Brada888

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Should I enlist into the military? It's not like I have to be there, and my parents object to it, but I feel really motivated to join the Air Force.

Does anyone have an opinion?

rich68bird

First off, the Air Force is a pretty decent choice. They seem to take better care of their people. The berthings are better and I hear that the food is too. That said, advancement is quite a bit harder to do.

Are you married? Military life is hard on relationships. Folks go on deployment for months at a time and the spouse is left at home doing things thier way (with kids or without). When the service member comes home, they want things to go back to the way they were. That rarely works. Resentments build easily and if the other person isn't there to work it out, those resentments can fester. I don't recommend enlisting to anyone who is married in civilian life and is not familiar with the realities of military life.

If you're single though and young, it's a great experience. It truly is an adventure. You will see and experience things that you would have no chance of doing under any other circumstances. It will change you and you will grow. Just understand that there will be alot of things that you won't appreciate along the way.

When you sign up, you are in for the term. You cannot quit. You can get fired (in a manner of speaking), but it ain't pretty. There will be total idiots, that you cannot stand, telling you what to do, and you will have to do it. There will be friends who will be willing to defend you with their life and you them. There will be days and weeks of complete and utter boredom. There will be moments of sheer exhileration and blood pounding adrenaline.

It all depends on what jobs you take and how the cards fall out. You may find a home or four years of waiting for it to be over or anything in between. It all depends on what you want to do and what you find.

What are your interests? Have you had any college? Do you have any intention of going to college? What are you expecting?

rich68bird

P.S. I was Navy (Never Again Volunteer Yourself). Any specific questions, I'll try to answer them.

Brada888

Can you still enlist if you have like flat feet?
- My friend is asking this.

rich68bird

That I don't know. Guess you could ask a recruiter. With the demand right now, I'd bet you could get a waiver if you really wanted to. If you do call a recruiter, don't give them your name and phone number unless you want to keep getting calls about joining up.

HIJACKER

Very well said.

I'm a prior United States Marine myself. WHat he said, is EXACTLY correct. About the flat feet comment, he's right again, I'm sure they will issue a waiver for that just to get you in. Keep in mind those flat feet will impact you running a 3 mile course for your training and will potentially give you ankle sprains. I know this because when I entered the USMC in 1998, I had a waiver for mine, and now my left ankle pops all the time because I sprained it about 7 times.

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mstad

Find yourself a recruiter that is allmost finished with their tour as a recruiter and talk to them about any questions you have. When I enlisted in the army my recruiter had like two months left in the service and he was very willing to tell me about the bullshit and everything else that goes with being in the military. I was greatfull to have a recruiter like that.
Other recruiters just want you for a number and will tell you whatever it takes to get you to sign up. Not all of them are like that, but many are.

skyextrm

Marines if you what a physical challenge.

dade murphy

Well, If you are feeling the urge to serve your country do it. If you choose not to it will gnaw at you for the rest of your life. I always wanted to serve but by the time I really wanted to I already had a wife and a son. My father is a Marine and that old SOB is tough as nails. I believe it will help define and direct you in life. Good luck to you.

FastCar

Be very careful here...

Speaking solely as a mother I want to scream at you "DON'T DO IT!" I know someone has to do it, and I know it is an honourable thing, but in cases like this the mother in me takes over.

You said you felt really motivated to do it....why?

Can you put your finger on the motivation, something like ... Getting out of the house? Running away from a bad relationship? Boredom?....If your reasons are not for the same reasons that Richbird & Hyjacker mentioned, then you are doing it for the WRONG reasons.

Noone can make this decision for you, and it is a huge decision, maybe the biggest you will ever make. Again, I have to say....be very careful!

Good Luck!

gamble61

As a veteran I will tell you that military life is not bad career choice. If you have a degree go as an officer. The air force is the premiere military assignment if you are primarily looking for a career (especially if you can fly jets, think about it). The navy is pretty good too. However, if you are enlisted and are considering army or marines, do yourself a favor and get the best training they have to offer. Soldiers will be in conflict for many years to come. If you are an infantryman rest assured you will be in the shit. You want the best training available. The military is an honorable profession. Regardless of your politics you will gain the respect of your community and confidence in yourself. Go for it and people like me will repect and honor you in your efforts. Despite what you think there are many of us who feel this way.

Brada888

Well, the thing is I dunno what I'm gonna do after I graduate from college. But hell, my parents keep buzzing me about it, and what if I'm not cut out for it. I know theres all this vigirous training, whats the stress on the body and mind?

gamble61

First off, never do anything just because your parents want you to (unless of course you are a minor). Especially join the military. Don't sweat the physical stuff. If you are in reasonably good shape you will do fine. They will fuck with that head though. And for good reason. They want to indoctrinate you from a civilian mindset to a military mindset. Think about it for a moment and it makes perfect sense. In the military you have to be a team player, submit to authority, and follow orders without question. If you complete college you qualify for officer training. Not bad:good experience, fairly good pay and benefits. However, if you are a marine or soldier, you will be out front. You lead by example if you get my drift. If you can get into flight school you will have the best job in the world IMO. If you get a kick out of blowing shit up go army or marines. But as I said earlier, whatever you choose get the best training available. Don't settle for several weeks in infantryman school.

Sagaris

Remember America is at war and if you join you had better believe in President Bush and his ideas.