Help me decide on a career

I haven't read all of the posts in this thread, but noted you're in GA. How are your grades? The hope scholarship will pay for your in state tuition, and GA has some good universities. I grew up in GA and was about 2 minutes from enlisting with my high school buddies and my folks convinced me to just try college out. It ended up being a lot of fun, I got a degree, and still decided to serve in the military after. With the college degree I had the option to be an officer, and ended up being offered a chance to become a pilot. That worked out pretty well for 11 years, and now I fly commercially. I wouldn't ever talk someone out of the military, I think it's a great option whether enlisting right out of HS or waiting until after college if that route interests you. The military life is challenging and tough at times, but the comaraderie and overall benefits are great. If you're smart with your money early on and make wise decisions, you can end up doing very well for yourself whether you stay in only a few years or for a full 20 years. Just a thought. If you have more questions about college or the military feel free to PM me. Best of luck and enjoy your last semester!

 

I can't speak for any other service just because I don't want to give you false information but army you pick your job. Take the Asvab and then you get a list of choices. The only 2 cents I'd give about picking a job is icky something that you know you'll enjoy but also has potential growth too. Like just from what I know mechanics in the military have a hard time with promotions now a days and the army is only getting smaller( I say this in case you decide while you're in that you want to stay in) also if you like tinkering with your truck mechanic may not be a good choice cause if you look at it this way are you going to want to work on vehicles for 8-10+ hours a day then work on your truck on the weekends? Some do some don't. It's really all personal preference but just make sure it's thought out before you sign.

 

Thanks, I'll read up on it some more and try to find some recruiters

 

I didn't think of it like that, I'm more interesting in building cars than working on them but that's one in a million chance.

 

This is partially true. I got the job I asked for. There is what is called an occupational field, or Occ Field. For instance, 0300 in the Marines is the Occ Field code for infantry. Now, within the 0300 field are a number of different of MOSs that make up the infantry. For example, 0311 is the code for a rifleman, 0321 is the code for Reconnaissance. There are a bunch more. It is possible that you will get the Occ Field you want to be in, but you may get put into an MOS of their choosing within that field. It all depends on where they need people the most at the time you enlist.

 

I just don't want to choose to be a sniper and get put in as a rifleman

 

It would just have to be a conversation with a recruiter. A recruiter that is worth anything will do his best to get you where you want to go. But that very well could happen.

 

What equipment are you on?

 

I'm also worried I'll be stuck at base and won't get to go into the field?

 

I started as private in Army in '68. Flew helicopters in VN. Enlisted in AF and retired 34 years later as Brig Gen. Fly just about everything. Went to work for Boeing. A great life. Now own my own company and have a new Tacoma. My 4th.

 

Which do you like better Air force or Army

 

I liked both but very different. I am very proud of my Army time. But being a commissioned officer in the AF is much better than being an Warrant Officer in the Army.

 

I flew CH-53E's in the Marines and now I fly EC-135's in the medevac role.

 

From Sikorsky to Airbus/Euro...just a small size difference. Cool job too...

 

They asked me about the size difference in my interview....I pretty much told them that it doesn't matter how big a helicopter you fly, the customer is always going to max gross it out and ask you to put it in the tiniest LZ imaginable! Thanks. Are you a stick actuator also?

 

Flew CH-47s and UH-1s in Army. Flew CH-3s in AF. All together flew over 20 series and models of aircraft. Where did you fly the EC-135. I was the 135 program manager with Boeing.

 

I flew 135's in NJ for a year and recently moved to TN to continue flying with the same company. I looked in to going the overseas/contract route when I got out of the military, but most of that stuff was drying up at the time. Would have been a nice way to earn a great paycheck for a few years though.

 

I spent 6 years active duty in the Navy, and a few more as an active reservist. I got out with the GI bill, used that for some college (which I've never finished), and have managed to have a successful IT/Information Security career. While college was available during my active duty time, it was really not an option for me due to the size of the ship I was stationed on, and the frequency of deployments (I did a lot of drug interdiction in the late 80's and early 90's - many short trips out and back).

My sister went Air Force, and basically had a desk job for 6 years, during which she finished her master's degree fully paid for by Uncle Sam. Her husband got his PhD while on active duty. Both applied for and received their commissions, retiring as Majors. Both are happily employed outside the military while pulling down full pensions w/ benefits. If I had to do it again knowing what I know now, I'd go the route she took. As someone once told me, the military is not a career, it's what prepares you for a career.

On a related note, I read a great article somewhere that said to focus less on what job you want in life and more on the problems you want to solve, and use that to help focus on what you need to learn. It's resulted in some great conversations with my own kids, when we talk about what problems they see in the world and then work back towards what knowledge may be useful to solve those problems.

No matter what answers you get, make sure you decide on something you like. Working in a job you hate just because it pays well is not ideal for long-term happiness.

Best of luck!

 

In 1968 I flunked out of college. Good thing about 68 was when you flunk out of college you can still get a job. So I took the one in the Army and later in the AF. 34 years later I ended up an undergrad degree, a grad degree and was sent to MIT for a year long fellowship. I went on to be a Boeing execute and now own my business. The military was the best thing that happen to me, even if I had to deal with a war or two. And if you do not make a career of it, it certainly gives you some great credentials that employers are looking for. Go in with a plan for your future. It will probably change several times over time and when it does, up date your plan.

 

If you want to make money, learn how to weld dude.