that's how much my parents went in debt for 3 years of my schooling and I went about 15,000 in debt! but I flunked out of college. My first year and a half i did amazing then i don't know what happened. I just couldn't do it anymore. I looked for other options and decided i wanted to join the air force... I have kinda always wanted to but never had the guts to do it. but now my options were limited. My parents want me to go to community college then back to my former university, my dad especially. I feel bad because of the amount of money spent, but i do plan on getting a degree one day before i'm 27 i'm only 20 right now. I think the military might give me a chance to serve my country while giving me the discipline and kick in the pants i need to finish school. any suggestions, i'll even take opinions... don't be mean though i've already cried about the money that has been spent and feel guilty but feel like i have a better chance of finishing school this way!
2007-02-24 11:38:15 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
You and your parents will have to pay back the money no matter what path you choose now, so I'd advise you not to feel like you have to do one thing or another for the money's sake. You still have the credits you earned before your grades slipped, so you can always build on that later.
Sounds like you're going to finish college and join the Air Force, but you haven't decided which one to do first. If you finish college first, you might get to start out on a commissioned officer career track which pays more and opens up the opportunity to be a pilot or navigator. On the other hand, whether you finish college or not you can enlist for less pay, but more training and wider job opportunities.
Most people in the Air Force have the chance to take night classes or correspondence courses from their duty locations. Most of those courses are Associate's level, but it is possible to get a Bachelor's or Master's degree while on active duty.
The Air Force did pay off student loans at one time, I don't know if they still do that.
At 20 you have so many options ahead of you. Choose wisely, and whichever one you choose, I'm sure you'll do fine.
good luck
2007-02-24 12:04:04 · answer #1 · answered by maxnull 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some people are just not ready to buckle down and hit the books. You sound like that kind of guy, so it's good that you have the concern for your parents by not wasting their money. Hey, when you know you're are ready to go back and give it your all, you will make a damn good student.
The air force is pretty full up right now. This is the job of choice if you want to serve but don't necessarily want exposure to the shiit. There's a lot of people thinking the same way so I'm sure the a/f has a waiting list. The navy is the next best thing. Probably a little more volatile, but not like being a grunt on the ground, like the army or Marines.
You can always get a job until you decide to go back to school, or if you feel the need to do your part, there's a job waiting for you in the military complexes, somewhere !
2007-02-24 11:54:53 · answer #2 · answered by briang731/ bvincent 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know about the AF, but I know the Navy has enlistment programs that will pay back up to $40K or $60k of student loans that are in your name. That's a pretty good motivator to check into. The Navy and the AF are both great choices for people that are smart like you. Talk to a recruiter, but make sure you stay firm on that enlistment program, a lot of recruiters don't know anything about it. This is something that will need to be on your enlistment contract with the dollar figure they will repay for you. If it's not on your contract you aren't getting anything. You will need to provide them with all the copies of your loan documentation showing how much you have and they need to show you are the person with the loans. It is ok that you burned out on school You will get a lifetime of experiences from the military that you would have never have dreamed of staying at home or just going to college. Even if you never leave the country you will still see places you would have never have gone to and you will meet all sorts of people from all over the country. The rewards of the military are huge. Besides paying for your existing loans you will get more money through your GI Bill to pay for school when you do go back or you can have them pay for your degree in full if you go to college while on active duty. Then maybe when you finish your enlistment in the military you could go to grad school with your GI Bill instead of just your BA which you could finish on active duty instead. Sounds like you could be way better off with school and debt by joining the military. Plus all the other free stuff. You really are making a good decision if you choose to enlist. Just go for it, Navy or AF are both great choices
2007-02-24 12:43:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nobody knows you as well as you know yourself. Many need the extra kick in the pants that the military gives to be motivated to finish school.
If returning to school would only be waisting more of your parents' money don't do it. On the other hand it may be much harder to find the time to go back to school down the road.
Consider it carefully but either way it seems you have learned a lesson.
2007-02-24 11:46:58 · answer #4 · answered by C B 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I didn't entirely catch your question...but if you think the USAF experience will help you be a better student then by all means serve our country. I finished college prior joining but used the GI Bill for 2 graduate degrees later on. Once you have served (an you can use the in service GI Bill) then you can pay for the rest of your education.
2007-02-24 11:49:28 · answer #5 · answered by iraq51 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes you just need to follow your heart. It is hard to make a career decision, take it from somebody that started University in Science and graduated in Social Work. If you think you need to join the air force in order to find yourself and get disciplined...you should do it. You are still young and have a few years before you turn 27, so follow your heart..you'll see that you'll be happier in the end!!
2007-02-24 12:06:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
From my point of view as an Air Force mom. I would say that would be a great idea for you to join. My son has been in for 8 years now, he signed up for 4 and re-upped for another 6. He made the right decision as far as his career and future goes. He likes it very much and has traveled the world at Uncle Sam's expense, so to speak. I would advise you tho, to check in with an Air Force recruiter to see what is available to you. He or she will work with you in choosing a job or MOS in military terms that fits you best. They have programs that you can use to further your education as well. You will get paid for every bit of training and work that you do. You also get medical, optical and dental care paid for you too. Mom and Dad should be very supportive of you in your final decision. It scared me when my son came home and said he wanted to go into the AF. But, I stood behind him 100% and gave him my blessings and let him make his own decision. He likes it very much and is thinking of going for his 20 years. I'm hoping that he does, but, if he decides to leave after his 10 years are up. He can still use the experience he has from being in the AF in the civilian world to get a good paying job. I admire you very much in not only thinking about joining the AF but also for asking these questions. I wish you very much luck in what ever it is you decide to do with your future. Good luck!
2007-02-24 12:04:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you could not finish college, and flunked out after 3 years, I don't think the military wants you. What happened, too many parties? Couldn't focus or stay dedicated to your studies? But if you really wanna join, yeah go Air Force and talk to a recruiter and get as much bonus money as you can up front. I have to admit, I love to see kids that sign up for college money get sent to war or deployed, then see em whine and cry about it.
2007-02-24 12:19:44 · answer #8 · answered by John B 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Dont look back look forward. If the air force is what you want to do, go for it but if you are using it as a way to run away for responsibilities thats your bad. Discipline has to come from within. You are more than half way through college, its not like you blew the last few years of yr life
2007-02-24 11:54:06 · answer #9 · answered by Dee 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Join the Coast Guard! I think they are giving big bonuses for certain rates.
Good Luck.
I was in the USArmy and the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is the better service.
Plus you get the Montgomery Bill which pays for college (you contribute to it) when you get out. You can also get tutition reimbursement for college while attending classes while serving.
What type jobs would you like to do?
What college degree would you like?
Good Luck.
2007-02-24 12:55:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋