Should I do military or college first?

Question

I am a senior in high school and want to serve in the Air Force before I die. I hope to be either a patent lawyer or a business lawyer some day. This means I have to get an undergrad degree in engineering or business and then go to law school. So I basically have three choices:

Join the military now as a paralegal, which would give me some experience in law and would give me some time to grow up before high school. I could take some classes while on active duty, then finish up my degree afterwards. The +'s of this are getting out to see the world early, and the military discipline would help me in college. The Air Force needs more paralegals, so I could probably get this job.

Or, I could do college now and participate in AFROTC. Then I would get to be an officer, but I'd have less choice as to what job I'd get. I couldn't be a paralegal, and the AF already has enough finance people. But I would get officers privileges and pay.

Finally, I could go to college and law school, the

then join Air Force JAG. Air Force lawyers are automatically made officers, and sometimes the Air Force will pay back law school loans. The downside is that I wouldn’t get to do this until I was 25, by which time I might have commitments like a wife and I find it more profitable to be a lawyer for a private employer.

I really would like to be in the Air Force, but I can’t decide when. Do ya’ll have any suggestions?

This is not just about college money.

I'm not saying that that I wouldn't do JAG just because of the salary. But it's hard to plan 7 years into the future. Circumstances change, and I want make sure I don't put off the military so long it is no longer practical.

Yeah, ROTC also pays for your college ahead of time if you get a scholarship. So its a question of what I want to do first.

Answer 1

Wow, you have *really* thought this through. I would do the Airforce first, Through the ROTC program... because you can take classes for what you really want while you are in, and it is always better to be an Officer.

Answer 2

Do your military stint first. This would help you to pay for all those years that you have to pay for in college. It would also give you a chance to live on your own and find out what the real world is like. Experience is the best teacher. You are right about being able to take classes even while you are in the military, and you are also right about the discipline as well. I think that delaying college to go into the military would be the best thing to do at this point in your life. By the time you get to college you will have had your opportunity to sow a few of those wild oats that young people have such a hard time restraining, so that when you start school you will have gotten over that and will be ready to buckle down and study hard instead of partying hard. I think you are a very wise young man for your age .

Answer 3

Def visit college first except you may no longer have sufficient funds to. Then a 4 year enlistment is great incredibly with the recent gi bill which will pay concern-unfastened housing allowance... let's imagine 1500.00 a month at the same time as you will college finished time. So enlist 4 years=militia will pay on your college+housing each month at the same time as in school (if your hire is seven hundred you will possibly pocket 800 no % for a PT interest) or visit college first and alter into an officer (if the militia is what your interest would be for awhile if no longer life).... won't be able to go incorrect its basically what suits you desirable.

Answer 4

I was in AFROTC at the University of MO Rolla (very good engineering school) and would highly suggest taking that route. If you recieve either a federal or state scholarship it covers almost all of your school expenses plus you get a monthly stippen ($250 as a freshman which increases to $400 as a senior.) You get the best of both worlds, you come out with a degree and a 2nd Lt. in the USAF. In all honestly though the first two years of ROTC are very uneventful..lots of marching, open rank inspections, learning how to press your unifrom and polish your shoes, PT at 6 in the morning.. the fun stuff. All in all though its a great experience and would strongly encourage you to take this route vs. enlisting.

Answer 5

Go to college first. The way things are going you will probably get killed of stuck in the military and not get time to do your uni education before you die. It's all about the odds for survival.
Then again there was that terrorist attack at a college in Montreal..
But your odds are still better in college. After your finished, you can join the millitary.

Answer 6

Why do you want to be in the Air Force? That is the core issue here. Is it because you want to seve your country? You think you'll look good in uniform? You want to get experience in your career field?

Once you know why you want to serve, then identify what is the best way to meet that "why". If it is because you want to serve the country in its time of need, then I would enlist. There are no guarantees that the War on Terror will be going on in 4 years, and this is the quickest way to meet this "why".

If it is because you want the uniform, then maybe its best to become an officer. No reason to get your hands dirty if you don't have to.

Identify the "why" and it will all become simpler.

Answer 7

Well this is not meant as a slam but all through history there have been people that made alot of money in the private sector. They already had their degree or were in pictures or doctors or what have you. Their country needed them so they left their comfortable life and put on a uniform. I guess what I am saying is if it isn't just about money , how bad do you think your country needs you?

Answer 8

You can do both.I highly suggest for you think about and discuss with the elders first.Thats priority! I highly suggest you investigate and determine to do searches of this military branch which either the Coast Guard which requires a "B" average or the national guard.It is the most successful military branches.you finish your school with them and then before you start your business;continue to go to the Airforce later.

Answer 9

Do the Air Force first. You'll not only earn $$ for college but you'll be much more mature & will enjoy & get more out of college when you do go. My personal view is that most 18 years olds are too immature to get the best out of college.

Answer 10

Join the military first, and go to college while your in the military. The benefits of this is, YOU DONT PAY ANYTHING! In the Us Military 100% of Tuition is paid... The army has paralegals, trust me I know...