The Military is after me!

[tallstack]

Something I want to share with the Dodge Dudes... I turned 16 last month and now I am getting mail from the Military! Already! The Marines are after me more than the others. I don't know what to think, Mom hates the idea....I know I have a long time before I could actually join. But I think about it a lot! Like...there are people spending thousands on college, and finding no jobs!

I know if I join I can get my education for free along with a place to stay and free food. That's hard to beat I think. I also think about being sent to some God awful land and have my brains blown out by someone with a towel on their head.

I have this problem...I will gladly fight to the death to directly defend Americas borders. But to go off American soil to dance like a puppet and fight someone elses war? I have a little problem with that. Just thinkn' guys, just thinkn'. An looking for opinions.

[Hobcobble]

Finish high school and see what things look like then.
John

[azlaw]

I will comment simply that I cannot think of a finer way for a young man to spend his early youth that in the military service. There are surely exceptions, but I have yet to meet a man who joined a service, and then regretted doing so. It seems to me that the opposite is true – men often speak of their military years as the most adventurous of their lives, remembered always with pride.

I will make one other speculation. Every branch of service offers special benefits and opportunities, but it seems to me likely that it is not so much the case that the Marines are pursuing you, as much perhaps as that you are thinking of the Marines. Everyone knows that the Marine Corps are America’s elite. Perhaps something in you identifies with that. One joins the Army or Navy or Air Force, but one *becomes* a Marine.

Fear of death or injury is normal, but I think that military service risks are not much more than those of the police or fire services. Surely such fear should not define us, a person can get killed just walking down the street. You would confront and overcome it just as thousands of others have before you. The Arabs have more to fear from you than the other way round.

You should probably investigate this matter with the respective service recruiters, but it is wise to take somebody older whom you trust, your father or uncle with you when you go. Your mother’s reaction is normal for any mother, but in the end she will respect whatever decision you make. Military service offers many jobs, and sorting through all the options takes time. You have time at your age to consider the matter before deciding.

Good Luck!

H

[MountainMoparRobin]

I joined at the age of 16, with parents signature of coarse, I graduated from high school at 17, and went directly to basic training after 1 month vacation, and as already mentioned I had alot of good times and saw alot countries I wouldn't have seen, I also met alot of good people, and had many good times. their are alot of temptations you'll come across that may take your life in a direction you don't expect. Graduate from school and think about it later, and in the meantime enjoy the freedom others have given their life to ensure you have the opportunity to make this decision

[Russ]

When I got out of high school in 1959 you either joined or got drafted. You could get a college deferment but you still had to do your military time when you graduated. I chose the Air Force due to getting the school I wanted. I think it was the best thing young men (no women back then) could do soon after high school, especially if you don't plan on going to college. The pay is better now and the benefits are good. I don't exactly relish the idea of going to some desert and being shot at by idiots but I would join back up now if I wasn't too old. Finish high school first and then check the different branches of the Military to see which one offers you the options that you think would best suit you. You won't enjoy every day of your enlistment but like someone already said, later on you will look back and reminise about the good times and good buddies that you met.

[tallstack]

Good wisdom laid down guys, thanks. I know I have lots of time to think about it. But it is on my mind, every day! I think maybe because I know high school grads that are still home with mom and dad that can't find a job. I also know families with kids that have graduated college, and they are back home also!

My dad is out of the picture and moms pockets are far from deep. I know I am not going to get a scholarship and loans for college are tougher to get these days. Don't get me wrong, I am not a dummy. I get good grades, just not as good as some. Athletic scholarship? Sports is just not my thing. I love to play basketball but the Mexicans around here can bounce circles around me. I am a great skateboarder, but not to many grants being offered in that department I just don't see college in my future.

Perhaps the mighty Obama will have everything fixed by the time I graduate high school. But I no faith in that at all. Thanks again Dodgely Dudes.

[Oxdodge]

Hmph... So you "become" a marine, you don't "become" an airman, sailer, or soldier? Whatever. I "became" an airman in 1996 when I joined the Air Force. Nobody can "become" a marine without joining the Marines.

Anyways I would think about what you like the most; planes, cars & trucks, tanks, boats, etc. If you like boats the most, join the Navy. If you like tanks, join the army or marines if you are that dedicated; but only if you can see yourself being hardcore. Alot of people fail because they aren't dedicated enough. I'm not going to sugar-coat it because that's the way it is.If you like planes, join the Air Force. Of course all branches have planes but in the Air Force it's the main mission so there would be more recognition. Now if you like cars & trucks... I can tell you that you could work your @#% off in the AF working on cars & trucks and you won't get the same recognition as people putting the same effort towards aircraft. But in the army that would be highly recognized considering they specialize in ground combat (also working on tanks, Up-Armored Humvees, troop carriers, etc). But if you are considering marines, they specialize in all of that and then some. However like I said you need to be dedicated. If you like boats (ships) join the Navy and sail away. The Navy mainly concentrates on their submarines and ships but they also have the Seabees (name comes from CB=Construction Battalian) which are mobile combat construction crews basically. All branches of the military specialize in all manner of things, but certain branches concentrate on certain things more because of their mission. It's always good to get more recognition for your achievements.

[dahooligan]

Check with your school adviser.Look at all your options.You may be eligible for grants for college or how about a trade school? Grants may be there for low income families. Nice to see you get into auto mechanics or autobody courses as you have show an interest in cars and trucks as on this website.Hard work...yes, but you have already shown you are a hard worker just in the way you got your truck.................pat

[Hewy]

As you see you have advice from guys that are in or were in the service. Me too. I joined the Air Force in 1958, and that time the military, compared to today is like day and night. Don't get me wrong had good times and some not so good. The training and equipment today is so far superior. Like every thing in our lives there is progress and improvements .I'd do it again
Now to you, by all means finish high school and be a kid as much as you can. Not all people are college bound. A lot of careers can provide a good financial living as well as be rewarding.Don't count on anyone or a president to fix things. That comes from you and me. Your success is yours it comes from you because of you NO ONE ELSE !...... go get em............Good luck

[wally426ci]

I would never join during a war. At least go into the Air Force, they seem to just be a college and see the least "action"

[uffdaphil]

For what it's worth, I'll take wartime duty over stateside any day. First it's more rewarding to actively engage in helping defend the nation. And secondly, much of the nit-picking, mickey-mouse harassment disappears when people are serious about the mission. And it's funny how much more courteous superiors are when live ammo is ever present. As for fighting overseas, would you rather battle the enemy where your loved ones live? Take it from one who's been there, life is not pleasant for civilians in a war zone. As has been said here, you may not always love the duty, but you will be proud you did it in later life.

[Jims68]

I always thought about what it would have been like if I went in the service... When I was a kid, we all wanted to join the army and be like Sgt. Saunders (Remember him?) Anyway, it isn't really like that, but I never did join. However, my thoughts of military service today... "if I were to join" would either be the Navy, OR the US Coast Guard. Then, it would be some type of helicopter service, whether it was flying them, or maintaining them. But no matter what you do, don't act too quickly!

Jim

[DavidWymore]

My dad was in the navy and the air force. He said to join the air force and I might have, best chances of going farther, getting an educaion afterwards and least chance of getting shot...that's why they get called the chair force. When I was younger I'd have rather gone into the marines to be a tough guy but now I have a family and am more interested in staying alive. Ended up in my mom's family family biz instead (machine and welding shop). Remember you don't always get to choose what you do. I knew a couple guys who went off with great expectations and got different, one was supposed to be an FAV driver and ended up packing parachutes.

[hampstead38]

I was Navy man... active and reserve. A hitch in the service is like an ugly woman. The further she is in your past, the prettier she gets.

The Navy paid for college and showed me a good bit of the world. I had three hots and a cot. Compared to living at home, it wasn't half bad. There was too much political b.s. for me to think about staying in for a career, a little too much "it's not what you know but who you know." As far as a getting some real world experience, some training, some money for your education and being able to pull your suspenders and tall talk about how you served your country for the rest of your natural born life... it works pretty well. I'm proud of my service, but all things considered, one tour of duty was enough for me. Like most things in life, the military is about 90 percent attitude. You go in with the idea you're going to work hard, keep your nose clean and do your time... you'll do fine.

[Rodger]

Cody

This post has been "eating at me" since you first
placed it here.

As you read this remember that I agree with
just about every word used here.

I feel the mitary is "planting seed's" for filling
their quota in the future. This is "recuiting
marketing".

If you start now and join the local Jr Civil Air
Patrol, the Jr Army/Navy/Air Force,Coast
Guard or the Marines You will have entered
your name to go to the Military Academy
in the Name of the Service that you want.

If at the time of finishing High School you
want to join the branch that you want as an
"Enlisted Person", the HS time and earning's
is credited towards a higher starting pay
grade and rank ( this can also include time
in rank ).

From HS, say you continue to the local college
or university and stay with the program, you will
again be in front of the pack.

Contact the recruitors and at least find out
how many Enlisted Job Fields they have
( for each branch ) and what it entails. Then
do the same for the Officer Fields.

If this was an vehicle, one may want to find out
why yours is slightly better than what the others
offer.

Rodger & Gabby
COS

[marine43]

Cody, Hey , lots of good advice from these guys. Like anything else , don't rush in. Talk to your guidance counceler. And REALLY check into what you can get out of the 4 yrs you serve. As you may have guessed , i spent 4 yrs in the Marines, was glad to do it. However as far as when i got out.... No school etc.. I was a radar tech, however i could have moved to Texas and worked for Rathion. (big radar company)ANYWAY. My uncle was an airforce captain , when i went in 1983, and he thought i was insane!So i guess what i'm gettin at is this. I would NEVER trade my experiance in the Corp I loved alot of it. And there really is a brotherhood that goes with bein a Marine. I still shake other Marines hands and give em a "SEMPER FI" All servicemen and women deserve our admiration and respect. Regardless which branch. SO look at all the options, not keen on dodging live rounds? The Marines may not be for you. haha I'd have to say , with all the people i met, in and out, the airforce seems to be the best , school wise, etc... relatively safe, yet you still serve your country, which is awesome. Not to say airmen don't get shot! But the Marine saying" First to go, last to know" Is true.The only branch, i'd think twice about personally is the army ( no offence to my army brothers) But ive seen , and heard ,that they have some Real bad Racial problems(no offence to my dark green bretheren!) Not saying who's to blame, but i had quite a few dust ups myself. Marines and army bases never mixed to well, at least back when i was in.Hopefully that crap doesn't happen now.Anyway, talk to former , jarheads,dogs,squids,flyboys, and get their advice. All have somethin to offer.God bless all my brothers and sisters! Good luck Cody, remember, God has a plan for everyone, some serve some don't but there is NO disgrace in not serving. ANY service man will tell you that.

[66patrick]

The reason you are getting all of these mailings is simple - you are in high school. You probably just got your driver license. In most States, getting the license also means your name ends up on a slew of databases, with or without your consent. You show up as a 16-year old. The military is just one database your name is now in. Recruiters have a lot of time to get you interested in a military career from that point. You can enlist (with parental permission) at age 17 and go to boot camp at 17. They want YOU. Don't fell offended by it - if you are not interested, tell them "no". You'll still get mailings, but that's the way it goes. My 18-year old has been getting that stuff for nearly three years.

Remove your address from the stuff you get and throw them out. Simple. More trash.

I'm retired USAF. Yes, I "became" an Airman, just like someone "becomes" a soldier, sailor, or Marine. I personally take umbrage with azlaw's ridiculous statement about how one only "becomes" a Marine. Hogwash!

The military has a LOT to offer, especially with the new Post-9/11 GI Bill that replaced the Montgomery GI Bill. Watch, learn, listen, work hard and don't be a jerkoff, and you can go far in the military.

[azlaw]

I'm retired USAF. Yes, I "became" an Airman, just like someone "becomes" a soldier, sailor, or Marine. I personally take umbrage with azlaw's ridiculous statement about how one only "becomes" a Marine. Hogwash!

I must retract my statement, as yours is of course correct. Every member of every service serves with honor. No offense intended.

H

[fosh69]

It all depends on what interests you... Like was said, dodge bullets or play with high-tech gadgets, or something in between. Generally, enlisted folk carry the torch but get less noticed while officers get more noticed but have more responsibility. Don't let that last statement fool you... officers get to also go through their own personal hell in OTS. There's always the option to go enlisted and then try for officer... it's not easy, but can be done. Those fancy mailers and ads on tv are, as Roger stated, investment strategies for filling in the numbers. Don't let the glitz and glamour keep you from doing your own research (judging by this post, you aren't).

I was in for just short of 10 years and decided I'd had enough. They were making me go teach and I wanted to stay on the line. Sometimes I regret not taking 4 years off to mold young fellas like yourself into sharp, on-the-fly avionics technicians but, like so many things in life, my path led elsewhere. If I had stayed, I probably would have never met my wife and had my wonderful son... on the other hand, if I hadn't "become" an airman my wife may not have found me interesting enough to give the time of day to. Think long and hard about it, only remember that deciding is only the spark, it takes hardly any effort. Doing is what will make you who you become... this is an absolute no matter what you do. As an American you have that choice where so many in this world don't. Good luck in whatever you do.

[marine43]

Cody, sorry, in my last post i called you roger! haha must have looked back and saw , his name thinkin it was you! Have a good one! Jim