Thinking about joining the Military...

General General Discussion
1

Lets start off by saying a little about me. Im 24 years old, in the process of buying my first house. I work on a closed Air Force base as a member of Security Forces (civilian contracted) so I pretty much have a general idea of how the Military looks, as I see and deal with active duty members of the Air Force, Marines and British Army every day (mostly AF though). Im 6’3" and weigh 260lbs. I am overweight yes, but I’m generally a big guy anyway, so Im not THAT bad off. I think I should weigh about 210 ideally, and would like to get down to 230 at least before I do anything.

All that being said, here is my viewpoint on it: Ive never thought about joining the Military, but the more I think about it, it seems more and more appealing. Money for college, everything paid for by the Govt so all my income is basically in my pocket, not to mention some real life experience so I can use it to get a job in Law Enforcement in the future (I know they look for ex Military a lot more than your average Joe). Back to what I said about me never wanting to join the Military until now: I always just thought it was never for me. I’m not going to say I’m a pussy, although I feel that any man who goes over seas and fights for our country is a better man than I.

Here is my opinion…I know how risky being in the Military overseas is. Ive talked to some OSI guys for the Air Force about it, and I asked “Is there ever a time when you’re deployed that you don’t feel you have to watch your ass, or worry about getting shot at?” To which he replied “Not really, no.” I just don’t know if I would like that. Being a Police Officer and risking your life for 8-10 hours a day is one thing, but you get to go home and sleep in your own bed in your own house for 16-14 hours after that, and not worry about getting shot at or blown up 24/7 for months on end. One of the OSI guys told me that being deployed overseas really lets you know what you’re made of, which is why he likes it so much. I can completely understand and relate to that. I would kind of like to know how I would do in combat. Problem is, I don’t know what I would do if I came home from the war as a paraplegic, or I lost an arm or a leg, or worse, I didn’t come home at all. Not to mention dealing with PTSD after coming home is a concern of mine too. Hey, I’m not here trying to whine or complain about it. Its a job like any other, and its a very dangerous job at that. Im just saying Im having a hard time finding out if its for me.

Another problem I have is that I like to have a routine schedule and stability in my life. I like having a regular stationary place of employment, where I can own a house and come home to that house every night. I don’t like knowing that I could get a phone call saying that I’m going to another country for 8 months and I have 2 days to pack. I have a girlfriend who Ive been with for 3 years, and though things arent always the greatest and theres times Im questioning whether or not we’re going to make it through another day, Id like to keep her in my life. If she wasnt in my life, this issue of mine wouldnt be as big of a problem for me.

If I was to join the Military, I would want to go Coast Guard or Air Force. No Marines, no Army. I know what I’m made of, and I honestly don’t think Im right for that type of service. Plus, I’d like to have an MOS where Im there for some type of skill or knowledge, not just to kill people. Sorry if Im offending anyway, this is just my opinion, and I believe that the Marines and the Army are pretty much for just that. Also, I can’t decide if it would be best to go Full time or Reserve.

Im just rambling on now. The point is…try to persuade me, or push me away from the Military based on what you think would be best for me from what Ive told you. Tell me what you know, and what you think I could expect. Recommendations, and any factual corrections on anything ive stated are appreciated as well.

2

If someone else needs to convince you to join the military, you probably shouldn’t do it.

3

It seems like you’re thinking about joining because of the material benefits you’ll receive and looking at what’s in it for you.

4

I CAN and WILL eventually decide for myself. I dont need someone else for that, and thats how it should be. I just want to hear first hand opinions from people who have been there and know what to expect. This will help me make my decision.

5

If your looking for Law Enforcement down the line, then Coast Guard doing Maritime Law Enforcement might be a good route to go, you would also be considered part of Homeland Security.

Air and Army Guard are great for the educational benefits in most states. If you ever get selected to go to a college type Police Academy it would most likely be covered by your benefits.

No matter what, don’t expect to get into the Military or Police type work and not expect to be put into situations that will place you in danger…

Airforce OSI work at such high clearance levels and overseas usually get involved in work beyond their paygrade… Thus, it is probably MORE dangerous for that specific job field vs. other professions in the military. Also Airforce OSI is a mix of Airforce personnel and federally employed agents… ALL OSI Agents train in Georgia at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

Not many folks join the service wanting to die, so you are obviously among those who wish to come home safely… That’s normal.

What you have to ask yourself, is if your have the desire to serve your country, knowing that the risk exist of not coming home…

Freedom is not free, it was earned by the blood of our forefathers and will be paid for in the blood of today’s servicemen and women.

If you decide not to join, it does not mean that you can’t do your part. You can always support your servicemen/women in many other ways…

You can always take a job with Homeland Security as well.

No matter what service you choose, it is not all gummie bears and stuffed animals… Expect to be broken down and rebuilt into a newer man.

I will never regret any of my time in the service. I value both the good and the bad equally as it provided me with life lessons that made me the man I am today.

Good luck in whatever you choose…

6

Having served as a grunt in the USMC, I can tell you that it did far more for me than simply teach me how to kill people.

Serving in the military is called “serving” for a reason. You seem more interested in what it can do for you. Based on what you wrote in your first post, it seems that you are interested in joining as long as it’s easy and you don’t have to deploy. If that’s the case, I’d encourage you to look for something else. This isn’t criticism. The military isn’t for everyone. If you know you have limits, don’t waste their time or yours.

Good luck.

7

I don’t think you have a very good idea about any of the services. And you won’t learn about them by observing them at a base.
Judging by the observations you’ve made, questions your asking, benefits you are seeking, etc etc. I do not think the military is a good idea for you, probably not LE either.

Sure you could join the Coast guard or Air Force, (and don’t think for a minute they are any less of a service then the Army or Marines, or “pussies”, etc. They are every bit as capable and involved as the other services)
and get by, but you’d be doing it for the wrong reasons, apparently.

Things that should draw you to the services, any of them, are…

A strong desire to serve your country
A strong desire to be part of a team
A strong desire to be part of something bigger then yourself
A strong desire to adhere to and live by the standards of the Military. Things like Duty, Honor, Country. sacrifice, courage, etc are the things that should be foremost in your mind.

The very best Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast-Guardsmen, are the one that would do it for free.

As we used to say…“I can’t believe they pay me to do this!”

Bob

BTW: there’s plenty of tech skills in the Army and Marines, and killin jobs in the AF and Coast Guard

8

Military Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • Get to serve your country unlike the majority of the rest of our nation’s populace.
  • Stable income
  • 3 hots and a cot
  • Risk and Adventure (MOS dependent)
  • Cool stories to tell the grandkids (MOS dependent)
  • Decent Benefits and privileges.
  • Free, or close to free college.
  • Good way to motivate yourself to get into shape and stay in shape (MOS dependent)

Cons:

  • Risk and Adventure (possible death or permanent disfigurement) (MOS dependent)
  • Putting up with the worst irrational personal restrictions you will ever encounter and otherwise being treated as a child for the stupidity of others. (MOS independent)
  • Politically motivated leadership making decisions you cannot control that puts your life in danger for the furtherment of their personal career. (MOS independent)
  • A real chance you will risk your own life to fight for some other country’s freedom that will have little or nothing to do with protecting your own family and country. (MOS dependent)

This list was designed to be somewhat sarcastic (although truth exists in all sarcasm). My recommendation is that if you decide upon a full-time military career, go through OCS or ROTC and get commissioned as an officer so that you at least have a small chance of controlling your own destiny and maximizing your income. It’s better to be a part of the problem than to have no control over it.

If you are wishy washy, think about the Guard or Reserve component. It allows you to experience some of what the military offers without completely giving up your civilian life. If it turns out to be something you like, you can always sign up full-time, if it’s not something you end up enjoying, you can ride out your time easier. Troll away fellow veterans.

9

If you become an officer, then you’ll have to do things, like…

Talk to them
Eat with them
Act like them
be around them,
you get the idea.

A far as the Guard or Reserve, look at the optempo lately, they are giving up plenty of their civvie life.
Do not marginalize their service.

If your being wishy washy, don’t bother.

Bob

10

Well since your thinking about why not just join? It’s only four years of your life and since you said you want to join the Coast Guard, you probably won’t be deployed unless you are in a certain kind of unit/mos. You’d be surprised how quick four years go by. The military isn’t for everyone, it’ll be a different lifestyle. You have to ask yourself are up for it? Good luck

11

If PTSD is one of your concerns, it might not be the right thing for you.

Thats part of why they call it a sacrifice and thats why everyone(most everyone) is so thankful that we have men and women on the front line that recognize all of these risks and do it anyway.

Thats the difference. Everyone is scared but soldiers accept the possibilities and get on with the mission. Do you think you are a capable of doing this?

12

If you chose to join the military regardless of what branch, look at the pay charts and compare it to what you earn now. If that young lady is unwilling to move to were ever you end up consider her gone. I seen to many young guys show up and at first you hear how she loves me then later it did not work out.
I have been in the Air Force a long time I left active duty went guard and then came back to active duty. If you chose to come in you need to find a way to stay physicaly fit and not be fat. Expect to sacrifice alot but if you want to travel and see the world the Air Force is a great way to do it. You will not make much money at first and be treated like a child till you finish your training. Once you learn your job and earn the trust of those you work with it is a good life. Chose your job you want and tell the recruter you will not come in unless you get that job. If not you might not like what you end up with. Military police travel alot and work long hours but you can get some very good training that will carry over to civilian law enforcment.
You will have a good group of people to work with and I recomend putting in for orders outside the United State’s while you are still young. Korea and Italy was fun, good food and good people.

13

R Moran, JTB0311,and jman hit it square on the head with their replies. I personally wouldn’t want your type in any unit I am in. You would be the one constantly bitching and complaining; bringing down unit moral and cohesion. Further more you have what appears to be a risk averse personality; a quite office that includes a desk with rounded corners and devoid of all pointy objects might be better suited for you.

Erik L

Glad you posted this so close to Memorial Day, it makes me appreciate this great day even more.

14

GLP,

I served 5 years in the U.S Army as a grunt and just about 4 years in the Coast Guard as a Gunners’ Mate. If you are in the slightest way risk averse don’t join the military and don’t go LE because risk is something you wear everyday when you wake up. If you are looking to join so that life will be easier and Uncle Sugar will take care of you that is the wrong answer. The people that I saw who joined with that attitude are generally the ones that didn’t go far or had problems.

People join for a variety of reasons, but there has to that desire to serve, to be an achiever and be something. If you are looking at meal ticket, steady paycheck and structured living go join the Peace Corps. The whole thing about what you would do if you came home missing limbs, or with PTSD, etc… is ridiculous. Take a guess how many peace officers are killed, crippled or maimed every year. PTSD is also not something exclusively related to being in the military either. Just about anyone can get it if they suffer a “traumatic” event.

There is a lot more to the Army and Marines than just “Kill, Kill, Kill”. I miss the time that I spent in the infantry and the experience as a whole was something that I’ll never forget. I know many people who served in the infantry and other combat related MOS’s and they went on to become very successful

As for the whole girlfriend thing I’ll say this. I know many of guys who put their lives on hold, or didn’t take a certain path because of a girlfriend only to be dumped by them later and the opportunity lost. Since you’re not married you need to think about what will be best for YOU. If she truly supports you and you two care about each other it will work out.

15

Well said Bob.

Too many people don’t read the fine print that reads, “in case of war, you’re going” The military is filled with people who joined for the wrong reason, mostly selfish, and then bitch and whine about it for their entire tour of duty. They, IMHO, hurt the military more than any enemy can. Whining is a disease, brings down morale, affects unit cohesion and the ability to accomplish the mission or task at hand. It will spread through the unit like a plaque, if it isn’t check with an on the spot ass chewing (Which I handed out generously, then tried to transfer or move them to non essential task, away from the real soldiers).That’s why one of my biggest pet peeves is that I cannot stand a whiny ass man.

If you are risk adverse and want to look out for yourself, complain ad nauseaum, have a cushy job and great benefits, I highly recommend Civil Service.

16

“Whining” is unacceptable…

“Bitching” is perfectably acceptable, and expected.:smiley:

I once had a 1sgt, who had more tabs then the Army would allow him to wear, multiple combat tours, 173d ABN combat patch, etc. He used to say…

“Bitching is good for ya, just as long as your doing what your told, while your bitching”

Its a fine line for sure…

Bob

17

Agreed. It is a serviceman’s right and America’s favorite past time, well ahead of Baseball. :wink:

18

Perhaps its the Holiday, but…

I notice the OP has not responded as of late… imagine posting this in the same manner over at LF:eek:

The idea that LE has it safer, or sleeps safely in their beds at night, is off the mark also…
There is a reason NYPD makes its officers change in and out of uniform at the precinct. They are required to carry a gun and badge, and be fit for duty at all times.

The OP age is a factor also…

Many a 17 or 18 yo Joe entered the service for the “college money”( that used to be the biggest insult you could throw at a GI). At that age, its a bit easier to “mold” them, they eventually understand Military way of life and come to embrace it, and excel. Or they hate it and get out.
When I was 24yo I was already a SSG, Infantry Squad leader, Master rated Parachutist, and had my CIB.
For someone who is 24 y/o, it will be hard to be a Pvt. and take orders from guys younger then them.(that’s one of the reasons I have not gone back in).
It will be harder for them to accept the Military way of life, and make the sacrifices of things he’s already enjoyed as an adult for some time.
Another reason to join before college.

On this Memorial Day, to all those that have, and are serving…Thanks.

Bob

I wish I never got out.

19

maybe I should have used whining or sea lawyering instead of bitching, as I do agree bitching is expected. But for those who haven’t been there wouldn’t know that :wink:

looking back at the original posters other threads lead to other interesting reading.

20

I’m not marginalizing reserve service, the Guard happens to be the branch I served under and deployed with. The one concern this young man has about serving is having to move frequently, and the Guard or Reserve is a great way to serve right from one stable location (your home town), and even though you may get deployed it still allows you less interruption to your current way of life than full time service. Especially for your spouse/girlfriend. Also, if I could have done it all over again, I would have gone with ROTC or OCS which would have perhaps allowed me more financial flexibility to stay in for a longer career. Nothing wrong with enlisting (I was a Staff Sergeant), but that’s my advice if you want to maximize your potential.