Still joining the service...but I need guidance. I'm not sure which one.

[Bigwaved]

Originally Posted by zonedar

Don't listen to Dave, his helmet was screwed on too tight.

What? They didn't issue us helmets...

[gocowboys]

Originally Posted by Bigwaved

What? They didn't issue us helmets...

That is why he should stay away from the Marines.

Seriously, Ricky had it right. Do research. Talk to people that are in each branch and see what they say. Think about what you want to do now and in the future. That will help a lot.

If you have questions about the Air Force, send me a PM. I have been in for 12 years. It has its good and bad, just like all the branches and anything you choose to do in life.

[pistol]

Originally Posted by floydp

OOH RAH!

I'm going to throw up now! Just kidding to all of you Devil Dogs out there! For what it's worth, I loved my time in the Army. The 82nd Airborne is a fantastic place to grow up; I never understood the guys that joined up and didn't want to jump out of airplanes and shoot bad guys. What else is there to do in the Army?! If you aren't at the tip of the spearhead, you are just support (just kidding again: support MOSs are vital to the mission, but it just didn't suit me). All Americans!

[DETROITPHA357]

Originally Posted by Teninx

Military service to our country is not a job training corps. Your decision to enlist in any branch should be motivated by your love of America and your desire to protect her against her enemies. While you certainly will learn skills that will serve you well throughout your life, your military job, whatever it may be, will first be to keep the safety and security of America.

If you're not willing to committ yourself fully to the defense of America, against all enemies foriegn and domestic (you'll swear to that), consider another avenue to advance your personal goals.

I have to agree with him, join due to your love for what they do and stand for not for what ya can get out of it. Pray about it

[MascaraSnake]

Thanks a whole lot guys, I really appreciate all your help and thanks some of you for being brutally honest...I really do not know a whole lot about every service. I'll keep you all posted on which I end up choosing.

[Teninx]

Originally Posted by MascaraSnake

Thanks a whole lot guys, I really appreciate all your help and thanks some of you for being brutally honest...I really do not know a whole lot about every service. I'll keep you all posted on which I end up choosing.

I wish you well.

There are some things that a recruiter won't tell you. Military life is often harsh. It's always strict, inflexible and very demanding. With the way of today's world, your military service will very likely put you in harms' way no matter if you are a bandsman or a commando. Do not think that your specialty will keep you from warfare.

The rewards that you receive from honorable service are many. Wearing our country's uniform can instill in you pride and honor to a level unobtainable for young men and women in any other venture. It is a committment of service, and an oath to defend America to the death.

[rbcarmy]

Originally Posted by Teninx

I wish you well.

There are some things that a recruiter won't tell you. Military life is often harsh. It's always strict, inflexible and very demanding. With the way of today's world, your military service will very likely put you in harms' way no matter if you are a bandsman or a commando. Do not think that your specialty will keep you from warfare.

The rewards that you receive from honorable service are many. Wearing our country's uniform can instill in you pride and honor to a level unobtainable for young men and women in any other venture. It is a committment of service, and an oath to defend America to the death.

[theycallmedan'lboone]

it's all about where you wanna go. USMC, they've got the coolest uniforms and get all the girls (except when I'm around) USARMY, they're army strong, and what not, and generally get treated like 6 year olds until they are e-5 or 6's..(In my humble experience) USN, puddle pirates but really do have some kick as jobs and go lots of places, USAF, well obviously saving the best for last...
If you want to jump, swim, kill, be Infantry, don't go be a commo guy in the Army and expect to get to do the fun stuff. There are plenty of Jobs out there and I like you said... I don't want to be in no effing chair force... but here I am in Afghanistan, computer network geek, working radios for the army at FOB in the middle of butt frakked Afghanistan(no really it's worse than fort lostinthewoods). You like the language thing, look into the AF, talk to a recruiter about the Linguist stuff. There are AF bases all over the world. I've been to a few. Don't limit yourself by saying you're not good with "techie" stuff, just about any job you can imagine anywhere each branch has them. Don't limit yourself, if you want to do language related stuff look into every branch and see what they have to offer. No matter how much I joke on the Navy and the Army and the Marine Corps, and they me, we are all brothers in arms, we all serve our country, and that is something to stick that chest out and hold your head high about. Your serving your country in an aspect that not very many people today can say they have, regardless of branch. Find something you'll like and pick it up and run with it. I'd sit down and think, is this something you want to be a career or just a 4-6 year run and get out and go to school. I know people that swore up and down in basic that they'd be in for 20+ years and they are getting out in January, and then others who swore they were just doing 4 years and getting out, have already re-up for 4 more. Is the job you are choosing is what you want to do for a living, why not do 20? Getting a pension at 40 something ain't so bad. Take time and think about your options.

[Fresh50]

Originally Posted by theycallmedan'lboone

it's all about where you wanna go. USMC, they've got the coolest uniforms and get all the girls (except when I'm around) USARMY, they're army strong, and what not, and generally get treated like 6 year olds until they are e-5 or 6's..(In my humble experience) USN, puddle pirates but really do have some kick as jobs and go lots of places, USAF, well obviously saving the best for last...
If you want to jump, swim, kill, be Infantry, don't go be a commo guy in the Army and expect to get to do the fun stuff. There are plenty of Jobs out there and I like you said... I don't want to be in no effing chair force... but here I am in Afghanistan, computer network geek, working radios for the army at FOB in the middle of butt frakked Afghanistan(no really it's worse than fort lostinthewoods). You like the language thing, look into the AF, talk to a recruiter about the Linguist stuff. There are AF bases all over the world. I've been to a few. Don't limit yourself by saying you're not good with "techie" stuff, just about any job you can imagine anywhere each branch has them. Don't limit yourself, if you want to do language related stuff look into every branch and see what they have to offer. No matter how much I joke on the Navy and the Army and the Marine Corps, and they me, we are all brothers in arms, we all serve our country, and that is something to stick that chest out and hold your head high about. Your serving your country in an aspect that not very many people today can say they have, regardless of branch. Find something you'll like and pick it up and run with it. I'd sit down and think, is this something you want to be a career or just a 4-6 year run and get out and go to school. I know people that swore up and down in basic that they'd be in for 20+ years and they are getting out in January, and then others who swore they were just doing 4 years and getting out, have already re-up for 4 more. Is the job you are choosing is what you want to do for a living, why not do 20? Getting a pension at 40 something ain't so bad. Take time and think about your options.

[alarmguy1]

This is where the father comes out in me. Having 3 daughters and 1 son who is now 16. If my son came to me and said he wanted to join a service and asked for my guidance; I would have to say the Navy. Having friends who served in all of the branches and hearing stories from them:; the Navy would be my choice for my son. Right now with the way things are in the world the Navy seems to be the safest. And there is nothing more that I would want than the safe return from military duty of my son as well as the safe return of everyone's son's and daughter's.

But that is just my opinion.

Alarmguy1

[bc3po]

Originally Posted by maddman

What is your malfunction son once a Marine always a Marines, and always Capitalize Marine....well at least that is what my dad says.

You sound like my current SGT.

[atlacatl]

Take what the recruiters say with a grain of salt, they are probably going to sugarcoat everything. Me being in the Air Force, I would highly recommend it. You'll do your share of crappy assignments but it depends on the job you do. The thing I like about best about the Air Force is that they care more about family life than the other branches. The best suggestion I can give you is that whatever branch you choose, pick a job that you will like and that it it teaches you something that you can use on the outside if you decide to get out later on.

[RETSF]

Regardless of which branch you choose, the mission of all the services is to destroy the enemy by bomb and bullet. Everyone supports that end goal and we all play a role in getting it done. Realize up front only a very few get to do battle in the sky or support the ground troops from tree top level to 30,000 feet. First thing you need to figure out is what it is that you are motivated to do, there is nothing worse for any unit than being saddled with an individual who joins just because the uniforms look kool or because TV shows like 24, jag or some other "mind f***" movie gives you images of personal grandure going after the bad guys. Reality is this; regardless of what your speciality, MOS or some other desigination everyone will grab a rifle to and is expected to reduce the enemy to cordwood; this means to kill or seriously wound the enemy--It is an absoulutely sickning feeling as your about to pull the trigger on another human being.--if you can't do that stay out of my military. If you see your self as RAMBO or some other FICTIONAL Die hard movie star your going to probably be one of the first casualities in an engagement or may be get friendlies killed. Next is can you handle working in extreame tempatures and in all weather conditions; 130 deg. down to 70 below 0 and colder is not plesant. One of the WWII vets that fought the enemy at Dutch Harbor Alaska might enlighten you on that experience. Can you live/work in a fighting position or some other hole in the ground which will fill up with water during that storm from he11 and for extended periods of time. Talk to some of the Vets about some of their worst experiences in battle, read military history and view some of the old war footage.
When you talk to the recruter ask him or her to provide you with the High Year Teanture for each pay grade. The manpower size of a speciality effects your ability to progress through out the entire career. In some specialities you may have to cross train into another field at some point due to overmanning in a pay grade of a speciality area - so ask the recruter for a listing of the career fields with shortages you may end up in one at some point.
Every thing is second to getting the mission done, including family and any/all other activities. The needs of the military come first including deployments, long hours and remote tours of duty. Then there is the long periods of seperation from wives, childern and family, missed births - birthdays and the holidays to mention a few. Bottom line is know yourself, you strenths and weakness, plan your long term goals out to twenty years. Last trust your gut feeling about this decision, if you can handle it welcome to the worlds finest military machine. If its not your cup of tea don't join; an Honorable, General or Bad Conduct discharge will follow you for the rest of your life.

[ghostrider]

I'm surprised only one other post has mentioned the Coast Guard. Not sure what your language skills are, or where you want to go with them, but being bi-lingual is a skill very much in demand there.

Not to take anything away from our incredible soldiers/sailors/airmen, but I truly get a sense of service in the Coast Guard. It's rare that a day goes by where I don't feel I've truly helped someone.

Some other things to consider: enlisted or officer? Are you looking at a short term stint to get some training/education? Or are you in it for the long haul?

Regardless, going into the service is not for everyone. It's a serious commitment, no matter what branch you choose. Make sure you take the time to think it through, talk to all the recruiters, and talk to some activie duty members when you get the chance.

[Papichulo]

You know what I salute each and everyone of the Vets that posted in this thread! My heartfelt respect goes out to my brothers and sisters of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. As a loving father of four boys my oldest wants to join and become an Air Force Security Forces member, who by the way, deploy more days within a 20 year period then the majority fo the all the services. Yeah, more then the Army and Marines. They are 24K strong and are working along side all the aforementioned services. I know, I am a 21 year E-9. Now back to my son, I support him joining my ranks; however, I have many friends in the US Coast Guard and I am swaying him toward the Coasties! He already is fluent in English, Turkish, and is learning Spanish. Not only that he can read Arabic and he is only 16 Anyway, listen to the VETS and do you research. Now if you want to be a snake eater (e.g. SEAL, Special Forces, etc.) and you think you can meet both the mental and physical challenges join and attend the toughest school in the Departement of Defense, the Air Force Pararescue school. Basically, an RN combat medic with balls of steal that go in and rescue the majority of our special forces and pilots. Personally, if I was going to do it again I would consider this order of my interests: 1. Pararescue, 2. Coast Guard Combat Swimmer, 3. Navy SEAL, 4. Marine FORCE RECON, 5. Army Special Forces, and then 6. Air Force Security Forces. There is no better service then the other, just a different mission. As mentioned earlier if you are not combat oriented in the Air Force the quality of life is better. Just do your research and remember the aforementioned jobs are not just only physically demanding, but more mind numbing then you could ever imagine. You need to ensure you mind is in the game before you pursue one these jobs. Last thing, in some of the aforementioned jobs you need to be proficient in a job before they will accept you.