POLL: Military (officer), yes, or no?

[Davegod75]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
CID - Criminal Investigation Division. Some of those 'Aliens' are rather 'spacey', are they not ?
It's an organization where rank is not displayed, Black suit and tie, Glock on hip.

Don't consider it a 'Hype' - facts are facts, he want's to do it, & I'm supportive.
His Mom's not overly thrilled, typical of a mother though.

Because they don't wear a visible badge, that compares them the "men in black?" ROTFLMAO!!!!

I honestly do believe you when you imply that it's an exciting job, but to compare it to an unknown secret government agency whose agent's identities are erased and who fight space aliens, is insane.

Glock? I doubt the US government would give it's personnel an Austrian made pistol.

Maybe a highly secretive CIA agent could be compared to the men in black, but if you're allowed to "tell me about" your son's job, he's nothing comparable to men in black.

However, that does not make him or his job less. He obviously fights crime, which I consider to be one of the most noble professions out there.

But you seriously should get a job for the military writing their advertising compaigns. Your creativity would get plenty of new recruits. LMAO

you obviously have never worked for a gov't org.

 

[DJFuji]

It's not standard issue with most US military organizations but it has been issued before IIRC.

 

[Schadenfreude]

I'm looking into joining the other branches (possibly) - I looked a bit into the Army - it seems as though I might be able to get in there: we'll see . . ..

 

[Queasy]

According to this column, what the military needs more of now is people familiar with foreign languages, intelligence gathering, and interrogation techniques.

They'd be happy to have you I think.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Oh, I talked to the Army Recruiter on the phone today - I believe that I'm eligable for Army OCS! Going in to talk to a recruiter to-morrow! 😀

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Jehovah
Oh, I talked to the Army Recruiter on the phone today - I believe that I'm eligable for Army OCS! Going in to talk to a recruiter to-morrow! 😀

Go for it.

Comments that were provided regarding the AF will be mostly the same for any officer.

Training may be slightly different, however, the general rules apply

 

[Schadenfreude]

UPDATE: Talked to recruiter to-day - he was up front about everything, not being pushy/selling it at any point in time. It sounds like it's definitely something I could see myself doing!

Time to get some letters of recommendations! To the crew of ATOT< thanks for all your help! :thumbsup:

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Jehovah
UPDATE: Talked to recruiter to-day - he was up front about everything, not being pushy/selling it at any point in time. It sounds like it's definitely something I could see myself doing!

Time to get some letters of recommendations! To the crew of ATOT< thanks for all your help! :thumbsup:

Local pols/government officials, business leaders and field grade officers/senior NCOs (active or retired) will be your best bet. Religious is questionable.

 

[DJFuji]

One thing i might add: Check out all of the branches before you make a decision. Nothing like joining a service and then realizing you joined the wrong one.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Took the ASVAB with the intent of (possibly) applying to the Army OCS approx. 30 minutes ago. - I got the AFQT score of 99 - I will know the specific scores to-morrow! 😀

 

[huberm]

Pros:
-sense of self pride in what you are doing
-top notch personal development - you will become a different, better person
-see the world
-you will never forget a single deployment
-you will meet so many people from so many different cultures

Cons:
-running A LOT
-high stress. You will have to make quick decisions that will affect lives every day
-are you ready to die for your country? if you're not, reconsider
-if you disagree with things, be prepared to shut your mouth and like it.
-your family will become a second priority


some of my thoughts on this. It takes a really special person to put that uniform on every day. You need to think long and hard whether you are that special person, before you do or don't do it. Be prepared to dedicate your life to a cause that you may or may not stand for.

 

[Indred]

AFQT of 99 is the best you can get congrats. I my self am an Army Recruter and have only seen a 99 like 2 times. (my high school math teacher with a BA in math got a 78 :shrug: hmmmmm) As far as a comparison between different branches I encourage my applicants to look at others. I also have a sheet of pros and cons of every branch, mostly for enlisted personal. I know you are already talking to an army recruter but if there is any thing I can do to help.

SGT USA

 

[Minjin]

I'll have to read the thread some other time but for now I'll just say that you NEED to explore ALL the branches. I've been down the officer road and I've been down the enlisted road and officer is definitely the better 'deal'. That said, its still not for most people. Make sure you know what you're getting into.

Mark

 

[AlienCraft]

Go Navy.

 

[MrYAK]

i've been in the AF for over 4yrs now. so if you have any questions, feel free to PM me and i'll be glad to help you out with anything OP.

 

[Vic]

While I have no personal experience (having never served), I can say from working with clients in a professional financial services capacity that being a military officer can be an excellent long-term financial agenda. You spend 20 years in the military, working your way up with mediocre pay and hard work but excellent benefits, then retire at about age 40 with nice pension and benefits (for life) to join the private sector which will eagerly want to pay you top dollar for the skills, discipline, and leadership that you learned in the military. It's not a get-rich-quick approach, but with hard work, brains, and patience, it can lead to a very secure path to a comfortable, possibly even somewhat affluent, middle class life, with very few retirement concerns.

 

[JacobJ]

if you feel, as an officer that you will have the opportunity to limit deaths and violence that would have happened without you, then I'd say do it.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
O-3 @ 3 (lower grade pay and low # of years) years makes $3,823.20/mo or $45,878.40/ year. Not bad for 3 years of service, not a lot of $, but definatly not paying very little...

O-6 @ 6 years = 5,805.90/mo or $69,670.80/year.

O6, very few move up the ranks that fast.

Forbes said after 4 years out of school, the average Harvard MBA makes 195,000 a year. Only 4 years out.

60,000 is not a lot of money. And very very very few end up making more than 100,000 in their entire life. Even 100,000 isn't a lot of money anymore.

The "average Harvard MBA" would not be considering the military on a public web site.

$100,000 is a lot of money - what's the nationwide average? Probably a LOT less. Also, while making $100,000/year won't even rent you a closet in NYC and won't buy you an outhouse in SoCal, in other places you'd be filthy rich.

Someone mentioned housing allowance... that amount varies based on your pay rate and where you are stationed. My wife's at O-3 and we get $1600/mo of tax free money for off-base housing. You can also take "free" housing, but then you only get about $400 of that.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Originally posted by: Zap

The "average Harvard MBA" would not be considering the military on a public web site.

$100,000 is a lot of money - what's the nationwide average? Probably a LOT less. Also, while making $100,000/year won't even rent you a closet in NYC and won't buy you an outhouse in SoCal, in other places you'd be filthy rich.

Someone mentioned housing allowance... that amount varies based on your pay rate and where you are stationed. My wife's at O-3 and we get $1600/mo of tax free money for off-base housing. You can also take "free" housing, but then you only get about $400 of that.

Ouch! 🙁
But it's true, so is' okay. 🙂

 

[Indred]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
O-3 @ 3 (lower grade pay and low # of years) years makes $3,823.20/mo or $45,878.40/ year. Not bad for 3 years of service, not a lot of $, but definatly not paying very little...

O-6 @ 6 years = 5,805.90/mo or $69,670.80/year.

O6, very few move up the ranks that fast.

Forbes said after 4 years out of school, the average Harvard MBA makes 195,000 a year. Only 4 years out.

60,000 is not a lot of money. And very very very few end up making more than 100,000 in their entire life. Even 100,000 isn't a lot of money anymore.

The "average Harvard MBA" would not be considering the military on a public web site.

$100,000 is a lot of money - what's the nationwide average? Probably a LOT less. Also, while making $100,000/year won't even rent you a closet in NYC and won't buy you an outhouse in SoCal, in other places you'd be filthy rich.

Someone mentioned housing allowance... that amount varies based on your pay rate and where you are stationed. My wife's at O-3 and we get $1600/mo of tax free money for off-base housing. You can also take "free" housing, but then you only get about $400 of that.

as an E-5 i get $918/mo tax free (my rent is $750 3bed-2bath house)

 

[Zap]

Yeah, our $1600/mo tax free is paying for our $900/mo mortgage. 🙂 The extra amount pays for her car payments plus our utilities.

 

[Baked]

Sure you don't mind being held captive for months on end in a water torture chamber?

 

[jumpr]

.

 

[CaptnKirk]

Keep all options open, you can get away with valuable experience after only investion a few years of your early life learning valuable lessons.
Clean break after 4 - 5 years with the potential of an impressive fresh resume as well.
Find out you like it, there are 4 to 6 years slices to persuit the military, even change carrer paths while serving.

Worst case senario would be not to like it and leave after the minimum comittment is met.