I am contemplating joining the military.?

Question

I'm seventeen and I am thinking about joining the military for no other reason then to serve the country that has done so much for me. However my mother doesn't take me seriously all she sees is a pathetic little girl. However I see different I know I can make it through training. A war? Well it would be ridiculous to say I know that I could make it through that yet I am willing to try. People tend to think the worst so that when something happens its never as bad as we thought. A war is the only thing that is and will be more horrible then anyone could ever imagine. I would like to know the pros and cons of joining the military. Death is something I do not fear. So don't even bother putting that down as a con.

I'm not naive.. I think about this daily. As far as the Bush thing.. he is the last person I'd join the military for. I do not want to join the military and then try to get in a branch where there is no danger. Would i prefer to sit behind a computer all day, of course but I don't fear combat. Christifsu if everyone was afraid of that who would be protecting this country?

Answer 1

What branch? The army, I'm assuming. If you do join, you will go to war with the army. My fiance is in the navy. That is the only branch, other than the air force, that is over there on volunatry basis only. He loves the navy, and ships out in October again. If you do join, join active duty, not the reserves. You do not qualify for the benefits and pay if you join the reserves. With active duty, you get great medical and dental, as well as better pay, and you qualify for combat pay, hardship pay, etc. Since you are a female, I reccommend the navy. My sister was in the navy, my dad the army, and my grandfather the marines, my uncle the air force. I am from a military family, and I think the military is a great thing. I would reccommend getting a degree first, though, because if you do, you will go in as an officer, with more rights and better pay. Some cons are being away from your family. There aren't really that many cons in my opinion. When joining, you are serving your country. With the military, you are financially secure and, if you choose to stay in, there are great retirement benefits. This is a life-changing decision, and a very difficult one to make. I wish you all the best, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Good Luck!!

Answer 2

It was the best thing I ever did.

I found independence.
Out of all these posts, I think 3 actually have been in the military.

If someone had a bad experience in the military, I think they would say it is BS and leave it at that. If someone comes up with some political crap why you shouldn't join, I would ignore everything they say. Joe will say it sucks, not tell you some poly-sci answer why it is immoral. If you want to listen to Communists read GQ.

If someone is really negative about the military, ask yourself, did this person get kicked out for something? Ask them and make sure they did their full enlistment honestly. Most of the time they are kicked out for drugs, and then they get treated like absolute crap by their chain of command for about 4 months, so of course they have a poor perspective.

So what did I find in the Army? (I have been in for a while now)

I found work that made a difference. I receive missions that have impact, sometimes on an international level.

In the Army, I ALWAYS know where I stand. The Army can be harsh, but if you're wrong, someone will tell you to your face, not stab you in the back. You always know you are a member on a team, not wondering if the ***** in the next cubicle is kissing someone's *** to get your job.

There are enough ways to seek professional development that I never get bored... (EIB, Jumpmaster, Ranger, Pathfinder, Air Assault, deploying to combat, etc..)

I can go to college and the Army pays for it..

I would be a fool to ETS now.

"You will fear death when it was staring you in the eye." What kind of Hollywood crap is that. You homo, you wouldn't know Death if he were cooking hot dogs in your back yard. Go get shot at and then read your message to see how retarded you sound.

Answer 3

I served in the military for six years and all I can say is that you will waste the best years of your life. You can never recover what you lost and unfortunately it's too late once you realize that fact. I say wasted because for two or more years you will go where someone tells you, when they tell you, and do exactly what they tell you.

If you really want to serve your country work hard in school, go to college, and then take a job in the teacher corps (pays for your education if you spend three years teaching in the inner city afterwards). Or, get a law degree and do social or family law at lower rates (still a good living) for lower income clients. Of course, you can also go for a medical degree and become a general practitioner or pediatrician (very high demand) -- there are programs that will help pay for your degree if you work for a few years in low income areas. Finally, one of the best ways to serve your country is to work as an independent journalist -- investigate and report the truth so that you and your fellow citizens can make more informed choices for people to lead us. If you want to work overseas join an english language teaching program or the peace corps.

To address some of the other comments I've seen here, please read articles like the following that describe what you're risking when you join the military in a time of war. http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/01/05/brain_trauma/index_np.html

One more note: if you subscribe to the idea that this war in Iraq was unavoidable then I recommend that you do some serious reading -- you'll see that a lot of people who have carefully studied this issue (and who have nothing to gain financially from it) believe there is no evidence that this war was necessary. If you want to defend your country in an enforcement setting join the coast guard, the border patrol, your local police department, or one of the specialty offices like the FBI or DEA.

Answer 4

Please do not join the US military. There is no reason for US troops to be in Iraq except to put money into George W. Bush's pocket through oil and contracting corporations. To go and fight so that billionaires can get richer is stupid. My heart goes out to the families who have lost members in this "war on terror" but instead of trying to rationalize the tragedies we must all work together to get the Bush Administration out of power. The people behind the Iraq war have never served nor fought in a war so they have no right to send others to fight and die.

Death may not be something you fear, but what about losing a limb or becoming handicapped, then returning back trying to reason out why you went over there?

If you really want to serve your country that has done so much for you, become more politically active. Read about current events, do critical thinking, join an organization, and help America become a great nation again.

Answer 5

You say you don't fear death, wait until it happens near you or to a close friend in the service. You're right, everyone does die. But you are only 17. More power to you wanting to join. The US is in a terrible rut and we are not well liked. The service is stretched very thin right now and with the idiot in the White House looks like we will be over in the Middle East for while, plus with the extra patrol at the Mexico border. So you may end up in the east or down south. Maybe you should talk to some vets, get the other side of the story. Good luck to you:)

Answer 6

hopefully you read this before too many of the naysayers get ahold of your question.

I am also 17 and am going into the military, however, I am taking the officer route. I am currently a sophomore in college and participating in Navy ROTC (Marine Corps Option) and will be commissioned upon graduation. I come from a military background so have been exposed to the military my entire life. First, as much as I wish I could provide you with all the information you need to know to join, I can't, you need to do extensive research on your own. Look at all aspects of the diferent branches, the jobs offered, the skills required for those, etc. You can do everything from "killin" to working on computers, flying state of the art fighter jets, developing weapons, working on a ship...nearly anything you want to do you can in the military. It is a great life in many ways. Medical, dental, housing--everything is taken care of if you go active duty. You could live on base (which isnt as bad as people who have never done so say), or live off base and get paid a housing allowence to pay (or help pay) for your mortgage or rent. You learn countless thinks about yourself during training and work...you already seem like a dedicated and motivated person--keep it up. If you decide to not make the military a career, after discharge employers will look very highly on your military service (especially if you have a degree--whcih the military can help you pay for). And one of the biggest pros, the feeling of accomplishment that comes with it. Knowing that you have been a part of something so much greater than yourself. I would suggest looking into officer programs such as ROTC, PLC, the Academies, but either way...good luck.

feel free to IM me on AOL at smeagolyduck13 or e-mail me if you have any questions or would like to talk about your decision. Sorry this was so long (I could continue)

Answer 7

I came close to joining the US military 4 yrs ago for a very different reason.

My suggestion is that read as much as possible about the branch of military that you want to join. Talk to retired military personel, reservists and those who are currently serving, find out what their personal views are and how it their experience in the military has benifited them or hindered them. Just make sure the information you base your decision on is not only that proided by recruiter.

The reason for this is that the job of a recruiter is the same as that of care sales man. Their objective (like that of every type of recruiter) is to sell you a product in this case it is the particular branch of the military.


The your choice in the end you have to choose and live with the decision.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Congratulations. I hope that everything works out for you. Remember, your parents will be your biggest supporters. They may not like the decision, in fact, they may try to talk you out of it, but it is YOUR life, and YOUR decision. Joining the military is a sound and good decision for your life, career, and future.

The pros to joining the military for me were: the travel (Germany, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Turkey, Spain, England, Malaysia, Tunisia, Washington DC, Florida, Texas, Mexico, Norway), the camaraderie (I have friends all over the world, and no matter where I go, there's a veteran), the solid paycheck (every month/twice a month, annual pay raise, time in service pay raise, can't be fired, 30 days annual vacation), the excitement (Airborne, Air Assault, travel), and leaving my hometown (no jobs).

The cons: War. Of course, I was in the Army for 20 years. During those 20 years, there were 12 armed conflicts. I did NOT go to a single one.

The decision to join the military is yours. There are people that won't understand your decision, and people who don't want you to go. But, they are going to be right there where they were when you left, and will probably be there when you get back. What will YOU do with YOUR life? That's the question.

Good luck

Answer 9

I am active duty army and have been for 3 yrs. heres what I know

Pros:

Steady pay check each month
You know you will have food in your stomach and a roof over your head
Training in the field you choose (depending on which branch you choose)
money for college and while you are in you will be able to use TA (tuition assistance)
See new places meet new people
free medical AND dental
Easier to find jobs when you get out
and overall a great way to transition from living at home to the real world. and it is something you can be proud of

Cons
The politics of the military suck. as with any job but you can't really fight it as easily.

Without much rank you really don't have much say (again as with any job)

Living away from friends and family

If you decide to have children the military life makes it a little harder on you emotionaly.

Overall if you think you would like it try it out for a few years. I joined at 17 too and I now am married with a baby and still in the military, I don't love it like I used to but i certainly don't regret it!

Good luck let me know what you decide!

ok now I am reading a bunch of crap about how we are over there for oil and stuff.... well just remember that soldier fight for freedom. Always have and will continue to. If you don't agree with this war that is fine, but we still need a military to defend us. Don't listen to the condesending people who are too afraid to join and fight without fear to protect everyone at home. Go ahead girl, let them know that you are willing to protect them no matter what they say!

Answer 10

Pros: GI Bill, Free travel, great training, meet great people, a chance to fight for the freedoms that you have.

Cons: FT. Hood Texas. And some chow halls have crappy food.

Yes, can you tell that I served??? 12 years, and the first desert conflict under my belt. Going to war, is different than being in combat. Pick a good job in the branch that you are choosing, and you will be fine. Don't forget to shop all of the branches... If one will not offer a job you like, go to another... Don't settle for a job that will do nothing out here. Also ask about enlistment bounses??? A ton of jobs have them, but for some reason they don't put that out in the open too much.

Good luck, and thank you for thinking about defending MY freedom!!!!