Thinking about joining the US army

[Mongoose]

Alright, here's a question to any of veterans on this forum: If you're going to join the army mostly becasue you want to have that on your resume, what branch would it make the most sense to join? Even if I do decide to join, I'll have to wait afew years anyway so I have pleney of time to research this on my own, I just wanted to ask some one with some experience...

Thank you

And before you ask, no, I haven't been brainwashed by 'Americas Army'. And no, I don't take advice from strangers on the internet seriously.

[Strike For The South]

tHE USMC

[rory_20_uk]

I'm toying with the idea of joining the TA as a medic. Get fit, learn to kill people...

[Louis VI the Fat]

Oh, spare yourself the hassle. Why bother with all that boring research? Just go *cough* here, fill in the paperwork and off you go!
Shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Be sure to sign it!

[Papewaio]

If you are doing if for your resume then who do you wish to be employed by after the military?

Some skill sets will be tradeable others will not.

Light infantry probably will get you a security guard role.

Transport airplane pilot will get you a commericial airline pilot role.

Navy seaman... probably an airline steward role.

Will the time in the military help you get the skills and experience that will help you in your future role. I assume an officer with a degree and relevant experience will get far more benefit as will an enlisted man with trade skills (electrician etc).

Might as well plan out your finial destination before you decide on a path that may not give you the leverage you want to achieve it.

[Proletariat]

If you're bright enough, join the Navy as an officer and go for their nuke program. You could basically name your own salary after that.

[Divinus Arma]

I have been in the Marine Corps for nearly seven years.

If you are looking to serve in a branch primarily for a resume builder (which is perfectly legitimate and was part of choice too), consider the following:

(1) Do you care at all about actually serving your country, or is it just a job?

(2) What MOS, or job, do you want in the military?

(3) What job will you seek when you leave the service?

(4) Does tradition, pride, history, and respect matter to you?

(5) What are your feelings towards combat? Seek it, indifferent, or avoid it?


The branch of service you choose should depend mostly on your answers to these questions.

(1) If you truly care about serving your country, then service in any branch is honorable. If serving your country matters nothing to you, then join the air force simply because you will sacrifice the least and gain the most in creature comforts. In terms of ease of service, second to this would be the Navy (unless you are a corpsman serving with Marines), followed by the Army, and lastly the Marine Corps. The reasoning is primarily one of application and budget. The AF kills from the Air and has a monster budget. The Marines are the tip of the spear and face the most complex assignments with the least amount of money (they actually don't get their own budget; Marines get the Navy's leftovers). A bigger budget means top commanders have more money with which to provide services and quality of life to those serving. I have been on all manner of bases and I can say that this is certainly true.

(2) Although the service will guarantee your training in a given field, that does not necessarily mean you will always work in that field. Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines are all frequently tasked with doing duties they did not "sign up for". I know of a Marine supply unit that ended up doing MP work in Iraq for their entire tour. So, be forewarned, if you go into the Army or Marines, your chances for combat duty goes way up no matter what your job is.

(3) You need to pick a service job that closely mirrors the civilian counterpart. Keep in mind the above and remember that some services do not have jobs that other services do have.

(4) If you want to be respected, then your choice of branch should be obvious. Across the board, Marines in general recieve more kudos then other branches. Ronald Reagan said of Marines: "Some people live their whole lives wondering if they have made a difference; Marines don't have that problem." The Navy has their seals, the Army their rangers, and the AF their rescue guys: Each deserves respect but if you want respect by proxy- The Marines.

(5) Do you want to fight? If you do, but you don't want to join an "elite" unit, then join the Marines. You will be surrounded by individuals of superior character and ability. You army folks can argue with me all day on this, but the fact remains- we demand more physically, demand more in marksmanship, and demand moe in character then any other branch. The one and only reason to do this is survivability. Do you want to be surrounded by guys who are looking for a challenge? Or do you want to be surrounded by people who joined a branch that they thought would be "easier"?


Finally, and most importantly, remember that you are mandated by law to serve for a period of EIGHT YEARS. It is called inactive reserve, or the indivisual ready reserve. Even if you only serve in the army for 2 years, you may still be called back up to active service up to that eight year mark!

My neighbor was in the army for four years. He got out and joined the border patrol. He was out for three years and then he got recalled so he could serve in Iraq. He was there for a year and just got home 2 months ago.

[KukriKhan]

Oh, spare yourself the hassle. Why bother with all that boring research? Just go *cough* here, fill in the paperwork and off you go!
Shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Be sure to sign it!

$1178.10 (Jan '06) starting pay for a US recruit.

$1269 (2003 dollars) for the Legion

30 days leave US

45 days leave FFL

3 squares and a rack for either - free clothing (must like camo patterns)

Training that rich people pay 10's of thousands of dollars for: free.

For the Legion, must travel to France to join, on your nickel. 1700 recruiting stations in US.

Looks like it adds up to fashion, food, language and geography preferences.

Just kidding.

DA's analysis is right for US forces. It's all about what you want.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

My neighbor was in the army for four years. He got out and joined the border patrol. He was out for three years and then he got recalled so he could serve in Iraq. He was there for a year and just got home 2 months ago.

I'd feel more comfortable if I could be certain that guarding Iraq's border was the more dangerous of the two assignments....

'Goose:

Serve (D.A.'s guidelines for where/how are good points). If you do not, as I didn't, you will always regret it.

[Divinus Arma]

Serve (D.A.'s guidelines for where/how are good points). If you do not, as I didn't, you will always regret it.

That's a great point. I know many who regret they never served. It has been truly rewarding, and although I will leave the service soon, I regret nothing.

I owe everything to my service:

My home, my resume, my education, my future, and especially parts of my character. The military may not give you character- but it will bring out what is naturally in you. I never knew what a rough-n-tumble SOB I really was. I learned all about the load that I can carry and survive. That's why I can put in (edit)78 hour work weeks while going to graduate school full time!


And the best part: I had so much damn fun!

[Strike For The South]

wait there are only 52 weeks in the year!!!!

[Proletariat]

Hours, you.

[Redleg]

Alright, here's a question to any of veterans on this forum: If you're going to join the army mostly becasue you want to have that on your resume, what branch would it make the most sense to join? Even if I do decide to join, I'll have to wait afew years anyway so I have pleney of time to research this on my own, I just wanted to ask some one with some experience...

Thank you

And before you ask, no, I haven't been brainwashed by 'Americas Army'. And no, I don't take advice from strangers on the internet seriously.

There is some good advice alreadly given by others. The only thing I would add, is that if you want the military service on your resume - officer ranks tend to have more recognition in the civilan sector then enlisted. It really isn't fair to the men and women who serve as enlisted, its just the way it is though.

[Divinus Arma]

There is some good advice alreadly given by others. The only thing I would add, is that if you want the military service on your resume - officer ranks tend to have more recognition in the civilan sector then enlisted. It really isn't fair to the men and women who serve as enlisted, its just the way it is though.

That is true depending on what you want to do. The officer ranks groom some of america's top notch management and provides an excellent foundation for this. I would only recommend that you go enlisted FIRST, even after having earned your bachelors.

Too many officers have contempt for the men without knowing the first thing about soldiering, leadership be example, or mutual respect. Being enlisted first- and make it to sergeant before moving up- really gives you the foundation for direct leadership that you need to work with the troops in the future.

The best officers I have ever worked for were Sergeants first. The worst officer I have ever known was a PFC with a bachelor's degree who applied and earned a ticket into OCS. That bastard hated NCOs as a private, and never learned the importance of directive leadership. As a result, he treated his NCOs like crap and babied the non-rates. He was a Major in the Marine Corps and the biggest douche I have ever met. Hated by all and respected by none.

Second worst are all the staright out of college officers. Bunch of pansy 22 yr old kids trying to direct 10 year NCOs like they were punk kids. What a crock.

You know, our services should REQUIRE enlisted service first. How can one lead without knowing how to follow?

Either way, for the most part Redleg is totally correct.

[Devastatin Dave]

Air Force, get a good security clearance, get out, make lots of money working as a contractor for the government. The best move I ever made...

[Byzantine Prince]

Ask yourself, do you want to risk your life(and your health) for a country and a people?

[Redleg]

That is true depending on what you want to do. The officer ranks groom some of america's top notch management and provides an excellent foundation for this. I would only recommend that you go enlisted FIRST, even after having earned your bachelors.

Too many officers have contempt for the men without knowing the first thing about soldiering, leadership be example, or mutual respect. Being enlisted first- and make it to sergeant before moving up- really gives you the foundation for direct leadership that you need to work with the troops in the future.

The best officers I have ever worked for were Sergeants first. The worst officer I have ever known was a PFC with a bachelor's degree who applied and earned a ticket into OCS. That bastard hated NCOs as a private, and never learned the importance of directive leadership. As a result, he treated his NCOs like crap and babied the non-rates. He was a Major in the Marine Corps and the biggest douche I have ever met. Hated by all and respected by none.

Second worst are all the staright out of college officers. Bunch of pansy 22 yr old kids trying to direct 10 year NCOs like they were punk kids. What a crock.

You know, our services should REQUIRE enlisted service first. How can one lead without knowing how to follow?

Either way, for the most part Redleg is totally correct.

Seen all types of officers, Divinus Arma, both that were prior enlisted, straight out of the academy, or straight out of college, all have thier postive types, and all have thier negative types.

A good officer knows that respect and hard work is a two way communication between the officer and the enlisted soldier. A good officer listens to his NCO's to reach a decision, and accepts responsiblity for his decision verus passing the buck. A good officer does not ride on the shoulders of his men, but is helping them in the trenches of the job.

If an officer is unwilling to listen to his soldiers - how can he expect them to listen to him.

Leading men in the military is a tough job, but one that I cherish to my dying day. I learned more in my first year in the military then I did in 16 years of schooling.

Edit: A good officer transitions into management or supervision without to much difficultity because they have learned how to communicate and lead, verus other management scenerios. This is why most successful junior military officers have no problem finding civilian employment once they leave the military. I can personally vouch that a successful military career will often enable one to find the civilian job that they want with ease.

Done it twice now.

[Redleg]

Ask yourself, do you want to risk your life(and your health) for a country and a people?

What is life worth if your unwilling to risk it for what you believe?

[Byzantine Prince]

My life is worth more than other people's.

[Strike For The South]

Man someone thinks there shit dont stink.....The sig is so true

[Redleg]

My life is worth more than other people's.

That's a dodge to the question.

What is life worth if your unwilling to risk it for what you believe?

Everyone's life is of equal importance.

Be it the poor peasant in Mexico desiring a better life in the United States, who risks his life to journey to the north in search of that goal or even yours sitting in a comfortable spot in a free western nation that values your life as much as it values the lives of all other citizens of that nation.

Edit: Actually I value that poor peon who comes to the United States legally or illegally to improve his live more then I value the pompous ass that you just made of yourself with that statement.

I value those lives as much as I value my own.

[Byzantine Prince]

Everyone's life is of equal importance.

HAHAHAHAHAHA! I am so above you mang.

PS: See if you can spot the blatant hypocrisy in your post.

[Redleg]

HAHAHAHAHAHA! I am so above you mang.

I doubt that very much.

PS: See if you can spot the blatant hypocrisy in your post.

Your confusing personal belief with something else.

Other then the pompass ass comment direct at yourself - no hypocrisy is present.

[Strike For The South]

how are you above him? Do you think shooting up philosphy books of old dead white men from the 19th century makes you smart? Well if it helps you sleep at night knowing you are so above everyone else

[Byzantine Prince]

Redleg, if you can't see the hypocricy in your posts then it is not politically correct for me to insult you anymore.

how are you above him? Do you think shooting up philosphy books of old dead white men from the 19th century makes you smart? Well if it helps you sleep at night knowing you are so above everyone else

As for you... do you prefer NOT reading philosophy, or do you prefer reading philosophy written by live black men? I don't know what you are saying at all.

Heredatery ignorance always amuses me, even if I have to take some shots. Well done guys.

[Samurai Waki]

It just depends on what you like. Personally, if your looking for a career in medicine, the Navy has the most credibility and best training. If you want to get down and dirty go for the USMC, if you want a little mixture of both the Army is good option, or if you really don't feel like doing anything at all join the Airforce! (JK).

I was going to go into the military about a year back, and I backed out of it after I had gone through MEPS (partly due to a shoulder injury and partly due to my recruiter telling me I could do one thing, and the MEPS officer telling me I couldn't) I wanted to go into Airborne as a Combat Medic, but because of my shoulder injury they said I couldn't even be infantry (and my recruiter was telling me all the time that I could do it even though he was fully aware of my shoulder). I was just sick of the all the BS at that point, and I opted to go to college instead

[Duke Malcolm]

In the Navy, you can sail the seven seas...

[Templar Knight]

.....In the Navy, yes you can put your mind at ease.

[Kanamori]

If you want to be a true bad@ss, join the air force and become a red beret. They're pararescue; when everyone else screws up, it's their job to go in and save the day. They bandage the mess-ups and kill anyone who gets in the way.

[Ianofsmeg16]

Too many officers have contempt for the men without knowing the first thing about soldiering, leadership be example, or mutual respect. Being enlisted first- and make it to sergeant before moving up- really gives you the foundation for direct leadership that you need to work with the troops in the future.

The best officers I have ever worked for were Sergeants first. The worst officer I have ever known was a PFC with a bachelor's degree who applied and earned a ticket into OCS. That bastard hated NCOs as a private, and never learned the importance of directive leadership. As a result, he treated his NCOs like crap and babied the non-rates. He was a Major in the Marine Corps and the biggest douche I have ever met. Hated by all and respected by none.

Do you have a special officer training school in the US, cos I'm sure that officer cadets in GB go through a sort of "Officer Skills Class" which teaches them how to be a proper officer. I get what you mean by saying Coming up through the ranks will give you more leadership experience, but (I dont know what it's like over there) that would be an Astronomical task for a British Soldier to do, is it the same way across the pond?