Considering the Army.

[zentropy]

I'm considering joining the Army. I'm looking to get some feedback from any current active duty or retirees. One of my main reasons for considering is due to the fact that im tired of working two dead end jobs and need to start thinking about my future. I'm thinking that I can enlist for 6 years get some training AND hands on experience in a technical field that will possibly benefit me on my return to civilian life, assuming of course I don't re-enlist. Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Have you graduated college?

[Jeffblue]

yea you could go to a technical school or a trade school that works in trimesters and get a 4 year degree in like 2.5 years.

[schrack150]

its not a bad option...the ability to travel and training/discipline are worth it alone my .02 just a thought I was AD Airforce

[NewlyIMPORTed]

Army has great retirement benefits after 20 years

[zentropy]

I've not graduated college, but did attend a technical school for one semester many years ago. Wasn't a good experience and i'd rather not jump back into having student loans again. The potential to travel and experience different things I have to admit does appeal to me.

[huff442]

I enlisted in 1988, but was honorably discharged a month into basic training because of an unforeseen medical condition. I've told my two boys, now ages 15 and 16, that had I been able to stay in, I would have retired last year at 38 years old. My oldest is looking at the Navy and my youngest is considering the Coast Guard. I would encourage you to do it. The benefits are just too great to ignore.

[fullmonty]

Consider joining the Airforce, for one you might be less likely to get shot, but there are alot of tech fields that would benifit you when you come out. For example you might have an easier time getting a job in computers if you were a radar operator, then if you drove a truck. No matter what branch you go with I don't think you'll regret it.

[2theextreme]

Originally Posted by huff442

I enlisted in 1988, but was honorably discharged a month into basic training because of an unforeseen medical condition. I've told my two boys, now ages 15 and 16, that had I been able to stay in, I would have retired last year at 38 years old. My oldest is looking at the Navy and my youngest is considering the Coast Guard. I would encourage you to do it. The benefits are just too great to ignore.

Pretty similar situation here....enlisted in the AF in '89 and reinlisted again at my 3 year mark for 4 more year. About a year later had a seizure on active duty. I would have retired last year.....20 years goes/went fast.....in or out of the military, I swear!

[Red370]

Why do these always turn into a "Oh man, join my branch" thread? The guy said hes considering joining the ARMY, and would like to know about it, not the navy, not the Air Force, not the Marines.

I've been a soldier for the last 8 years of my life, and I rose through the ranks pretty quickly. At 25 years old, I make 60k+ and enjoy free medical/dental/college benefits (family qualifies for these too), I'd say i'm much further along than many of my peers in life.

All I can say is, dont join a specific branch because you want to collect a paycheck and not have to see combat, thats the pansy way out. If you want to get paid while serving your nation admirably while getting excellent college benefits, you cant go wrong. If anything, i'd say try your damndest to get on a deployment, quick and easy way to come back with 40K+ sitting in your bank account and knock out an associates degree. I've seen it plenty of times, hell I got 19 year old privates driving 7 series BMW's and a Staff Sergeant like myself driving a GT-R. Dont let others sway your decision on your branch based on "if you dont wanna get shot at" or "you'll find more technical fields in this branch" type of comments, the Army has just the same or better opportunities believe me. PM me if you have any questions man. Did I mention that i'll be retiring at 37 years old and collecting a $3,000 paycheck for the rest of my life for sitting on my ass?

My Advice: Go to the recruiter knowing what you want. DO NOT budge from the job you wanna do, if they give you some BS like "we dont have any openings in that field", it is just that, BS. Some jobs have a specific amount of slots that need filled and if there is a shortage in one certain area, they are nudged, if you will, to present you those MOS's and say thats all thats available and thats not true at all. If they claim they cant give you the job that you want, stand up and walk right out, I GUARANTEE they'll call you the next day and some how mysteriously, a job opening has appeared.

Next, make sure you get the duty assignment of your choosing, dont let them stick you in some shyt town in the middle of kansas without you having some say about it. You can have Germany, Hawaii, Italy, Japan, all included in your contract, depending on the job you choose. Pick one and stick to your guns. You can also have things like Airborne school, Ranger, etc. included in the contract as well.

And lastly, GET PAID. Pick a job that you're comfortable with and make sure it includes a bonus, nothing like joining the military with a nice fat $20,000 enlistment bonus coming along with it. Oh and you said you want to do 6 years, NEVER sign up that long for your first enlistment, you may decide that military life isnt for you and be stuck waiting out 2 or 3 years longer than you want. Do 4 years max the first time. And for the love of god, ask your recruiter what you can do to come in with some rank! You can come in as an E4 depending on your civilian education/accomplishments, crazy as it sounds, if you ever attained the "Eagle Scout" ranking in the scouts, you can come in as a specialist, crazy huh?

^ They wanted to give me like a $40,000 bonus for special forces haha

[Red370]

Originally Posted by blue660r01

^ They wanted to give me like a $40,000 bonus for special forces haha

shyt man, they are offering SF guys 70K+ just to reenlist in the warzone, insanity.

[dad]

Originally Posted by Red370

shyt man, they are offering SF guys 70K+ just to reenlist in the warzone, insanity.

I hear Afghanistan is very pretty this time of the year!

[dad]

Originally Posted by Red370

Why do these always turn into a "Oh man, join my branch" thread? The guy said hes considering joining the ARMY, and would like to know about it, not the navy, not the Air Force, not the Marines.

I've been a soldier for the last 8 years of my life, and I rose through the ranks pretty quickly. At 25 years old, I make 60k+ and enjoy free medical/dental/college benefits (family qualifies for these too), I'd say i'm much further along than many of my peers in life.

All I can say is, dont join a specific branch because you want to collect a paycheck and not have to see combat, thats the pansy way out. If you want to get paid while serving your nation admirably while getting excellent college benefits, you cant go wrong. If anything, i'd say try your damndest to get on a deployment, quick and easy way to come back with 40K+ sitting in your bank account and knock out an associates degree. I've seen it plenty of times, hell I got 19 year old privates driving 7 series BMW's and a Staff Sergeant like myself driving a GT-R. Dont let others sway your decision on your branch based on "if you dont wanna get shot at" or "you'll find more technical fields in this branch" type of comments, the Army has just the same or better opportunities believe me. PM me if you have any questions man. Did I mention that i'll be retiring at 37 years old and collecting a $3,000 paycheck for the rest of my life for sitting on my ass?

My Advice: Go to the recruiter knowing what you want. DO NOT budge from the job you wanna do, if they give you some BS like "we dont have any openings in that field", it is just that, BS. Some jobs have a specific amount of slots that need filled and if there is a shortage in one certain area, they are nudged, if you will, to present you those MOS's and say thats all thats available and thats not true at all. If they claim they cant give you the job that you want, stand up and walk right out, I GUARANTEE they'll call you the next day and some how mysteriously, a job opening has appeared.

Next, make sure you get the duty assignment of your choosing, dont let them stick you in some shyt town in the middle of kansas without you having some say about it. You can have Germany, Hawaii, Italy, Japan, all included in your contract, depending on the job you choose. Pick one and stick to your guns. You can also have things like Airborne school, Ranger, etc. included in the contract as well.

And lastly, GET PAID. Pick a job that you're comfortable with and make sure it includes a bonus, nothing like joining the military with a nice fat $20,000 enlistment bonus coming along with it. Oh and you said you want to do 6 years, NEVER sign up that long for your first enlistment, you may decide that military life isnt for you and be stuck waiting out 2 or 3 years longer than you want. Do 4 years max the first time. And for the love of god, ask your recruiter what you can do to come in with some rank! You can come in as an E4 depending on your civilian education/accomplishments, crazy as it sounds, if you ever attained the "Eagle Scout" ranking in the scouts, you can come in as a specialist, crazy huh?

Staff Sergeant top pay after 6(six)years is 32 thousand. How are you making 60K+?

How much of a bonus do they pay you if you get zentropy to enlist?


GoArmy.com > Benefits > Money > Basic Pay: Active Duty Soldiers

[STi 5]

I guess it all depends on what you like to do, what would your ideal job be in the military? Then let that determine what branch you would want to go in. If you wanna fly helicopters...well, the Army is your best bet. If you wanna be on the front lines w/ a rifle in your hands, then go for the Marines. If you want to work with computers, or fly the latest cutting edge fighters, go for the Air Force, Etc Etc Etc. Don't listen to the clowns that say "your not a man unless you are a grunt." That is complete and utter horse****. Not everyone enjoys the sound of bullets flying over their head, me included. I've been in the Air Force for 12 years now and assembling the bombs, missiles, and loading bullets for the F-16 in the rear with the gear is fine by me. Make fun of me all you want, but I love my job just fine.

Worst thing you can do is going into something like this, enlist in a certain service and job and hate it for 4-6 years. Think long and hard about what YOU want to do now and in the future, cause chances are, if your job carries over into the private sector, you can also make good money doing the same thing you liked doing on the inside.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!