How long should I wait before joining the military?

Question

I am a senior in high school, thinking of joining the military when I graduate. I've been looking into the military for about eight months now, never really lost interest. I think about a lot, every day, and I've changed my mind about which service I want to join about a billion times now. But every time I change my mind, I'm more confident of the decision and it takes me longer to change my mind again. So I must be getting somewhere. Anyway, my parents reccomend I go to college and do ROTC, but I want to enlist right now.. so I don't know what I should do. How long should I wait before making a decision?

Answer 1

Wait until you know for sure. I wanted to go into the Navy, but I would have to wait six months shipping off, but the Army could ship me to basic within the month so I went for that, and wound up regretting the decision. But it being the military you have to stick with your choice, better to have your mind made up before committing.

Answer 2

Out of respect for my fellow service members I will not go into which branch of the military is better. It really all depends on what you want out of your military service. The decision to join is a very big decision and a hard one to make. Yes you are maybe putting yourself in harms way and yes you are likely to go Iraq. But you sign up knowing that. As to you parents. I can see that they care very much about you and want you to make the right decision as they see it. But this is your life you are talking about here. It is your future. It is your chance to fulfill that void in your life that have. I was like you wanted to join after High School. but did not do it. I wish I would have joined then and not waited 4 years to do so. I love the Military and would not want o do anything else. Sit down with a recruiter from the different branches and talk to them. Ask questions that concern you. Have them come to your house and talk with your parents. ROTC is fine and good but does not mean you will be a better officer of soldier. Also on the other hand do make any rash decisions that you are going to regret for the next 4 years. Take your time think it over and when the time is right for you you will know. It will hit you like a freight train. If you have any questions feel free to contact me [e-mail]. I will answer any questions you have about the Army to the best of my knowledge.

Answer 3

Well, Decide what you want to do in the military. What area do you want to go into....if it would be working with computers, engineering, or if you want to be a pilot. After you decide what you want to do then research the different services then see which one you like more in that field. The military will help you go to college if you want to get a degree in something. Then when you get out of the military you have your degree and you will be able to find a job that suites you.
Don't forget to talk it through with your parents also, They might have some insight also in a area that would be good for you.

And you don't have make a decision anytime soon. I have friends that worked a few years after high school then went into the Marines. So there is no deadline that you have to give your answer by. I know that if you live in Norfolk you can get a tour of the base, and see the ships and everything. My husband is in the Navy. He has been in for 5 years, so if you want to ask him questions go ahead and ask him. just email me at [e-mail]

My husband done two tours. Yeah he was on a ship for 9 months (first tour) and 6 months (second tour) but he is the one to take marines to shore. They also get to visit ports.

Jennifer Fisher

Answer 4

Dont listen to these cowards. Im a Marine who has done 2 tours in Iraq. I waited 2 years after High School because I did a mission for my church. But I joined a month after I was done with that. I have been in the Marines for over 3 years now. Its up to you and there are pro and cons of both. Personally if I where you I would join the Marines. They are the hardest and I feel if your gonna do something you might as well go for the best. Dont listen to people who have no idea of what they are talking about. If you go to college you can become an officer later. If you enlist you can earn the Gi Bill and they will pay for you college. So its up to you.

Answer 5

Your parents suggestion of going to college and doing ROTC sounds logical. That way you can make up your mind about what you want to do in the service and which branch you wish to join. You'll also start at a higher rank.

Honestly though. If you sign up right now you may get shipped to Iraq where you life will be placed in jeopardy for an unjust and useless cause.

Answer 6

If you are qualified for the ROTC program, and get a scholarship, I would advise going for that. If you are not yet qualified for an ROTC scholarship, you can enlist and get some college under your belt; then you apply for the ROTC scholarship after one year on active duty.

Ask your high school counselor for advise on how realistic your ROTC chances are. If your GPA is not 3.5 or better with a very good SAT or ACT score I would not get my hopes up if I were you.

All services are probably very similar, but I know that the Air Force Recruiters are required to make sure applicants know about the highest programs that they are qualified to enter.

Answer 7

Hi I am now twenty years old I joined the military when i was 17 and still in high school..as soon as I got out of high school I got shipped to basic training and then one month after I got out of basic training I was shipped to Iraq...I am finally able to go to college and am currently writing a paper on if a person should wait to join the military before or after college. and through experiences of my own I would wait after you got out of college. When you enter you will start at a higher rank which means for one you will get paid more, and for two you will get more respect. Also we are going through a period of war and perhaps by the time you get out of college the war will be settled down more and you won't have to go over seas. Another reason is if you join the military that doesn't exactly mean you can go to college. I am able to go to college because I joined the national guard but I have friends who joined active duty right out of high school and was wanting to go to college while they were in the military well they didn't get a chance too because the military was always sending them to place to complete missions or do other types of work...Another reason you should wait is because when you get out of high school your mind is still fresh college will be easier for you...the training they teach you in the military rarely reflects upon your civilian or college courses so by the time you get out of the military you would forget how to do simple algebra. I hope these are enough reasons for you to want to wait until after college to join the miltary

Answer 8

Unless you want to go to Iraq and get shot at I'd wait until the next president sorts out the problems. Listen to your parents. You'll do yourself and the military a lot more good if you go in as an officer.

Answer 9

well it actually depends on your life and the people around you because if you would sign up you would most likely get into the reserve first and then get trained for the real stuff for about 2 years or more depending on what service you wanted to take part in. Out there though you would most likely get attacked all the time every day and night as well

Answer 10

There really is no reason to wait. Maybe a couple months to spend some time with your friends but don't wait "years". If you enter at 18, you can retire at 38. then you get a job as a contractor or government employee, put 20 in with them and at 58 you're double dipping. And if your smart enought to do a retirement account or 401, you'll be set in your twilight years.