has anybody join the military? What advice can y'all give to me ?

Question

i have always wanted to join the military ever since my mom's last boyfriend came back from Iraq. he told very sad but interesting stories about the war, and how it was like when he was training for war and all that. and ever since then i wanted to join. when i get in high school i'm joining the R.O.T.C program, then after i graducate i'm joining the military right away. any suggestions?

Answer 1

Yes.

1. Stay in college and graduate.

2. Wait until we are fighting in a moral and legal war. Don't die for a stupid reason like Iraq. If you want to serve your country, treat your life like the valuable thing it is. Don't contribute to evil intentions or human folly, please.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I, like others here, feel you should go to college first. However, if money is a problem, then joining the military is an option to get some bucks for school. There are other options while you are in too: Distance learning, tuition assistance. And the Air Force has the CC of the Air Force.

If you insist on joining out of high school - like the one guy said: Get it in writing.

Also, look at joining the Air Force, Coast Guard or Navy. These are the services that generally are not being shot at. Now, granted, people shoot at jets - however - officers (read that as pilots) are flying the jets, not the enlisted folks.

The Air Force would be my first choice (even though I am a retired Coast Guardsman). The Coast Guard would be the second choice, and then the Navy.

Politics aside (as to just or unjust wars/military actions) - the military is a noble calling - and it is not for everyone. Many people do their initial enlistment and then get out. Others stay.

There are ups and downs with a military career, just as there is anywhere else. The BIG downside (particularly with the Army and Marines, and now National Guard) is that you can be ordered into a conflict.

If you do join one of the services - keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut in boot camp. Do not be the one that stands out as you will be the one that will be made an example of. You will be told to do stuff that you think is stupid - just do it. There actually is a method to the madness.

No matter what service you go into - learn as much as you can PRIOR to signing up. Do more than just listening to the recruiter. Remember, they are salesmen, selling a product to a consumer (that is you). It is time out of your life - make it count. Also - when you speak with the recruiter, have a list of questions that you want answered. Do not let go until they are answered to your satisfaction. And they will paint a rosy picture. All well and good, that is their job. Go in with the attitude of: Ok, you have shown me the silver lining - lets take a look at that cloud!

And like anything else, do the best you can. Be the best that you can. If you are told to clean the toilets (been there, done that), be the best toilet cleaner in the world.

Study. Learn about your job. Go to school - take courses. There really isn't a reason that if you join the Air Force, Coast Guard or Navy, and only stay 4 years (6 in some instances) that you shouldn't have at least an Associates when you leave.

Good luck with your decision.

Answer 3

First, make sure you get everything in writing. A recruiter can tell you that the Army will give you rhinestone-covered alligator-hide combat boots, but unless those exact words are in your contract, it ain't gonna happen.

Secondly, talk to vets during the process. A friend or relative who has been in the service will have no reason to lie to you. You can even bring them into meetings with the recruiters.

During the process, keep yourself in shape. You do not have to become the Terminator unless you are going for some sort of elite unit such as the SEALS, Marine Force Recon, or the Rangers. Watch your weight (in a healthy manner), work on your run time, and start a well-rounded fitness program.

Keep your grades up. GRADUATE!!! R.O.T.C. is a great program. Consider continuing it in college. An officer's life has a lot of perks to go along with the added responsibility. (By the way, if you do go into the military as a second lieutenant, listen to your sergeants. Their experience can help you avoid a lot of mistakes. Like the Battery XO who got my unit lost because he disagreed with the GPS.)

Finally, as the time grows closer, make sure that you reflect on your decision before you sign anything. People change. You will too. The military can be an amazing opportunity for growth. It can also be hell on earth. A lot of that depends on the attitude of the recruit.

Remember, military service is an honorable tradition, regardless of some of the answers you are going to get. Serve with honor, but make sure it is the right decision for you.

Answer 4

I'm in the military.

If you can, go to college and get a degree. Not just any degree, but something you enjoy and may also be skilled at. Then, if you decide to still join, you can do it through ROTC in college or OCS/OTS after graduating.

Then you'll be an officer, with better pay, a better role, and you'll have a college degree to help you post-military if you find out it isn't for you (a large percentage of people who join don't even stay in for 10+ years).

I'll advise against joining for the reason of wanting to fight in wars. It's definitely not a positive attitude, and it'll burn out your enthusiasm pretty quickly.

Don't rush your decision, this is not something you should decide to do overnight, and good luck!

Answer 5

The military isn't for everyone, but if it is for you.... give thought to whether or not you're officer material.

There's nothing wrong with being enlisted.

But if you have the option to go to college, you might enlist in the "SMP" (simultaneous membership program) and take college ROTC, and be a part of the National Guard or Reserves while in college. After four years of being in the Reserve/NG, you'll be a much better officer for that experience on top of ROTC.

You might even consider a service academy.

Give that option some thought as well.

Answer 6

Go with ROTC you will be an officer and have more money and power. I joined the dep program going into 12th grade, shipped for bct 9 days later. I did 8 weeks of bct and broke my foot, was discharged 2months later. At the time I thought it was great, but now I wish I was still there. You have to have the discipline to want to have someone telling you what to do 24-7. Work out, I still use my pt work outs, nothing has worked better.

Answer 7

1. Pick your branch carefully. Makes a big difference in determining where you are based. ROTC may limit this somewhat. In geneal, Marine bases are in God forsaken country, Army bases are a bit better, Naval bases are along the ocean (of course), Coast Guard are along the waterways (not necessarily the Ocean), Air Force bases are all over but usually nicer inland areas. In short, other factors aside, if you like the Water but not necessarily the Ocean, Coast Guard. If you like the Ocean, Navy. Otherwise, Air Force. On base location alone, Army and Marine base in general aren't as desirable (I said in general, there are exceptions to all of these of course).

2. Picking your task/unit is also important, but be careful. They are desperately recruiting these days. be ready if you get assigned to a unit/task seperate from what you wanted. Have several preferences ready.

3. Take advantage of the college tuition assistance, even if it is to a lesser college for a lesser degree. if you are planning for a long stint in the military, go to college 1st as this can improve your chances of making officer or recieving some assignments (check with recruiters for details). If you are just looking for a short stint for the experience, go to college afterwards - that way you go from your college training into the civilian work force (not vice versa) and you have a bit more maturity and discipline - and check for available military training classes which will transfer to college credits.

Don't be intimidated by college expenses - at that young age you can live on next to nothing - in college I could cover nearly all of my non-tuition expenses just working the summer break months.

Don't be intimidated by studying - not every degree is engineering or medical - there are lots of easier degrees from easier colleges where you don't need to study any more than you would in a high school standard college prep curriculum. There are lots of easier degrees. I can honestly say I know of NOBODY who failed/dropped out of college because they couldn't learn the material - they dropped out because they either had financial problems (poor planning), legal problems (poor ethics/morals), didn't study (poor discipline), or most likely got caught up in partying too much (goes with being young I guess).

4. Go to the most reliable sources - ask people in the military. Sure, you will get a mixture of responses, positive an negative, but lets face it - most people hate their civilian jobs, so it is to be expected you will encounter these in the military as well.

5. Build the habits now. Getting up early. Staying physically fit. Exercising regularly. These will be part of your future in the military, so start them now.

6. If you are just looking for the experience and trainin but not as a full time lifestyle, consider the National Guard. Don't think you will get choice assignments - in larger engagements like Iraq and Afghanistan they are pulling long tours alongside the rest, but in between they also have their civilian life. It is more of a personal choice.

Answer 8

Don't get confused by other answers. You can come in the military as a commissioned officer through ROTC. Since you are about to enter high school, that would be considered JROTC (Junior). You cannot be commissioned from JROTC.
And you still have time to make up your mind whether or not you want to come in. Enjoy the high school years!!

Answer 9

You need to start paying attention to the election and its mob of candidates. The next Commander In Chief is among them. You need to figure out (if you can) were each stands on the military and what kind of leader you will get. It will be him or her who will have the authority to order you to fight anywhere in the world, for however long they say. He or she will also decide whether or not you are going to get that pay raise and new field gear.

Answer 10

you do not savour a similar rights as somebody who's a civilian & whilst particular issues are offered for you i wouldn't in any respect make the declare your existence is safeguard. You existence is something yet safeguard once you connect the protection tension.