join the US army before or after college?

Question

i really want to join the military and go to college, but i dont know what to do first. i dont have really any money for school. but i really dont want to be a officer. i was thinking of going into either the guard or reserves before i start college, then after college go to active duty. will the benifits still be the same? and can i be deployed while in college. not that i mind(apart of the job) but im just courius.

Answer 1

This is ultimately up to you. I served on active duty for 4 and a half years. I was a SGT(P) when I gont out and started attending college. I am now still under contract under what's called the Green to Gold program. That means the Army has discharched me from active duty to attend any university with an accredited ROTC program. After I have successfully completed my degree and the ROTC program I will be commisioned.

I can tell you that going in before college was both good and bad. I got the experience of being enlisted and being an NCO. I also got the experience of going to Iraq as both a soldier and NCO. It certainly matured me and better prepared me for college. Had I gone to college after Highschool I probably would have flunked out and joined the Army anyways. I now have the GI bill to use while in school which has been tremendouly helpful in my finances.

On the other side of things, I am behind the power curve when it comes to college. I'm not as savy on the subjects as I would have been right out of High school. I have to study harder and I also have to bust my a$$ working because I'm married and I have to support a family. It would have been much easier to go to college without the attachment of a family. You may think that you won't gert married right off the bat, but, you would be suprised at the marriage rate for enlisted soldiers within 4 years of entering the military. I'm also behind the power curve when it comes to promotion as well, I will have more time in service among all of my peers and the same time in grade, this is good for your first look at promotion, but bad if you don't get picked up.

Guard and reserves are always a choice, but like you mentioned, you may get deployed. Ypu may decide that after a deployment you want to get out, you never know what the future holds. Ultimately it's up to you. There are pro's and con's for both. I can understand you wanting to get into the military as soon as possible, but don't sacrifice your education for it. Remember, once you join, their priorities come first, not yours. It may take years to complete just an Associates degree if you're active duty, (especially if you're combat arms) You need to sit down and really think about what you want. The military is always going to be there. Your oppurtunity to get an education may not. Think about it.

Answer 2

It's really up to you. Since you don't want to be an officer then I would suggest you going in before college. Most people with college degrees go in as an officer, you can also have a college degree and go in as enlisted (E-4). Since you're having money issues the military will pick up some of the tab with your school. I'm in the Reserves and I went in right afer high school before I had any college. It has helped me pay for some of my school, but being in the Reserves and trying to be a student is very difficult. Just keep in mind, chances are you will deployed so you may start school, then right in the middle of a semester you have to leave. You also have your two week Annual Training, which recruiters tell you it's during the summer (so you don't miss class time), but honestly it's any time of the year. Also, some times the two week annual training turns in to 3-4 weeks, depending upon where you go and what the mission is. If you go active duty, I think all of your tuition is paid for, in the reserves they pay for 75% of the tuition. You also get the GI Bill which as long as you have passing grades you get a certain amount related to how many credits you're taking.

Answer 3

I say the Active Duty Army now. You will end up in Iraq or Afghanistan most likely, but you will be learning to be a man and will be earning money to pay for college at the same time you can be attending college. My friends chose college first and I chose the Army and Had a Masters long before most of them even got started. They dropped in and out of school and many never finished. I also had a maturity that can never be achieved outside the ranks of the military. I wish every kid could have a chance to Go Army.

Answer 4

So get shot before you go to college or get shot after you go to college. It makes no difference because either way you'll get shot and will not be able to use your college experience anyway.

But should there be a chance that you will not get shot go into the military first because they will pay for your college tuition. Plus, if you graduate for college many times to can become a commissioned officer like a lieutenant or captain instead of non-commissioned like your sergeants or corporals. My dad was Army so that's the only branch I know the ranks of. He's still living, but has retired. You can retire from the Army in 20 years. So if you're 27 you'll be 47, which my dad retired from the Army at 47 as a captain and he's now 51. It's good to have my dad back home. He's looking into finding a job in real estate though because he doesn't like sitting around the house and doing nothing. He's always had to be productive his whole life. Something that's rubbed off on me a bit. I thank God for that.

Answer 5

Reserves are not what they use to mean. Do not think just because you're a guard or reserves you will still be a civilian! I know plenty of people that on their first weekend drill they were told to pack their bags for Iraq! Its no joke we are at war for a president who makes illegal decisions.

Sure, maybe a few months after you graduate boot camp you won't get called. But just remember, if they need you to deploy 1 week before finals and you cannot finish that semester. Tough **** you volunteered, and the president and military won't give you any sympothy. When it's time to leave, it's time! Theirs no argueing even if its one week after bootcamp. They own you.

Wait to the next election and then make your mind up. A more educated soldier is a smarter soldier and even the recruiter will tll you that. Finish up what you've starter do not risk your life to pay off school.

Now if you believe in the war and why we are over there then go for it! And if you do decide to go thank you for serving our country and god bless!

Answer 6

I joined before i went to college. Got all the BCT/AIT knocked out of the way and now I'm a reservist and a college student. Like you I had no desire to be an officer and you don't have to be either. The benefits of being a reservist vs. active are very different but the benefits of being a military college student are very rewarding. Along with your MGIB you are offered tuition assistance and reimbursement, stipends, and access to online courses and credits. You can be deployed while in college but it all depends on what unit you are in and whether or not you are using military money to go to school. But even if you are activated you will have ample opportunity to continue with your higher education and military benefits. Good luck with it!

Answer 7

Go after. It opens up your choices more. Besides, as a 15year college student(Military commitments kept putting my degree plans on hold. I'm just now finishing it up!) I can say it's hard to get a degree after you're in. In the Guard and Reserves you can, and will, be deployed. I'm in the AF Res and I'm getting ready to head out soon. Benefits are the same while you are performing your duties. You still have AAFES and Commissary priveleges all the time, but Medical and Dental only apply on duty(if you get injured at your civilian job the Mil won't pay for it, but if you get injured performing duties then they will cover you).
I knew a guy awhile back that only joined the reserves after finishing up active duty for the heath/dental benefits. He would schedule appointments for dental during his UTA weekends. Same with Medical stuff. Dude never had to pay for Med/Dental insurance!

Answer 8

Why would you not want to be an officer? Do you like being broke. Go to college and join the ROTC. If you don't got money for school join the NG until you graduate then transfer to active duty.

Answer 9

I joined after college and it was a good choice for me. It provided options (like Officer Candidates School) that would not have been available otherwise. Likewise, I had a few years of maturity on my peers and that helped with my decision making.

The benefits will probably be better if you wait. For example, the GI Bill and College fund is far better now than when I joined, and even if you have already attended college when you enlist, you can use those benefits later for graduate school; which I did.

Good Luck.

Answer 10

Stick to the National Guard or Reserves. It is a paycheck, and you dont have to have such a tough basic training. Although I wouldnt get too involved in a major, becuase I assume you would be deployed quickly with a war going on. Some professions the military can train you in-house. Nursing and medical professions can be earned while in the military. Computer-related fields too. You might come out of the military knowing more than your professors when you go back to school!