Ok, I know I've asked this question before, but I'm still confused about what to do. I want to join the army sometime soon, but I don't know if I should go to college first to become an officer or just go in enlisted. I don't really know what I want to do career-wise yet, so I was thinking that maybe it would be best to go in as an enlisted, but what do you think? There was also a part of me that was thinking about making the army my career. What do you think? Army or college? Thanks.
2007-09-17 11:31:17 · 16 answers · asked by ? 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
My honest recommendation would be to apply for an AROTC scholarship and go to college. It's a good way to get that college experience and then get you in line to an Army Career (if you so choose) or has you set with a degree if you decide to punch out. The scholarship would also cover your schooling, so that takes care of that issue
2007-09-17 11:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by promethius9594 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I highly recommend going into the Army first, and pursuing your degree while you're in. It won't be quick or simple, but it will be free, and you'll have ample opportunity to be exposed to a long list of career fields that will help you find something you enjoy doing. I can't begin to list the opportunities the Army has provided me. If you want to be an officer there will be plenty of time for that, and you'll be a much better officer with some enlisted experience than you will with 4 years of college and no military experience. Seriously... jump right in. And if you have any questions, need help negotiating with the recruiters, or want to know more about educational or career opportunities, drop me a line and I'll hook you up.
2007-09-17 14:21:26 · answer #2 · answered by farfromfl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say go to college first. Get your degree, then enlist in the Army. Use the tuition reimbursement available for enlisted then after your initial enlistment go to OCS and become an officer. The best officers are the ones that were enlisted before. It allows you to see both sides of the house. Once you become an officer your soldiers will respect you more if they see that you were in their shoes at one time.
2007-09-24 03:13:51 · answer #3 · answered by bmill74 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Been there done that! Retired with 21 years and 52.5% of highest pay at age 42. Have just turned 74, but volunteered for Desert Storm and Afganistan.
The recommendation then and now was to get your education first. Check with schools and recruiters to find out what you want and get the best deal. You may want to get your college and some pay up front and have an obligation to serve a number of years later, but plan on staying in for retirement.
Go active duty because reserve or guard don't have as good a deal with retirement at age 60 and you can only earn 50 points(days) per year except for active duty. It would take 7.3 years to earn a year for retirement. Also, the world situation may be better in four years or so.
2007-09-17 11:59:36 · answer #4 · answered by Pey 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you need money for college the Army can help in a big way. Also, if you are not very focused or disciplined the Army can give you that, too. If you join after college, you will get better pay and have much more opportunity to make it a rewarding career.
2007-09-17 11:40:09 · answer #5 · answered by Lavrenti Beria 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
i think you would be waiting to have a extra "favourite" college adventure going to OCS course, because you will have not any duties in the time of school to the militia. That being pronounced, i'd propose ROTC for right here motives: one million) ROTC can help pay to your training. OCS won't. 2) OCS is extremely aggressive. optimistically the economic equipment would be extra suitable by the time you graduate so this is going to in no way be as complicated to get in, yet once you bypass to varsity assuming you will bypass to OCS in a while, you will be upset whilst they do no longer enable you in. 3) ROTC does not make *that* a lot of a distinction on your college adventure. you will connect golf equipment and agencies, bypass to events (even however you will be extra careful than maximum scholars). the army does not have fighter pilots. yet i'd propose going the army course; you haven't any longer any assure of what your activity would be yet have a say in it. From what you wrote, this is extra in all threat which you gets caught with a job you do no longer choose interior the Air stress. i'm an officer interior the army and advance into commissioned by way of OCS. on the top of the day, it does not make a distinction, yet looking back I fairly would have achieved ROTC.
2016-10-04 22:01:11 · answer #6 · answered by keva 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
College! College! College!!! Officer or Enlisted? Good chow and a nice bed or bad chow and a crappy bed? Career opportunities after serving or hand to mouth? College! College! College! Oh, and the pay? Bucks or peanuts?
2007-09-17 12:05:41 · answer #7 · answered by InSeattle 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That's up to you.
I do see so many kids in college from HS who fail and drop classes because they are not mature enough to handle it.
Personally, I went Army first. grew up, matured, and learned to respect things. Now I am an A student (never was before). Many of the instructors that I've talked to prefer to have Veterans in their class, we speak up, do the homework, and don't complain.
2007-09-17 12:00:14 · answer #8 · answered by Rawbert 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If your not sure what to do my recommendation is to enlist first. Besides giving you time to decide on a career you get the MGIB for college.
2007-09-17 11:39:10 · answer #9 · answered by oneiloilojeepney 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In view of the financial state of affairs with the federal government and with the military, if I were you - I'd persue my college dream first! They 'promise'you college after your tour or even sometimes during, but I have four friends who are STILL WAITING for the approval!! It has been five years for them.
Make your decision based upon complete facts and signed (blood, if you can get it) documentation.
2007-09-17 11:40:20 · answer #10 · answered by THE SINGER 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋