Is it to late for me?

[uberman]

Originally posted by: Cadop

Originally posted by: aidanjm
for god's sake, the last thing you need is being shipped off to Iraq. The US is going to be stuck in that quagmire for decades. Which means if you sign up, you'll end up there, surely.

I understand what you are saying and am fully aware of that fact, but please, don't turn this into a flame war.

The Coast Guard might be cool. I know a lot of happy coasties.

 

[AnimeKnight]

Originally posted by: uberman

Originally posted by: AnimeKnight
It's definitely not too late for a career change!!

I joined the military @ 24 and now I am 28 I am about to separate from the AF going into a different career. Right now I am an aircraft mechanic and I am thinking about going into information tech. So I can tell you personally it is not too late!

You can also combine both medical and military together. You can try to get a job such as x-ray technician or other medical fields in the military. That way military will pay for your education and provide you with experience.

If you have your A and P certificates in order you can really do well certifying aircraft in the civilian world.

True.. I don't have A&P. I have been stationed in Germany for the past 3 years. They didn't offer that class until this year. I am about 8 months away from separating. I don't mind really. I want to try information technology field.

Joining the military is not a bad idea. I had my GF at the time took care all the bills for me while I was in boot camp. Then I setup automatic payments for my bills. I don't have to worry a thing.

The 4 years I have been in the military I have traveled to Romania, Germany, France, Afghanistan, England, and soon Portugal all for work. Personally I have traveled all over Europe: England, Paris, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Austria, and Czech Republic. Snowboarded at the Alps and celebrated new year at Amsterdam.

Work sometimes sucks but that's every work. I enjoy what I do. I just want to try something else. I have been dipping into my GI Bill and I am half way of finishing up my master. It's all about how you take advantage of what military has to offer for you.

If you know that you want to be in the medical field and money is an issue.. military can help you with that. To become an officer is really tough right now due to budget cuts. Unless you have a technical degree, i.e. engineering or foreign language or medical degree then you are pretty much SOL.

Best of luck on your career change.. I will have to face mine in 8 months

 

[Cadop]

Any new insight from the afternoon crew?

 

[FoBoT]

it is never too late, until you are dead

dead people are rarely hired

Go Navy!

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
it is never too late, until you are dead

dead people are rarely hired

i think they are hired regularly by med schools. however, they work for free i think.

 

[IronWing]

Don't get suckered by all these Polly Annas, it is too late for you. Your life is support and support it shall remain until you lie bitter in your grave.


Before deciding to join the military take a hard look at our political leaders. Do you want them telling you who to kill and why? Would you trust them with your life?

 

[vi edit]

It's absolutely not too late to go into healthcare. I'm almost 30 and was accepted into a respiratory therapy program. Turned down the offer because I got a pretty nice IT gig working in the healthcare industry instead.

Be aware that radiography is a pretty hot item right now. Lots of programs have several year waiting lists. The one offered by my local CC has a 3 year wait. Respiratory was an immediate opening.

You can set up shadow sessions to follow x-ray techs around for a day or two to see if it's something you are interested in. It's a pretty good job with lots of paths and it pays very well. Rock solid job security too.

I *personally* would want nothing to do with the military at this point, so I can not make an objective argument for it.

 

[apex32]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Don't get suckered by all these Polly Annas, it is too late for you. Your life is support and support it shall remain until you lie bitter in your grave.


Before deciding to join the military take a hard look at our political leaders. Do you want them telling you who to kill and why? Would you trust them with your life?

24 is NOT too late to change things around. If you're going to be an asshole just don't post.

 

[termac50]

You're pretty young. If you're unhappy, definately do something now, rather than later. I don't know anything about X-ray techs, but if it makes you happy go for it. Most important thing is to IDENTIFY what job will keep you happy, and pursue it. It's easier to do for some than others.

As for the military, I have lots of friends an family that are in or were in at one time. I was a cilivian GS rank at one time working on military bases. I wouldn't exactly say if you go in, be prepared to go straight to Iraq. But it is a possibility.

 

[chris7b]

Think about becoming a Physician Assistant. They make good money and you wont need to devote 10 years for your education. There are programs out there that will take you with an AA and give you a Bachelors degree plus your PA-c. You can come out making 6 figures.

 

[lokiju]

My wife is an x-ray tech and is happy doing it.

She can always upgraded to CAT or MRI in the future also if she so desires.

She went to an x-ray tech program that the local hospital had going on when we were still living in FL.

Only downside is regular old x-ray tech pay tops out at about 45ish so if thats not enough $$ then an upgrade would be needed to obtain more.

 

[DougK62]

How far did you actually think you'd get in IT with only an Associates degree? These days Help Desk is all you'll get with that...

The biggest payout for only two years of schooling has to be in the medical field. If you don't want to go back to school then look into going into some sort of skilled physical labor.

 

[termac50]

Truck drivers make good money too

 

[Stonesoldier]

Originally posted by: termac50
Truck drivers make good money too

bet ur ass they do
$65K last year Local only /OTR you can make more
can you say Teamster!


but hey if the military is something you want to do
either sign up for the job you want
or
get a Combat MOS

see the world
meet exotic people
SHOOT THERE SORRY ASSES

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: Wapp
/\/\/\/\/\/\ DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS GUY /\/\/\/\/\ This is the biggest piece of disinformation and I wish people would stop spreading it. If you join the army or marines, yes you have a strong chance of going to Iraq. AF or Navy, not very likely and if you do end up there it's not for as long as the other branches nor will you likely see any action.

Not true at all, the AF is changing big time. If you actually knew anyone in the AF you'd know that the Aerospace Expeditionary Force concept entails that EVERYONE (with rare exception) will deploy on a regular basis. In theory, an AF member could expect to deploy for between 4 to 6 months in a 20 month cycle. I say in theory because they are still implementing this theory into practice, although quickly I might add. Also, the officer core is stuffed to its gills with LT's and the enlisted side is experience a massive reconstruction.

For instance, I'm a 2E071 Radar Technician (the 2E being the most important part of my specialty code.) 2E encompasses all Communications Electronics Systems career fields and it's on the brink of a massive change into something more similar to what you'd find in the other branches. CE is becoming homogenized, meaning you're giving training on general electronics principles and in a couple of month you might find yourself working with Navigational Systems or climbing poles to fix telephone wire. It will all depend on your assignment, of which you will have several even in your first enlistment.

In some respects is an awesome thing since you have the chance to work with so many different technologies. Obviously it's not without its side effects though, the first of which is greatly increased ops tempo due to an emphasis on supporting platforms for forward deployed areas and other deployable contingencies. At the same time, the AF is moving away from having its enlisted core support home-station operations wherever it can, and of course CE is a great place to start that endeavor. My job supporting Air Traffic Control and Landings Systems RADAR is becoming civilianized with many, many other CE(2E) career fields.

Long story short, the AF is still great for starting a family, picking up some useful life/job skills, and getting your education paid for but if you enlist (or even get a commission for that matter) you will deploy on a routine basis.

For more AEF info read these two articles. If you're even considering the Air Force, you should read them carefully. Good luck on your decision, and if you find your set on enlistment I highly recommend the AF.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Well, if you were single I'd say go for the military. Your other option is working in a cubicle for 9 hours a day slowly gaining more and more of an appreciation for Dilbert (not a good thing) and complaining over your sore neck and wrists and bitching on forums about your boss.

If you're getting married, though, you'll need to see how she feels about it. From what I hear, there's a lot of added stress on military wives and she needs to be 100% onboard before you rush off on a new life-altering career path that will have you and her potentially hoping around and you maybe away for a while, etc.

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Well, if you were single I'd say go for the military. Your other option is working in a cubicle for 9 hours a day slowly gaining more and more of an appreciation for Dilbert (not a good thing) and complaining over your sore neck and wrists and bitching on forums about your boss.

If you're getting married, though, you'll need to see how she feels about it. From what I hear, there's a lot of added stress on military wives and she needs to be 100% onboard before you rush off on a new life-altering career path that will have you and her potentially hoping around and you maybe away for a while, etc.

Very true. In fact even if she's on board at first, wives are forced to sacrifice their own career pursuits to accommodate the career of their "sponsor." This can be rough on a spouse, especially overseas where employment and educational opportunities are limited.