Looking at going into the military after high school. Need some help

[leglez]

Ok I have been talking to a friend that is in the national guard and he said that if I join something in the military out of high school I can get my college paid for. So I called up the marines today (i got a letter in the mail so its the first place I called). And I am going to setup an appointment to go talk to the local recruiter next week. But I was wondering I am wanting to go in for something in the computer field. I would prefer something with hardware but software would be fine too. Which part of the military should I look? I am wanting to stay in the states preferably something local but i doubt thats possible. I am just wondering which part of the military I should look at joining for computers?

 

[dainthomas]

Navy. Modern warships are basically one big floating computer.

 

[upsciLLion]

Air Force or Navy.

 

[destrekor]

if you want computers and minimal chance of deployment, check into the Air National Guard. Navy you could be at sea for awhile. Regular AirForce might be a bet too.
There are plenty of computer jobs in the Army as well, my buddy actually works with VOIP-type equipment for the Army. But there's the deployment chance. He's attached to the 101st Airborne, and a lot of the 101st (including him) is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in April.

 

[KK]

aim high

 

[imported_LoKe]

Communications Research. It's a fast track to getting your TS security clearance, and it opens up many doors.

 

[Strk]

Air Force and then the Navy

 

[imported_Devine]

All branches have computer folks, but if your really wanting to stay in the states and not deploy to Iraq or anywhere else a lot if every look at the Air Force. Im not sure how other branches are but in the AF tuition is paid for while your in, all you have to do is pay for books plus you have the GI Bill to use when you get out that you pay $1200 and get almost 40k now, not too bad of a return

Take a look at 3C2X1 which would be your hardware guys, they normally deal with your base network, ie Cisco hardware, or a Tech Control which deals with long haul circuits and is kinda hard to describe. For software look at 3C0X1, they do everything software like Help Desk, servers and managing peoples accounts.

 

[Rastus]

If you go Air Force, go avionics on a specific aircraft. For instance, B52's are stationed only in Barksdale, Louisianna. B1's are only at Dyess, Texas. That way you will be assured you will not move around and you can become a full time student while serving. 4 years later you have a degree, a pile of cash, no debt, and experience.

 

[chipy]

the last post by Rastus is very good advice if you want to save money, stay in one place, and have an opportunity to get your education and gain experience. btw, i also think AF and Navy are your number 1 bets. good luck!

 

[PrinceofWands]

Navy or Air Force are the majority of tech jobs. Other branches have them but there's fewer.

 

[FoBoT]

on submarines, sonarman have the best computers. sonar is always being upgraded
then fire control technicians

and radioman, the communications equipment/computers are high priority too

Go Navy!

 

[TehMac]

Out of curiosity, what ass is rating all the threads 0/5. I mean wtf?

 

[shortylickens]

I wont tell you not to join but I ask you keep some things in mind before you make a final decision: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=52&threadid=2084459

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Rastus
If you go Air Force, go avionics on a specific aircraft. For instance, B52's are stationed only in Barksdale, Louisianna. B1's are only at Dyess, Texas. That way you will be assured you will not move around and you can become a full time student while serving. 4 years later you have a degree, a pile of cash, no debt, and experience.

Be aware that all intermediate shops are being phased out, so that will change.

 

[bluestrobe]

Originally posted by: Rastus
For instance, B52's are stationed only in Barksdale, Louisianna. B1's are only at Dyess, Texas.

B52's are still at Minot and B1's are still at Ellsworth.

Also I would go into the AF.

 

[alrocky]

Thrift Savings Plan

Don't forget to throw as money ($15,500 for 2007) as you can in the Thirft Savings Plan. Perhaps one of the best if not the best 401(k) type retirement plans in the US. And if you happen to get deployed overseas, look into the Savings Deposit Program.

 

[Vette73]

Has anybody said Air Force or Navy yet?



But you could also go to college get a degree and then join. Have your education paid for and also come in as a officer.

 

[Turin39789]

IIRC from the time I almost almost signed up. You've got a few options.

You can go active now, serve and then go to school on the GI bill on your way out. You'dd go in grunt.

You can go Reserves/Guard and go to school and do your service on the weekends at the same time. Right now I think it might be likely that you would get activated, so school would wait again. This is another grunt route.

You can get into an ROTC program, go to school and get your degree. Then go in and serve as an officer.



Also, iirc, you can't always be certain that you're going to get into the MOS the recruiter tells you you're going to. I'm sure they are going to try but if it fills up and no one is needed, you'll get stuck somewhere else. Have you done an ASVAB? A high score there won't hurt.

I chose not to sign up, but if you're certain that you want to, talk to the recruiter with your eyes open. Save your paperwork and get the stuff in writing. His goal is not to screw you over, but it is to sign men up and they'll do what they have to.

I'm sure people who actually went through with it can give you some more accurate advice.

 

[Sentrosi2121]

With the Navy, become an Avionics Technician on P-3C Orions (VP squadrons). They never deploy to the fleet, though they do deploy overseas. At least then you'll have your own barracks room and probably a more private place to do your studying rather than hotracking on a Navy ship. Though there is something to be said about a 6 month deployment with nothing else to do.