Should I join the US Army? 26 y/o male?

Question

I was in the Army Nat'l Guard for 4 years, the last being 2002. I got kicked out for failing a drug test. Since I went to rehab last year, I am now eligible to re-enlist, but I have to go into the nat'l guard for at least 6 months before going active duty. Here are my main reasons for wanting to do this:
1) Get my "General" discharge off my record, and someday turn it into an "Honorable" one
2) I completed 78 hours of College, but lost my scholarship the last semester I was there, thereby endebting me to my college for $7,000. Now they wont release my transcripts until I pay them. The Army will be able to help with this and help me finish College.
3) Travel
4) Start a new Career.I want to change my MOS to something valuable in the civilian world, i.e. Aviation or Medical...my ASVAB score is very high, so I qualify for everything.
Here is my dilemma: I am going to make $45k this year, and next year could make 60, but I sell furniture and it's DULL. Should I stay, or re-enlist?

Answer 1

This is going to be the unpopular answer, but I say re-enlist.

You obviously want to reclaim you honor by correcting the way you left the service. I would do it for that alone, but your reasoning for education is also strong. The military is a great way to get the real-world experience in either of those fields. It sounds like your self-esteem needs to be boosted by clearing up your past too.

A good salesman can always find a job, but you are only young enough to serve once, and personal honor is a great thing.

Answer 2

Stay.

1. Nobody cares what kind of discharge you had any more than they care about your "permanent record" from high school.

2. Making what you say, if you're not too free a spender 7k should be no problem.

3. Save your money and go on vacation. You'll have more fun that way anyway.

4. Take some night classes if you want to learn a new trade. Again, save your money and enroll full-time when you're ready. In the fields you are interested in you should be able to make enough to pay off any student loans before too long.

5. Brother, this ain't the time to be getting into the military.

Answer 3

Since you're prior service, the army won't pay your student loans. You will, however, get a steady paycheck that you can use toward that.

I say enlist if you want. I wouldn't personally want to sell furniture, regardless of the pay.

Also, since you got a drug related discharge, you're not eligible for every job just yet.

Answer 4

My son went in the army at 26, he made it just fine. If you go back in for what ever reason. Remember this ,If you screw up this time it wont be a General it will be a BCD or a Dishonorable. With your type of discharge you will be lucky to get anything other than 11B. Reup,stay home? It's your decision. If you reup take what they offer. Do it because you want to serve the country, not your self.

Answer 5

For the long term advantage, It is good if you re-enlist. As you mentioned not only for your college scholarship but also for your long term retirement and social security benefit.

You may get 45k for now, but I am not sure whether you are eligible for pension and for retirement benefit. Do you have a good benefit with that furniture business? You have to consider all these. Good luck.

Answer 6

If you were RE-4 before re-hab, what magic formula suddenly makes you RE-1? You appear to be someone who is drifting around, trying to find some purpose in life. That's O.K. But, using military service to try and satisfy that "itch" is not the way to go. Take some of that fat money you speak of, pay off that student debt and use some to pay your way through training in the fields you mentioned.
As a retired military man, I feel you are a risk for re-entry, because you give some pretty self-involved reasons for wanting to serve.

Answer 7

Personaly I think that everyone should go through, at least a year, of military training, it will make a man out of you. On the other hand U.S. military is so srewed up right now and corrupted that I am not sure that you should. I want to join the army, more like military college but you know that right now it is practicaly impossible if you do not have some good connection with powers, who can get you in there.
But after all, man it is your choice, it will make a man out of you but if you go to Iraq you will just fight for nothing, and that is something that I would not like to do.

Answer 8

They own you in the military. You are theirs. Travel? Yeah to Iraq. Is this rating you have making it difficult to get employment? I suppose if you really think the college they offer will help you get a good civilian job, then maybe. So, it's up to you. Are you gonna get bored and do drugs again? It can be pretty boring cause you do not make a lot of money either. Nothing to do. Think long and hard. Plus they might punish you and you will make even less money, on reentering, cause of the drugs. Please, think for a long time on this.

Answer 9

you're making pretty good money right now, and you'll be taking one hell of a pay cut if you come in as an E-1 making $1300 a month before taxes. I'd say if you want abit of excitement just go back to the guards. Although money isn't everything, do what'll make you satisfied with your life.

Answer 10

If you're scared, say you're scared.

AT 45k a year, you can pay your college debts. If you won't, why would the Army want you back? So you can take the college money we offer those willing to serve their country?

You come back and you *better* be ready to serve your country. Sam have mercy on you, cause I won't.