I've come from a military family, so maybe I'm bias, but you have to evaluate the reasons why you want to serve. I'm not going to sugar coat you or glorify war or the military, but you HAVE to ask yourself: "Why do I want to do this?" This is important. I know everyone says this, but hear me out.
The military is public service, like law enforcement, fire rescue, and EMS. There are lots of parts that are going to suck. You also have to accept that the moment you make your pledge, you could get injured or possibly die. You will have to deal with people who act like hard-asses just because they have rank on you, and you will have to kiss a lot of ass for promotions, or possibly to get the job you want. You also must listen to orders, seriously. A lot of people have problems with this, and if you don't like listening to a superior despite any personal bias you might have with them, I'd say don't join.
Now with that out of the way, the good stuff. If you can deal with those things, then you serve a cause that's a lot bigger than yourself. The military isn't about improving yourself, that's a direct side effect from service. It's about serving others, and learning how to be a good person and a good citizen. They will teach you everything from how to eat, sleep, and how to make your bed, properly.
Some of the benefits are that you can get an education funded by the government, and possibly from there go officer if you feel ready. Study anything you want. The military will teach you dicipline and how to deal with hardship, so for you? College will be nothing.
You will have to work odd hours. Holidays. Vacations. You will have to adjust quickly to change. And of course, as you might know, enlisted pay is pretty shit.
But again, it's about serving others, not yourself. There are a lot of benefits like the education part I mention, being physically fit, getting to meet people that will become basically your family, and lifelong medical care + many other benefits I'm missing. It's a trade off. But you have to decide whether given the shit you gotta deal with if that's worth it.
If you feel ANYTHING that deters you from wanting to do it, I would say look up some YouTube videos for info, and do your own research. Draw your own conclusions then decide if it's for you. No one can help you with the decision, it's about you pledging yourself to the government, becoming essentially property, and serving a cause far greater than yourself. If you are okay with that, go for it.
Don't do reserves unless you are currently working a dayjob you enjoy. I have a hard time recommending reserves/guard since it's honestly a joke. You will pretty much get similar training and experiences but it will cut so much into your civillian life you will just be wondering "why didn't I just go active duty?"
Going reserve to active is a bitch and requires a lot of time and paper work. Going active to reserve is a lot easier. So if you are going to do it, I recommend active.
Consider all the branches depending on what you want to do. Your job is called your Military Occupational Specialty, or MOS, but in the Navy I think they call it your "rate". Look into the different jobs each branch has. You can find tons of info online these days.
If you want to see combat, join the Marines. If you want the more traditional military experience, join the Army. If you want to see the world, join the Navy. If you want to fly or you want to do something technical or hands on, join the Air Force, but do well on your ASVAB, like at least an 80.
Coast Guard is good too if you don't want to be deployed or see direct combat. They work more in the realm of rescue and their main enemy atm is honestly drug runners. Though keep in mind, the Coast Guard isn't in the Department of Defense, it's in Homeland Security. So it's a bit different.
Do your research. And if you aren't in college yet and you are under 21, consider the Military Academies.
I was in the Army, but I would also recommend going full-time Air Force. And I'm going to dispute one claim in throw-away's reply. You don't have to "kiss ass" to get a promotion in the Air Force or in any other branch of service. Just do your job to the best of your ability and try to go above and beyond whenever possible. The promotions will come based on your merit, not your ass-kissing.
I not sure if I want to do national guard of military(air force)
← View full post
Don't listen to the other guy.
I've come from a military family, so maybe I'm bias, but you have to evaluate the reasons why you want to serve. I'm not going to sugar coat you or glorify war or the military, but you HAVE to ask yourself: "Why do I want to do this?" This is important. I know everyone says this, but hear me out.
The military is public service, like law enforcement, fire rescue, and EMS. There are lots of parts that are going to suck. You also have to accept that the moment you make your pledge, you could get injured or possibly die. You will have to deal with people who act like hard-asses just because they have rank on you, and you will have to kiss a lot of ass for promotions, or possibly to get the job you want. You also must listen to orders, seriously. A lot of people have problems with this, and if you don't like listening to a superior despite any personal bias you might have with them, I'd say don't join.
Now with that out of the way, the good stuff. If you can deal with those things, then you serve a cause that's a lot bigger than yourself. The military isn't about improving yourself, that's a direct side effect from service. It's about serving others, and learning how to be a good person and a good citizen. They will teach you everything from how to eat, sleep, and how to make your bed, properly.
Some of the benefits are that you can get an education funded by the government, and possibly from there go officer if you feel ready. Study anything you want. The military will teach you dicipline and how to deal with hardship, so for you? College will be nothing.
You will have to work odd hours. Holidays. Vacations. You will have to adjust quickly to change. And of course, as you might know, enlisted pay is pretty shit.
But again, it's about serving others, not yourself. There are a lot of benefits like the education part I mention, being physically fit, getting to meet people that will become basically your family, and lifelong medical care + many other benefits I'm missing. It's a trade off. But you have to decide whether given the shit you gotta deal with if that's worth it.
If you feel ANYTHING that deters you from wanting to do it, I would say look up some YouTube videos for info, and do your own research. Draw your own conclusions then decide if it's for you. No one can help you with the decision, it's about you pledging yourself to the government, becoming essentially property, and serving a cause far greater than yourself. If you are okay with that, go for it.
Don't do reserves unless you are currently working a dayjob you enjoy. I have a hard time recommending reserves/guard since it's honestly a joke. You will pretty much get similar training and experiences but it will cut so much into your civillian life you will just be wondering "why didn't I just go active duty?"
Going reserve to active is a bitch and requires a lot of time and paper work. Going active to reserve is a lot easier. So if you are going to do it, I recommend active.
Consider all the branches depending on what you want to do. Your job is called your Military Occupational Specialty, or MOS, but in the Navy I think they call it your "rate". Look into the different jobs each branch has. You can find tons of info online these days.
If you want to see combat, join the Marines. If you want the more traditional military experience, join the Army. If you want to see the world, join the Navy. If you want to fly or you want to do something technical or hands on, join the Air Force, but do well on your ASVAB, like at least an 80.
Coast Guard is good too if you don't want to be deployed or see direct combat. They work more in the realm of rescue and their main enemy atm is honestly drug runners. Though keep in mind, the Coast Guard isn't in the Department of Defense, it's in Homeland Security. So it's a bit different.
Do your research. And if you aren't in college yet and you are under 21, consider the Military Academies.
Sorry this is long, just wanted to be thorough.
--
farkelu
5 years ago
|
pl
Comment Hidden (
show
)
Report
0
0
-
TheBlindInquisitor
5 years ago
|
pl
Comment Hidden (
show
)
Report
0
0
I was in the Army, but I would also recommend going full-time Air Force. And I'm going to dispute one claim in throw-away's reply. You don't have to "kiss ass" to get a promotion in the Air Force or in any other branch of service. Just do your job to the best of your ability and try to go above and beyond whenever possible. The promotions will come based on your merit, not your ass-kissing.
I read it all and will take that into account.