I WANNA JOIN THE MILITARY

If you are going to join, have a plan. You know you are going to do six years so do research on things like technical skill advancement (hotel-8 for mechanics, recruiting, drill, career counselor, etc), the availability of bases for you to be stationed at based on your MOS/Rate, how fast you can advance while gaining the knowledge necessary to be a leader. No matter your chosen branch, the point remains the same, you are there to lead the men and women that come after you.

From bias I say go Army, but go active duty. Reserves/National Guard are great, but when you make the military your life, your profession, and embody everything that goes along with it, you become a more diverse leader faster. Do your homework and know what you're getting into. Of course there is a lot of bullshit, but most of it you'll have to find out on your own and allow it to be a test of your personal fortitude. The Army will challenge you in a multitude of things and will force education down your throat. All they want you to do it follow when told, lead when your not, and gain the necessary tools to help yourself succeed and those around you at the same time.

For what it's worth, my family was against it but supportive. Four years later they will admit it was the best thing I ever did. Four years of service, got promoted every year (left the service as a Sergeant) and have a record of service I am proud of for only doing such a short time. In the words of Nike's motto for the last billion years, just do it.

 

I think doing it will change me for the better, and willl be one of the best things i could ever do for myself and my family.

 

Ive been looking some into the national guard, i found two jobs that interest me.. infantry or 88m. i think driving the trucks would interest me alot and seems pretty neat. still doing research

 

neither are fun

 

Don't let the debbie downers change your mind. If you join and if you play your cards right, you'll be looking at the people of your past and you'll wonder how they have wasted their lives and haven't accomplished much.

 

That's true, I bet all of us who are serving or have served, can relate to coming home on leave in many cases. And being like dam I'm glad I joined and got outta here or seeing people from the past and thinking how they haven't seen anything and are still doing the same thing etc.

OP that's one thing about the military, it will get you away and open your eyes to a bigger world.

 

well did you go?

 

Stay out of any of the Intelligence fields. I did 12 years in SCIFs (special compartmented information facilities) and they ain't what they used to be. Since Wikileaks and Snowden, the intelligence and other "secret squirrel" communities are eating themselves alive from the inside out. It's horrible. They used to be close, tight-knit, and special assignments. Now it's paranoia and constant distrust - "who is the next to steal info?" My friends who are still in hate it. Bad juju.

 

My best tip for an initial step...study up on the ASVAB test so you score as high as possible. Your ASVAB score will determine what you quality for...score high and a lot of good opportunities will be on the table. From there just figure out what you're interested in / what you want to do after serving and research options in that field. While serving you can get tuition assistance ($4500/yr I think) and once you're out you'll have the Post-9/11 GI Bill, plus some real-world experience to help guide your college education.

Shoot me a message if you have any questions. I might be able to help point you in the right direction and I'd be happy to assist.

 

I work for the VA now, and can tell you that the post-9/11 GI bill is no joke. While going to school full time you get E-5 housing allowance, so you can actually afford to live while making your education a full-time job. I had my degree when I retired, but got another shortly after. The balance of my GI Bill I transferred to my son. Outstanding benefit.

 

If you go active duty air force don't expect to be going to school full time or even part time, you have basic, tech school, getting certified in your job, then if your job allows the time to go to school outside work then go for it, every AFSC is different. Deployment tempo is also based on AFSC, though things are winding down. Honestly I would sign up for 4 initially and then reenlist for more if you find its for you. Going on 8 years now and 2 to go will not be reenlisting for a lot of reasons. But it did allow me to finish my degree and pursue another one. Your best bet is to talk to a recruiter instead of asking in all caps on a Tacoma forum. The military is not for everyone and think its funny all the smoke blown up people's a** about it. It has some benefits but also negatives, just make sure you really think things out before you commit.

 

Long story short...I joined the Army at 21 and I left for basic with $40 cash and 3 sets of clothes to my name. After about 16 years and no outside help I have a great career, a nice house, and a lot of options moving forward. Based on what those I grew up with are doing today I'd say serving was one of the best decisions I've made, on a couple of different fronts. Not the easiest thing I've done but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Don;t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, you can always go back to whatever you were doing before you left, but I don't know too many who went that route when the time to decide came.