Guild of Writers

I am debating right now enlisting in the military. The main reason is my finances, when you own $50,000 in student loans with no job in sight...

The benefits of a career in the military would outweigh the cons of it all. Still I am debating enlisting or not.

If I should decide to go ahead, I will make at least one more release of Chamassa and Aquh before putting them to bed for awhile. I am close to another release of Chamassa ready now.

Going into the military doesn't equal being put into war. It seems you have quite an education and could probably get into something within the military that won't require you running into a battle zone.

I hope it works out for you, it's tough times for a lot of people.

One other thing you may want to look into is officer training. If you have a degree I'd check into it. Be careful which you choose, Also take everything the recruiter says with a grain of salt and get everything in writing if possible

Goofy wrote:Also take everything the recruiter says with a grain of salt and get everything in writing if possible

The above quote can not be heeded enough. They are worst than any used car dealers trying to sell you the car the little old lady only drove to church on Sundays.

I am not sure how it is today. During the Viet-Nam era for some comparison.

Check out each branch of military to see what is being offered. If you have a skill set that is in demand you might be able to do some picking & choosing instead of be told what you will do.

All the below came with a total of 6 year commitment. X years active and the rest in-active reserves. They are calling up in-active reserves these days.

2 years active enlist – you’re going into combat.

3 years active enlist - ? I don’t remember

4 years active enlist – higher level of training depending on test scores & you’re going into a combat zone. Score high enough and get offered OCS (Officer Candidate School) and become an officer but now you have to do 6 active years.

6 years active minimum for officer – crap shoot of what you do.

Be thankful there is no draft. Draftees had very little to no choice. 2 years and into combat.

I enlisted USMC for 4 years. RVN '69 & '70

Reading these posts "Private Benjamin" came to mind.

"Is green the only color these come in?" And what happened to the all the tropical vacations?

Wutt Evah wrote:Reading these posts "Private Benjamin" came to mind.

"Is green the only color these come in?" And what happened to the all the tropical vacations?

Good to see you again Wutt. I have missed your lighter side.

On the less than lighter side.

The biggest thing to keep in mind is once you have signed on the dotted line with our Uncle Sam is you are now expendable. You can become cannon fodder for the greater good.

Been there, done that… and made it back…

OooRHa!

Being of some pacifistic and anti-authoritarian (but collectivistic) persuasions, my two cents worth can only be a long string of iterations of the word "no", but I've never been alack for work, so I speak from too comfortable a position to advice someone in your's. :7

I can't speak for everyone who's served their country - but can say that it was probably the single-most-important decision I've made in my life. They really straighten you out (even if you don't need it ). Personally, the military was the best thing to happen to me. Hehe, they'll make a man out of you. Plus, the feelings of pride, accomplishment, comraderie, etc.. are almost intoxicating... Especially the first time you see yourself in that uniform.

All that, not to mention the places you'll see and people you'll meet. There are many, many good things about the Armed Services.

However, much of it really sucks. You'll learn good habits, like getting somewhere 20 minutes early - just to wait 2 hours. You'll also learn how to eat a full meal (including desert) in about 3.5 minutes...., while being screamed at.... If you can deal with that part - it can be a lot of fun!

Goofy wrote:One other thing you may want to look into is officer training. If you have a degree I'd check into it. Be careful which you choose, Also take everything the recruiter says with a grain of salt and get everything in writing if possible

I talked with the Recruiter about OCS (Officer Candidate School), and due to my age I would have to have a waiver. He said even then there is a good chance that I wouldn't get into OCS anyways.

semplerfi wrote:Check out each branch of military to see what is being offered. If you have a skill set that is in demand you might be able to do some picking & choosing instead of be told what you will do.

I checked out Navy and Air Force and I have already passed their age cap. I didn't try the Marines as I half expected to have past their age cap also. Army is the only one that I have yet to pass the age cap for.

ZURI wrote:However, much of it really sucks. You'll learn good habits, like getting somewhere 20 minutes early - just to wait 2 hours. You'll also learn how to eat a full meal (including desert) in about 3.5 minutes...., while being screamed at.... If you can deal with that part - it can be a lot of fun!

Sounds like some of the stuff I already do. I am usually 15 minutes early anywhere I go. I can usually woof down my food in 3 minutes without much problem.