Joining The Military?

[RockGuitarX]

I'm about to finish up my Associate's Degree in Speech and Communications and I need to apply to another college within the next couple of months so I can start by the Fall Semester this year. I have a friend/neighbor who works for the FBI and was in the United States Army for about 6 years. He told me that if you participate in the ROTC program on campus you get your entire tuition, books and spending money paid for and graduate as a 2nd Lieutenant Commissioned Officer. He really liked it and this is really enticing for me because it's going to be really hard for me to pay back a loan after school unless I find a nice job. I would really love to do music, but I just think it's so hard to make a descent living off of it Anyone have any information on what it's like to be a Commissioned Officer in the military? Most people always talk shit about the enlisted positions but it's rare I hear much on officers. Thanks.

 

[jrt12]

i know most people bag on the military, but i'll say this. i went to a top college in the country, and walked away with over $50K in school debt. my two brothers both went to the military and can now go to college paid for via the GI Bill. so who's the smart one now? anyways, thats a gross oversimplication, i know. but i say that to say this. my brothers both told me how the military was a completely diff world with officers vs enlisted men. look into it, cuz from what i hear, its a great option!

 

[RockGuitarX]

i know most people bag on the military, but i'll say this. i went to a top college in the country, and walked away with over $50K in school debt. my two brothers both went to the military and can now go to college paid for via the GI Bill. so who's the smart one now? anyways, thats a gross oversimplication, i know. but i say that to say this. my brothers both told me how the military was a completely diff world with officers vs enlisted men. look into it, cuz from what i hear, its a great option!

Yeah, I'm trying to look more into it, but like I said it's hard to find officers or people who know them well that I can talk to. I keep talking to enlisted people who usually get stuck with bitch jobs My buddy told me when you graduate as a commissioned officer you have about 25 people under you right out of school, so I can imagine it would be a lot different. He told me he had a guy with 18 years service under him... Thanks for the post though man

 

[J.DavisNJ]

For me, personally, I've wanted to join the armed forces to help serve my country. The money would be negligible for me. Lots of people I think join simply for the college tuition assistance or whatnot. In your case, you might like it as a career, but make sure you are cut out for it beforehand! To me, it seems like being an officer would be a pretty long road.

-Joe

 

[Morgan C]

My friend/band's bass player is joining the army (Australian army however) this year as a musician.

One major thing is that he said army salaries (maybe not all) are tax free. So that $80k/year would be $160k/year in any other job.

 

[Deadstar]

Ymra eht nioj

 

[if6was9]

off topic section no? I fail to see what this has to do with music production or metal?

 

[Chryst Krispies]

off topic section no? I fail to see what this has to do with music production or metal?

Yeah OTT wouldve been cooler but...

I'd say do it. That's a pretty sweet deal. When you get out you are SET.

 

[Waterboy]

You never know - you may find out that you dig the military and make a career out of it.
20 years - and then you can retire.
I know that 20 years seems like a long time (and it is), but not when you think about the big picture.
Even if you don't dig it - just like you mentioned (as did some others) you can get a good deal on edumuhcation.
Good luck in your choice.

 

[ArtGarceau]

Whatever you do...be careful. I've now known three people that have been killed in the Iraq war. One of them was at my house two weeks earlier, and was excited that the next tour of duty would be his last. Unfortunately, it was his last and he didn't live to see it to the end.

The benefits can be great, but they can come with a bigger price tag than a few years of debt. Even if you live through it...PTSD isn't a walk in the park. The military psychologists are diagnosing cases of PTSD as "adjustment disorder" so the military doesn't have to pay life long disability benefits.

On paper it looks dandy, but it isn't that easy.

 

[J.DavisNJ]

Whatever you do...be careful. I've now known three people that have been killed in the Iraq war. One of them was at my house two weeks earlier, and was excited that the next tour of duty would be his last. Unfortunately, it was his last and he didn't live to see it to the end.

The benefits can be great, but they can come with a bigger price tag than a few years of debt. Even if you live through it...PTSD isn't a walk in the park. The military psychologists are diagnosing cases of PTSD as "adjustment disorder" so the military doesn't have to pay life long disability benefits.

On paper it looks dandy, but it isn't that easy.

Sorry to hear about your friends, but one should be aware that this is a risk when they join the armed forces. It seems pretty obvious to me, but I suppose many aren't prepared for the reality of it when they do join.

-Joe

 

[ArtGarceau]

Sorry to hear about your friends, but one should be aware that this is a risk when they join the armed forces. It seems pretty obvious to me, but I suppose many aren't prepared for the reality of it when they do join.

-Joe

Very true, and I don't deny that. My friends joined pre - 9/11 with the thought that a war was nowhere in sight. To them it was free college money, and military experience looked great on a resume. Unfortunately, they didn't think about the reality....they were joining the armed forces!

I don't bash it at all. It really takes a certain type of person to enlist, but I think a lot of people sign up for the wrong reasons (like my friends did).

 

[TheDriller]

^ this rings very true with me, the armed forces dont recruit you so you can have a cool future, they recruit you as a meat-shield for their imperialist crusades.
its remarkable how many people seem to forget that joining the army is joining the business of death.

 

[J.DavisNJ]

Very true, and I don't deny that. My friends joined pre - 9/11 with the thought that a war was nowhere in site. To them it was free college money, and military experience looked great on a resume. Unfortunately, they didn't think about the reality....they were joining the armed forces!

I don't bash it at all. It really takes a certain type of person to enlist, but I think a lot of people sign up for the wrong reasons (like my friends did).

True, you are right...At the same time, I bet some that join for those reasons can become integrated into the military for the right reasons. That is positive as well.

-Joe

 

[ArtGarceau]

True, you are right...At the same time, I bet some that join for those reasons can become integrated into the military for the right reasons. That is positive as well.

-Joe

Agreed. I didn't want to sound like an anti-military wank, but did want to express that joining and reaping the benefits comes at a cost that a lot of folks don't think about. Unfortunately, I place some of the blame on the recruiters. They only give you the one side...the benefits...and don't mention the gory bits. Then again, you're an "adult" when you join and it's common knowledge that joining the military will put you in dangerous situations regardless if you're at war or not.

Anyway...I appreciate this topic not becoming heated because this is just another one of those topics (like religion) that many people are very passionate about. I try to look at it from the most neutral point that I can and agree to disagree when there is a conflict in viewpoints.

Back to work for me...have a good day everyone!

 

[J.DavisNJ]

Agreed. I didn't want to sound like an anti-military wank, but did want to express that joining and reaping the benefits comes at a cost that a lot of folks don't think about. Unfortunately, I place some of the blame on the recruiters. They only give you the one side...the benefits...and don't mention the gory bits. Then again, you're an "adult" when you join and it's common knowledge that joining the military will put you in dangerous situations regardless if you're at war or not.

Anyway...I appreciate this topic not becoming heated because this is just another one of those topics (like religion) that many people are very passionate about. I try to look at it from the most neutral point that I can and agree to disagree when there is a conflict in viewpoints.

Back to work for me...have a good day everyone!

No problems...Same to you dude!

-Joe

 

[jrt12]

some good points, I guess some dont realize what theyre signing up for... but i would hope that anyone who joins the military realizes they could be sent to a war front at some point. besides that, the 20 years till retirement is another good point. one of my bros is retiring in 1 year... at 38! and one thing that you'll never have to worry about is job security. when's the last time the military laid off anyone?

but then again, who knows how much free time you'll have. and, depending on which branch you join, where you are stationed could also really affect your ability to pursue other passions.

 

[Torniojaws]

when's the last time the military laid off anyone?

Iraq, present day

 

[jrt12]

i guess it depends on the branch, i konw people who are being offered bonuses to re-up for two more years

 

[Metaltastic]

they recruit you as a meat-shield for their imperialist crusades.

Ugghh, I knew it was inevitable something like this would rear it's head

And I have two good friends who both enlisted in the Air Force for the money (one as a tech, one as security), and all their deployments have been cakewalks in totally safe places like Qatar and Khyrgizstan, so it's not all bad!