Joining the Military as a college grad.?

Question

I'm 22, currently a full-time student at UIC going into the medical career. I don't want to be in the medical field anymore so I realized that I've pretty much wasted 3.5 years of my life..well not wasted but "delayed?" I've always had an interest in the joining the military but now that i'm looking into it i'm a little confused. First of all, would I have higher rank because I'm joining with a college degree? If i decide to join, what branch, chances are if I do join I will not feel succesful if I don't join the special forces area of whatever branch I would join, so any suggestions? Any info will be awesome! thanks.

Answer 1

I'll tell you all about it.

I'm a college student, a Biology/Pre-med Major. After undergraduate, i will attend Med School. Hopefully if all goes plan, the Health Scholarship Program(HPSP) in Air Force will allow to pay for my medical school. Because of my higher degree MD, I will commissioned as an officer (captain). I will skip, Second Lieutenant o-1 and First Lieutenant o-2 and go directly o-3. The Military always needs medical doctors, so i think you should continue with this, and join the military as a doctor. You dont have to be a special force member to make a difference or get a thriller life. You can still have a blast as a military physician, there are lots of benefits to it.

Also Try talking to recruiter.

Answer 2

it's o.k. to say you "wasted" or "delayed" 3.5 years of your life & ended up figuring out the Medical Field is not what you want to do in life. I think "wasted" is a better word. That's great though because some people just keep going, keep wasting time & end up unhappy with their career. You don't want to be like them. You are now at the time of your life where you finally opened your eyes to something better, something different, something challenging that will benefit your future. Joining the Military sounds like a plan. If your going to join, you might as well join the best which is the MARINE CORPS. Also, NO you wouldn't have a higher rank just because your joining with a college degree. You will have to work your way up as far as ranks. You have to earn it. You should feel successful what ever special forces you decide to join. You will be part of the Government & that accounts for alot. Your hard work, dedication & skills will be recognized as well as appreciated. The Military also provides awesome benefits that a job in the Medical Field could never offer or beat. While you are in the Military, you can continue your education, finish up on whatever career you decide on, they will pay for everything & support you 101%. For the first time in your life, you will feel like you actually accomplished something without thinking you wasted your time. You will be proud of yourself & so will your family. GOOD LUCK! SEMPER FI

Answer 3

As for the recruiters, don't believe them if they tell you it's a good idea to go enlisted first. They are not an officer, so don't let them suggest that to you. Sometimes they try to get you to Aim Low, rather than high. Tell them OCS or nada.

As for which branch, I would definitely insist on Air Force. They let you have the most normal life of the services. Of all the comments I've heard other servicemen say, the one repeated the most was, "If I would have known then what I know now, I would have joined the Air Force instead."

Also, you might be able to find a good job without going military. But you'll be looking for a job with military veterans in the fray. Employers tend to like them better. More disciplined, less trouble, more responsible, clean background, drug free, etc. Get a leg up on your competition. I went Air Force, then went to school and got hired before I finished school. And don't forget to check into the Guard or Reserve components. Sometimes they have much better educational opportunities than active duty.

Best of luck whatever you choose!

Answer 4

In a similar fashion, at the end of my college experience, I determined I did not truly have a passion for my chosen field of study (in this case, education). I decided to list in the army. Due to my degree, I entered as an E-3, and was promoted to E-4 within four months. I made E-5 in 18 months, and was already boarded for E-6 before I decided not to re-enlist, so yes, if you decide to go enlisted you have some chances for faster promotions based on your degree. It will also depend on other factors. You could also consider Officers Candidate School...

I went into the intelligence field, and really enjoyed my job. You could also look into DLI, a great place to spend a year of service.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Marines and I may be bias being one but it's the only service that you get a Title . And to Fat tony have you ever heard of Force Recon that is the Marines Special Forces I should know I've been around a few of them. They Basically go through the same training as Seals. Good luck with what ever you do.

Answer 6

You can enlist and than apply for and Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP). If you are hard core talk to an OSO that is an officer recruiter for the Marine Corps here is the web site: http://officer.marines.com/
You will attend 3 months of OCS (officer candidate school) followed by 6 months of TBS (The Basic School) where you will receive intensive combat training followed by MOS training, the job you will do for the rest of your career.

Answer 7

you could go to OCS with a college degree and become an officer which is what I would recommend. Otherwise you would join enlisted as an E-4. If you want special forces that narrows it down to Army or Navy. The marines technically have no special forces units, and the Air Force technically has one, but it is kinda weak and not as respected. Navy Seals probably have the most prestige, other than Delta Force, but you can't just try out for Delta Force. Army Rangers are special forces, but not as elite as the Seals.

Answer 8

I finished my bachelors in accounting in 3.5 years and went to work at Mcdonalds where I encountered another person with an bachelors in accounting working there. So your not alone. I read somewhere that you get a higher rank, but I went to the go army website and could not find that info. I don't think that you do but ask the recuiter in your area.

Answer 9

It would be a shame to throw away your medical training when the military needs qualified medical people. Doctors,nurses and a few others go in as officers. At a minimum you would go in as a pay grade of E4. If you want to see a lot of combat then go in the army or marines.

Answer 10

With a college degree, you can become an officer in the military.