Anonymous wrote:I'd advise her to go to college, explore as many options as she can, and join as an officer after college if that's what she still wants to do. If she gets into the Naval Academy, that's a different story. In that case, she should go, fulfill her active duty time commitment, and then decide if it's right long-term. Some schools have ROTC programs, but I'm not familiar with how those work today so maybe someone else can chime in.

DH is retired AF, my family has been career Navy for generations, and I've worked around military for my entire professional life. As far as egalitarian, equal opportunity organizations to work for, I can't think of too many that are better for women. It is truly inspiring when a room full of people jump to their feet and salute when the woman commanding officer walks into the room.

I'd advise against active duty Marine Corps though; I think quality of life is better in the others.

+1. I honestly wish as a high school and/or college student that I had given the military (getting commissioned as an officer) more thought - I just wasn't exposed to it as a kid and never considered it. It's certainly not an easy road but it is an exceptional way to develop unimpeachable leadership skills and gain a broader perspective on the world.

I was in the military as a young woman, and ended up in a warzone. It can happen, but even if it does, modern warfare tactics result in far fewer casualties than previous eras. And, most jobs for both men and women don't involve being directly in combat very often if at all.

Overall, I found it to be a tough but good experience. She will have some control over the type of job that she works and since she is smart most of the jobs will be good and probably not in the desert or the basement. She may end up in a dryer, hot climate like Arizona, but if the doctors look at her eczema and it is severe and untreatable, they won't even allow her to join.

Regarding not being able to get out, that is mostly true. Since she is smart, they will invest training and education into her and in return she will sign a longer contract (probably 5 years). But realistically, 5 years isn't terribly long.

I left after my contract was up (5 years) and found it very easy to get a high paying job and moved up easily.

Why not academy? I would help her with application to a military academy. Free education, not too many years to serve, an an excellent education. Air Force would be great or whichever one she likes. She would be an officer, she can choose, if she is that smart, what she wants to study. Encourage her towards that because the process is not easy at all.