Navy, Air Force, Army, or Marines?

Question

I don't know much about the military at all, mostly because kids where I live usually have their parents pay for absolutely everything, so please bare with me as I have no knowledge in this subject.

I'm thinking about joining after high school, but I'm not sure which would be best for me. My brother is going through college and it has put alot of strain on my family to keep up with the expenses.

I'm a very good student (4.09gpa) and would like to eventually become a doctor, would any of these military branches help me in getting there? What are the physical demands? I'm a female, I'm in shape, but running's not exactly my best attribute and I need to work on swimming. I'm also willing to start working out alot more often.

I spoke with my teachers brother who joined the Navy and now works in submarines, he says the Army doesn't have good living conditions at all, which branch has the best living conditions?

Are females treated differently in the military?

Answer 1

I had the same question in front of me only a few months ago. I do, however, have experience with the military through friends and family. I decided to go with the Navy.

Marines - As a woman, I decided against the Marines simply because it is the most difficult to get through. USMC bootcamp is longer in duration, and has higher completion standards than any other branch of the military. They do not want you as simply an 'officer candidate', they want to train you to "KILL, KILL, KILL". That is the mantra of the United States Marine Core. It isn't a bad thing, it's what keeps the brave men and women in the core alive. If you go into the core, you need to keep in mind that they want to use you as a soldier. Your main goal is to gain an education, so unless you intend on getting that education directly on the front-lines, then I suggest you look into a more tame branch of the military. The main thing I LOVE about the Marines is their devotion to the core, and the fact that they are willing to die for it. It is an indoctrination process that begins in boot camp and never does end. True allegience to anything worthwhile is admirable. If what you're really looking for out of your time in service is respect, admiration, and a sense of belonging to something greater than yourself...then GO MARINE!!! Semper Fi!!!

Navy - As a woman looking to go to law school, I decided to go with the Navy. Their boot-camp (basic training) is approximately 10 weeks in total (including in-processing), and is considerably easier then Marine boot-camp. The major benefit I found with the Navy was their willingness to pay off all of my student loans from undergraduate school ($70,000), and additionally pay 100% of my tuition for me to go to law school. I will be going to Officer Candidacy school upon completion of my law degree. Good deal, in my opinion.

Air Force -Is known to treat their people the best. It is common knowledge amongst all the branches that the Air Force has the best equipment, the best food, the best housing, and an all around better standard of life than any other branch. Bear in mind though, that it is actually more difficult to get into the Air Force than any other branch. Likewise, in the current situation it is EXTREMELY difficult to get commisioned as an officer. They are currently in the process of offering alluring 'severance packages' (for lack of a better term) to officers already serving. If you're a smart gal, and you want to be a doctor, then you need to get into a branch that will give you the opportunity of serving as an officer. So in summation, the treatment and living conditions in the Air Force are great, but the opportunities for advancement are highly competitive, and rather limited.

Army - Well, my best friend is serving as a Sgt in the Army as I type this. He is in the 172nd Stryker Brigade (you know, the one that was supposed to come home a few weeks back when they were suddenly told they would be extended another 4 months +). His advice to me when I was still deciding what branch to enlist with was "Anything but the Army...just don't go into the Army". It isn't that I personally have anything against the Army...it's just that it isn't the best branch to advance professionally in. My first cousin is a General in the Army...and he advised me to go into the Air Force. That alone should be more than a hint.

National Guard - Ummm...I won't go there...tee hee!

Okay, now for my advice to you. Go to undergrad school, and get your degree in pre-med, or biology, or whatever you decide...FIRST...before you enlist. I know you think that the funding will be a problem, but I can assure you from personal experience...it won't be. With such a high GPA I find it hard to believe that you don't have access to any state, federal, or privately funded scholorships. If worse comes to worse, then just take advantage of alternative funding options (i.e. student loans, many of which have deferred interest). Your education is your bargaining chip with the military. In order to even qualify for enlistment you need to meet the minimum qualifications, which includes a high school diploma. Granted, you do have a high GPA, but when you look at the big picture, you will be entering having only fulfilled the MINIMUM standard. No matter which branch you choose I can tell you exactly what they are going to offer you: an $8,000 sign on bonus, as well as full tuition reimbursement for undergraduate school. Consider how much more you could get if you signed on with your undergrad degree already in hand. This is what they offered me: $30,000 sign on bonus,to pay off all the student loans I took out in order to get my undergrad degree, and a full and free ride to law school. Much better deal. Just read up on it...and talk to recruiters (just don't believe whatever it is they promise you). Below are a few links that I think may be of some interest to you.

This is a good link to read about the general differences between each of the branches. http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/military101.htm

This is a link to the main page on about.com regarding everything you ever wanted to know (and then some) regarding each branch of the military. Do some digging. http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/

Good luck...but don't leave it up to chance. Research, research, research!!!

Answer 2

Speaking as an ex-Navy vet, I can say that if you are looking into the medical field and are wanting the military to help with your education, the best two branches of service to consider would be either the Navy or the Air Force. The Army does not have that many options for a female in the medical field, and the Marines use Navy medical personnel. Look into both Navy and Air Force, and decide for yourself. Good luck in whichever you decide.

Answer 3

Army has the lowest quality of life on their bases. The Navy and the Air Force typically have the nicest bases and living conditions. Army and Marines have 1 year deployments, while the Navy and Air Force are shorter. In the end, for many jobs in the AF and most in the Navy, you will be gone on average just as much as the Army or Marines.

It sounds like you are a good student. I would consider ROTC first before looking at enlisting. You can get full tuition as well as recieving a monthly stipend. Many schools cover room and board if you are ROTC. If you enlist, you can get your education paid for, but you lose out on the college life.

I wouldn't worry about the swimming at all unless you are looking at the Navy, but I'm not sure its even required for the Navy.

My choice would be Air Force, but I am slightly biased.

Answer 4

I am in the Army, but I feel that you may like the Air Force over all the other branches because it is the least physically demanding. I have visited several Air Force Bases and they seem to have the best living conditions of all the services. All of the services have excellent education benefits. One thing you could consider also is the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Course). It will pay for your college, but you will have to serve in the Reserves for several years in return, but you will be an officer, making more money than if you were enlisted. The military also has several programs where they wil pay for you to study at medical school. Like ROTC you will have to serve several years in the military in return. Living conditions in the Army are no worse than the Navy. I recommend you speak with recruiters from all services before you decide. Make sure you know what questions to ask before you join. If the recruiter promises you anything, make sure that he/she puts it into your contract before you sign it.

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

If you are really good You might go the Uniformed Services U of the Health Sci F Edward Hebert SOM. Another alternative is the The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) is a program of the United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Air Force (AFHPSP), which offers full financial support in exchange for future service as a physician, dentist, nurse practitioner, optometrist, or other specialty.

Created under authority of the Uniformed Services Health Professions Revitalization Act of 1972, the HPSP is the primary source of trained health care professionals entering the United States Armed Forces. Following verification of eligibility for a commission (including, among other things, citizenship, physical, and academic qualifications), the scholarship winner ("selectee") is commissioned as either a 2nd Lieutenant, United States Army Reserve or Air Force Reserve, or Ensign, United States Navy Reserve. The new officer is then immediately placed on inactive reserve status while under training at medical school. During this training, the financial burden for all tuition, fees, health insurance, and mandatory books and equipment are placed on the student's respective service, a burden that has been estimated to be as much as $250,000.

In exchange, the student (as a military reservist) is required by law to serve 45 days active duty each fiscal year. While on active duty, the officer receives all rights, privileges, and pay due to their rank and is subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This duty, in the first two years of training, is usually comprised either of attending the service's officer training school (Army, Navy, Air Force) or executing "School Orders" at the student's university. During the 3rd and 4th years, however, the student is expected to carry out elective clinical rotations at a service hospital.

Upon graduation, the student is promoted two ranks, to Captain in the Army and Air Force or Lieutenant in the Navy, and is recalled to active duty for postgraduate training in a service hospital and subsequent assignment in support of America's Armed Forces.

BTW There are no Marine doctors. They are Navy Doctors. Who says people in the Navy aren't crazy? Females are treated differently in some jobs, but no one will care if you are a doctor.

Answer 6

Every branch has a good medical career field you can go into. Air Force has a good quality of life and probably the most lax compared to the other branches. But if you want to become a doctor...best bet is to see which branch you want base on what you decided. Every branch is good, but the only people that can operate on people are officers and you need to be certified in that before you join. But you can get a medical job somewhat similar to that and go to school to work on your degree.

Best bet for the USAF to be close to a doctor is an IDMT (Independent Duty Medical Technician)...that's the closest thing that I have seen for the USAF. Its kinda like a RN (Nurse) in the civilian world...she can do medical care and deal with patients...but can't operate unless she has to in a life threatening situation.

Answer 7

My lady, do think this over.

Don't use the military as an option. It can be an honorable profession but it is definitely not for everyone.

Hang in.

Something should break for you. Do a little more research as per grants, scholarships, and fellowships.

As far as conditions go, I think it's between the Air Force and the Navy. Personally I think the Air Force gets it. Still. Don't sign up because you think you have no options.

Too many people are doing that already. And you know the Pentagon's gonna want to do something with all this surplus manpower income it's getting by default.

Alright?

Answer 8

I think you are making a wonderful decision, I am currently in colleg and having problems with money so I am going to do the NAVY BCP it is kind of like ROTC, so I can go in as an officer, I hear many diffrent things about how women are treated but i dont expect to be treated diffrently, I have all the Phisical requirments, you can email me to get them, I think the NAVY is a great choice, I also want to do something in the medical field.

Answer 9

If you want to be the best of the best join the Marines but you could also join the Air Force which looks at marines as grunts which might be true.

The Air Force has the best living conditions of all the military branches

No, female are not treated differently in the military,if you are report them to your CO or any one of a higher rank.

Answer 10

it is going to be hard as a female going into any branch of the military... but considering your goals, and what you want out of it... I would suggest the air force... its the best for females... easiest on physical training...(still hard though) and best living conditions... good luck in deciding... im sure Youll do great!!!

Answer 11

Army has pretty good living conditions, but the marines have the best living conditions. If you want to be a doctor, the Army is the BEST. You recive the best training and you don't have to be a frontline doctor. They have special training for people interested in that career. go to www.goarmy.com -click up at the toolbar were it says "careers & Jobs" -then look on the list and find "Medical and emegency" - then brose and find what you want.