Military after College

So I'm working on a degree in criminal justice at Washington State University right now and I've been very seriously entertaining the thought of joining the military after college. I've always kinda felt a sense of duty to my country but an education was very important also. So I was thinking, when I finish up college, which I'm doing debt free by working two jobs, I might go into the military to get some life experiences in. I figure, what the hell, I really don't have anything on my plate that has to happen. I'm young, I can see some shit, and most of all serve my country. Anyone have good or bad thoughts and opinions on this?

 

After graduating from college, I did a cross country trip from VT to CA since my sister lived in Santa Cruz. I tried finding a job out on the West Coast and was young & not focused. Long story short, I returned to VT only join the Army. It was the best decision I ever made & I retired in 2007.

It is admirable that you want to serve your country and yes you will get to see the world. Weigh your options --- Do you want to become an officer? What branch are you thinking about? Maybe some of the other vets will give some of their experience too. Best of Luck & congrats for being debt free from College!

 

I had the same feelings during college. So after I graduated I started talking to recruiters from all the different branches and finally decided on the Army. Its not always the easiest life, but so far I have no regrets. The good thing is you should only have a 3 or 4 year commitment and then you can get out if its not what you want. At that point you would have served your country, and made some decent money. Plus prior military usually have an advantage over non military when trying to get a job in the "real world".

 

Don't wait until you graduate--join now. You can join the Reserves or National Guard and get education benefits now any maybe you won't have to work two jobs. You could even join ROTC if you want to be on officer.

If you want to go Army (Hoah), join the Guard because your state will have more benefits. Since many people don't know this, the Army National Guard is much larger than the Army Reserves. Although each state has its own National Guard, it is still part of the US Army.

Good luck!

 

If you want to see some shit, then Marine Corps infantry is for you! If you're gonna do something, might as well go all out.

 

Figure it out before you commit. That way you can sign a contract to give you the opportunities you might be looking for

 

Try to do something in the service that relates to your degree if you can. Experience in the Criminal Justice field is important too. We have some National Guard analyist people assigned to where I work and some of the task forces.
Also the DEA was looking for agents so you could serve that way too.

My son was considering joining the army. He wants infrantry but does not want any schooling while active. I told him there was not a lot of positions for riflemen in Seattle am not sure about his city.

 

Thanks for the replies guys! The military experience is a big plus for me, especially because I would like to go into Law Enforcement. Not so sure that I would make military a life commitment but who knows I might do it and love the whole thing. As far as what branch of the military... I have no idea lol.

 

I was in Air Force ROTC and did my 4-year active duty commitment as an engineer/program manager. Although a military career wasn't for me, it was the best decision I've ever made. The experiences I've received put me heads above my peers in the civilian world.

I agree with other posters...check out your opportunities now. Some programs will forgive your loans and/or will provide aid. No disrespect to the enlisted corps, but if you have your degree, it makes sense to become an officer. Obviously I'm partial to the Air Force, but I commend you for even considering serving your country!

 

I would say go for it. Being a college grad, Air Force OTS (officer training school) is a good option. And if you can get into OSI (Office of Special Investigation) which is basically the AF version of the FBI, or Intelligence career fields, it would fit your degree. Whether you enlist or become an officer, I think its a very noble idea. Just take what the recruiter says with a grain of salt...I've met countless airmen who enlisted because the recruiter told them they could be a pilot if they enlist. Do the research before you sign the dotted line. This of course is only from my humble AF experience. Good Luck!

 

When are you scheduled to graduate? As mentioned before, you can get benefits from the military to pay for your schooling, so you can have more money to spend on your truck.

If you plan want to become an officer, talk with the Department of Military Science (ROTC) at the university. If you want to go enlisted, start checking out which MOS you want. The National Guard and Reserves are good if you plan to stay local and finish up your schooling.

Whatever option you choose, do your homework. Make sure you know as much as you can before signing the paperwork. Also, make sure that EVERYTHING is documented.

 

Highly recommend going the officer route, especially since you will already have the military degree. You'll start out making more than an E-6, which would take you years to get to as enlisted. What do you mean by, see some shit? If combat, join Marines and try to go infantry or something of the like. If you mean, see the world, go into the USAF as a cargo pilot (C-130, C-17, C-5), and you will get to visit virtually anywhere. I'm 20 years old, have been to 6 countries, and 11 states just since joining the Marines. (I'm on a C-130 as a loadmaster, not a pilot) Wouldn't trade it for anything!

 

I'm now going into my 3rd year of college so I'm scheduled to graduate in May of '12. The officer route sounds like the way to go but I kinda like the idea of just being enlisted, idk maybe that's not a smart way to go. Combat experience would be kinda cool but I also want to see the world. Possibly MP?

 

A lot of the States now even have student loan amnesty - they will pay back your student loans when you join the Guard.
You don't want to do ROTC because you will have to stay in school for two more years (unless you want to do that - they could pay for graduate school)
You should fast track or get a direct commission - I highly recommend that if you have a college degree.

 

hey if you want to alleviate one or even both of those jobs join the navy delayed entry program.

If you have max 2 years left you can join BDCP (baccalaureate degree completion program)

in this program you enlist in the Navy as an E3 with potential to promote to E4, after completing your degree (during which you on meet twice a month, pass physical tests, and maintain atleast 3.0 GPA) then you go to Officer Candidate School and complete 13 weeks training then commissioned in the Navy, there are a lot of career paths too, Civil Engineering, Intel, Supply, AMD, etc

check out my previous thread
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/mi...litary-want-goto-college-already-college.html

also,
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/officerjo2/a/bdcp.htm

http://www.navy-officer.com/scholarships.html

as an E3 you will make $1705 a month base pay, plus Housing Allowance (amt depends on location) plus subsistence allowance.. plus all base privileges, FULL medical, and dental

personally I made about $3000 a month all together I did not need/have to work (I did though, only part-time) my last two years of school.

heres the pay table
http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/militarypaytables/2010WebPayTable34.pdf

Its a great deal... I did it, I owed 4 years active, 4 inactive reserve... after commisioning, I have 8 years in in now and signed up for another 3 years (Navy is currently paying for my masters degree, I get to go to school full time and get paid full pay and benefits)

way better than ROTC!

 

btw, if you go enlisted instead of officer, you're going to resent it a little (THE PAY for one)... especially since you already qualify for officer.

 

I'm doing 2 years at a local community college, then transferring to VT. there ill be in a 2 year AFROTC program and majoring in aeronautical engineering. afterward i plan on becoming a fighter pilot... thats all besides the point... the military is the way to go. you pick up skills that companies will pay u big bucks for knowing, and youre doing a great thing for your country. i support ur idea all the way

 

He shouldn't have to do 2 additional years of schooling. He should be able to take his MSIII and MSIV years then go to LTC and LDAC.

You could always join the NG and go to OCS (Officer Candidate School).

 

You are correct - from the first post, I thought he was through.

You can join the Guard now (SMP - Simultaneous Membership Program) have two years of enlisted time, then get commissioned.

The only kicker is you really should have gone to basic training or basic camp this summer - without that or prior service, you can't start your MS3 year this year, so really -
you would end up doing one extra year of school to be able to get there.

You would have to line up basic training for next summer, and you couldn't drill until 6 months before that, etc.

 

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... ^^^ ... I got a good laugh when I read this and it is so true.

Back to topic ...
... Yes, I would go USAF or USN/USCG for at least 20 to get the retirement bennies. The civilian world will have very few retirement bennies by then.

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