Thinking of joining the military

[h0llywood]

1 hour ago, UpstatePanther said:

for the record, i know that no matter which branch i join, i know i will be doing military stuff @Chimera lol. and i dont have a problem with that. but if i can avoid as much of it as possible, thats also quite alright with me. i'll do as im told and try to cope with whatever comes, but who wouldnt want to make their life alittle easier and less dangerous if given the choice?

Who knows, you might like the suck.  

[FuFuLamePoo]

So I'm interested in the military too, I have significant interest in the Army, Air Force and Navy.  Is anyone very familiar with the reserves?  I'm also significantly interested in active duty, but I know the reserves would allow me to work a civilian job as well as remaining close to family and friends.  Especially my girlfriend, who I plan on marrying.  I've told her about my interest in the military, and while she definitely wants me to follow my dreams I can tell it concerns her.  I think reserves could maybe offer a solid solution that pleases us both.  However, I do know that reserves often times get poo on by active duty.  The benefits aren't as good, and I've heard the organization can be terrible in the reserves.  I've heard some basically sum it up as a poo show.  So basically, does anyone have anymore insight into the reserves?  Good idea for my situation?  Bad idea?  

Also as crazy as this sounds, I really want the experience of basic training.  Army Reserves would give me the same experience basic training as active duty get.

[cookinwithgas]

My coworker joined the NC National Guard for college money and ended up deployed to the ass end of Iraq for a year.

But I am glad I joined the active military, got me out into the world, met all kinds of people, and did some neat unique stuff.

[FuFuLamePoo]

My coworker joined the NC National Guard for college money and ended up deployed to the ass end of Iraq for a year.
But I am glad I joined the active military, got me out into the world, met all kinds of people, and did some neat unique stuff.

I'm still leaning towards active duty, actually might have a meeting with a Navy recruiter tomorrow. Just think guard/reserves could be an interesting alternative


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[cookinwithgas]

They have reasons to sell you on certain jobs - they get (well as far as I know they still do) bonuses for filling critical positions, so try to be as independent as possible about what opportunities you are interested in. Recruiters have a very high stress job and can be a bit over motivated to get people in so make sure YOU GET IT IN WRITING. Whatever "it" is.

Personally, I ended up in submarines after joining up to do something completely different, and I feel like I got the luckiest break. We did the coolest stuff, had the best toys, were far superior to anything in the skimmer fleet, and made more money. Loved the small crew size, I was on a missile boat so we had 2 crews with 100 days on ship and 100 days on shore, fast attacks operate more like surface ships and hit a lot more ports.

I look at this picture and its so old (9 years older than the Panthers!), this was not the newest boat at the time but it looks like a total asbestos death trap LOL - really the control room was such a cool place to work

[FuFuLamePoo]

13 minutes ago, cookinwithgas said:

They have reasons to sell you on certain jobs - they get (well as far as I know they still do) bonuses for filling critical positions, so try to be as independent as possible about what opportunities you are interested in. Recruiters have a very high stress job and can be a bit over motivated to get people in so make sure YOU GET IT IN WRITING. Whatever "it" is.

Personally, I ended up in submarines after joining up to do something completely different, and I feel like I got the luckiest break. We did the coolest stuff, had the best toys, were far superior to anything in the skimmer fleet, and made more money. Loved the small crew size, I was on a missile boat so we had 2 crews with 100 days on ship and 100 days on shore, fast attacks operate more like surface ships and hit a lot more ports.

I look at this picture and its so old (9 years older than the Panthers!), this was not the newest boat at the time but it looks like a total asbestos death trap LOL - really the control room was such a cool place to work

Sweet, I'm definitely really interested in the Navy.  I'm interested in the Air Force, Army and Navy.  I really need to zero in on a few specific jobs I really want.  One interesting piece of advice I got is to find the jobs you want first, then worry about the branch.  Someone told me it's a bad idea to pick your branch before a few jobs you want.  But I also know there's a good chance you won't get your top branch.  My main thing with the military is I want to make sure it doesn't mess up the relationship between my gf and I.  I plan on marrying her one day.  I know Navy may have me away from her the most.  AF is probably my top choice right now, but there's some things I don't like about it too.  I change my mind all the time lol.

[cookinwithgas]

I don't know how old you are, but if you are under 21, getting married in the service is going to be bad, statistically speaking. If you are older, and are fine with time apart, you both can exist independently in a new location, stuff like that - you can make it as a military married couple. The couples that I knew that made it were exceptionally mature, especially the wife (didn't know any couples where the wife was in and the husband was not sorry) - she needs to be able to make friends outside of the ship wives, as a lot of them left home way too young and when their husband is deployed its off to the bars. Best wives I knew had degrees and careers. I saw a lot of divorces, but it was usually because the couple was just too young.

[ladypanther]

Look at your best chance of getting out alive.

[Ja Rhule]

1 hour ago, cookinwithgas said:

I don't know how old you are, but if you are under 21, getting married in the service is going to be bad, statistically speaking. If you are older, and are fine with time apart, you both can exist independently in a new location, stuff like that - you can make it as a military married couple. The couples that I knew that made it were exceptionally mature, especially the wife (didn't know any couples where the wife was in and the husband was not sorry) - she needs to be able to make friends outside of the ship wives, as a lot of them left home way too young and when their husband is deployed its off to the bars. Best wives I knew had degrees and careers. I saw a lot of divorces, but it was usually because the couple was just too young.

This reminds of Jarhead movie.

[FuFuLamePoo]

I don't know how old you are, but if you are under 21, getting married in the service is going to be bad, statistically speaking. If you are older, and are fine with time apart, you both can exist independently in a new location, stuff like that - you can make it as a military married couple. The couples that I knew that made it were exceptionally mature, especially the wife (didn't know any couples where the wife was in and the husband was not sorry) - she needs to be able to make friends outside of the ship wives, as a lot of them left home way too young and when their husband is deployed its off to the bars. Best wives I knew had degrees and careers. I saw a lot of divorces, but it was usually because the couple was just too young.

I'm 21, but wouldn't enlist (if I do at all) until I graduate college next May. She's a year behind me in school, but she'll also be graduating with a really solid degree. I just randomly recently decided I want to serve for like 4 years lol. But I can't fathom the idea of losing her. Everyone probably says this but I do think what we have is special. I think we could do it, but this is something I have to start really thinking long and hard about. Thanks for the responses


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