Military Reserves...

[edro]

I have a bechelor's degree from DeVry, and a decent job in the IT field... but I have school loans, and I have been thinking about joining the military.

I would love to travel around and just to try something new. Also, the GI Bill is a huge incentive.

What branch? I was thinking the Army or Navy Reserves. My sister and borther in law were both in the Air Force.

This is very early on, so I am just getting opinions. What do you guys think? Anyone in the reserves?

Since I have a bachelors, what the deal about being an officer? I have a lot of IT training and experience, so would I be doing an IT job there?

Thanks for any support or answers!

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Marines. Sniper.

 

[datalink7]

Branching Signal in the Army might interest you.

branchorientation.com

 

[Horus]

I can only say what I know. Army hua-Especially the guns (Artillery)

Sure, the infantry gets the glamor. But the artillery gets the big-arse-freakin-cannons (Or rockets, in the US's case), and don't usually die. Gunning is damn fun, but requires mathamatical skill...

 

[conjur]

Cheers to you!

A friend of friend is in the Reserves and about to ship out for a year stint in Afghanistan.

 

[Fiveohhh]

Air Force!!

 

[PowerEngineer]

Originally posted by: conjur
Cheers to you!

A friend of friend is in the Reserves and about to ship out for a year stint in Afghanistan.

A timely reminder that joining the reserves will likely mean active service soon...

Good luck!

 

[edro]

Reserves = active duty?

Are you serious? I thought the reserves meant you were the last to be shipped out

I need to talk to a recruiter (like they won't lie to me )

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: edro13
Reserves = active duty?

Are you serious? I thought the reserves meant you were the last to be shipped out

I need to talk to a recruiter (like they won't lie to me )

Yes, but when you're fighting a war with an all-volunteer army you start running short on soldiers awfully fast.

Expect to get shipped out if you join ANY branch of the Army (well, except maybe Coast Guard )

 

[edro]

Coast Guard it is!

 

[conjur]

http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/294628|top|06-02-2004::10:47|reuters.html

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army has issued an order preventing thousands of soldiers designated for duty in Iraq or Afghanistan from leaving the military even when their volunteer service commitment expires, officials said on Wednesday.
The move to extend the service of some soldiers involuntarily was the latest sign of increasing stress on the Army as the Pentagon strives to maintain adequate troop levels in the two conflicts.

Lt. Gen. Franklin Hagenbeck, the Army's personnel chief, denied that the move was a sign of desperation for the Army, although he did acknowledge that the Army was "stretched."

The Army issued so-called "stop loss" and "stop movement" orders for soldiers in all units that will deploy outside the United States to take part in future missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Army has previously issued such orders covering some troops in the two conflicts, but not as broadly as the latest move. Since the attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, some 45,000 soldiers have been affected by similar orders, Hagenbeck said.

The "stop loss" order means that soldiers who otherwise could leave the service when their volunteer commitments expire, starting 90 days before being sent, will be compelled to remain to the end of their overseas deployment and up to another 90 days after they come home.

A "stop movement" order blocks soldiers from shifting to new assignments during the restricted period.

Army spokesmen were unable to give a figure for how many soldiers would be affected by the orders beyond saying it will be in the thousands.

 

[edro]

So I should join the Navy or Air Force?

Anyone have any Naval experience? My grandpa was in the Navy. (WWII Pacific)

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: edro13
Reserves = active duty?

Are you serious? I thought the reserves meant you were the last to be shipped out

I need to talk to a recruiter (like they won't lie to me )

Yes, but when you're fighting a war with an all-volunteer army you start running short on soldiers awfully fast.

Expect to get shipped out if you join ANY branch of the Army (well, except maybe Coast Guard )

When did the Coast Gaurd become a branch of the Army? Somebody better tell the Generals!

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: edro13
Reserves = active duty?

Are you serious? I thought the reserves meant you were the last to be shipped out

I need to talk to a recruiter (like they won't lie to me )

Yes, but when you're fighting a war with an all-volunteer army you start running short on soldiers awfully fast.

Expect to get shipped out if you join ANY branch of the Army (well, except maybe Coast Guard )

Um, since when did the Coast Guard become part of the Army?

You might want to cut back on the pills and alcohol.

 

[edro]

So what's the deal about being an officer if you have a college degree?

 

[Psycho18]

Originally posted by: edro13
So what's the deal about being an officer if you have a college degree?

More money and authority?

 

[PCTweaker5]

Army. Wuss.

 

[cchen]

Err.... its going to be difficult becoming an officer in the Army. Most officers went to West Point. There are other ways, but very difficult.

 

[edro]

It doesn't have to be the Army!

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: cchen
Err.... its going to be difficult becoming an officer in the Army. Most officers went to West Point. There are other ways, but very difficult.

Actually, most officers come from ROTC

 

[TitanDiddly]

Air Force!

 

[EagleKeeper]

Coasties are being deployed to the Gulf. Some have been killed.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: jagec

Yes, but when you're fighting a war with an all-volunteer army you start running short on soldiers awfully fast.

Expect to get shipped out if you join ANY branch of the Army (well, except maybe Coast Guard )

Um, since when did the Coast Guard become part of the Army?

You might want to cut back on the pills and alcohol.

well, OK, I didn't mean Army I meant military. And as for when the Coast Guard became part of the military, oh, about 210 years ago.

/edit: hit "national defense" from the left frame...I thought that was a direct link, oops.

 

[SirWoj]

Air National Guard. Most likely the Air Force can use your IT skills and they will not get called overseas as quickly as the Army. The National Guard will pay for college in most cases. I believe that if you want to become an officer you will have to go to boot camp and officer training school. I think there is a law that makes employers retain your job while you are on military service.

 

[bmacd]

look into the National Guard (Air or Army). I'm in the Army National Guard and love it!

-=bmacd=-