So basically, I'm planning to go to the Navy or the Air Force but most likely the Navy. I'm usually the type who's afraid to take a step forward. This is a big decision to make and I just want to make sure that this is the right thing to do.

I don't really want to talk to a recruiter cause they usually make it sound all nice and happy over there. I want some advice to those who are in the military. How was your experience? Did you feel like you changed since you went into the military?

What are your reasons and what are your current circumstances?

^ You mean reasons for joining? Ever since high school, I've always wanted to join. This sounds overrated probably but I've always wanted to serve my country and also, I'll be honest, I also like the benefits. I've went to a recruiter a couple of times and knew that it's what I want to do.

It never pushed through because my mother never supported me. Right now, we're having financial problems. My parents' credit score is pretty bad so we can't get a loan. We can't afford college so I've talked to my parents and finally convinced them to let me go to the military to help pay for college. I'm a nursing student and I plan to go through their nursing program.

I just want to hear what the real experiences are in the military. Basically, recruiters are there to entice people to join so they tell you all these great things about it. I just want to make sure that I'm ready for this. When I enter, I want to prepare myself for whatever they throw at me.

Marine instructors who would make you piss your pants, literally.

Thats all i know.

and recruiters aren't so bright in general.

I was so close in joining the military last year. I took the test, and got on the delayed entry program. I went to MEPS where they assess you physically, you select a job, and departure date for boot camp. I passed everything. Went through the workouts, but I couldn't go, because my ulcer was acting up. From my experience you're going to have 2 physical assessment tests at boot camp. Which are like basic swimming, push ups, running 1.5 miles, and sit ups.

Just keeping it real. Some recruiters are douche bags no matter what branch, and some are cool. You're probably attractive so the recruiters are going to be cool with you. Boot camp for the Navy is in Great Lakes, IL. It really bothered me for a while that I couldn't go, because of my health. I've seen posts from people in the military here. I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me can help you. I hope what I said hoped though.

It's not much to brag about, but the extent of my military career is pretty much summed up by 2 months of delivery service while enlisted in the Salvation Army and a summer's worth of cashiering duty while serving the Old Navy.

Hey Hermit, you gotta come up with some new stuffs. I've heard about the Old Navy one from you before.

Good.
Then you know that I'm not lying and really not just making stuff up as I go along.

You mean the guys from the recruitement center? I've always thought they were nice people. I mean, they have to be nice to those who are thinking of joining the military right? They were nice to me when I last visited and I'm not that actractive.

I guess I'm just scared of the boot camp part but the recruiters made it sound like it's easy but I don't buy that crap. That's why I'm asking for everyone's opinion here. Someone who's not a recruiter.

Greetings from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Before you cement anything about the military in your mind, decide what it is that you want to do while you serve, otherwise the next 4-8 years of your life under military regulation is going to suck. By the way, this is unconfirmed, but I've heard the Navy has filled its recruiting quota up to 2012 already.

And yes, recruiters will lie, lie, lie to you so be on the lookout. Don't be afraid to ask questions and never sign anything you are unsure of, even if they tell you they'll work it out later. In other words, have a sense of what you're about to do. And as for boot camp, I wouldn't worry about it to much. After all, it is the Chair Force and Navy

I forgot to mention, there is such a thing as a Reservist... Find out more if you want. I'm not sure if the Air Force or Navy offers 92-days reservist programs or the such. And you can always look into officer programs if you plan on going to college through the military.

^thanks for the info!

When the recruiting qouta is filled does that mean they won't be accepting new recruits anymore until 2012?

I'm currently in the army, don't join...your selling your soul

that's how i usually interpreted it.
it's like selling your soul to become a pawn of the government.

Erm... thanks for the advice but I've made up my mind already. I don't think it's all that bad. I've seen people who were changed after they joined the military and no, they didn't convince me to join. Never talk to me about it to either.

Why would you say that? Just curious.

Once you join, you are US government property. No freedom to come and go as you please. If you are in a relationship it will put considerable amounts of strain on it. That's pretty much it, but if you can survive it, the military is nice for the discipline it teaches and for the generous revised GI bill for paying for college. It's also a nice period of hesitation if you haven't figured out what you want to do with your life and need some time to sort things out in terms of direction.

If you go reservist like someone brought up, that's some semblance to being a civilian in that you can also go to school and sleep at home and report back to your base or post for one weekend a month then do some training stuff halfway in the year. I'm not familiar with how Navy reserves work but that's how Marines reserves do it. All questions pretty much ask your recruiter. Just know that yes he will sugar coat a lot of stuff.

I'm not sure whether it's still going on but last I heard they were offering hefty bonuses, but in this recession and people looking for jobs, they (Marines, Army, and possibly Navy) have already reached their quotas of recruitment.

I'm currently in the canadian army and am enjoying all the perks that it brings. It's a great experience, good money, good benefits. I'm working on my degree through the military as well.

Which army are you considering joining?

Pog.

OP:
bro dont do it. i dont know about most jobs in the navy but i do know that if youre a corpsman youre going to be doing the same mini cooper as me (infantryman). i kinda regret joining the military. college life is much better and you have basically no freedom in the service. me and my buds would drive 3 hours to get away from base and other marines and have fun. it gets old.

the benefits are pretty good but nothing in life is free. you will sacrifice.

You wanna join the navy or air force it should be by your choice

My mother is ex military Weapons specialist and she was station in Germany back in 1977-1980. Retire from Manatee County Sheriff department as a booking clerk and correction officer. She earn her AA in Business Administration after living the military. she had my eldest brother and decide to leave by her husband choice.

My brother's father was in the Army retired form Orange County Florida Sheriff Department as a road officer and corrections.

My brother served 3 years in the Army station in Seoul South Korea for a year was medically discharge. He worked in military intelligence and was able to join the academy but shot it down then was sent to South Korea to follow out his duties were he became ill which led to his discharge.


Make sure you have a goal while you join the military. Do not be surprise it you are quickly station overseas and that you'll get your ass handed to you in basic training.You can be medically discharge during basic unable to resign. The best way to start a military career is to be focus on a real world career goal that can be met during your stay in the military. Specially if you plan to stay for a long time unless you plan to be involve in combat, Not all do but you may have to or play baby sitter.(Border control/guarding) Each military can specialize in certain career depends on your choice and how you score (you will go through testing). You should take this a little more seriously.

The benefits of being in the military is

Hosing (family only mostly or its the barracks for you but after basic)
Medical
Job
Career training/College degree earning paid by military
VA benefits
GI Bill (worth up to 20,000-50,000 plus) This you can use towards education or house buying once you leave or still active.
Easy job placement (special if you are going into law enforcement or government jobs)
Retirement from service (if plan to do 20-30 years)

My best bet if you haven't fired a gun before you should start going to the firing ranges now so you have some experience.Prepare yourself for the physical training also that is intense. Early morning wake up calls and living with a bunch of dudes.

Please look at each branch yourself before joining its a serious commitment and it will change your life for better or the worse but it'll change it forever.

US Military
https://secure.military.com/Recruiting/page..._rec_armydvd.kw

Army
http://www.army.mil/

National Guard (Homeland security)
http://www.nationalguard.com/

Coast guard
http://www.uscg.mil/

Marine Corp
http://www.marines.com/?WT.srch=1&WT.m...XW101AXXABX0607

Air Force
http://www.airforce.com/

Navy
http://www.navy.com/?campaign=Reprise_Goog...neral_Navy_Text

ROTC
https://secure.military.com/Recruiting/requ...w&partner=7

Military Academy/Universities

United States Military West Point Academy
http://www.usma.edu/

America Military University
http://www.amu.apus.edu/army?GCID=S15412x0...ATCHTYPE=search

Marine Academy
http://www.mma-tx.org/?c1=ppc&source=G...CFQIMswodzln7BA

Navy College programs/Academy
http://militarydegrees.net/programs/dlp/in...CFQZfswodq2n4Bg
http://www.usna.edu///homepage.php

Air force
http://www.usafa.af.mil/index.cfm?catname=AFA%20Homepage

National Guard
http://www.ngycp.org/site/

Coast Guard
http://www.cga.edu/


I gave you a lot of info because I have family who serve this country with pride. Do this because you want to and its something your passionate about. Don't be foolish on making your finally decision. This is info that you make it upon yourself to find out about.

US Military in South Korea

South Korea
http://www.usfk.mil/usfk/Default.aspx?Aspx...CookieSupport=1

Don't Forget To Support Troops
https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=869&
http://www.operationhomefront.net/
http://www.freedomisnotfree.com/?gclid=CLO...CFQZfswodq2n4Bg

If you're going to go into the Navy, please make sure that you have some kind of job in mind. Don't go in blindly. They will put you just about anywhere and you will do the worst jobs. If you have a very good ASVAB score, make sure that you ask about the Navy College Fund. The Navy also now is offering a good MGIB post 911. It consists of paying your tuition for you and get a monthly allowance of 1600 to live on after serving 4 years I believe. If you're going to go in as a Nuclear Eng. or something, you're never going to see the sun and make sure that you're ready for some long hours. Honestly, the Navy is probably the safest military that you can go into. You're usually on a boat in the middle of the ocean or you're on shore. But you don't really go infantry. Unless you're a corpsman (medic) or in a unit that is deploying there (such as EOD). Of course it's not easy being in the military. I learned first hand that if you just shut your trap, get to work on time and do your job, you're going to do well.

i wonder if military is correlated to quarter mid-life crisis.

you know. boot-camp itself may not be so bad itself. my friend changed positively. but it's AFTER boot-camp that's the problem.
but by statistics.. men in the military have a lot of mental problems. also ptsd. etc etc.

Thanks for all the advice. I've considered both sides and I've decided I still want to go. I've chosen a career already in the Navy but I might have to change it in the middle of bootcamp. I have no plans of becoming a corpman since I'll be deployed. I'm currently on DEP right now, shipping out to bootcamp next year, can't wait! I've done a lot of research about bootcamp, it looks intense especially the PT so I'm hitting the gym to get physically fit. I do hope that I get out alive. I'm not only here for the money, I really want to better myself in what I do and I believe the military will help me with my goals.

Welcome aboard future sailor. I'm also in DEP and awaiting Great Lakes in December. I have 3 longtime buddies in the Navy and I usually get updated with whats going on in their worlds.

They give me in-depth lowdowns. Bootcamp is nowhere near as bad as you might think, they've all told me if you can run 1 mile in 10 1/2mins, then Bootcamp is a walk in the park. Also, just do everything your superiors order you to, and volunteer for everything that is put out there, it will only make you look good and also a team-player. Also since you're in DEP, attend your monthly DEP meetings at your recruiter, they will help you prepare physically and mentally for Bootcamp.

If you're worried about post-Bootcamp life, just remember, the Navy-life is how you make it out to be. If you decide to invest your free time chillaxin', thats up to your discretion. If you decide to focus on school/post-service career, then that is also your discretion.

nice little updated video on Great Lakes Training Center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMUHFQnj7uI

The oddest thing is I'm talking to guy who is in the Navy. he works on weather radar, pretty much forecasting. He is doing an 8 years service but he is also attending school. he pulls some 12 hours plus days and right now he is station in Mississippi.Are you looking for someone to speak to who is on active duty?

I'm not joining the Navy, but my boyfriend is. He's currently in DEP and waiting on bootcamp at Great Lakes.
My main question is, how hard is a s/o being in the Navy on a relationship? We plan on getting married and starting
a family once I'm out of college and have started my career.

I just want to know what should I expect while he's away? We're already in a LDR (I'm in Mississippi and he's
in Louisiana). Especially when we decide to become husband and wife.

PS - I do know that I'm under the age limit to post in this subforum. However, I need advice from mature adults who have experienced something along the lines of this.

I've been in the Air Force for over four years now, and reenlisted for another four. Just realize that if you're gonna do this for money and benefits, and only those reasons.... I would advise against it.

Boot camp is not that bad, it's more like a bad summer camp. But I've seen so many punk kids that figured they can get an easy paycheck doing nothing go through thinking that it's gonna be a total walk in the park... only to end up losing their heads, and get kicked out. Quite a few even tried killing themselves. I don't know how many kids tried pulling some stupid stunt just to try and get out. It's all mind games go to weed out the punk kids. I thought the most fun about boot camp was doing the field exercises: obstacle course, getting exposed to tear gas and mace (without a mask), shooting the M16, etc.

Still, many such punk kids learned quick to play the game and make it through. Those are the ones that make life hell for everyone else around them, the people that do care about their jobs. And when I was stationed overseas in Japan, they'd also create international incidents. I remember this one brand new jet engine mechanic who robber a shoe store in Japan, took police on a car chase, crashed into an expensive Japanese-owned pillar... they arrested him but couldn't try him as an adult because he wasn't 20 years old yet. So they gave him back to us and we stuck him in a military prison.

And that was just one such example. Without punks like that, military life would be a bit less harder... a bit less restrictive in home life.

As far as jobs are concerned.... the difficulty varies. You could be a finance troop, working 7-8 hours a day, 5 days a week in an office... so you never get dirty on the job. Or you could be like me, an aircraft crew chief... often working 10-14 hours a day 5,6 or even 7 days a week getting exposed to various hazardous chemicals on the job (jet fuel, hydraulic fluid, oil, sealants, etc) and hazardous industrial accidents could always happen (having an engine dropped on you, losing fingers, eyes, etc). No doubt, there are still a lot of tougher jobs out there. But all careerfields are deployable.... meaning they go downrange to Iraq, Afghanistan or a nearby host country that supports our operations. Usually the tours are only 4 months long, some longer... up to a year. Generally, Air Force deployments to those regions are safer than Army or Marine Corps. Though we've lost Airman that helping with convoy escorts, civil engineering, security detail or participating in special operations. Air Force Pararescue Jumpers, Combat Controllers, Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and Special Operations Combat Weathermen working alongside Army Rangers, Army Special Forces (Green Berets), Marine Corps Force Recon, Navy SEALS, etc. Air Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal is another high danger careerfield that deploys for a year at a time.

So if you're afraid of combat, don't sign up for any of the special operations jobs, explosive ordinance disposal, or security forces (base cops). In other careerfields you'll always have the small chance of being combat, but most often not. In the years I've been in as a crew chief, I've only met a couple of fellow mechanics that were involved in combat. I myself haven't, and I highly doubt I will when I deploy next year (not going to Iraq or Afghanistan, but still somewhere in the desert). But I'll still be expecting. An old military saying goes: "Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail."

Oh, and Air Force physical fitness has been on the up and up these past few years. About 10 years ago, the fitness test was ridiculously easy.... you rode a bike for like, 20 minutes or something like that. Now it's a bit more difficult, but not too bad. So if you're one of those sedentary kids that only play video games and don't like to be active, likely you won't be able to make it.... I've seen too many of those too.

Minimum requirements:

1.5 mile run in at least 13:30 minutes (60% of total score)
33 pushups within 1 minute (10% of total score)
42 situps within 1 minute (10% of total score)
Waist size of less than 39 inches (20% of total score)

But if you only do the minimums for each component, you'll fail.

For 100% score:

1.5 mile run 9:12
67 pushups
58 situps
32.5 inch waist

The Air Force conducts fitness tests twice a year now.

Feel free to pm me about more info.

I'm a Reservist in the Coast Guard, but was active before. If you are joining for financial reasons, it might not be the best choice. The money isn't the greatest, but most people join for the benefits such as medical and college. Since you are a nursing student, are you thinking about being a Corpsman? If so, the odds are you will be deployed to the Middle East. The Marine Corps does not have a Corpsman MOS and rely on the Navy to support them, since they are in the same department. I have a buddy who is a Navy Corpsman and just left last month and is in Afghanistan right now.

As for boot camp, it is very tough. The CG boot camp is very strict. The first day they take all your stuff and lock it (like cell phones, pictures, etc) and you don't get to make phone calls until your 7th week. It was very physically and mentally challenging for me and alot of people got discharged. Many people couldn't pass the physical fitness test. One girl told the instructors that she wanted to commit suicide (whether it was true or not), but the CG didn't want to take any chances and discharged her. Boot camp is what you make of it. Definately train for it. If you're serious about joining the military, then at least prepare for it. I was suprised to see so many people who couldn't do the 1.5 mile run.

Anyhow if you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.

im thinkin the same though im in canada. I believe benefits and pay is better in the states.. anyways im thinkin of joining the reserves part time and they pay $200 a night a week which is pretty good. I don't know if im in it for the money or actually want to serve the country. but you should just do it part-time to see how it goes

Joining the Army 11x option 40, hopefully i will be an 11 bravo and not an 11 charlie. Im enlisting to become more disciplined and to fight for my country with the best god damn light infantry unit the United States has to offer.

Hey so my boyfriend was in the navy for 6 years and hated all of it >.< He had wanted to be an office worker in the military but they gave him his third choicce in jobs (i guess u choose 3?) which was a medical assistant (corpsman??). He went in pretty early so he was pretty inexperienced, only knowing that one day he wanted to be in graphic design because he is a talented artist. They also told him he would only have to serve 4 years and then he can get his GI bill to go to any college, but they actually made him stay for 6 years, serving part of that in the middle east also. On the other hand, he spent about a year in japan, where he always wanted to go probably only because he got along well with the person who sent him there. It was a close call because someone who didn't get along with him was going to send him somewhere else.

He's almost 30 now and is really upset that he spent all the time in the military and could be pursuing his dream right now... but he feels like he wasted 6 years before he started his dream =( So if you actually want to work in the medical field, you might be ok. There are some people who go on power trips so if they don't like you, they will make you miserable >>.<< My boyfriend had been in a few cases where if he didn't agree with something his super said (or if they were wrong) they would make him do extra stuff or always give him the worst jobs etc. There was one case where this guy like threw a fit because my boyfriend kind of looks islander, but he is actually cambodian and this guy was like NO UR FILIPINO I KNOW WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE GRRRRR and my boyfriend was like.. um.. i know what nationality I am and its not filipino..... and the guy got so pissed at him wtf. One of my friends is in the middle east and everyone got their internet priveledges taken away because their super got upset >.<

I'm not speaking for everyone but he was often put in situations like that where people freak out about the strangest things >.< Scared me away from joining even though it wasn't really my thing anyway haha So if you're good at staying on people's good sides and probably doing more than you're told to do you'll be ok? I would probably join too if I were in your situation... To help my parents. With going to college though, can't you apply for financial aid? Your parents don't have to pay for it you know!

the perks you get are amazing. and i heard it one hell of an experience.
if you are confident that you WANT to go, but dont kno what to expect, im sure youll be fine.
everyone is afraid of the unknown.

So my husband is in the Air Force.Yes yes, I am an official "military wife" but I am not spoiled or snotty or think my husband rank is my rank. Anyway, with that being said, I am a nurse. as well as a student. While the military does not pay GREAT, the benefits are AMAZING. it is NOT EASY, it is not glamourous, you are serving your country ultimately and it sucks sometimes. My husband got sent to the dreaded "desert" this summer, everyone does a "hardship" tour at least once in their military career. But he is home now. We are so happy and blessed.

But my husband's job is one of those dream military jobs. Sucks for me, but GREAT for him. He services the american embassy satellite equiptment. He leaves every other month for one month and he travels ALL AROUND the world, I am talking travel channel stuff. He stays in 5 star hotels, and flies first class. Paris, Rome, Eqypt, he's been there. When he is home, he works 7am to 4pm pretty cushy hours if you ask me. It is REALLY a dream job and he worked REALLY hard to get where he is. What I am trying to say is that the military is like anything else, If you work hard, and do as you are told, you will have a GREAT experience, but if you fight the system, your life will be hell.

i'm active duty Marine corps and i'm deployed in the philippines right now. The biggest piece of advice i can give you is do your research, but take what everyone else says lightly. Other people aren't you so what they think is hard may be easy to you. what some people can't handle emotionally or mentally others have no problem with. not to make myself sound badass or hard or anything but i had no problem in bootcamp, but i always did sports and was active before i joined. basic training is nothing to sweat, not even Marine Corps bootcamp. If you can't stand being away from people you know or home for extended periods of time, i'd heavily advise against enlisting. i've been home collectively maybe a month in the past 3 years. Your not always gonnna like it, but opportunities will arise from it. I've been to korea twice basically on paid vacations in Seoul. I was taught a foreign language, and i've been more places than most people my age and when i decide to get out i'll have a high paying job with out a college degree. also on that note while your in they have the tuition assistance program where you get 4500 a year to spend on college courses. also the new gi bill hooks you up. so take other people's advice with a huge grain of salt, and make your own decision and make it your own unique experience.