Ok, I'm thinking about possibly joining one of the armed forces to get money for school. I'm currently a sophomore and I think I'll have about 3 years left after this year to get a bachelors in computer science. I'm not really all that hard up for money, but it wouldn't hurt to get more so I don't have to take out loans. The only thing I am worried about is having to spend time in the service after graduation. It wouldn't be that big of a deal except I don't know if they would have any jobs that would be good for someone in computer science and whether or not I'd actually be placed in one. I would be screwed if I got stuck mopping the floors for 4 years instead of gaining valuable experience in my field. I'm asking you guys because I know that a recruiter will tell me anything I want to get me to sign the dotted line. Have any of you guys gone through this or know anyone that has?
What are your guys' opinions of joining the armed forces while in college
- Thread starter Mears
- Start date
Well, everyone knows that a recruiter will tell you anything to get you to sign, but that recruiter can also work to your advantage. He/she can also get you anything that you want, but you have to be sure that it's all in the forms before you sign.
My boyfriend's a senior at West Point right now. The military route is good for him because he'll automatically be granted the position of officer upon graduation... but life in the armed forces for regular enlisted men/women (a.k.a. "grunts"
can be hell. Yes, the army sets you up nicely (and has been as generous as ever lately, when it comes to money for college/grad school), but you do end up doing a heckuva lot to really EARN the money they "give" you. Plus, like you mentioned, there's all that time you owe them afterwards... Either do reserve (as vi_edit suggested) or don't do it at all (in your case, because you mentioned you're really not that hard up for money) I'd recommend against it ). Good luck with your decision...
can be hell. Yes, the army sets you up nicely (and has been as generous as ever lately, when it comes to money for college/grad school), but you do end up doing a heckuva lot to really EARN the money they "give" you. Plus, like you mentioned, there's all that time you owe them afterwards... Either do reserve (as vi_edit suggested) or don't do it at all (in your case, because you mentioned you're really not that hard up for money) I'd recommend against it ). Good luck with your decision...
Mears:
It depends upon what you want to do.
1. Reserve Officer Training Corps? Not a bad option. Captains (O-3s) are getting out now by the hordes. They are finding better paying opportunities in the civilian sector and less time away from home. So, it's very possible to get an active duty commission. Having a tour of active duty as an officer on your resume is a feather in your cap. I can tell you two success stories of former Army Captains who walked right into tech jobs earning $50K. One works for Fujitsu. The other walked into a managerial job with Applied Materials. Both because they were former officers. However, both were West Point grads (more on that below under service acadamies). That carries more weight than the average college. Neither worked within their major while they were on active duty in the Army either. Both were engineering majors.
ROTC has scholarships too. And after you finish your commitment, most employers look favorably upon being a commissioned officer. Including large corporations.
2. Active duty enlisted? You can receive more benefits than an officer regarding the college fund and bonus incentives. However, the good enlisted jobs require a long enlistment. Usually five or six years for an electronics tech. Not recommended unless you want a real change in your life. For two years as an infantryman, artilleryman, armor crewman or combat engineer, with a large college fund, it's a very good deal. Learn teamwork and maybe have the opportunity to travel to Europe. I'm talking Army now. Other services have their own deals. It's tough to go to school off duty, depending upon your job and unit you are in. It took me four years to earn an Associates degree and I already had one year of college behind me.
3. Guard or Reserve? A middle of the road option. Opportunity to receive some skill training. Maybe in something you might enjoy. You are in the part time military. They have a Reserve GI Bill which pays some money for college. Plus, the basic and advanced training, coupled with the part time pay is also not a bad option. You can combine a reserve/guard enlistment with ROTC. One weekend per month, 15 days during the summer. All services have this option. Be advised it is difficult to go full time active once you are in the guard or reserves. Should you quit school or become unemployed, don't expect to immediately go active to earn some money. Can take a long time to get released from reserve for active duty.
4. Service Academy? Two options here. A.) Depends upon your age right now and whether or not your grades would support an appointment by a congressman. B.) You can earn an enlisted appointment to the academy preparatory schools which both the Army and Navy offer. I'm not sure about USAF. USMC probably has a program to send students to the Naval Prep school. You must join and become enlisted first. I think the cut off age is 20 or 21. Not married. The prep school lasts roughly one year. All it really does is prepare you to improve your score on the SAT. Also prepares you to expect the rigors from the academy. I was slated to go to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS)in 1981, but declined it near the last minute. I knew another man who actually went, but resigned two days before graduation. We were shipping out for a peacekeeping mission and USMAPS sent him back to us. Don't forget, after graduation from a service academy, you have a five year active duty commitment, I believe. Unless you are a David Robinson who actually grew beyond the maximum height for Naval personnel. They still kept him for two years on active duty and another four on reserve. I think he is continues to serve in the reserves too. Sometimes they do let you out of your commitment, but it is rare.
Believe me, academy grads are looked at more favorably by corporate America than ROTC or OCS grads. Mainly due to all of the BS they put up with during their four years at the academy. It is an accomplishment to be extremely proud of though.
So there you have it. If you have any serious questions about enlisting, PM me. I was a former recruiter. Recruiters don't tell everyone everything. Yet they can get into serious trouble for outright lying to an applicant. This is called a recruiter impropriety and has literally ruined careers.
Military service is a good option for anyone who qualifies.
It depends upon what you want to do.
1. Reserve Officer Training Corps? Not a bad option. Captains (O-3s) are getting out now by the hordes. They are finding better paying opportunities in the civilian sector and less time away from home. So, it's very possible to get an active duty commission. Having a tour of active duty as an officer on your resume is a feather in your cap. I can tell you two success stories of former Army Captains who walked right into tech jobs earning $50K. One works for Fujitsu. The other walked into a managerial job with Applied Materials. Both because they were former officers. However, both were West Point grads (more on that below under service acadamies). That carries more weight than the average college. Neither worked within their major while they were on active duty in the Army either. Both were engineering majors.
ROTC has scholarships too. And after you finish your commitment, most employers look favorably upon being a commissioned officer. Including large corporations.
2. Active duty enlisted? You can receive more benefits than an officer regarding the college fund and bonus incentives. However, the good enlisted jobs require a long enlistment. Usually five or six years for an electronics tech. Not recommended unless you want a real change in your life. For two years as an infantryman, artilleryman, armor crewman or combat engineer, with a large college fund, it's a very good deal. Learn teamwork and maybe have the opportunity to travel to Europe. I'm talking Army now. Other services have their own deals. It's tough to go to school off duty, depending upon your job and unit you are in. It took me four years to earn an Associates degree and I already had one year of college behind me.
3. Guard or Reserve? A middle of the road option. Opportunity to receive some skill training. Maybe in something you might enjoy. You are in the part time military. They have a Reserve GI Bill which pays some money for college. Plus, the basic and advanced training, coupled with the part time pay is also not a bad option. You can combine a reserve/guard enlistment with ROTC. One weekend per month, 15 days during the summer. All services have this option. Be advised it is difficult to go full time active once you are in the guard or reserves. Should you quit school or become unemployed, don't expect to immediately go active to earn some money. Can take a long time to get released from reserve for active duty.
4. Service Academy? Two options here. A.) Depends upon your age right now and whether or not your grades would support an appointment by a congressman. B.) You can earn an enlisted appointment to the academy preparatory schools which both the Army and Navy offer. I'm not sure about USAF. USMC probably has a program to send students to the Naval Prep school. You must join and become enlisted first. I think the cut off age is 20 or 21. Not married. The prep school lasts roughly one year. All it really does is prepare you to improve your score on the SAT. Also prepares you to expect the rigors from the academy. I was slated to go to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS)in 1981, but declined it near the last minute. I knew another man who actually went, but resigned two days before graduation. We were shipping out for a peacekeeping mission and USMAPS sent him back to us. Don't forget, after graduation from a service academy, you have a five year active duty commitment, I believe. Unless you are a David Robinson who actually grew beyond the maximum height for Naval personnel. They still kept him for two years on active duty and another four on reserve. I think he is continues to serve in the reserves too. Sometimes they do let you out of your commitment, but it is rare.
Believe me, academy grads are looked at more favorably by corporate America than ROTC or OCS grads. Mainly due to all of the BS they put up with during their four years at the academy. It is an accomplishment to be extremely proud of though.
So there you have it. If you have any serious questions about enlisting, PM me. I was a former recruiter. Recruiters don't tell everyone everything. Yet they can get into serious trouble for outright lying to an applicant. This is called a recruiter impropriety and has literally ruined careers.
Military service is a good option for anyone who qualifies.
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