Serious Thoughts only

I did something today that I'm not sure. I looked into joining the army, and I'm not too sure what I think about this. I took their test and scored high enough to have any job within the army. I'm not being patriotic or anything. I just want the schooling, while at the same time I collect a pay check. I know I don't agree with the government on allot of things I can't see turning down the cash and there paying off all my old college loans. I get out in 4 years with a good job and security ahead of me. Besides my cousin was in and she told me to try out for one of the all army sports teams and I really don't have to do shit, except quallify for the olympics in my said event. That would be insane. I'm curious to some reviews, I don't want any bashing me as a person because I'm considering this either.

I'm not going to bash you as a person. I would just remind you that if the call comes, you will be required to go to war, regardless of whether or not you agree with the government, as you stated in your post. it is a big decision, and once you're in, you're in.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

I agree with Badger, esp. in the respect that if you're called for war you'll have to go no matter whether you agree or disagree with the circumstances. Should you be a patriot? Absolutely. Serving your country should be the main reason you join, with the money and schooling opportunities coming as fringe benefits. It's a big step......

That is a big step, and not one that in 2 years you can change your mind on... Definitely think it all the way through before you make a final decision!

I am ex-Air Force, 8 years- I say if you want- do it- start with the shortest 1st time enlistment you can and take it from there.

wow....i have kinda thought about it b4 but i am not one to take orders if i dont believe in them...but on that same note mayb being in charge in the army would be something i could do as well...i also like to be challenged physically as well as mentally...4 years is a long time tho...

I excel at team functions and work even better at individual plans. As far as someone pushing and yelling that is no different than a coach or even my dad at the time. Someone in my face is no problem, once they see what I can do I'll be fine. Just haven't made that be all end all decision.

I've been working full time since the age of 14. Money is out there if you want to make it. If it's something you think you'd be uncomfortable with, stay away. Life is too short to be miserable and have regrets about the past. Face it, this day and age, the military will be active with the middle east. I have a friend over there in the exact same position, he now has to work with the Iraq police to restore order, he hates it and regrets signing every day.

That's a hard one.
You must be tossing & turning at night thinking about it.

hmm.. you'd keep physically fit, your loans paid off, collecting a paycheck while getting an education.
I guess the only thing you'd really hafta do is to come to an agreement with yourself. Whether or not you'll be able to do what you're paid to do as an employee of the US Government, should the occassion arise & not be bitter about it.
If you can look at in as merely a job, that's great.

However, things are still really shakey overseas & your chances of being called into action are greater than when your cousin was enlisted..
You have a lifetime to pay off your loans & get an education.. there's no rule that says that has to be done within a certain time frame.

*ruffles my feathers*
I don't think you should do it.
Call me chicken, I don't care

Tuff choice bro, definately an individual one. Got to reach down deep and weigh all the pro's and con's. Best of luck

Definitely a big decision you have there. Like Scorpio said there is money to be made everywhere. Get a part time job and go to college bro. You will be making more money and you wont be the property of the US Government. Right out of high school I got a job making 35k per year without any training...just personal knowledge. The jobs are there if you look hard enough.

Its all about selling yourself...also a little creativity to "enhance" your job skills.

If you really like very organized disciplined education and work then it might be a good choice. If your reasons for going are just to get a good education and make a little money at the same then it might not be the best choice as like I said its obtainable elsewhere with less commitment or stress.

It's not my top choice, however it would work. My probation officer talked to me for 2.5 hrs about it today. We've never met for more than 5min max. working a part time job to make ends meet would be cool, but I have prior debt and things that don't allow for this to happen. And traditional school is going to be alot of work as I would have to go back under academic probation as I pretty much dropped out the last 2 times I enrolled. Both times my father had battles with cancer and someone needed to be home more often and I chose that to be me. Since the deadline for dropping classes was up I pretty much had to take incompletes or F's, depending on how cool the teacher wanted to be about the situation. Do I want to get shot? NO Do bullets scare me, NO Does not being able to provide for my family scare me cause I'm not living up to my potential, YES

well if i was in your shoes i would join the air force or navy, they seem to have alot better technical programs that might help you land a good job once your out of the service. That and you will probally be far away from any combat situations.