what do you think about the army?

Question

i've been thinking about joining the army. i've talked to my family members about it, and they seem okay with it. (probably because they think i wont ever do it) but i think it would be a good thing for me.

what do you think i should know or consider before i talk to a recruiter.

my mom said that i need to make sure i get something out of it before i just jump into it.. like a career lined up. im thinking medical?

my brother just got out of the navy & has no career from it.

my other brother is a fireman in the city i live in.

very proud of both of them.

my father was in the army & passed away..

i kind of want to do something to make me family proud.

any branch would make them happy, im just young and neive and have no idea what to do or what any of them are.. well i know what they are, but i dont understand the difference or what would sute me better.

army
navy
airforce
coast gaurd

... anything plz give me some advise.

Answer 1

1st: Before seeing any recruiter naturally assume he's a snake in the grass trying to sell out your future. Chances are your recruiter will be a decent guy but you don't want to be unprepared

2: Research your possible careers, if you've taken the ASVAB you know what careers are available to you, see if you can't find relatives or friends in the military that can tell you what exactly that job is

3: Consider the Air Force

4: Medical is a solid career to jump into, but which type? Know what you want before you step into the recruiters office.

5: Las but certainly not least, Bring someone along with you to the recruiter and don't make any snap desicions

Answer 2

The recruiters job is to get you to join, plain and simple. They will tell you what job are available at the moment and what jobs are offering signing bonuses. Bring a friend and don't feel rushed by anyone. All branches have basically the same thing to offer, here's a brief list:

- 30 days a year leave (think paid vacation) right from the start
- you can retire at 20 years and get 50% of your base pay per month after that
- They all offer the G.I. bill, you'll have to pay $1200 for it, $100 per month for 1 year. Most branches have tuition assistance for college
- travel, exotic locations, meeting new people

The Army is good, they do good work and have great medical troops. What it will come down is who treats their people better and do you "want" to be in a particular branch.
I'm in the Air Force so I am biased, the Army and Air Force have great training and career oppourtunities but the Air Force is known to treat their people the best, just ask around some.

Answer 3

My husband is in the army and i have to say, i love it and so does he. The steady paycheck and all the healthcare getting payed for. Its a wonderful thing (which im sure you know with a military family).

My brother is a combat medic and has been in for ..o jeeze..5 years now? Hes done 2 tours of duty in iraq and came back without a scratch on him. So there is proof that not everyone dies in iraq!!! He loves his job. When he gets out, at this point, he can be an EMT. If he finishes his schooling that the army pays for, he can get out and work as a nurse. A friend of his that used ot be in his unit just got out and now works on the main floor of the injured soldiers hospital in washington and is in charge of the entire floor.
So there are possibilitys out there when you get out.

My husband is in the army and is a 25B which is a computer systems oporator (i have no idea how to spell that) analyst. He LOVES his job! He creates, maintanes, and secures all the internet for his unit. Hes deployed right now and is actually having a great time. haha He said his job is even more fun out in the feild. Considering for his job you have to have a security clearance, he could pretty much have any job he wanted when he got out. They see that clearance and are very impressed. The army in general will impress a possible future employer. Again, he loves his job. When he gets out, he is planning on working for the FBI in Chicago, IL. Hes very excited. haha only 5 more years to go! (ugh. haha)

Good luck and thank you for even considering joining! you have already taken it one step farther than most. I recommend writing down any questions you have for the recruiter and anything he says he can get you..make SURE you have that in writing because otherwise..its null and void. That and make sure you bring someone with you whenever you go so that they can be there as a witness to what you talk about. There are some things they take you aside to talk about but..thats normal. (i had that happen with my husband a lot actually.) and lasty...READ EVERYTHING before you sign it!! That first time you go talk to them..dont sign anything. Go home and think about it and figure out if its really what you want and if this is really the job you want. If so, then go back and talk more about it. Get in shape and get ready. Then you can sign and get ready to leave. Its a great life...we love it!

Answer 4

As far as the Army Medical stuff (or other jobs), I'd try this site when/if making decisions:

https://www.cool.army.mil/68w.htm

You can search through army MOS's (jobs) and find what civilian occupations you can get/try for certifications for.

If it's just something like HazMat or something...

...might want to consider a different line of work.

Also, there are a number of MOS's that feed distance associate's degree programs that are related to the jobs. Depending on what degree and what school(s) you choose, the credits may be easily transferred toward a Bachelor's degree at a four year degree.

I would also, as far as medical MOS's go, take a look at course length...

...usually, the longer length courses are more likely to have civilian jobs attached.

Good luck, READ THE CONTRACT, don't go alone, and IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS...

...DON'T SIGN THE CONTRACT!

--Former 91B Army Medic who had two crappy recruiters and one good one.

Answer 5

Going into the military is a good decision. I have a lot of information that I put out on Army Moms Online. You can email me at [e-mail] and I will send you some stuff on basic training and what you should know before you speak with a recruiter. Where are you located? Depending on where you are, I can hook you up with a good recruiter. I used to work for Army Recruiting and know which recruiters in my area are good and which ones to avoid.

Answer 6

Well i think we are service biased. I was a Navy Corpsman and served with the Marines also worked with Army and Air Force medics. If you know u want to get in a certain field in medical go for it if u want all around go Navy we do all kinds of things I have done minor surgery, shot xrays, worked in dental and clinical when with the Marines its all about the field kind of like EMT. Army and Air force tends to specialize in a certain area. I think career wise Navy or Air Force are best. In any case good luck and thank you for wanting to support your country. If you have questions feel free to email me. Semper Fi

Answer 7

Keep in mind that the Army is the only service to have 15! month deployments. If you are thinking about Reserves or National Guard, they still go to the sandbox like the rest of the army. Regardless of what service you pick, you will be a part of something greater than yourself

Answer 8

I think the world of our Military, im a little partial to the Army, but all branches are a good option for our youth today. i have one son who chose the military and one in college. I am very proud of both. i also have a daughter 14, and will support her decisions as well, im sure!

Answer 9

Give some serious consideration to the National Guard. I did and have never once regretted it. You can go to school (which they will pay for 100%) and serve in a military career-path similar to your training in school. For example, you mentioned medical - You can enlist as a medic or even as administrative personnel in a medical unit and got to school. The experience you get in the Guard will be great on school applications and resumes later on.

Here is an idea of how it works...

National Guard trains generally one weekend a month, and two weeks a year. Your first step is to go to a Nat. Guard Recruiter and explore your options. Ask him/her to put you into contact with various units so that you can perhaps make a visit to them so you can talk to people from those units and see if what they do is in your interest. Then you will have to decide on an MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). This is Military Police, Quartermaster, etc. Then you will got to MEPS and get your physical done and all of your paperwork finalized and then within one year, you will go to basic training (you usually get to pick the date you go). Basic training is about 10 weeks and your AIT (Advanced Individual Training will vary depending on the job you are being trained for). You can do what is called "Split Option" where you go to basic, come home and go to school or whatever and then go to your AIT later withing 1 year of completing basic.

After Basic Training and AIT you report to your unit.Your weekend is called "drill" where you show up Saturday and do Physical Training for about an hour and then general mission training the rest of the day until 4 or 5. Sunday is usually the same. Your 2 weeks is called AT (Annual Training) where you head out to an Army post or someplace and conduct intensive readiness training. You have to qualify on your weapon once a year (maybe more depending on your command), and you have to pass a Physical Training (PT) Test twice a year. Look up "Army APFT Satndards" in yahoo and you should find a chart to tell you what you need to do.

The Benefits: You will more than likely get a bonus of up to $20,000. You get 100% tuition Assistance for in-state schools and if you already have a scholarship, they will match it and cut you a check that goes into your pocket. Also, you are eligible for the GI Bill and Kicker which gives you up to $509.00 a month while you attend school in addition to tuition assistance. You get paid for basic training (between 2,000 and 3,000 depending on your rank). You also get paid for drills and AT. You get $400,000 life insurance for $29/month if you want it and it covers you wheather you are on or off duty.

The best benefit is knowing that you are serving your community, State, and Country and that you are in a position that less that 1% of all Americans are willing to commit to. It is the American Soldier NOT the Constitution who gives the American People their freedom. As a National Guard Soldier, you are a guardian of freedom and the American Way of Life. You are a servant to the people of this great Nation and as such YOU have an active role in securing the blessings of liberty for not only your family, your children and their children, but to the children of strangers who are not willing or physically able to sacrafice what you are willing to give.

Answer 10

First of all, keep in mind that most recruiters will sugar coat what they're telling you, so basically do research on your own online. Just do searches on search engines, military sites and so forth, it'll help and probably get you prepared for what basic has in store.