[Sharks With Lasers]

Originally Posted by hockeygal22

I am 22 and am struggling to get through college since I am paying out of pocket and already paying back on a loan. I also have been feeling more and more like I need to be doing something with my life and ever since high school a part of me wanted to join the military. At first I wanted be a Navy Pilot but because of my size and eyesight that was impossible. So since I could not be a pilot I went to college after high school. Now, four year later the thought is still in my mind, this time however I am considering the Army National Guard. I was wondering if anyone is in the Guard and let me know what it is like. I am very aware that I could be sent to Iraq but the more I think about it the more I feel like the benefits outweigh the risk.

Not only are there the educational benefits but I believe that the military would help me gain the skills and confidence in myself. I have no idea where I am headed in life and want to do something meaningful and there is no greater thing that I can do for my country than to serve it.

Does your school have an ROTC program?

[djmilf]

Disclaimer: This is an attempt at humor. It was shamelessly lifted from another web forum. I have never served in any of the armed services so I cannot vouch for the veracity of the following. However, others with military experience (especially Marines) seemed to enjoy it.

Marine Corps Rules:
1. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
2. Decide to be aggressive enough, quickly enough.
3. Have a plan.
4. Have a back-up plan, because the first one probably won't work.
5. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. 6. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun whose caliber does not start with a "4."
7. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.
8. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral & diagonal preferred.)
9. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.
10. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose. 12. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance or tactics. They will only remember who lived.
13. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating your intention to shoot...


US Army Rules:
1. Curse bitterly when receiving operational order.
2. Make sure there is extra ammo and extra coffee.
3. Curse bitterly.
4. Curse bitterly
5. Do not listen to 2nd LT's, they can get you killed.
6. Curse bitterly


US Air Force Rules:
1. Have a cocktail.
2. Adjust temperature on air-conditioner.
3. See what's on HBO.
4. Ask "what is a gunfight?"
5. Request more funding from Congress with a "killer" Power Point presentation.
6. Wine & dine 'key' Congressmen, invite DOD & defense industry executives.
7. Receive funding, set up new command and assemble assets.
8. Declare the assets "strategic" and never deploy them operationally.
9. Hurry to make 13:45 tee-time.
10. Make sure the base is as far as possible from the conflict but close enough to have tax exemption.


US Navy Rules:
1. Go to Sea.
2. Drink Coffee
3. Deploy Marines
4. Drink more coffee.

[malamute]

Some people like military service and re-enlist. Some like it so much they make a career out of it. It's not for everyone however, it depends on if you are suited to that kind of life.

I don't think you can ask total strangers how to do your life, careful of the recruiters because sometimes what they promise isn't quite what you end up with. Maybe talk to people who have made that decision on the pros and cons of it and then see if it meets your needs.

[intelfan11315]

Recruiters are all BS, I have 5+ friends in the military (who all enjoy it) but also tell everyone to not believe your recuiter.