United States military???????????please help?

Question

My significant other and i have decided to join the military so it will pay for our college. We've talked to every single recruiter but now im confused by which branch. some unbiased opinions will help. What can you tell me about the army,marines,navy and air force? what do youthink? can u tell me any inside stuff? oh and id like to know about their bands too. please help.

Answer 1

I have been 8 yrs in the Air Force as a Security Policeman and 5 yrs as a Army Soldier....I can tell you hands down the Air Force is the best place for you and your wife....More money....better oppurtunities....better quality of life after work...better housing...better on the job equipment...when they deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan it is only from 90 to 180 days unlike 365 plus days for the Army...
The people are of a better caliber in intelligence and morale and morals....Air Force is just alot better than they Army and if you are newly married and plan on doing this together I would imagine that would BOTH would appreciate a branch that would support and respect your marriage and Air Force would be that one...No boat tours...No Men treating your female like crap...or the threat of being raped....Air Force will treat her like a woman and it will also reward you both for integrity independent thinking and motivation to get the job done...Army just wants a heartbeat and you to aim a weapon...not bashing just giving you the NO BS facts on life in the military....and just know no matter which branch just as in life all have their own unique share of BS just the Air Force is alot more civilized about it...if you want more feel free to contact me....Best of Luck to you both and congrats on being married

Answer 2

I think it depends on what you want to do.

If you want to work on airplanes and you want a good aviation education then join the Navy. The schools used in the aviation community are attended by the Navy and the Marines. The basic aviation schools will get you a very good, broad aviation knowledge education. The Navy has recently made a move to integrate both the aviation engine mechanics and the structural / hydraulic mechanics so that they work together and help each other. You will also have a chance, depending on duty station obviously, go to a school to get you airframes and powerplants license.

The Air Force gets a little too specialized. You would work on the same thing day in and day out for twenty years. The only change being your duty station location and pay-grade. What I mean is, I worked on the whole engine, the oil system, the engines and the fuel system. In the Air Force, to do what I did, it would have taken maybe 15 more guys because you only do a little part of the whole process.

The Navy allows you to change aircraft platform. Meaning you may work on a couple different planes during a twenty year career. You also get a chance to go completely out of your normal job and do something different. I was an instructor for four years. No wrenching or getting dirty, I was a teacher. It was a month long school and then I went to a two week school two years later. Next thing you know 12 college credits. Eight of which were upper level.

The Navy also has college classes on board the ship. So even underway you can get a few classes out of the way. My better half has been seriously working towards her Bach degree for 2 years and is about done. She has enough time left BEFORE she retires that she will get about halfway done with her Masters degree.

If you want to be a cop then I would join the Marines or the Army. Marines before the Army though. But if I remember right the Army has some pretty big signing bonus'.

AND the Navy had a guy on American Idol, Phil. That should do it right there!! LOL

GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!

No matter what branch you join know this. The first morning in boot camp your first thought is going to be "WHAT HAVE I DONE?!" Ask every question you can think of. Take someone who is serving or who has served recently. Why? So they can ask questions for you. I would think of things and ask for things you wouldn't know to think of. AND GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!!!

Good luck!!

Answer 3

if you want to join the the military to pay for college i suggest the national guard or reserves of what ever branch it doesn't matter. i was national guard before becoming active army. and let me tell you will not have the time to go to school. it's possible but very difficult. you could be stuck with a plt sgt. that won't let you off for an hour 1 to 2 days a week or you just in a busy and deploying unit. and then before you know it your 3yr contract is coming to an end and you haven't got haven't gotten many credits. and the best advice i can give you don't listen to everything a recruiter tells you they tend to not be the most honest.

Answer 4

It all depends on what YOU want to do in the military. I would suggest a TECHNICAL rating that you can use 'on the outside. If you are not married, forget about being stationed close together. NORMALLY married folks are stationed in the same geographical area, but not necessarily on the same base and NOT in the same command. Here in S.E. Virginia one could be at the Norfolk Naval Base and the other at Little Creek Amphibious base about 10 miles away.
Good luck!
For SALVATRUCHO..ALL branches pay the same in the same pay grade...there are perks for different areas, but NEITHER branch pays more than the other. It's obvious you're not military nor a vet. Know what you're talking about so you won't look as foolish as you just did.
(USN, retired)

Answer 5

If you and your significant other are both going in and for college my recommendation would be Air Force or Coast Guard....reasons. Marines, Army both deploy often and for long periods and would leave little time for schooling or social life with eachother. Navy tends to spend long periods of time out to sea depending on the job and they too deploy for long periods of time. Air Force though we deploy generally speaking our deployments are much shorter than that of the Army and Marines. Most units while at home station push for furthering your education. Coast Guard has it pretty good too, they do go out to sea but generally not for extended period of times, unless accompanying the navy. Each branch will depend upon your job.

BTW Airforce has a great band, and you do have to try out for it. Remember they do go on tours and such so be ready for that if you make it.

Answer 6

If you really want to join go Air Force. They treat soldiers the best - especially married couples. If you want to be together get married PRIOR to enlisting. If you get married after they can try to put you together but it is NOT guaranteed no matter what they say. Keep copies of everything. There are tons of loopholes in contracts, don't get screwed out what you are entitled to. As an Army Vet I say no Army, no way. Research and talk to as many vets as you can. At this point deployments are rough and you cannot fathom what war really is until you see it. And trust me, you will wish you could forget most of what you see, hear, and smell. You have to try out for the band and it is very exclusive. If it does not work out they will force you into another job. Something to ponder. Best of luck to you.

Answer 7

I would go with US Coast Guard - technically that's a part of the military now.

Or Navy Reserves - you might not get called up.

Beyond that, I'd go with Navy - you get to travel the most, and IF you can get assigned to a carrier it'll be the safest place in a war: A carrier is surrounded by destroyers, submarines, a whole battle-group - if an invading force got to the carrier, World War III would have to be raging on around you for that to happen.

Answer 8

well, the air force is the most technical of all the branches, the marines take the brunt of everything, and unless you want to go into the navy seals, your probably going to be on a ship for months on end.

I would say the air force.

Answer 9

The ones that pay the most are in this order:
1. Air force
2. Navy or Army
4. Marines = lowest paid and benefits

Answer 10

Join the Air Force. They take care of their people very well.