Someone said it was a bad idea, are the benefits for going to school not all what they are suppose to be. The recruiter told me almost 100% could be paid if i joined the national guard. Thats one of the main reasons of joining. And which would have better benefits to pay for school, Active or Guards?
2007-12-12 00:49:41 · 12 answers · asked by April 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Thanks for all who answered, ofcourse the possiblitiy of going overseas if on my mind. I would be joining during a time of war. Iam just trying to figure out which military branch would be best for me. I have talked to recruiters but it just seems like they sweet talking me into signing them papers or telling me just what i want to hear.
2007-12-12 01:45:39 · update #1
Do not join the Military on the sole basis of education. It will be of very little help for you when you are deployed. I have been both Active Duty and National Guard. I'm on my second overseas tour since I came back in 2004. Keep in mind we are at War and you may be called to do your part. Also be advised the National Guard deploys allot. We are a large part of the Armed Forces. Good Luck.
2007-12-12 00:59:34 · answer #1 · answered by yoncalla1or 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So let me get this straight. You are worried about finding a job locally in your field, yet you are contemplating joining the air force which is pretty much guaranteed to take you away from home for the next four to six years. Have you considered a job search away from home? You have many options. Part of the reasons people don't have jobs is that they don't want to move and they live where the jobs aren't. Nothing against you, but too many look to the military to get them a finiancial start in life without looking into what they are really getting into and kudos for you asking. All that being said, with a degree in IT, you should be talking to a recruiter about going OTS right off the bat and skipping enlisted. Or, go in the reserves as an officer while you look job hunt (you should be looking for jobs now). That way, you get the best of both worlds. if you see that the air force is for you, then maybe you can go full active duty if the job hunt isn't panning out to your liking. About the flying, very few people in the air force fly or even work around planes. Some people never even see a plane up close during their entire hitch. Most of the air force supports the flying mission. Too many jobs to mention are involved with that. Air traffic control is very stressful. There is nothing wrong with going enlisted either, although there could be a wait due to the high caliber of folks enlisting. With a degree already in hand, after your first four years, you should have no problem going for OTS if no slots are available for you now. About the school loans, I do not believe the air force has a pay off program lke the army does. If it does, it is probably only for enlisted. If you got married, your husband goes where you go, unless it is an unaccompanied location. You said state, but again, you are thinking small. The air force is worldwide. You may not even see the United States (except on vacation) your entire enlistment or commission. You could deploy...it is the military.
2016-05-23 05:02:05 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one can make the decision for you so let me tell you my experience. I was in the Navy for 4 years and signed up for a $40,000 college fund. Basically that meant it was a "kicker" to the standard MGIB program. If you join under that circumstance you would have to pay 100 dollars a month into the the GI Bill to use it later. The amount goes up over time, so actually now I am getting 1411.11 a month untaxed to go to school It is a stretch for me and it can be difficult depending on what school you go to.
Don't think you will be able to get much of a start while on active duty. You can try to take some online classes but it will be a stuggle depending on your assignments. You can try to take some CLEP course or distance learning programs but it is a toss up if any university later on will accept this. In my case, I came off active duty after 4 years thinking I had 40+ hours towards a degree in mechanical engineering of which my school took 3 credits. (2 for health and 1 for PE! Whoo hoo!!)
It is hard to make the choice, if you are able to go to college now I would say do it. I did not have a choice, I would not have been able to afford it without the GI Bill. Try ROTC programs, I wish I could have done this but I was not a citizen of the US until my last year in the Navy. If that is not an option for you and you think you want to serve for a little while than make the choice for yourself but do not let anyone else make it for you. Don't put up with badgering recruiters and if you don't want to see any combat try and get in the Navy. I am sure some people on this post will make some dumb comment but I am quite happy being alive and in college right now rather than killed in a desert 2 or 3 years ago. Good luck!
Check out the VA website for more info on benefits after military, recruiters generally don't know because they are what in the military they call "lifers".
2007-12-12 08:46:29 · answer #3 · answered by michael c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
100% could be paid if you join the guard. "could" being the operative word. the guards college money is on a set budget, once it's gone for the year it's gone, even if it's gone in march. the school benefits are nice. you do get tuition assistance up to $250/credit hour, $4500 year plus your G.I. Bill and college fund. But now with everything in the world you can just about plan on getting deployed. which that isn't the worst either, at least the money is good then too.
2007-12-12 01:02:37 · answer #4 · answered by michaelb 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is definitely not a bad idea. You will have your school paid for along with getting extra money. You will be doing our country a service. National gaurd, navy, marines, they will all pretty much pay for your school. My brother is going into the navy, and his recruiter told him that his college will be paid for. I think Active gets better benefits, though I'm not sure. Anyways, this is an excellent idea, and not a bad one at all.
2007-12-12 01:01:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not a bad idea, as long as you are willing to fully accept the duties and sacrifices that go along with being in the military. If you sign the contract, then you must live up to your end of the bargain. If you are willing to do that, the government will ultimately give you a great education.
2007-12-12 00:54:50 · answer #6 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Actives get better everything, Guard gets less. In general though joining the military simply for the school and money is a bad idea. Sure the government is willing to give you things for serving your country. But your primary thought to join the military should be because you want to serve your county, not because your country can give you things.
2007-12-12 00:55:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
being a soldier and signing up for the same reason - join the Air Force. I joined the Army and yeah..dont even waste your time with the army
2007-12-12 02:27:02 · answer #8 · answered by proud mommy of twins 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a bad idea if that is the main reason. You have to realize that the purpose of an army is not to go to school, but to fight, please be prepared to do the job, the money must be secondary.
2007-12-12 00:59:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
**** that join the corps they pay tuition for college while youre in and im getting 50,000 for college afterwards.
2007-12-12 02:26:21 · answer #10 · answered by thanatos 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋