Thinking of joining the military

[PowerMacG5]

Well, I've reached a point in my life where I realized that I dont think I could handle a normal 9-5 job, and am going nuts since I've been on co-op working a "normal" job as a software tester, and then systems administrator.

I was thinking a military career could be a good thing. I wouldn't enlist, rather I would want to go to OCS/OTS and become an officer with a commission. The only two branches I would consider are the Marine Corps, and the Air Force.

First thing I need to do is get my weight down, and am on my way to doing that. For my height, I need to lose 60 pounds for the Marines, and 90 pounds for the Air Force. Since I started watching my food intake, I have lost 10 pounds. I also want to finish my Bachelors before I start, this way I don't have to worry about school, and training at the same time.

Just curious for opinions from others who have done the same. Which branch would you recommend? Also, what kind of job would I be looking at as an officer? I know enlisted men are generally the infantrymen, and muscle of the military, and such, but when it comes to officer jobs and responsibilities, what is it like?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[FoBoT]

you have to have a degree for OCS

Go Navy!

officers are like managers, they manage/supervise people (the enlisted people)
unless you are a pilot or surgeon, those types of specialties are restricted to officers, but they don't necessarily supervise anyone

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
you have to have a degree for OCS

Go Navy!

officers are like managers, they manage/supervise people (the enlisted people)
unless you are a pilot or surgeon, those types of specialties are restricted to officers, but they don't necessarily supervise anyone

I will have a degree when I would go to join. Also, from what I can tell you can sign up your senior year and go to PLC with the Marines, and once you are done with college you kinda have a head start.

Also, are officers "In the sh!t" or are they generally on the back end? How does that work?

 

[nakedfrog]

Air Force.
As mentioned, it's basically management. Where you are (as in front lines or not) depends on what your job is and what your assignment is.

 

[quentinterintino]

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5

Originally posted by: FoBoT
you have to have a degree for OCS

Go Navy!

officers are like managers, they manage/supervise people (the enlisted people)
unless you are a pilot or surgeon, those types of specialties are restricted to officers, but they don't necessarily supervise anyone

I will have a degree when I would go to join. Also, from what I can tell you can sign up your senior year and go to PLC with the Marines, and once you are done with college you kinda have a head start.

Also, are officers "In the sh!t" or are they generally on the back end? How does that work?

For what it's worth, Marine Officer training is the hardest thing you will ever go through.... or so I've heard.

 

[xanis]

The Marines is, without a doubt, the toughest branch of the military. Be prepared to get your ass kicked in basic training and beyond. While it would be cool to say that you were in the Marines, I have to reccomend the Air Force since it has more technology-oriented MOS.

 

[Strk]

You picked the most opposite branches

 

[ViviTheMage]

i agree with quentin up there, it is the roughest i have been told from people who survived it for 5-6 years.

 

[chrisrod01]

marines=death

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5

Originally posted by: FoBoT
you have to have a degree for OCS

Go Navy!

officers are like managers, they manage/supervise people (the enlisted people)
unless you are a pilot or surgeon, those types of specialties are restricted to officers, but they don't necessarily supervise anyone

I will have a degree when I would go to join. Also, from what I can tell you can sign up your senior year and go to PLC with the Marines, and once you are done with college you kinda have a head start.

Also, are officers "In the sh!t" or are they generally on the back end? How does that work?

first, how do you know you will be given the option of OCS immediately upon enlistment? If you don't enlist, the only other way to physically join the service is through ROTC. I think to become an officer without ROTC you have to enlist and be given the option of OCS. that's up for those who are higher up than you to decide if you are worthy to be given the chance.
i may be wrong though. however, I for one am doing Army ROTC.

as far as being "in the sh!t", depends on your job and your rank. As 2nd Lieut in a combat platoon, you'd likely be at the front line of combat. as you progress upwards in rank, you'd move further and further away from the frontline, until you are a general where you are almost always safely away from danger, unless your decision is to be closer to the combat. many generals like to get close, but not too close for comfort. you gotta be where the men you lead are.

 

[chambersc]

I'm seriously thinking about becoming a JAG. I'm taking the steps now to get into law school and then, from there, I'll apply to see if I can be accepted into the program.

 

[Red Dawn]

If I were you I'd wait until Bush and his fellow assholes are out of office. No use dying for those jerk offs failed foriegn policies

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5


Just curious for opinions from others who have done the same. Which branch would you recommend? Also, what kind of job would I be looking at as an officer? I know enlisted men are generally the infantrymen, and muscle of the military, and such, but when it comes to officer jobs and responsibilities, what is it like?

Thanks for all your help.

1)what do YOU want to do? what is your goal in the military? do you want a gungho job that involves killing people and blowing stuff up, or do you want a technological job where you get to sit in an air conditioned room? the armed forces can provide you with both

2)unless you are a colonel or brigdier general or higher, officers fight as hard and bleed as much just as enlisted men. Junior officers in combat units lead men to the battlefield.

1) I think I would like both. I dont want to join the military, to only be stuck at another desk job, with less pay. I would like to gain the experience and discipline that comes with being a military officer. I would also like to become a pilot. Killing people and blowing stuff up is cool and all, but thats not all there is to it (if anything, that wasnt driving my desire to join the military in any way).

2) Ah, ok

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
If I were you I'd wait until Bush and his fellow assholes are out of office. No use dying for those jerk offs failed foriegn policies

Was already planning on doing that. Yay for graduating school in 2008. All I have to do is hold out a few months to see which side wins the election, and I can decide fully on what I want to do.

It's always good to plan well in advance, especially on a life changing decision like this.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
If I were you I'd wait until Bush and his fellow assholes are out of office. No use dying for those jerk offs failed foriegn policies

Was already planning on doing that. Yay for graduating school in 2008. All I have to do is hold out a few months to see which side wins the election, and I can decide fully on what I want to do.

It's always good to plan well in advance, especially on a life changing decision like this.

We'll you still have to be careful..remember it was Bush who said during his first Campaign that America should be the World's Policeman and under him wouldn't get into the business of "Nation Building". See how that worked out:roll:

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
If I were you I'd wait until Bush and his fellow assholes are out of office. No use dying for those jerk offs failed foriegn policies

maybe you should go make your own thread about your political rambling.

Maybe you should pull your lower lip over your head and swallow yourself!

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
If I were you I'd wait until Bush and his fellow assholes are out of office. No use dying for those jerk offs failed foriegn policies

Was already planning on doing that. Yay for graduating school in 2008. All I have to do is hold out a few months to see which side wins the election, and I can decide fully on what I want to do.

It's always good to plan well in advance, especially on a life changing decision like this.

the military isn't for you if you do it solely for political reasons or whoever is in the White House. You'll find it really quick that most people in the militay don't give a ratass about politics.

Unless the politics gets them stationed in some sandy sh!thole populated by uncivilized animals who hate Americans fighting a BS war based on lies and half truths.

 

[Rookie]

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
If I were you I'd wait until Bush and his fellow assholes are out of office. No use dying for those jerk offs failed foriegn policies

maybe you should go make your own thread about your political rambling.

Agreed. If I wanted this kind of "reading" I would
1.) Go to P&N
2.) Give a brain dead monkey a keyboard.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
If I were you I'd wait until Bush and his fellow assholes are out of office. No use dying for those jerk offs failed foriegn policies

Was already planning on doing that. Yay for graduating school in 2008. All I have to do is hold out a few months to see which side wins the election, and I can decide fully on what I want to do.

It's always good to plan well in advance, especially on a life changing decision like this.

the military isn't for you if you do it solely for political reasons or whoever is in the White House. You'll find it really quick that most people in the militay don't give a ratass about politics.

Unless the politics gets them stationed in some sandy sh!thole populated by uncivilized animals who hate Americans fighting a BS war based on lies and half truths.

yes. because we all know armed forces is about sitting around a camp fire singing kumbaya.

thanks for reminding me. i did not know military people have to go to war

Hopefully not as pawns for political purposes.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
If I were you I'd wait until Bush and his fellow assholes are out of office. No use dying for those jerk offs failed foriegn policies

maybe you should go make your own thread about your political rambling.

Maybe you should pull your lower lip over your head and swallow yourself!

That would be awesome.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Alright, enough of the P&N stuff. I created this thread about which branch would be better to consider, not the political motivation for joining.

I do appreciate your opinion Red Dawn, but this isn't where I intended this thread to go.

Now, does anyone have any opinions about Marines vs Air Force, and why?

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5
I was thinking a military career could be a good thing. I wouldn't enlist, rather I would want to go to OCS/OTS and become an officer with a commission. The only two branches I would consider are the Marine Corps, and the Air Force.

Odd that you'd pick those two as the only ones you'd go for as they're at the two extremes of living conditions.

First thing I need to do is get my weight down, and am on my way to doing that. For my height, I need to lose 60 pounds for the Marines, and 90 pounds for the Air Force. Since I started watching my food intake, I have lost 10 pounds.

You can't get a waiver for body fat percentage?

Just curious for opinions from others who have done the same. Which branch would you recommend? Also, what kind of job would I be looking at as an officer?

My service is the Army. My recommendation would depend on what your long-term goals are (i.e. promotion, camaraderie, living conditions, not having to work in the heat, getting to party on a big boat, getting to interact with more than one woman per week)...

Without any other information, I'd recommend the Air Force.

I know enlisted men are generally the infantrymen, and muscle of the military,

Uh...there is a lot that isn't true about that statement

and such, but when it comes to officer jobs and responsibilities, what is it like?

Thanks for all your help.

Making and executing plans based on your superiors' intent, total care of your subordinates (training, discipline, health, welfare, and professional development, etc.), lots of meetings and paperwork...

 

[Rookie]

Go Marines.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5
Alright, enough of the P&N stuff. I created this thread about which branch would be better to consider, not the political motivation for joining.

I do appreciate your opinion Red Dawn, but this isn't where I intended this thread to go.

Now, does anyone have any opinions about Marines vs Air Force, and why?

to be honest, if i were you i'd join the army and here's why..
1)you have a lot more options in the Army than USMC or Air Force or Navy
2)it is a lot easier to get a pilot slot in the Army than USMC or AF, but no fixed wing aircrafts for the obvious reason

When you say a lot more options, what do you mean? In terms of jobs available?

b0mbrman: Thanks for the long reply. In terms of what my long term goals would be is promotion, decent living conditions, camaraderie of course, working in the heat will happen regardless, no?

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
If I were you I'd wait until Bush and his fellow assholes are out of office. No use dying for those jerk offs failed foriegn policies

Was already planning on doing that. Yay for graduating school in 2008. All I have to do is hold out a few months to see which side wins the election, and I can decide fully on what I want to do.

It's always good to plan well in advance, especially on a life changing decision like this.

the military isn't for you if you do it solely for political reasons or whoever is in the White House. You'll find it really quick that most people in the militay don't give a ratass about politics.

Unless the politics gets them stationed in some sandy sh!thole populated by uncivilized animals who hate Americans fighting a BS war based on lies and half truths.

yes. because we all know armed forces is about sitting around a camp fire singing kumbaya.

thanks for reminding me. i did not know military people have to go to war

lol pwned. Anyone who enters the military/reserves that isn't 100% willing to fight at their commander-in-chief's request shouldn't have gotten in. And btw, since I know Red Dawn is about to say "they didn't know that they would be fighting for this" or "they didn't know the commander-in-chief would be a moron," the oath they take does not make conditions for that. They knew that whenever they took the oath.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5

Also, are officers "In the sh!t" or are they generally on the back end? How does that work?

Depends on your branch and service. I'm as "in the sh!t" as any of the enlisted guys I'm in charge of

Meanwhile, there are officers from other branches and services who never see the outside of their office...which is in Kuwait/Qatar anyway