I am a high school junior and have been thinking for a while about joining the military after school. I have a 3.4 gpa at a private school and was thinking about having the military pay for my education and then join afterwards...

I just wanted to get some input on the goods and bads of some of the military branches. I like the sound of the air force, but i haven't really pursued it enough. I know there may be some anti-military sentiment on the boards cause of the iraq thing, but i know there are also a lot of military people that frequent the board. I wanna know as much as possible, like benefits, pay, training, etc. I know a lot of it will depend on what i actually decide to pursue, but i just wanna check my options =)

 

Nothing wrong with the military. I retired after 21 years in the Army as an Infantryman. If you want the military to pay for your education go ROTC or one of the acadamies. With your GPA you will have no problems. Keep your grades up and concentrate on math. Also start a good physical fitness program. Your school counselor for any info they may have or a local recruiter. Good luck.

 

Well, I'm partial to the Air Force. Maybe because I retired from there last year after 21 years . I think you'll find the quality of life better in the Air Force. You may find faster promotions in the other services, that's the trade you make.

Whatever you choose, all the military services will help you get an education and provide excellent all around training - training that costs lots of $$$ for the non-military. In my opinion, the pay is good and the benefits are getting better. Though some will argue that the pay still doesn't meet their civilian counterparts - I guess it's the career path you choose.

What career field are you interested in? That may make a difference in the service that you select.

My intention initially was to join the Air Force only. I tried reaching the recruiter but hadn't heard back from him. My friend was on leave from the Navy and was going to visit his recruiter. I tagged along because all the recruiters were in the same building. The Navy recruiter got me all spun up, I was close to joining them. While traveling to the entrance exam with other recruits, the two recruiters in the front seat started talking about how great the Navy was, traveling around the world going from port to port and the experience. And they spoke about how dull the Army and Air Force was, being stationed out in some corn field country guarding missile silos.

Luckily word got out what I was considering. A few friends that were in the Marines and Navy called me and told me I'd be nuts and to go speak with the Air Force. So I called the Air force recruiter again. He encouraged me to go back to the Navy recruiter and finish up the physical exam process then we could talk afterwards. I told him I wouldn't, didn't want them get me all hyped up again. He went down to the Navy recruiter's office, looked at my test scores and called me right back with an appointment.

When I was in the Air Force recruiter's office, they spoke about how great the Air Force was and the traveling etc...they put their spin on the Navy - stuck in the middle of the ocean or under the water for 6 months at a time. I did get to travel a lot while in the Air Force.

Everyone has a different take on it, I was happy with my choice...

 

I'm partial toward the Air Force. They and maybe the Navy are the most "coporate." The quality of life in the Air Force is much better. I was stationed at bases which had both Army units and Air Force units, you could see the difference in where the Army troops stayed and the Air Force troops stayed.

The Army and Marines have high tech stuff, a lot of it directly supports the infantry (strictly military application). The Air Force and the Navy have a LOT of high tech stuff most supports their weapons systems (mostly mlitary applications but also civilian applications). I went for the quality of life in the Air Force, but once fully trained realized my knack was the infantry.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I've been readin around a bit to see what was with each branch. Lucky for me i'm also a part of the football and wrestling team so i'm not grossly out of shape. I am 25 lbs under the weightlimit for my height for the air force but i'm not fat =P. I'm not really sure what kind of career i'm thinking of. I want to enjoy it tho and that's one of the reasons i think the military might be something good for me. Has anyone attended the airforce academy? I'm not sure if my grades are quite good enough but it was just a thought. I'm thinking of getting in contact with a recruiter, but i'm afraid they'll do exactly what JD said and make it look more glorious than it really is. For a career tho...i'm still not sure what to even start considering. I'm good with mathematical stuff (currently in pre-cal). I'm very good with computers too...I suppose i'll do some more research. More opinions would be great tho. thanks again

 

andrew6387,
So, where are you from? I only wish that I had someone who mentored me through the process. There is nothing like having someone there with you to walk you through the process.

BTW, I'm still active. 19 years in the sub force.

 

i'm in tampa fl, there are a few people at my school i can talk to, maybe i'll do that too.

 

Spent 6 years on active duty and 8 years in the reserves with the US Army, as a helicopter mechanic. Joined at seventeen, right out of high school. Best thing I could have done as a teen. Got to learn a job and travel to many foreign countries during this time. Probably would not have gotten to do so if I was not in the military. It has proven to be a valuable life experience. Many other people I know that served time also echo the same feelings.

 

I joined the reserves outta high school. Wish I would have went active. When ever someone asks me why I joined the army i tell them;

I wasn't smart enough for the air force,
and I didnt have enough ***** to join the marines.

31C

 

I've been in the Army for four years now, am a NCO (E5) in the infantry... Have had a blast, especially serving with the 82nd Airborne out at Fort Bragg, NC. Wouldn't change a single thing.

That said, I'm getting out soon, and pursuing my education...with the Army paying for most of it. I tell everyone to go Air Force or Navy. Preferably Air Force.

But if you want a kick-butt, hard (physically and mentally), rewarding, and just straight up cool job... Airborne Infantry is hard to beat. You'll have some stories, believe me.

 

I agree with the general consensus that the Air Force offers a much better quality of life. In general they have better facilities including their medical, housing and shopping areas. My husband has been in the Coast Guard for 21 years and we have seen a lot of different military installations, overall Air Force is way more impressive. The Navy is catching up, my son has been in the Navy for 4 years and he and his wife live in brand new housing and have a decent commissary. But Elmendorf AFB here in Alaska is amazing...fully self contained, you almost wouldn't have to leave the base if you didn't want to...housing, commissary, military mall, gas station, video rental, car wash, mini-mart, motel, full service hospital.

The military has definitely had its ups and downs over the past 21 years but I can't complain too much. The medical benefits have improved drastically. Pay is adequate for the most part, it still doesn't meet the national average for what a civilian doing the same job would get, but I think the benefits make up for some of that. The education you would receive in whatever field you decide on will be a big asset when you re-join the civilian world. Most employers like to see a military background on a resume.

And I've gone on long enough. In short: Go for it. A stint in the military is a good idea for anyone just starting out because its a steady paycheck and in today's world that's sometimes a hard thing to come by for a 17 year old!!

Good Luck!!

 

It all depends what you want out of it. When I joined 18 years ago, I was young, dumb, and full of... well you know what. I looked at who had what and decided on becoming a Cavalry Scout in the Army. It was fun, I enjoyed it, but I also realized that I didn't want to make a career out of it. Ended up becoming a Medic from there and that opened up all kinds of opportunities. I'm really glad I did it that way. Got to do the fun Gung Ho stuff, but have still managed to turn my military training into a career on the civilian side. (I'm still an Army Reservist)

It all depends on what you want and what will work for you. We are all partial to our chosen service. Just so happens, that when I joined, the Air Farce, Squids, and Digital buddies (Marines) didn't have what I wanted.

 

Andrew--

Are any of your friends' parents stationed at Macdill? It sounds kind of gay but it'll get you information. If so talk to them. I'm sure they would be willing to take you on base and show you some cool stuff. They will also give you the straight chit without all of the recruiter BS.

If your interested in math and good in ocmputers DO NOT let the recruiters put you in Security Forces. The only time you really have any control over your career in the military is before you enlist or appointed. After the military has you its all at the convience of the military. If you score well on your entrance exam and have a clean record the recruiter will do alot to get you what you want. The biggest problem with the military right now is the lack of good canidates.

The only other advise I can think of is:
IF IT'S NOT IN WRITING IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
So if your recruiter promised you something and it's not in writing it won't be given to you.

 

as has been stated so many times it all depends on what you want. your question made me realize a very interseting fact though. i have relatives or close friends that have retired from every branch of service (except CG)

my time was spent in the army, and i loved it. travel, got to play with big expensive toys, but not much help when i got out.
college fund was great though.


if you want to be a bad A----------marines
want to get dirty and play soldier----------army
want to go sailing ALOT-------------navy
want a cushy place to sleep------------air force

true risk of life is either marines or army, yes the other 2 have casualties just not nearly as many.

technology goes to either air force or navy.

comfortable life style goes to air force

attention from girls, any uniform, until a marine shows up and steals the show.

most toys that you can use, army. i've blown up all kinds of stuff, and got paid to do it. yes the others do as well, but the army seems willing to let you try more things.

lousy food, i've only eaten air force and army, between the two air force was much better. especially considering cold bagged eggs in the field.

most mud ground into your skin marines or army, my longest time out in peace time was 63 days. that's a long time in the mud for no reason,(training) no matter how much you like to camp.

most pride, any of them, you will be amazed at the way you feel about yourself, and the way others look at you and treat you.

 

Hooah. Thats my secondary MOS, 19D, bet you cant guess what my primary is.

If you ain't CAV, you aint...

31C