Where should i go? Should i Go?

Question

Heres the deal, im not a Bush supporter at all, that may be irrelevant. Well i am constantly thinking about joining the Army, im now 17. My future worries me however, i need a way to pay for college and the Army seems to have a good plan with that. Afterwards i may want to teach history, or a foreign language. Certain elements have made me reconsider though, how tough will it be? Im a pretty small guy and will it get me normal size or bigger? Will i be deployed? Will i hate it, 4 years wasted? Will i make friends there? Will i see terrible things i only imagined in hollywood?

One things for sure, i dont know what i want to do with my life at this point, i dont want to rush through college and pay all that money to make a mistake ill regret, but once again theres those two on the balance, and i dont know which one weighs more, it would be an honor to serve my country, i dont really believe in the cause right now, soldiers dont ask questions though.

Will i make it? Will i survive?

ok BITE ME, you may have a valid point on the whole not protectin your *** deal but do you really think that im in it for the money if i want to become a teacher? The main recruiting tool for the military is to pay for college, thats why they get you graduation year or prior, my parents dont pay for any of that stuff so im weighing my options...but thank you

Answer 1

First off, BITE ME, you are a retard. Everyone who joins the military does it for the money; college or sign up bonus. Everyone who re-enlists does it for the re-enlistment bonus (those that qualify at least). AND, everyone who stays in for the full twenty years does it so they can retire and recieve half of their yearly total as retirement payment. So don't give this kid this kind of bullshit.. hell, we're in Iraq because of the money the oil companies are going to make from their oil.

Anyway, you are probably a lot like my little brother. If your mind is set on enlisting, then you probably are going to do it no matter who says what.

Yeah, a small guy could get pushed around in bootcamp.. but it all really depends on your unique character. If you are the pushover type, it's going to happen. But if you are small and are funny, have a 'don't mess with me attitude', or are cool and laid back or whatever.. you'll be fine. Anyway, b-camp is all BS and you'll fit in fine with a unit.

However, here are some sobering facts you need to consider. How many no armed history teachers do you know of? 100,000 active soldiers in Iraq, 3,000 dead in 4 years and 22,000 injured. You do the statistics and consider for yourself if it is worth... Bush did say that 2007 was going to be bloodier... I mean seriously, do you want try to stop a train by yourself for the sake of oil companies? Nooooo, because you'll just be a red stain on the train.

While the men and women who are fighting in Iraq are doing their countries bidding very honorably, it is not a honorable war - and Bush and Cheney is to blame for that. This isn't your fight kid... go to college. After six years in the military I am now in college and I wish I hadn't wasted all those years in the ranks of the dishonorable u.s. navy

Answer 2

Maybe you could think about joining a branch that would be least likely to deploy you in the current hot zones or war zone...esp. Iraq. I spent 8 years in the Navy and was stationed in Sicily, Italy at a desk job as a Disbursing Clerk, doing Pay related work. I joined (3) days before the Persian Gulf War of 1989-90. I also served during all the Balkan conflicts etc. What I'm saying is think about the Military as all the branches. Don't get caught up in the potential allure of "being made a man" by the Army. You can serve your country in many ways. Also, the Coast Gaurd is another option that offers $ for college AND helps in protecting our shores and Homeland.

I'd also recommend asking recruiters to make as many assurances about being able to pick your job at the time you are processed for boot camp. I chose to be in the Disbursing Field, verses the Supply Field. Once again, I joined during a time of war, but I never served "in" the battle areas. I did provide support for troops coming and going to battle zones. Some may think this was a wimpy way to do time in the Military, I don't. My job was neccessary and important. I feel good about the hard work I did and sacrifices I made while serving in the US Navy for 8 years.

Whatever you do, please try not to be impetuous. Talk to ALL BRANCHES of the service. ASK QUESTIONS, and get solid answers.

Oh, I'm 5'5" and was 24 and out of shape when I joined (163 lbs. of FAT) I lost 30 pounds in bootcamp and 4 waist sizes, and developed a lot of muscle tone while doing the required PT in the NAVY. So, don't worry too much about making it through the training, but, at the same time, realize your limitations. Boot camp in the Navy will not be as demanding as boot camp in the Army, or Marines. Boot Camp in the Airforce will be easier yet, and boot camp in the Coast Gaurd may well be the easiest.

I hope this all helps.

Take Care, and don't let narrow minded people chase you away from thinking about a valid life option for starting out...after High School. Be Smart, follow your Gut and your Head.

Mark P.
E5, Disbursing Clerk Second Class, USN
Honorably Discharged 1997

P.S. I'm not a Bush supporter either, but I am a troop supporter.
I'm also a proudly registered Democrat.

Answer 3

Well first of all, the reason they talk to you graduation year is not because of college money, it is because you are finally old enough to join. Now to your question...

If you do join I would say join the reserves so you can go to school while in the Army.

1. It will be as tough as you make it. I assume you won't be going to a combat MOS by the way your talking, which will mean boot camp isn't as hard. If you prepare before you leave and get in shape it shouldn't be bad.

2. You being a small guy doesn't matter at all. You will gain some muscle at basic but you should be about the same size. If you want to get bigger you will need to do it on your own.

3. YES you will be deployed. Don't join if this is a problem because it will happen. Don't list to what your recruiter says either. All jobs are deployable.

4. Chances are you won't see terrible things you see in the movies. For one, the movies are all fake for the most part. And if you aren't in a combat MOS, you aren't too likely to see combat, all though its not impossible by any means.

Keep in mind, its only a small portion of your life but can make you better person. If you get in and don't like just deal with it. Stay true to your country and your commitment. It will be over before you know it. And you never know, you might get in and love it and stay in for 20 years.

Yes you will make it. Its a mental thing. Start getting in shape NOW. Run, swim, push ups, crunches, pull ups. Do those things like crazy, but don't do the same thing back to back days. If you want more complex plans, check out some books by Stew Smith.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 4

Ok boy, I am NOT patronizing you and think that your question is a GOOD ONE! THANKS for considering the SERVICE.

I was a squeeky "C" student with no real college future and enlisted in the NAVY. This is NOT a sales pitch but reality.

If you go ARMY it will be UGLY! It is VERY physical, you WILL be deloyed and you will see things that you CAN NOT IMAGINE in your youth. Movies can't show it ALL because their job is to sell ENTERTAINMENT and they do NOT want a theater of people hurling if you get my drift. I will NOT get graphic, but you get my point.

NAVY education is TOP NOTCH! Pick an MOS that puts aboard a ship, a LARGE one is best. Perhaps with your goals a NON operations MOS would be best.

Unfortunately "Language" generally falls into intelligence and you can draw your own conclusions. You might also look at Air Force too.

There are some people that want to SERVE and I SALUTE you for that! There are also people that just are NOT prepared to get into the SH** and that is understandable. The line troops need logistics, support and supplies so you might look at that. You make a CONTRIBUTION to YOUR COUNTRY and can avoid the CRAP.

When you get out you will be MUCH more mature and more able to handle the demands of college. Your decision making will be better and you will have the necessary discipline to EXCEL in college; the financial REWARD isn't bad either.

Good luck and THANKS!

USN 1964-
In Country
"Honorary" MARINE CORPS DI

Answer 5

You could always try and get into military intel as a language specialist. You have to take the ASVAB like everyone else then you have to take the DLAB = Defensive Language Aptitude Battery test. It is weird but not real heard. The Army paid for my BA now they are paying for my Graduate degree. I don't consider that a waste of my time. Yes, I've been deployed twice but depending on your job it can go from 1-10 on the my-life-sucks meter.

Answer 6

K as you see many service members are not into people who join primarily for the money (me neither, but I understand). If you do join however, I would recommend either the Coast Guard, Navy, or Air Force. If you get deployed you will most likely not be in situations of direct combat. You can get your money, serve, and get out. And who knows, maybe once your in you will enjoy it, and stay in. Not for the money but actually enjoying the military and serving your country. Just think long and hard that if you do enlist, you could end up defending or fighting for your country and it's policies, or following order's whether you like them or not.

Answer 7

Well personaly... no clue on you...my very best friend is in the Army or National Guard... hes off and on training and just joined... it really sucks for me because hes gone all the time and hard to cope with because in a way i am in love with him. Going to any type of War swiction will be hard on most people.. my graps was hard on him when he was in Viemain...another was in the WW2 and he will not really tell us but i belive it was because he was transporting troops on the American side and his veical was blowen... and he came back now hes not leaving his house no matter what and will not ride in a car... but it all depends on what you really feel... My friend choose it and he loves it... hes a small non muscaluar man and hes doing fine... i have no clue that is prob. the way i am going to get into collage or scholarships but i still am not sure about getting them. it would be hard. For me Bush is better than some prez becasue of my fami swication....all depends on were you really choose to end up going to. And if you do join the Army kinda think about who you leave at home and what they are going though

Answer 8

anyone that currently that decides to join the military, better love george w and completely be ready to kiss your a$$ goodbye, because you are going to fight his war , as you stated you disagree and dont support the war in iraq, well then here is your answer, dont enlist at least not right now, and btw everyone that ive ever met thats been in the military with the exception of one are errogant as they come, because thats whats drilled into your young minds good luck kid,i think you shouldnt go right at the moment, wait a while and look into grants, tech schools, dont be too hasty this decision is forever so choose wisely

Answer 9

Go to college after you graduate high school. You can get loans and grants. Start your education off early so that way you can start your career off early.

You don't sound like you want to join the military for the right reasons.

Answer 10

If you have no idea what you want to do with your Life, please do me/my DH/others in the Military a favour and DO NOT Join! We don't want people like you having our Loved Ones' backs or the Soldiers' backs...

Also, if you are only Joining for the College monies, do not Join. People like you only have one thing in mind: $$ signs. You don't have what it takes to Serve....

I could go on, but the point is this: DO NOT JOIN!

I Served 1981-1996 and I did NOT Join for the Collage Monies or Bonuses...I Joined to SERVE MY Country.

My DH Joined to Serve HIS Country....not the Collage Monies *he has yet to even consider going*....and he didn't care about the Bonus Monies he got when he Re-Enlisted...