i have been wondering what to do with my life, and lately have been considering joining the army, or at least the army national gaurd. i am so confused weather i should do it. i have already talked to recruters that came to my school, and they want to set up an appointment with me to explain the who benifits thing. i am 16 and will be 17 in april. and i just need some advice because i dont have any parents and i have no one to turn to.
2006-12-21 03:27:31 · 32 answers · asked by snakeprincess831 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
the army can be a great career or just a jump-start in life. you'll get to meet many different people, and see different places in addition to learning skills you can use in the 'real world'.
just make sure you're getting what you want in the contract and don't cave in to any pressure the recruiters put on you.
2006-12-21 03:32:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm in the Army, but was priorly enlisted in the Air Force. Let me tell you this bluntly. Join for the right reasons.
If you want to do 3 - 6 years for experience, money, and opportunities, then yes, the Army is the best way to go. If you want career, with no money benefits at all, go Air Force.
Study your butt off, and score a great ASVAB score, and the Army will pay you a lot! Choose something like military intelligence (either 96B or 96D). They'll pay a huge enlistment bonus, you'll have a $100,000 civilian special investigation which will grant you a top secret clearance, and you will have a job that will transfer directly to high-paying civilian jobs.
Also, the best part about this is, you won't have to spend $100,000 on college. Honestly, college does not get you as far as people say it does anymore. First you need a 4 year degree, and you become ordinary. Then, you'll need your major and then specialize in some form of technical training. This can cost you as much as the common house mortgage. So, now you have these descent civilian paying job, but you owe 6 figures for your education.
Now, you can skip all that college by joining the military and earning real-world trade skills. Save huge enlistment bonuses. Invest in the MGI (Montgomery G.I.) Bill, which can be used up to 10 years after you leave the service. Actually receive 100% tuition assistance while actively enlisted. Make a descent living near $30,000 a year after just 4 years (if you work hard and get promoted).
I love the military, but I also hate it sometimes. I will not lie to you, it is hard on relationships. But it's also a great place to meet and develop new ones. It is not for everybody. I hope this info helps.
2006-12-21 03:42:56 · answer #2 · answered by rawlings12345 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you it was the best thing that I ever did...I was like you, I did not really know what I wanted to do and I wasn't really ready to go to college (I was still a little immature, but my parents were well off so I could have if I had wanted to), and I was tired at living at home with my parents...first of all the Army taught me to be self reliant and taught me discipline...secondly it gave me a job that I could do on the "outside" and more job experience than you want to know about...I am so far ahead of the people I went to high school with it's not funny...I am 33 years old and I am the supervisor of 12 people...thirdly, the Army paid for my Bachelors Degree 100%...now I am using my GI Bill to get my Masters and I will still have enough money left to get a PHD if I want...I also got the privilege to serve my country and I have been to places most people will never see...especially from where I grew up in Alabama...do not let these little pansies try to scare you by saying "...if you want to die" and stuff like that...you have a better chance of being killed walking down the street than in Iraq...at least you know in Iraq it is dangerous and you need to be careful...I would recomend the medical field you can be anything from a medic to a nurse and anything in between...and they Army would even offer for you to become a doctor, RN, or any other specialty...and those I just mentioned are Officers not enlisted positions...and they would pay for it all...I think the Army is a good thing...go talk to the recruiter and see what they have to say...good luck
2006-12-21 04:14:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son joined the Navy under the delayed entry program while he was in high school.He is an electronic tech,he worked on Doppler Radar and is now in the nuclear program.Your recuiter will tell you what jobs you qualify for after you have taken the asvab test(sort of like the military sat or act).Personally,I think the Navy and Air Force have the best training and can offer you the best jobs.Not everyone who enlists is sent off to fight in a war somewhere,no matter what some of these people here are saying.My advice to you,from a parent of a child in the service,is to take the test and make appointments with the different service branches to see what you qualify for.Then you can make an informed decision based on facts at hand,rather than speculation.
2006-12-21 10:41:09 · answer #4 · answered by Michael R 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first advice iam gonna give you is your only 16 be a kid. A recruiter wont really talk to you until your 17. My Second piece of advice is to look at what you wanna do with your life. Do you want to go to college, or just enlist right out of high school. Don't just look at the army look at all the services. DO RESEARCH!!! the recruiter is gonna lie to you. so when you do go visit a recruiter don't plan on singing anything that day.
If you want plan on going to college get in contact with a ROTC unit at a school close to you and get some information on the scholarships that they have. If you join the guard once your junior year roles around you will be contracted by ROTC and you wont be deploable until you get your commission. From my experience they wont lie to you because they don't have a to worry about filling up slots.
The last thing start getting in shape now. run, push ups, sit ups, pull ups. start that now and it will make things so much easier if you do decide to join.
2006-12-21 04:07:54 · answer #5 · answered by jonathan h 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have served 20 years proudly in the US Army.
I retired with honors and am in Iraq currently working with the US Army in an advisory role.
The benefits include money for college and a fresh shot at life both technically and educationally. It is not easy, and I am not saying that to get you think "oh I'm so tough"...... it isn't easy, period.
But you get a decent paycheck and some pretty good incentives along the way. If the job you choose is one with a specialized field you will be miles ahead of your peers when you get out. That might be veterinary service, or a language specialty or even simply four years of college hours in your free time that the military is paying for oftentimes.
Nothing is guaranteed these days, and you never get something for nothing.... but it is not a bad way to go.
Each service has its up and downs... but overall the Army was my choice and I do not regret one second of it.
Cash bonuses to enlist
Additional College funding
Career choice (Army is the only one to let you pick your exact job)
2006-12-21 03:37:22 · answer #6 · answered by wolf560 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I joined when I was 17 and recently enlisted my son (at the age of 17 and he just got back from Iraq safe and sound!). Its a great place to start, but I'm pretty sure you can't get a two year enlistment. Currently because of the war on Terror it is most likely you will deploy to combat, but don't sweat it. The Army has an interest in training you 100% and keeping you safe. But war is hell. I agree with the comments about the recruiters, they have certain job shortages they must fill, so stick to your guns about a job you want versus them trying to sell you on one you don't want (and will offer big signing bonuses). Go Army! Great Queation. E-mail me if you want more info.
2006-12-21 03:39:22 · answer #7 · answered by Drop Zone 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you really feel that it is your calling, and know that without a doubt in your heart it's what you should do, go with it. Your heart will not lie to you, and it knows what is best for you. Talk to the recruiters; they can tell you a lot more about it which can help make up your mind. I believe that it would be so brave to be in the army or the army national guard, but you should only do it if you really want to do it and feel without a shadow of a doubt it is what you would like to be doing.
2006-12-21 03:36:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your thinking of joining the service GO NAVY cause there is less chance of you being in combat. You will be in the combat zone but usually 30 miles off the cost & have better protection than the President with the whole Navy Fleet around you. Not only that but you will get to go to all kinds of places that you would normally not get to see. Take it from an X Navy (4yrs.) & (2yrs.) Army. NAVY is the best if your going into the service.
2006-12-21 11:14:33 · answer #9 · answered by mighty_irish_mike 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All these people on here are librals who are to scared to think, brainless. Yes, the Army is a good branch. I am thinking about going into the Coast Guard. But it's true we are at war, and the Army is tough, you will go to war. I like the coast, and flying that stuff the coast guard sounds good to me. I heard that the new defense sec. is going to come to Bush with a new plan on expanding the military. I think there will be a Draft. If you want to get into your branch of choice, do it now. If you wait to be drafted you will just be thrown to some place they need you. God Bless You. Thank you for being a good American, we need more.
2006-12-21 05:01:50 · answer #10 · answered by Ryan R 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You must have a guardian to talk to. School counselors are sometimes helpful. Military life isn't for everyone, and you should talk to some people who are in today's military before you commit. Also check with your nearest ROTC unit in a school near you if yours doesn't have one. I did 23 years in the Air Force myself and learned a lot, did a lot, went a lot of places. The benefits package should not be the top thing that sells you, however. Duty, honor, and loyalty to country should come first.
2006-12-21 03:35:20 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋