Which branch of military should I join?

Question

I am 17, graduated early and I got a 71 on my ASVAB... and I really am looking for a life alternating experience. I need college education so all military branches will do something for that.... but I want to serve my country. I have no problem with living a rough life and being yelled at... but I want to be used to my full potential. I want to make it to the top some day and be someone I am proud of. I am super interested in being an Air Traffic Controller. I want to know which and why. I know the basic things that people say is that the Air Force is better, Navy second, Army and Marines are for the driven... Army is for anyone who can pick up a pencil blablablabla I need to know what fits me... I am outgoing and not afraid of dirt... which one will get me where I want to go faster? I want real answers from experience!!!!!

Answer 1

Forgive me my wife's signed in at the moment.


"Well you can be part of the most Elite Fighting Force in the World, or there is the Army, Navy and Air Force. "

Don't listen to the new marine....

Its really not a simple question and there is no Text-book answer.

Within each branch there are many positions you can choose.You will find that some will be unavailable to you as a female but don't let that bother you.

The Air force and Navy are known for better food and housing.They tend to have a lot of technical positions.I don't think that's what your looking for though. The Air force has a Security Forces position that I think is available to females. As for the Navy I don't have a clue.

The Air force/Navy tend to get more parental approval.

For the sake of this thread I'm not going to compare the Marines to the Army. However they are the tougher of the bunch.

You need to get with people from every branch and talk with them. Enlist when you are sure and confident its what you want to do.

-CAVSCOUT

Answer 2

You say you are "super interested in being an Air Traffic Controller" ... here is a suggestion... which 2 branches of the military have the most airplanes.... if you said Air Force and Navy, ding ding, you win. Now, here is something else to consider... Air Force, you will be on land based assignments, Navy you may have a few land based, but the cream of those jobs are aircraft carrier positions... a bit harder to gain, and then you lose a lot of things in being stuck on ship as well. Having grown up Air Force and served in the Navy, I have a pretty good range of experience for both sides of the issue. Main thing for you is to decide what benefits you wish to enjoy... the reassurance you are closer to home for longer periods of time (ie Air Force, Army) or see more but be moving a lot more often (ie Navy, Marines) Now dont get me wrong, any branch can have some really good results and experiences for you, just from my personal experience and general knowledge, I would suggest Air Force for the job you are looking into. Good luck.

Answer 3

The United States Marine Corps All The Way

Answer 4

if you want the "respect" thing which shouldnt be your choosing, then i'd go w/ the marines. marines do the toughest and longest training than any other and are in put in harms way the most. they are the ones on the front line first. army is great too they have real good special forces i.e. delta force, rangers, green berets, which are all badasses. to me marines are special in the aspect that they do it for the love/honor for their country as well as the other branches do don't get me wrong, but in my experience, ive known guys that joined the nat'l gaurd/army/coast gaurd for the wrong reasons, a nice little bonus and benefits once you join. in the marines you get no signing bonuses like you do in the army. marines get paid the least actually. as for the air force, dudes in tubes (navy subs) and the puddle pirates (coast gaurd) their all nice in their ways i'm not ganna bash them but IMO marines are the top notch.

i have a friend in the airforce that joined just over a year ago to pursue same field your interested in. you gotta understand air traffic controlling is one of the most stressful jobs in the world. on top of that its not the most available job either.

if your planning on joining the marines, you can bank on being deployed before you complete your first year in the corps. i have 5 friends that joined after high school and all of them were shipped off 9 months into their joining.

if your in it for the traveling and experience, definitely join the air force. my buddy i was talking about earlier was stationed in Okinawa 4 weeks after his training was finished. he spent about 9 months there. currently he is in nevada training and i will be re-stationed in germany in 2 weeks.

also got a buddy in the navy, who is an engine mechanic for subs. he will be sailing to the persian gulf in about 6 months after all his training is up to do some kind of work, i don't really know of.

all in all you can expect to have a hell of an experience in the service. if you want to make a career out of the military, you gotta be a leader. you have to attend officer training school in all the brances which is no cup cake. In my oppinion the branches you can go the farthest in would be most likely the navy and the airforce. navy and air force has hundreds of specialty jobs from ranging from engineers, mechanics, working w/ computers to being officers. good luck

Answer 5

Personally I would highly endorse the Navy, I had a great time serving.
Think of the rush you could have guiding a fighter jet onto an aircraft carrier.

My son was an Army Ranger and loved every minute of it. Even his time in Iraq.

The desire to serve is a personal matter , research every branch carefully , they each have websites and offer the same benefit packages. And you will have to live with your decision no one else.

Answer 6

Since you are interested in air traffic controller..either join the air force or army ...and speak to your recruiter of what your goal is.....I was an MP and when I got out became a 911 dispatcher ..we had some ex air traffic controllers with us, but in the mp's or sp's will learn radio commands and talk over the radio giving you maxium exposure..I also received 5 points towards my position for prior military..good luck but your recruiter can help you more then me..

Answer 7

Good for you. Congratulations and God bless! My husband was in the Army reserve. As a reservist's wife the unit was really crappy when he deployed (and my major gripe was with the family support. Sucky!!!). I found that the Air Force had much better family services, however, we live much closer to Malmstrom AFB. I would say to go full-time, don't just fool around with the Reserves. They serve a purpose, but you'll be better taken care of full-time.

What I would tell you is to go to the recruiters. Talk to them and see who's going to give you the best deal. And don't just settle for what THEY think is a good idea! It's your life and your decision. But most recruiters can match you with a good career which will best fit you. If the one you are talking to is a butthead, don't be afraid to thank him/her for their time and walk out of the office.

Take good care! Hooah!

Answer 8

Well you can be part of the most Elite Fighting Force in the World, or there is the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Answer 9

You should join the air force, you get paid WAY BETTER than the army or navy!
also the activities are fun, dirty and STRICT.
You can also rule the skies!!!

Answer 10

Coast Guard, my brother has been in it for nearly 20 years. He went to to the Academy, and from there everything has been great. He has his own ship, and loves it.