Help me out here

[Batteriesnare]

Go to college. Perhaps join ROTC, but go to college. So much changed for me in my viewpoints and thinking ability and capacity from the time I was 19 to now (21, graduating college in May), and I'm thankful for the experience. You'll learn a lot about yourself and a lot about who you want to be. The military will be there when you get out, but you may not have the opportunity to go to college later.

Just my .02, please keep in mind I have not had the honor of serving in our armed forces. Good luck with your decision!

[Troublco]

Until your an 0-4 or above and your disconnected from the "men" and knee deep in paper work. The best officers in my book were the ones who were enlisted first. They knew the men better than west point grads or ROTC types.

My experience is that the prior enlisted officers go one of two ways - they are either the best officers, or they are the absolute worst.

People seem to either love or hate the military. Generally, I love what I do and I like the people I work with. I get to go places and do things most people don't. Granted, a lot of people don't want to go to those places or do those things, but I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.

Don't let what you see in the movies and on TV fool you. Security jobs are pretty dull and boring. Military Police positions are a bit different, but some folks are cut out for that sort of work and some are not; there's still lots of boring involved. Imagine sitting in a bunker for hours on end watching the same patch of ground in front of you. Some can do it, some can't.

If you really want to join the military, I say go for it. But the thing to remember is, it isn't a job you just quit if you change your mind and decide you don't like it. You dedicate yourself for 4 or 6 years, and there you go. And getting in is the hardest part. It's much harder to get in than to stay in, generally. But sometimes if you don't know what you want to do, it gives you a chance to do something while you get some experience and maybe have a chance to make up your mind about what you want to do long term. And, in the bargain, you can get some help with paying for College while you earn a paycheck with the added bonus of serving your country.

Tattoos are not what they once were. There are pretty strict limitations to them now, and they're not flexible on them. You'll have to decide what you want to do with yours once you decide whether you really want to get in or not. The military in general is changing. Fighting, overdoing alcohol, things like that are not tolerated anymore. One DUI is a huge problem, and two is an automatic discharge. And not an honorable discharge, either, at least in the Air Force. I know a couple kids who had DUI's (underage) before they came in, and they had to have waivers out the wazoo to get in.

It's a big decision, but as long as you do what's right for you, pick a direction, make a plan, and stick with it, you should do OK. And don't discount the Reserves or National Guard. They are good choices too, with different options than Active Duty. You might look into them as well, see what might work better for you. More options are always better.

[275RLTW]

Here's some advise from someone who is contracting and was in USASOC:

1. Get the tattoo removed. Whether you go into the military or not, employers do not like to see them. With competition for jobs being very tough right now, looking professional is playing more of a role than ever before.
2. Spend some time in college. EVERY soldier wants to have more college credits and never gets the time to do so. It keeps getting put off until later. Do it now, even if you don't finish.
3. Go talk to actual soldiers/marines/seamen about their jobs. Skip the lines the recruiters tell you. They are reading a script. You will learn more in 5 minutes about the job from someone who actually does it than all day with a recruiter.
4. To get the "cool" jobs, you have to pay. That means 8-10 years in special opreations and several combat deployments (just look at the requirements for Xe, TC, SOC, etc.). That's halfway to retirement just to start contracts with no guarantee in longetivity, no pension, no benefits. Don't forget the bad knees and back from miles of road marching, hard landings from bad jumps, and years of ignoring injuries to complete the mission. Remember, as an operator you are like a favorite shirt: worn everyday until the holes and smell are unbearable then tossed aside and replaced with a new one.

If you want to persue that path, then do it 110% and don't look back. It's worth every second of it. Just remember that it takes intestinal fortitude and dedication beyond what most are willing to give. Seriously look at what you want and what you're willing to give before making a decision.

Hope this helps...

[subrwho]

huge huge help all of you!

i cant thank you enough

[sniper7]

IMO there is nothing more honorable than serving your country in the military....I constantly think I should have gone in to be a pilot (what i do now). I will more than likely join the air national guard later on down the road.

Security can be extremely boring but it can be extremely important. the boring will outweigh the important about 10000/1. My best friend lost his job as an electrician, has been a security guard at the CDC for about the last year....very very very boring work, very very very odd hours (4-midnight, sometimes 4pm-4am, then in the same week 12-8, or 6-4...he just never knows (he is also the junior guy).
His Dad worked at Rocky flats for I think 20 years...never had much of anything happen, they got to shoot some cool guns, got paid pretty good and overall made the best of it.

What you need to think about it what you want to do in life, if you want to have a family, be there for them, or be a stag for a while. If you choose the later I highly recommend the military...even then those guys make families work, you just have to find the right woman.
if you go in the military, stick it out until you get retirement. I best almost every guy on here that is a vet would tell you they are happy they made it to their retirement or wish they would have. (of course there are exception though).

If anything, go to a cheap junior college that could potentially transfer credits to another college you might be interested in, take a semesters worth of classes to think about things but keep working toward your future. Even look into Metro. Great school and lots of options.

In the end, it is your decision, if you go to the military do it because you want to and because you are going to serve a high cause than yourself.

[HandKBRad]

You might consider military special forces, like Green Berets, Seals or USAF PJs, but you need to be one tough & committed dude.

One thing I would add is I’ve seen many tough & committed guys not make the cut to get in SF. If you want SF you will need to be in above average physical shape and swim like a fish.

I’ve done security in and out of the Marines. Security is super boring and most of the time it is uneventful. Even if something happens its not usually big. But for that mater Infantry is boring too. In combat arms there is a ton of down time. There is also a lot of pt, time in the field, weapons cleaning, and just plane cleaning in general. There is a lot of practice and repetition as there should be. As the saying goes you fight like you train. Fast roping, SPIE rigging, room clearing, live fire ranges sound like fun and they are a lot of fun. But you will do it all day until it is not fun.

Like others have said talk with current service members. Talk to people that are in the branches and MOS that you are interested in. If it is still what you want to do then go for it.

Even with all the suck I miss being in. Serving is one of the best thing I’ve done in my life.

[subrwho]

wow thanks again guys, honestly i have never had more helpful caring people on a forum and now that its a real life situation im very glad i joined this forum!

i think you guys have helped me not only shape my future but also let me mold it'

i strongly belive this is my future, serving this great country i can call my own, and fighting (or cleaning) for America!

im going to start my training the day after super bowl, im going to start a very intense eating habbit and get to 210 or more (no fatty here) and start high elevation climbs in the flatirons and flaggstaff, as well as weighted climbs (using back packs with weights or tons of water etc) swiming, intense workouts etc etc etc


Im going to phisicaly and emotionaly and mentaly strip my self down from my everyday habbits, and build only habbits that will help me survive, im going to make my self a complete nutcase about strength in all aspects

along with looking into college!

i honestly would have never gone to college until now!

thanks so much i cannot thank you guys enough!

[Blubyue]

The tattoo line is BS, They are testing your willingness to join. I also have a tattoo on my neck and multiple times was rejected. Go back and practically camp there, show them you want to join.

There are ALOT of waivers they can apply for to get you in. (felonies, tattoos, disabilities etc)

Dont fail that test. Sounds as if you would do well in our military

[subrwho]

^^^ thank you sir

[theGinsue]

I'd say get the tat removed and sign up. I really wish I had joined the military for a lot of different reasons. Discipline and being part of something bigger than just "me" when I was in my 20s would have made a different, and I think better person, or at least sooner. The benefits after having served are pretty good as well.

If you feel that this is what you really want to do, then do it. Windows of opportunity are too short. Like MarkCO pointed out, there are a lot of advantages to joining the military - but really give your decisio plenty of thought; especially about what career field you want to work in. Have an alternate career field field choice in mind in case you don't get into a Special Operations field as these positions are limited and difficult to get into.

Until your an 0-4 or above and your disconnected from the "men" and knee deep in paper work. The best officers in my book were the ones who were enlisted first. They knew the men better than west point grads or ROTC types.

MOST of the time this is correct. I experienced a few prior-enlisted officers that felt like they finally got to get revence on every enlisted member (esp. NCO's) that they felt ever wronged them - usually by proxy.

I see a lot of folks urging you to go to college, get your degree and then pursue your career choice. For the most part, I agree with this. The value of a college education can not be underestimated. Even if you do join the military Special Ops, or any other area, or even go into law enforcement, some day you may be injured and your days in that career are over - then what? What if you get tired of that career path? There aren't a lot of career choices for a Special Op's troop outside of the military.

Have a plan. Have a backup plan.

If you get the tat removed and join the military without a degree, take every opportunity to earn that degree while you are serving.