Military Service Advice

Off Topic
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Since I was about 17 or 18 I have always toyed with the idea of entering a branch of the military and giving back to this amazing country. This idea has grown and faded in the past 4 years, but has always been there in the back of my mind. I am only 22 and honestly have no idea what the hell I would like to do with my life. I am interested in fitness and law, etc. But I think entering a branch after I graduate next semester and entering officer training would be a great way to see the world, grow, and find out what truly interests me. I have nothing but respect for military personnel and believe that what they do is some of the most honorable work you can do.

With all of this being said, I want to hear from you guys that are or were enlisted either as privates, or went right into officer training. Do you think it was worth it? Where do you see yourself going afterwards? Any and all information is welcome.

Also, the branch I am most interested in is the Air Force because it makes the most sense, in my opinion, for college graduates.

Also, one final question: I have not really done any research on this, but I have always thought that in order to become a Navy SEAL, you had to first enter and complete regular navy training, and then go on to the SEAL training. A buddy of mine was telling me that you could enter the SEAls after completing any branch of the military, and yet another one of my friends told me that you could just enlist in the SEALs immediately. I think the listing in the SEALs immediately is not true, but if someone could learn me, that would be great.

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Can’t answer for anyone in the US mate, but in the UK - yes in many respects it’s worth it. Or at least it was, not sure about it now with all the cut backs over here.

Do it if you are strong enough.

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[quote]Jacked Diesel wrote:
Since I was about 17 or 18 I have always toyed with the idea of entering a branch of the military and giving back to this amazing country. This idea has grown and faded in the past 4 years, but has always been there in the back of my mind. I am only 22 and honestly have no idea what the hell I would like to do with my life. I am interested in fitness and law, etc. But I think entering a branch after I graduate next semester and entering officer training would be a great way to see the world, grow, and find out what truly interests me. I have nothing but respect for military personnel and believe that what they do is some of the most honorable work you can do.

With all of this being said, I want to hear from you guys that are or were enlisted either as privates, or went right into officer training. Do you think it was worth it? Where do you see yourself going afterwards? Any and all information is welcome.

Also, the branch I am most interested in is the Air Force because it makes the most sense, in my opinion, for college graduates.

Also, one final question: I have not really done any research on this, but I have always thought that in order to become a Navy SEAL, you had to first enter and complete regular navy training, and then go on to the SEAL training. A buddy of mine was telling me that you could enter the SEAls after completing any branch of the military, and yet another one of my friends told me that you could just enlist in the SEALs immediately. I think the listing in the SEALs immediately is not true, but if someone could learn me, that would be great.[/quote]

If you’ve got the degree, don’t go enlisted. Sure, you’ll start off with some street cred as a junior officer if you were enlisted before, but if you’re an asskicker then no one will care if you were enlisted or not. It isn’t worth 4 years investment, trust me.

Why are you considering both SEALs and the USAF? They are kind of on different levels. If you want to go Air Force but want to start hard, look into PJs. I’ve worked with SEALs, Berets, Rangers, and PJs and the PJs were the most professional of the bunch. And don’t stress about which one is harder. I’ve seen Marine band members that can crush SEALs and vice-versa.

mike

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Do it. The maturity you gain is worth it and applicable to the rest of your life and any career you choose later. If I had it to do over again I would definately go for pilot’s school (I was an elisted electronics technician in the Marines and a ship driving Naval Officer).

I think all the services have a special operations/warefare group, like the Navy Seals, Marine Corps Force Recon, etc. Navy Seals require you to complete boot camp or OCS and then apply. You may be able to wrangle a deal when you are enlisting that you get to go directly to Seal school after boot camp or OCS without reapplying, but either way you have to complete basic training first. If you are truly Navy Seal material boot camp or OCS will be a joke. The only way to get from another service into the Navy Seals is to enlist or get commisioned into the Navy first, through an interservice transfer or just resign or not reenlist and then apply to the Navy.

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I agree with Mikey, I don’t see the correlation between your consideration of the SEALs and you saying becoming an Officer in the USAF makes the most sense. He’s exactly right, they are both on different levels.

I’m not sure how they right up enlistment contracts for Officers, but unless you can get them to guarantee you a SpecOps Officer slot it’s going to be very tough for you to get into that field. Not all SpecOps in the USAF have Officers in them, although I believe PJ’s and CCT’s do.

Third, with the cutbacks throughout the AF (although in FY08 they have said they’re not drawing down, at least for enlisted) actually staying in as an Officer is quite difficult, especially younger 1st and 2nd LT’s… Even some Captains. So keep in mind that you can be “let go” if that’s in the best interest of the USAF.

Lastly, i’ve found my experience very worthwhile. My leadership and managerial skills have grown exponentially during my time in the Military. I would highly recommend military service to almost everyone, especially if you’re about to get your Degree and are not sure where to go from there.

What is your degree going to be in?

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Oops, let me clarify. The SEALs questions was kind of a separate question that is not related to my questions. Although I do think it would be amazing to be one, I think that is out of the question for me because I do not see myself going over to countries and doing spec ops.

My Major is in Economics (BS) with a minor in philosophy.

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Were you looking at being in any specific career field as an Officer or just being tossed in with the bunch?

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My only advice is if this is something that has floated around in your head for over 4 years, you should probably just go do it. I did it. Through most of my school years I thought about joining the Marines. Towards the end of high school, I started talking to recruiters and preparing myself to sign up and go…but then I didn’t.

The thought kind of stuck with me for the next few years and I finally just walked into a recruiting station when I was 21 and signed up right then and there. And while much of the Marine Corps was actually a disappointment, I don’t regret it at all.

As far as officer vs. enlisted, I don’t have much to add. I guess you have to look into exactly what you want and what you are looking for from your military service. Good luck.

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Dude I joined a year after I earned my degree. Was tired of sitting in my hometown and not really doing much but working, drinking and fishing. And not really in that order.

Was the best damn thing I ever did. I went enlisted and never regretted it a single day. Basic was kind of crappy as the drills usually gave me a harder time and being older than most of the platoon when I got to my first unit was kind of weird. My first team leader did not like that I was older than him and had a degree. But he eventually got over it and it was no big deal as soon as he figured out he could make me miserable and do pretty much whatever he wanted, ha ha. I laugh at it now but man that first six months sucked.

I say join the Army. Go infantry. Go to airborne school and then try to get to ranger school. Spend some time in combat and then go to SFAS and become a Green Beret. You should have one hell of a good time and love your time in the service. It will work for you.

If you pick one of those MOS’s that “teach you a skill” you will probably be surrounded by turds who just want to “learn a skill”. Join the infantry, go to some good schools, and then go SF. You will love every minute of it. Even the days spent with water running down the crack of your ass and 60-100 pounds on your back. Trust me. Thats what I did and I loved every minute of it.

You can always volunteer for OCS after doing some time enlisted and you will be better off for it. Almost did it myself but was having to much fun being enlisted.

If you do not go infantry you will regret it everyday of your service!!!

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I don’t think I would just go and enlist, I mean I have a college degree, might as well enter officer training and get some credit and rank for this 4 year degree.

Honestly, I would love to do special forces, I have the thought process and body to do so, but then there is a part of me that asks what the hell would I do with that after it is all said and done? I am not interested in becoming a cop, or any of that nonsense, I am interested in becoming a professional, entrepreneur, and most of all, rich and happy. So obviously, something such as JAG would interest me because it is practical, but who the hell knows, you can’t shoot stuff in JAG, haha.

But seriously, my dad’s friends brother entered the army and then JAG, ended up staying with the military for 25 or 30 years and then retired. He retired Brigadier General (O-7 i believe) around the age of 50 and then started a very successful business not having to worry about retirement benefits, or whatever because of his pension from the military.

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Trust me, go Infantry. You will have the best time of your life.

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[quote]deadleg wrote:
Trust me, go Infantry. You will have the best time of your life. [/quote]

But if you do, make it in the Corps. nudge

mike

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I’m not going to tell you to go infantry, but I definitely suggest looking at all options. You should be looking to do some cool shit that you can only do in the military, especially since you already have your degree. I mean, why join the military if you are just going to do a job you can do at home?

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[quote]Jacked Diesel wrote:
Honestly, I would love to do special forces, I have the thought process and body to do so, but then there is a part of me that asks what the hell would I do with that after it is all said and done?[/quote]

Just because you do SF or whatever in the military doesn’t mean you would have to do something related after you get out. Do SF because you want to, for the experience. SF is not a a skill you learn for use in later life. Not saying you wouldn’t learn a buttload of useful stuff.

They say most people go through 3-4 careers during their lifetime. Look at it as that: ‘This is what I am doing right now, and later I will do something else.’

That being said, SF(as with any SOF training) is not something to enter into lightly. You don’t do BUD/S or the Q-course because it ‘sounds like fun’, you do it because you absolutely want to be a badass snake eater. If you’re not sure you want to do it, or that you might not make it, then you probably shouldn’t/won’t.

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I had a great time in the Corps. Went in after graduating from college. One of the best things I ever did.

FYI - nobody passes inspection on the first try. Chesty Puller himself would get gigged for something.

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I am going to go against everyone here and say avoid infantry. do go officer but pick another mos.

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[quote]John S. wrote:
I am going to go against everyone here and say avoid infantry. do go officer but pick another mos.[/quote]

why

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Stick with the Airforce …

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The army isn’t quite as much fun :wink:

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Missed the pic - sorry.