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DO NOT GO INTO THE ARMY. Take this peice of advise to a staff sergent in the Air force. My best friend is in the Army, and we compare quality of living and other stories all the time. He wishes every day he would have joined the air force instaed of the army. We have better housing, better jobs, and better opurtunities once you get out.

Keep in mind the military isn't an easy life, but if you get into a job you enjoy (there is a few) you will have a blast. I work on the computer and electrical system on the F 16. Not only do I trouble shoot any problems that occure, and replace any parts that are needed. I get to run up these same systems, and operate them just like the pilot. Only diffrence, if i break something I don't have to pull the OH SHIT handle.

Now on to the really fun stuff. I spent 3 months out of my first year (after I finished tech school) in LAS Vegas getting paid extra to live on the strip. The fighter maintance world regulary gets sent to Panama City Florida, Ft Walton Beach Florida, Las Vegas, A few places in Canada, and Alaska. These trips are usually 2 to 4 weeks and are all expences paid. All we do is go to work, fix the jets, and then go to the hotel and do what we want. Day shift normally works 8 hours and swings any were from 4 to 12 hours. I have been on numerous TDYs that swings actually beat day shift home from work.

Yes we do travel other places too. Right now I am in South Korea (I love it here). Come may I will be moving to Germany, and yes I have been to the desert. I spent 3 months in Saudi Arabia during the start of the war. I stayed in an air conditioned building with cable tv showers and all that stuff. We had 3 places to eat at any time of day (all food was free) and a full gym and swiming pool about 100 yards from my room. Yes there was some air force people who didn't have it a nice as me, and during the first 2 weeks of bombing i was working 12 hour shifts and the pool and gym were closed. But thats still a lot nicer than driving thru Iraq in a truck.

I hope this helps any one who is thinking about joining the military. If you have any questions feel free to email me and I will hook you up with tons of info.

Consider a guilded career then, like electricians.
You can become an apprentice, journeyman, then master laborer at whatever you choose to learn.
It's an honorable career path, it offers travel, good pay, usually some type of union benefits, and you don't have to worry about getting shot at or sent overseas.

well i am not that patriotic... at all... i was thinking about it to help straighten my life out (not in any law trouble or nothin)... because i live in a hopeless town and there isnt much offered here.. aside from factory work which ive done.... i was thinking it could possibly better my life.. but i do not want to go to war or nothin... i dont think i will join though because of stated reasons you guys have given, but Mostly because of my own personal thoughts and such.... thanks anyways guys.

KikiTheCat wrote:yeah my best friend ... went straight to work for the FAA making $98K/year "training" in a tower to start.
Promptly got out and bought a house and an NSX hahaha

My god, that's almost identical to what my best friend is currently doing. Minus the Air Traffic Controller part, he's a pilot trying to work up to instrument CFI, but will go after commercial flight. He'll be making over $100k per year and buying an NSX as soon as he can lol.

yeah my best friend did his 5 years and came out of the Army as an air traffic controller, and went straight to work for the FAA making $98K/year "training" in a tower to start.
Promptly got out and bought a house and an NSX hahaha

It's only for certain people. It also depends on what you're after, branches like the Marines and Army don't really offer as many educational opportunities besides the GI bill, while in the Air Force or Navy you have more opportunities to work toward your degree, depending on your training and how long you stay. My cousin was a SEAL and loved it, but he is a little hardcore (crazy? :) ) anyway. The main thing I see people gain from it is work ethic, especially kids who didn't have any motivation when they joined.

I'll ask this of anyone posting to this thread.
I don't care what your political beliefs are, and this isn't a place to air them in my view, but I will ask you not to disrespect the military in general or those who've served or given their lives to protect your rights and freedoms, if you believe that to be the case or not.

My father was one who did give his life in the service of this country and I tolerate no disrespect in his name from anyone in that regard. I felt I should let that be known before someone inadvertantly puts their foot in their mouth, and I get an urge to kick them in the jaw when they do.
Have a great day!

personally I wouldnt do it, im not the kind of person that responds well to having a large man yelling in my face. War is hell, and you dont wanna go to hell for well the hell of it lol. There are other ways to make money, i mean just look at all these drug dealers.....nah jk. Id never join but thats just me. Maybe if it was a bit different and we were fighting for on common good but not for some stupid whim the current president has. I prefer to fight my wars on the home front and by my rules. :/

if you're doing it just to do something, like a few have said...thats the wrong motive, and you will be miserable.

i for one know what it entails, what to expect, and actaully have a desire to do it for many reasons. thats the only thing that will make it worth it in my opinion. remember, you're signing your life away for a few years, litteraly.

After you would serve your years, if you were looking for a job, many people will higher you if you have military training in their field. A friend of mine went into the Navy. He seems to like it for the most part, but he is trying to become a Nuclear Engineer. He studies just about all week long, but when he gets out after 4 years (actually, he's going to stay in for 6 total), he has the potential to make 100k per year plus due to his military training in nuclear engineering.