The Military is after me!

[66patrick]

Don't forget, you can dodge bullets, regardless of the service. That is not the exclusive territory of the Marines and the Army. Not by a long shot. There are plenty of jobs that require AF and Navy folks to be on the ground, getting shot at. I personally know close to a hundred Airmen that have been deployed with Army or Marine units in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places in-theater. They get to arm-up and go out into the field with the grunts and the leathernecks. All are from flying units that normally "play" with high-tech gadgets. Gadgets that help keep those leathernecks and grunts from getting their a$$es blown off.

[surfnuke9]

I am obviously biased. (22 year retired Navy Master Chief) GO NAVY !!

Seriously, the military saved me. I would probably still be cutting firewood in Maine were it not for the Navy.

Do your best in school, take the test (ASVAB) and see what they offer. (if you are open to military service)

Accept nothing but the BEST training. Forget about playing Rambo while you are in. You have a long life, squeeze the most education/trade skills/training, etc you can out of them.

Either way, you seem like a good kid with his head on straight. Talk to your grandpa's and your Mom. They lived a bit by now and know a good deal. Listen to them.

[Panelbeater02]

I would also add this to the mix, do 20 years military, after high school, then 20 years for a state agency, now you are 40 something, then do 20 years in a city job. Then before you are 70, you will have 3 retirement checks with health care paid in full from the state. 20 years military counts as seniority in most state agencys, and city jobs too.You can go to college while on active duty, etc, etc. Unless a lot of things change, it is something to think about.

Panelbeater

[surfnuke9]

your math is a bit off.. ..to get three (20 years each) you would be 78 assuming you went in right from high school.

[RussRoth]

I had the military interested in me in the 60's. Eventually got a letter starting with "Greetings." That was NOT the best day of my life and later I had several that were even worse when I dodged real bullets. Only by the Grace of God did I survive on at least three occasions and likely even more that I didn't realize. Other than that and being told what to do all the time it was not too terrible.

I have some real good memories from even the time of being in a combat area. That's the time you forge lifelong friends and buddies. I just returned a couple weeks ago from a Reunion @ Ft. Benning and saw one former CO that kept his cool under the most extreme situation you can imagine. That was one time we barely got out by the skin of our teeth. Meeting him again after 41 years was the highlight of that reunion for sure. Not many days go by that I don't think of that day (March 17. 1968) , Lt. Tom Schroeder (retired LTC) and the next day when I lost two good friends from my platoon.

Having said all that, the military does have a lot to offer, just not for me as a career. I can say that my thoughts on military service have changed dramatically from the 60's and 70's. It is an honorable profession. Had someone told me 40 years ago that I would count a number of former Commanders and retired Colonels among my good friends I would have told them no way, no how and that they were completely nuts. But it has come to that and I have a great deal of respect for them and I have told them so. In the end, I am glad I served and it has done me well but others did not necessarily have that good of an experience because of combat. Being in a combat situation is much tougher physically, mentally and emotionally on some. I was fortunate.

[cudaboy]

I'm really glad that this was posted, as I have a 17 yr old son that also gets the mail and has talked to some of the recruiters. First, let me say THANK YOU to all the guys that served our country!!!!! Personally , I never served, had no interest in the military at that age, but some of my friends did. These friends got to travel to other parts of the world and see things that I never got to experience. None of these guys went to college after their service, but it seems they were first choice when new jobs (manufacturing) came available in our area. I've noticed that at the auto plant where I work, there are lots of ex military persons in group leader and team leader positions. I don't think that's a coincidence. I think it comes from the self discipline and leadership skills gained in service . Anyway, some of the advice posted here should help me to guide my son on his choices.

[73_Adventurer_Sport]

I enlisted in the Air Force in 1959 and was in basic training five days after high school graduation. I had a break in service...tried to get back in, but they weren't taking prior service, so I enlisted in the Air Force Reserve. I retired in 1991, and don't regret a single minute of the 24 years I served. You do things you will never do in civilian life and have memories that no one can take away...some bad...most good...all shared...with friends you'll never forget.

The idea of joining the Air Force to avoid combat is no longer a valid idea. Because of the heavy loads placed on combat personnel in the Army, the Air Force has picked up a mission to provide guards on Army convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan. The airmen are temporarily attached to the Army, and under command of Army officers. Since this is now a mission requirement, Air Force Basic Military Training has been extended to include more intense combat arms training. If you think it's the "chair force", you just might find yourself with kevlar pot on your head and an M-16 in your lap, sitting in that chair rolling down the highway near Kandahar.

[surfnuke9]

Benefits of the US Navy....As long as you dont go into the intel or security field...

Dont have to sleep in a hole or on the ground. We give you a bunk. It is too short for anyone even slightly over 6 feet tall, is about as comfortable as laying on a piece of concrete and you are enclosed on 3 sides (which is why we call them "Coffin Racks") but its still a bed.
Dont have to eat your meal out of a box. Stand in a long line and get your food hot (notionally).
You dont have to worry about snipers shooting at you. We supply them to shoot at others...
No worries of stepping on an IED as you walk down the passageway. There is the occasional worry of stepping into the head and feeling your foot sink to the ankle in a sewage overflow
Ships are air conditioned. Course, it is hotter than you would believe in the engine room and on the flight deck, but hey, the rest of the time you live in A/C.

[xCOYOTEx]

Dont forget, the Coast Guard is also a choice. Dont know why everyone forgets that one, but they do.

[azlaw]

Coast Guard is no longer a part of the Department of Defense, Now part of Homeland security, together with Border Patrol, ICE, FEMA, and TSA. They are now the "big fish" in the pond, seems like it would be a good career.

H

[66patrick]

Coast Guard is no longer a part of the Department of Defense, Now part of Homeland security, together with Border Patrol, ICE, FEMA, and TSA. They are now the "big fish" in the pond, seems like it would be a good career.

H

Actually, the US Coast Guard was a part of the US Department of the Treasury, not the DoD. Now, they are a part of HS.

[tallstack]

You guys are too cool. I have gotten better advise here then from my School councilor. Navy is defiantly high on good grades. Now, don't holler at me guys! I just don't know if I will have what it takes upstairs to make the Navy or Airforce happy. Besides, the sea and flying upsets my stomach They have some tough test that takes a very brainy person to do well in. The Corps? These guys seem to be more interested in how many pushups I can do. The Army? I might be leaning that direction.

What I would like to do is work on big machines! Like Locomotives or the big equipment they use in mining. You know? That's got to pay pretty good and I just love big machinery. You know those dump trucks that have tires that are 18 feet tall! How cool is that! Thanks again guys, your advise is not taken lightly.

[PatS]

I just don't know if I will have what it takes upstairs to make the Navy or Airforce happy.

You have to stop thinking that way.

Of course you have what it takes!!!!!! You have the ability to learn and they teach you everything you need to know.

You'll see it when you believe it

[azlaw]

If you like big machines, a ship is pretty well as big as they come. Every inch of it engineered and made of steel. Airplanes are pretty big machines too, the Navy and Air Force have a lot of those. The Army and Marines have trucks, tanks, and other big stuff too. A good friend of mine was a helicopter mechanic in the Marines, and another guy the same job in the Army. Those both led to good civilian jobs for those guys.

I don't know you, but judging from your writing ability, and pics of your truck, I can't see any reason why you should have any less "upstairs" then the next guy, and probably more. The schools these days seem calculated to discourage anyone who doesn't fit the standardized mold (which these days appears to be set predominately by women), but as others have told you here, you shouldn't judge yourself by their yardstick. Really.

Have you tried some practice ASVAB tests? That might give you a more realistic look at where you stand. You can look at them at http://www.military.com/ASVAB. You can buy practice books too, and these will probably increase your score if you use them. I think that the recruiters look pretty closely at these scores, and they are not the same as school grades at all. I see the recruiters in court when they need their recruits ignored misdemeanor charges fixed, and they always seem to be urging their prospects to practice for this test as much as possible before taking it. The score really matters a lot in what jobs you qualify for.

H

[Seabee]

OoRah. Check out the Navy Seabees; https://www.seabee.navy.mil/
If you want to be in the military, be a fighter, be gung ho, get to shoot #$% and blow @#$% up, AND work on heavy equipment, build things, the Seabees are the place for you.

[NavyDavy]

is about as comfortable as laying on a piece of concrete and you are enclosed on 3 sides. it is hotter than you would believe in the engine room and on the flight deck, but hey, the rest of the time you live in A/C.

Hey, buddy, I am active duty Navy. I joined when i was 17, 21 now, and i don't regret anything yet. i found a beutiful woman on the other side of the country, married her too , they pay for my new home, food, and time. my dad was going to kick me out when i turned 18 any way and the Navy got me out of the hole in the ground and into the world. there is so much you just don't know when your stuck in the hills, i'm from washington, not too far from idaho. but there is some things you never do want to learn, america is not so much the land of the free in big east coast cities like it is in country towns, too many restrictions and nosey neighbors that get off on calling the cops because your car is too old.

anyway, like Master Cheif , i would suggest the navy. you are allowed to re-take the asvab test if your scores aren't up to par. don't join the airforce, cuz you'll be bored out of your mind.

one final note, it is very hot on the flight deck but a hawkeye'll cool you down a bit then its hot again, and the racks are not that bad, i actually like them. wait until after high school then talk to all the branches with a parent cuz in my experience they tried to fool you, not lie, just not tell everything.

[hemiadda2d]

After 10 years in the USAF, I would naturally recommend you to "Aim High". That said, the AF is not for everone; actually, any military service for that matter. If you like loads of time away from family and loved ones, sleeping in tent cities, getting shot at and mortared, wearing heavy body armor, and protective gear all the time, visiting exotic foreign countries, and all the exciting climates they offer, traveling the world in search of terrorists, rogue militants, and general troublemakers, flying to any place on the globe with hours (or if you're lucky, days') notice, then you'll love the military.
There's a certain camaraderie, and pride that comes with working for Uncle Sam, and the few parks and poverty-level pay isn't going to get you rich, but there's nothing like it in the world. You'll have a new family of comrades in arms, and you'll have a new respect for the M16A2/M4 Carbine. You'll train hard, fight hard, and have long days at work.
If you like being shot at (like Animal Mother in Full Metal Facket, frequent and LONG (read 12-24 month) deployments, and would eat your own guts for lunch, and ask for seconds, then shoot for the Marines. I highly suggest watching that movie, as it will give you a real-life look at what basic training will be like.
If you like being shot at, frequent and LONG (read 12-24 month) deployments, and jumping out of perfectly good helicopters and planes, then join the Army.
If you like being shot at, staying on base, launching aircraft, building bombs, or guarding facilities, join the Air Force.
If you like boats, water, and any combination thereof, join the Navy. This service has common 4-6 month sea deployments.
If you like boats, and don't like being shot at, you might want to try the Coast Guard.
I don't mind being "In the rear with the gear" being in the USAF, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Where else would a silver lining from being stationed at Minot, ND come from? It's where I met/married my wife!

Also, be warned: if the military wanted you to have a wife, they'd issue you one; so they don't care how long you're gone/deployed/working.

[tallstack]

Yea, my mind is so scattered. I got to relax! I know there are no jobs around here and I will have to do something. My mom has been a bookkeeper for Albertson grocery store for 15 years and she got beat out of her job over seniority and cutbacks. I know people who has graduated college and they can't find a job!! My neighbor has an engineering degree in architecture and other things as well and he is working in a muffler shop, and glad to have it! The guy went from around a 100 grand a year to minimum wage! His home and three car garage is now empty and up for sale

This scares the living crap out of me! For those who have PM'd me about college? Yea, I can get loans an crap and go to college for years that I may or may not be able to pay back. With millions and millions out of work, college may not do me a damn bit of good. The Military will be security to me, and I am going without a doubt.

Just for kicks, let me tell you where we are right now and what the economy has done to us.

I know things are tough for many right now and many have it much worse than Mom and me. Let me tell you just a little of where we are right now. I even thought of quitting school (only for a while) to work in the hop harvest. Mom has been out of work for nearly nine months. Her unemployment is about to dry up. We have moved in with her brother who has MS and mental problems. We did this because Mom is getting paid to take care of him. She could no longer pay rent or make her car payment on her unemployment benifits. We live in this two bedroom trailer house that is junk! It was condemned years ago because of mold problems. The floors are soft from busted pipes and flooding, the outside walls are rotting away. This dump is hurting us all health wise but it's the best we can do right now.

This is why I am looking at the Military and as soon as possible. I do not want to live unscure and I am already sick of being poor and having nothing. It is a sure thing and I know they are not going to lay me off. Watching Mom over the years have to decide whether to pay rent, auto insurance or buy groceries because she could not do all was terrible! I don't want to live like that, ever! I think a lot of my Mom and she has worked hard to make sure me and my brother had all we needed growing up. Dad the douche bag, we don't even know where he is. We think maybe Canada. He has never been any help. Anyway, if things are still bad in a couple years, I will move Mom in with me when the Military gives me a place to stay. If they let me do that... This is the chit-chat area so I thought I would throw in kind of where we stand.

I said this not looking for sympathy. Just to let you know when it comes to my truck, it comes in at about 4th in my life compared to what is actually spinning around in my head right now. But get this...I can't afford brake work, driveline work, possibly rear end work and all the high dollar stuff I would love to do to it. But when my mind feels like it's on fire! I can pull up a chair to a fender and put three of four coats of wax on this fair to poorly done paint job (lots of orange peel) and when I am done? It's like I have taken some high power anti-depressant pill. You know? It's about the greatest thing I have going for ME right now. I could (and will) put a couple chrome tips on my exhaust pipes and not feel any better than if I had just had my engine rebuilt by Foose himself. You know?

On a greater note! Check this out!!! My neighbor that works at the muffler shop? He is going to duel out my Dodge for free! It's already of course two into one and that one side is in great shape. He is going to chop the 'Y' out and do away with the piece that goes around the front of the engine. Then he will just have one side to build for me. The pipes will exit on each side in front of the tire. What you think of that? Oh, I also found a carburetor and have the old guy running again. I will get my truck dueled out Monday and I will take some pics of my new pipeage and carb.

[63d100sixer]

Fort Knox is always calling me too ( I tell them about my health issue, and they seem not to care)


I was going to join the military when I turned 18. My dad was also never around, mom was on supplemental income with no child support, and my brother died when I was 10. I went through ROTC, and was dead set on the service, until I busted my right knee to pieces when I was about 16. My knee buckles under any kind of extra load (so no running, jogging, or carrying anything over 15 pounds ) I ended up dropping out of high school shortly after, and getting a framing job with a friend of mine. I was 16 making $10/hr. It was all I could do to keep us out of trouble financially. I regret not finishing school when I had the chance. I have since attended some college(still continuing) studying theatre. I have been in a couple of commercials, and T.V. shows.

Everyones situation is different. Whatever choice you make, keep your head into it. Concetrate on it, and you will go far. For me, Im 23, unemployed except for the occasional casting call. Im sure if I was able to join the service, my life would be way different. If I were able to, I would join the military in a heartbeat.

you seem to be a bright young man, with a whole future ahead of you. I have read some of your other posts, and it sounds like you can accomplish anything you were to put your mind to, whether it were the military or not. Just one thing to think about though (not to bring any bad vibes or anything)...with the way the country is heading, there might be something big going to happen (might not, but always be vigilant). If you were to be shipped out on active duty, and were incapacitated (knock on wood) who will be there to take care of your mother and brother?

[azlaw]

I have to tell you that the general idea of "going to school" is not the automatic "heck, yes" that it used to be. It costs so much now, with no guarantee many times of a good job on the other side. You have to shop carefully these days, even with reputable universities. Then there are these abusive "technical" and "trade" schools like ITT Tech that sell prospective students a shiny vision that isn't real, help them take out a huge student loan, grab all the money, then underdeliver, leaving the student/victim with nothing but the loans. States and the feds are trying to crack down, but they can just get the worst ones. I see too many young people who have fallen victim to this stuff coming to my office through the volunteer lawyer program - whatever you do, don't be one of them, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

You definitely have recognized two of the most important things about handling difficult/crisis situations: set priorities, and take care of your own well being. Decide what is most important in the situation and attend to that first. But always pay attention to your personal health and moral, without that you can't do anything. My job is sometimes stressful too, and I often find myself with a tool and a beer (not for you yet) in my hand in the evening as a way to unwind just like you do. Got the Pertronix ignition into the W500 yesterday, working 10-15 minutes at a time since I am recovering from surgery. Had to work a bit, then rest awhile, then work more, etc. Keep polishing that fender, do it every day, a small patch at a time. Maybe you will find that the solution to many of life's problems uses the same method - a little at a time, every day, steady progress.

Since you seem to have decided to go military, do get one of those ASVAB practice books. And don't panic if you don't do well of the first practice test - I had to take the LSAT once and went through the standardized test prep process, it sucks, but it does help your score. A friend of ours is a new Navy mom whose son was told by the recruiter *not* to practice for the ASVAB for some bizzare reason; what a mistake - he scored OK, but missed his chosen MOS (Navy Nukes) by a few points - study would probably have made the difference. I can't imagine why the recruiter said that to a recruit, probably he was just busy and wanted to test him right away. She did tell me about what she thinks is a great website for Navy moms http://www.navyformoms.com, maybe you might look at it with your mom if you end up thinking Navy, it might answer many of her questions. There seem to be a lot of threads about jobs and recruiting.

Let us know how you are doing.

H