Joining the Army sounds like I might enjoy it more than college, but if i join the army, i won't be able to have a family which is high on my to-do list (after school, of course) i would do law enforcement, but i can't stand cops, so i'm at a dead end here. Everything that sounds fun has major drawbacks. I've been in some trouble,and my grades aren't all that good, so i don't even know if i'll get any scholorships to college. What should my next step be?
2007-03-11 13:57:47 · 7 answers · asked by Nikki 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
If you're seriously thinking about enlisting in the military, don't limit your options to just Army. You might want to check out the other branches as well like Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
Army is very desperate for manpower since they're suffering the most casualties in Iraq (Marines being 2nd highest). That's why they make the best offers on money and benefits to attract as much new recruits as possible.
AF and Navy would be much safer since it's not like Al Qaeda can touch us on water or in air. AF does have the softest fitness standards for women if you're not very good at pushups, situps, and running. Marines, on the other hand, are the most hardcore on fitness. Good idea though to work out pretty often since all military branches have fitness tests twice a year. Make sure you're not overweight either for your height and age.
In each branches, there's active-duty (full-time job) or reserve (part-time). There's also Army National Guard and Air National Guard, which are also usually part-time like reserves, but you're usual station or workplace will mostly be the state you're in.
After serving some time in the military, you could be eligible for Montgomery GI bill (money for college).
Community colleges, colleges, and universities can be very flexible because they usually have class schedules where you can pick whichever is available. Some even offer night or online classes. You could study part-time for a start if you feel full-time will be too overwhelming. Community college would be the cheapest way to start a post-HS education.
I know how it feels to be an 18 year old HS grad. I been there and so has all other adults in this world. Very often you'll hear these words, "It's up to you." You'll have more freedom of choice than ever. There are so many options to explore. Nothing in life is 100% perfect. There will always be pros and cons to choices you have to make.
Well I hope this helps a little. Good luck with your decisions.
2007-03-11 21:36:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should immediately get a job. You will learn in a very short time that you do not enjoy being Dependant on someone else's success to ensure your survival. You will learn that the more you work with your head, and the less you work with your hands, the more money they will throw at you. You are now at the stage of your life where every time you say yes to something, you are saying no to at least a thousand other things. Everything that sounds fun does have major drawbacks. That's why the stuff that isn't fun pays better. After you learn these things, and I mean really learn them, not just read them on this board, you can do anything you want to in life and be reasonably successful. You can join the Army AND go to college. You can go to college and really get something out of it. The important thing is to learn this first lesson and then go do the rest.
If you join the service, make sure you find out what your MOS (your specialty) is worth in college credits, and make sure you take college courses while you are in. It's cheaper (the Army will pay up to seventy five percent of your tuition) and it will keep you from being bored and getting into trouble. Take every bonus and educational advantage you can get because that is just an investment in your career. When you become a taxpayer, you can contribute a whole lot more to the country as a person with a career and a $40,000 salary than you ever could as a $5.15 burger flipper.
To sum up, get out there and find out what you don't want to do, and what you really want to do will suddenly become crystal clear. Hope this helps.
2007-03-11 21:08:15 · answer #2 · answered by MUDD 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At the library get the book - What Color is Your Parachute? - the book will help you see what types of work/career you may be best suited for. The best thing about the book is that it doesn't look at your GPA but your strengths. Then you can better decide to go to community college, the military or the Police Dept. - I get the whole "I don't like cops." thing but only by better people signing up can we improve the quality of enforcement - so do keep it open, there is always the Sheriff and private Security too, take the test in the book though it can be very enlightening. Good Luck!
2007-03-11 21:09:13 · answer #3 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to work. The military has a great option for helping vets pay for school after they get out and many programs for sending active military types through university. Look into it.
2007-03-11 21:06:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
spending 4 years in the army would get you a scholarship to a school i think and then after you would be able to have a family 4 years isnt really that bad when you think about it
2007-03-11 21:07:20 · answer #5 · answered by dnateog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Travel or work for atleast a year. Then go to a community college. Starting from there is a lot cheaper. Then transfer.
2007-03-11 21:32:08 · answer #6 · answered by glamourlicious07 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a fulltime job for a year. That'll give you time to look for someone and consider your next move (and you could take upgrading to improve your marks). It's better not to rush things if you're not too sure.
2007-03-11 21:02:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋