Benefits of enlisting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ahead of what?

Ahead in life (career, savings, happiness, opportunities for success, family etc.)

This is hard to answer. Many military enlistees fall prey to payday lenders and other abuses. There is a reason that every street leading up to a military base is littered with liquor stores, payday lenders, etc.

Now, if your kid is disciplined and saves their $$$s and uses the military to gain useful skills, takes advantage of the GI Bill for college, etc., it can work out.

Other approach is to have the military pay for your college and then serve as an officer.

This is blunt truth. It’s a fantastic way to gain skills (even if you don’t aim for NCO+) and change your life, but you have to handle it the right away.

This! Enlisting can be great. You have virtually no bills for several years and can save a lot of money. The military provides you with many, many useful skills beyond your designated job. If you plan to go to college, your designated military job doesn’t matter. You can either serve out all your time then U.S. GI Bill, or serve 2 yrs and apply for Green to Gold ROTC scholarship and can switch to a student status enroute to becoming an officer. If you don’t plan on going to college, then yes, try to get a guarantee to a job specialty that has a civilian equivalent.

All in all, the military can be an amazing experience with much to gain- so long as you are smart, disciplined, and don’t make dumb mistakes/choices while in. (Don’t get married, don’t make a baby, and don’t blow $$$$ on a car and bunches of alcohol and strippers)

Hum…no it’s not. For some single if they live in the dorms maybe but they earn so little families get food stamps and wic. The jobs suck, officers treat you badly, can be sent anywhere and may not be released as promised. Clearly you are not entitled or an entitled family. We are a retiree enlisted family. I would be fine with my v
Child going in as an officer only. We’ve saved since birth to avoid this.

For an unmarried 18-21 yr old with no kids that isn’t stupid with money- no they are not on food stamps. They live in military housing and have very few bills, it’s fine and you can actually save a lot. But yeah, if you enlist, get married at 19 and make some kids and wife doesn’t work and you have to move off base, yeah- you’ll be on food stamps.
So don’t do that

Have you ever been enlisted? Clearly not. Its not a great experience.

I was enlisted and later worked in management consulting after finishing school. Enlistment can suck, but so did grinding away in conference rooms 18 hours a day in a suit.

So, basically you did 2-4 years, try longer.... grinding in an conference room making much more money isn't comparable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the main benefits of enlisting in the army/navy etc? Can one come out ahead with this trajectory?

With alcohol Pete in charge you are insane to have a child do this

Prior to this yes.

Mother of a Army surgeon
SIL of Navy submarine Commander
Sister if Navy Anesthesiologist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ahead of what?

Ahead in life (career, savings, happiness, opportunities for success, family etc.)

This is hard to answer. Many military enlistees fall prey to payday lenders and other abuses. There is a reason that every street leading up to a military base is littered with liquor stores, payday lenders, etc.

Now, if your kid is disciplined and saves their $$$s and uses the military to gain useful skills, takes advantage of the GI Bill for college, etc., it can work out.

Other approach is to have the military pay for your college and then serve as an officer.

This is blunt truth. It’s a fantastic way to gain skills (even if you don’t aim for NCO+) and change your life, but you have to handle it the right away.

This! Enlisting can be great. You have virtually no bills for several years and can save a lot of money. The military provides you with many, many useful skills beyond your designated job. If you plan to go to college, your designated military job doesn’t matter. You can either serve out all your time then U.S. GI Bill, or serve 2 yrs and apply for Green to Gold ROTC scholarship and can switch to a student status enroute to becoming an officer. If you don’t plan on going to college, then yes, try to get a guarantee to a job specialty that has a civilian equivalent.

All in all, the military can be an amazing experience with much to gain- so long as you are smart, disciplined, and don’t make dumb mistakes/choices while in. (Don’t get married, don’t make a baby, and don’t blow $$$$ on a car and bunches of alcohol and strippers)

Hum…no it’s not. For some single if they live in the dorms maybe but they earn so little families get food stamps and wic. The jobs suck, officers treat you badly, can be sent anywhere and may not be released as promised. Clearly you are not entitled or an entitled family. We are a retiree enlisted family. I would be fine with my v
Child going in as an officer only. We’ve saved since birth to avoid this.

For an unmarried 18-21 yr old with no kids that isn’t stupid with money- no they are not on food stamps. They live in military housing and have very few bills, it’s fine and you can actually save a lot. But yeah, if you enlist, get married at 19 and make some kids and wife doesn’t work and you have to move off base, yeah- you’ll be on food stamps.
So don’t do that

Have you ever been enlisted? Clearly not. Its not a great experience.

I was enlisted and later worked in management consulting after finishing school. Enlistment can suck, but so did grinding away in conference rooms 18 hours a day in a suit.

So, basically you did 2-4 years, try longer.... grinding in an conference room making much more money isn't comparable.

I'm not sure what point you are trying to make. Enlistments are typically 4 years. Busting your rear end in the corporate world isn't exactly heaven either. I can buy more things yes, wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Pretty much everyone is right. You could be hanging over the side of a ship scraping paint in the hot sun, troubleshooting electronic equipment in an air conditioned room (those are not the same people), or a bunch of stuff in between.

You could be smart with money and save, or lousy with money. Thirty days leave a year, full dental and medical along with room and board, isn't bad. But you might get tired of living on a ship or a room in the barracks and rent an apartment.

You might show no initiative to advance, or you could be studying for advancement and be supervising others at a young age.

There are good and bad managers, and good and bad duty stations. Different people will have very different experiences.

Even though I saw the world and was a more mature student, for college bound people, if you can afford it and are mature enough to be a good student, I would go straight to college, then go in as an officer. If you want to use the GI bill, or learn a trade, or possibly stay in, (great retirement) enlisted makes more sense. Just be sure you get guaranteed training so you're not chipping paint instead of being a machinist or electrician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our current president is a sociopath who could give orders to deploy to attack law abiding American citizens because he has no respect for the rule of law or normal values. And as an member of the military you will be required to follow his orders - there is no room for questioning.

It is a very scary time right now. I would not want to be in the military and at his beck and call to fulfill his childish mafioso fantasies.

This is false - if a reasonable person would believe the orders are unlawful, then you are legally obligated to disobey and can be criminally liable for not doing so.

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/domestic-deployment-of-the-military-the-past-present-and-potential-future/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pretty much everyone is right. You could be hanging over the side of a ship scraping paint in the hot sun, troubleshooting electronic equipment in an air conditioned room (those are not the same people), or a bunch of stuff in between.

You could be smart with money and save, or lousy with money. Thirty days leave a year, full dental and medical along with room and board, isn't bad. But you might get tired of living on a ship or a room in the barracks and rent an apartment.

You might show no initiative to advance, or you could be studying for advancement and be supervising others at a young age.

There are good and bad managers, and good and bad duty stations. Different people will have very different experiences.

Even though I saw the world and was a more mature student, for college bound people, if you can afford it and are mature enough to be a good student, I would go straight to college, then go in as an officer. If you want to use the GI bill, or learn a trade, or possibly stay in, (great retirement) enlisted makes more sense. Just be sure you get guaranteed training so you're not chipping paint instead of being a machinist or electrician.

The medical care is horrible, speaking from experience and if you had a serious health issue you get kicked out. I have serious health issues and diagnosis and treatment with tricare is a nightmare. Retirement is not great. It’s about $1k a month minus taxes, survivors benefits and tricare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the main benefits of enlisting in the army/navy etc? Can one come out ahead with this trajectory?

With alcohol Pete in charge you are insane to have a child do this

Prior to this yes.

Mother of a Army surgeon
SIL of Navy submarine Commander
Sister if Navy Anesthesiologist

You are talking about officers not enlisted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ahead of what?

Ahead in life (career, savings, happiness, opportunities for success, family etc.)

This is hard to answer. Many military enlistees fall prey to payday lenders and other abuses. There is a reason that every street leading up to a military base is littered with liquor stores, payday lenders, etc.

Now, if your kid is disciplined and saves their $$$s and uses the military to gain useful skills, takes advantage of the GI Bill for college, etc., it can work out.

Other approach is to have the military pay for your college and then serve as an officer.

This is blunt truth. It’s a fantastic way to gain skills (even if you don’t aim for NCO+) and change your life, but you have to handle it the right away.

This! Enlisting can be great. You have virtually no bills for several years and can save a lot of money. The military provides you with many, many useful skills beyond your designated job. If you plan to go to college, your designated military job doesn’t matter. You can either serve out all your time then U.S. GI Bill, or serve 2 yrs and apply for Green to Gold ROTC scholarship and can switch to a student status enroute to becoming an officer. If you don’t plan on going to college, then yes, try to get a guarantee to a job specialty that has a civilian equivalent.

All in all, the military can be an amazing experience with much to gain- so long as you are smart, disciplined, and don’t make dumb mistakes/choices while in. (Don’t get married, don’t make a baby, and don’t blow $$$$ on a car and bunches of alcohol and strippers)

Hum…no it’s not. For some single if they live in the dorms maybe but they earn so little families get food stamps and wic. The jobs suck, officers treat you badly, can be sent anywhere and may not be released as promised. Clearly you are not entitled or an entitled family. We are a retiree enlisted family. I would be fine with my v
Child going in as an officer only. We’ve saved since birth to avoid this.

For an unmarried 18-21 yr old with no kids that isn’t stupid with money- no they are not on food stamps. They live in military housing and have very few bills, it’s fine and you can actually save a lot. But yeah, if you enlist, get married at 19 and make some kids and wife doesn’t work and you have to move off base, yeah- you’ll be on food stamps.
So don’t do that

Have you ever been enlisted? Clearly not. Its not a great experience.

I was enlisted and later worked in management consulting after finishing school. Enlistment can suck, but so did grinding away in conference rooms 18 hours a day in a suit.

So, basically you did 2-4 years, try longer.... grinding in an conference room making much more money isn't comparable.

I'm not sure what point you are trying to make. Enlistments are typically 4 years. Busting your rear end in the corporate world isn't exactly heaven either. I can buy more things yes, wonderful.

Try being in longer than 4 years. Corporate pays way more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it really a surprise that the elites or wannabe elites in this country denigrate service.

Is it really surprising that people don't want to be in an organization as a woman that has a huge percentage of sexual assaults and most people are politically conservative and against women being in it? The ROTC guys on my campus were the biggest abusers of women. Turned me away from the military. I'm grateful but am only interested in stopping the enemy outside America, not within. If you get disrespected in the military by officers too, double no thanks. You can't want women out of the military and also blame them for not being in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pretty much everyone is right. You could be hanging over the side of a ship scraping paint in the hot sun, troubleshooting electronic equipment in an air conditioned room (those are not the same people), or a bunch of stuff in between.

You could be smart with money and save, or lousy with money. Thirty days leave a year, full dental and medical along with room and board, isn't bad. But you might get tired of living on a ship or a room in the barracks and rent an apartment.

You might show no initiative to advance, or you could be studying for advancement and be supervising others at a young age.

There are good and bad managers, and good and bad duty stations. Different people will have very different experiences.

Even though I saw the world and was a more mature student, for college bound people, if you can afford it and are mature enough to be a good student, I would go straight to college, then go in as an officer. If you want to use the GI bill, or learn a trade, or possibly stay in, (great retirement) enlisted makes more sense. Just be sure you get guaranteed training so you're not chipping paint instead of being a machinist or electrician.

This is the best answer.

Also, I have a relative who did the bolded...received a full scholarship for a four year degree and then enlisted as an officer.

He said he would never allow his own kids to just enlist, but would be fine if they took the same route he did. I never pressed him why, but he was super-adamant about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ahead of what?

Ahead in life (career, savings, happiness, opportunities for success, family etc.)

This is hard to answer. Many military enlistees fall prey to payday lenders and other abuses. There is a reason that every street leading up to a military base is littered with liquor stores, payday lenders, etc.

Now, if your kid is disciplined and saves their $$$s and uses the military to gain useful skills, takes advantage of the GI Bill for college, etc., it can work out.

Other approach is to have the military pay for your college and then serve as an officer.

This is blunt truth. It’s a fantastic way to gain skills (even if you don’t aim for NCO+) and change your life, but you have to handle it the right away.

This! Enlisting can be great. You have virtually no bills for several years and can save a lot of money. The military provides you with many, many useful skills beyond your designated job. If you plan to go to college, your designated military job doesn’t matter. You can either serve out all your time then U.S. GI Bill, or serve 2 yrs and apply for Green to Gold ROTC scholarship and can switch to a student status enroute to becoming an officer. If you don’t plan on going to college, then yes, try to get a guarantee to a job specialty that has a civilian equivalent.

All in all, the military can be an amazing experience with much to gain- so long as you are smart, disciplined, and don’t make dumb mistakes/choices while in. (Don’t get married, don’t make a baby, and don’t blow $$$$ on a car and bunches of alcohol and strippers)

Hum…no it’s not. For some single if they live in the dorms maybe but they earn so little families get food stamps and wic. The jobs suck, officers treat you badly, can be sent anywhere and may not be released as promised. Clearly you are not entitled or an entitled family. We are a retiree enlisted family. I would be fine with my v
Child going in as an officer only. We’ve saved since birth to avoid this.

For an unmarried 18-21 yr old with no kids that isn’t stupid with money- no they are not on food stamps. They live in military housing and have very few bills, it’s fine and you can actually save a lot. But yeah, if you enlist, get married at 19 and make some kids and wife doesn’t work and you have to move off base, yeah- you’ll be on food stamps.
So don’t do that

Have you ever been enlisted? Clearly not. Its not a great experience.

I was enlisted and later worked in management consulting after finishing school. Enlistment can suck, but so did grinding away in conference rooms 18 hours a day in a suit.

So, basically you did 2-4 years, try longer.... grinding in an conference room making much more money isn't comparable.

I'm not sure what point you are trying to make. Enlistments are typically 4 years. Busting your rear end in the corporate world isn't exactly heaven either. I can buy more things yes, wonderful.

Try being in longer than 4 years. Corporate pays way more.

Water is wet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it really a surprise that the elites or wannabe elites in this country denigrate service.

Is it really surprising that people don't want to be in an organization as a woman that has a huge percentage of sexual assaults and most people are politically conservative and against women being in it? The ROTC guys on my campus were the biggest abusers of women. Turned me away from the military. I'm grateful but am only interested in stopping the enemy outside America, not within. If you get disrespected in the military by officers too, double no thanks. You can't want women out of the military and also blame them for not being in it.

We aren't talking about ROTC. We have plenty of female enlisted friends who are happy or retired. You don't underrstand the military. ROTC is a college program that puts you on the path to officer, not enlisted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty much everyone is right. You could be hanging over the side of a ship scraping paint in the hot sun, troubleshooting electronic equipment in an air conditioned room (those are not the same people), or a bunch of stuff in between.

You could be smart with money and save, or lousy with money. Thirty days leave a year, full dental and medical along with room and board, isn't bad. But you might get tired of living on a ship or a room in the barracks and rent an apartment.

You might show no initiative to advance, or you could be studying for advancement and be supervising others at a young age.

There are good and bad managers, and good and bad duty stations. Different people will have very different experiences.

Even though I saw the world and was a more mature student, for college bound people, if you can afford it and are mature enough to be a good student, I would go straight to college, then go in as an officer. If you want to use the GI bill, or learn a trade, or possibly stay in, (great retirement) enlisted makes more sense. Just be sure you get guaranteed training so you're not chipping paint instead of being a machinist or electrician.

This is the best answer.

Also, I have a relative who did the bolded...received a full scholarship for a four year degree and then enlisted as an officer.

He said he would never allow his own kids to just enlist, but would be fine if they took the same route he did. I never pressed him why, but he was super-adamant about it.

What are you talking about? You do NOT enlist as an officer. Get your terms right. Enlisted is low pay, bad jobs and fofers like your relative often treat the enlisted very poorly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty much everyone is right. You could be hanging over the side of a ship scraping paint in the hot sun, troubleshooting electronic equipment in an air conditioned room (those are not the same people), or a bunch of stuff in between.

You could be smart with money and save, or lousy with money. Thirty days leave a year, full dental and medical along with room and board, isn't bad. But you might get tired of living on a ship or a room in the barracks and rent an apartment.

You might show no initiative to advance, or you could be studying for advancement and be supervising others at a young age.

There are good and bad managers, and good and bad duty stations. Different people will have very different experiences.

Even though I saw the world and was a more mature student, for college bound people, if you can afford it and are mature enough to be a good student, I would go straight to college, then go in as an officer. If you want to use the GI bill, or learn a trade, or possibly stay in, (great retirement) enlisted makes more sense. Just be sure you get guaranteed training so you're not chipping paint instead of being a machinist or electrician.

This is the best answer.

Also, I have a relative who did the bolded...received a full scholarship for a four year degree and then enlisted as an officer.

He said he would never allow his own kids to just enlist, but would be fine if they took the same route he did. I never pressed him why, but he was super-adamant about it.

What are you talking about? You do NOT enlist as an officer. Get your terms right. Enlisted is low pay, bad jobs and fofers like your relative often treat the enlisted very poorly.

Sorry...I guess you must be the MP as I don't use the correct terms. Seems like you agree with my relative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty much everyone is right. You could be hanging over the side of a ship scraping paint in the hot sun, troubleshooting electronic equipment in an air conditioned room (those are not the same people), or a bunch of stuff in between.

You could be smart with money and save, or lousy with money. Thirty days leave a year, full dental and medical along with room and board, isn't bad. But you might get tired of living on a ship or a room in the barracks and rent an apartment.

You might show no initiative to advance, or you could be studying for advancement and be supervising others at a young age.

There are good and bad managers, and good and bad duty stations. Different people will have very different experiences.

Even though I saw the world and was a more mature student, for college bound people, if you can afford it and are mature enough to be a good student, I would go straight to college, then go in as an officer. If you want to use the GI bill, or learn a trade, or possibly stay in, (great retirement) enlisted makes more sense. Just be sure you get guaranteed training so you're not chipping paint instead of being a machinist or electrician.

This is the best answer.

Also, I have a relative who did the bolded...received a full scholarship for a four year degree and then enlisted as an officer.

He said he would never allow his own kids to just enlist, but would be fine if they took the same route he did. I never pressed him why, but he was super-adamant about it.

What are you talking about? You do NOT enlist as an officer. Get your terms right. Enlisted is low pay, bad jobs and fofers like your relative often treat the enlisted very poorly.

Sorry...I guess you must be the MP as I don't use the correct terms. Seems like you agree with my relative.

I agree not going in as enlisted but if you are going to comment use the proper terms.