should i join the army??

Question

i've been thinking about joining the army but i'm not sure yet.

on one hand my life curently is "in the gutter" sort of speek. i got in a bit of trouble. this is a great way of straighting myself out. plus all the benfits i will gain from it. right now i can't even find a job.

but on the other hand though i do love living in the U.S. i could care less about "the cause". and it is a big commitment once you sign up you can't change your mind along the way. when your in your in.

so i'm actualy interested in your opinion. give me your feedback and tell me wether you think i should or shouldn't enlist myslef

Answer 1

Obviously, the decision is ultimately yours. If you think that you could stay around home and straighten out your own legal problems and pull yourself up out of the gutter, then I would advise against it.

Also, your age would play a major factor in it.

If you could care less about "the cause", and you sign up, you could be headed for a lot more trouble. Believe me, you will be in there with some die-hard fanatics who won't take well to your lackadaisical attitude.

If you have any college experience at all, you may want to hold off signing up for a while. If you enlist with even an Associates degree, after basic, you become an officer.

A lot of my family have served in the military. For some, it has worked wonders--for others, it turned into raging violent alcoholics with artillery/sniper skills.
Only you can decide.

Good Luck with your decision & best wishes for your future.

Answer 2

Joining the army is a personal choice that only you can make, instead of asking if you should or shouldn’t, maybe you should ask what army life is like. Not everyone in the army is on the front line only like 1 in 5 are on the front line and in combat, the others maybe in a combat zone but never see combat. I loved the time I was in army never did I have better fiends and more fun. I saw more of the world before I was 25 then most people will ever see in a life time. There was one reason and one reason only that I did not reenlist after my 7 year and that was because I want to have a family and the army was not the place (IMO) to raise a child. Giving you an example the last 3 years I was in the army I was only home about 15 month and out of those 15 month I work 12 hour day and 6 day weeks twice a month. It was a hard life but would I do it again YES I would.

Answer 3

That's really a question only you can answer in the end because it's you who will enlist (or not enlist) when all is said and done, not those here who are giving "advice".

For a lot of people, joining the military turns out to be a very good experience. It teaches them skills that can be used in daily life no matter what you do after your enlistment - self-discipline, teamwork, leadership, to name a few. You can learn a trade, receive college credits for your military training, and take college classes (on base or at a nearby college or over the Internet) to work toward a degree.

For some people, joining the military doesn't turn out to be a good experience. Not everyone is suited to serve in the armed forces, and you also need to keep in mind that there is a war on, and no matter which job you choose, or which branch you go into, you will eventually deploy somewhere in the world. Now you might not deploy to Iraq, but there is NO doubt that you will deploy somewhere at some point during your military service.

If you decide to join, what it comes down to is to make the best of it. Choose the best job you're qualified for that will also be useful for you after service. For example, if you've ever considered being a police officer, you may want to try and become an MP in the Army for the training and experience. If you want to be an EMT, join the Army as a medic. Pick something that is good for you down the road.

Also, and lastly, you may need to find out whether you're actually able to enlist at this point. Not everyone who's of age to enlist is actually able to enlist - there's a long list of restrictions that can disqualify you from service. Do you have any medical issues such as asthma? Bad knees? Ever been diagnosed with ADD? Any outstanding traffic tickets? Ever been charged with domestic assault? Those are all disqualifiers that either require a waiver or cannot be waived.

Answer 4

Hello. I was in the Army for three years and served one tour in Iraq as an Infantry soldier (frontline combat trooper). I can say that before the Army, I didn't know what I would do with myself. The Army gave me college money (that the Veteran's Affairs [VA] mails directly to you) and a sense of self. After coming home, I think I have a new perspective on life and what is really important. The Army is great for making new friends, going on new adventures, and finding what really makes you tick. I served with a lot of guys who "didn't care about the cause" but they were glad to do it than, say, doing drugs at home or something like that. I have more confidence than ever and the military set me on the right track. I'm not a recruiter or anything but the military helped me a lot. Just make sure you understand that the commitment is not one that is "casual." It's a serious decision and it will change your life forever.

Answer 5

Not at this time, with the government so divided. I would think more of joining the Peace Corps.
I joined the AF back in 1959, enlisted at 16 yrs. Just turned 17 when went to Basic training and Tech school. I grew up and became a man in the AF. Loved every minute of it. I spent time in southeast Asia at the time of the Vietnam war. Saw what caused the US to run from that war with its legs between its legs loosing over 50,000 lives of young men for nothing. The government allowed many of the very enemy we fought in Vietnam into this country and gave them Social Security. The same thing is occuring today. These idiots are allowing 7,000 Iraqis into this country per year. They also most likely will be able to collect SS without working. Until the Congress is on the same page as the President, I would think twice prior to putting myself in the hands of these politician idiots. Go for the Peace Corps.
An old AF vet.
Hisemiester

Answer 6

I would join if I were under 30, not married, with no children. I don't fit any of those anymore, though.

If you are thinking about joining for the benefits, education, and discipline, then why not consider the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard? Same benefit to you, less chance of serving in a war zone. You will be a liability to your outfit if you are not 100% sure you want to be there. Don't join the Army or Marines if that is the case.

You say you love living in the U.S. Consider giving something back, whether it is the Armed Forces or some other kind of service. You will benefit from your service as much as your country will.

Answer 7

whatever any one says that IS a decision only you should make.
dont listen to any one but yourself, and dont have too high hopes for our government giving much support after your service.
The contract that you sign to join the U.S. military pretty much signs your sould over for whatever purpose they choose. Sure they onlly realy want your body to do the work your soul is still along for the ride, and in order to succeed you must show your best in your ability to kill....or be killed.
But not every soldier dies and those who do come home, come home as heroes for thier sacrifce, and the ones who dont should never be forgotten.

The choise to serve should not come because you are looking for a way out, it is a commitment you have to make, so instead of thinking of what you want to gain from the experience you really need to figure out what you are going to contribute, and more so consider what you would be willing to sacrife your life for and if there is anything you would give your life for...
...then dont bother making the commitment, you say you love living here but do you love what America stands for and the sacrifices that have already been made by better men than you or I.

dont make this choice if you are just looking for a way out of your current situation, if you cant even collect yourself long enough to get a job then you could never properly handle the responsibility of serving

this is just an expression of how i would answer your question and IF you did join, whether for the right reasons or not, you would have the support of myself and millions of other americans, good luck on whatever path you choose....

Answer 8

When joining the Army or any branch of the military it is best to first truly understand what your wants, needs and interests are. Ask yourself, can the Army provide what i want out of life? Can any other branch do better? Can I accept the risks and responsibilities? Where is the best place to get information?

The only advice i can offer you is to at least ask a veteran about the goods and bads in military life. Some people have bad experiences in the military while others think it was the best decision of there lives.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

Answer 9

hey buddy, your in the same boat i was in EXACTLY one year ago! I did join the army and now im going to iraq in may. It will make a man out of you . Through out life you will do things you don't want to do but do you really have a choice. Think like this... you'll make money, your family will be proud of you, and you can always say you did something with your life or at least you tried. Now with a marijuana charge under my belt joining the army was the best thing i could have ever done and "the cause" is just one of the bumps in the road, but it's up to you. Good luck man

Answer 10

don't listen to those who tell you you're suicidal. Joining the army is very brave and honorable. My father and grandfather were in the army and they changed as people, and became very tough, protective and brave. This could be a pro or a con depending on how you look at it. On the other hand, it is very dangerous and who even knows where you'd be sent. You'd sacrifice a lot, but like you said, it would straighten you out. If you are up to it and you believe you're prepared for a physical and mental change to this extent i say go for it. You just have to know the risks and that you may end up being killed. Good luck deciding!