Military service: Would you do it again??

I would have done it sooner and maybe picked a more "practical" MOS. Being a Tanker is fun and all but isn't much marketable in the civilian world besides bulldozer driver...

I may have been kinda like your son, I floated a few years after graduating, half-assed going to college. The military WILL teach you self-discipline, self-confidence, and will motivate (either to work hard, or to slack off more effiently depends on the person) IF you aren't a total rock.
If it fits right he could make a career of it, I know a few guys who were total punks in civilian life, but found a niche in the military and became near respectable. If not, it might open his eyes that he needs to get going with his life.

As for kids. You didn't mention a mom. If he were the single provider then they might have a problem. But if there is another parent, the military is actually good about dependants. And he won't be away from them much. Its the Air Farce, not the Army or Navy. At worst he will get stationed in Korea for a year. The rest are accompanied tours.

 

After 16 years in the Navy I would do it again, in fact I just talked my 24 yr old brother (bringing along his wife and two boys) into joining after a few years as a cop and the pay not justifying the death threats. The positives: travel.Summer in Athens, Christmas in Caane, Summer in Bahrain (OK hot as hell but still fun), New Years in Saudi. Seriously though I sat in a house in Athens and watched the moon come up over the Parthenon when I was 18, pretty damn cool. Swam with Sea turtles in the Seychelles last summer/fall between flights over Yemen and Afghanistan, again pretty damn cool. Did a 3 day-two night ski trip from Cannes into the Alps for $150.00 while in port with the Ike. They pay me pretty good to live with my family 20 minutes from one of the best racetracks in the world. Damn near 100% tuition. meeting some really cool people from all over the country/world.

Downers. Saying goodbye to my daughters (6 & 3) when the 6 year old sees a brown flight suit instead of a green one and watches the news and knows some bad shit is goin down, and begs you not to go (and honestly my stuff isn't too awfully dangerous most of the time but can be occassionally). The wife and I have been doing it for a while now so it's easier for us, but with my girls it sucks hard. Working for ignorant assholes. Some people stay in the military because they can't do it anywhere else. In 16 years I've only worked for 2 guys who could and did have a negative impact on my career, but those are the breaks, I'm sure people get screwed as civilians too. I must say I've worked for some outstanding people as well, people I would step in front of a bus for without hesitation. Some people stay because they love what they do (hopefully that's me but I must admit the easy days outnumber the hard over the long haul!) Money. You WILL NOT get rich doing this, although it has obviously gotten better the more senior I become. Especially just starting out with a family it will be hard but if they can just make it through the first couple years they'll be ok financially.

So short answer, yeah, I'd do it again but I'm almost ready to be done, 6 more years and I'm outta here, but as JFK said, ""Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think he can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction... I served in the United States Navy."

 

Absolutely. Today if needed.
I'm proud of my time in, and grateful for the opportunity to serve.
Ty Stranger-Thorsen

 

I did my time, and although the experience was pretty f'n cool, you have to drag my dead body back into a fuggin plane to jump out of it. Sleeping in the rain, cold, snow, and boot camp sucks ass for a 6'4" brother from NYC with a gold tooth. Cleaning other folks bathrooms like a f'n janitor, buffing & waxing floors, KP duty, guard duty in Alaskan snow freezing your tit off, to roasting your ass alive in the sands of Riyadh<sp?> Reporting to brown-nosing weasels that hang the direction of your life in their hands, not to mention a job you can't quit without facing jail time. Lousy-ass pay, continually shrinking benefits, doctors that AREN'T, dentists that flunked med school, forget malpractice suits cause you aint suing this employer. I salute the folks that put up with the shit that goes on with this employer.

If I had to do it again, the Army could kiss my ass! I wish I could get back the 10 years I gave Uncle Sam in exchange for less than minimum wage.

 

But like the commercials imply...

EVERYTHING is easier and better after this experience!

 

Oh yeah, as far as trades...

Avionics Technician(Including: building circuit boards from drawings under a microscope, building the boxes to put them in, building the wire bundles that connect them, installing them in the airplanes that I will fly in and operate them).

Instructor. miltary to teacher program?

Curriculum Developer(Including certification as a Master Training Specialist, developing curriculum in knowledge and practical skills to include text and multi-media)

RADAR, FLIR, Communications, and Electronic Warfare Operator (customs, DEA, CIA, etc)

Supervision. Manage 74 people on a daily basis.

Go into it with a plan, and milk 'em for all they're worth!(should be easier with a 24 yr old.) Wasted my first four years growing up (came in when 17)but had a blast!

GO WITH HIM TO THE RECRUITER AND THE PROCESSING STATION! Make sure you get what you want, treat it like buying a car, walk out if they don't give you what you want.

Sorry so long, but you asked

 

Joe, that's one of the most intelligent pieces of advice I've heard in a looooong, loooong time.
Buck....... yeah, you and me think alike. But then I was in 1965-69 which was a sucka$$ time to be in the military. HOWEVER, I would have been retired at age 39 and I coulda raced all those years. Rats, did I screw up? Nah, ........ better late than never.

 

Same here...hind sight is 20/20!



Joining the military won't make him responsible. Have him start night school, and he'll be better off in the long run. Military marriages usually don't fare so well either. I only spent 2 years in the Army. I had a lot of fun, but also got into a lot of trouble. In the end, I enjoyed college much more than the Army! Better looking chicks, and better parties!!! Also, when I finished college I was in a much better position than when I finished the Army!

 

Does he want to join???? If so then I say go for it!!!! The Airforce is a good branch, they seem to treat their people better. and if your son can't get his act together the military always has the ability to kick him out in basic training under what is called Entry Level Seperation which is a uncharacterized discharge (if I'm correct, I never followed up on the risidual effect of a ELS). Of course there are other ways to kick someone out later on in their time of service. There are plenty of good benefits such as money for schooling and they are making it so that family members can utilize it (check with recruiter, the Army does it already but not sure on the Airforce) plus you have medical coverage. There are many benefits out there for soldiers it is just about talking to the correct people and asking the right questions.

Military service also can help you out later in life even if you decide not to stay in upon completion of your time in service. Also there is the Air National Guard if your son doesn't want to go full time but I recommend that he makes this decision on his own!!!


All in all the military has treated me rather well, I have done things that most people would never and will never do in their lifetime, I have seen some amazing things and met some truly outstanding people and I have been afforded some tremendous opportunities!!! So yes I would do it again!!!!!

 

yeah but the GI bill makes paying for college a little nicer, he can go into the reserves and still do the college thing (thats what I did until I completed college and then went active duty)!!

 

Thanks for all the response!!

He goes for his aptitude test on Thursday, I did mention for him to check the ANG too....

Thanks guys!

 

I, personally, would not do it if I were able to go back and do my life over. I am proud of my military accomplishments, but I don't think it really helped me much towards any of my life goals.

I would not recommend enlisting with a family. The military is rough on marriages. Your son will be making about 15K per year and will not have much time for family. Also, when someone joins the military their spouse joins too. Her whole life will be changed. Maybe for the better, maybe not. I would be interested to know if anyone can find solid statistics on enlisted marriages. I bet they are pretty sad. There is little "up-side" for the family.

As always.....YMMV

STEVE

 

17 Yrs and Loving it

To put it simply: As illustrated here in the variety of responses to this thread - Military Service is not for everyone. It IS, however, WHAT YOU MAKE IT.

Just like anything else, one can either choose to sit on their ass and do nothing, or grab the opportunity by the balls and find military service (yes, service... to this great country) an opportunity and privilege that can provide a colorful and satisfying career. Personally, after 17 yrs, I look back with no regrets. I have a career, a beautiful family (wife and three daughters), a home, and all the insignificant material things I want (cars, bikes, more bikes - love those bikes!)...

But more importantly, I have stability in my life. The military has become my extended family and always will be. Benefits for retirees (Medical especially) have been ever expanding and its not slowing down. www.af.mil

Note: The Air Force has always been traditionally family focused and is generally thought of as the better choice when family members are of concern. NOT that the other services are poor in this regard.

Also, it's a four year tour. After four years (no biggie), if military service isn't his cup of tea... he can get into the civilian sector with four yrs of experience and training...

Good Luck.