[TheDuncan]

I have been thinking about the military for quite some time, steady pay, travel, disipline and depending on your job you could learn some sort of skill.

Obviously if you join the Marines or Army (infantry) you may run the risk of combat and injurys from training but as long as you know and expect that, sure it seems like you will deal with a lot of bullshit but to me it seems like the pros outweigh the cons.

I have talked with vets and they all think it seems like a good route to go if you dont want to go to school or work a regular 9-5.

I have researched all the branches and they all have things that catch my interest, leaning towards the Marine Corps (maybe im bias as I have Marine family and friends)

What is your opinion on the military?

[Seth_Rose]

How old are you? Do you have a college degree?

I ask because Id advise you to become an officer over regular enlistment.

[emuelle1]

The military is not for everyone. But if it is for you, it can be a good thing.

I went in the Navy right out of high school. I learned electronics, which has done me a lot of good in my civilian career. I did my 6 years and left.

The military is NOT a meritocracy, no matter what their recruiting bullshit says. Most of the people who advance far do it from politics, ass-kissing, and doing the "right" duties.

The Marines are a good choice. I work for the Marine Corps as a civilian, and the Marines I work with are great people. Some guys go in the Marines and figure they should do infantry, since that's what Marines do. But they have some good technical MOSs. Since I'm in IT, I tend to work with comm types.

One thing to make sure you understand is the military occasionally throws you in harm's way. You can go through multiple deployments to shitholes. But some deployments aren't bad. I did a Persian Gulf deployment in '96 during a time when nothing was happening. We got to go to some fun places like Thailand and Hong Kong and Singapore.

But other than that, if you have an idea where you're going in life, the military can definitely fit into it. You'll get to travel, meet some people, and learn valuable skills (especially people skills). I have a really good friend from my Navy days. I've known him for 20 years now.

[TheDuncan]

I am 24, no degree, started a while back and did not get far at all, just not for me.

Yea many assume that the Marine Corps and Army is all about fighting but they have a ton of MOS, my buddy was in comm and has a great paying job now.

Im not saying I know all about the military and how its run but I think I have a pretty good idea and I am pretty sure I can handle it.

I wish I would have got some kind of degree and went in as an officer but no use in thinking about regrets, time to make a move now.

[Checkmat]

US Air Force Data Sheet

[Simeon_Strangelight]

There are some good threads here.

Military can be a good career.

Join, serve a couple of years - survive unscathed.
Apply for plum job in police force, make 6-figures plus at home.

Alternative is working for a military contractor depending on your education.

Of course experiences in the military can be great fun too, but given the current environment this is very different from case to case.

I've only served for 12 months, so my experiences are limited. I would not do it for different reasons though, but it's a great career/job even if you don't stay longer. I would only try to mitigate the vaccine damage they give you - either pay off someone to vaccinate the sink or take huge orthomolecular doses of supplements around the times of the vaccines. That's literally what would concern me the most.

[Checkmat]

(04-04-2015 11:11 AM)Zelcorpion Wrote:  

I've only served for 12 months, so my experiences are limited. I would not do it for different reasons though, but it's a great career/job even if you don't stay longer.

Why did you leave early? What was your job?

[Simeon_Strangelight]

(04-04-2015 11:24 AM)Checkmat Wrote:  

(04-04-2015 11:11 AM)Zelcorpion Wrote:  

I've only served for 12 months, so my experiences are limited. I would not do it for different reasons though, but it's a great career/job even if you don't stay longer.

Why did you leave early? What was your job?

Part of it was obligatory in the country I was at. A part of it was officer's training that all had to do if they wanted to join a military college.

I decided otherwise. My specialization was just basic infantry (I was later stationed guarding the borders which experienced some war action back at that time), though I would have wanted to move to special forces if I had decided to stay, but that was not possible for such a short period.

[Unfadable]

I have been in the regular army for about 6 years. 90% of the army has nothing to do with fighting, just support.

The first 5 1/2 I was in the Infantry. I had a good time, met a lot of people and did a lot of cool shit, but at 28 years old my body is literally destroyed. There are a lot of things I cant do anymore, and every moment of the day I am hurting one way or another. I was always either deployed or training as well, so I never had time to go anywhere or do anything other than work. Even exploring the places I went for special training type events was out of the question, because we were locked down at all times. The level of suck is not even worth trying to explain.

Last year I was injured during training, and the army sent me back to school for a commo job once I recovered. I am in charge of the help desk now at a foreign naval base. We pretty much just handle computer imaging and network issues for the units here for about 8 hours a day. I have a government car, get to go do what I want after my shift is over, work in an air conditioned building with DOD contractors, and have already started getting job offers if I decide to get out. The army pays for my technical certs like a+, net+, sec+, and gives me time off to attend 2 week training courses designed to help pass those exams any time I want. Overall, it is a completely different world. There is still the usual army bullshit to deal with, but you can't get away from that anywhere.

If you decide to join up, when you are sitting in that chair choosing your job...choose wisely my friend.

[JacksonRev]

If you're leaning towards the Marines, I'd recommend MOS 0261, geospatial intelligence specialist. I do the same job, but for the Army, 12Y. Marines get better training including surveying, and it's still in DC, but we get more varied projects when it comes to deployments and global response support, plus the job is guaranteed when you enlist in the Army.

You'll still get all the military training and experience, and you have guaranteed job skills when you get out. GIS is a rising tide, and the military is still the best trainer when it comes to real world skills.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_0261

Pay is good, occupational outlook is exceptional, as I can attest to from all the responses I get from my resume without even having a firm exit date yet.

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and...aphers.htm

[DChambers]

I just finished the recruitment process a little while ago. I go to validation in April and will hopefully end up shipping out in May for the Marine corps with an infantry contract. If you have any questions at all feel free to ask here or PM me.

[LINUX]

There is nothing wrong with serving. I served for a long time in the 101st Airborne. I don't regret it. I'm glad I did it.

Here is my advice:

Go back to college.

[cool guy]

When you get out don't rely on the VA to help you. The VA exists so union members can get good jobs at public and veterans expense.

[TheDuncan]

Like any great debate there is strong opinions on both sides, I can see both sides and see it from a logical and personal perspective.

I see the military as a job and depending on the exact job it can be very dangerous, I personally am not the biggest patriot out there so serving my country is not high on the list of reasons for me joining, my Marine friend said when I join, join for yourself, not for anyone else, you are there for yourself and I have to agree with him.

I know very well what I will be getting myself into and will accept anything that comes my way, no one is forcing me to join and I have other options, I "want" to join.

Part of me feels for these vets that dont have anything right now but at the same time as a 20 something year old I am old and logical enough to realize the implications of all this, why would I blame anyone for something that I chose?

[DChambers]

I joined for a myriad of reasons, the G.I. Bill coupled with a strong vein of God and Country were the main reasons though.

If you are in the same position as me and can't afford college, then the military is probably your best bet to secure a debt free education. The training, steady pay, and other benefits also don't hurt. If you are joining for a career path you can pursue when you get out of the military then the Army is likely your best bet, they have scores more MOSs to choose from compared to the Marine Corps.

[Unfadable]

(04-04-2015 09:47 PM)TheDuncan Wrote:  

Like any great debate there is strong opinions on both sides, I can see both sides and see it from a logical and personal perspective.

I see the military as a job and depending on the exact job it can be very dangerous, I personally am not the biggest patriot out there so serving my country is not high on the list of reasons for me joining, my Marine friend said when I join, join for yourself, not for anyone else, you are there for yourself and I have to agree with him.

I know very well what I will be getting myself into and will accept anything that comes my way, no one is forcing me to join and I have other options, I "want" to join.

Part of me feels for these vets that dont have anything right now but at the same time as a 20 something year old I am old and logical enough to realize the implications of all this, why would I blame anyone for something that I chose?

Once you go through the system yourself, you might be singing a different tune. Sounds like you know what you want to do though, so good luck.

[spalex]

I joined when I was 17. Did 4 years as a paratrooper.
Best thing I ever done.
It taught me to get shit done, no excuses. If you want something, fucking get it! Gave me discipline.

But you have to either make a career out of it, of just do it for a couple of years than quit.
So if you are going to make a career out of it, join and become an officer. Or just go straight for the promotions, do as many training courses as possible and up your worth.

You can try to just be a grunt, getting paid to fuck around, do tours, travel the world. It's great and I wouldn't not recommend it. BUT if you get an injury and you can no longer do you job, you might have to discharge at the age of 30 with no civil qualifications whatsoever and then you may as well start sucking cock for cash. (basically the reason why I left)

[Constitution45]

Do any of you have experience with the British army or in particular to join as an Officer ?

As a man you need to have an adventure, get out of the rut. The military can defiantly provide that for you.
It is a big leap however, I wonder if someone enjoys freedom and is already getting adventure out of life by working in the East or doing something challenging. Whether or not joining the military would be a benefit or a hindrance.

I went down the LEO route but in the U.K thats only worth it if you either: 1) Like getting spat at by drunks 2) You work for one of the big city forces, and can move around in specialised units, which are busy in the U.K.

The military however is a different animal, so many different units; and the admin/bureacracy stuff is efficient. Unlike the police, where you can wait up to two years to get past the initial vetting/recruitment stages.

[feedmedonuts0]

I enlisted in the army,I leave in june for basic.

[spalex]

Let me also point out that any man that says "yeah I joined the army to serve my country, because I love freedom etc etc" or any of that stereotypical garbage is full of shit.
99% of these people don't understand what freedom is. Its a classical american circle jerk.

All that verbal graffiti is only a reason to stay in the military and do nothing but kill (because thats when they get a good dose of the red pill).

[TheDuncan]

The red pill as in the military lifestyle or the killing? Im pretty sure killing would do more damage than not.

[Beowulf]

Well, if you want to know a bit more about the Officer side of the Marines, we definitely have a few guys on here. I'm currently in the Officer Candidacy School applicant phase, so I know a bit about applying to be a candidate, but I couldn't tell you what it's actually like. If you were thinking about going to college and then trying to commission, send me some questions and I'll do my best to answer.

[jamaicabound]

I almost joined the marines at 17 to avoid going to jail but wound up opting for a bootcamp program instead. Honestly I wish I had joined the military at 17 or 18. At 17 or 18 your not missing out on the that much as most of your friends are just putzing around working min wage jobs not really doing anything wiht their lives. If you join at that age you come at out 20 or 21, can then do college, have some life experience under your belt, are fit, probably have some skill that will land you a job.

Honestly if you wait til after 23 or so to join the military your kind of an old man going in as funny as that sounds.

Funny thing, most all my family and buddies who did the military thing all say they are glad to do it and it was a good experience but all said they woudln't recommend it to a yonger brother or friend or whatever.

A good family friend just got out. Something I've picked up from him is the military is constantly fucking over members of the military. He was on several tours, has ptsd, has a fucked up foot from getting blown up in a humvee and it seems like he constantly has trouble with doctors appointments, just recently is finally officially out and I forget the details but basically waited until he was out to give him a promotion he had earned a long time ago basically so they didn't have to pay him more money for the promotion while he was still in.

Just seems like you serve and sacrafice just to get fucked over, over and over and over again by the military or our government. That alone would make me question joining. I get its not supposed to be about you and about sacraficing and serving but at least take care of those who do which doesn't happen.

[SupaDorkLooza]

Quote:

What is your opinion on the military?

A massive, welfare program in disguise but instead of the usual stigma, well meaning people will shake your hand "thank you for your service"
hehe

The question is too open ended.

Where do you want your life to be like at the end of your enlistment?
What do you want to do 6 - 7 days a week for the next 4 years?
If you tell us the top 10 MOSes which have your interest and the reasons why, then some of us can give you a rundown on what its really like and advice on how to best prepare. I

If you are only in it for the job training you should look at the other services because they have a lot more to offer CS/CSS soft skills.

If you really need a kick in the ass and afterwards the discipline of a regimented life then join the Marines, the USMC has a martial edge across all MOS', the other services soft skills reminded me of civilians that just happened to wear a uniform and carry a gun (improperly).

edit: Spalex, I don't know how they do things in Poland/Australia but in the US armed forces those medically discharged with injury usually receive lifetime monthly compensation based on disability ratings, no need to turn tricks

[Constitution45]

(04-05-2015 04:25 PM)Beowulf Wrote:  

Well, if you want to know a bit more about the Officer side of the Marines, we definitely have a few guys on here. I'm currently in the Officer Candidacy School applicant phase, so I know a bit about applying to be a candidate, but I couldn't tell you what it's actually like. If you were thinking about going to college and then trying to commission, send me some questions and I'll do my best to answer.

I am talking about the British military here so it might be a bit different. However is 23/24 a late age to join as a military officer. It seems to me that a lot of army lads I know are joining as officers around this age. Mainly because they usually take 3/4 years to finish university and then take a year working overseas or trying civvy street.