Thinking about dropping out...

As a vet I can tell you that I wouldn't rush into the decision either but knowing your situation (having been there) it is definitly a good option. The reason I say Air force is they are a little less strict and generally have less dangerous jobs, unless that's what you want.

Whatever you decide good luck to you.

Oh and you CAN get a good paying job out of the military, I make more than anybody I know with a degree. Not bragging just saying don't put too much emphasis on it.

 

skilled workers can make bank here too. i work at a wind turbine plant the the shop workers here make good money. really good money. and i'd say most of them dont have anything but a hs diploma

I agree. all a degree is is a key to the door. it says "hey, i'm smart enough to go to class, and learn, and pass a few tests so i should be smart enough to learn whatever i need for this job i'm applying for". very few graduate college with the know how to do what is required of them, but that diploma just says you dont give up and are at least partially intelligent. same for a background in the military. if you have served 4 years in the military thats saying your smart enough to learn and determined enough not to give up. same basic thing.

can you fly in the air force if you dont have a degree? for some reason i was thinking you had to have a certain level of education to become a pilot. can someone confirm that?

 

I got a couch... wait his offer is better haha

 

Depends.... is there a bed in it or is it just an empty room!?

 

i've got a nice set of $6k leather couches you can sleep on

 

I'm pretty sure that you must have a college degree to get 95% of armed forces commissions. There are very few exceptions to that rule...Some specialties can get you an officer slot, but not many- and you have to be pretty good.

My AF buddy just confirmed that you can not get an officer slot in the AF without a degree. I know that very few Coast Guard officers get commissions without degrees. The other question is future promotabilty...but that's a different discussion.

Derek- I recommend a college degree AND the military...If you have to choose...I would go with the degree for now and then join. Officer pay is better and I find the work fairly rewarding. If you REALLY hate school and want to go to the military- Just remember it's a 4-6 year commitment before you get to change your mind again...

 

Too bad i think Sami won....^^^

 

Other Pros: Discipline, Internal Strength, Having an Understanding of Knowing what you would be willing to Put Your Life on the Line For and Potentially Purpose

 

psh i always win

 

Can I spend some time in your dog house or is that taken?

 

Thats not true, he can get out whenever he wants. just try to set the most expensive plane on the base on fire and see how long it takes to get out of the service. then you just have to figure out how to get out of jail or the brig or wherever they send you

after i graduated clemson i considered the airforce cause i thought flying woudl be cool and i heard being an officer in the AF is one of the cushiest jobs in the world

 

Derek, you should really stay in school. school and me didn't agree at all. getting your degree will open many more doors of opportunity in this economy than not having one. i beg you not to drop out. more often than not, people who drop out never go back. keep that head up D!

 

Yeah...He certainly could try that route. I wouldn't call that "getting out" so much as "ruining your life"

I can't think of ANY military job that's "cushy" but that is a subjective word. I think cushy and I think making a decision of two max per day...Tons of money and what not. Any officer job that I've seen is NOT that. AF and CG are probably the best organizations about caring for their people...Army Navy and Marines all have their high and low points...I'm uber happy with my gig...

 

I didn't have fun in College, but it really opened my eyes to the world. I had my heart fucking crushed in College. No word of lie. The chick I was dating broke it off for no reason what so ever, The old "It's me not you blah blah blah" and 4 months later she was with a dumbass that I've never liked since grade school.

Anyways, it's helped shape me into the hardassed prick I am today, however, it also helped me to knuckle through the deep shit.

Which, quite honestly you're just going to have to do in the military anyways, so you might as well get used to it now. You can join the military any time, they're always hurting for people, it's not so easy to get into College.

You're already in there, stick with it for now.

We're here for ya buddy!

 

X2

 

Derek, collage is not for everybody. My oldest son breezed through and graduated with honors. My youngest struggled horribly, ADHD, he just could not sit still long enough. He quit collage, picked up all of his Microsoft certificates and now he is making a ton of money on something that is a natural to him, computers.
What do you want to do with your life, use this time now wisely to set your carrier path. Try to find something that is a passion for you that you can do for a living. I wish I would have found photography when I was your age.
The Armed forces might be a good choice, it won't be easy, just ask around. Just remember the millatary will be a commitment that you can't just walk away from.

 

tomato tomato (that saying really loses all meaning when you see it written doesn't it?)

well i guess when i say cushy i mean compared to other jobs. i dont consider any job cushy i guess. i always laugh at those emails that compare the branches and the marines have to wake up in shit and eat dirt for breakfast and then the AF officer has to choose between french roast or flavored coffee and is unable to go back for thirds because they are out of fresh eggs and bacon.

yeah, i got my heart crushed in college too. but still wouldn't trade it for anything

 

good point. one of my room mates was a computer science major and got a 4 year degree in it. after graduating it took him a year to find a job (this was way before the economy tanked). they kept telling him they were looking for experience. they said if he had a 2 year degree in a computer related field and 2 years experience they'd hire him in a heartbeat. but a 4 year degree with no experience was useless to him. college really isn't always the best choice for everyone or every field. even with college experience is MANDATORY

 

Do NOT join the military b/c your "girlfriend dumped you, you've got no money, and you need to get out of the house".

NONE of those are valid reasons for going into the military.

There's another thread here somewhere on the topic of which ex-military person gets more respect: the one who saw combat duty or the one in the support role.

Understand that if you join the military there's a very real chance you might be getting shot at or you might be shooting at someone. You might get killed.

If you do NOT have the conviction of your beliefs in regard to "America's mission" in any of the theaters of combat, do you really want to put your life on the line for the reasons you stated?

There are ALWAYS options. Necessity is the MOTHER of invention.

Need to get out of the house? Stay on someone's couch.

Need money? Wash dishes, bartend, wait tables, do landscaping.

No jobs where you are? Borrow $1,000 from a good friend and MOVE your ass, soldier.

Broke up with girlfriend? Sorry about that, but the reality is that there's ALWAYS someone for EVERYONE. Even ugly, fat, selfish, alcoholic people find people.

Feeling down about yourself? Learn to work constructively through it, as it's not going to be the last time in your life. If you learn that lesson now, you'll always believe in yourself.

But for God's sake, don't put yourself in the position of possibly being blown up by an IED or ambushed UNLESS YOU BELIEVE YOUR LIFE IS WORTH THE SACRIFICE.

Good luck and understand you're not the only one to have gone through tough times.