Should I join the Army?

Question

If I enlist in the army they will pay me about $20,400 a year because I have a bach. degree and will start at a E-4. Don't tell me to try for officer because they have to select you.

If I don't join the army then I'll work at McDonald's for about $12,500 a year. The benefits are a little better because of all the food and McBucks. The army gives food too but the benefits at McDonald's is better. Also I should make manager and make $20,000 in just a few years because I just started.

My question is if your in my situation what would you choose? I'm only 21 years old.

These happen to be the only options so far there are tons of people with a bach. degree at McDonald's. Maybe I can work manager for a couple years and put that on my resume. But for now it is the only two options.

Answer 1

You have a bachelor degree and your only choices are McDonald's and the military? Jeez...that's like asking, "What would you rather have? A punch in the face? Or a kick in the gut?" They both suck. You can slave away in a grease factory, making peanuts so greedy, unethical, corporate McD's can get richer. Or you can go get your @$$ shot off while serving as an expendable political tool for our corrupt government and their occupation of a country that had NOTHING to do with the 9/11 attacks.
Personally, I'd look at other options. Unless your BA is some kind of joke degree, like a degree from University of Phoenix or a BA in Underwater Basketweaving, then I'm sure you can find a better career than the two options you are now considering. Good luck.

Answer 2

The Army is not that bad. I am an E-4, and I make around $35,000 with my housing allowance and food allowance. Besides, if you already have your bachelors you will make your E-5 in a year and a half. E-5 leadership experience sounds a little better than McDonald's management experience that you may or may not have a chance to make in a few years. Once you make your E-5 you will have a better chance of being accepted into officer candidate school. By the way I worked at McDonald's before I joined the Army. You can't beat the benefits the military offers. Much better than McDonald's.

Answer 3

if your joining the military for the money and benefits join the airforce and do a non-combat mos. definitely dont join the marines because i wouldnt want to work with you if you actually considered working for mcdonalds because of better money and benefits.
i dont know how they do it in the army but i have never heard of or seen any enlisted person start as an E-4 besides prior military (besides an in-experienced E-4 is often ridiculed by their peers). you might want to question your recruiter. i joined when i was 17 because i actually like to serve my country. im 23 now.
if you have a bachelors apply to be an officer, because of rank and pay forget the selection process tell your recruiter you want to be an officer or no deals (tell him you will join the air force).
but joining the military just for benefits alone you wont be a very happy camper, in iraq.
if working at mcdonalds makes you happy then go for it. what do you have a degree in anyways? why dont you put it to some good use?

Answer 4

if you have a bachelors degree why the heck are you considering either of those? You can make more at a good job then you can at either of those choices. You can do better then McDonalds for sure. I wouldn't go into the Army during a time of war because with all this war on terror and the civil war in Iraq you can get yourself killed. i don't feel risking your life is worth the money. so i guess if those are your only two options i would go with McDonalds because you'll probably move up to management very fast.

Answer 5

Depending on what your degree is in, there are many positions in the military OFFICER corps for you (don't limit yourself to the Army). Starting out as an O-1 in the military your pay would be $29,600. If you'd rather take a lower starting pay and lower continued pay with less perks, go enlisted. Also, after your time in the military, you can use your training and experience for a job in the CIVILIAN WORLD that normally wouldn't be open to a recent college graduate.
Please don't settle for a McDonald's career. As a college graduate, I personally think that would be a waste of an expensive education.
In the military, you don't get LAID OFF due to a slow work
schedule or low sales.
(USN/retired)

Answer 6

Keep the job at MacDonald and get a masters degree in your own time. You can join the army at a later date. And if you had a masters they might make you a E-6 after training.
What ever you do in Iraq will harm you and have life long impact on everything. You do not want to be destroyed by combat, but that is what happens.

Answer 7

From your question I'm assuming you got your Bachelors degree out of a cracker jack box.By the way I know a manager of a McDonald's and although it is not glorious managing the production and distribution of shi* food they make well over 70,000 a year but with very long tiring hours.

Answer 8

Great question and thanks for asking. NO I repeat NO you should not join the army.If you are poor you can get free training from Job Core or America Core You may receive a small sum of money and learn a good skill.I feel you should train in computer networking Plan B If you must join the Navy or Air Force. You will learn a good skill and will come home with all your body parts.Do not train in computer programing in the service, it will not get you a good job when you come home.Good luck and God speed

Answer 9

If you have a bachelor's degree, then there's absolutely no reason why you should be working at mcDonalds. do a serious job search and find a job that you like! If that's with the military, then go ahead. If it's somewhere else, then do that. Follow your dreams and goals!

Answer 10

They don't have to select you to be an officer, you just have college, which you say you do, and go through a very rigorous training. It is very noble to have served your country. Why would you want to work at McDonalds with your having a bachelors degree.