mill or military

I wish i'd checking into the military when i was a older noob.

I was a year shy of a bachelors in mech engineering...

 

.
Th military has changed (includes future retirements, medical, disabilities & etc.) but I still would go in if I could get a good MOS.

The military changed me forever ... and for that I have become a much better person having served.

I have this unbelievable appreciation for life in general ... even when things in life get a little testy. ...
.

 

The downsizing is across the board, all ranks, just as the military has done after every major conflict. The only significant difference this time is budget cuts, which will likely result in even greater cutbacks. However, the military will always maintain it's senior (most experienced) personnel in all major areas, to train and guide new personnel if or when another conflict occurs.

 

Its getting to be a major PITA to get in..
Ask me how I know..

 

Ok.

 

How old are you Op? There are more options then just working in the local mill or the military. 4 year college, Junior college, trade school and apprenticeships are other option for career. Why do you limit yourself to just two choices? I am not knocking either choice, but to let you know there are many options out there.

 

Interesting Note too, While they are cutting back everywhere in the military there is one program they are not. Infact the military plans to increase their UAV fleet by 33% in the next defense bill.

 

Oh well,

Atleast troop carriers and cargo planes will still be a necessity

 

i am nineteen and i have attended college for about 2 years and have my welding certification. i just got word tonight that there is an apprentice millwright job opening in the next week or so and i have a good chance of getting it. if i happen to not get accepted i will wait out my probation period and look at other options. also interested in obataining my emt card. this part of life sucks lol

 

I hear ya man, welders can make great money, underwater welders especially. Also aircraft weldersand aluminum welders make great money too. something to look into maybe

 

The hazard of underwater welding is high... But, it's well worth the pay they make

 

Try getting in the military. No matter what, military experience can only be beneficial for a number of reasons (enlisted or officer; active, reserve, or guard). The skills and discipline you obtain will always be beneficial landing a job in the private sector.

Veterans' benefits are exceptional and there is hardly a civilian career that can match for the long term. Everyone is right that has been saying the military is getting smaller, more selective, and their are lines around the corner to get in (a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my point). All you can do is try and if it doesn't work out, there are many other careers that offer skills and benefits that are very good long term. Most local and state government jobs can be excellent and have excellent pensions. As well as most union trade skills jobs as mentioned by others here (welding, iron workers, plumbing, etc). Additionally, I have several friends that are police officers (I was once one too) that make exceptional livings, especially working part-time security and traffic control, and their pensions are very good. Just give it some thought.

As for the military, unless some in congress and the DoD get their way, getting a retirement check every month at 38, 39, 40, 41, etc, for the rest of your life is great. I recently retired and I am I'll admit what I get paid, less my new employment income: Retirements check is $2,126 + Veteran's Affairs disability check is $2,004 =$4,130 and I don't have to do a thing if I don't want to. Add in education benefits and healthcare for life for my wife and I at very reasonable rates, not a bad gig. Now, add in my current income from my new job and my wife's income as a GS-11 and it's a GREAT living. I am a retired E7 with 21 years of service and retired when I was 40. The higher the grade at retirement, the better the money--officers make out very well. As long as you have a clean record, can score above average on the ASVAB, and are healthy and physically fit, then you should have little trouble getting in. Being healthy and physically fit is especially important since most military applicants are disqualified on this factor alone. You may have to wait a bit, but you should be able to get in. And it's worth it.

Either way, best of luck with your decision! I hope whatever you decide, it works out for you!

 

True but weigh in the fact that OP is planning on joining the military and being shot at and dodging bombs over seas and it looks like a safer option to me.

 

well, i joined the navy when i was 19 and it just postponed that part of life for 5 yrs BUT now i know exactly what i want to do, and the navy is paying me to do it.

 

Just because it's downsizing doesnt mean it's going to be hard to get in...

As long as you're not a complete tard and dont have any medical issues, you're pretty much good to go.. In March, they are supposed to be pretty much straight kicking people out that havent passed their PT test yet.. so that'll take a lot of people out.. but as far as it being harder to get promoted due to downsizing, 100% WRONG.

That depends on your MOS, how many slots are open for your next rank.. etc etc.. E1-E4 is pretty much given to you, If i stay with my current unit (which Im not, Im reclassing after my deployment) I'd be E4 forever.. we have so many E-5's its retarded.

 

+1

I'll be able to retire at 41!! I've got 3 years in the Army National Guard now, going on my first deployment in less than 3 months, planning on reclassing to Firefighter if possible when I get back and using those skills and the Mil. training to help get me on at a good Fire Department and hopefully deploy again soon after.

Just the overall mindset you get from being in and the skills will help you out in so many ways.

 

that's army. with the navy, we take a test every 6 months and you're going against every E4 in the navy that's in your rate. i WISH we were only going against the E4s at my command. it'd be soo much easier to make rank, or there wouldn't be so many lazy people.

 

i could retire at 39. but the hassle of the navy isn't worth my time anymore. i choice happiness over the money and retirement.

 

Good luck in whatever endeavor you decide to go with. fwiw I have yet to meet anybody that was in the military that regretted it. One of my friends lost his arm in a ied blast and says he would do again even knowing that he'd lose it.

 

Well, I have to disagree with that... Most jobs that are in the military don't require you to be in combat... Not all of the military has combat roles. Seeing that the OP made an 89 on the ASVAB, he has more of a broad choice of jobs that he can opt for. Not saying it's A bad choice to have a combat role, but there's more options out there that land you a pretty good job that can transfer over to civilian life after you get out. I give the highest respect to guys with Combat rates in the military. It's certainly not for everyone, only a special breed of people that's for sure.