Can I say screw it and go into the military?

Question

I just recently graduated from college and I have a strong family history of family members going to the military. I am alone in this journey into the real world. I was told to go in as an officer and they are picky about gpa being 3.0 but I had a 2.7.gpa. I just wanted my degree. I was like whats so wrong going in as enlisted. I do want to travel and learn lot of things. I was an athelete all my life but now i am broke and nothing seems to be going right with this job search. I need advice, should I or should I not go into the airforce as enlisted. They say I could become an officer later because they usually hire people from within. Help me out, I dont know what I want to do with my life, but i know I want to travel all over the world, and military style helps with that and build character as well. Although I am professional but i do feel alone in this :(. Someone help me!!

Answer 1

Yep, if you have your bachelors degree you can apply directly for OTS (Officer Training School) and go into the Air Force as a lieutenant. Because the Air Force is downsized right now, competition is stiff though. If you enlist, that's a good path too, but I'll be more honest with you: you're not INCREDIBLY likely to get an officer billet. Your chances will, of course, be based on how well you perform and on what your officers think about your ability to lead will be.

Answer 2

You have a dilemma, don't you? If you enlist, you can see the world, learn a trade, and get more college if you want. you can go into the Air Force ( i would, they have more money and better stuff) as enlisted, then become an officer later. I have a friend that is now a major, from the enlisted ranks in the Air Force. You should look at all branches though. I was in the USMC and LOVED IT!!!! but there are trade offs, the Marine Corps doesn't have the numbers that the USAF does (the Few, the Proud). So, resources, chow, barracks......not the same! The Army is another branch, that I have friends in. They loved it, as well. Whatever you choose, do it for YOU. You're struggling with the crossroads you've come upon. Nobody is waiting behind you, so take your time......make sure the decision is yours and is the right one for you. I salute all members of the armed forces, past, present, and future. good luck.

Answer 3

I would honestly say follow your heart. I have been a military wife for nearly six years now, 4 years USMC and 2 Army ( my husband switched over). The military definitly has its ups and downs. But what doesnt kill you only makes you stronger right? I would definitly go i( if you decide to) to be an officer. Your pay and living quarters will be WAY better! Obviously you already have the drive and dedication to get what you have out of life, you do have your degree! Just remember that being in the military you will have to make sacrifices that you would not normally have to make in the civilian world. If you are willing to do so, then I would say go for it! You can at least try it out for one enlistment and see how you like it, if its not for you, you still have your degree to fall back on. Look into all branches and see what they have to offer you, then go from there. I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 4

Hey Jamaal,

I'm still for going and I would go in a second if they called me but currently I've got my medical records holding me down for using medications in the past. I don't know how patient they will be with me because of all the holdups. Have you read the Air Force Officer Forums? They've got some good stuff to read from the members. I don't think GPA is that important, as you can submit an application package with recommendation letters and a good test score and see how it turns out. You're entitled to do so. You could have enlisted in the first place while going to school so now that you have your diploma- put it to use!

Answer 5

You can do anything you want to do. If you go in, ask for a program that pays off your college debt in exchange for service. Anyway you decide, you still need to go through nine weeks of BCT (Army), but you will likely go in as an E-3, so you have some rank due to your education. I think you can apply for OCS (Officer Candidate School) at E-4, or see if your recruiter can set you up with OCS being your next duty station. My battery commander came up through the ranks and had that deal.

Regardless, MAKE SURE THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO!!!! I was enlisted for three years in artillery in Germany and I friggin' LOVED IT!!!! I was 18 at the time and had a blast! These were easily (in retrospect) the best and most exciting times of my life, and I got money to go to college and veterans benefits besides. Plus the pride of actively serving a nation I have always loved. But part of the love affair with the Army is that I was surrounded by people who volunteered as I did and loved their nation enough to lay down their lives for it.

Officer status carries baggage and responsibility. It is the men who do the actual fighting and get things done. It is the officer who sees to administrative details and functions largely as staff. Your first four or five years will likely be spent with the men in command, and then you will spend what may be considered a huge part of your career as an officer in an office typing and writing reports and serving as a general's aide. The boring stuff.

Make sure military is what you want and that you serve from the heart.

Answer 6

I think you should do it. After I graduate college, two more years, I'm going to join the USMC as an officer. I'm at that same point though, its like where am I going to go with this ya know? So I figured if I join, I'd give back to my country what it gave to me and I get to travel too. I mean honestly, it will only be four years out of your life right? Also, if you dont like it, you can always not reenlist.

Answer 7

the Air Force is VERY picky about who they are letting in, and yes, your GPA probably won't cut it for officer. Nor will your attitude of "I Just wanted my degree"

on the enlisted side, the AF is equally as picky.

you show a lack of motivation by not striving to do the best you absolutely could in College. that means something to all prospective services.

Answer 8

I have two sons in the Marie's and they are getting to see the world. I think you should go talk to a recruiter. They can help you alot.

I am very proud of my boys for what they are doing with their lives. Both are seeing the world

Answer 9

those with scientific themes are no longer barred from enlistment because of the fact protection rigidity service is a criminal accountability to their well-being. they are barred because of the fact their well-being makes them a criminal accountability to the protection rigidity. Sending somebody into conflict only to have a pin or screw injury is basically giving the enemy a loose casualty of conflict.

Answer 10

If you have a BA you should be able to go in as an Officer I would look into it with all the Branches and go from there