Should I enlist?

Question

I'm a high school senior so i'm gonna be graduating in less than 2 months. I've been thinking about which college I want to go to for the entire year but lately i've been considering joing the military. It's been my plan all along to do ROTC in college and then become an officer but now i'm thinking that I should enlist right after high school. However, I don't think that my family would like my decision at all. I guess that has to do with them being scared of me serving when we're fighting a war. Also, I go to a high school where 100% of graduates attend college so it's kind of expected to just go to college. I definitely want to serve my country but i'm not sure that i'm ready to do yet. It would be good to save the money and have the military pay for me to attend school after I enlist but i'm just not sure. Any opinions on what I should do?

Answer 1

if you want respect from fellow soldiers... enlist.... if you want money and and less people to F*** with you all the time... become an officer...but whatever you do.... if you become an officer....PLEASE listen to your soldiers and dont think you are better than them just because of your rank..... our LT almost found himself a victim of "friendly fire" by treating the enlisted like crap.. the best officers are those who take the advice of the soldiers who have been in longer than him

Answer 2

I was in the Navy for six years. These were some of the best years of my life (during desert strom 91). I loved to serve my country and was stupid for getting out (got married, figures). I have many friends that are now retiring with a pension and life long health/ dental care. Not to mention all the priceless life experience.

Today, the rewards are even greater, but be sure you realy want to join and understand the full responsibility of what you are doing. If you enlist, you do have the opportunity to become an officer still. I read my contract when I joined. The people that complain that they didn't know something or other have only to blame themselves. If you joint the military, you DO know you may have to go into combat. I'd do it in a heart beat. It tests every fiber of your being at times, but it was the best time of my life. I will always know what I'm made of.

Remember, it's YOUR decision. Do what YOU feel is best for YOU in your life.

Answer 3

You need to answer, for yourself, the following questions:

- Who will pay for my college, and will it put them in a bind?
- Do I have any college loans/grants set up?
- When do I expect to start college?
- How much time will I spend studying? (answer honestly. Most people take 5-6 years to earn a Bachelor's because the first year is spent partying)
- What college will I be attending?
And, perhaps most importantly, WILL I BE HAPPY THERE?

Now, answer these ones:
- Do I want to be independent?
- Do I want to have experience to go with my college?
- Do I want to see something of the world?
- Do I want to have some adventure in my life?

Now, you have a BASIS to form your decision. Going to college is a great idea, and it gives you a lovely piece of paper to hang on the wall. The idea of going to ROTC is even better, because then you can become an officer and pay back some of the loans you took with that extra money. Going into the military will give you the training, free college, allow you to see the world (that may include Iraq, Afganistan or Africa), and get some adventure (airborne, air assault). Once you have been in for a couple of years and have your degree, you can either get out and go back to college (GI Bill) or go Green to Gold (ROTC and then return as an officer) or Warrent Officer (flight school, maybe), or OCS.

Unfortunately, we can't help you make your decision. We can only help you along the road. Your parents, naturally, won't be happy about the decision to enlist, but they love you and will be proud of you.

Good luck, and thanks for thinking of us.

Answer 4

You should never enlist right out of high school. If you only go to college for 2 years(even just one year 45credits) and get a degree you will get more money a better pick of jobs and start out at a higher rank.. Or even better if you get a 4 year degree. Community college for a 2 year degree (or even one year) is cheap. Or free if you can get aid.

The "money for school" is way less then what you will end up getting in the long run with a better rank and bonus.

Don't let people brain wash you into joining up to fast.

Answer 5

As has been mentioned, it is your decision. I suggest you check out each military service, remembering that recruiters WILL lie to you. An easy way to get that degree is to try to get in military aviation as a pilot, and don't forget that the US Coast Guard is a military service.

Answer 6

Enlist, look at all the great benefits you get. A free place to live, free food, free clothes, free medical care and money for college. If ya get sent to Iraq, you'll be able to legally kill people too. If ya come home with an arm or leg blown off, the service will get ya a prosthetic one and you'll be a 'hero'.

Answer 7

Honestly, I think you would be better off if you went to college and did the ROTC thing, but it's totally your decision and no one else can decide for you.

Answer 8

You have to be your own man.

Who is going to live your life. Mom? Dad?

Join the reserves! True, you might go to Iran, but then again, who knows? It's not like it's going to be 4 years, straight through.

Good luck. I salute you.Sounds like you need time to think.

Answer 9

Do what you want to do is the best advice. One of my biggest regrets in life is not serving in the military. I got married instead and that is my second biggest regret.

Answer 10

My boy Education comes Before Anything. First get Educated it will most certainly help you in futer endeavors.