Im joining the forces soon as I cant afford to pay for an education the civvy way. Which force should I join?

Question

In particular which part of the armed services should I join that will LEAST likely involve me having to see combat. Im there to get educated, not shot at by peasant Iraqis.

Also if I join, once Ive got my education sorted, how quickly can you leave the forces? I imagine there is some kind of minimum time period in which you have to stay in there.

Answer 1

Well, part of the answer your question depends upon which state you live in. Some states will give you tuition at any state school (Illinois and Texas for sure, but there are probably others) for joining the military. You serve your time and then you can go to any state school tuition-free.

If you want to not deploy, you might want to consider the Air National Guard. That would allow you to stay close to home and pursue your education. They're offering a $15,000 signing bonus and up to $20,000 towards college tuition. (http://www.ang.af.mil/CareerLanding.asp)

The other thing you could consider is to get loans for your education and then join the military. The military will pay off your loans if it is stipulated in your contract. You typically have to serve 4 years to do this. You will also have to make sure to notify your lending institution once the contract is signed. If you join active duty and try to pursue an education, you might find that you're limited in the amount of time you'll have to devote to classes and/or study. It might take you more time to get your degree.

All branches are subject to deployment. You never know what is going to happen in the world and there are no guarantees about that. Part of whether or not you will deploy depends upon what type of job you choose. Obviously if you join a combat arms specialty (tanks, scout, mortars, etc..), you're likely to deploy and be in combat. If you choose telecommunications, mechanic, information technology or other jobs you might deploy but would be less likely to be in a combat situation.

EDIT: Joining for education isn't always a bad thing. Lots of people go into the military for reasons that don't involve patriotism. Some of them turn out to be excellent troops. I worked with a couple of guys who were drafted into Vietnam. One got out after 4 years, and the other stayed in and retired as an E-9 ~ it's all what you make of it. As long as you have a realistic view of what the military will be like and aren't deluding yourself, you will be all right.

You will have to do physical training, you will have to clean your barracks and your workplace, you will have to learn how to follow orders and obey. You can't just quit because if you don't show up to work, you will have to work harder.

If you can become disciplined and learn how to succeed, you will be promoted, no matter what brought you to the military in the first place.

Answer 2

It all depends on what you want to do really.

I can speak for the Army, since that's what I'm a part of, in saying that the Army has the tuition assistance program (taking classes while serving for free as well) and the Army College fund which maxes out at $72,900.

But really though, don't do it because you just want the money. You actually should have some kind of interest in becoming a soldier, Marine, etc. The skills attained in the military are valuable ones. It's not always about the money dude.

Good luck in making a choice.

You should refer to http://www.goarmy.com for more info.

Answer 3

Do yourself a favor and DON'T JOIN. All five of the United States armed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) require their members to be fully prepared for worldwide deployment at any time.

If you're only joining to do the minimum so that Uncle Sam will foot the bill for your education, DON'T join. Go get a student loan like the rest of us and don't endanger other members of the armed forces with your own cowardice. Joining solely for the educational benefit is the altogether WRONG reason to sign on the dotted line.

Answer 4

If you are joining the military just for an education - do yourself a favor don't! The only reason a person should join is because they have pride in their country & wish to serve & protect. Sounds like you don't. So go out get a job save your money, take out loans - then get your education. The military is not a free ride!!!!! Semper Fi Marines!

Answer 5

We in the military don't want your kind! Why do you think you should recieve a free education from the military and not give in return?
So you want to recieve all the benefits of a college education, at the taxpayers expense, then bail when you get what you want? What a P.O.S.!
I wish you'd post what branch you plan on joining and your real name, I would contact that branch personally and inform them of your plan and try and get you barred from joining!

Answer 6

if you are joining solely for money for education, don't bother. You would be joining for the wrong reasons.

ALL branches Deploy.. and ALL branches deploy to Iraq. yes, even the Coast Guard. ALL jobs have the potential for being involved in combat, directly or otherwise.

ALL contracts are for 8 years. and don't expect to be able to go to school fulltime while serving..not even in the Reserves. the military comes first and foremost always.

Answer 7

Big Dave, you already asked a question that said you were in the service and got called up to go to Iraq and did not want to go. Now what is it, are you in the service or not or are you just playing a game. You will never make it in the service anyways so do not even bother!

Answer 8

Go Air Force

Answer 9

USAF has great electronics. The Navy and Army have good medical. I did 20 years in communications and was only shot once and that while was on vacation.

Answer 10

The navy. My freind joined the navy and he has become a flight engineer. He was the goofy guy in my group of freinds the guy that wasn't going to amount to nothing. Now he has several degrees and hasn't seen any combat.