I Need Advice about Joining the Military!!! (AFR, National Guard, officers)

[gonemom]

I applaud you on wanting to mix service with practicality. That being said I will give you a few "reality checks" if you'll allow. I am a Navy wife, Marine Corps officer's daughter, Air Force ex-wife and Naval Officer's Auntie. I was also in the Army for 5 minutes so I have first-hand experience on this topic.
First & foremost, you are joining an institution & as such you will become "institutionalized" as to being formed into their image. If you can release your desire for autonomy, separate Me-the-Individual from Me-the-Service-Member, & give up on having expectations fulfilled then you'll be OK. Rigid structure that seems illogical is going to be your norm. There are benefits in the military but you have to be realistic as to how much crap you'll tolerate for them. My husband was to retire this November but now is on Medical Hold for a minimum of another 9 months. He was injured two years ago and has been trying to get this resolved ever since. We thought that since he had been making efforts to get this fixed well before his release date he'd retire on time. Nope. As with every single person we know who has been Medically Retired, the process didn't officially start until 6 months prior to his exit date and we will most likely be out 18 months AFTER his separation date. This means, we have absolutely no clue when he'll leave so I am moving back to Oregon, without him, to get my life settled first. When he gets out he'll have a safe place to deinstitutionalize and settle back into being a civilian. There is no Perfect Branch; the military is run by messy, flawed, untidy people just like everything else. Expect the worst; then nothing can rattle your cage.

[Raleigh_native]

OP, I am from Raleigh, about your age, and former Navy. I am in somewhat similar shoes.

I got injured in training, surgeries couldn't fix my injuries, and I'm back in Raleigh again. While in grad school I considered trying to go into the Air Force since I probably can't go back to sea. I'm still considering it.

My husband has never been in the military. It's really hard for him to support my dreams because he's an only child who is used to lots of attention. He doesn't want to fend for himself while I deploy, and he would prefer a good southern wife who will be home with dinner on the table. The military was everything to me, and it still means a whole lot to me. I hope I never have to choose between my husband and the military!!

This is a really big decision for you to make, and it's possible that it could hurt or strain other relationships in your life. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but it's a possibility. My mother never liked me being in the Navy. She was patriotic and supported my father and other relatives in the military, but she didn't want her daughter in harm's way. We had so many arguments about it, and now that she has passed away I feel badly that I caused her so much worry. I believe she was proud, though, that I followed my dreams.

Research all the branches -- I have to say that the Air Force sounds like the best fit for you -- and follow your heart. The military changed me forever and it's the best thing I have ever done.

I wish you lots of luck with your decision and please keep asking questions!!

[rd2007]

I'm retired Navy working as an Air Force contractor, so guess which two I would choose
I would still choose those two even if I didn't have the same history, mostly because the chances of you doing your actual job are much better. The Army takes people to fill holes and I personally couldn't stand that. The Marines are special people and I'll leave it at that..

[kygman]

Originally Posted by crazyma

I agree with blazer. I have numerous family members who are or were in the different branches of the military. And I would agree that the Air Force would the better choice. Definitely a 'kinder' choice...

thank you for your willingness to serve....it can work in your favor, and you can certainly further your education also

A couple things about the Air Force. I have a son-in-law, 18 1/2 years in Air Force and another son-in-law 12 years in the Army. Both hold the same rank, but Air Force doesn't promote as fast as Army. With Air Force you are stationed in one place longer than Army. Air Force son-in-law has been stationed in 3 bases stateside in 18 yrs.

Could I make another suggestion? If you're that fit and healthy why not check out the Treasury Department, better known as the Secret Service?
Cousin's husband was a school teacher in the early 70s when he listened to some secret service men who came to talk at a school career day. He checked it out and joined. Retired about 5 years or so and hated to leave. Worked around every president back to Carter. That way you could get good pay, job security, good retirement......

[GregW]

I have only one piece of advice for anyone considering joining the US military in this day and age - DO NOT!

You will not be fighting for the defense of the United States and the Constitution but for the rights of American and European financiers to ravage world. You will be just another of the guys in white armor in Star Wars.

All of the services will take you in, chew you up and spit you out. Just like they did during 'Nam. Ain’t much changed.

[Crew Chief]

Greg W., that's the wonderful thing about being an American; we have such diversity of opinion. And yours is no less important than mine. I served. I am proud of what I (as well as those that have served before, with and after me) have contributed to this great nation. Yes, even when I wore the uniform of the USAF, I still had my own opinions about how I was being used as an instrument of national policy. Not everyone will have the perfect experience in the U.S. military. Some may not even have a positive one. But it's stll one of the finest institutions in this nation.

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by GregW

I have only one piece of advice for anyone considering joining the US military in this day and age - DO NOT!

You will not be fighting for the defense of the United States and the Constitution but for the rights of American and European financiers to ravage world. You will be just another of the guys in white armor in Star Wars.

All of the services will take you in, chew you up and spit you out. Just like they did during 'Nam. Ain’t much changed.

Although I don't agree with some current policies, I'm not going to delve into this as that belongs in a different forum (politics). Though, I have to disagree with your last statement. The last draft was in 1972, so you have an all volunteer force since then. Before that, the military didn't have to worry about their people as they could just draft another person. These days the military has to work hard to fill the quotas. They also have to keep people in, so they concentrate on making life better (easier) for it's members. This includes, better services, pay, schooling, to name a few. Also, veterans are generally treated better than Vietnam vets were back then. I'm not saying everything is rosy, but it is better than back in the 60's and early 70's.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by GregW

I have only one piece of advice for anyone considering joining the US military in this day and age - DO NOT!

You will not be fighting for the defense of the United States and the Constitution but for the rights of American and European financiers to ravage world. You will be just another of the guys in white armor in Star Wars.

All of the services will take you in, chew you up and spit you out. Just like they did during 'Nam. Ain’t much changed.

What about the thousands of servicmembers who join this month and will never see combat?

We have hundreds of military bases that all fully manned, ships, weather research stations, etc.

[kygman]

Originally Posted by Alt Dach

If the USMC is not your "style" then go straight to the least militaryof them all,the USAF. Little difference from being a civilian.

My Air Force son-in-law might beg to differ from you. He has been in 18 1/2 years. In the past 5 years he has been deployed 4 times. Three girls at home growing up? He got to see pictures of most of it or hear about it on the phone or computer. He has also been deployed to Korea, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Desert Storm, Gitmo, and a few others. He's ready to retire in a year and a half. And there are some Air Force bases, like Army bases, are non deployable!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by kygman

My Air Force son-in-law might beg to differ from you. He has been in 18 1/2 years. In the past 5 years he has been deployed 4 times. Three girls at home growing up? He got to see pictures of most of it or hear about it on the phone or computer. He has also been deployed to Korea, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Desert Storm, Gitmo, and a few others. He's ready to retire in a year and a half. And there are some Air Force bases, like Army bases, are non deployable!

The Air Force is a much nicer style of living than the other services.

Actually that is not bad. Only 4 deployments in 5 years. Wow, must be sweet! but then when you consider the lower pay, it makes sense.

I went out twice each year, 105 days each time, for 14 of my 20 years.

Phone? computer? not from underwater you can't.

On subs you don't get phones, no WWW, no letters, no sun, no sky.