Requirements for Veteran Status? (reserves, Air Force, Navy, boot camp)

[StealthRabbit]

I have a 26 yr old 'under employed' college grad son, who has always planned to enlist, but is not pursuing at the moment. I was under the impression you need to serve during times of conflict to get full benefits.

I would think it to be a good plan for him, as he has spent 3 yrs dinking around dead-end employment opportunities, and has spent much time (10yrs) in similar roles as military. (Fire Service / EMT / S&R / CAP). Almost always as volunteer, but also as 'resident-firefighter' for 4 yrs and president of organization for 2 yrs)

His Grandfather (WWII vet) was honored with several yrs health care during some really tough times, and as his primary caregiver, I really appreciated that help! Since I am w/o any benefits or pension after spending 30+ yrs at a benevolent employer, I'm a tad sensitive to the need in the later part of life. (I was ready to enter military in 1973, but it came just after our withdrawal from Vietnam, so I went into a commercial apprenticeship and from there... the working world)

He is considering AF, Navy, and AF Reserves. He would really like to pursue medical school, and has been advised by military DR's that he should FIRST get his way through Med School, THEN sign up and get a better gig with less required service time. I'm afraid he's getting a bit old to jump in to Med School, or the military.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

I was under the impression you need to serve during times of conflict to get full benefits.

No.

Basically if you serve the commitment you signed up for honorably, you receive full VA benifits, except for possibly current education benefits..

He is not to old to go in the military....



Rich

[Ellwood]

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

No.
Basically if you serve the commitment you signed up for honorably, you receive full VA benifits, except for possibly current education benefits..
He is not to old to go in the military....
Rich

If you go to med school in the military your commitment adds a few years on to serve. Son recently left after 6 years, completed two Masters Programs while serving, bought home using VA benefits and receives full education benefits. I agree with Rich, he is not too old.

[Takes1 2 Know1]

He should definitely go to medical school first. At least if he doesn't like it he can always drop out or pursue the military option. If he goes into the military first, there's a chance that he will be unhappy with what he is doing, and I know for a fact that can't quit the military.

[JAQ]

Originally Posted by Ellwood

If you go to med school in the military your commitment adds a few years on to serve. Son recently left after 6 years, completed two Masters Programs while serving, bought home using VA benefits and receives full education benefits. I agree with Rich, he is not too old.

Through the FastTrack program or regular colleges? He should've just done the full 8 years not having to worry about being called back. Unless he was discharged for something? Thats what I hope to do while i'm serving. Take full advantage of the benefits.

[stillkit]

In order to qualify for VA benefits, you have to have served at least 180 days on active duty and have an honorable discharge. There are exceptions, such as for those who were medically discharged for some condition which developed while in the service, but that's generally it.

It sounds to me like the service would be a great place for your son. He seems to lack motivation. By the time he "finds himself" he'll be at retirement age.

[SVTLightning]

Originally Posted by Takes1 2 Know1

He should definitely go to medical school first. At least if he doesn't like it he can always drop out or pursue the military option. If he goes into the military first, there's a chance that he will be unhappy with what he is doing, and I know for a fact that can't quit the military.

No way, if he went to med school first, the expense would be on the OP or son to take a student loan. If you do a tour in the military you can use the GI bill to foot some of that expense.

Also, if he went to school first, but didn't graduate, he might find himself too old to join, or be the old man in boot camp. Going in at 26/27 is much better than waiting til the 30's to go in.

[gentlearts]

My doctor had the Air Force pay for his medical school. He made a committment of some kind beforehand, and then served 6 years after he finished.

[Takes1 2 Know1]

Originally Posted by SVTLightning

No way, if he went to med school first, the expense would be on the OP or son to take a student loan. If you do a tour in the military you can use the GI bill to foot some of that expense.

Also, if he went to school first, but didn't graduate, he might find himself too old to join, or be the old man in boot camp. Going in at 26/27 is much better than waiting til the 30's to go in.

It seems to me that the poster's son is indecisive and should attend medical school first if that's one of his goals; he should also foot the bill. If he joins the military and is indecisive as his mother describes him, he could potentially be miserable in the military, and I've seen firsthand of people who want to change jobs or are unhappy with what they are doing. They're the one's who say: "I should have done this or I should have done that". If you've ever had that type of person that you worked with day in and day out, you'd know it brings down morale.

[Ellwood]

Originally Posted by JAQ

Through the FastTrack program or regular colleges? He should've just done the full 8 years not having to worry about being called back. Unless he was discharged for something? Thats what I hope to do while i'm serving. Take full advantage of the benefits.

He loved the military and would have stayed in but the long deployments caused problems with his marriage. FastTrack program for MS.