I have some serious thoughts about the military.?

Question

i have really been thinking about it some. im a junior in high school and i watch all these videos and read articles and watch the news and sometimes i really just feel like i should be making a difference and sometimes i just get that feeling of wanting to join the military. but im not sure i want to just throw my life away that fast because i get good grades im smart and i have the drive to go to school and get a good education. any feedback?

i do equate smart with the military...that wasnt the aim of my question. i realize you can join the military and still get a good education. but there are some people i could talk to. my grandfather was in the air force and my cousin is in the coast guard so i will probably talk to them and get their input

Answer 1

If you still feel this way in a few years, really amp up your college prep courses, and join ROTC. That will give you a small taste of what the military is like. I would definitely get that college degree first, and come in as an officer. More money, better housing, more prestige. Good luck!

Answer 2

It bothers me that people don't equate smart with the military. What you don't realize is that you can get an education AND be in the military. You would not be throwing your life away. You couldn't join couldn't be deployed until you graduated high school anyway. What are your interests? What do you want to do with your life? If you are thinking about it, talk to a Marine, Army Soldier, Sailor, Air Man (or woman) or Coast Guard. There are so many options open. Do the online research. Go to the Marine, Army, National Guard, Reserve, Navy or Coast Guard websites. You can find out what each branch has to offer. Don't rule it out just because you get good grades (which is wonderful BTW. You will go far) and want an education. The military can help that.

Answer 3

Contrary to what you might see on the mainstream news media, or to what many folks who aren't in the military believe, enlisting in the military is NOT "throwing your life away." My son enlisted immediately after high school and has a job that required 18 months of technical training. He'll get out in about 18 months and will likely start out earning more than I do.. and that's not chump change!!

My best advice is to take an online (or if you have one locally that is really thorough and not overly expensive) skills/aptitude test... to see what career fields might be most suited for your likes/dislikes, skills, and aptitudes. Then meet with recruiters and see which branch of the military could offer you the best training in that area... which jobs (MOS's) catch your eye, etc. Just meeting with a recruiter doesn't commit you to anything... but it's important to know what you want to get out of your time in the military before you enlist.

Once you've identified what jobs are best for you, you will quickly find the right branch for you, and will be able to determine what kind of training you'll get.

By the way, not all enlisted men and women patrol streets or knock on doors with a gun in their hand. The training you'll get in the military will be superb, no matter what field you go in to, and will be a great launching pad for life after your enlistment.

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

I don't know what you mean about throwing your life away. I spent 25 years in the Navy and had a rich and rewarding life. And my education was first rate, even if it was gained through experience instead of a classroom. I have been to places my high school classmates could only dream about. I am conversational in six other languages besides English. And I belonged to an organization that was mission-oriented and counted on me as a key player in that organization.
I had shipmates who pursued university studies while on active duty, with many of them gaining advanced degrees in the process. They never regretted serving either.
But, you pursue your own dreams. I just hope that your desire to remain a civilian and go to a university full of other folks who had never been anywhere and done anything significant in their lives turns out to be just what you wanted. Still, if you wind up,twenty years later, as the chief accountant at some firm, don't get a case of the "woulda, shoulda, couldas". It will be too late.

Answer 5

Do you have a way to pay for college? The military has various college benefits. If you're a good student then I would pursue a higher education. I have a friend who is a Major in the Marines and he has a Masters degree, so just because you join doesn't mean that you have to give up your education.

Answer 6

Go to the individual services' websites to learn about their history, organization, and duties. There are seven uniform services; Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, NOAA, and Public Health Services. The first five are armed. Each offers much. You must decide what you want to do. Do you want to work around planes, ships, missiles, boats, armor, or be a soldier? You will make a big committment. You need to be confident in your decision. Good Luck.

Answer 7

If you think of it as "throwing your life away", we do not want you. I don't want people who are just trying to get college to join. Sure, its a good benefit, I already had a bachelors when i enlisted, and now have a masters, but i joined to serve my country, simple. The military wants smart and educated people, like me and possibly you, if you WANT to join.

Answer 8

Maybe you want to join ROTC college, if you have good grades then you should try. I'm a sophmore in HS and Im in Army Junior ROTC. I'm going to go to ROTC college. It's a free scholarship.

Answer 9

hell man u should join I'm 15 and Ive already decided i want to join the military. WW3 is bound to happen some time soon and I'd prefer to die defending my countary than to be killed being robbed or something worthless like that.

Answer 10

before you make that fateful decision you need to go to college first. Then decide what u want to do.I would not recommend it. I'm having nightmares and other stuff from the first Gulf War