Should I enlist in the military? or go to college?

Question

I am 17 years old and ever since I was a little girl I've wanted to enlist in the military. I took the ASVAB (i think that's what it's called) and passed it. I want to be a CRNA but I need a lot of money for college, lets face it I have nothing. If I join in the military they could help me with the money and I'll serve my country. I don't know into what branch I want to go in, either the navy, army or air force. The Air Force really gets my attention but i don't know. I would like to hear what you guys think. Oh, and my bf is in marine boot camp right now. I don't know what he'll say. Please help me.

Answer 1

Good Morning,

You pick a wonderful day to make a decision and if you are asking this community what service to possible give up your life you should be asking your priest/ preacher and family.

Please allow me to answer your question with this preface:

I was wounded, the last time long before you were born, May 10 1971. I still dream about the people we eliminated under "Operation Phoenix". I see each of their faces, hear them begging. I see the Vietcong stick grenade spitting smoke and turning end over end; bouncing on top of the APC before bouncing into Doc's lap and detonating; blowing off the top of his head; seriously wounding Tex; penetrating my lower back and kidneys, going from the rear through the front exiting through the knee cap and through my right elbow, ring finger, little finger and wrist. I was unable to return fire in the conventional manner.

I pulled this out for the second time in 35 years it reads:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 May 1971, while on a long range reconnaissance patrol in Ankee providence his men came under an intense enemy attack. The initial attack wounded Sergeant Adams and several other personnel. Refusing medical aid, he commenced giving first aid to the other wounded. At the same time, he directed his remaining forces into a defensive position. When the medical helicopter came, he chose to remain behind to make room for these more seriously wounded. During the ensuing fighting which would include face to face combat and in spite of his wounds and disregard to his own safety, Sergeant Adams continued to defend his position. Sergeant ADAMS 's decisive actions in rendering first aid, directing his personnel, while in defense of their position, while exposed to enemy fire, was directly responsible for the saving of his personnel. His devotion to duty, courage under fire, exemplary professionalism and outstanding leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army".

I am not bragging but getting ready to make a point. When I got home no one cared and guess what they don’t care today. When I tried to get a job, I had no skills if you want to join a branch of the military at least select a decent job and something that if you decide not to make the military a career you can make a living. If you are really taking advice, I would suggest The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. If one took FARSI or Chinese they could step right into the CIA or NSA as a GS12 or GS13, one could not ask for more. (Upon competition of the School, you are given the equivalent of an Associate Degree).

Branch of the Military. You don’t want to ask us what you want look at what it is you want and what kind of training “you” want for yourself.

I never lie so you and others might not like what I am going to say here, but what they heck? Wait I always wanted to say this: “You can’t handle the truth”! Cool huh?

I live near the Norfolk Naval Base (Worlds Largest Naval Base) and laugh each time a ship goes to sea. All the Navy wives get on TV crying expressing horror at being left alone for six months, fearing their love one might be injured, mad because they do not know how they are going to make it for six months. I know our Navy went to sea in World War I and II and Korea for years! At that time, they might actually be killed in combat. My cousin served on a carrier off the coast of Viet Nam and complains to this day, what he went through. You know how rough it is have three hot meals a day, a clean warm bunk, ice cream games and hot showers. Since the conception of the all volunteer military cruise are a maximum of a year but usually six months. What can you or any one say?

I took my rest and recuperation (r & r) at Da Nang Air Force Base on the South China Sea, and was amazed and enjoyed the movie theaters, sidewalks, pools and A/C. It is no different today. Most of the Air Force personnel are in the rear at that base if working in operations they get the flight in the air, go to a fast food establishment, the pool or movies. From time to time, a pilot might be shot at and even shot down, but the majority of the time is safe and requires brains and skill.

The Army, what can anyone say? God Help us. The Army has again lowered the standards and wonders why a soldier is being arrested for rape, murder or assault and battery. Talk to the old timers our Special Force are getting the equivalent of what the average World War II soldier received. They run in tennis shoes (I have asked that in combat do they ask for a cease fire and change shoes). Hell, they cannot even be yelled at anymore! The classes are lacking with many of the areas were skills used to be taught now occupied by civilian contractors. (They pull everything from maintenance to operations).


There fore many of the skills, which would help the GI in private life, are gone. Therefore, if you chose the Army try to find a decent career.

The Marines. What can anyone say about a Marine? What ever they say it had better be quietly. Before I can discuss them, I have two scenarios I want to discuss:

The wounded Marine just shook his fist at the hillside and yelled: "Damn it! If you're going to kill me, then kill me, but stop trying to scare me to death!"


April 6, 1865 at Saylors Creek Yankee Troops took a quarter of the Army. When heavy fighting was heard off in the tree lines, officers rode down to see who had not been informed of the surrender. A senior yankee rode up to a Confederate Marine and asked, “Why was he still fighting”? The Confederate yelled back asking, “why, aren’t we winning”?

Look at Viet Nam and Iraqi the Marine get more killed with less casualties then the Army because they train their men. A military has to learn think on their feet and when ordered to jump without question. That is what getting our Army boys killed, not the insurgents, epically not themselves but the Army and their training program. The worse thing about a Marine is once they get out they don’t function as well in the private world; the training drives it out.

So ask yourself do you want to be a dead hero (Army); be in combat but come home (Marines) do nothing but play video games, eat and make the people at home think you are in danger- ask yourself if you look best in white or blue. When you say you don’t believe me who up the causalities per branch. I’ll bet you’ll find Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force!

God Bless you and men and women and the Southern People.

Answer 2

If you want to go into the military and still want to go to school, then join the Air Force. They have more schooling opportunities than any of the other branches. The Navy will be the only other one to come close. You may not be an officer going in, but as you progress through college you will be eligible for OCS (Officer Candidate School) so that you can become an officer. Right now the military is giving 100% tuition assistance, this is not the GI Bill that is something completely different. Just keep in mind that if you join any branch you are a soldier/sailor/airman first, and you are a student second.

Answer 3

This is a great question for the forum, and most answers have been written intelligently.
In regards to "Courts" reply, If you were to join the Marines, AND you were still dating your boyfriend, you would be prohibited from dating ONLY if he were in your chain of command. If he did not have any command ability, it would not matter.

Given your statement that you do not have money for college, I would suggest going Air Force or Army.
One thing to consider is that the Air Force does not promise a specific job. The army gives specific jobs, and quicker rank, but the trade off is in the standard of living. (quarters, food, etc)
I served Army 1990-1994 and saw first hand the difference in the standard of living. The Air Force enlisted quarters were equal to the Army single officer barracks.
Another thing to think about is if you have the grades, seek an appointment to West Point and do BOTH.
You have to talk with your congressman for an appointment.
I would highly suggest that you consider West Point OR Warrant Officer training. If I could do it over again, I would go Warrant Officer. (But get it in writing, whichever you choose to do)
If you go to college, you can also use that time towards higher rank before enlisted entrance.

Whatever you choose to do after high school, be sure that you enjoy it, and it will be worth what it takes to get to that point.

Answer 4

Rather than ask other peoples advise, go with what you would like to do. Both have there advantages, I served in the military for 20 years, I also went to college after. Another choice you may look into is the National Guard. Most State National Guard pay 100% tuition, you put zero into GI Bill and if a full time student they pay you so much per month. Also if you in college and do ROTC to get a commission you receice money for that on top of the other. Atleast this way you get to do both at the same time and can persue the one you like best when you finish school.

Answer 5

Consider the Army. They give you an E-4 promotion right off the bat for having a 4-year degree, Air Force only gives up to E-3. You can also get to E-3 in the AF for signing a 6-year contract or having an Associates degree, so you would not really be using your 4-year degree to its fullest potential on the enlisted side of the Air Force. The ONLY way to start at E-4 in the Army is to have a bachelors degree, so you'll already be up on the others. Army OCS is also less competitive than AF OTS, so you can always give that a shot. Either way you would be getting more use out of your degree in the Army, in my opinion.

Answer 6

The miltatry is great and i am thankfully for everyone that services. If you want join the military, I would suggest going to college first and than going the military, because I believe a college dipolma will allow you to have a higher rank than than entering after high school. This suggestion of going college first is what I have been told by people that are in the navy.
Also if you worried about how your going find money to pay for college, thier are alot of grants and scholarships out there without the need for getting money from the military

Answer 7

If you can afford to go to College then I would suggest that route. If you can't afford College then the Miltary would be fine. My suggestion for you is to go into the Air Force. I served in the Navy and would not recommend it to just anyone. I have friends that are either serving or have served in all branches and the Air Force takes care of their people more than any other branch.

The Military does pay for "Some" of your College but not all of it. If you go into the Military try living on Base and don't just blow your money like 99% of people do. Try to eat on base and save all of your money.

Answer 8

ok i am 17 to i graduated last year and i am going into the army ( active duty) i think that you should go in the service. you will stand up for your comunity, country, and what not. you will get trained to become what you want and you could also get college courses and college credits so you can stand up and become greater then yourself and also go to college most branches help you pay i know that in the guard they pay 100% so you can look at there website at www.1-800-go-guard.com and look at www.goarmy.com you make that dicision all by yourself i wish you luck with any choices you make if you want you can email me at [e-mail] and i will answer any questions you have. and that is the name of the test and i wish you and your boyfriend the best of luck. my boyfriend is in the national guard and he has been in for 2 years he is going to be a specialist and dont worry you will have time to talk to him and maybe you will be able to see him. my boyfriend is over in texas im in oregon and its been almost 3 months that he has been gone he comes home next month so let me tell you something if you love him and he loves you everything will work out and another thing he should not mind you going into the service because he knows that that is the best thing for you and your life i am so glad that i joined the service i have already made myself a better person and i haven't even left yet you will have the best time and yes it will be hard at first but you will get through it you take care of yourself

Answer 9

Well I think you should go to college first. Just look at all the crap that is goin on now and in the near future. Also I would definitly talk it over with your bf if you plan to have a future with this guy because my boyfriend was in the army national guard proudly served his time in Iraq and the one thing he asked of me was to not join the military. So which ever your decision is there are lots of people to support you in every way. You are the one who can make the call of your future Best of Luck!!!

Answer 10

My father was Navy, I was career Navy, and my daughter and her husband are both Navy. I admit I've got a bit of a bias, but I think that if you join, you should join the Navy. The training is excellent and you can save money for college. If not, then go army, the air farce tends to over specialize, I worked with them, and they had three to five people doing the jobs that one army or Navy person would do.

Answer 11

Don't enlist. Find some field of study you're interested in and go to college to study it. Take those four years to explore yourself and discover who you are, free of your parents' influence, and then go after a commission as an officer. Otherwise, your formative years will be directed by the military. The money, standard of living and respect that you'll have as an officer is beyond anything you'll recieve as an enlisted woman. The road is a bit longer, but more rewarding.