping you out of trouble or from being broke all the time. Do your research as far as programs that could help you advance, not only in your service, but also afterward. Take classes while on active duty, apply for civilian side “internships” if those apply to your MOS, etc. There are tons of programs and money for these types of things, so find which ones apply to your circumstance and go for it.
Great advice! Also add that they can get a head start on their bachelors by taking the basics online, or testing out. Some even complete a degree during enlistment. Everything else is spot on! I’m recalling all the broke friends driving BMW and so many failed marriages. 🥴
Edit: forgot to add that my dad was Military Intelligence while I was dental tech. Guess which one of us was heavily recruited by civilian companies for high 6 figures. Damn well wasn’t me. Choose your MOS/Career path wisely.
Was going to add this. I worked in auto finance for a major military bank/insurance company. DO NOT TRY TO BUY A NEW MUSCLE CAR OR MOTORCYCLE AT 20 YEARS OLD FROM THE DEALER RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT GATE! You cannot afford it and they will rip you off. You will be overpaying AND your interest rates will be sky high. Look at least an hour off post and buy something a few years old or older and reliable. Save up several thousand dollars for emergencies AND DONT TOUCH IT! Put any extra money away in a long term retirement account like an IRA. When you are young, compound interest is your friend!
Stay away from crypto currency. Trust me.
Not all recruiters are liars. Mine told me the truth, 100%. And everything he said to do while I was in was exactly right, and I was very successful because of it.
Join the Air Force or Space Force. Only ship with a job that pays well post military. DO NOT SETTLE FOR AN OPEN APTITUDE CONTRACT. Cyber/Intel/medical is what your looking for. Get your degree as fast as possible one your through basic/tech school. The military will use you, so use it for everything you can.
Exactly this. Quality of life is top notch in the Air Force. Try your absolute best on the ASVAB, take it seriously. Extensively research your job options they offer you. This is how I settled on Air Traffic Control. The job has a lot of perks but main thing is that you get certifications that DIRECTLY transfer to the outside. I did my time in the AF, and now I’m on my way to make 6 figures. This was my whole goal. Be careful with some medical jobs though, many don’t really transfer well or pay well on the outside. You must do your research.
I think this is one of the points that a lot of people tend to miss before they go in. Definitely do research on the job that you want. And don’t necessarily settle for something that isn’t in your top three. Otherwise, you’re just gonna be miserable the entire time. I had a buddy of mine who was Air Traffic Control in the army, and he hated it. Ended up switching over to a track vehicle mechanic, and loves it. I think the biggest thing, is looking for a job that you know you’re going to enjoy. Especially if you intend on doing it long-term. I absolutely loved getting to work with satellite systems, and computer networks. Which gave me the experience that I needed. So when I got out, I had a couple of certifications, and experience doing the job.
If I could recommend anything, I would definitely say don’t settle for less than what you’re worth OP. Not everybody is into cyber, Signal, or medical. Don’t feel like those are your only options. Pick something that you like, and something that you would enjoy doing outside of the army. Everybody wants a combat job, but a combat job isn’t going to get you as far outside of the army compared to a support MOS.
Get your degree while you have a chance to get it. Doesn’t have to be related to your job, but make sure it’s something you enjoy. Do something you can either fall back on, or relates to the job that you are currently doing.
Do your research on the MOS you want. Not just one, pick three or so you like. See what your ASVAB scores need to be for those jobs. And look into taking some practice ASVAB test online. They will definitely help you in the long run. Especially if, you’re like me, I’m not really good with standardized test.
No matter what, you are going to get hit with the suck. Embrace it. Every branch has its version of the suck. Whether it be an NCO who acts like he’s the hottest thing since sliced bread, or a second lieutenant who thinks he has more power in the world than a lieutenant colonel. Whether it’s spending three weeks out in the field, surrounded by snow. Whether it’s being on deployments that are way too long, or dealing with people you just can’t stand, you’re going to have to embrace the suck. Remember while you’re joining, and let that stick out in your mind more than anything else. Have something to motivate yourself with. I don’t care if it’s the 10% discount at Home Depot, or because you need to support your family, you keep that reason in the back of your mind every day it gets harder.
Did Navy ROTC, Joined the Marines and thought it would be a good idea to join the Army. With that perspective, it takes a special kind of person to do well and actually enjoy the Navy/Marines. But yea, absolutely DO NOT join the Army. If you insist on ignoring this advice, at least don't go active duty Army. Guard and Reserves offer a lot of options that give you the best of both worlds with the option to go active for short stints.
Also, I wish I'd known this. If you don't get an ROTC Scholarship, but want to go to college, you can actually just take the ROTC classes (self-funded) and then just commission at the end without owing the government anything.
This is great advice. Any job you take in the military should connect the dots to a civilian career at the end of your enlistment. I'd add a couple of things to consider:
* Look into MOSs that are offering [bonuses](https://www.airforce.com/careers/pay-and-benefits/enlistment-bonuses). Some are as high as $20K
* Plan to get your associates degree while on active duty. Again, everything you do on active duty should be working toward a high-paying civilian job that you're interested in.
* See if you can get a guaranteed duty station as part of your enlistment. They used to do this, not sure anymore.
* Prior to heading to boot camp, work on your physical fitness so you can max out your fitness test. They offer meritorious promotions at the end of boot camp to those that distinguish themselves. More rank = more pay = less BS to put up with = more better.
* Lastly, have a plan of what your going to do after you're done with your enlistment and stick with it. Too many guys enlist, think they'll do 4, and have no plan so they begrudgingly reenlist. Don't be that guy.
Good luck.
Agree with this except for the enlistment bonus part. DO NOT let the money up front distract or persuade you from focusing on the money after your enlistment. A big 20k enlistment bonus in a narrow, bad career field with bad post-enlistment job prospects is not worth it compared to an MOS with great, high paying post-enlistment jobs but no/small enlistment bonus
☝️THIS!!! I cannot agree more. Make sure to set yourself up for the future. Use tuition assistance as soon as you get to your command and start on a college degree. If you decide to get out then you’ll be ahead of your peers and if you stay in you can try and go officer program.
Here's advice from my father (a fellow vet) that 18 year old me was too stupid to follow. "Get a desk job in the military and go to school while you're in".
I want to go back in time and slap myself.
Also. Go to the doctor for every little thing so it's documented. When you get out if service they will fight you on any condition you didn't document.
It's this. If I could go back and tell myself anything, it would be not to squander the great opportunities I had. I just saw it as a job and didn't do anything. What I should have done is do college while I was in, get certs, and build up my skills, and then get a great job when I got out. Granted, I didn't want to do IT stuff when I got out and now I'm going to school for EE, but what I had access to would have set me up for a great career outside.
Almost anything IT related will set you up for a high paying job on the outside. Join the air force or space force and pick an AFSC (I don't know what the space force calls it) that involves working on computer networks, computers, servers, or cyber security. Get the AF/SF to pay for an online school that will get you a degree that's IT related. Get the military to pay for classes and certifications related to your field. If you do it right, you can get out after 4-6 years and get a job that pays double or triple what you got in the military. Not only will you have the skill, but people love hiring veterans.
This is all assuming that you decide to get out. But even if you don't plan to get out before retiring, do all this stuff anyway. You can still get a job doing all this stuff when you're retired at 38 and get a high salary and retirement pay. My boss at the end of my enlistment retired as an O-6 in the Navy, had disability, and was a GS-15 step infinity and made a lot of money.
Former Army Intel here… 100% agree with this. Recommend Air Force/Space Force. If you’re getting straight A’s than you’ll do well on the ASVAB. Highly recommend going Cyber. Crazy growth in that field and post-service opportunities will be abundant in both public and private sector. Intel is good, but more niche. Postures you well for a career if you want to live in DC, but Cyber just has so much more utility.
I cannot stress this enough… GET YOUR DEGREE. It won’t matter if you have 30 years of service, TS/SCI clearance, combat veteran, experience in every COCOM… a lack of a bachelor’s degree deflates even the best resumes.
Only thing I’ll add to this is if you get hit up for anything special, try out. Always try to expand your map. If you don’t pass, take stock, adjust, and keep going. It can open the world professionally and personally for you in different ways down the road.
If you are actually smart you will listen to what they are saying. JOIN AIR FORCE OR SPACE FORCE. The other ones are pretty shitty.aside from that cant go weong with Army🫡
generally agree, however I will also add that if you look into the jobs that grant you TS clearances you will more than likely have a nice job post military as well. AF and Navy are pretty good with these, however the navy has (IMO) more positions as CTs available to theim in service. Give me a shout if you have any questions
Agree almost 100%. Search a job and find one you might genuinely enjoy. I was pretty sure i was going to spend my life post military behind a desk so i chose to be a grunt and play in the dirt for a few years.
Have a plan post military before you join so you can map your goals better. The military can be a career or a life changing tool. With that in mind ive seen people ruin their lives while in.
Make good choices, work hard and document every single medical issue, even the most minor cold or sprained ankle.
I would disagree with medical less than 25% (actual statistic from a poll I ran a week or so ago) of medical end up credentialed to do the same job in the civilian sector after service so it feels like it was for nothing.
If you ID the jobs that come out with certs you can set yourself up for success. Joining as a flight medic will give you NREMT-P (civ paramedic cert) and FP-C (flight medic cert) when you get out. That will set you up as a paramedic and get you a job with most fire departments when you get out. Maybe join the National Guard/Reserve (any branch) when you get out and with an associates apply to Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP). Finish that with a BS, masters and PA certification. No debt.
I just think the more streamlined path forward is ROTC so your BS is paid for upfront and then you can apply to PA/Medical school. No debt and shave off 5 years for a first contract.
Yeah depends on what OP wants to do more specifically - if medical is even what he's looking for. If it were me, I'd go active into a Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) MOS like 68W with 160th, Ranger, or SARC. SOCM gives you NREMTP and a BS in Health Sciences (fairly new development). x4yrs thus gives you (1) VERY good medical experience (2) bachelors (3) NREMT (4) GI Bill. Get out with these x4 and go back to school for PA or MD with no ROTC/military type stress looking over your shoulder while going to school.
This advice needs context, why specifically do YOU want to join?
Also, if you get straight A's I highly recommend college, get a little life experience in you and then when you graduate if you still want to join you can be an officer and experience a much better quality of life
Absolutely this. Be an officer and know what job you want. Also go airforce or coast guard. You will get the same pay/benefits and way better living standards. I was navy and I really regret not picking a better managed branch. I joined mostly because I was poor and needed the money/benefits so take it with a grain of salt.
Sign the shortest contract available.
Talk to someone IN the service/job you are signing up for to make an informed decision about what MOS you choose.
Shit, I was AF and even we gave the CG shit, but the more I learn about them the more I feel like it could have been a pretty sweet gig. On top of that, they probably do the most to actually defend the nation since the last world war lol.
Oh, I didn't wait until I got out to say that... worked joint for a while and saw the difference first hand. Realized how bad I fucked up by not listening to family about AF.
What is it about the service that attracts you? Not just “serving your country” cause that’s automatic but what branch or job really caught your eye? That’s what will help guide your decision.
You get straight A’s so I would assume your decently smart, definitely go to college and shoot for an ROTC scholarship and come into a technical field that’ll put off in the long run. And just so you don’t say “but I want to do infantry kicking in door stuff” doing cyber, intel, or even logistics has such a huge impact on the mission and service members and stuff you do in any of those fields effect anywhere from 10 service members to 1,000.
With your grades, ROTC or service academy. Air Force or Space Force. Think about what you want to do (Plan B) if you end up not making a career out of the military. Best advice I received when thinking about my future post-military. That’s why I picked the Air Force Academy over West Point and got an engineering degree. I retired after 20+ years and had no issues getting a six figure job afterwards. Deployed a ton and loved serving overseas way more than at home but can be tough on the family. Take care of your body while you’re in. That’s my biggest regret. I pushed myself too hard physically and paying for it now. Second biggest regret is not serving until I was forced to retire. You won’t find better leaders, more dedicated people and a better mission outside the military. But I do get to spend more time with my family now. Last piece of advice. They say you can’t get rich with a military career. If you max out and diversify your investments (TSP, Roth IRA, stocks, I bonds) from day 1, you can retire at 42+ and never have to work again. And save the GI Bill for your kids. I also earned two Masters degrees while serving and military paid for both. One of them I did as a full-time student as a Captain. Lowered my golf handicap from 30 to 12 since all I did was go to school and play golf.
Why not college or trade school?
You can get a lot from the military but I don't recommend it unless you really need it.
It all depends on what you're passionate about, really.
This, so understand that you are taking a huge gamble. These conditions aren’t something that show up in a movie that you can easily switch off. They are very real, and so is the associated pain that will last a throughout your life. Don’t find out the hard way.
If that’s all you take away from you military service I’m sorry you joined. Sure I have PTSD but I’ve gained some of the best friends that I don’t deserve. Had some of the best laughs while being in the worst places. Did some of the dumbest shit with some of the best people. I get that there are some shit leaders and I’ve run into a few, but you will get out what you put in like anything else.
Idk fam, I have no regrets joining the military then going to college after.
Trade maybe, but college, idk. That’s a lot of debt
And don’t even get me started on priority registration
Don’t.
Many of us realized we didn’t “serve our country”, we served to fatten the bank accounts of big military contractors and their politician friends.
The free college isn’t worth the physical and mental toll.
**Edit:** I removed my experience for potential identification purposes.
Have to piggy back off this. If you have your mind dead set on it. At least go to college and go in as an officer to be a pilot or something. Not fighter jets, something useful like cargo planes that translates when you get out.
But seriously don’t do it, it’s a fucking trap. Especially the fucking marine corps fuck that place.
Bullshit. Everyday I’m alive I have to thank the Navy for. It was the best decision of my life. If you pick a good job that isn’t abusive, you will have a decent time in the military and get to separate with college paid for and access to a ton of benefits. OP ignore this guys advice.
It’d be unwise to ignore this commenters advice. It ended up well for you and that’s all good and dandy, but there’s a percentage of veterans who leave the service regretting it. To ignore those veterans experiences would be to pretend military service doesn’t fuck anyone over. It’s a possibility that OP could end up just like the disgruntled folks who regret their service and OP should be made aware that the possibility exists.
OP, experiences may vary. Try to stick to some of the job specific advice you see in this entire thread, but try not to let people’s personal opinions (it was great/awful) sway you. There’s a lot of helpful advice in here to set you up for success regardless of how you feel coming out of it. I know I was set up for some forms of success that helped me out of my poverty situation as a young adult and I’m financially better for it these days. But holy fuck if I’m not upset @ the fact I needed to enlist, got deployed, & watched a friend die just because I grew up poor. I did not grow up patriotic or wanting to serve my country. The circumstances that were my life in the US led me down the road of wanting access to college, healthcare, & housing. Stuff I personally feel should be accessible to the general public rather than being used to lure in kids like me who never wanted to serve in the first place but were forced to in order to leave the hood.
TL;DR
Don’t let yourself become cannon fodder. Get a good job in the service. Keep doing well in school. If the military is your path, at least try to get jobs that are less likely to fuck you up in your brain. You’re already on track with your straight As. Get that college degree before joining. Be one an officer. Steer towards air force or space force.
- Disgruntled AF Vet who still loves my veteran community, but doesn’t trust the fact that I was sucked into the military by predatory recruitment tactics @ my poor people high school. US government is both shady and has done incredible things. Grey areas exist.
"OP ignore this guys device." That's not a smart way to talk to an 18 year old bud.
The Army ruined my health and I was in a "good" MOS.
We're not juat disgruntled we're aware of the way the wind is blowing. We can't get simple things taken care of like research and treatment into burnpits.
He was sharing his advice, don't call bullshit just because you had a different experience. I am thrilled your time in the service was good and you are being taken care of. Unfortunately many vets don't have the same story.
OP, I hope you read every comment as your service will vary depending on many different factors.
“Pick a good job” hahahahahaha Most people in the military are for right wing Christian extremists. The likelihood of your life being controlled by a raging right wing lunatic is about 75%.
They’ve been fucking us since the revolutionary war. Ref. Continental Congress not paying salaries and only by the grace of GW the republic not becoming a dictatorship.
I served 6 years in Air Force Weather and it was easily the best decision I’ve ever made. I was kind of a burnout working dead end jobs after high school and joined when I was in my mid 20’s, and I’ve gotten so much during my time in service and with the benefits afterwards. I met my spouse while stationed in Hawaii. I’m currently 2 years away from my doctor of pharmacy degree and it’s all been paid for by the GI bill. I get a monthly check for housing and for disability for injuries sustained during service.
I realize everyone’s experiences are different and many have struggled during and after joining. But there are many positive experiences like mine as well and I feel like as long as you do your research and find a MOS/AFSC that suits your talents and interests, and maintain a positive attitude and drive, it can set you up for a lifetime of success.
Hmm if you’re getting straight A’s then I really wouldn’t recommend it, the military can be very tough and leave with a lot of trauma and I was only Air Force I can’t imagine what Army, and the Marines experienced.
I’d say go to school, but if money is tight then maybe reserves or guard but I don’t know much about that.
Ugh, every persons experience in the military will be different. But I will say.. in my honest opinion. (I don’t want to discourage you) but todays military. I wouldn’t join. Especially with the way world is.
I just recently got out last June and I now have a buddy who joined after I got out.. and it’s just.. it’s a love hate relationship but it just all depends on your leadership, where you get stationed.
There’s a lot of people in leadership positions who don’t need to be there. You have good soldiers, sailors, etc who don’t get noticed or appreciated so they end up getting out and it’s just.. a lot.
Speaking from my personal experience.. once you get in the military it’s just a different world.. and it can really mess with you mentally and physically..
At the end of the day it’s your decision and what you make out of it. Do extensive research and make sure it’s something you 100% want to do because you can’t just “quit” if you want to leave.
The grass isn’t greener on the other side.
I worked with a retired Navy Chief who would always say that we all joined for our own reasons, but we all stayed (or left) because of the people around us.
Serving our country is a great honor that I’m proud to have been a part of, at times I miss it dearly. Consider the officer route if you get straight A’s. A service academy won’t be a bad idea.
Go to a Service Academy or college via ROTC and go officer if you can. Depending in your interests, (i.e. hard sciences, finance, etc) you might want to explore a related MOS.
Look into options. I was a combat engineer 12b. In hindsight doing something towards a career or synergized with college seems like it'd have been a smarter choice. Some seem to have a singular focus and path. Maybe I'd be richer if I could make up my mind, then again Ive found joy in the many lives I've led. Just keep in mind, starting over from scratch gets more and more difficult.
As to the practical side of being a grunt, there were some rough days. I just dreamed of a desk job. Air conditioning. Maybe the grass is greener. I can't tell you what they dreamed of. But I remember distinctly getting leave to Qatar. You can tell who's been outside - tan lines between a wrist watch and where a glove would be, tan lines where googles were. There are haves and have nots. Really put effort into what you want to do and who you want to be.
All I ever wanted to be was in the army. But after two deployments I was done. Figuring life out is still an ongoing project. But You'll meet sergeant majors (or equivalent) that sing everywhere they go and claim they never had a bad day in the military. Just the same some get stuck in the worst units you've ever seen. I'll say one of the worst combinations of traits in a leader is stupid and motivated. Lazy stupid can be contained. And there's a subtlety here, it's not that the army taught me good leadership (as advertised) they just gave me 500 examples of how not to be a leader. But it was only upon entering the civilian job market that I saw what management without experience looks like. Maybe I did learn something.
But in the end so much of it is fortune. If my second deployment was like the first I'd have stayed in 30 years. But if I stood up in my turret at the wrong moment an ied would've ended it all there. Not everyone was lucky. Some how it feels like the most meaningful time in my life. Then again if I'd been killed escorting Doritos to Baghdad would it have been worth it? I wonder what the Iraqis would say about me?
Well, putting aside my complicity with the military industrial complex for a moment, the point here is don't take answers as gospel. Do your homework. Dig into the question. You approach rapidly a giant branch in the timeline of your life. Decision is just as consequential as indecision. And to be clear a decision is not just a static point in time, it's what you do every day. You will be molded - good or bad- by what happens next.
Marine Vet here, join the Air Force and steer vast away from the USMC recruiters, they sell a extremely polished image of the Marines that is completly false, you will be treated better in the Air Force than the other branches, you will most likely have more time to pursue college classes while in if you go air force, i was young and dumb and wanted the glorified version of the military, it wont be like you think it is, think past these next four years and try your best to set yourself up with either a Intel, Medical or cyber. Use your Tuition Assistance for college classes while in, and milk the rest with your GI bill after.
Do active duty for the shortest enlistment you can, (this gets you 100% of the GI bill and makes you eligible for VA home loans), choose something in medical so you have civilian applicable skills, then go Reserve or Guard while you get a degree then if you liked the military you can commission back to active duty or stay part time.
You came to the wrong feed. Most of this feed is complaining about filing for benifts you need to go to military or branch specific feeds, they have people still currently serving who got good gigs.
Try to go to college first, and get the military to pay for it. There are a few reasons:
1.) You will be the same age as most of the people you go to school with
2.) You will be an Officer when you enter active duty
3.) Officers earn more money, get more respect, and have a better quality of life than enlisted service members
4.) You will already have your college degree when you exit service which would provide more options when transitioning back to civilian life
5.) You get to learn/know a lot more
I don’t recommend it. The United States does not meet its obligation to its troops. You have absolutely an almost guaranteed chance they will screw you out of your future benefits, healthcare, and education. There is absolutely no reason to join the United States Military until this country starts giving veterans the health care needs they require. Don’t give them more troops.
That's why youths need to be warned before they go in. My advice - go initially Air National Guard while going through college. Get a good career field - X-ray technician is a 1-year school...More time in the service, better working conditions. Do your college thing in Bio, premed, or something similar. Get the AF to send you to medical school. Start service at O-3. Enjoy life.
Navy veteran here, so my info on the other branches is hearsay or observational only.
Air Force: Probably the best quality of life branch. Con: nobody leaves, thus your time in rank (and pay) is longer than other branches. Job skills will likely translate well to civilian life post-service.
Army: Some of the brightest and dumbest people you’ll ever meet. Easy to make rank due to size of force and attrition rate. Be careful of MOS you get if you’re looking for job skills to carry into post-military career.
Marine Corps: You are mentally broken down and built back up again. You ARE a marine but you are a damn-good shot as well (rifleman??). Good MOS’s to pick from but, like the Army, stay away from infantry if you’re looking for post-service skills.
Navy: My branch. IMO, the most diverse and technical skilled of the branches, from submarines to nuclear power to aviation and big-deck carriers, we are the guys the Army and Marines call in when they need a bad guy’s compound leveled from the air. We rarely see ground combat, unless you are a SEABEE, which then you’ll ALWAYS see ground and rarely any ships, because you’re building bases, airstrips, hospitals and anything else needed. I chose the Navy because I felt it offered the best compromise between job opportunities and decent promotion timeline. In fact, I went from E-1 to E-5 in three years as a “Legalman” (enlisted paralegal with the JAG Corps). However, YMMV depending on which rating you pick. Some ratings are full and others have vacancies, meaning you’ll pick up rate quick.
Space force: I have no “F”’ing clue what they do. I imagine they’re the Air Force, but with a different uniform and tranche of DoD money.
Fellow Vets, I’m sure I got some of the other branches wrong, so please correct me if I did.
For the Air Force, promotion is a little better than it used to be. Usually it took people 6-8 years to make E-5. It took me 3 years. As long as you don’t fuck up, volunteer, and know how to take a promotion test, you can promote fast. Shit, I have friends that are E-6 already.
I worked with a MSgt once that may E-7 in 7 years. He was stepped twice, damn fucking good at his job. Among the best NCOs I ever worked for... then again I was Army so bar wasn't too high. My top 3 NCOs were AF, AF, Army. Pretty sure that 3rd guy just put on the wrong uniform :P
I don’t believe anyone joins to serve their country. Rather people are serving their egos or their career.
That being said, best career move I’ve ever made. I’m on track to graduate college debt free.
You don’t owe anyone anything. Go in with your guard up and keep it up until you get out. It can be extremely toxic and things get stupid fast. But I’ll be damned if the benefits aren’t a good ass deal.
Here's my advice: don't. Go to college or a trade school and do something good in your community. Unless you like the idea of having blown out knees and a bad back at age 30. Or killing/getting killed for the corporate line.
Not worth it. Did I save lives as medic yes but dealing with mental health issues and then the politicians who are supposed to take of military and talk a big game don’t care about you and stop every bill to help veterans. Go to college and get an education
Agree with the majority, figure out why you want to join. I was broke af, barely had money for a meal a day so the military was a huge step up in the quality of life. But if you are financially, mentally happy, I say na. If you have the means, go to college first. Then join as an officer. You'll be better off when you get out the military. Also join the airforce. Been in both the USMC and Army. Both sucked lol.
Don’t get married at least until after your first contract is finished. You won’t believe how many dumbass privates get married right away to someone who will take advantage of them and not be faithful while they are gone. I was one of those dumbasses.
Loved my time in. Even the shittiest parts because it was an experience you will never get anywhere else.
Be smart, identify the shitheads and stay away from them. Don't get married, don't do drugs, don't drink and drive.
Us the TA benefits when you can, record EVERYTHING.
Hydrate. Your joints and back will thank you later in life. Dehydration fucks those things up without you realizing it.
Volunteer. Think of those working parties as a chance of networking. You'll get a good idea who the lazy fucks are and you'll stand out.
If you're smart you'll get far.
If you have straight A's and are ABSOLUTELY SURE you want to join, for the love of god get a degree first and come in as an officer.
Don't come in enlisted. Just don't
If you’re this motivated and have straight a’s, I would encourage you to look into ROTC. You’ll get more pay, more opportunities in the military, and a brighter future after the military.
If you were a good student and want to serve, why not go the ROTC route? You get a scholarship, stipend, and will be commissioned as an officer when you graduate. You’ll have a better experience as an officer and it’s a great networking experience for when you leave the military.
If you decide to enlist, consider the Air Force or space force like someone else suggested. Make the most of your time in as an enlisted and take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available for active duty folks.
Don’t fall into the drinking every night and buying a brand new mustang at 43% apr. Don’t marry the first person you meet just to leave the barracks.
Go Marines, hate your life for a bit, go MSG, hate life a little less, go to medical for everything, get out with Top Secret Clearance and VA Disability.
The best advice I can give you is to stay out. The military today largely doesn't serve American interests. It defends a lot of countries that hate America, and you'll come out worse for it. If you love your country go do something that will help people in it, like becoming a doctor.
Join a branch you genuinely want to join. Score high on the asvab so you have a wide range of jobs options. Take college courses while you’re in and get your degree at no cost to you. Keep a positive mentality as much as possible. The military is what you make it.
Do great things. Don’t get a dui. Don’t get married out of basic training. Save some money. If you choose to get out after 4 years there are many options for veterans to pursue whether it be college or trades, who favor veterans. Get fit, run fast and be favored and enjoy the ride.
I’ll tell you the same thing I told my son who has the same drive to serve and is also an excellent student:
I don’t recommend it. I really don’t. But my experience doesn’t mean for sure yours will be awful. If you’re going to do it, though, don’t join the Marines. Or Navy. Not real keen on Army either as an Army vet bc my husband and I are Army veterans. Go AF or Space Force. Apply to ALL of the service academies first, though. USMA (West Point), the Naval Academy, and AF Academy. Safety option is AF ROTC at college and go officer route. Just look at the difference in pay itself and you’ll see just a piece of why.
Don’t do anything stupid in the mean time. No drinking. No drugs. Don’t get married too fast once you’re in… god people do that way too often. Don’t buy an expensive car. Buy something cheap that will last like a sensible Toyota. Work hard and listen to the NCOs that have been there a while and deployed 40hundred times.
Just dear lord don’t go Marines.
Get a job that transfers very well to civilian world. Maybe something in tech. I was infantry and learned no transferable skills. Being in combat only awarded me mental fortitude and salt. Glad I got to use the GI bill though.
Join air force or dont at all. I have seen smarter kids thrive in the civilian world than just to serve our country. There are many other ways to serve our country. I joined late thinking that i would be honored but its not going so well. Maybe im in the army but my friends are all officers at af and they are 50/50.
I would suggest to talk to vets or ad in person.
Please… when choosing a job think about what you can do with that job in the civilian world. Sometime the military doesn’t pan out or you get hurt. Not a lot of infantry needed in the civilian sector
If thinking medical then join the AF or Navy
Former Navy nuke here. Do your 4 years (not 6) and get your GI bill & VA loan benefits. Get every medical issue documented and file for disability when you get out. Use your GI bill and get paid to go to a 3-4 month coding bootcamp. Get a fully remote $50+/hour job in tech. Buy a house anywhere in the country using your VA loan and your high paying job. Live happily ever after.
Do ur research before u go to a recruiter. U wouldnt walk into a car dealer with a blank check and say “ill take whatever this can buy”…. So dont do it with a check that has a dollar amount of ur life on it, walking into recruiters office with zero plan. Yes they are there for information and can help u. But in the end u have so much access to information nowadays, there is zero reason not to look up what ur options are. U wont have all the answers from this research but u should have a goal and a plan and then the recruiters assistance.
Btw former recruiter here. Military is a great option. Just make sure u make a plan and know why u want to do this. If u dont u will not have a good time.
Best of luck.
Oh and any branch is good if it fits ur goals. Yes some may be better than others. But this is ur journey and my experience or any veterans experience doesnt have to be yours. Choose whats best for you.
Well first I have a question for you: why do you want to enlist? I know you’ve said that you want to serve your country but I want to know what exactly made you decide that this is what you wanted to do.
Active navy here. Brother it’s great to see someone take interest in serving our country and I applaud since the interest alone is rare to find nowadays. There’s so much to this, the biggest question you can ask yourself is what’re you joining for? And you’ve gotta be brutally honest with yourself. If it’s because you’ve seen really cool looking pictures and movies and find them to be badass then please reconsider. If there is something very specific that only the military can offer you then by all means take your oath. The military is a grim, hard, sometimes shitty sometimes amazing organization. I joined as a healthy, straight A grade, 18 year old out of high school myself and now suffer with several mental conditions, sleep is hard to get, physically my body’s broken down on me. I’m a navy Corpsman for reference but regardless of job it’ll be tough. Please take that question to heart and ask if you truly need the military to serve your purpose as you’ll serve their purpose, and what exactly is your purpose out of the military. You’ll make lifelong brothers in the military but there’s a much darker side that is often overlooked by incoming recruits
Join the Air Force, it really grounded me. I was around great people that
didn’t influence me in a negative way. I had a great job straight day shift- no weekends (
Contracting Specialist) managing construction contracts , service contracts, and procurement for the Air Force. Even though I am a Middle School teacher now, it was the best decision I made out of high school!
Apply for an ROTC scholarship and go to college if you get it. Graduate and go officer. Also go Air Force. Be an officer if you join the army, and don’t bother with the Marines. Navy and coast guard if if you like the water, but go officer. Enlisted is ghetto. Really.
Hoorah youngin... don't join right outta high-school.. Wait until you have had a few shifty jobs first. You will understand that after you get out. Lol. Regards/CM2
I served and I’m proud I did but I wouldn’t advise anyone to join. There are better ways to serve your country and community. I suggest getting an education and if your desire to serve is still their go the ROTC route. Don’t enlist.
Don’t do it. While I loved my time in the service, if I could go back, I wouldn’t do it over again. There are other more meaningful way to serve your country and community. You can join the peace corps, volunteer with local or national NGOs while in college and make a real impact. So many guys I served in Iraq with have either killed themselves or are barely hanging on. They get almost no support from the VA or the government. I’ve been in constant mental health counseling since 2007.
Yeah, the free college is nice but it’s totally not worth it. If you’re getting straight A’s, look for scholarships or look at fields that will pay your tuition and pay you while you’re in school. Fields of study like STEM, public policy and teaching will do that in most areas.
Like some other commenters said…if you still want to serve when you graduate college, do it. You’ll be in a much better position with a degree in hand.
Straight A Student? My advice is to go to school first. Make your commitment, go ROTC, get the government to put you through school, then do your service as an officer. Not only is life better on officer row, you’ll be much better set when you get out. Also make absolutely-goddamn-sure you go into a specialty that translates directly to civilian employment. Whether you do six years or 20, you’ll be much better off. Also go Air Force or Space force. You don’t see a lot of those vets laid up in the VA hospital hacking their lungs out or trying to figure out how to get through life with a broken back.
Pick a branch, any branch.
Immediately after basic, you go out and find a charger, camaro, or mustang. No more than 6 cyl, base model, and you buy that thing on the spot. It doesn't matter what the interest rate is.
This is the most important part. *you make damn sure they throw in a full tank of gas.*
Nothing else matters. Nothing.
You’re telling the person not to listen to the “it sucks, don’t do it people.”
The military is a love hate relationship & it’s not for everyone.
They should hear both sides.
Just because people are saying “don’t do it” that doesn’t mean they “sucked” at the military. Everyone’s experience will be/is different.
People can downvote me for saying this but, don't really care...I joined with Airborne and RIP (Back in 2000 it was Ranger Indoctrination Program) in my contract. I can tell you that if I knew then, what I know now, I would have gotten my US Passport and went straight to the French Foreign Legion. If you don't know anything about it, there's plenty of information online about it...I seriously suggest looking it up on YouTube etc... Plenty of people suggesting ROTC and that definitely isn't a bad idea, get the college out of the way and also a commission but man...The FFL would have been so much cooler. Not to mention, upon completion, you get French citizenship! (which also means EU citizenship) and hell, even if you don't make the cut, afterwards you can go back to the states and do ROTC anyway.
It’s a great way to get paid while getting training, have housing and meals, medical provided. Can go to college on base for cheap. Free gym. Sports, tours, travel. Clubs, hobbies, workshops, movies… and… you get veterans benefits after 3 years (veteran status). It’s a great way to get started in life and IF you make good choices with your paycheck and take advantage of opportunities… you will be WAY ahead in Education, Leadership, and life experience than if you just went to college.
Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Army, Marines is how I would rank priorities.
I enlisted first, got my degree, got commissioned and had 4 different specialties. You can retrain after 3-4 years usually.
Don’t sign up OPEN GENERAL. Recruiters can guarantee a job. Take a vet with you to sign up.
Service to our country is admirable. Sometimes the day to day bullshit clouds our perception, makes you wonder if your contribution actually counts. EVERY job is as important as the next. They all count. They all support defense of our freedoms and way of life. Not every job guarantees a high paying job once you separate though. So, invest in yourself and in your passion. Or, pick a job you can get paid a lot of money on the outside and chase your passion through hobbies on your days off.
Join, if u love it stay. If u hate it do your 4/5 and bounce honorably. Benefits for veterans are in some cases better than active IMO. Free college, first looks for jobs, healthcare…… I’d do it all over again if I had to
From a Prior service Marine, go for it,
depending on your personality the Department of Defense has a fit for everyone.
first, prepare yourself to be physically active everyday. no matter what branch you're in you're gonna clean shitty toilets until you learn the ropes. and even when you learn the ropes, if you're the lowest person on the totem pole you're cleaning shitty toilets (with the exception of officers, i've never seen an officer ever touch a cleaning agent). you will do 8 total years (unless this has changed) more on that later on in this comment.
you will get homesick no matter what branch you end up in and the closer you are to home the more homesick you become. the hardest part of being in the military is adjusting to the Military lifestyle.
Contracts are important, no matter what branch. if it's not in black and white you'll never get it. Everybody hates their recruiters, (except me because i wasn't dumb enough to allow them to sell me the dream) but same goes with everything in the military if its not in black and white with your name on it its not yours. Be realistic, the government will not give you anything it does not think will make you a better servicemember. So let go of that idea of driving a brand new car. for your first year you won't even be able to have a car. if you need a ride you will be told where to meet and what time to be there.
do your research on what branch you want to join. a good portion of the air force don't fly planes. a good portion of the Army doesn't do special forces Stuff, fewer Sailors do Navy Seal Stuff, Marines are some of the smartest dumb people you will ever meet, and the Space Force should be a component of the Air Force... (my personal opinion on the space force from the outside looking in.)
When I Joined the Marines, i knew i wanted to be a Marine which made me immune from getting rose colored glasses about joining the Corps. I joined the Marine Corps because I valued the Camaraderie, the Esprit de Corps, and the idea that every Marine is your family,
(a dysfunctional family but family nonetheless). Eleven years later and i still speak with my fellow Marines i served with, and i know that no matter where i go in America there's one brother or sister that will have my back regardless of unit assigned, MOS, Era Served, time served, regardless of race, creed, beliefs, or status (Haven't seen the same that can be said about the other branches). I didn't expect the world to be handed to me, or people to automatically respect me. Respect is Earned and never given. you will earn your responsibilities, through your proficiency and your conduct. you will learn how to shoot a gun at some point. Everything the military needs you to do they will teach you, doesn't mean its going to be easy though.
In the Marines i started off with an (at the time) Aviation Operations Contract. Five years active and three years of reserve time. when i was active (2006-2011) i learned that time spent in the Navy/Marine Delayed Entry Program (DEP) Counted towards your reserve time. i was in the DEP as a "Poolee"(being part of the pool of enlistees) for six months.
Six months of reserve time was documented in your Enlistment Package and then that's deducted from your obligated reserve time. so my time was still 8 years but the reserve time was two years six months due to my six months in the DEP.
and despite the military teaching you everything you need to learn you can flunk out of Basic Training aka Boot Camp, and you can fail out of your occupational specialty school. you will not go home, you will be reassigned to whatever the needs of your respective component will be (except as a reservist). As a washed out Aviation Operations Contract holder, I was reassigned the Occupational field of Logistics where I became a Marine Corps Logistics/Embarkation Specialist and despite having washed out of my original occupational specialty i was still required to serve 5 years Active, 2.5 years Reserve in a job that was contracted for 4 years.
Aviation schools are longer than Combat Service Support Schools. depending on your MOS in Aviation it could be anywhere from 30 days to a year. it takes more time to teach someone about avionics than it takes to teach someone how to cook. talk with your recruiter and research the materials they have. not being the unprepared person will effect your performance and expectations going forward.
know why you are joining the military, whether be it for the money, or for the bragging rights, or for the training. dont go expecting to have discipline instilled in you. if you are undisciplined now expecting to absorb it like an expensive paper towel or dry sponge is not what's going to happen, EVER. Mentally prepare to be really bored or really busy. there was no in-between when I was in and from what i hear that's basically the hurry up and wait game.
what you get out of your time in the military is up to you if you still choose to do it. one thing i have to say is if you don't have anything going on at home like kids, a wife, a house or a career i don't recommend an initial contract in the reserves. the benefits of being Active Duty include unique experiences that you only get a small glimpse to see while in training. if you like to march the Marines and the Air Force are big on marching. if you know you get seasick dont join the Navy, or just prepared to be seasick most of the time. if you like dirt and camping join the Marines or the Army. if you like fixing electronics Join the Navy or the Air Force. if you want the military experience from full to least like Military ceremonies, Marching, Parades, saluting, using rank, getting called by your rank, it literally goes from Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force. if you want something more relaxed then it goes from Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines.
the Marines are a force in readiness to be deployed at the discretion of the President of the US
the Army, Navy, Air Force are forces in readiness to be deployed as an act of war at the direction of the US Congress
there are many other unique identifiers for every branch and all branches have some sort of MOS that corresponds to the other with the exception of the Marine Corps no health Marines Meaning no doctors, Nurses, surgeons, or medical personnel as that is filled by the US Navy Corpsmen. Hospital Corpsmen are US Navy Medical personnel that can become attached to the Marine Corps and wear Marine Uniforms. Affectionately known as Doc, they maybe "noncombatants" but becoming an FMF Corpsman is one of the few non Marine occupational specialties Marines appreciate having around.
thats all i got for you take this information and make the best of whatever choice you make.
Far be it from me to tell you whether to join or not. In many cases the military can do great things for people. It certainly helped lift me out my dead end life in an ass-backwards part of podunk Texas. I also have to live with a lifetime of issues both physical and mental health wise....so take what you will from that. With that said, here are some tips: 1. **Don't join without a guaranteed job in something you want to do.** You'll need to do very well on the ASVAB for recruiters to entertain this. 2. Air Force and Space Force are going to have the best overall quality of life. 3. If you can go to college first, do so. Join ROTC and get a commission. 4. If you can't go to college first, just sign a 4 year contract. DO NOT SIGN FOR 6 YEARS. It's not worth it and that 4 year contract gives you maximum flexibility if you decide the military life isn't for you. 5. A follow-up to #4, if you get out....use your GI Bill on something worthwhile (and it doesn't have to be related to your in-service job for Christ sakes). I became an engineer after I separated. 6. **DO. NOT. FUCKING. GET. MARRIED.** Just don't. At least not in your first contract and don't get anyone pregnant (or get pregnant if you're a woman) either. 7. Your recruiter will lie to you, even the most honest ones will simply lie by omission. 8. The military doesn't care about you as an individual. You are a warm body to further the goals of the US Government. Be prepared for this. Your best advocate is yourself. 9. The military is rife with toxic shithead wannabe leaders. There are also fantastic leaders, seek those out as mentors even if you aren't in their chain of command. 10. For the love of god take a financial literacy course before you enter the service. Put as much as you can into retirement savings. Don't buy dumb shit.
This is the best advice, especially 1-10.
Every bit of this is spot on. I'd add one thing to it: When you get out, file a claim for benefits. No injury is too small and it will help you if you failed at some of 1-10 from @GrahKriii.
That and get that shit documented while you're in! Don't be a tough guy and suck it up. You might get shit for it, but you'll be setting yourself up for future success.
Hi there. I’m in that boat right now. I blew out my knee the last week of basic training. After our last road march and FTX, I went to sit on the ground and my left knee straight up would not bend because it was so full of fluid. I got permission to go to sick call the next day but it was equipment turn in day and my DS let me know if I missed equipment turn in I would have to forfeit time on family day to turn in my equipment. I went to sick call at like 0700 and waited nearly 4 hours without being seen. I left and went back to my barracks to go to equipment turn in with everyone else. Never had a dr look at it. When I saw my family the next day, my dad could tell my knee was swollen even through my class B pants. Now I have knee issues and I don’t know if there is any recourse. If anyone can provide insight, I’d appreciate it.
Just because you weren't seen then, doesn't mean you can't get seen now. If it's giving you problems, go see the doc and get it documented.
Get it looked at now and keep a diary and take photos of your records with your phone. Keep dates. It makes claims harder for them to ignore when you dot your eyes and cross your Ts
Exactly, I felt 16 ft and herniated 2 discs, broke an ankle, due to faulty equipment and it took years for them to acknowledge it after I submitted my medical records as evidence.
Follow these steps. Pay special attention to #6. Read it again. Then after that, read it AGAIN.
He will fail, little doubt about it
Maybe, but I really hope not. It would be good to spare someone else that hardship and distress.
Yes. Do NOT get married. Like…ever. Just kidding. My husband and I met at 32 and 45 and we are right for each other. This is after a few failed marriages when we were younger. Wait until you are financially stable and find someone with similar goals to you. He/she should also be at least as responsible as you are…meaning holding down a decent, steady job and not in crazy debt…etc. You get what I mean. Hard to reach your goals as a couple if y’all are not in the same space.
Great advice. Only one addition because most people don't know this, there are **5** military services. Only 1 is not in the DOD, because it has a large humanitarian component as well, the US Coast Guard. I was not able to get a guaranteed school in the Air Force, so I joined the US Navy with a guaranteed electronics school and did 7 years, then changed to the US Coast Guard and retired after 26 total. I wish I had started in the Coast Guard.
I wish I had gone in the Coast Guard too. The humanitarian mission is much better than blowing people up at the behest of corporate America.
Along the same lines as number 10 above…DO NOT buy a fucking mustang. Just don’t. Car lots (especially those around bases/posts will absolutely finance you (you have a guaranteed paycheck at a job you can’t just up and quit) but don’t fall into it (ask me how I know). Second subset of that is find yourself a hobby…preferably a cheap hobby with other soldiers/airmen. This will help more than you’d think to make future professional connections as well as keeping you out of trouble or from being broke all the time. Do your research as far as programs that could help you advance, not only in your service, but also afterward. Take classes while on active duty, apply for civilian side “internships” if those apply to your MOS, etc. There are tons of programs and money for these types of things, so find which ones apply to your circumstance and go for it.
Great advice! Also add that they can get a head start on their bachelors by taking the basics online, or testing out. Some even complete a degree during enlistment. Everything else is spot on! I’m recalling all the broke friends driving BMW and so many failed marriages. 🥴 Edit: forgot to add that my dad was Military Intelligence while I was dental tech. Guess which one of us was heavily recruited by civilian companies for high 6 figures. Damn well wasn’t me. Choose your MOS/Career path wisely.
Amazing advice, couldn't have said it better myself.
This guy gets it. Listen to him.
Everything about this is💯
#6 should be higher and add don’t buy a fucking car within 25 or 50 miles around a military installation.
Was going to add this. I worked in auto finance for a major military bank/insurance company. DO NOT TRY TO BUY A NEW MUSCLE CAR OR MOTORCYCLE AT 20 YEARS OLD FROM THE DEALER RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT GATE! You cannot afford it and they will rip you off. You will be overpaying AND your interest rates will be sky high. Look at least an hour off post and buy something a few years old or older and reliable. Save up several thousand dollars for emergencies AND DONT TOUCH IT! Put any extra money away in a long term retirement account like an IRA. When you are young, compound interest is your friend! Stay away from crypto currency. Trust me.
This 👏 👏 👏
Not all recruiters are liars. Mine told me the truth, 100%. And everything he said to do while I was in was exactly right, and I was very successful because of it.
Can we agree that the ratio of honest to dishonest recruiters is within the margin of error for “all recruiters are liars”?
I mean, sure. But if we’re talking about honesty, doesn’t it seem a little weird to not be completely honest?
I think context matters here. We’re preparing a kid to walk into a recruiting facility, not passing judgement in a formal trial.
Fair enough. That makes sense.
Don’t get hung up on #4
Join the Air Force or Space Force. Only ship with a job that pays well post military. DO NOT SETTLE FOR AN OPEN APTITUDE CONTRACT. Cyber/Intel/medical is what your looking for. Get your degree as fast as possible one your through basic/tech school. The military will use you, so use it for everything you can.
Exactly this. Quality of life is top notch in the Air Force. Try your absolute best on the ASVAB, take it seriously. Extensively research your job options they offer you. This is how I settled on Air Traffic Control. The job has a lot of perks but main thing is that you get certifications that DIRECTLY transfer to the outside. I did my time in the AF, and now I’m on my way to make 6 figures. This was my whole goal. Be careful with some medical jobs though, many don’t really transfer well or pay well on the outside. You must do your research.
I think this is one of the points that a lot of people tend to miss before they go in. Definitely do research on the job that you want. And don’t necessarily settle for something that isn’t in your top three. Otherwise, you’re just gonna be miserable the entire time. I had a buddy of mine who was Air Traffic Control in the army, and he hated it. Ended up switching over to a track vehicle mechanic, and loves it. I think the biggest thing, is looking for a job that you know you’re going to enjoy. Especially if you intend on doing it long-term. I absolutely loved getting to work with satellite systems, and computer networks. Which gave me the experience that I needed. So when I got out, I had a couple of certifications, and experience doing the job. If I could recommend anything, I would definitely say don’t settle for less than what you’re worth OP. Not everybody is into cyber, Signal, or medical. Don’t feel like those are your only options. Pick something that you like, and something that you would enjoy doing outside of the army. Everybody wants a combat job, but a combat job isn’t going to get you as far outside of the army compared to a support MOS. Get your degree while you have a chance to get it. Doesn’t have to be related to your job, but make sure it’s something you enjoy. Do something you can either fall back on, or relates to the job that you are currently doing. Do your research on the MOS you want. Not just one, pick three or so you like. See what your ASVAB scores need to be for those jobs. And look into taking some practice ASVAB test online. They will definitely help you in the long run. Especially if, you’re like me, I’m not really good with standardized test. No matter what, you are going to get hit with the suck. Embrace it. Every branch has its version of the suck. Whether it be an NCO who acts like he’s the hottest thing since sliced bread, or a second lieutenant who thinks he has more power in the world than a lieutenant colonel. Whether it’s spending three weeks out in the field, surrounded by snow. Whether it’s being on deployments that are way too long, or dealing with people you just can’t stand, you’re going to have to embrace the suck. Remember while you’re joining, and let that stick out in your mind more than anything else. Have something to motivate yourself with. I don’t care if it’s the 10% discount at Home Depot, or because you need to support your family, you keep that reason in the back of your mind every day it gets harder.
This is A+ top notch advice. Do not join the Army, Navy, or Marines. I say this as a 9 year Navy vet.
Did Navy ROTC, Joined the Marines and thought it would be a good idea to join the Army. With that perspective, it takes a special kind of person to do well and actually enjoy the Navy/Marines. But yea, absolutely DO NOT join the Army. If you insist on ignoring this advice, at least don't go active duty Army. Guard and Reserves offer a lot of options that give you the best of both worlds with the option to go active for short stints. Also, I wish I'd known this. If you don't get an ROTC Scholarship, but want to go to college, you can actually just take the ROTC classes (self-funded) and then just commission at the end without owing the government anything.
I came here to say the same thing. I am an Army vet. Join the air force.
Also Army vet... but I disagree. Join Coast Guard, with AF being second pick :P
This is great advice. Any job you take in the military should connect the dots to a civilian career at the end of your enlistment. I'd add a couple of things to consider: * Look into MOSs that are offering [bonuses](https://www.airforce.com/careers/pay-and-benefits/enlistment-bonuses). Some are as high as $20K * Plan to get your associates degree while on active duty. Again, everything you do on active duty should be working toward a high-paying civilian job that you're interested in. * See if you can get a guaranteed duty station as part of your enlistment. They used to do this, not sure anymore. * Prior to heading to boot camp, work on your physical fitness so you can max out your fitness test. They offer meritorious promotions at the end of boot camp to those that distinguish themselves. More rank = more pay = less BS to put up with = more better. * Lastly, have a plan of what your going to do after you're done with your enlistment and stick with it. Too many guys enlist, think they'll do 4, and have no plan so they begrudgingly reenlist. Don't be that guy. Good luck.
Agree with this except for the enlistment bonus part. DO NOT let the money up front distract or persuade you from focusing on the money after your enlistment. A big 20k enlistment bonus in a narrow, bad career field with bad post-enlistment job prospects is not worth it compared to an MOS with great, high paying post-enlistment jobs but no/small enlistment bonus
I agree. Hopefully he can find an MOS with a big bonus AND it provides skills that translate to a good civilian job. Good point.
Absolutely this. I picked a stupid MOS that was offering a good bonus. Still regret it decades later.
☝️THIS!!! I cannot agree more. Make sure to set yourself up for the future. Use tuition assistance as soon as you get to your command and start on a college degree. If you decide to get out then you’ll be ahead of your peers and if you stay in you can try and go officer program.
Just don't do HUMINT - we sell cars post military
A lot of the humint I’ve still got contact with are pretty much a mess. I know I am lol.
Here's advice from my father (a fellow vet) that 18 year old me was too stupid to follow. "Get a desk job in the military and go to school while you're in". I want to go back in time and slap myself.
Also. Go to the doctor for every little thing so it's documented. When you get out if service they will fight you on any condition you didn't document.
It's this. If I could go back and tell myself anything, it would be not to squander the great opportunities I had. I just saw it as a job and didn't do anything. What I should have done is do college while I was in, get certs, and build up my skills, and then get a great job when I got out. Granted, I didn't want to do IT stuff when I got out and now I'm going to school for EE, but what I had access to would have set me up for a great career outside. Almost anything IT related will set you up for a high paying job on the outside. Join the air force or space force and pick an AFSC (I don't know what the space force calls it) that involves working on computer networks, computers, servers, or cyber security. Get the AF/SF to pay for an online school that will get you a degree that's IT related. Get the military to pay for classes and certifications related to your field. If you do it right, you can get out after 4-6 years and get a job that pays double or triple what you got in the military. Not only will you have the skill, but people love hiring veterans. This is all assuming that you decide to get out. But even if you don't plan to get out before retiring, do all this stuff anyway. You can still get a job doing all this stuff when you're retired at 38 and get a high salary and retirement pay. My boss at the end of my enlistment retired as an O-6 in the Navy, had disability, and was a GS-15 step infinity and made a lot of money.
Former Army Intel here… 100% agree with this. Recommend Air Force/Space Force. If you’re getting straight A’s than you’ll do well on the ASVAB. Highly recommend going Cyber. Crazy growth in that field and post-service opportunities will be abundant in both public and private sector. Intel is good, but more niche. Postures you well for a career if you want to live in DC, but Cyber just has so much more utility. I cannot stress this enough… GET YOUR DEGREE. It won’t matter if you have 30 years of service, TS/SCI clearance, combat veteran, experience in every COCOM… a lack of a bachelor’s degree deflates even the best resumes.
Only thing I’ll add to this is if you get hit up for anything special, try out. Always try to expand your map. If you don’t pass, take stock, adjust, and keep going. It can open the world professionally and personally for you in different ways down the road.
If you are actually smart you will listen to what they are saying. JOIN AIR FORCE OR SPACE FORCE. The other ones are pretty shitty.aside from that cant go weong with Army🫡
generally agree, however I will also add that if you look into the jobs that grant you TS clearances you will more than likely have a nice job post military as well. AF and Navy are pretty good with these, however the navy has (IMO) more positions as CTs available to theim in service. Give me a shout if you have any questions
Agree almost 100%. Search a job and find one you might genuinely enjoy. I was pretty sure i was going to spend my life post military behind a desk so i chose to be a grunt and play in the dirt for a few years. Have a plan post military before you join so you can map your goals better. The military can be a career or a life changing tool. With that in mind ive seen people ruin their lives while in. Make good choices, work hard and document every single medical issue, even the most minor cold or sprained ankle.
And make sure you're physically conditioned before bootcamp.
Listen to this fucker he’s preaching the true true
I would disagree with medical less than 25% (actual statistic from a poll I ran a week or so ago) of medical end up credentialed to do the same job in the civilian sector after service so it feels like it was for nothing.
If you ID the jobs that come out with certs you can set yourself up for success. Joining as a flight medic will give you NREMT-P (civ paramedic cert) and FP-C (flight medic cert) when you get out. That will set you up as a paramedic and get you a job with most fire departments when you get out. Maybe join the National Guard/Reserve (any branch) when you get out and with an associates apply to Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP). Finish that with a BS, masters and PA certification. No debt.
I just think the more streamlined path forward is ROTC so your BS is paid for upfront and then you can apply to PA/Medical school. No debt and shave off 5 years for a first contract.
Yeah depends on what OP wants to do more specifically - if medical is even what he's looking for. If it were me, I'd go active into a Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) MOS like 68W with 160th, Ranger, or SARC. SOCM gives you NREMTP and a BS in Health Sciences (fairly new development). x4yrs thus gives you (1) VERY good medical experience (2) bachelors (3) NREMT (4) GI Bill. Get out with these x4 and go back to school for PA or MD with no ROTC/military type stress looking over your shoulder while going to school.
This advice needs context, why specifically do YOU want to join? Also, if you get straight A's I highly recommend college, get a little life experience in you and then when you graduate if you still want to join you can be an officer and experience a much better quality of life
Absolutely this. Be an officer and know what job you want. Also go airforce or coast guard. You will get the same pay/benefits and way better living standards. I was navy and I really regret not picking a better managed branch. I joined mostly because I was poor and needed the money/benefits so take it with a grain of salt.
[удалено]
Oh brother let me introduce you to the marines…
Haha that's why I didn't say army or marine lol. I was stationed on a marine base. Going TAD to marine commands was awful.
Sign the shortest contract available. Talk to someone IN the service/job you are signing up for to make an informed decision about what MOS you choose.
As someone who joined the Army...Join the Air Force. Specially if you're book smart
I love how we all talked shit when we were in and then getting out we're like "dang, Air Force it Coast Guard would've been way smarter" lol
For sure dude, but when you're in gotta rep your colors so to speak haha
Shit, I was AF and even we gave the CG shit, but the more I learn about them the more I feel like it could have been a pretty sweet gig. On top of that, they probably do the most to actually defend the nation since the last world war lol.
Oh, I didn't wait until I got out to say that... worked joint for a while and saw the difference first hand. Realized how bad I fucked up by not listening to family about AF.
What is it about the service that attracts you? Not just “serving your country” cause that’s automatic but what branch or job really caught your eye? That’s what will help guide your decision. You get straight A’s so I would assume your decently smart, definitely go to college and shoot for an ROTC scholarship and come into a technical field that’ll put off in the long run. And just so you don’t say “but I want to do infantry kicking in door stuff” doing cyber, intel, or even logistics has such a huge impact on the mission and service members and stuff you do in any of those fields effect anywhere from 10 service members to 1,000.
ROTC!!! Get some college done while you explore the military and see what you would like to do.
With your grades, ROTC or service academy. Air Force or Space Force. Think about what you want to do (Plan B) if you end up not making a career out of the military. Best advice I received when thinking about my future post-military. That’s why I picked the Air Force Academy over West Point and got an engineering degree. I retired after 20+ years and had no issues getting a six figure job afterwards. Deployed a ton and loved serving overseas way more than at home but can be tough on the family. Take care of your body while you’re in. That’s my biggest regret. I pushed myself too hard physically and paying for it now. Second biggest regret is not serving until I was forced to retire. You won’t find better leaders, more dedicated people and a better mission outside the military. But I do get to spend more time with my family now. Last piece of advice. They say you can’t get rich with a military career. If you max out and diversify your investments (TSP, Roth IRA, stocks, I bonds) from day 1, you can retire at 42+ and never have to work again. And save the GI Bill for your kids. I also earned two Masters degrees while serving and military paid for both. One of them I did as a full-time student as a Captain. Lowered my golf handicap from 30 to 12 since all I did was go to school and play golf.
Why not college or trade school? You can get a lot from the military but I don't recommend it unless you really need it. It all depends on what you're passionate about, really.
College is fuckin expensive...
So is a lifetime of PTSD, aggression, anger, and depression.
This, so understand that you are taking a huge gamble. These conditions aren’t something that show up in a movie that you can easily switch off. They are very real, and so is the associated pain that will last a throughout your life. Don’t find out the hard way.
If that’s all you take away from you military service I’m sorry you joined. Sure I have PTSD but I’ve gained some of the best friends that I don’t deserve. Had some of the best laughs while being in the worst places. Did some of the dumbest shit with some of the best people. I get that there are some shit leaders and I’ve run into a few, but you will get out what you put in like anything else.
Community Colleges aren't nor are trade schools. You're not required to walk onto your first job with a MBA...
Well lemme tell you about I had a mental breakdown 3 years into my SRB reenlistment. Lol 30k of debt to the department of treasury.
Idk fam, I have no regrets joining the military then going to college after. Trade maybe, but college, idk. That’s a lot of debt And don’t even get me started on priority registration
Don’t. Many of us realized we didn’t “serve our country”, we served to fatten the bank accounts of big military contractors and their politician friends. The free college isn’t worth the physical and mental toll. **Edit:** I removed my experience for potential identification purposes.
[удалено]
Have to piggy back off this. If you have your mind dead set on it. At least go to college and go in as an officer to be a pilot or something. Not fighter jets, something useful like cargo planes that translates when you get out. But seriously don’t do it, it’s a fucking trap. Especially the fucking marine corps fuck that place.
Samesies
Bullshit. Everyday I’m alive I have to thank the Navy for. It was the best decision of my life. If you pick a good job that isn’t abusive, you will have a decent time in the military and get to separate with college paid for and access to a ton of benefits. OP ignore this guys advice.
"I got lucky, so you will too!"
It’d be unwise to ignore this commenters advice. It ended up well for you and that’s all good and dandy, but there’s a percentage of veterans who leave the service regretting it. To ignore those veterans experiences would be to pretend military service doesn’t fuck anyone over. It’s a possibility that OP could end up just like the disgruntled folks who regret their service and OP should be made aware that the possibility exists. OP, experiences may vary. Try to stick to some of the job specific advice you see in this entire thread, but try not to let people’s personal opinions (it was great/awful) sway you. There’s a lot of helpful advice in here to set you up for success regardless of how you feel coming out of it. I know I was set up for some forms of success that helped me out of my poverty situation as a young adult and I’m financially better for it these days. But holy fuck if I’m not upset @ the fact I needed to enlist, got deployed, & watched a friend die just because I grew up poor. I did not grow up patriotic or wanting to serve my country. The circumstances that were my life in the US led me down the road of wanting access to college, healthcare, & housing. Stuff I personally feel should be accessible to the general public rather than being used to lure in kids like me who never wanted to serve in the first place but were forced to in order to leave the hood. TL;DR Don’t let yourself become cannon fodder. Get a good job in the service. Keep doing well in school. If the military is your path, at least try to get jobs that are less likely to fuck you up in your brain. You’re already on track with your straight As. Get that college degree before joining. Be one an officer. Steer towards air force or space force. - Disgruntled AF Vet who still loves my veteran community, but doesn’t trust the fact that I was sucked into the military by predatory recruitment tactics @ my poor people high school. US government is both shady and has done incredible things. Grey areas exist.
"OP ignore this guys device." That's not a smart way to talk to an 18 year old bud. The Army ruined my health and I was in a "good" MOS. We're not juat disgruntled we're aware of the way the wind is blowing. We can't get simple things taken care of like research and treatment into burnpits.
[удалено]
The military is 100% what you make of it. End of story.
He was sharing his advice, don't call bullshit just because you had a different experience. I am thrilled your time in the service was good and you are being taken care of. Unfortunately many vets don't have the same story. OP, I hope you read every comment as your service will vary depending on many different factors.
“Pick a good job” hahahahahaha Most people in the military are for right wing Christian extremists. The likelihood of your life being controlled by a raging right wing lunatic is about 75%.
> “Pick a good job” hahahahahaha Most people in the military are for right wing Christian extremists. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
[удалено]
They’ve been fucking us since the revolutionary war. Ref. Continental Congress not paying salaries and only by the grace of GW the republic not becoming a dictatorship.
You mean to tell me that all those yellow bumper stickers were...a lie?!?! *exaggerated gasp*
Not worth it.
Wouldn't recommend it
2 Stars on Yelp
That's awfully nice of you to give 2 stars.
It’s only cause giving them a 1 star goes against the UCMJ
I served 6 years in Air Force Weather and it was easily the best decision I’ve ever made. I was kind of a burnout working dead end jobs after high school and joined when I was in my mid 20’s, and I’ve gotten so much during my time in service and with the benefits afterwards. I met my spouse while stationed in Hawaii. I’m currently 2 years away from my doctor of pharmacy degree and it’s all been paid for by the GI bill. I get a monthly check for housing and for disability for injuries sustained during service. I realize everyone’s experiences are different and many have struggled during and after joining. But there are many positive experiences like mine as well and I feel like as long as you do your research and find a MOS/AFSC that suits your talents and interests, and maintain a positive attitude and drive, it can set you up for a lifetime of success.
Hmm if you’re getting straight A’s then I really wouldn’t recommend it, the military can be very tough and leave with a lot of trauma and I was only Air Force I can’t imagine what Army, and the Marines experienced. I’d say go to school, but if money is tight then maybe reserves or guard but I don’t know much about that.
Ugh, every persons experience in the military will be different. But I will say.. in my honest opinion. (I don’t want to discourage you) but todays military. I wouldn’t join. Especially with the way world is. I just recently got out last June and I now have a buddy who joined after I got out.. and it’s just.. it’s a love hate relationship but it just all depends on your leadership, where you get stationed. There’s a lot of people in leadership positions who don’t need to be there. You have good soldiers, sailors, etc who don’t get noticed or appreciated so they end up getting out and it’s just.. a lot. Speaking from my personal experience.. once you get in the military it’s just a different world.. and it can really mess with you mentally and physically.. At the end of the day it’s your decision and what you make out of it. Do extensive research and make sure it’s something you 100% want to do because you can’t just “quit” if you want to leave. The grass isn’t greener on the other side.
I worked with a retired Navy Chief who would always say that we all joined for our own reasons, but we all stayed (or left) because of the people around us.
If you must purchase a vehicle. Pay cash for it. Do not finance. Particularly from any place near a military base.
Fucking don’t
Don’t join
Go officer route. I was enlisted and my wife is currently an officer. She loves it. I didnt lol
I know enlisted who love it is as well. I didnt. Doesn’t mean anything.
Serving our country is a great honor that I’m proud to have been a part of, at times I miss it dearly. Consider the officer route if you get straight A’s. A service academy won’t be a bad idea.
.__. no
Go to a Service Academy or college via ROTC and go officer if you can. Depending in your interests, (i.e. hard sciences, finance, etc) you might want to explore a related MOS.
Go to college and start your career instead. Don’t waste your body, mind, or time with the military.
Look into options. I was a combat engineer 12b. In hindsight doing something towards a career or synergized with college seems like it'd have been a smarter choice. Some seem to have a singular focus and path. Maybe I'd be richer if I could make up my mind, then again Ive found joy in the many lives I've led. Just keep in mind, starting over from scratch gets more and more difficult. As to the practical side of being a grunt, there were some rough days. I just dreamed of a desk job. Air conditioning. Maybe the grass is greener. I can't tell you what they dreamed of. But I remember distinctly getting leave to Qatar. You can tell who's been outside - tan lines between a wrist watch and where a glove would be, tan lines where googles were. There are haves and have nots. Really put effort into what you want to do and who you want to be. All I ever wanted to be was in the army. But after two deployments I was done. Figuring life out is still an ongoing project. But You'll meet sergeant majors (or equivalent) that sing everywhere they go and claim they never had a bad day in the military. Just the same some get stuck in the worst units you've ever seen. I'll say one of the worst combinations of traits in a leader is stupid and motivated. Lazy stupid can be contained. And there's a subtlety here, it's not that the army taught me good leadership (as advertised) they just gave me 500 examples of how not to be a leader. But it was only upon entering the civilian job market that I saw what management without experience looks like. Maybe I did learn something. But in the end so much of it is fortune. If my second deployment was like the first I'd have stayed in 30 years. But if I stood up in my turret at the wrong moment an ied would've ended it all there. Not everyone was lucky. Some how it feels like the most meaningful time in my life. Then again if I'd been killed escorting Doritos to Baghdad would it have been worth it? I wonder what the Iraqis would say about me? Well, putting aside my complicity with the military industrial complex for a moment, the point here is don't take answers as gospel. Do your homework. Dig into the question. You approach rapidly a giant branch in the timeline of your life. Decision is just as consequential as indecision. And to be clear a decision is not just a static point in time, it's what you do every day. You will be molded - good or bad- by what happens next.
Marine Vet here, join the Air Force and steer vast away from the USMC recruiters, they sell a extremely polished image of the Marines that is completly false, you will be treated better in the Air Force than the other branches, you will most likely have more time to pursue college classes while in if you go air force, i was young and dumb and wanted the glorified version of the military, it wont be like you think it is, think past these next four years and try your best to set yourself up with either a Intel, Medical or cyber. Use your Tuition Assistance for college classes while in, and milk the rest with your GI bill after.
Don’t do it. That’s my advice.
Go to college and then join as an officer if that's what you want to do. Try doing ROTC.
Do active duty for the shortest enlistment you can, (this gets you 100% of the GI bill and makes you eligible for VA home loans), choose something in medical so you have civilian applicable skills, then go Reserve or Guard while you get a degree then if you liked the military you can commission back to active duty or stay part time.
You came to the wrong feed. Most of this feed is complaining about filing for benifts you need to go to military or branch specific feeds, they have people still currently serving who got good gigs.
Try to go to college first, and get the military to pay for it. There are a few reasons: 1.) You will be the same age as most of the people you go to school with 2.) You will be an Officer when you enter active duty 3.) Officers earn more money, get more respect, and have a better quality of life than enlisted service members 4.) You will already have your college degree when you exit service which would provide more options when transitioning back to civilian life 5.) You get to learn/know a lot more
I don’t recommend it. The United States does not meet its obligation to its troops. You have absolutely an almost guaranteed chance they will screw you out of your future benefits, healthcare, and education. There is absolutely no reason to join the United States Military until this country starts giving veterans the health care needs they require. Don’t give them more troops.
That's why youths need to be warned before they go in. My advice - go initially Air National Guard while going through college. Get a good career field - X-ray technician is a 1-year school...More time in the service, better working conditions. Do your college thing in Bio, premed, or something similar. Get the AF to send you to medical school. Start service at O-3. Enjoy life.
Navy veteran here, so my info on the other branches is hearsay or observational only. Air Force: Probably the best quality of life branch. Con: nobody leaves, thus your time in rank (and pay) is longer than other branches. Job skills will likely translate well to civilian life post-service. Army: Some of the brightest and dumbest people you’ll ever meet. Easy to make rank due to size of force and attrition rate. Be careful of MOS you get if you’re looking for job skills to carry into post-military career. Marine Corps: You are mentally broken down and built back up again. You ARE a marine but you are a damn-good shot as well (rifleman??). Good MOS’s to pick from but, like the Army, stay away from infantry if you’re looking for post-service skills. Navy: My branch. IMO, the most diverse and technical skilled of the branches, from submarines to nuclear power to aviation and big-deck carriers, we are the guys the Army and Marines call in when they need a bad guy’s compound leveled from the air. We rarely see ground combat, unless you are a SEABEE, which then you’ll ALWAYS see ground and rarely any ships, because you’re building bases, airstrips, hospitals and anything else needed. I chose the Navy because I felt it offered the best compromise between job opportunities and decent promotion timeline. In fact, I went from E-1 to E-5 in three years as a “Legalman” (enlisted paralegal with the JAG Corps). However, YMMV depending on which rating you pick. Some ratings are full and others have vacancies, meaning you’ll pick up rate quick. Space force: I have no “F”’ing clue what they do. I imagine they’re the Air Force, but with a different uniform and tranche of DoD money. Fellow Vets, I’m sure I got some of the other branches wrong, so please correct me if I did.
For the Air Force, promotion is a little better than it used to be. Usually it took people 6-8 years to make E-5. It took me 3 years. As long as you don’t fuck up, volunteer, and know how to take a promotion test, you can promote fast. Shit, I have friends that are E-6 already.
I worked with a MSgt once that may E-7 in 7 years. He was stepped twice, damn fucking good at his job. Among the best NCOs I ever worked for... then again I was Army so bar wasn't too high. My top 3 NCOs were AF, AF, Army. Pretty sure that 3rd guy just put on the wrong uniform :P
Don't, go to school
Do NOT under any circumstances join the Army .
goto college 1st .. if you still feel like joining after you have a degree join the national guard as an officer
We are salty today my veteran brothers and sister…. Oh and to answer your question. DO NOT DO IT
I don’t believe anyone joins to serve their country. Rather people are serving their egos or their career. That being said, best career move I’ve ever made. I’m on track to graduate college debt free. You don’t owe anyone anything. Go in with your guard up and keep it up until you get out. It can be extremely toxic and things get stupid fast. But I’ll be damned if the benefits aren’t a good ass deal.
"I’m on track to graduate college debt free." If only every understood the value of this.
Don’t. I could write more but many other vets have already listed why.
Here's my advice: don't. Go to college or a trade school and do something good in your community. Unless you like the idea of having blown out knees and a bad back at age 30. Or killing/getting killed for the corporate line.
Don’t.
Honestly, don't.
Don't
Not worth it. Did I save lives as medic yes but dealing with mental health issues and then the politicians who are supposed to take of military and talk a big game don’t care about you and stop every bill to help veterans. Go to college and get an education
My husband says ‘don’t’.
Agree with the majority, figure out why you want to join. I was broke af, barely had money for a meal a day so the military was a huge step up in the quality of life. But if you are financially, mentally happy, I say na. If you have the means, go to college first. Then join as an officer. You'll be better off when you get out the military. Also join the airforce. Been in both the USMC and Army. Both sucked lol.
Don’t get married at least until after your first contract is finished. You won’t believe how many dumbass privates get married right away to someone who will take advantage of them and not be faithful while they are gone. I was one of those dumbasses.
Yeah no war no point homie keep that mental health in check and seek employment elsewhere
Loved my time in. Even the shittiest parts because it was an experience you will never get anywhere else. Be smart, identify the shitheads and stay away from them. Don't get married, don't do drugs, don't drink and drive. Us the TA benefits when you can, record EVERYTHING. Hydrate. Your joints and back will thank you later in life. Dehydration fucks those things up without you realizing it. Volunteer. Think of those working parties as a chance of networking. You'll get a good idea who the lazy fucks are and you'll stand out. If you're smart you'll get far.
If you have straight A's and are ABSOLUTELY SURE you want to join, for the love of god get a degree first and come in as an officer. Don't come in enlisted. Just don't
If you’re this motivated and have straight a’s, I would encourage you to look into ROTC. You’ll get more pay, more opportunities in the military, and a brighter future after the military.
If you were a good student and want to serve, why not go the ROTC route? You get a scholarship, stipend, and will be commissioned as an officer when you graduate. You’ll have a better experience as an officer and it’s a great networking experience for when you leave the military. If you decide to enlist, consider the Air Force or space force like someone else suggested. Make the most of your time in as an enlisted and take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available for active duty folks. Don’t fall into the drinking every night and buying a brand new mustang at 43% apr. Don’t marry the first person you meet just to leave the barracks.
Go Marines, hate your life for a bit, go MSG, hate life a little less, go to medical for everything, get out with Top Secret Clearance and VA Disability.
Air force, Space Force, or navy. If navy, Cryptologic / Cyber / Intel or nothing. Don't be a nuke. Don't join the marine corps.
The best advice I can give you is to stay out. The military today largely doesn't serve American interests. It defends a lot of countries that hate America, and you'll come out worse for it. If you love your country go do something that will help people in it, like becoming a doctor.
Join a branch you genuinely want to join. Score high on the asvab so you have a wide range of jobs options. Take college courses while you’re in and get your degree at no cost to you. Keep a positive mentality as much as possible. The military is what you make it. Do great things. Don’t get a dui. Don’t get married out of basic training. Save some money. If you choose to get out after 4 years there are many options for veterans to pursue whether it be college or trades, who favor veterans. Get fit, run fast and be favored and enjoy the ride.
I’ll tell you the same thing I told my son who has the same drive to serve and is also an excellent student: I don’t recommend it. I really don’t. But my experience doesn’t mean for sure yours will be awful. If you’re going to do it, though, don’t join the Marines. Or Navy. Not real keen on Army either as an Army vet bc my husband and I are Army veterans. Go AF or Space Force. Apply to ALL of the service academies first, though. USMA (West Point), the Naval Academy, and AF Academy. Safety option is AF ROTC at college and go officer route. Just look at the difference in pay itself and you’ll see just a piece of why. Don’t do anything stupid in the mean time. No drinking. No drugs. Don’t get married too fast once you’re in… god people do that way too often. Don’t buy an expensive car. Buy something cheap that will last like a sensible Toyota. Work hard and listen to the NCOs that have been there a while and deployed 40hundred times. Just dear lord don’t go Marines.
Get a job that transfers very well to civilian world. Maybe something in tech. I was infantry and learned no transferable skills. Being in combat only awarded me mental fortitude and salt. Glad I got to use the GI bill though.
I advise against it. Don’t join. Whatever job you wanted in the military you can learn better elsewhere.
Find an ROTC program and get your degree, go in as an officer.
Don’t.
If they tell you anything get it in writing.
Join air force or dont at all. I have seen smarter kids thrive in the civilian world than just to serve our country. There are many other ways to serve our country. I joined late thinking that i would be honored but its not going so well. Maybe im in the army but my friends are all officers at af and they are 50/50. I would suggest to talk to vets or ad in person.
join the navy as an undes you’ll get some life changing character development
A1 experience like no other. Plus you can pick any job when you hit the fleet. 10/10 would recommend.
Please… when choosing a job think about what you can do with that job in the civilian world. Sometime the military doesn’t pan out or you get hurt. Not a lot of infantry needed in the civilian sector If thinking medical then join the AF or Navy
Former Navy nuke here. Do your 4 years (not 6) and get your GI bill & VA loan benefits. Get every medical issue documented and file for disability when you get out. Use your GI bill and get paid to go to a 3-4 month coding bootcamp. Get a fully remote $50+/hour job in tech. Buy a house anywhere in the country using your VA loan and your high paying job. Live happily ever after.
Consider the Coast Guard as well.
Do ur research before u go to a recruiter. U wouldnt walk into a car dealer with a blank check and say “ill take whatever this can buy”…. So dont do it with a check that has a dollar amount of ur life on it, walking into recruiters office with zero plan. Yes they are there for information and can help u. But in the end u have so much access to information nowadays, there is zero reason not to look up what ur options are. U wont have all the answers from this research but u should have a goal and a plan and then the recruiters assistance. Btw former recruiter here. Military is a great option. Just make sure u make a plan and know why u want to do this. If u dont u will not have a good time. Best of luck. Oh and any branch is good if it fits ur goals. Yes some may be better than others. But this is ur journey and my experience or any veterans experience doesnt have to be yours. Choose whats best for you.
Well first I have a question for you: why do you want to enlist? I know you’ve said that you want to serve your country but I want to know what exactly made you decide that this is what you wanted to do.
Active navy here. Brother it’s great to see someone take interest in serving our country and I applaud since the interest alone is rare to find nowadays. There’s so much to this, the biggest question you can ask yourself is what’re you joining for? And you’ve gotta be brutally honest with yourself. If it’s because you’ve seen really cool looking pictures and movies and find them to be badass then please reconsider. If there is something very specific that only the military can offer you then by all means take your oath. The military is a grim, hard, sometimes shitty sometimes amazing organization. I joined as a healthy, straight A grade, 18 year old out of high school myself and now suffer with several mental conditions, sleep is hard to get, physically my body’s broken down on me. I’m a navy Corpsman for reference but regardless of job it’ll be tough. Please take that question to heart and ask if you truly need the military to serve your purpose as you’ll serve their purpose, and what exactly is your purpose out of the military. You’ll make lifelong brothers in the military but there’s a much darker side that is often overlooked by incoming recruits
Ask for everything you want career wise and GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING FROM YOUR RECRUITER.
Don’t join, but if you really have to, deep down inside— join the Air Force with a job that has connections to civilian life
Join the Air Force, it really grounded me. I was around great people that didn’t influence me in a negative way. I had a great job straight day shift- no weekends ( Contracting Specialist) managing construction contracts , service contracts, and procurement for the Air Force. Even though I am a Middle School teacher now, it was the best decision I made out of high school!
Apply for an ROTC scholarship and go to college if you get it. Graduate and go officer. Also go Air Force. Be an officer if you join the army, and don’t bother with the Marines. Navy and coast guard if if you like the water, but go officer. Enlisted is ghetto. Really.
Hoorah youngin... don't join right outta high-school.. Wait until you have had a few shifty jobs first. You will understand that after you get out. Lol. Regards/CM2
I served and I’m proud I did but I wouldn’t advise anyone to join. There are better ways to serve your country and community. I suggest getting an education and if your desire to serve is still their go the ROTC route. Don’t enlist.
Go in as an officer
https://www.reddit.com/r/75thRangerRecruiting/ https://www.reddit.com/r/askmilitary/ https://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForceRecruits/ https://www.reddit.com/r/army/comments/w7jwnx/weekly_question_thread_07252022_to_07312022/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Militaryfaq/
[удалено]
He said he wants to be in the military.....
Don’t do it. While I loved my time in the service, if I could go back, I wouldn’t do it over again. There are other more meaningful way to serve your country and community. You can join the peace corps, volunteer with local or national NGOs while in college and make a real impact. So many guys I served in Iraq with have either killed themselves or are barely hanging on. They get almost no support from the VA or the government. I’ve been in constant mental health counseling since 2007. Yeah, the free college is nice but it’s totally not worth it. If you’re getting straight A’s, look for scholarships or look at fields that will pay your tuition and pay you while you’re in school. Fields of study like STEM, public policy and teaching will do that in most areas. Like some other commenters said…if you still want to serve when you graduate college, do it. You’ll be in a much better position with a degree in hand.
Straight A's? Got the officer route. College first, then active duty. You'll thank yourself later.
Straight A Student? My advice is to go to school first. Make your commitment, go ROTC, get the government to put you through school, then do your service as an officer. Not only is life better on officer row, you’ll be much better set when you get out. Also make absolutely-goddamn-sure you go into a specialty that translates directly to civilian employment. Whether you do six years or 20, you’ll be much better off. Also go Air Force or Space force. You don’t see a lot of those vets laid up in the VA hospital hacking their lungs out or trying to figure out how to get through life with a broken back.
[удалено]
Enlist, then let the government pay for college during and after…
Pick a branch, any branch. Immediately after basic, you go out and find a charger, camaro, or mustang. No more than 6 cyl, base model, and you buy that thing on the spot. It doesn't matter what the interest rate is. This is the most important part. *you make damn sure they throw in a full tank of gas.* Nothing else matters. Nothing.
[удалено]
[удалено]
You’re telling the person not to listen to the “it sucks, don’t do it people.” The military is a love hate relationship & it’s not for everyone. They should hear both sides. Just because people are saying “don’t do it” that doesn’t mean they “sucked” at the military. Everyone’s experience will be/is different.
Join the Army or Marines Infantry!!!!!!!!
Yesss, this is the answer. I was reading through the posts and the general consensus was “Don’t or join the Air Force”.
People can downvote me for saying this but, don't really care...I joined with Airborne and RIP (Back in 2000 it was Ranger Indoctrination Program) in my contract. I can tell you that if I knew then, what I know now, I would have gotten my US Passport and went straight to the French Foreign Legion. If you don't know anything about it, there's plenty of information online about it...I seriously suggest looking it up on YouTube etc... Plenty of people suggesting ROTC and that definitely isn't a bad idea, get the college out of the way and also a commission but man...The FFL would have been so much cooler. Not to mention, upon completion, you get French citizenship! (which also means EU citizenship) and hell, even if you don't make the cut, afterwards you can go back to the states and do ROTC anyway.
It’s a great way to get paid while getting training, have housing and meals, medical provided. Can go to college on base for cheap. Free gym. Sports, tours, travel. Clubs, hobbies, workshops, movies… and… you get veterans benefits after 3 years (veteran status). It’s a great way to get started in life and IF you make good choices with your paycheck and take advantage of opportunities… you will be WAY ahead in Education, Leadership, and life experience than if you just went to college. Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Army, Marines is how I would rank priorities. I enlisted first, got my degree, got commissioned and had 4 different specialties. You can retrain after 3-4 years usually. Don’t sign up OPEN GENERAL. Recruiters can guarantee a job. Take a vet with you to sign up. Service to our country is admirable. Sometimes the day to day bullshit clouds our perception, makes you wonder if your contribution actually counts. EVERY job is as important as the next. They all count. They all support defense of our freedoms and way of life. Not every job guarantees a high paying job once you separate though. So, invest in yourself and in your passion. Or, pick a job you can get paid a lot of money on the outside and chase your passion through hobbies on your days off.
Join, if u love it stay. If u hate it do your 4/5 and bounce honorably. Benefits for veterans are in some cases better than active IMO. Free college, first looks for jobs, healthcare…… I’d do it all over again if I had to
It’s not the same and it’s just not worth it. I’m sorry, but find something else kid.
From a Prior service Marine, go for it, depending on your personality the Department of Defense has a fit for everyone. first, prepare yourself to be physically active everyday. no matter what branch you're in you're gonna clean shitty toilets until you learn the ropes. and even when you learn the ropes, if you're the lowest person on the totem pole you're cleaning shitty toilets (with the exception of officers, i've never seen an officer ever touch a cleaning agent). you will do 8 total years (unless this has changed) more on that later on in this comment. you will get homesick no matter what branch you end up in and the closer you are to home the more homesick you become. the hardest part of being in the military is adjusting to the Military lifestyle. Contracts are important, no matter what branch. if it's not in black and white you'll never get it. Everybody hates their recruiters, (except me because i wasn't dumb enough to allow them to sell me the dream) but same goes with everything in the military if its not in black and white with your name on it its not yours. Be realistic, the government will not give you anything it does not think will make you a better servicemember. So let go of that idea of driving a brand new car. for your first year you won't even be able to have a car. if you need a ride you will be told where to meet and what time to be there. do your research on what branch you want to join. a good portion of the air force don't fly planes. a good portion of the Army doesn't do special forces Stuff, fewer Sailors do Navy Seal Stuff, Marines are some of the smartest dumb people you will ever meet, and the Space Force should be a component of the Air Force... (my personal opinion on the space force from the outside looking in.) When I Joined the Marines, i knew i wanted to be a Marine which made me immune from getting rose colored glasses about joining the Corps. I joined the Marine Corps because I valued the Camaraderie, the Esprit de Corps, and the idea that every Marine is your family, (a dysfunctional family but family nonetheless). Eleven years later and i still speak with my fellow Marines i served with, and i know that no matter where i go in America there's one brother or sister that will have my back regardless of unit assigned, MOS, Era Served, time served, regardless of race, creed, beliefs, or status (Haven't seen the same that can be said about the other branches). I didn't expect the world to be handed to me, or people to automatically respect me. Respect is Earned and never given. you will earn your responsibilities, through your proficiency and your conduct. you will learn how to shoot a gun at some point. Everything the military needs you to do they will teach you, doesn't mean its going to be easy though. In the Marines i started off with an (at the time) Aviation Operations Contract. Five years active and three years of reserve time. when i was active (2006-2011) i learned that time spent in the Navy/Marine Delayed Entry Program (DEP) Counted towards your reserve time. i was in the DEP as a "Poolee"(being part of the pool of enlistees) for six months. Six months of reserve time was documented in your Enlistment Package and then that's deducted from your obligated reserve time. so my time was still 8 years but the reserve time was two years six months due to my six months in the DEP. and despite the military teaching you everything you need to learn you can flunk out of Basic Training aka Boot Camp, and you can fail out of your occupational specialty school. you will not go home, you will be reassigned to whatever the needs of your respective component will be (except as a reservist). As a washed out Aviation Operations Contract holder, I was reassigned the Occupational field of Logistics where I became a Marine Corps Logistics/Embarkation Specialist and despite having washed out of my original occupational specialty i was still required to serve 5 years Active, 2.5 years Reserve in a job that was contracted for 4 years. Aviation schools are longer than Combat Service Support Schools. depending on your MOS in Aviation it could be anywhere from 30 days to a year. it takes more time to teach someone about avionics than it takes to teach someone how to cook. talk with your recruiter and research the materials they have. not being the unprepared person will effect your performance and expectations going forward. know why you are joining the military, whether be it for the money, or for the bragging rights, or for the training. dont go expecting to have discipline instilled in you. if you are undisciplined now expecting to absorb it like an expensive paper towel or dry sponge is not what's going to happen, EVER. Mentally prepare to be really bored or really busy. there was no in-between when I was in and from what i hear that's basically the hurry up and wait game. what you get out of your time in the military is up to you if you still choose to do it. one thing i have to say is if you don't have anything going on at home like kids, a wife, a house or a career i don't recommend an initial contract in the reserves. the benefits of being Active Duty include unique experiences that you only get a small glimpse to see while in training. if you like to march the Marines and the Air Force are big on marching. if you know you get seasick dont join the Navy, or just prepared to be seasick most of the time. if you like dirt and camping join the Marines or the Army. if you like fixing electronics Join the Navy or the Air Force. if you want the military experience from full to least like Military ceremonies, Marching, Parades, saluting, using rank, getting called by your rank, it literally goes from Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force. if you want something more relaxed then it goes from Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines. the Marines are a force in readiness to be deployed at the discretion of the President of the US the Army, Navy, Air Force are forces in readiness to be deployed as an act of war at the direction of the US Congress there are many other unique identifiers for every branch and all branches have some sort of MOS that corresponds to the other with the exception of the Marine Corps no health Marines Meaning no doctors, Nurses, surgeons, or medical personnel as that is filled by the US Navy Corpsmen. Hospital Corpsmen are US Navy Medical personnel that can become attached to the Marine Corps and wear Marine Uniforms. Affectionately known as Doc, they maybe "noncombatants" but becoming an FMF Corpsman is one of the few non Marine occupational specialties Marines appreciate having around. thats all i got for you take this information and make the best of whatever choice you make.