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.
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