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well.. this Thursday, there is an Army recruit going over to a friends house... and he wants me to go over there and talk with the guy also... i am not sure about this because well... id be scared of going to war and all obviously... missing all my friends and family... you know what all i mean... but then this could be the best thing that ever happend to me....it may give me the chance for a future.... to get out of this $hithole... and well who knows what else.... what do you guys think? any of you in this situation or have any friends that joined? and it turned out to be the best thing that happend to them?

I almost joined the army about two years ago. ALl I can say is thank god for my extra 26 Lbs of fluff- otherwise I would be in Iraq today.

I was having a REAL HARD time finding a job to support my family.

I have a few friends that joined the actual "army". I have yet to hear a good thing... They claim you can make more working at McDonalds....

Best advice if you want to get out of the area your in: Pack up your crap and just move.

if u arent dead serious about wanting to go into the army, dont do it.. my best friend just went to Iraq, but he has wanted to be a marine for a long time now. he did make a good 10k in this past year from boot camp to training.. but thats not what it should be about..

I'd say pass on the army... i have a few buddies in various parts of the military (marines, navy, and army) and only 1 out of about 8 like it... the rest worry everyday and say the money isnt really worth it. Most of em went in to get free college but said it isnt worth it... i'm just going to a community college for 800$ for 12 credit hours, which isnt bad at all and i'm just working 80 hours a week on top of that... it sucks but its better than the army.

It's real, honest work which turns off a lot of people.
both of my parents were USAF. Father was career AF. I wanted to go into ROTC, but couldn't due to medical. It's not always a "fun" job, but one reason you don't get paid a lot as enlisted personel is because they already provide you with everything you need without additional charge. food, housing, clothes, means of transportation... all of that is provided so the monetary pay is additional.
Keep that in mind when you consider pay grades. Civilians have to take most of what they make and spend it on house payments or rent, food, clothes, gas and vehicle expenses, medical coverage which the military provides as well...

I can't tell you if you should or shouldn't join. I can tell you a recruiter will tell you what you want to hear, just like any salesman will, but he'll also answer any questions you have.

There are other branches than the Army as well... Navy, AF.. look into what suits you. If you get through your term of service and want to get out, it'll always look very good on a resume, too.

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.

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.

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. :/

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!

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.