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Nowadays you do stand a HUGE chance of getting sent to a war zone. If you enlist in the air force you can apply for OTS to become an officer. If you can't get into OTS and go enlisted, I believe you can become an E-3 which I believe is still an A1C.
As you have a degree, make sure you talk to an officer recruiter for each branch first or at least before you sign anything to enlist. I know with the Marines it's mandated that everyone with a degree or enrolled in college is screened by the officer selection team, but am not sure if it's that way with every branch. Don't listen to any hogwash anyone might tell you'll make a better officer and get more respect from enlisted if you are enlisted first. You'll get respect by taking care of your troops and listening to your NCOs.
As an enlisted man (who has a college degree btw), I pretty much have to agree with this. Some of the worst officers I've had were prior enlisted. Some good ones were too. Officers who take care of their troops are respected, regardless of background. Based on what you have said, I think you'd fit in best as an officer in a technical field. Like the other posters have said, talk to recruiters from all branches.
all the certifications and classes you take in the military, are they useful in civilian careers or would all that be wasted once you get out?
Anything you learn in life should not be wasted...
The military can be what you make of it. You can benefit or you can waste your own time... Your question is really almost impossible to answer. When I retired in 1990, I started a job using my previous skills and experience and added college classes and maturity. I was able to earn enough to fully retire at age 52.
I joined the military after graduating college with a BS in Business, got a MS in Electrical Engineering in the Navy, after 20 years retired and worked in the civilian world as an Aeronautics Engineer. Retired with two nice pensions.
One of my sons joined military with MS in Biology, received two additional MS' in military, unrelated to his original degree, and now works in intel field.
Suggest you take advantage of all educational opportunities the military has to offer. There are great benefits to be derived.
ok back to what submariner on the first page said:
Quote:
As a GS-3 [for example] they will pay for you to attend courses to get certifications. As your collection of certs grows, you can keep applying for other positions up to 2 pay-grades higher. Once selected your then in that position [GS-5], taking more courses, and applying for GS-6 and 7 openings. I once worked with a GS-15, it was funny the trail that he had followed of completely different fields of work.
so the different certifications you need to advance in rank and pay or move to another position, are they likely to be things you can put on a civilian resume and be transferable in a related civilian field or do most civilian employers ignore military certifications as not relevant?
You might have a hard time getting into OTS if you haven't had any employement in 4 years, but it's certainly worth a shot.
If you apply for the Air Force and the Navy, you'll have to take a test that is similiar to the SAT, but also involves questions pertaining to aircraft.
I'm not sure about the Army, but the Marines will require you to take the ASVAB, but it is of little importance. The Marines care more about whether or not you can run 3 miles in 18 minutes, do 20 dead hang pullups, and 100 crunches in 2 minutes.
If you cannot do any of these things, your chances of becomming a Marine officer are slim to none. Last I checked officer canidates were averaging around 290 out of 300 possible points on their PT scores.
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