thinking of joining army at 25

[TheAQU4M4N]

I am actually in the same boat as TLS, I am 23 now and I was dismissed from my last college so I am having a tough time what to do. I don't want to waste anymore money for college if I end up hating the courses. I am interested in the Air Force and Marine branches. One of the biggest worries that my family has for me is if I do enlist is that i'll be shipped off to Iraq or Afghanistan. Another option rather than armed forces I think is possibly taking a Civil Service test for the FDNY or NYPD or take some vocational classes.
I think I need to talk to a recruiter as well to figure out what my options are if I do decide to enlist.

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

I am actually in the same boat as TLS, I am 23 now and I was dismissed from my last college so I am having a tough time what to do. I don't want to waste anymore money for college if I end up hating the courses. I am interested in the Air Force and Marine branches. One of the biggest worries that my family has for me is if I do enlist is that i'll be shipped off to Iraq or Afghanistan. Another option rather than armed forces I think is possibly taking a Civil Service test for the FDNY or NYPD or take some vocational classes.
I think I need to talk to a recruiter as well to figure out what my options are if I do decide to enlist.

You do realize all troops (support and combat) were withdrawn from Iraq years ago, right? I doubt you'd get sent to Afghanistan either as the US is drawing down there too. But hey, Iran or North Korea might start a war. Ya never know...

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Look at it this way....

If you are in the Navy, they shoot at your ship.
If you are in the Air Force, they shoot at your plane.
If you are in the Army, they shoot at........ you.

Just sayin'

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

22 veterans commit suicide every day.

Probably mostly due to PTSD.

Take out student loan or get a student grant, find something you love (animals, cars, psychology, et), and go to college. It doesn't have to be Princeton. Go to community college, work your way through and do what you love.

Even if you make peanuts you'll be doing work that is intrinsically rewarding and the fact that you have a degree means you'll probably make more than minimum wage.

But if you just want more money, go to tech school for an in-demand trade.

 

[kytrigger]

Was in the Army and did two year long deployments to Afghanistan before getting out and doing another year over there as a contractor.

I'll say this as honestly as I can. Looking at some of your previous posts, you seem to change your mind every single day. If you are seriously, SERIOUSLY thinking of joining the military, then before you do, take a real hard look at yourself. Everyone here is talking about how you might get shot at and killed. This sounds harsh, but in all honesty, I don't care about you getting shot at, I care about your battle buddies.

The military had (and continues to have) plenty of people that joined because they didn't know what else to do and were basically just floating through life. For some it worked out. For some, it didn't and they were then in the military trying to "float through" as well and end up trying to half-*** their way through their contract. These are the people that get themselves and others killed.

Now if you can look at yourself honestly and say you aren't one of these people, then consider joining. My advice is to pick an MOS that you actually want to do, never let the recruiter push you to a job you don't feel like doing for 4 years (also, only sign a 4 year contract, no more). Also, a job where you have to get a security clearance can be beneficial as well (as long as you can pass the background checks). Lastly, expect to go to Afghanistan, no matter which branch and what MOS you choose. While over there I have worked with every branch (to include Navy and Coast Guard) as well all MOS types. If you don't end up going there, great! But joining the military when we're at war and trying to pick and choose a way to not go to that war is an exercise in futility.

Like I said, if you're truly serious about joining, then props to you. I'd be happy to answer more questions and there are other currently serving members and vets on this board that can help you out as well.

 

[the last son]

I'm serious. Some of my post are internet talk, but the, thought of doing something honorable peaks my interest. I can do something I can be proud of.

 

[the last son]

The only problem is passing test to get in. I failed it at 18 but recently passed practice test online

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

I'm serious. Some of my post are internet talk, but the, thought of doing something honorable peaks my interest. I can do something I can be proud of.

I'm calling your bluff. I don't think you're serious. I think pretending you're serious about joining the army makes you feel good about yourself. But I think it takes a lot more commitment to walk into that recruiter's office and sign the piece of paper. Your ambivalence is evident in this very thread and I'll be surprised and gladly admit I was wrong about you if you join, but I just don't see it happening.

It sounds like you need a purpose more than you need the actual army. If you're not suited for the grueling, even hellish, routine and commitment the army requires of you, it won't fill the void in your life. It helps some people, but it's no cure-all and as many people as it helps, it screws up a lot of people too. Ever talk with someone suffering from PTSD? Or missing a limb?

Like others have said, you should engage in some serious introspection and try to pinpoint exactly what it is your life is lacking, whether it's a career that's fulfilling or furthering your education. Only join the army if you're 100% convinced it's what you want to do, and not just because you're going through some late quarter-age crisis.

 

[the last son]

Well I have my meeting Monday and as long as my test pass I'm joining and never looking back.

 

[The End]

What's honourable about joining the army?

If you ask me I think that's incredibly childish and naive.

The UK and the US are on an imperialistic rampage. Over a decade of war in the middle east, drone strikes across Pakistan, and what is it all for? The people in the middle east wouldn't see you as fighting for their freedom. They'd see you for exactly what you are - a stooge for higher ups. I'm talking about scum leadership that have no qualms sending young people off to day for no reason.

I can't emphasize that enough - no reason.

History will not remember the US fondly for what it is currently doing.

Risk:
PTSD
Permanent injury
Death in combat
Suicide

How would that make your family feel?

And, what's the pay off again? Honour??

 

[the last son]

Well I drive a truck. Everyday I get in this big tub of crap I can die. All for what these crap paychecks? Sleeping on a hard bunk, in the baking sun. Not smart enough for college and i've dropped out twice I want to see where life takes me

 

[Zeus]

Become a firefighter...There is a need at the moment

 

[Zeus]

I'm serious. Some of my post are internet talk, but the, thought of doing something honorable peaks my interest. I can do something I can be proud of.

No one should stop you, but you should look at other ways of doing things that are honorable. The stress is big with family and those around you when you join.
But if you are really set on joining good luck, doing something honorable and being in a danger zone almost looking around every minute of your surroundings is another

 

[Zeus]

I am actually in the same boat as TLS, I am 23 now and I was dismissed from my last college so I am having a tough time what to do. I don't want to waste anymore money for college if I end up hating the courses. I am interested in the Air Force and Marine branches. One of the biggest worries that my family has for me is if I do enlist is that i'll be shipped off to Iraq or Afghanistan. Another option rather than armed forces I think is possibly taking a Civil Service test for the FDNY or NYPD or take some vocational classes.
I think I need to talk to a recruiter as well to figure out what my options are if I do decide to enlist.

I am in NY like you, FDNY was looking to get people to join at the local Recreation center in manhattan to play basketball. See what it takes to joing FDNY, that is very honorable too

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Volunteering for charitable causes is also very honorable.

Helping the elderly, sick children, abused animals, homeless veterans, etc would be eternally grateful for any time and energy you give them.

and you won't have endless nightmates, guilt, and flashbacks from combat.

 

[the last son]

I would do charity I honestly would but driving takes all your time and you get little to no time out if the truck . My father is telling me I'm way too old for this. It's not about career with me doing this, but more trying to find out who I an

 

[kytrigger]

Well I have my meeting Monday and as long as my test pass I'm joining and never looking back.

What do you mean pass your test? The ASVAB? News flash, you will likely "pass". The ASVAB is an aptitude test, nothing more. For some of the jobs, the score is relatively low, so your recruiter can always come in and say "Congrats, you passed! Sign here to become an 11B."

Find out what MOS you want to do. Find out the ASVAB score you need to qualify for that MOS, and then don't sign until you get that score. There are ASVAB improvement classes you can take if your score isn't high enough. Your recruiter might tell you to take a different MOS now, then once your in, you can take the ASVAB again and changes jobs. Don't do that. Yes, people can change their MOS once they are in the military, but they have to get approval from their command to let them go, and often have to extend their contract in order to do it. I've seen plenty of people want to change jobs, but they aren't allowed to since the unit is deploying for a year to Afghanistan and they're needed.

Besides the honor that you talked about earlier, what else are you looking to get out of it? You said you dropped out of college twice and you don't sound like you plan on going back. Major negative. College is one of (if not THE) biggest bonus the military gets. Not only do you get the Post 9-11 GI Bill, but while on active duty, you get extra money and can pretty much go to college part-time for free while working. Hell, to go full-time for free only requires an additional waiver for the money.

In the end, you're going to do what you want to. And that's fine, but I'm just trying to stress that you take a look at EVERYTHING before signing. If after you do that and you still want to sign, then more power to you.

What branch are you meeting with and what MOS do you want?

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

Well I drive a truck. Everyday I get in this big tub of crap I can die. All for what these crap paychecks? Sleeping on a hard bunk, in the baking sun. Not smart enough for college and i've dropped out twice I want to see where life takes me

EVERYONE is smart enough for college. People fail because they give up or don't apply themselves enough. Or sadly in some cases, can't afford it. But there are community colleges out there that a brain-dead ferret could pass, so "not smart enough" is a cheap excuse.

 

[PemLam]

I spent over 20 years in the Air Force and have seen far too many people join for the "reason" you're thinking of, only to find out it's not what they envisioned. You are making a life changing decision by joining the military...you need to understand that.

While it's not the nightmare some make it out to be, you need to realize you will lose certain freedoms, you will deploy regardless of which MOS (Army) or AFSC (Air Force) you choose, college money such as Tuition Assistance (GI Bill is a different pot of money) is NOT guaranteed, and you'll have little say on where you get stationed (at least initially).

Of course there are pro's.
- College (barring defense budget "issues") is a big one, I finished both my Bachelor's and Master's Degree's on the gov't dime. Don't blow this opportunity.
- Money...unless you're severely in debt or have a large family with no other income then the pay is pretty good when you factor in housing, food, etc.,
- Medical care while you're active is free and depending on where you're at, it's on par with most civilian hospitals...especially if you're near a regional medical center.
- Job experience....make damn sure you research the jobs that are available and get a guaranteed contract for the MOS or AFSC you want. Recruiters cannot lie regardless of what some people on here or other places might say...but they can and will try to steer you towards jobs that are in high demand or are critically short staffed. Another poster said you could retake the ASVAB if you're short of what you need to get a certain job...this is true and you should definitely retake the test as many times as necessary until you meet whatever criteria is set.

Lastly...do not bull**** the recruiters about your past. If you've done drugs, have kids, have a criminal record, are late on bills, etc., be up front because they will find out. Having done those things will not preclude you from joining (with exceptions for felonies, certain drugs, etc) but lying about them will.

No matter what service you choose, you should be commended for making that sacrifice. Best of luck to you.

 

[the last son]

Thanks for all feedback. To those who have been there, you don't think my age is an issue?

 

[PemLam]

Thanks for all feedback. To those who have been there, you don't think my age is an issue?

Not at all. Just as long as you realize some of your supervisors are going to be 19 and 20 year old's. Even after 20+ years in, I still reported to "kids" right out of college. You learn to adjust.

 

[Sundancer]

Thanks for all feedback. To those who have been there, you don't think my age is an issue?

Personally, I think that's between you and the recruiter.

 

[kytrigger]

Not at all. Just as long as you realize some of your supervisors are going to be 19 and 20 year old's. Even after 20+ years in, I still reported to "kids" right out of college. You learn to adjust.

Agree. I joined at 24. I had people in their 30s that joined at the same time as me. Like PemLam said, you will get NCOs and Officers that outrank you but are younger. It just doesn't matter though.

 

[PemLam]

Thanks for all feedback. To those who have been there, you don't think my age is an issue?

Here's a link to an article that discusses the requirements for entry into the military services. It has quite a bit of information you should take a look at. Certain parts need to be updated with respect to new laws (i.e. Repeal of Don't ask, don't tell").

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlstandards.htm

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Personally, I think that's between you and the recruiter.

lol, trusting a recruiter to give the final word on anything is a really bad idea.