Need advice on entering military

[Lucky]

Here's the deal- I'm 23, a year out of college, and unemployed. I've moved back in with my stepmom as a temporary measure. I've been considering over the last few months joining the military. Although I graduated with a rather specialized degree-photojournalism-I'm unsure of what and where I want out of life. I think I could benefit both physically and mentally from the challenges presented by the military.

However, I'm a bit unsure of how it works. I know I can go talk to a recruiter-and I'm thinking of doing that-but I want to have some idea of how everything works before I get the high pressure treatment.

My father is recommending officer training. Now, I'm literally clueless as to what this is and how it differs from any other entry into the armed services. I dont know whether I want to pursue something with photography, or branch out my knowledge to something technological. I've always dreamed of being a combat photographer, but I dont know if that position is even formally available or if I'd change my mind the first time I pissed my pants on the battlefield. =)

So which branch might I be best to look into? There are also other considerations which I'm not sure matter or not. I've got a semi-serious juvenile record from when I was 15 (expunged to the best of my knowledge by a plea bargain), I've used illegal drugs heavily in the past and been to rehab for them. I've also used anti-depressants in the past. Does any of this matter?

 

[vi edit]

This is simply a friendly suggestion, but are you sure you can handle the uhhhh...non-liberalness of the military?
Going by your posts, your personality and the military life would be somewhat...abraisive...for a lack of better words.

I'll end with a quote by Gene Hackman in the Movie Crimson Tide: "We're here to defend democracy, not practice it". Could you be happy in an environment like that?

 

[Yossarian]

Replace "freedom of speech" with "democracy" and you got it That movie has been on one of the pay channels every day for a frickin month.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: PipBoy
Replace "freedom of speech" with "democracy" and you got it That movie has been on one of the pay channels every day for a frickin month.

Dammit! you're right

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
This is simply a friendly suggestion, but are you sure you can handle the uhhhh...non-liberalness of the military?
Going by your posts, your personality and the military life would be somewhat...abraisive...for a lack of better words.

I'll end with a quote by Gene Hackman in the Movie Crimson Tide: "We're here to defend democracy, not practice it". Could you be happy in an environment like that?

this is the first thing i thought of when i read your title. It isn't your life style. Either you would go nuts and quit or come back completely different.

 

[UltraQuiet]

My father is recommending officer training. Now, I'm literally clueless as to what this is and how it differs from any other entry into the armed services. I dont know whether I want to pursue something with photography, or branch out my knowledge to something technological. I've always dreamed of being a combat photographer, but I dont know if that position is even formally available or if I'd change my mind the first time I pissed my pants on the battlefield. =)

Your father is right. When and if you call the recruiter tell them you want the name and number of the officer recruiter. Don't even bother to talk to anyone else.

So which branch might I be best to look into? There are also other considerations which I'm not sure matter or not. I've got a semi-serious juvenile record from when I was 15 (expunged to the best of my knowledge by a plea bargain), I've used illegal drugs heavily in the past and been to rehab for them. I've also used anti-depressants in the past. Does any of this matter?

It might or might not,depends on the specifics. It certainly can't hurt to ask.

 

[Lucky]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
This is simply a friendly suggestion, but are you sure you can handle the uhhhh...non-liberalness of the military?
Going by your posts, your personality and the military life would be somewhat...abraisive...for a lack of better words.

I'll end with a quote by Gene Hackman in the Movie Crimson Tide: "We're here to defend democracy, not practice it". Could you be happy in an environment like that?

Good post-I appreciate it. I dont know how to respond to that right now though. I'd appreciate for the moment responses to the questions I posed in my original post.

 

[Lucky]

Your father is right. When and if you call the recruiter tell them you want the name and number of the officer recruiter. Don't even bother to talk to anyone else.

OK-tell me this. I'm having a hard time understanding what exactly officer training is and how exactly it differs from any other entry into the military. Is it a desk job?

 

[vi edit]

OK-tell me this. I'm having a hard time understanding what exactly officer training is and how exactly it differs from any other entry into the military. Is it a desk job?

Hell of a lot better pay for one. You start out at officer pay instead of enlisted. As for the programs, they are generally started when you begin college and last throughout your college years. You get commissioned when you graduate college.

I don't know how it works if you already have a degree.

Here's the air force ROTC program website. You can get more info from there.

 

[Mister T]

Originally posted by: Lucky

Your father is right. When and if you call the recruiter tell them you want the name and number of the officer recruiter. Don't even bother to talk to anyone else.

OK-tell me this. I'm having a hard time understanding what exactly officer training is and how exactly it differs from any other entry into the military. Is it a desk job?

I might be wrong, but officer implies a college graduate while an enlisted man is just a High school grad

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer

My father is recommending officer training. Now, I'm literally clueless as to what this is and how it differs from any other entry into the armed services. I dont know whether I want to pursue something with photography, or branch out my knowledge to something technological. I've always dreamed of being a combat photographer, but I dont know if that position is even formally available or if I'd change my mind the first time I pissed my pants on the battlefield. =)

Your father is right. When and if you call the recruiter tell them you want the name and number of the officer recruiter. Don't even bother to talk to anyone else.

So which branch might I be best to look into? There are also other considerations which I'm not sure matter or not. I've got a semi-serious juvenile record from when I was 15 (expunged to the best of my knowledge by a plea bargain), I've used illegal drugs heavily in the past and been to rehab for them. I've also used anti-depressants in the past. Does any of this matter?

It might or might not,depends on the specifics. It certainly can't hurt to ask.

As usual, Dave is right on.

Frankly, I think your history with drug use is likely to cause you major problems. You will not ordinarily be able to enter the armed forces if you admit to having recreationally used any drugs, other than marijuana. Your recruiter may well encourage you to lie on your forms (I find this advice pretty despicable but it is commonly given), but he or she will not be doing you any favors, because your history may nevertheless turn into a career road block later in life. That said, you can certainly inquire.

 

[vi edit]

Just wanted to add that most ROTC programs are tied to college programs where you take supplemental classes endorsed/provided by the military. The classes are spaced out along the 4 years that you are in college and are sort of like another degree major.

 

[Lucky]

OK, looking at the air force website I see a job description that roughly approximates what I might be interested in doing. However, it says "enlisted" for type...does this mean if I enter officer training I can't do something like this? sorry for these basic questions

 

[BeauJangles]

I wouldn't mention any of your past drug history. It will only get you in trouble. I know someone who was kicked out of ROTC when they admitted to having smoked weed once three years before college. As for the rest of your record, I can't see it hurting you that much... esp if you've got a degree and obviously pulled yourself together since then.

 

[Lucky]

Navy photography job-again, it seems like its enlisted only. So my college degree would goto waste? I guess I dont understand how if the only difference between an officer and an enlisted man is the college degree then why are some fields restricted to enlisted only.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Lucky
Navy photography job-again, it seems like its enlisted only. So my college degree would goto waste? I guess I dont understand how if the only difference between an officer and an enlisted man is the college degree then why are some fields restricted to enlisted only.

I'm speaking out of my ass here, but I think it largely is due to overqualification. Why have a guy with 4 years of schooling doing a job that somebody with 4 weeks/months can do? The ROTC program pays for your college schooling, as well as your ROTC training. You graduate as an officer, with officer pay. The military has a vested interest in you, and wants the most out of you that it can get. I mean you no offense, but I don't think that being a photographer is quite what the military has in mind for you when they train you to be an officer for 4 years.

As I said, just my opinion here, and maybe Dave or Don can offer some insight to the specific schools of training.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: Lucky
Navy photography job-again, it seems like its enlisted only. So my college degree would goto waste? I guess I dont understand how if the only difference between an officer and an enlisted man is the college degree then why are some fields restricted to enlisted only.

Basically you can't be an Officer if you want that job. They don't want to pay you the Officer payscale for that type of job. The enlisted payscale is much lower than Officer Payscale.

It just simply comes down to they don't want to waste an officer with officer pay on something that they can get an enlisted person to do at a lower payscale.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Lucky, if you wish to enlist, then more power to you. Let me be blunt though. It will not be as easy as you think, even if you think it will be hard. Also entering the service you are indeed not in a democracy and cannot walk away from it. Lastly I will say this. The service exists for one reason, and that is to defend US interests. Often just the fact that we have a military is enough of a disincentive to those who would act against us. Other times it is not, and then the military fulfills it's primary function. It kills. That is what bombs and tanks and guns are for. To kill when needed. Consider how easy or difficult it would be to kill or be killed. Hopefully, it will never come to it, but a soldier who believes he will never have to kill is a fool.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Here' the Naval Officer page Officer

Here's the page that I think your degree is most likely to qualify you for PAO

Personally I think if are entering the service with a degree you're crazy not to pursue a commision. The pay and benefits are a lot greater and so is the resposibility and career options. If you really just want to take pictures then yes you will have to be an enlisted man. Nothing wrong with it, just not as many perq's. I'm sure the other services have PAO's also.

 

[BlueApple]

Basically?

Officers are the top 10% of all military personal(as pay ranks go), they are leaders and tell people what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.

Enlisted are those that execute what officers tell them; the gears that keep everything moving, doing manual labor and nitty-gritty stuff.

So Private, Sergeant, both enlisted rankings.

Lieutenant, captain, General, all officers.

Very good site on the officers vs enlisted

This is just my understanding of it but I wanted to get the two out in basic terms.

 

[Lucky]

thanks for the last two replies. this interests me too.

As far as becoming an officer-do you go through basic training BEFORE ~13-week officer training? Or does officer training encompass all of that?

 

[Aceman]

My Army Battalion controls a Military Public Affairs Detachment underneath it. You can PM me with any questions on journalists and photo-journalists. Enter in the Army and it'd just be going into Officer Candidate School (3 months) to train and commission you as an officer, if you have a 4yr degree.

 

[Aceman]

Officers are the top 10% of all military personal, they are leaders and tell people what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.

Dave, care to join me in ROTFLMAOPIMP over this statement?

With no disrespected intended of course, Don_Vito

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: Lucky
thanks for the last two replies. this interests me too.

As far as becoming an officer-do you go through basic training BEFORE ~13-week officer training? Or does officer training encompass all of that?

Officers don't go to basc training just OCS.

Aceman-- I've found (as have you) that it is better to let them think they are in charge. I've gotten very good at keeping a serious look on my face when these types of things come up.

AndrewR and Don-- I'm just kidding. I'm sure my guys have had the "we just let the Chief think he's in charge" conversation also. Everyone in the service knows that the guys who do all the real work are the guys with the least amount of stripes on their sleeves.

Chief

 

[Lucky]

Hmm...well, I think I might have narrowed it down. It certainly seems like I would be fairly stupid to enter enlisted, and it seems like there are some careers that interest me as an officer according to this..

Now which branch if I decide to go. Hmm.... :/