Thinking about going to the Military... (Army, reserves, Air Force, Navy)

[noid_1985]

I'm 23/ married and thinking of joining the military early next year-- perhaps the Navy or Air Force. I have a decent amount of college credits toward my bachelors in Justice Studies. I would like enlist as a reserve, but would like to know how soon would the GI bill start- after basic training so I can further my education. If the reserve isn't a good choice then the next course of action for me is to fully enlist, but I want to know how soon could I attend school after fullly enlisting?

What questions should I be ready to ask/answer to/from the recruiter?

[B.H81]

Continuing your education depends on you job. If you are in the navy for instance and working in engineering, or deck, you won't have much time to get back to school. Now if you are in combat systems or Intel you can do a lot of your school work while your at work(what I do). I was speaking if you were active duty. For reserve's you go to bootcamp and to a "A" school, then back to your normal life, and back to school which I think is your goal, but the benifits are not as good. When active duty you get Tuition assistance(TA) which allows you to pay for your off duty education without touching your GI bill. I used TA to pay for a AA degree, MCSE, and CCNA without touching a dime of my GI bill.

so questions for a recuiters

1. What Jobs are available to me?
2. If I do reserve's How much GI bill am I entitled too?(I know its not as high as active duty)
3. How long is the obligation?
4. How many people have been activiated to go to IRAQ, IRAN (reserve question)

[noid_1985]

Thanks BH

[121804]

Originally Posted by noid_1985

I'm 23/ married and thinking of joining the military early next year-- perhaps the Navy or Air Force. I have a decent amount of college credits toward my bachelors in Justice Studies. I would like enlist as a reserve, but would like to know how soon would the GI bill start- after basic training so I can further my education. If the reserve isn't a good choice then the next course of action for me is to fully enlist, but I want to know how soon could I attend school after fullly enlisting?

What questions should I be ready to ask/answer to/from the recruiter?

While it is very commendable that you want to further your education, you have to completely & fully understand that when you join the military, it is military first, everything else (to include your wife) second.

A recruiter is going to tell you everthing you WANT to hear.

The government isn't going to give you anything for free.

Yes, you can get the GI Bill, but it is going to come with a price.

The GI Bill has helped thousands & it has also helped my dh & I, but don't think that you will be able to attend school full time & have the military be part time. It just doesn't work that way.

If you are ONLY joining the military to pay your way through school, you are going to be in for a hell of an awakening when you start basic.

You are signing a contract with the government. If you don't think they are aware of how to reel recruits in, start doing some serious self-reflecting.

You are choice prime beef if you walk into a recruiting station & say "Hi! I am Johnny & want to further my education, so how can the military do that for me?" They'll have you in basic the next day b/c that sort of thinking is very naive.

You also have to put money into the GI Bill for the first 12 months of your enlistment. It was $100/pay period. That amount may have changed.

Questions:
What is the best field for me to go into?
Can the AF or Navy guarantee that I continue my training after Basic in the field that is the best for me?
What fields in the AF or Navy are needing to be filled?
Where would I be doing Basic?
What happens after Basic?
How can I take care of my wife during Basic & Advanced Training?
How soon after advanced training could I deployed?
What areas are the Navy or AF being deployed to?
Would I be attached to an Army or Marine Division/Battalion/Company when deployed? (meaning is this a possibilty & yes it is)
What services are there for my wife when I am deployed or in training?
If something happens to me when I am deployed, how is my family taken care of or are they taken care of?
How long is the general enlistment commitment?

If you fully enlist, expect to wait until you have finished your initial commimtment to the military before you can use the GI Bill.

There VA has a very good website regarding the GI Bill.

Please don't take this personally but I heard way too many soldiers over my career whine about how they didn't know they would #1) be deployed #2) be required to work such long hours b/c they joined for the GI Bill & thought it would be easy. It's not. Plain & simple.

[Packersnut21]

Originally Posted by noid_1985

I'm 23/ married and thinking of joining the military early next year-- perhaps the Navy or Air Force. I have a decent amount of college credits toward my bachelors in Justice Studies. I would like enlist as a reserve, but would like to know how soon would the GI bill start- after basic training so I can further my education. If the reserve isn't a good choice then the next course of action for me is to fully enlist, but I want to know how soon could I attend school after fullly enlisting?

What questions should I be ready to ask/answer to/from the recruiter?

I was in the same boat. Im 23 married with a daughter, I had 68 college credits in Criminal Justice. I enlisted in the National Guard. Dont feel pressured as some recruiters might do that, I had a few. Ask about what jobs are available to you. Medical coverage for you and your spouse. See if there are any bonuses available for a job you would want to do. I think it's a great step for anyone but make sure it is something you would want to do for a number of years. Good luck

[Erma]

Active duty military have many benefits, unlike the National Guard or Reserves. Health, dental and life insurance are included in active duty benefits. I would suggest the Air Force. From what I understand from my military experience, is that you have to be active duty for 2 years in order to take advantage of the GI bill.

[Packersnut21]

We do have Tri-care for the Guard now, which is called Tri care reserve select. It's the same coverage as Tri Care prime I think, pretty much pay for nothing. However it is $257 a month for families.

[B.H81]

Originally Posted by Packersnut21

We do have Tri-care for the Guard now, which is called Tri care reserve select. It's the same coverage as Tri Care prime I think, pretty much pay for nothing. However it is $257 a month for families.

I remember seeing that but never really investigated it. By chance do you know how it works, once you reach retirement?

[Packersnut21]

Originally Posted by B.H81

I remember seeing that but never really investigated it. By chance do you know how it works, once you reach retirement?

They just revised it last year so I dont know all the specifics. This isnt for sure but I have read pages of stuff on the tricare website, and I think once you reach retirement you can keep using Reserve select. There is something called tricare for life, but that is once you reach medicare and it gets more confusing. I tried asking around about this and you'd think I was asking about nuclear science. Sorry if it didnt answer your question fully.

[kygman]

Originally Posted by Erma

Active duty military have many benefits, unlike the National Guard or Reserves. Health, dental and life insurance are included in active duty benefits. I would suggest the Air Force. From what I understand from my military experience, is that you have to be active duty for 2 years in order to take advantage of the GI bill.

You're right, Erma. My wife retired from Ft. Campbell, Ky. from a civilian job. Two years and the money is there for your education. She mentioned it to my son and he said he would pass. Might not make it two years to go back to school!

Son-in-law was an Army recruiter for 4 years. The advice he gives now is talk to a recruiter, hear what he has to say. Then find a few that have been in the military a while and find out the truth.