this is to anyone in the military, or has been. were u happy with ur experience, and is it worth it.?

Question

i am thinking about the service but i am not sure wat would be the smartest part of our military to join and if it would be worth joining or the same to just simply go to college without doing anything. please answer with good reasons. thanks

Answer 1

The National Guard pays for college, but my brother's college years have been interrupted by a year in Iraq and various other orders. It seems like everytime they call him to do something he is in the middle of a semester and he loses the whole semester. So he is about 2 years behind. Anyway, if you want to go to college, I suggest you do that first then join if you still want to.

Answer 2

Wow, quite a few negative answers to this one. Let me change that. I have been in the Army for 11 1/2 years now, and it has been great. But believe me, it is not for everyone.

The Pro's: 1) Knowing that you served your country. (Only 10% ever do it, and only 2% actually fight for their country) 2) Real world work experience. (The military may not prepare you to walk straight into a civilian occupation, but you will have a lot of tools that most people, especially students never will) 3) A guaranteed income and benefits. (Granted, you arent going to be making six figures, but you will have a great start over your college peers. With a little discipline you can save enough to avoid working that menial job while going to college) 4) FREE EDUCATION. (Dont beleive the hype though...you most likely will not complete your degree while enlisted; but you can get one heck of a head start. On average, a dedicated serviceman can complete 12-15 semester hours a year. Plus, most of your military schools will transfer over to civilian credits when you get out.)

The Con's: 1) Early mornings, and often late nights. 2) Starting out the low-man, in an environment unlike any other (It is commonplace for a screwed up junior soldier to spend a couple of hours a day doing push-ups. Each leader has a different style, and some of them suck.) 3) Deployments. Away from everything you know (Family, friends, etc. But one of the most honorable things that you can do. No one will ever be able to take it away from you. 4) Training. Hours, days, weeks, and often months spent in some training grounds, preparing for a deployment that may or may not happen.

As for what branch. It all depends on you. If fighting for this great country appeals to you, then the Army is for you. If you want all of the above benefits, without the work; then go to the Air Force. The Marines train hard, but they are the smallest of the active branches; so their deployment numbers are not as high or often. The Navy, well....all they do is drive the Marines around. Then there is the Coast Guard. Probably the easiest branch to serve in, but the hardest to qualify for. As far as promotions go...the Army is definitely the easiest. And promotions means leadership, which transfers well into the civilian world.

I hope this helps. Remember, you do have the option of not enlisting at all, and going striaight to college. But remember why you have that option...because of all the men and women who stepped up to the challenge.

Answer 3

It seriously depends on the individual and what they are looking for when joining. I joined the Marine Corps for 4 years because I wanted a challenge. A full time job and college was boring the crap out of me. I was 22 when I joined so alot of Marines were younger and I had to take alot of orders from some retarded @ss people. But was it worth it? Hell yes!!! You get out of the military what you put into it. I learned a lot of things I never would have if I hadn't joined, I met a lot of different and interesting people from all across the US, I tested my physical and mental limits, I have a better understanding of myself because I was in situations that most people will never be in, I never had to worry about a paycheck, having a roof over my head, or having food to eat. Granted, it wasn't always 4 star quality, but I was never for want. College was paid for 100% by TA (tuition assistance), I had to pay for books. Depending on where you are stationed and how hard you apply yourself, it is possible to get a college degree while in. Most people don't though because they are lazy and choose not to.

i've been in the civilian world a little over a year now and there are tiimes that I still miss the military. I get paid a lot more than what I did, but I also have alot of less benefits, but more freedoms so it's kind of a switch off. If you can't take B.S. with a grain of salt, I wouldn't recommend that you join. All the branches have alot of bs, thats a big reason why i got out. I always had to bite my tongue before I got in trouble for yelling at my NCOs or SNCOs.

If you are really interested in enlisting, I would recommened that you do your homework. Figure out what it is that you want from the military, then go about getting it. A suggestion, do not take your recruiters word for face value, GET IT IN WRITING!! If you score high enough on the ASVAB, you can get just about any MOS that you want. And if the recruiter tells you that it's not available, he/she is lying. If you want, you can contact me and I'll answer any questions that I can. Good luck

Answer 4

I served a little over 4 years in the AF and am now in the Army. I love every minute of being in the military. Yeah help you grow up and you meet some of the best things in the world.

Just remember the quote
"If someone wrote a book about your life would anyone want to read it"....

haha

Do what ya want but I wouldnt trade the military for anything.

Answer 5

If you really want to go to college and have the military pay for it the best way to go is to join the reserves. I don't know where you live but in PA if you join the national guard they will pay the way for you to go to any state school. If you join any reserve branch you will get the GI Bill and some branches even have a tuition assitance that you can use with the GI Bill. Also with the reserves you will get a little extra cash with your 'one weekend a month' pay check. If you are not into the national guard i would check out the coast guard reserve

Answer 6

ok here it is... only join if you are ready and willing. right now im guessing your young but if you are some young people are not really ready for war. when your 19-21 those should be your golden years which you might want to waste on something you dont believe in or cant ultimately commit to. im joining in 2 years. my country and people who fought for it is more important then the best few years of my life. well thats my view

Answer 7

I fu*king love the Air Force. Sign up man!

Answer 8

i hated every minute of the 3 years i was in. a lot of stupid people telling you to do a lot of stupid things. didn't learn a trade. you don't necessarily have to go to college but i would seriously think about it before doing it.

Answer 9

Just go to college.

Answer 10

YES.