What is your thoughts on joining army/navy/airforce

[AnimeKnight]

Just had a talk with my dad... we were talking about how unstable the job market is... then he start talking about the benefits of joining the force. i.e. scholarship, stable job (if you get a gov. job), great benefits..etc.

I just want to know what is your thought on joining the force and which force you'd prefer joining.

thanks

 

[olds]

You may also have to go to war.
I was in the Army. If I had it all over to do again, I'd go Air Farce and learn a job I could use on the outside.

 

[Chaotic42]

USAF is good for technical jobs. I was going into it. I've heard the Army has some good technical jobs, but I have little experience, outside of a friend who was a sniper with the Rangers.

No idea about the Navy.

 

[Andrew111]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
You may also have to go to war.
I was in the Army. If I had it all over to do again, I'd go Air Farce and learn a job I could use on the outside.

Their are tons of jobs in the Army that you can do on the outside. For example, I'm an Information Systems Operator in the Army, I get to chill in the delayed entry program until July since I'm still in high school. I've heard the Air Force gives you better meals and takes care of you better....but in the Army you advance in rank faster.

 

[ROTC1983]

I am going to join the army, but I am going to finish college first. Taking ROTC right now so that I will go in as an officer 😀

 

[Zebo]

It's the best deal in the country. They teach you a trade from scratch, pay you and give you great benefits after getting out. Don't forget like most thigs you get what you give so do good.

The only problem is you have to accept you may be killed and may have to kill others. Well at least participate in killing them. Though bruden for me which is why I got out.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: ROTC1983
I am going to join the army, but I am going to finish college first. Taking ROTC right now so that I will go in as an officer 😀

My girlfriend was in NJROTC..

They don't have such programs in Portland, Oregon, though.. so she dropped that idea. 😉

I don't like the idea, especially not now.. things aren't all nice and peaceful anymore.

 

[broon]

Originally posted by: Andrew111

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
You may also have to go to war.
I was in the Army. If I had it all over to do again, I'd go Air Farce and learn a job I could use on the outside.

Their are tons of jobs in the Army that you can do on the outside. For example, I'm an Information Systems Operator in the Army, I get to chill in the delayed entry program until July since I'm still in high school. I've heard the Air Force gives you better meals and takes care of you better....but in the Army you advance in rank faster.

You are correct. AF way of life is usually better. Army does promote faster but you are talking about months. Once you get to E-5 it slows down in the Army. I did four in the AF. I'd go AF or Navy for jobs. Biggest drawback of the Navy is being on a boat for months at a time. The AF members are the least likely to be in combat.

 

[Andrew111]

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
The only problem is you have to accept you may be killed and may have to kill others. Well at least participate in killing them. Though bruden for me which is why I got out.

Of course you don't really have to worry about that if you're a desk jockey🙂 I don't think many Anandtech guys would be going in as infantry, tank operators, etc.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Andrew111
Of course you don't really have to worry about that if you're a desk jockey🙂 I don't think many Anandtech guys would be going in as infantry, tank operators, etc.

They still need network admins and computer operators on the battlefield. The guy at MEPS told me I'd probably be stationed in the Arctic, flying over countries in airplanes listening to radio transmissions.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Andrew111

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
You may also have to go to war.
I was in the Army. If I had it all over to do again, I'd go Air Farce and learn a job I could use on the outside.

Their are tons of jobs in the Army that you can do on the outside. For example, I'm an Information Systems Operator in the Army, I get to chill in the delayed entry program until July since I'm still in high school. I've heard the Air Force gives you better meals and takes care of you better....but in the Army you advance in rank faster.

You do get rank quicker in the Army but only in Combat Arms. I made E5 in 2.5 years. It will take longer for you REMF's. The Air Farce is treated better, especially in the field. We used to work 12 on/12 off in the field. We slept in leaky tents and had 1 hot meal a day.
The Air Farce came out in rental cars, worked 6 - 7 hours depending on driving time, then drove back into town to a hotel.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: Andrew111
Of course you don't really have to worry about that if you're a desk jockey🙂 I don't think many Anandtech guys would be going in as infantry, tank operators, etc.

They still need network admins and computer operators on the battlefield. The guy at MEPS told me I'd probably be stationed in the Arctic, flying over countries in airplanes listening to radio transmissions.

That used to be called Communications Signal Interceptor.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
That used to be called Communications Signal Interceptor.

Yeah, I was going to do that since I took Russian in college and was comfortable. I was thinking about cryptography too. They told me I could have whatever job I wanted, except for mechanic (I *bombed* that part of the test 😉 )

 

[neomits]

I think its a good idea for everyone to server in the military (or some other form of government duty) for a small time in their life.

I would have joined up for a few years but didn't want to "get behind" in the job market I was after

Maybe national guard someday

 

[Andrew111]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: Andrew111
Of course you don't really have to worry about that if you're a desk jockey🙂 I don't think many Anandtech guys would be going in as infantry, tank operators, etc.

They still need network admins and computer operators on the battlefield. The guy at MEPS told me I'd probably be stationed in the Arctic, flying over countries in airplanes listening to radio transmissions.

Odds are if you are sent to Iraq, I don't think the tech guys are going to be up in the front lines, not many anyway.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
That used to be called Communications Signal Interceptor.

Yeah, I was going to do that since I took Russian in college and was comfortable. I was thinking about cryptography too. They told me I could have whatever job I wanted, except for mechanic (I *bombed* that part of the test 😉 )

I was a Fire Support Sergeant (Forward Observer). I got out after 4 and went straight into the Reserves. After a couple of months I thought I'd go back in since I could keep my E5 rank. I figured I'd get me a cushy hospital job. Wearing White's and working around women instead of men. I was in for a surprise. Since I was prior service my choices were limited. 98% of the choices were some type of mechanic. I stayed out and stayed in the Reserve.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Andrew111
Odds are if you are sent to Iraq, I don't think the tech guys are going to be up in the front lines, not many anyway.

Someone has to set up the communications and stuff.


oldsmoboat: Air Farce? That's kind of cold man... 🙂

 

[OulOat]

Go Army, if you like guns. Lots of playing around with guns. We even played around with them in AROTC. From what I seen, all the AFROTC and NROTC do all day is march around and draw pics of planes and boats. 😀

 

[Andrew111]

Someone has to set up the communications and stuff

True, but I'm thinking most of them would be operating from less hazardous areas behind the front lines once communications are set up...I hope🙂

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Andrew111
True, but I'm thinking most of them would be operating from less hazardous areas behind the front lines once communications are set up...I hope🙂

Yeah 🙂

I mean, it won't be Nerd War 3 or anything, but they'll be there in some kind of numbers.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: Andrew111
Odds are if you are sent to Iraq, I don't think the tech guys are going to be up in the front lines, not many anyway.

Someone has to set up the communications and stuff.


oldsmoboat: Air Farce? That's kind of cold man... 🙂

We used an old computer system called TACFIRE. It had a "mainframe", "workstations" and "laptops". We set it up, there were no IT personnel anywhere near where we were.


Chaotic42: I learned Air Farce from a friend who was in the Air Farce. In all honestly I have much respect for them.

 

[miniMUNCH]

I almost went Navy while I was in college...I think it is great thing to do.

I have lots of family and family friends who are ex-military...there general recommendations to me were:

Try to get into the USAF first, Navy second, Army third, and Marines if you really want to go Armed Forces...once in, go for the best programs available.

I used to do contract electrical work at globecast in Culver City and Sylmar (they do all the main feeds for FOX among other) and all the guys that worked the equipment and control rooms were ex USAF or Army communication officers.

All these guys were making like 70-120k/yr and got to watch TV all day at work...for the most part.

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: OulOat
Go Army, if you like guns. Lots of playing around with guns. We even played around with them in AROTC. From what I seen, all the AFROTC and NROTC do all day is march around and draw pics of planes and boats. 😀

You'd be surprised. Unless you're frontline you probably will wait a year to touch an m-16, and when you do, you'll just be requalifying.

 

[hawkeye81x]

All I have to say is:
YVAN EHT NIOJ
🙂

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy

Originally posted by: OulOat
Go Army, if you like guns. Lots of playing around with guns. We even played around with them in AROTC. From what I seen, all the AFROTC and NROTC do all day is march around and draw pics of planes and boats. 😀

You'd be surprised. Unless you're frontline you probably will wait a year to touch an m-16, and when you do, you'll just be requalifying.

We never went anywhere in the field without an M16. It quickly becomes a chore to lug it around and keep track of it. Some people (me included) used to sneak around at night and try to "steal" someone else's weapon. You could see the panic in their eyes when they woke up and it was gone. 😀 I slept with mine in my sleeping bag.