I am interested in engineering and got top high school grades and is an eagle scout. Problem is that my girlfriend is pregnant, so i cant really afford college at the moment. So im thinking about joining the army to serve my country, get some experience and at the same time make some cash to pay child support. Is that a rational decision? What branch of the army or type of duty do you recommend?
2007-01-27 10:22:05 · 22 answers · asked by Link 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Glad to see you shouldering some responsibility. Good on ya!
Totally rational decision. Check out the G.I. Bill. You will still have your engineering degree. In fact the military MIGHT pay for it...it is rare but it does happen.
In any case I'd go USAF, maybe USN if you like the water.
All the services pay the same, but some are more technical than others. The Marine Corps is testosterone heavy, and views most tools more sophisticated than a sharp rock with a bit of suspicion. The Army has this to a lesser degree. It is a necessairy part of being a rough tough ground combat force. The Army and Marine Ethos is geared towards making men that can fight and win in messy house to house or hand to hand combat, because that is what they do.
The Navy and the Air Force have a higher respect for technology, engineering, and comfort. (The running gag is that a "rough deployment" for the Air Force is when the hotel only has basic cable.) While there are Army and Marine skills that will apply in the civilian job market (Communications and Computers are everywhere in the military) personally I think you will find more of these in the Navy and Air Force. The Army doesnt' tell you this, but even with the airlines falling apart there is still more of a civilian job market for people who know how to maintain a jet engine than for people who know how to maintain an air defence missile system. (Not a big call in the civlian sector for air defense missiles. I don't know what the outside job market is like for nuclear power techs. )
One thing to consider is trying to go into military intelligence. You have to be SMART, but if you can get in you have a couple of things going for you. One, you get to see and do a lot of really cool things. Two, you get a security clearance. It costs civliain employers (i.e. government contractors) about $50,000 to get someone a security clearance. This means if they have a job that requires a high clearance, they will hire someone who HAS a clearance but knows nothing about the job over someone who knows the job inside and out but does not have a clearance. They figure they can teach you the job for less than it would cost to get the clearance.
Lastly, the USAF has one thing going for it that the others don't. A strong institutional interest in space. Lots of really cool jobs can come out of that, esp. on the engineering side of the house. You could wind up working for Lockheed or Boeing or one of the NASA contractors somewhere down the line. Sadly the Iraq war is using up all the money for these sort of projects, but it won't last forever.
Good luck and God Bless.
2007-01-27 10:42:30 · answer #1 · answered by Larry R 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to join the Army you go right ahead dont listen to others peoples opinions of different branchs. The Army will also give you a GI bill and pay a portion of your childsupport as well as provide medical coverage for the baby. My father was a very high ranking officer in the Army and sadly growing up we didnt see him much. But he provided well for us and I will never bad mouth the military. Joining during time of war you have to know you may be sent away, go for a non combat MOS some of these are often non deployable.. :-)
Furthermore MOST soliders that joined did not do it to "fight a war" they did it to help out their current situation many for the GI bill and to support their family.. VERY FEW join wanting to or thinking that they will go to war {with the exception from 2001 and up}
2007-01-27 10:29:45 · answer #2 · answered by texas_angel_wattitude 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would seem the home land could use a few good Men. The Army is a Dead End today.
2007-01-27 10:58:15 · answer #3 · answered by kritikos43 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hilarious
2016-05-24 06:39:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air Force reserves, you can join for a guaranteed job, then if you like the military you can join active duty
2007-01-27 15:32:54 · answer #5 · answered by usamedic420 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with MATTZCOZ. Navy Nukes are some of the brainiest people in the military
2007-01-27 12:04:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't do it. When you join the army you kiss your constitutional rights goodbye. And you will be sent to fight unjust, illegal wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Soldiers are for the purpose of fighting wars. If you're doing it for tuition or child support, you will regret it.
2007-01-27 10:27:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'd say get a job closer to home and be here for your girl and your child. Just a personal opinion though. Good luck in whatever you do.
2007-01-27 10:26:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Go to college instead, you can find the money someplace, ask your dad, do not join the army they will send you to the front lines in Iraq
2007-01-27 10:26:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
no stay with your wife. joining the army will not change things for the better. but only makes things worse. you must be aware- you want to run away from that situation. face it. you have a family now.
2007-01-27 10:34:31 · answer #10 · answered by J 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋