whats your opinion on joining the U.S. Army?

Question

why or why not. anything the army has done to screw you over? im debating on whether or not to join the army.

Answer 1

Proud wife of a soldier in the US Army... But it's definately not for everyone. Here's a few things to think about.
Positives: My husband loves the fact that he has a job where he can truely be proud of what he does. The military is also a great way to put yourself through college, aside from the GI Bill there are programs like EArmyU where you can take correspondance courses and in some cases they'll even provide you with a laptop to do it on. When you deploy you recieve things like combat pay so you usually end up saving up a decent amount of money while you're over there. Also, the fact that you earn paid leave is great when you want to take a vacation.
On the negative side of things.... if you're single you'll end up living in the baracks, you'll share a tiny room with another person and if you and that person dont get along there's nothing you can do about it. If you're married... well be prepared to spend a lot of time away from your family. Right now my husband's unit is basically doing a year at home and then a year deployed.. then another year at home and another year deployed.... The divorce rate for the military is higher than the national average, all that time away is rough on a marriage. You cant take leave whenever you want, you have to wait for it to get approved, often this doesnt happen till just a couple days before you plan on leaving.
There are a lot more positives and negatives, but this is getting to be long. If you have any questions and you want an answer from someone other than a recruiter... just ask me, my email is listed as my source.

Answer 2

My husband is in the Army and we both absolutely LOVE it. It's a hard job, he's gone more than he's here, he works really hard all the time, but at the end of the day he can take immense pride in what he does. Before my husband joined he was an 18 year old high school drop out working for $7/hr. He had no car, no money in the bank, nothing. Four years later we own our own home, have some money in the bank, retirement savings, free health care, and two cars. The money isn't much but if you're careful you can make it work for you. The Army is a great job but more than that it's a lifestyle. I couldn't imagine any other life for us. The Army will do everything it can to screw you over (this week we had our orders to Alaska that we wanted cancelled), but if you never expect them to do anything nice for you it's always a pleasant surprise when they do. Other than having our orders cancelled, the worst thing they've done to us is extend his first tour in Iraq. Two weeks before he was coming home he got extended for an extra 90 days, to make it a grand total of 15 months in country. But despite all that it was MY idea for him to re-enlist. The benefits far outweigh the disappointments for most people. I say join, give it a couple years, and get out when your contract is up if you don't like it.

Answer 3

I spent 6 years in the Army National Guard. It depends on what you are looking for. I used it to get my life together - I learned discipline and used the benefits to finish college after having dropped out. I would say it was the best thing that I could have done at the time. However, my brother did Air Force and had a much easier time. Also, if you want full time I would look into the Coast Guard. Two of my buddies did that and loved it, plus almost no over seas deployment.

Answer 4

Talk to a recruiter, talk to people you know that have been in the services and be honest with yourself as to why you want to join. If you want to get a college degree, you can, if you want to pay off school loans, you can and don't forget, if you join, you will be deployed at some point in your career. You can still go to college, the army does offer you the opportunity, even while deployed. I am in iraq now, and still have time to continue with college classes. Donn't let the recruiters tell you what job you can get though, take the asvab, and you will talk to a job counseler at MEPS. You can get almost any job you want if you can negotiate, some jobs are eligible for bonuses and choice of duty stations as well. I love the Army, there are good days and bad, but i wouldn't trade it.

Answer 5

I have served both in the USAF and now in the Army.

Its up to you on what you want to do but I love the Army. I have never been screwed over. They gave me the job I wanted along with the post I wanted to go to.

If you want them to do something for you as far as job, post, schools just make sure its in your contract....

The Army will help you grow up fast. You are going to go from being that kid getting in trouble in school to being a symbol of pride and courage. Come on youve seen the commercials...haha

Answer 6

So far the army has been good to my family. They haven't done any thing to screw us over... It's the best Dam* Decision my husband has made. Next to Marring me of course :-)

The only thing that hits home is moving away from my family

Answer 7

Not now-wait to see what happens in Iraq, and see what's going on after 2008. If you really just CAN'T WAIT, there are safer things
you can do (like Navy/Coast Guard).

Yes, I've been messed over by the Army, more than once! (sigh-
guess I'm a glutton for punishment)

Answer 8

My opinion is it's the greatest thing a young man (or woman) can do.
It builds character and bolsters confidence and self-discipline.
It sure did the job for myself. But don't take my word for it.
Joining though is a decision you must make yourself.
If you're teeter-tottering over whether or not to join, then don't.
You'll be uncertain and they won't want you in that mindset.

Wait until you are definite and then do it.

Answer 9

Personally I would not join, but that' my opinion. I don't feel proud enough to be an American to fight for it.

On the other hand though, I have the upmost respect for the people in the service. I admire the fact that they will put their lives on the line.

Ultimately it is your decision. Only you have to live with it, so only you can decide.

Answer 10

To me, it's all politcal. I would never join the army, but I do however support each and every soldier out there.