What branch should i join?

along with post #3 here are some more basic questions.
How did you fare with your high school science course, anything like physics or what not? if so every branch has highly technical rates that will set you up for life after.
Did you do any JROTC? preps you better for marines or army.

actually there alot more questions but im lazy in my opinion go for the most technical rates you can. I hated my 6 years, and not because it was the military, but because of my rate(navy nuke). Every rate sucks in its own sorta ways; but they more will more than likely set you up for life after the military.

 

If you want to travel and see some pretty cool places and most likely be near an ocean, check out the Navy. (disclaimer: "most likely" near an ocean doesn't pertain to my current aviation job in a landlocked state lol)

 

Just don't join the Army. That's the dumping ground for folks that couldn't get in any other branch. It's like the "short bus" of the armed services.
If I had it to do over, I would look at the Coast Guard. But, I must say...I loved being in the Marine Corps.

 

Sub. My 17 year old son wants to join the military. I'm here for some info

 

Absolutely true...8 years active duty, and I am out in the civilian world loving my job...

 

If you like what you are doing, then it really doesn't matter which branch you are in. I have 21yrs army, my wife air force, my son marine. Almost all our friends are/were in one branch or the other to also include the coast guard.

If I was going to pick a branch based on quality of life for me and my family, hands down air force. Coast guard would be second.

 

Anyone that encourages you to join is either a recruiter or a liar and awaiting their DD-214 lol jk .

Anything you join will lead you to great things in your future like joining the best MOS *cough* MP's *cough* .

Anyways I'll let the seasoned people help you I'm only 4 in and will be done in 23 months! National guard btw . Which is a good option if your looking for schooling and a taste of military life.

 

You have to take your ASVAB test to see who will take you. Score high on it you can choose whatever branch you want. Score low and you are looking at Marines, or Army. I'm not sure what the cut off is now for each branch as I'm sure they have all changed their requirements.

 

Nuclear Engineer in the Navy. You have get a $100,000 once you graduate the schooling for it and the Navy also pays for all the schooling.

 

Hahaha

 

Very tough to get in to though. I tried, took the asvab tests with the recruiter, aced them and was still denied because GPA in high school wasn't high enough. Then he tried to make me want to be a Seabee... Completely different and much more dangerous of a profession, no thanks. If I wanted to drive tractors all my life I would stay home and keep farming like I was.

 

Being in the Air Force and working with all other branches I must say that I'm very happy with my decision. But it was 'my' decision... Just like it's yours. I was 'Gung ho' and wanted to spend 20 yrs doing something and I'm already halfway there. The Army and Marines are a strange beast. I see it as getting kicked in the dick daily and then drinking it off later while talking about how much harder you got kicked than your buddy. The Navy is one of the most laid back but low rewarding it seems but you can see alot of places around the world. The Air Force, let me tell you about the Air Force... We have the highest budgets so typically we have better stuff. More freedoms and better QOL (typically). It's political as shit but as is every branch. But your bosses are professional managers. So you always have an idea of what's going on. Coast Guard.. Those boys are something else... They know how to have a good time though. Biggest recommendation is that whatever branch you join get attached to the special operations side. That's where you get the stories to tell your buddies. It's nearly impossible to guarantee it at the recruiter unless you choose specific SOC jobs.

PS if you want to see awesome things meet awesome people and not be 'Chair Force' choose maintenance

 

I trained with the SeaBee's, as did our counterparts from the Army. It wasn't that bad, except being stuck in Gulfport MS on a Navy base. My career choice gave me the ability to fix or build just about anything made from metal, wood, or concrete.

 

It's still an honorable career for sure and allows you to do a lot afterwards. My thing was before the military I was already doing construction, operating heavy equipment and farm tractors and I wanted to do something different.

 

I agree 100%, I learned I liked it as a hobby, that's why I went into the medical field after I got out.

 

All excellent advice... especially the "have a plan" part. There are SO many opportunities, free training, benefits while you're in, take advantage of them all. Your feelings and plans will change over time - you may go in with the idea of being a "lifer" but 10 years in not want to remain on active duty. Be sure to set yourself up for success at every turn - get education (whatever type it may be) at every opportunity, etc. That way, if your long term plan changes, you'll have plenty to put on your resume. Or, you may only want to do one enlistment but find you plan to stay in - so, don't burn any bridges! Don't behave like someone who's getting out, just to turn around and stay in... which leads me to this:

With anything in life, do your best at it because in the end, it's your reputation that matters. It's a small world these days, and you never know who will know who when it comes time to transition (either get out before retirement, or retire) to a different employer. In many professional circles (to include the military), people know each other and will ask opinions about you, to drive their decision to hire or pass over you.

 

haha just do your research. And whatever you choose if you do decide to sign your life away, it's your attitude that shapes your perception. That in turn becomes your reality. Now, that may sound very cliche..and granted, the people around you will have their influence. But ultimately you decide for yourself in any situation and place in life whether or not you are going to grow and learn or feel bad for yourself, as a lot of people in life do.

People talk about how if you want to be this or that, join XYZ. Really it's up to you to research and be cognizant of what you are getting yourself into. Don't be peer pressured as I know a lot of you kids are in high school are. All your friends or whatever are joining or going to college that may be right for them but not necessarily for you.

One last thing. Don't get sucked into that whole everyone in the military is a hero thing. The military is a percentage of the general population of the nation. As such, it is a proportional representation. There are some of the most courageous, brilliant, intrepid minds alongside rapists, human traffickers, murderers, etc. Sooner you realize it isn't about guts, glory, or women the better off you'll be.

Just my thoughts, if you do have questions you should probably ask your parents, a mentor, or someone you trust. Asking complete strangers online is akin to asking random people what you should wear (some are helpful, some are trolls, and most just don't care).

 

By the way, I forgot to mention that the 8 year commitment is for real. I got out of the army after my 4 year active duty contract was up. 2 years later, guess what? Here's some orders for ya, come on back for a year! And not in your MOS, we are deploying you with a national guard unit from Florida.

It wasn't all that bad, but the recruiter will really downplay the 8 year thing.

 

That's true. I was in 5 years and was told to keep my readiness bags packed in case they needed me. I kept them in the garage and once the 8 years expired, most of my stuff went in the trash. Was very happy I didn't recalled.

 

I was in the army cav scout 19D awesome fucken mos
But I really wanted to be a marine I just couldn't join since I finished high school through home school had a few time job had a kid pretty young but the marines weren't taking those kinds of diplomas they wanted a regular HS diploma so the army it was the army was fun as shit tho