Thinking about a military life...but I have a few questions?

Question

I should add that I am only 15. Even so, I have been seriously thinking about going into the military for a while now. I want to know a few things.

1) What branch do you guys favor? (I'm leaning towards the Army). I know Marines is the toughest, followed by the Army. I have no idea about the Navy and AF. But Marines get the most respect.

2) Is boot as hard as people make it out to be?

3) The last thing I want is to be wounded (I can't imagine having a leg blown off), KIA, or a POW. To anyone that has served, how often do you see casualties?

4) I have a high average in school (about a 96%) and was thinking about West Point for college an later, being a commissioned (spelling?) officer. Is that a reasonable mindset for someone my age?

It's a weird question but I thought I would ask anyway. Any help you guys can give would be great, thanks.

Answer 1

First off, thanks for thinking of the military. We need bright young folks.

1. I favor the Army, but then, that's where I spent 20 years. My brothers (USAF and USN) both enjoyed their branch of choice and the time the spent in. YOU, however, really need to determine which is going to offer you the most/best.

2. Basic is NEVER as tough as it's made out to be. If it was so tough, would millions of people have made it through? Basic is a tough as it NEEDS to be. The Drills are trying to teach you the bare minimum to stay alive in a combat situation.

3. I can't really answer this one. I live/work around Ramstein AFB, Germany, and we have wounded coming thru quite regularly. All I can say is that they are treated well, and have more support than you can shake a stick at. There are numerous wounded personnel that are trying to stay in the military. Perhaps the most famous is the NCO that lost both legs and just went running with Pres Bush.

4. If you want to spend 5 years in college (1 year prep, 4 years in school), then one of the academys would be good. Officers don't have it any easier than enlisted, but they do earn more money. If you are seriously considering one of the military academies, then you are at the right age to start working on it. Each branch's academy has it's own webpage where you can get the information needed for enrollment. I recommend that you check it out.

Good luck, and thanks for thinking of us.

Answer 2

In response to what vector said, having served in the military is excellent preperation for getting a great, high paying job afterword. With your grades I would definitely consider commissioning, especially if you want to make a career of the military. The military acadamies are great, but ROTC is a great option as well if you still want to experience real college life. If you would rather enlist, basic is not that hard.

It sounds like you are starting your sophomore or junior year in high school. It is not to early to start thinking about this, especially if you are considering ROTC or a sevice academy. In your junior year, you should start looking at getting a congressional nomination for the service academies and no matter what year you are, you should be working out to ace the PT tests.

The Air Force and the Navy usually see the least amount of casualities but it always a risk. Anyone can be deployed to a combat zone. What do you want to do in the military? That should be the biggest factor in deciding a branch. If you want to command a tank, go Army. Fly a jet, join the AF. You should research the careers for officers and enlisted (depending on what you decide) for each service and choose accordingly.

Personally, I think the AF is the best. Even many Army people I know say the AF is better.

Answer 3

let me say that I admire your courage for thinking about his from this young age. I was 17 when I finally made my decision to go and was 18 when I left to boot camp at Parris Island, SC. Being a Marine myself, I love recommending the Marine Corps to those who can live the life of a Marine. No other branch of service makes you sacrifice as much as the Corps does. If you cant go without seeing your family for months maybe years at a time, or if you need to talk and see your friends everyday, or if you have a problem with direct authority, DON"T go to the Corps. You will probably hate it. The army has good people and good jobs as well. I was thinking abou them before joining the Corps but the Corps just fell more into my character. The Air Force is said to be the most leanient as well as the more civilian like. The Navy is another one that you can't be a .... well.... a momma's boy or a person that needs their family there all the time. It is the next difficult, family wise, and sometimes mentally, after the Marine Corps.

As for "boot" at least for the Corps, there is two places you will go, either San Diego, CA or Parris Island, SC. Both are difficult in their own way. San Diego has lots of mountains that you will go up and down many times. Parris Island has terrible heat and humidity as well as any kind of blood sucking insect you can think off as well as some you will never hear of and most of the training is done on or around swamp land. The training can be tough at times but is ment to be more stressful than not. If you train a little before going, you should be okay. If not, it will hurt.

Dependign on your MOS (military occupational specialty) AKA. your job in the military, you may never see combat. Some units deploy more than others while some never leave the states. Some jobs are needed on the front line while some will always be "in the rear with the gear".

If you can make it into west point or annapolis or the air force academy..... Go for it. Not many people get into them. Their rewards afterwords are many as well as the thought of knowing you did something 99% of people in the states never will.

My advice to you, look at all the branches once you turn 16-17 and start deciding what you value more. Travel or family time, money or free time, action or comfort. All these things will help you decide on a branch as well as a possible job in teh military. Also, take a look at the Coast Guard or the Merchant Marines. Both are good organizations that fall under the transportation and department of defense. Good luck on your future decision. Up until the, enjoy your youth but don't do things the military may not forgive you for later on.

Answer 4

Good question young man. Ask yourself the following:

1. What do I like to do (electronics, computers, shooting, adventure, camping, driving, ) etc.
2. What branch of service has what I like to do (Military Occupation Specialty). Will I be guareented this in writing?
3. Do I want to just try it and see if I like it, or am I considering a career in the military?
4. West Point. Keep your nose clean, got to get them scores about 98%, and a letter from your congressman or congresswoman. But....many colleges and universities offer ROTC (Reserve Officer Training).

Now, branch of service.......hummmm

Overall, yes the USMC gets allot of respect, and they have earned it. I think that the Army Light Infantry (Airborne) (Ranger) gets equal if not more! Of course if you pick that you know you will be a rifleman........but also, everyone in the USMC is a rifleman first, and 12 weeks of boot camp is better than just 8 weeks.

The USN and USAF offer some career opportunities that will land you a high pay job on the civilian market of your looking for a high-tech job or aviation!

Man, you can get killed when you walk out of your house by a drunk driver, criminal, or a nut. I can't talk about it, nor can I offer you statistics, sorry.

Boot camp, basic training, airborne school, ranger school test you. They test your physical and mental limits...and it is good for you. Sometimes the Drill Sgt get's a little close...it's just a test, DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY....DO NOT BE SOFT SKIN...just fix what you need to fix and drive on.

You said you were looking at the Army. Well we have some elite troops also:

Rangers
Special Forces

Please read about them on the internet. But I'm a honest guy, the USMC Force Recon is also elite, and the USN Seals.

Now, listen and read this carefully:

You have the right to visit a recruiter from every branch of service. Do not sign anything...if you think you might get trapped, take a parent with you. Talk with all of them, get a feeling of what the military can do for you, then decide. A big mistake most young people make is they will walk into the recruiter office, and when asked "what do you want", they will say "I don't know". Ensure you layout your career plans, etc. before you talk to them.

Now, I hope I have helped you. If your intertested is working with small teams, perhaps in a country that CNN doesn't know there US Troops there, or perhaps train a foreign army, conduct covert operations, consider the US Army "Green Berets".

Thank you, no matter what branch you choose, no matter officer or enlisted, all of us appreciate your service and sacrifice to your country.

Answer 5

I favor the AF... however its not for everyone. If you favor the Army then go for it! I don't see it that the Marines get the most respect... all branches fight for this country and deserve and get the same respect.

Boot camp/Basic Training can be difficult. They break you down and then bring you back up to a better person. It's all about mental and physical health.

You can't always predict when a casualty happens but it does. My husband and I have both been deployed but haven't seen anything. However, we have had friends hurt and killed in the war.

West Point is a very honorable school. You must know though, its not just about your high school average. You must be mentally prepared for something like that. It is a hard thing to go through. You need to be tough.

Good luck!

Answer 6

1) Coast Guard. You will be protecting our own country. Screw the bastards in the middle east. Let them get killed themselves.

2) Depends on you - depends on the boot camp. The Marines have a much tougher boot camp physically. The Air Force and Coast Guard are looking at intelligence over brawn.

3) Having served during peacetime (err - except for Grenada and Lebanon), I never saw someone wounded in action. I have sen a few fall off the fantail to their deaths.

4) If you have the intelligence and grades, it is always better to be an officer. You have more privileges. Most enlisted ranks are treated like slaves (even when a great many enlisted are smarter and have better educations than the officers)

My final word: Coast Guard. You will thank me later. Whatever you do, don't go into the Army. You will sustain operations in an un-winnable war. If you are really gung ho, join the Marines. For the most part, they are the first in and first out (the invasion force - best trained, etc)

Answer 7

I wont try to talk you out of West Point but I know a lot of people who went there and wish they didn't. It is a fabulous school but in the end you get the same commission and job prospect that all the ROTC guys get with 10% of the drama. No you are not weird for thinking about the military at 15. I was even younger. I chose to go in enlisted first because the time commitment was shorter and I was guaranteed a job. I am now in ROTC after doing 5 years enlisted and the only thing you really need to know is that as an officer you get to ask for a job but you don't necessarily get it. You may want intel but the Army needs infantry officers. Guess what? Your infantry! Marines are not bad but they do not have a lot of opportunities outside of combat arms. Army is probably the best because it is the biggest and has a lot of opportunities in case you get bored and want to switch jobs. Basic training is rough depending on where you go but just remember, you are there to learn, and the drill sergeants are there to teach! Not be death incarnate. If you are in decent shape and can deal with stress and being away from home you'll make it through. As far as seeing casualties: depends on your job and where you are. Just talk to as many people as possible before you make any decisions and talk to them before you are old enough for them to be banging down you door trying to get you to enlist.

Answer 8

Hey
Wow- 15 AND wanting to go into the service- are you a "brat"? You know stuff or have done some research-
I will answer-
1. All military is military- if you still choose- pick the the one that best suits you. (you forgot the Coast Guard)
2. "Boot" I believe you mean the "introduction"? Work out and keep an open mind.
3. Military is Military- you will be at a higher rate for "wounded". One way or the other.
4. I'm sure they would have asked you if they wanted you in West Point. Thing is- you're not done yet.

Answer 9

1) If you like the Army, look into the Army, but don't forget the others! (I like the Navy, but that's me!)
2) Really, from what I've heard, it seems to be more mental than physical. Tons of people have people done it before you & tons of people will do it after you.
3)unsure
4) Yes--- go for West Point! If you are serious about the military and want to make a career out of it, then West Point is the place for you. You mentioned Marines also, so if you wanted to be a commisioned Marine you could do either ROTC at some college or go to the Naval Academy & be commisioned from them. If you want more info. on service academies go to their own websites or a site I like is the discussion board for service academies at collegeconfidential.com The people on there know a ton about the academies and will gladly answer questions. (I'm looking into Naval Academy for class of '12, so that's why I know, I've already asked them a lot!)

Good luck!!

Answer 10

Since you are only 15 focus on school. When you are 17 (that is the earliest you can enlist) go talk to recruiters. Since you are unsure of what branch talk to all of them see what they offer and go from there. Remember they all pay the same. You can get bonuses mostly based on your job. They all pay for college. And you have a chance of being deployed in all branches.
1) I prefer the Marine Corps. That is what I joined, so did my husband and 3 of my friends.
2) How hard boot camp is depends on the branch of service and if you are in any kind of good physical/mental shape.
3) Military member are wounded everyday. That depends on your MOS (your job). If you don't want to take a chance of being wounded don't join the infantry/ground side.
4) Hey if you want to be an officer power to you. Just remember you have to do good in school and in college and you have to be able to pass the physical/mental/military side too.