[Aliblahba]

And yet another military hate troll has risen from the ashes. I love ignorant liberals.

Oh, by the way, where do you think the $150K salaried merc's get their training? Like any profession, you start from the bottom, in this instance, the military.

[Keyser Söze]

(04-20-2012 08:19 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

And yet another military hate troll has risen from the ashes. I love ignorant liberals.

Oh, by the way, where do you think the $150K salaried merc's get their training? Like any profession, you start from the bottom, in this instance, the military.

I am not a military hate troll, and I should explain myself, but I meant what I said. My father was in the military, and served in the Korean War, and his father in World War I. Those were very different times though. The US military is now stationed in something like 130 different countries, and instead of fighting wars as an absolute last resort for vital national interests, we are now in a permanent state of war to support the economic and political interests of the ruling 1%.

[Pacesetter20]

(04-19-2012 10:38 AM)MHaes Wrote:  

Hey all,

I need some advice. I'm about to make a decision that will affect me for the rest of my life. Hopefully some of you will be able to help me sprt through this and the effects it could have on my life.

I'm 18 years ol, senior in high school. Like most 18 year olds, college is looming, and I'm excited about it. I know that I'm going to Virginia Tech, to study engineering. Virginia Tech is a great school, especially for engineering.

My problems come with paying for college. My parents can't pay for me. Not because we are poor, but because I have three younger siblings who are all going to be going off to college within two years of each other, and they would like to have the option to help them out. Sucks for me, but whatever.

Obviously, I applied for every scholarship I could think of. One of these happened to be the ROTC (military) scholarship. For two years back when I was like twelve I used to dream about being an officer in the military, but now that I actually have the opportunity I am thinking about what could happen if I am an officer. If we are in a war when I graduate...well, there's alot of possibilities.

The package is great. Full ride, full medical, etc. $300 per month starting freshman year, and it goes up by $50 each year. I get full pay if take place in any summer training. I have a guaranteed job right out of college, a job that has great benefits. Travel.

I'm not really sure what my question is. Maybe I'm just venting. I guess I just want to talk to somone about it, and hear others perspectives. I've tried talking to my friends about it, but they all just say shit like "Holy shit you're gonna get so big and learn how to kick peoples asses!!!" or "Damn dude, are you gonna try to be a sniper or something?" It's amusing to hear, but not exactly what I'm looking for at this point.

MHaes,

I did this. If you have any specific questions regarding my experience (Army-6yrs) let me know. The military can be a good opportunity, but you need to have the right mindset, outlook.

Job. It is not easy or something to take lightly. There is a lot of paperwork/B.S. to put up with. Even if you graduate with an engineering degree, it doesn't mean you will be an engineer officer. You could be anything: finance, artillery, communications, logistics, medical, etc. Even if you are an engineer officer, you probably wont be using your degree much and will be more of an supervisor/manager/planner vs. button pusher/executer.

Soldiers. They are, well, Soldiers and tend to find trouble and you will deal with it. DUI, club fights, drugs, divorce, etc.

Travel. There are good Army posts, but for every good army post there is: ft. polk, irwin, drum, hood, bliss (places you don't want to be). That means trashy army towns and the associated folk (Navy and AF have it a bit better in this department). Also, even if you get to a good post, you may not be able to take advantage of it with field exercises and deployments.

Yes you do get 30 days of leave, but depending on your unit, only get to use it when you are told.

Again, this is from an Army point of view, so if you are considering AF or Navy your experience will differ and can be rewarding if you are doing it for the right reasons and not just short term benefits, but you can PM me and talk off line if you want more detail.

[Aliblahba]

You're lucky Schizer soze. I had a meme made up for you, but will let this go.....for now. But I got my eye on you!

[Keyser Söze]

(04-20-2012 10:28 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

You're lucky Schizer soze. I had a meme made up for you, but will let this go.....for now. But I got my eye on you!

[pazzesco]

MHaes,

I did Navy ROTC. Full ride to an Ivy League school, no debt, just finishing up 5 years in the navy, and get out in a month. Pacesetter gave a good description for the army, but each service is different. Specifically, which are you considering?

I'm getting out because I'm ready to move on and do something different, but I wouldn't have done anything differently. I've been very fortunate in my tours during my time in, alot of is luck but alot of it is also the career path I chose. For each service you will have options as to what type of officer you become, and let me say that they are all NOT created equal. Not by a long shot.

Petroleum engineer...going Air Force? That will be a great major to have if you decide to get out after your initial commitment, and you will have many opportunities to work overseas.

I had a pick of an ROTC scholarship in all 3 services, have one brother that went to the Naval Academy and another to West Point, and know a few things about each but ultimately chose Navy for several reasons. If you have specific questions, please PM me.

Also, I believe its still the same as when I went through, and you can do your first year of ROTC with no obligation! So definitely do that. I have lots of "if I know what I know now back then" advice regarding to ROTC so hit me up.

Sounds like you've worked hard, and you are in a great position. Congrats.

[pazzesco]

Also, do not listen to all these haters saying you'd be going straight to the front line to get maimed in an imperialist war, etc etc. These are people without first hand experience. Military officer may not be what you ultimately end up doing, but its definitely worth considering, and the first year free is a great option. Let us know what branch you have the offer from...you have an army and navy guy on here that went through exactly what youre looking at willing to help.

[scotian]

Engineering= great idea, I wish I did it when I was your age.

If you're planning on working in the oil biz, its full of ex-forces guys so previous service will be highly regarded, looks like you have a bright future young buck.

[Pacesetter20]

(04-21-2012 11:42 AM)pazzesco Wrote:  

Also, I believe its still the same as when I went through, and you can do your first year of ROTC with no obligation! So definitely do that. I have lots of "if I know what I know now back then" advice regarding to ROTC so hit me up.

This may be dated, but I did two years of Army ROTC without an obligation (I think I remember someone doing 3 without contracting), but this was the early-mid 2000s, so it may be different due to the army drawdown.

Just keep in mind that those first two years may not be 100% indicative of what is to come. They are trying to get you involved in the program, so naturally you won't have to go through all of the shenanigans and nonsense that a contracted cadet will.

[ofigennyj]

If you are smart enough to become a successful engineer, Army ROTC is not the answer. ROTC is not just showing up to class and to lab, with wars waning down, resources and benefits offered are shrinking thus if you were to become a contracted cadet than it becomes a life style. Starting from early PT session three times a week; which are more annoying than effective workouts, continuing with few meetings outside of class and lab. It forces you to be in shape, which is a positive, but all the unnecessary talk you`ll hear from upper-class cadets will get annoying fast. Also for the first 3 years, you`ll have an upper class know-it-all interfere with your business all the time. You`ll have "mentors" who barely figured out their schools ROTC system, yet alone the way Army operates, will give you advice. You`ll have two FTX's...three to four day long cluster-fucks. Benefits? Well, school is paid for but with the lifestyle forced onto you. You`ll spend lots of time with not-so-bright Army cadets, and in Virginia, they`re toned down rednecks waiting the chance to explode. And no cute girls! You won't be able to freely drink/smoke or explore. You`ll be under a watching eye, either cadre or mentor. How can you pay for school? Assuming you exhausted all FAFSA and other loans: Get a job! You`ll spend about same amount of time working as you`ll spend in ROTC programs weekly requirements.. In addition, during summer time, work more: and you don't have to be a mindless hourly worker, earn and save and invest in small ventures on campus. There are a lot of daddy's boys and girls who you can hustle a buck out of...And view education as an investment, rather than a requirement...You`re investing in yourself for the long run so don't be afraid of getting into debt...Just like a business requires funding, your future requires it too, and unless you are not sure of yourself, don't sign a contract. Also, like gambling in Vegas, house always wins; Uncle Sam will get more out of you than you will out of him... And this doesn't include rotc accessions... unless you`re the top dog, you`ll be Army's fill-in-a-spot boy...Studying engineering for 4 years, then being forced to work as a transportation officer...Accessions are getting tougher and tougher, and if you`re good enough to be in the top 10 percent, than you`re good enough to pay for school without ROTC...best wishes...

[MikeCF]

(04-21-2012 03:41 PM)ofigennyj Wrote:  

If you are smart enough to become a successful engineer, Army ROTC is not the answer. ROTC is not just showing up to class and to lab, with wars waning down, resources and benefits offered are shrinking thus if you were to become a contracted cadet than it becomes a life style. Starting from early PT session three times a week; which are more annoying than effective workouts, continuing with few meetings outside of class and lab. It forces you to be in shape, which is a positive, but all the unnecessary talk you`ll hear from upper-class cadets will get annoying fast. Also for the first 3 years, you`ll have an upper class know-it-all interfere with your business all the time. You`ll have "mentors" who barely figured out their schools ROTC system, yet alone the way Army operates, will give you advice. You`ll have two FTX's...three to four day long cluster-fucks. Benefits? Well, school is paid for but with the lifestyle forced onto you. You`ll spend lots of time with not-so-bright Army cadets, and in Virginia, they`re toned down rednecks waiting the chance to explode. And no cute girls! You won't be able to freely drink/smoke or explore. You`ll be under a watching eye, either cadre or mentor. How can you pay for school? Assuming you exhausted all FAFSA and other loans: Get a job! You`ll spend about same amount of time working as you`ll spend in ROTC programs weekly requirements.. In addition, during summer time, work more: and you don't have to be a mindless hourly worker, earn and save and invest in small ventures on campus. There are a lot of daddy's boys and girls who you can hustle a buck out of...And view education as an investment, rather than a requirement...You`re investing in yourself for the long run so don't be afraid of getting into debt...Just like a business requires funding, your future requires it too, and unless you are not sure of yourself, don't sign a contract. Also, like gambling in Vegas, house always wins; Uncle Sam will get more out of you than you will out of him... And this doesn't include rotc accessions... unless you`re the top dog, you`ll be Army's fill-in-a-spot boy...Studying engineering for 4 years, then being forced to work as a transportation officer...Accessions are getting tougher and tougher, and if you`re good enough to be in the top 10 percent, than you`re good enough to pay for school without ROTC...best wishes...

You make a great case against ROTC. Although I may ultimately agree with your conclusion, you know your shit. That's cool to see.

You also can't smoke weed, due to random drug testing.

I was an officer myself, have had friends in ROTC who loved it, and friends who went to West Point.

There are a lot of positives. Graduating without student loan debt, going airborne, travelling, shooting a lot of guns, blowing shit up....The Army is fucking cool if you play your cards right.

But you make a great case against it. Well said.

[Brian]

being that I went to VA Tech and absolutely love everything about the place I'd say go for it. ROTC isnt for everyone but it sounds like it might be something you'd enjoy. it will keep you busy and put you in contact with a lot of people. it will be hard, and you will probably hate it at first, but if you stick it out you will start to enjoy it and get much more out of college then most people do getting drunk and skipping class, and you will set yourself up nicely if you come out of school w/some military experience, and engineering degree from a great school, and no debt, compared to most idiots today coming out w/lots of debt and a worthless degree in something like political science or art. if you have any questions about VT PM me and I'd be happy to help you in any way I can. I went there, my 2 younger brothers went there, and I made a lot of great friends there. Blacksburg really is a great place to go to college, I would do it over again in a heartbeat.

[Keyser Söze]

(04-21-2012 11:50 AM)pazzesco Wrote:  

Also, do not listen to all these haters saying you'd be going straight to the front line to get maimed in an imperialist war, etc etc. These are people without first hand experience. Military officer may not be what you ultimately end up doing, but its definitely worth considering, and the first year free is a great option. Let us know what branch you have the offer from...you have an army and navy guy on here that went through exactly what youre looking at willing to help.

6,397 dead American men and women, and 50,000 wounded many of them maimed, might not share your assessment

[pazzesco]

(04-21-2012 03:53 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  

(04-21-2012 03:41 PM)ofigennyj Wrote:  

If you are smart enough to become a successful engineer, Army ROTC is not the answer. ROTC is not just showing up to class and to lab, with wars waning down, resources and benefits offered are shrinking thus if you were to become a contracted cadet than it becomes a life style. Starting from early PT session three times a week; which are more annoying than effective workouts, continuing with few meetings outside of class and lab. It forces you to be in shape, which is a positive, but all the unnecessary talk you`ll hear from upper-class cadets will get annoying fast. Also for the first 3 years, you`ll have an upper class know-it-all interfere with your business all the time. You`ll have "mentors" who barely figured out their schools ROTC system, yet alone the way Army operates, will give you advice. You`ll have two FTX's...three to four day long cluster-fucks. Benefits? Well, school is paid for but with the lifestyle forced onto you. You`ll spend lots of time with not-so-bright Army cadets, and in Virginia, they`re toned down rednecks waiting the chance to explode. And no cute girls! You won't be able to freely drink/smoke or explore. You`ll be under a watching eye, either cadre or mentor. How can you pay for school? Assuming you exhausted all FAFSA and other loans: Get a job! You`ll spend about same amount of time working as you`ll spend in ROTC programs weekly requirements.. In addition, during summer time, work more: and you don't have to be a mindless hourly worker, earn and save and invest in small ventures on campus. There are a lot of daddy's boys and girls who you can hustle a buck out of...And view education as an investment, rather than a requirement...You`re investing in yourself for the long run so don't be afraid of getting into debt...Just like a business requires funding, your future requires it too, and unless you are not sure of yourself, don't sign a contract. Also, like gambling in Vegas, house always wins; Uncle Sam will get more out of you than you will out of him... And this doesn't include rotc accessions... unless you`re the top dog, you`ll be Army's fill-in-a-spot boy...Studying engineering for 4 years, then being forced to work as a transportation officer...Accessions are getting tougher and tougher, and if you`re good enough to be in the top 10 percent, than you`re good enough to pay for school without ROTC...best wishes...

You make a great case against ROTC. Although I may ultimately agree with your conclusion, you know your shit. That's cool to see.

You also can't smoke weed, due to random drug testing.

I was an officer myself, have had friends in ROTC who loved it, and friends who went to West Point.

There are a lot of positives. Graduating without student loan debt, going airborne, travelling, shooting a lot of guns, blowing shit up....The Army is fucking cool if you play your cards right.

But you make a great case against it. Well said.

Mike, while reading his post I was gonna say the same exact thing - don't necessarily agree with it about not being worth it, but definitely a well-informed argument against which is nice to see.

[pazzesco]

(04-21-2012 04:17 PM)Keyser Söze Wrote:  

(04-21-2012 11:50 AM)pazzesco Wrote:  

Also, do not listen to all these haters saying you'd be going straight to the front line to get maimed in an imperialist war, etc etc. These are people without first hand experience. Military officer may not be what you ultimately end up doing, but its definitely worth considering, and the first year free is a great option. Let us know what branch you have the offer from...you have an army and navy guy on here that went through exactly what youre looking at willing to help.

6,397 dead American men and women, and 50,000 wounded many of them maimed, might not share your assessment

You're an idiot. I'm in the military. I've known people that we've lost. Obviously, I'm not downplaying our casualties. There is a real danger inherent to military personnel, especially during wartime. Whether one agrees with the war is beside the point. It is also not true that everyone who is in the military goes to the front line of a war.

[Keyser Söze]

(04-21-2012 05:11 PM)pazzesco Wrote:  

(04-21-2012 04:17 PM)Keyser Söze Wrote:  

(04-21-2012 11:50 AM)pazzesco Wrote:  

Also, do not listen to all these haters saying you'd be going straight to the front line to get maimed in an imperialist war, etc etc. These are people without first hand experience. Military officer may not be what you ultimately end up doing, but its definitely worth considering, and the first year free is a great option. Let us know what branch you have the offer from...you have an army and navy guy on here that went through exactly what youre looking at willing to help.

6,397 dead American men and women, and 50,000 wounded many of them maimed, might not share your assessment

You're an idiot. I'm in the military. I've known people that we've lost. Obviously, I'm not downplaying our casualties. There is a real danger inherent to military personnel, especially during wartime. Whether one agrees with the war is beside the point. It is also not true that everyone who is in the military goes to the front line of a war.

I may think a little differently than you, but I'm not an idiot. One of my childhood friends was killed on 9/11. 10 high school classmates have been to Iraq and Afghanistan, and 2 never came back, and one doesn't have half the fingers on his left hand anymore.
It's true that there are many different jobs in the military, and that not all of them are "front line." It's also true that in the past decade, there haven't been any firm front lines in our wars.
It's also true that once you are in the military, you have to do whatever you are ordered to, and there is no way for any of us to forsee whether that will be learning a marketable skill, swabbing toilets in Alaska, getting your legs blown off by an IED in the Middle East, or repelling waves of mounted moose cavalry in the First Great Canadian American War of 2020.

[MikeCF]

(04-21-2012 06:04 PM)Keyser Söze Wrote:  

I may think a little differently than you, but I'm not an idiot. One of my childhood friends was killed on 9/11. 10 high school classmates have been to Iraq and Afghanistan, and 2 never came back, and one doesn't have half the fingers on his left hand anymore.
It's true that there are many different jobs in the military, and that not all of them are "front line." It's also true that in the past decade, there haven't been any firm front lines in our wars.
It's also true that once you are in the military, you have to do whatever you are ordered to, and there is no way for any of us to forsee whether that will be learning a marketable skill, swabbing toilets in Alaska, getting your legs blown off by an IED in the Middle East, or repelling waves of mounted moose cavalry in the First Great Canadian American War of 2020.

One of my closet friends died in Iraq. Nearly everyone from my OCS class went to Iraq.

So I don't write based on an observation about classmates or others far-away removed.

I have firsthand experience.

There are many pros and cons to service.

There are a lot of choices available to people re: "whether that will be learning a marketable skill, swabbing toilets in Alaska."

You simply do not know what you are talking about.

If you disagree about serving, that's fine. One guy above me disagreed, and his post is awesome. I would gladly send that as a "con" to anyone considering service.

You, however, have posted nothing of value.

[pazzesco]

(04-21-2012 06:09 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  

One of my closet friends died in Iraq. Nearly everyone from my OCS class went to Iraq.

So I don't write based on an observation about classmates or others far-away removed.

I have firsthand experience.

There are many pros and cons to service.

There are a lot of choices available to people re: "whether that will be learning a marketable skill, swabbing toilets in Alaska."

You simply do not know what you are talking about.

If you disagree about serving, that's fine. One guy above me disagreed, and his post is awesome. I would gladly send that as a "con" to anyone considering service.

You, however, have posted nothing of value.

+1

[Keyser Söze]

(04-21-2012 06:09 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  

(04-21-2012 06:04 PM)Keyser Söze Wrote:  

I may think a little differently than you, but I'm not an idiot. One of my childhood friends was killed on 9/11. 10 high school classmates have been to Iraq and Afghanistan, and 2 never came back, and one doesn't have half the fingers on his left hand anymore.
It's true that there are many different jobs in the military, and that not all of them are "front line." It's also true that in the past decade, there haven't been any firm front lines in our wars.
It's also true that once you are in the military, you have to do whatever you are ordered to, and there is no way for any of us to forsee whether that will be learning a marketable skill, swabbing toilets in Alaska, getting your legs blown off by an IED in the Middle East, or repelling waves of mounted moose cavalry in the First Great Canadian American War of 2020.

One of my closet friends died in Iraq. Nearly everyone from my OCS class went to Iraq.

So I don't write based on an observation about classmates or others far-away removed.

I have firsthand experience.

There are many pros and cons to service.

There are a lot of choices available to people re: "whether that will be learning a marketable skill, swabbing toilets in Alaska."

You simply do not know what you are talking about.

If you disagree about serving, that's fine. One guy above me disagreed, and his post is awesome. I would gladly send that as a "con" to anyone considering service.

You, however, have posted nothing of value.

Actually, my dear sir, you are the one who is unable to contribute anything worthwhile.

You hide behind your own service to avoid answering the real questions. You try and turn this into a contest. Since you were closer when someone died, then of course you are right, and I am just some sissy liberal.

Your friend died. For what? For freedom? His death was murder. It accomplished nothing, and only happened because the ex alcoholic son of a one term president wanted revenge for a failed assasination attempt on his daddy, and because the others in power like Cheney saw a golden opportunity to shovel taxpayer cash towards their friends' companies.

Open your eyes, and stop trying to sign up more people into a once great but failed institution.

[MikeCF]

(04-21-2012 08:21 PM)Keyser Söze Wrote:  

Actually, my dear sir, you are the one who is unable to contribute anything worthwhile.

You hide behind your own service to avoid answering the real questions. You try and turn this into a contest. Since you were closer when someone died, then of course you are right, and I am just some sissy liberal.

Your friend died. For what? For freedom? His death was murder. It accomplished nothing, and only happened because the ex alcoholic son of a one term president wanted revenge for a failed assasination attempt on his daddy, and because the others in power like Cheney saw a golden opportunity to shovel taxpayer cash towards their friends' companies.

Open your eyes, and stop trying to sign up more people into a once great but failed institution.

I don't give a fuck about your politics. No one does.

I subscribe to Mother Jones and know all about unjust wars and the Military Industrial Complex. So what?

This ins't a morality thread. If you want one, start your own.

This is about a kid looking for advice regarding whether a specific decision will be in his best interest.

There are pros and cons to service.

Going to basic training changed me as a person. It taught me to ignorance mental limits and overcome obstacles. It got me away from home at a young age, and taught me to be a man.

I personally lived large in college on the GI Bill. I didn't pay tuition. I got a check. I was in the Reserves, so I got to goof off with cool dudes a weekend a month and two weeks a year.

In college (this was before the super fat 9/11 GI Bill), I got $349 in GI Bill money tax free. I got another $200 or so for drill (my weekend a month thing.)

I have blow up shit with a claymore mines. I have shot the machine guns people see in Rambo. I have thrown hand grenades. I have done nighttime patrols in the bushes of Ft. Benning, Georgia using nothing but a map, a compass, and my wits.

I loved service. I know dozens of friends and acquaintances who have no regrets.

The other guy posted the cons. He makes fair points.

The OP needs to consider the decision. It's his most important life decision to date, and will be one of the most important decisions of his life.

All you are doing is shitting all over this thread with ignorance and politics.

Do that on another thread, please.

[ofigennyj]

Mhaes,
If you are smart enough to become a successful engineer and you have genuine interest in military related subjects, then Army ROTC is the best answer. Best benefit, along with all the obvious financial perks, is that you will make great, life-long lasting friends who will be with you through thick and thin. And that's just while you`re in school. Once you go to your BOLC and to your unit, soldiers you serve with, whether they`re other officers or enlisted, will become your family and although you won't be loved or love everybody, you will be looked out after and will look out after your soldiers and anyone who wears the uniform. ROTC equals no bills, no loans, physical fitness, an external motivational push most college kids lack, chance to make close friends (better than any fraternity, because unlike "paid" friends, uniform will bind you to higher level), Girls (cuteness depending on your skills, and in VA, a uniform will get you far with the ladies), once you`re in BOLC, blowing shit up (more fun than it sounds, there is nothing like sitting top of a hill, waiting for a charge to go off, feeling the ground shake, followed with a nice smoke cloud), and you have a chance to write your own ticket: if you apply yourself, and be in the top 10: active duty slots will be open to you, from MI to Aviation to Engineering and after you get out, anyone who has worn the uniform is an automatic network friend, you`ll get unwritten benefits from jobs to drinks at the bar. Reading what I`m writing reminds me why I chose to go into ROTC and go enlisted in the Guard (SMP) in the same state you plan on going to school. This is what makes life fun: ability to choose, my friend. You know yourself, more than any of us, and I try to paint a picture for you for both the cons and the pros, consider it and make a decision for your best interest. Good Luck in your future.

Also reading the other posts, I simply want to state that there isn't a generalized reason for any soldier to serve. Some are patriots, some are benefit-seekers, some are adventure-seekers, and some have no other choice. As Drill Sergeants would ask before a smoke-session "Did anyone put a gun to your head when you were signing the contract" holds true to everyone. It's exercising freedom of choice and to assume soldiers are brain-washed into anything is downright illogical. Soldiers know the risks of signing a contract, the sacrifice required, and the physical dangers, and trying to decide if the decision to serve is worth it or not, well that's a personal decision that should be made by someone who put the ink on the paper, not by an observer, since we all sign on for different reasons with different valuations of worth. However, I`m yet to find a soldier whether scrubbing toilets, or going through rehab or lived on by family members, to regret that signature, at least I know I don't regret it.

*Like courage, life changing decisions are personal: some observe to criticize safely, some live dangerously through to experience. But the only decision is to choose which some you want to be.

[ester]

(04-19-2012 10:38 AM)MHaes Wrote:  

Hey all,

I need some advice. I'm about to make a decision that will affect me for the rest of my life. Hopefully some of you will be able to help me sprt through this and the effects it could have on my life.

I'm 18 years ol, senior in high school. Like most 18 year olds, college is looming, and I'm excited about it. I know that I'm going to Virginia Tech, to study engineering. Virginia Tech is a great school, especially for engineering.

My problems come with paying for college. My parents can't pay for me. Not because we are poor, but because I have three younger siblings who are all going to be going off to college within two years of each other, and they would like to have the option to help them out. Sucks for me, but whatever.

Obviously, I applied for every scholarship I could think of. One of these happened to be the ROTC (military) scholarship. For two years back when I was like twelve I used to dream about being an officer in the military, but now that I actually have the opportunity I am thinking about what could happen if I am an officer. If we are in a war when I graduate...well, there's alot of possibilities.

The package is great. Full ride, full medical, etc. $300 per month starting freshman year, and it goes up by $50 each year. I get full pay if take place in any summer training. I have a guaranteed job right out of college, a job that has great benefits. Travel.

I'm not really sure what my question is. Maybe I'm just venting. I guess I just want to talk to somone about it, and hear others perspectives. I've tried talking to my friends about it, but they all just say shit like "Holy shit you're gonna get so big and learn how to kick peoples asses!!!" or "Damn dude, are you gonna try to be a sniper or something?" It's amusing to hear, but not exactly what I'm looking for at this point.

Forget the situation dude. which one do you really want? Military officer or engineer?

[qazwsx]

If you really want to study and money is an issue, why don't you consider get a degree outside of USA? There are other good universities in Europe for example, where you pay almost no tuition.

[blackgold]

A word of advice on studying petroleum engineering as a major. Rig counts fluctuate, and jobs may go from being abundant to being scarce. Here is a link that was sent to students applying to the Petroleum engineering department at TExas A&M, warning that with a 55 percent jump in enrollment in the department and an ever fluctuating rig count a job after graduation is a privilege and not a right. This does not mean that people won't be getting jobs, it just means that you better have your shit together and graduate near the top of your class to get the starting salaries you mention. I've watched this happen with many people I graduated with and I thought I would give you a heads up. Also your more secure higher paying jobs will be found with the actual E&P companies and not the service companies. Just don't assume the starting salary you mentioned is a guarantee.

https://costofcollege.wordpress.com/2013...-students/

[jake1720]

^^^ There are still jobs.

It's who you know in Oil and Gas.

My internships (and probably my first job it looks like) came purely from who I knew. No one ever asked my GPA.