Join the Military?

[smtroupe]

So i'm 22 and for some time now i been putting some thought into this. Not really sure exactly which branch i would look into yet but the thought is always in the back of my mind. i currently working 56 hours every two weeks at a hospital just past getting by on bills and living expenses. I been going to school for my nursing degree and have finished my AA degree already. I missed my application to apply to the program this year so i pretty much have nothing to do for a year.... I like all the benefits you get for life with joining the military. so i was thinking about joining up and i would prob be back before nexts years application deadline. i could maybe apply at some other schools but have never liked the idea of moving and not having a job lined up. I currently owe no student loans and would love to keep it that way. Really the only thing holding me back is having no one to take care of my dog (yet) and possible thought of deployment. My friend just got back from overseas though and is make between 45k-60k to go to school on unemployment and the benefits they pay you to go to school on.. what do you guys think? anyone with recent history would love for some advice

[randy_ny]

I kick myself for not going into the Military when I was younger. They stopped that draft around the time I was getting out of high school back in 75. As a 17 year old kid, I gave a sigh of relief at the time. But to this day, I wish I had joined the Marines or Air Force as a pilot, served my country, and saw the world.

Didn't know you could join for only a Year...... Really?

[smtroupe]

No i wouldn't be joining for just a year it would prob be the 2 years active. But after basic and ait i would get to come home unless i was deployed. so i may or may not be back in time to start college again on time so it might actually cause me to have to wait longer to finish my degree and actually start a "career"

[Dammit]

Little confused as you say you like the benefits you obtain for life but only wanting to serve 2 years?

What are you really trying to get out of the military? If you want a career than it can provide it. If you want money for school, the military can provide that as well. As far as deployments go, that is based a lot on your job and branch of service you are in.

It sounds like you are just wanting some help with school. Maybe look into the guard if you want money for education.

I have been in the military for 8 years. So I might be able to help answer some questions if you have something specific.

[crescent1101]

I am coming up on my 4 year mark in the navy and I haven't regretted it.

[NJWarrior]

Check the National Guard, my daughter is looking into them. Mom's not to thrilled but I think it could be a good thing.

[kaizen33]

I'm currently finishing my 3rd enlistment in the Air Force and about to sign up for another 4. I will finish 20 and retire. Been able to visit a few spots in the world that I would have never been able to if I was a "civilian". Deployments just like your military time is what you make out of it. I'm about to go on my 6th deployment. Thru out all these years I have been able to go to school for free (not as much as i would like to), have a wife, 3 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cars, and a WARRIOR! I don't regret anything and I thank my wife, family and the AF for a lot of my good fortune.

[smtroupe]

yes benefits such as helping pay for school/medical and stuff. I don't think i would want to serve most of my life in the military it would be more of a platform to help me gain a better career for like when i am living as a civilian. My only other choice right now is to wait a whole year just to apply for the nursing program at the Tech college in my town. otherwise i just have my parttime job working as a psychiatric tech. at the hospital here

[smtroupe]

as for physical conditioning and being deployed i'm not that concerned. My question to those that have been deployed though is what do you really get out of it. When you come home after serving your time do you feel like you just traded a portion of your life for a quick buck? I know i could have the right mind span to be a great solider leader and/or follower. Like i said i'm just concerned that after my time is up i will feel like i lost some of the "good" years of my life.

[navyguy]

I think you are in the wrong frame of mind when you ask your questions...listen, I've been on deployment and away from my family for most of my time in and I don't come back regretting anything, but I know many that do. The bottom line is that you join the military first and foremost to serve...not for a career, not for money, not for benefits...but to serve and support and defend the constitution and the orders of superior officers and the president of the united states. Benefits come with service, ie. you must serve 6 yrs to get full GI bill benefits, and you have to do 20 yrs to get life medical, you do get a severance after 6 yrs but there are some cases where you get it earlier. So again, you reall need to ask youself if you A. Want to serve and B. want to be part of something bigger than yourself? If yes then I'll see you out there, if not then I suggest you not do it and not end up jaded about this country's great military. I've seen many join for the wrong reasons, many are my friends and most of them are out dwelling on bad memories ie. my wife.