Which branch of the forces?

[PowderXCR]

I am looking at joining the military. Dont know that much about it, but talked to an army recruiter today.

He said with my college work I would start as an e4.

Any thoughts on just what I would specialize in?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Roger Beckner

 

[grabbit]

So what was the question? Are you asking which branch to join, or which specialty? If your asking which branch, then that all depends on what your joining for, If you want all the benefits and just a job. Go Airforce, but if your a hordcore, i wanna kill somebody kind of guy then go Marines. If you want something inbetween that then go army. I wouldn't recommend navy, too much time on the boat, and those uniforms. Personally i would say the Air Force, They have a bit more money than the others, so nicer barracks, nice offices, and just better equipment. But i was in the marines, we got all the navy's junk, that they at one point got from the air force.I'm proud to say i'm a marine, but now that i've done it, I'd go air force next time.

 

[Snow Fox]

So what was the question? Are you asking which branch to join, or which specialty? If your asking which branch, then that all depends on what your joining for, If you want all the benefits and just a job. Go Airforce, but if your a hardcore, i wanna kill somebody kind of guy then go Army. If you want to be a jarhead go Marines.

There, that sounds a lot better..........

In all seriousness, pick an MOS (job skill) that will benefit you when you get out of the military. Then use the militaries college pay to get an education. Between the militaries training and a college education you can then be well prepared for a good future. As far as what branch, pick the one that offers you the best deal and training to get you to enlist. Just to note, being in the Navy doesn't mean you have to be on a ship. If I was you, I would also look at the coastguard along with the four other branches.

 

[Skinner]

Join the Air force. It is the only branch that sends their officers into battle and leaves the enlist guys back at base.

 

[sky7051]

Well the fox got one thing right..... look for the best deal whatever branch will give you. It's just like you're a car for sale, who's gonna give you the best deal... and trust me, once in you're a USED car . You could join the navy and.... yeah be in the navy, you could join the
A.ren't R.eady to be M.arines Y.et, or you could join the Marines or even the Coast Guard. Good luck with whatever choice you make, but take your time and make an informed decision.

 

[PowderXCR]

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

Yes, my first question was which branch. I am tired of college, hate doing meaningless stuff all the time. I am not the cammando type, thinking along the lines of mechanical or electrical specialties. (Although, like everyone i think flying would be fun). i am hoping to do something that will give me real world skills. I think possibly I would be ready to finish college when i got done so some type of program for that would be good.

Roger

 

[PowderXCR]

I hadn't given any thought to the coast guard. Whats that all about. I will research.

 

[BU1]

thinking along the lines of mechanical or electrical specialties.

Maybe look at the Navy Seabees if you like construction oriented work.

P.S. You won't spend any time on a ship either.


The Air Force also has the Red Horse to do their construction.

 

[sg465]

Ive been in Air Force now for bout 13 years. They all have ups and downs. Truthfully, do 4 years in any branch and you will have real-world x-perience, employers do seem to like that.
If you got a degree look into starting out as officer; better pay. Consider world affairs, I feel for the ground guys who are deployed for long deployments and crappy conditions, but have no real-word x-perience about Army and Marines.
Air Force has been great, every career field has plus/minuses. Real hard to continue college on the road for 250/year but loved all of em. If you got specific questions or think recruiter is jerking ya around pm me.
PLEASE remember, when you sign up you are SERVING!!! needs of the branch you choose come first. Get alot of people with "promises" from recruiter or misconceptions that benefits are rights; benefits are great but need to serve 1st. Good luck

 

[Wade]

I don't know how you make sure, but just because the recruiter promises you your going to be a radar operator, doesn't mean you can pass the entrance test, AFTER you get in. Don't you have to have a full college degree to fly jets?

I spend many days on Navy ships listening to guys biotch about being promised training, but only getting a mop and a scrub brush. And, if you can't follow the rules, expect to spend a lot of time getting to know a needle gun.

Every ship had that one guy that was called anytime anything broke. Didn't matter if it was the coffee maker or a tracking radar. That's the guy to be.

 

[sky7051]

If you're looking mechanical or electrical look into hydraulic mechanic or aviation mech in any of them, great training and excellent skill to have after. If you have a two year degree go see the army about the Warrant Officer Program, as a warrant you can fly certain helos. If you look into any branch enough you'll find jobs that can give you skills for after. Hell I did four years in the corp (would have done more but family first) and got out with more certification than most firefighters had in metro locations. Oh and wade is right about the possibility of it not working out. While the majority go through and pass their tests and get their jobs they signed up with (pay close attention to paperwork!!!!! Know your MOS and make sure all paperwork has that MOS only before signing!!!!!). Some do get to their job schooling and fail out and have to be re-classed ( re-assigned...... you now a cook or grunt). Its a chance everyone takes but do your studying just like in college and you should be fine.

 

[grabbit]

Well when i was in the marines i was a V-22 Mechanic, actually helped start the training school for V-22 Mechs and helped carry body bags from the first couple v-22 crashes. And then was an instructor. I think that's an excellent choice, helicopter mechanics are bad azz. But what i would consider is what is around your area, Are you going to work for boeing in 4 years when you get out, or do you wanna join the CIA or even FBI. Just things to consider. When i joined i went helicopter mechanic, but when i got out 5 years later and moved home there's nothing for me here, so now i'm a block machine operator, and basically started all over again. So if you plan on getting out, consider what you might look for after its all done

 

[grabbit]

one more thing,

Make sure your mos is something like 6211 which is a specific field. If it's a 6000 that's just an aircraft mechanic, and could be anything in the 6000 range. Go for a specific job, nothing in the 1000's

 

[HIGHMARK]

No matter what you choose, I wish you the best of luck and a heartfelt thanks for offering yourself up in defense of our country. My hat is off to you as well as all other members of the armed forces.

 

[sky7051]

You've made another couple good points grabbit. The MOS is really important, like mine was 7051 Aircraft Rescue Firefighter but it falls under the 7000 field which is General Airfield Maint. I specifically chose 7051 and made sure all my paperwork said the same each time anything needed to be signed. Another good point was making sure its something you can use where you plan on living after you get out, granted things come up and changes happen (my case is a great example) but with planning you should be alright. And yes like highmark says, no matter what you chose thank you for making the effort and placing your life on hold for the better of your country.

 

[Snow Fox]

A.ren't R.eady to be M.arines Y.et, or you could join the Marines or even the Coast Guard. Good luck with whatever choice you make, but take your time and make an informed decision.

Coming from an Army guy, That's funny, I haven't ever heard that. I guess I will have to think about other ways to bash you Marines.

You are right though, pick an MOS that will help you after you get out of the military. I was an 11 Bravo in the Army. There isn't alot I can do in the real world as a Light Infantryman, which wouldn't be criminal anyway...........

 

[Meatman]

My *** Rides In Naval Equipment

they're also still upset that they are a department of the NAVY

Very good points stated above, whatever you decide to do, go active duty. For some reason they get deployed less than the guard. There is no way you will start out as an E-4 in the military no matter what branch you sign up in so he's full of chit. If you like paperwork become an officer. If you like gettin chit done be enlisted. Bet on being deployed a couple times.

 

[niner49]

What

My *** Rides In Naval Equipment

they're also still upset that they are a department of the NAVY

Very good points stated above, whatever you decide to do, go active duty. For some reason they get deployed less than the guard. There is no way you will start out as an E-4 in the military no matter what branch you sign up in so he's full of chit. If you like paperwork become an officer. If you like gettin chit done be enlisted. Bet on being deployed a couple times.

Sorry Meatman but you are incorrect about the E-4 comment...

Very good comments from alot Veterans posted above! Thanks for your service guys

My story......

I went to the recruiter wanted to be a pilot...took ASVAB scored pretty good got told the easiest way to be Pilot was to take another test NFQT (Nuclear Field Quailification Test) Scored OK, fell hook line and sinker that if I made it through Nuke school I would get a chance to go to flight school...LIES<LIES <LIES, but I DID go in as a E-4 with a 6 year hitch! served 6 years as a Machinist Mate on a Nuke carrier, got out went to school stayed in reserves where I switched to SeaBee unit and Changed ratings to a BU (builder) finished school with a degree in Civil Engineering, and so far it has all turned out good!

My point is... Life will present you with many crossroads sometimes you will make a correct turn and sometimes a wrong turn but as long as you keep chugging along no turn will take you to a dead end unless you let it!

Good Luck

 

[Meatman]

must be different in the navy but i'm pretty sure its not possible in the army. you can't get your e-4 until you are at least MOS qualified then after that its game on

 

[RMK7SledHead]

If you aren't already considering it, I point you to this show:

http://www.pbs.org/weta/carrier/full_episodes.htm

Watch episode 7, Chapter 5, entitled "Bolter, Bolter, Bolter" (maybe watch Chp 4 too so you see the backround to it).

If after watching that, you don't wanna go become a Naval or Marine Aviator, you probably shouldn't be riding a sled either, cause you HAVE to live on adrenaline to be that crazy.

as an aside, that show is a GREAT series and shows just exactly what the Navy boys and girls go through while deployed on a carrier. Very well done series.