Whats The Army Like?

Question

I've been wondering about joining the army and I want to serve my country, but yet I have no idea what I'm doing. Some people tell me it'll be huge mistake and others tell me its the most honorable thing i could ever do. Im just really confused and need a little insight into the life of a soldier.

Answer 1

It is what you put into it. You give everything, you get everything. Just like life, but with a very close nagging sargeant all over you all day long. No wait, that's the Marines. Sempre Fidelis

Answer 2

I am an Army Officer....

The Army is a challenge that requires the best from you - physically and mentally. I started at 17, literally telling my mother to sign the waiver so that I could enlist before I turned 18. By the end of my high school senior year I was accepted to West Point and VMI. I decided on the former and graduated from the academy in 2004.
I and NCOs will require these things out of you...
1.) Mental toughness (deployment overseas for a year is very stressful, long hours daily are expected)
2.) Physical challenges (physical fitness will be pushed, all day at a firing range shooting weapons can be exhausting for example)
3.) Do the 'right thing' and you will succeed. Most people in trouble in the military are in those situations because they did something unlawful, immoral or were ordered not to do.
I can sum it up for you right now...the clowns telling you it is a "huge mistake" more than likely never put on the uniform, and the people telling you how honorable it is more more so than not served.
Make the decision for yourself...talk to your wife, girlfriend, teacher, parents, recruiters.
The military will give you purpose for future employments elsewhere if you need it. One such company Orion THRIVES on ex-military servicemembers to name one of many. You will be in better physical condition, have an opportunity for college (GI Bill), a bonus for enlistment and experience.
Bottom line, make the decision for yourself...talk to your wife, girlfriend, teacher, parents, recruiters, coaches and priest/preacher.
Good luck

Answer 3

I am an Army veteran. I served 4 years. I would think those that tell you not to, need to have a little be higher consideration for the freedom that we live in day to day. If you want to go into the service.... THINK before you sign the dotted line. Pick a good MOS (job) that will transfer into civilian world and have good training. Any service member has basic training that will allow them to accepted into many law enforcement agencies. I was aviation. I am now an Airframe and Power plant mechanic for a commuter airlines. Think about after service life before you go in. Why spend 4 to 6 years (the time most spend on a 2 or 4 year degree) and get out with nothing that will help you in your life. I honor the 11B's (infantry), but being a ground pounder is only that. When you get out how many jobs opportunities does that create? Be smart… think, ask people, go to your local county veteran service office. They help veterans with their disability claims, home loans etc.. That person will have an unbiased opinion, and they are employed by your county, not the military!
Feel free to IM me... [e-mail]

Answer 4

They are very big on positional authority. 2nd get training on a sellable skill you can use in the civilian world! No matter what skill you are trained in remember the needs of the military always comes 1st. It is even in the contract you sign. This means ALL promises even those in writing are dependent on needs of the military.

If you don't intend to make a career out of the military try to get stationed over seas 1st. Looking for a state side job is easiest if you are state side. Both from a financial prospective & getting a job it is easier to hiered when you have a job.

Lastly IF you are going in with your eye on the retirement package - It isn't guarantied to you sign the re-enlistment papers that will put you over the elegability threshold. Map out you terms of duty so that your elegability contract will happen about when you have served 14 years. If you've pissed someone off they will not be thinking that far a head to screw with your retirement.

Other than that military is like anything else it is what you make it. Wars are temporary. In peace time the play games with your head & have politics just like any job.

Answer 5

each person has a different meaning to the Army. I was honored to serve my country. you need to decide which one you want to do and reenlist. I want tell you it is not hard on a person but you grow as you go. I had never been away from home till I joined and the first assignment after basic was to Germany for 2 years.

Answer 6

Some segments of the Army is great and others could make you wonder if you were better of being eaten by gators. Every individual has a different experience so alot of it depends on your personality and your MOS (job) in the military. I went in later than most, I was 23 so I had a few years of living on my own. It was bit tough to take some 20 year old not nosed officer inspecting my room to see if was up to his standard. It was utterly nuts to me to spend my days mowing lawns, painting barracks, racking leaves, cleaning toilets and all kinds of other details (crap jobs). But on the other hand, I had great experiences while over seas, made life long friends, was in shape, learned discipline and will never regret it.

Answer 7

You need to do what is right for you. You need to put everyone else's opinion out of your mind and do a little soul searching. I went through a 'mock bootcamp' almost 20 years ago in highschool when I was so curious. The military life is very rewarding but you need to work for those rewards. It is honorable and tough.
Talk to a recruiter. Go to the closest reserve center and poke around. Good luck to you. Just remember that you need to make this decision on your own.

Answer 8

It's not bad. Eventually it just gets another job, except you can't call in sick, ever! And if you fight with the boss, you can always ***** to someone higher than him! When I went into the army, I hated it. Basic sucked, I hated running, but AIT was better, I loved the training. think of it this way, there's things you're gonna love, there's things you're gonna hate, but it's a check in the bank every 2 weeks. Now that I'm in a unit in the "real army" it's nice. I love my job!

Answer 9

All of my friends are military i married into the military and now my boyfriend in military and they hate it. Its hard work but when you get stressed you cant take a day off and its near impossible to keep a relationship unless your lady is cut out for not seeing you. Yes its honmorable but you have to be dedicated to it. You get to meet alot of new people and whatnot but war is a scary thing and wether you go reserves or active duty you will be over there they will keep you state side for about 11 months and then you will be back over there. You meet many new friends and cool people. But then again some people love it i dont know many that do but you never know you might love it. I live right near a military base in new york and i seen people who love it and people who hate it...good luck

Answer 10

i personally don't know but i do have relatives are are in the service...my one cousin almost went AWOL during basic training he hated it that much but then he began to love it. he now has been in the Army for almost ten years and absolutely loves his job. we all don't like the fact that he will be going to Iraq again this February for his 3rd term but he believes in his job and will do whatever it takes to make his country proud.