Military question

I was wondering what you guys thought about something. One thing that I have thought about in the past of doing was joining the airforce. I never really persuied it because at the time I was going to school and wasn't sure if that is what I really wanted. About 2-3 months ago as I was driving home from work i was thinking about one of the guys that had just been layed off. I started to think to my self what would I do if I was layed off. I started thinking about the airforce and how I still felt like it was something that I should do and wanted to do. So I told my self that if I ever got layed off I would think about it again.

Well as you all know I'm know faced with this very situation. I still can say that I want to go into the airforce and that its something that I could get a great satisfaction out of. The one big problem that I see is the fact that I just bought a house.

The pros for going in to the airforce are that since I have a collage education I could go in as an officier. Even at the lowest pay scale I would make about the same that I am making now. I would get a great satisfaction out of serving my country. They would help pay for my education. I would be able to get to travel.

The down side of this is that I would have know clue on where I would end up after training. I would have to go away for 12 weeks for training. And I did just buy a house so I would have to figure something out on that.

So if it was you guys what would do and what are your opions on the subject.

That is a hard one brother. I like the idea that you want to join. I just hope you know what you are getting into with the times we are in. We are not at peace and I don't think we will be anytime soon. It's a little different joining when there is not a war going on. Even if we pull out of the sand box you still may see action. You are going to have to be sure that is what you want to do. I'm not sure what to tell you about the house. Thing is you get really good loans afterwards so as long as you keep up on your bills you will just about be able to buy what you want throughout your life. We have a few ex military on the forum. I'd like to hear what they can give you.
Stan? Bill? Benny??? or anyone one else.

Please remember that this is just my opinion.......Serving your country is something I feel is good for everyone. You can't possibly understand the sacrifices some have made to make this country what it is today. Now I know the economy sucks, but the United States of America is still #1 in the world. If you don't think so then get the HELL out. That being said I served in the Army for 6 years and loved it. Looking back I wish I would have stayed in as I would be retired by now. I traveled all over the world and saw things that I would have never been able too on my own time. The guys I served with I am still close with today. Its amazing how close you can get to someone when you are being shot at from all directions.

Its stable employment with lots of benefits. Will you make millions? No, but you never have to worry about food or living arrangements. There are a vast amount of jobs that make up the military not just infantry,& tanks.

Is the military right for you? Only you can make that decision. If its something you think you would like to try then sit down with a recruiter and get all the info and make the best decision for your situation.

The only person who can make the desicion is you. But I'm here to support you in anyway possible. The military is a solid foundation to a new life and many new beginings. It has more to offer than any ordinary job or life changes can.

how about an a question for you from one hwo has been there and done that.... ready here we go

biggest and hardest thing you will go through is not the actual training but the LEAVING FAMILY BEHIND..

the military is not for everyone or anyone. You need to find a reason in your heart and weigh all your options, travel, pay, LIVING QUARTERS, food, insurance. ect.

I served 5 years 7 months 21 day United States Army. I would not trade it for anything, but some of the things I was involved in and did while deployed I will live with for the rest of my life. these were descisions I made and or commanded..

I am not saying there is anything wrong with joining the military, I would support you in anyway. here are some pros about what your talking about..

FREE ROOM AND BOARD ( enlisted have barracks ) might as well call them apartment now for Navy and Airforce
Officers are not allowed to socialize with enlisted so therefore they are given Quarters on base or housing allowance.

All the food you can eat free with mess halls and meals allowance.

FREE HEALTH INSURANCE ( check the rates! )

travel all over the world.

meet people from all walks of life.

Cons !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#1 seperation of family

the same people you meet are the same people you get close to and then suddenly are uprooted and moved transfered ect.

many of the free choices you make on a daily basis are taken away and you live by others RULES and orders.

Just because you have a College Degree does not mean you are guarenteed an officers rank.
get every promise in WRITING SIGNED

The best officers were those who were once enlisted mainly because the have an understanding of how things work and are excuted.

one of the things I hated the most on the Army was the college punk fresh out of school and having a shiny butter bar on his/her shoulder giving orders after having a few college courses and 1 month training during summer camp they called boot camp.

the military has changed greatly over the past 7 years and has become a " more loving military " this is due to the lack of enlistment and re-ups.

All branches are hurting and I have seen many people enlist thinking they would be given an officers rank due to having an associates degree.

reguardless of your descision think hard and long and discuss the options with yourself and your family. there is nothing harder than being aways from family and getting a letter abouthow bad things at home are and there is nothing you can do to help. think hard about what type of person you are and what you are looking for in the future.

I am asked all the time waht branch I think is the best and here is what I know. I am not biased to any,

1st I tell kids look into the Navy!!! Better JOBS , Living, food EVRYTHING is polished. not all naval Jobs are on a boat for 6 months. those jobs that are on a boat are not that bad it is like a GIANT cruise with 5000 other people. yes 5k. bases around the world that are more like 5 star resorts! The jobs waiting on the outside make $$$$$ and easy to get not all branches have jobs on duty that relate to outside world experiance the NAVY is by far the best... again i have been there and done that!

2nd choise go Airforce again better life style housing food career when you get out. much like the Navy but a close second. better uniforms than the Navy but left over Army

3rd choice I tell people to go to college!

4th Army You know your job when you go in living quarters are getting better life is different MANY jobs the army offer dont really relate to the real world. I was a grunt I could get a job as a security guard making $8.00 when I got out. Compainies are full of shit who say they will hire a military person over anyone else. they will hire the cheapest rate of pay everytime this is America land of the free checks to imagrants and screw the american way of life..... not to be harsh just fact of life again been there and done that.

4th Marine Corp. one thing I do like about the Corp. I thnk theat they have the best looking dress atire, but army just nips ahead die to everyday gear. Housing is old outdated getting better. one other thing i do like with the corp. is that every GUY goes through the SAME boot camp, after boot camp a job is chosen by you test scores and WHERE SOLDIERS ARE NEEDED MOST ( this mostley means 11bravo Grunt like me ) the corp makes each soldier endure the same punishment reguardless but I have ben reading that recently to get more recruits they have been changing to some Army standards with job selection.

Again I am not pushing to any over the other I would not change my past I am happy I made it through and can look back on it now.

think it through feel free to talk to me at the meeting or give me a call during the week one evening i can answer ?'s with all honestly I can provide.

I will leave you with this thought, I was 17 ( Spring 95 )when I enlisted through a delayed entry program pending on my graduatuin from high school. My parents my girlfriend, NO ONE knew but me and the school counsler I knew what I wanted to do before I even got out of school to see what was outhtere.

On Jan 22nd 1996 I told my mother I was leaving on the 23rd for the AIRFORCE at the time to be a tire mechanic on jets. Mom dropped the pot roast and it dod not go over well with her and my girlfriend at the time.. While at the MEPS station in Columbus I was sitting in a chair waiting to sign my life away for the 2nd time and go in the Airforce, when an Army guy walked out and said Hi to me. He was wearing a red beret at the time and I asked him what it was for and why he was dressed so different from all the others working. he took my to his office and showed me a picture of his unit. he then asked me if I was entering the Army and I stated no. he then asked if I was at least getting a bonus? again I said no. he offered me a $6000.00 Bonus to go in the Army and then said If I wanted to wear a hat like his the Army would PAY me an extra $210.00 hazardous Duty pay to Jump out of Airplanes. 4 Hours later I was on a Buss headed to the Airport to be flown to Ft Benning GA home of the Infantry after completing Bacis training and Airborne school I flew home to KY it was now MAY 96 I walked down the Isle with my Class for graduation. I went to school during summer school just to get ahead for credits and be able to go to the military.

good luck with you descision reguardless or enlisting or moving on with life out here!

Sgt William Ryan Jr
United States Army
82nd Airborne Division
Delta Company 1-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment

Man.. This shit breaks my heart. Thanks Stan and Bill for your replies. It means alot, I'm sure. Cole it may do you some good to talk to Bill one on one on Sunday. He may be able to fill you in on some things that won't be put out on the open forum.
I get calmed down a bit and listening to Bill brings me back to the war we are in now. I think something should have been done AND it was. Now it's time to bring our boys home.
Run a few coverts through the sand pit and get that Elmer Fudd with a beard lookin' pile of (BEEP) that is hiding in a cave. Running under the global radar is something we have always done. Why make it a civilized war now. Not to get off the subject but that's like your guy's President running his mouth about the CIA's secret jails in other countries. WTF! Should our own President be running his mouth about such thing? Would you want to piss off the CIA? Our goverment is not backing each other as they should.
I couldn't express how happpy I am with everyone who has and will serve but sometimes I wonder if they would do it again. Some walk away with pride and live a great life because of joining and then I've seen the other side. Some are the walking dead. Their spirits are is still in jungle or the sand pit they called Desert Storm and I'm sure there are and will be more from this war.
Cole I'm sorry if I come off against this. It's not that I'm against it. I just want you to make sure you know the bad with the good. The recruiter won't give you all the info you need to make the choice that will be right for you. You have to remember what he's there for. To get you signed up.
I know through the years our men & women have gotten more respect when they come home than they did in the past but to me it's still not enough. I don't think 50% of Americans even understand what goes on. I'll stop here. (BEEP) this war and the (BEEP) sand (BEEP)!

Beep letters missing F F N


:-)