what is good and bad thing to join the army (at this time)?

[nietsni3]

a local recruiter just contacted me to convince me to join the army as reservist. i m still thinking about it. i am in college now, and pretty poor to afford good 4 year universities in the next few years. people said te army can help pay a part of the tuition...
do you think it is a good idea to follow that path? what are the in-the-real-world advantages/disadvantages that those who have been in the army (as reservists or other kinds) have experienced?

thanks alot for your input

 

[her209]

So you want to join the army so they can pay your tuition but not go do your duty when called upon?

 

[blahblah99]

You get shipped to Iraq to fight for a war that isn't called for.

 

[wkabel23]

Originally posted by: her209
So you want to join the army so they can pay your tuition but not go do your duty when called upon?

..........

 

[SherEPunjab]

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You get shipped to Iraq to fight for a war that isn't called for.

Like thousands of other people that are of average or below average income levels. wonder why you never see rich peoples kids in the frontline.

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You get shipped to Iraq to fight for a war that isn't called for.

Like thousands of other people that are of average or below average income levels. wonder why you never see rich peoples kids in the frontline.

because they aren't dumb enough to join the marines

 

[stev0]

Originally posted by: aRCeNiTe

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You get shipped to Iraq to fight for a war that isn't called for.

Like thousands of other people that are of average or below average income levels. wonder why you never see rich peoples kids in the frontline.

because they aren't dumb enough to join the marines

truth spoken.

 

[Babbles]

In a way I wish I did that, ended up taking out a lot of student loans. If you have no problem serving your country and furthering you own life then I think it is a great idea.

You may want to read up and/or ask around at Military.com Forums. Actual active duty, reservists and recruiters hang out there that could answer your questions.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: stev0

Originally posted by: aRCeNiTe

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You get shipped to Iraq to fight for a war that isn't called for.

Like thousands of other people that are of average or below average income levels. wonder why you never see rich peoples kids in the frontline.

because they aren't dumb enough to join the marines

truth spoken.

The sheer idiocy expressed in this thread is simply astounding. Do you *really* think rich kids are the ones doing the fighting in Iraq or any other conflict in human history? Intelligence has *nothing* to do with this. It's all a matter of opportunities. Rich kids have all the opportunities in the world, thus negating the need to join the military just to make it ahead in life. Kids from the ghetto don't have the same opportunities, so are more likely to join the military.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You get shipped to Iraq to fight for a war that isn't called for.

Like thousands of other people that are of average or below average income levels. wonder why you never see rich peoples kids in the frontline.

I'm by no means rich, but I always wanted to join the military. Never could(vision). Some people told me I could get a waiver, but it wasn't THAT important to me. Guess I'm glad I sort of didn't. I'd rather help those in the Congo than the Iraqis.

 

[SherEPunjab]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: stev0

Originally posted by: aRCeNiTe

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You get shipped to Iraq to fight for a war that isn't called for.

Like thousands of other people that are of average or below average income levels. wonder why you never see rich peoples kids in the frontline.

because they aren't dumb enough to join the marines

truth spoken.

The sheer idiocy expressed in this thread is simply astounding. Do you *really* think rich kids are the ones doing the fighting in Iraq or any other conflict in human history? Intelligence has *nothing* to do with this. It's all a matter of opportunities. Rich kids have all the opportunities in the world, thus negating the need to join the military just to make it ahead in life. Kids from the ghetto don't have the same opportunities, so are more likely to join the military.

for the record, i don't think any of them are stupid. i agree intelligence has nothing to do with it.

but its sad that fate determines your life span, or whether you are handicapped in these circumstances. it may have always been the case, but its still a sad fact of life. to be honest, i am a resentful of our politicians. i can't think of a single one, with the exception of Mccain that REALLY served.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab


to be honest, i am a resentful of our politicians. i can't think of a single one, with the exception of Mccain that REALLY served.

They're all wolves in sheep's clothing if you ask me

 

[d3n]

Try the Air Force Reserves. Basic is shorter, the training is regionally accredited for college credit.

It's important not to go into the decision naive about the fact that you may be holding a gun with your feet on the ground somewhere overseas. Air Force and Navy included. Reserve units around the country get activated every week. That goes for any service branch. Even the coast guard. (Coasties guarded two harbor facilities taken in the opening hours of Iraqi Freedom)

The military helped me get set up in an awsome field and I was able to finish college while on active duty during my first enlistment. Add a security clearance and I have job security for a Telecom position I've lined up for when my term is up. The end benifit is a very nice salary from a new job, no debt and 4 years of military job experaince to list on a resume.

The opprotunitys are there... but so are the obligations. Look into it.

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3

Originally posted by: stev0

Originally posted by: aRCeNiTe

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab

Originally posted by: blahblah99
You get shipped to Iraq to fight for a war that isn't called for.

Like thousands of other people that are of average or below average income levels. wonder why you never see rich peoples kids in the frontline.

because they aren't dumb enough to join the marines

truth spoken.

The sheer idiocy expressed in this thread is simply astounding. Do you *really* think rich kids are the ones doing the fighting in Iraq or any other conflict in human history? Intelligence has *nothing* to do with this. It's all a matter of opportunities. Rich kids have all the opportunities in the world, thus negating the need to join the military just to make it ahead in life. Kids from the ghetto don't have the same opportunities, so are more likely to join the military.

i didn't say military, i said marines... Joining the marines is like asking to be killed.

Bill

 

[TonyG]

I have considered joing the military, maybe the air force, if my vision was good enough, anyone know if they are accepting the lasik eye surgery corrections? I am expecting to start getting lots of recruiter calls as I just got my ASVAB scores back, which was a 99. I doubt I will join, but I think it could be a fun few years, get college out of the way, and yes I might end up on the front line, but that is to be expected, and would be part of the fun. Just have to figure out what I want to do, right now I am lined up to start college in the fall, with a job that will pay the bills, but that is about it, probably be going into mechanical engineering. But explosives are where my heart lies, and explosive engineering is what I would really like to get a degree in.

 

[Zee]

One should not join the military JUST for the money. No matter what. If you dont want to be in the military, go get a second job. You will regret it if money is your only motivation when you join.

 

[labrat25]

advantages...$$ for college, and they're about to revamp the payscale

disadvantages... joining the regular army = shipped to Iraq or Afganistan

if you're gonna go military for school, go ROTC... essentially same thing but can do it while in school (earn credits too) and get to be an office, beside the whole getting shot at thing

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: labrat25
advantages...$$ for college, and they're about to revamp the payscale

disadvantages... joining the regular army = shipped to Iraq or Afganistan

if you're gonna go military for school, go ROTC... essentially same thing but can do it while in school (earn credits too) and get to be an office, beside the whole getting shot at thing

Agreed, ROTC is definitely the way to go if you are capable of handling the responsibility of an officer. Typically, for the average person who isn't interested in commitment for responsibility over other people, and who just want the money, enlisted is the way to go. If you want to do your time, get your money and get out, the downside is you have to be a grunt. If you want to devote a decade or so of your life (4-5 years college + 4-8 years commitment afterwards) to the armed forces, and you feel you can handle the mental and emotional pressure of being an officer, look in to ROTC. If you have any questions, you can PM me or ROTC1983, we are both ROTC cadets at the University of Hawaii,

 

[OrganizedChaos]

wait until we know who wins in november

 

[dquan97]

I'm leaving in July for the AF Reserves bootcamp...6 weeks long @ San Antonio, TX. Tech school afterwards is 4.5months @ Mississippi. I'm in as a "Computer Operator" (3COX1) in a unit close to my house @ Travis AFB.

 

[GasX]

why would I join the military when I can sit at home at a computer and talk sh1t about the stupidity of those who joined up to go and die in a horribleplace doing things that are bad for an evil president whole stole his job from the rightfully elected inventor of the internet?

 

[d3n]

Originally posted by: dquan97
I'm leaving in July for the AF Reserves bootcamp...6 weeks long @ San Antonio, TX. Tech school afterwards is 4.5months @ Mississippi. I'm in as a "Computer Operator" (3COX1) in a unit close to my house @ Travis AFB.

What out for those 3C2s in Mississippi I can vouch for the Air Force road at least from the perspective of being a 'systems controller' or 3C2. However, I would add that the Air Force, just like most branches of the military, is an opportunity. It is not the end-all-be-all. Personally, all the motivation I needed was all the sitting and boredom associated with Basic training and Tech school. It sucked.

You'll have to know your job to get ahead. In most cases it will be harder to stand out than in the civilian world simply because of the structure and culture of the military. But you can get in on special projects, get special assignments... get that all important clearance, and most of all get experience.

or

you can let these opportunities just pass by and leave your enlistment no better off than when you came in.

The reserves are a totally different from active duty... Like the military but less political. Generally that is a good thing, especially if you are self motivated.

 

[dquan97]

Originally posted by: d3n

Originally posted by: dquan97
I'm leaving in July for the AF Reserves bootcamp...6 weeks long @ San Antonio, TX. Tech school afterwards is 4.5months @ Mississippi. I'm in as a "Computer Operator" (3COX1) in a unit close to my house @ Travis AFB.

What out for those 3C2s in Mississippi I can vouch for the Air Force road at least from the perspective of being a 'systems controller' or 3C2. However, I would add that the Air Force, just like most branches of the military, is an opportunity. It is not the end-all-be-all. Personally, all the motivation I needed was all the sitting and boredom associated with Basic training and Tech school. It sucked.

You'll have to know your job to get ahead. In most cases it will be harder to stand out than in the civilian world simply because of the structure and culture of the military. But you can get in on special projects, get special assignments... get that all important clearance, and most of all get experience.

or

you can let these opportunities just pass by and leave your enlistment no better off than when you came in.

The reserves are a totally different from active duty... Like the military but less political. Generally that is a good thing, especially if you are self motivated.

I had applied to be an officer, but was told that they weren't reviewing applications for that job, and that my GPA was too low (2.7). Now, I'd like to keep my civilian job and get in through the reserves...hopefully make 2nd Lt. within a few years (if openings come up).

Another option is to go back to school for a 2nd Bachelors and get involved with ROTC

 

[bmacd]

nietsni3: IM or email me. I'd love to tell you about the Army National Guard.

aim: bmacd95b
yahoo: bmacd95b
msn: bmacd@hotmail.com
email: bmacd@msucycle.com

-=bmacd=-

 

[StageLeft]

Real world is that you may get called up for LONG periods of time in a VERY sh*ty country. Should you actually think about staying in the army full-time as a career you can later look forward to missing such events as your own marriage (ie, it would have to be put off if you're called up prior to it, but having already made plans), birth of your child/children along with missing milestones in their lives, and yet more time of your life spent in a VERY sh*ty country.

Those are some disadvantages and for me ones I could not overlook. I don't think that makes me selfish, as it would be more out of consideration of my family than anything else.