tips on joining the military

[LancerChica]

I definetly couldn't do it but definetly look up to those who have given their lives both mentally and literally, to defend what we do have. Everyone says "little freedom we have left". That's not true. We can walk out our doors everyday and not be harassed as long as we're not breaking the law... and that's all due to the young men and women that have gone through what they have... and it's not like they only give the time they're active duty to fight for our country. Most of the people that come back from overseas are forever changed and never live life the way you or I can even if it comes down to having simple conversation.

I agree with Greg, however. I come from a family of military people... and they're all in different branches, some in the marines, some in the army, and each and everyone of them has stated that you need to find out which branch best suits what you're looking for. You definetly shouldn't sign your life away without researching it on your own. =-)

[wrestlerdta]

OK like greg said the test for all branches are the same everyone takes an ASVAB test an the air force is def not hard to get into. Besides the comment i saw that i thought was stupid was......I took the test an could have gone in as an E6. No fucking way! you go in as a private for army an marines or air force, a airmen or the navy a recruit unless u have college credits or u get other ppl to sign up an get promoted before you leave. Unless u were in for a few years an u took the test or went to the boards for your E6, the military has these things where u have to be in the military or at a certain rank for a certain period of time before u can make the next rank an an E5 starts the NCO's inwhich u need to take courses to even get it. as for only 2040 a month at an E6, i make that every two weeks as an E5 with 6 years in. In all honesty after being here in germany right now with navy air force an army and being army myself i would def say go Air force especially if u want ur chances of being deployed to be particularly low. They get good money, they have better housing on active duty, their PT test are easier an their basic is shorter and easier! RjTeeter, if u need help at all u can PM me or E-mail me at steven.marcotte@us.army.mil an i will help u out as much as i can. The military has changed alot over the years

[Allstar Graphics]

listen to greg (USMC) i was suppose to go in the marines, but my parents decided after 9/11 that they would pay for me to go to college. I would have left and came back at the same time greg did.

USMC all the way,if your gonna go into the military dont half ass it

[Tryx]

Originally Posted by Cavi Mike

The test to get into the Air Force is the hardest and the pay is the highest. I would've been E6, I think, and my monthly gross would have been $2030 or $2040

Like others said, it's the same test for all branches. It's just that the AF is more selective medical wise. You can't have any current or past medical issues. I couldn't join the AF cause I my eyes aren't tri-chromatic (semi color blindness), and my wife who is an E-6 in the Navy looked into going into the AF when here last EAOS came up, but they wouldn't take her because she was diagnosed with stress induced asthma, though the Navy allows her to stay in.

Same pay scale for all active duty personnel, there is just differences in housing/ cost of living allowances based on where your stationed (over seas COLA rocks!!). There is no way you would have come in as an E-6 right off the bat. Even if you had a 4 year degree and didn't go officer, the highest you'd be out of boot camp is an e-3. The rest of the ranks you have to have time in rank, take tests, get capped or go in front of advancement boards.

Right now my wife's base pay (monthly) as an E-6 over 12 years of service is $3000, plus she gets $1200 for housing allowance. $4200 isn't bad when you consider she doesn't pay any extra for medical and dental for our whole family, along with a bunch of other stuff. Now some MOS's/ NEC's get some type of bonuses when they re-enlist, get hazardous duty pay, etc.. but other than that an E-6 in the AF makes the same base pay as an E-6 in any other branch.

[Cavi Mike]

Originally Posted by usmc2801

ok your a moron there is one pay scale for all active duty military (every branch) so the AF doesnt get paid more then other branches not sure where your getting your facts from...you want money then you should join the army they give the highest bonuses, like it has been stated a few times you wil be treated better...just cuz your in the AF also doesnt mean your going to be in a plane...which was another dumb statement you made...not to mention if your lookin to be a pilot join the navy they have the best pilots in out military. and who told you the test is harder...its on e test for alll branches and its called the ASVAB depending on how you score is how you can decide which occupational you qualify for in that service...but it is the same test. so get your facts straight


SO LIKE I SAID IN MY OTHER POST DONT ASK FOR PEOPLE OPINIONS THIS IS HUGE DECISION YOU NEED TO MAKE WITHOUT LISTENING TO EVERYONES OPINION...SO TALK TO ALL THE SERVICES AND SEE WHAT SUITS YOU BEST

I'm sorry, you are correct about it being the same test but you need to score highest to get into the Air Force than the Navy, then Marines, then Army, but your reading comprehension skills are lacking because I never said that air force = flying planes. I said that it was, and I quote: '...the place where you are the least likely to end up in Iraq unless you are flying overhead...' I also rest my case about each division thinking they are the best...


To wrestler: I don't remember but I'm almost positive it was E6 but I do remember it was right around $2030(remember, this was in either '98 or '99). Maybe it was bi-weekly not monthly, either way it wasn't more than what I was making at the time and it wasn't worth the possibility of giving up all of the things I had. Do I regret not taking the job? Not for one second. I do regret taking that test because the recruiter wouldn't stop calling my house for months.

The military is a great learning experience but unless you are all about the military, it's not a great career. You can almost always make more money as a civilian doing the same work and you don't ever have the threat of being shipped off to some hostile, 3rd-world country and have anti-americans shooting at you whether you're trying to help them or not. I could go into politics about this but I think all you have to do is turn on the TV and you can make your own judgments.

[xceebeex]

If I remember correctly, the ASVAB was ridiculously easy. I took it in high school and I am pretty sure I score VERY high on pretty much everything. There was a time where I thought I wanted to join a branch of the military and it probably would have been the Air Force or the Marines for me.

Working for the #1 defense contractor in the world has opened my eyes at a much different level. As I stated earlier, I am grateful for the men and women of our armed services for what they do and I am glad I am helping them do their jobs and trying to keep them as safe as possible. You wouldn't believe how thankful the Air Force is for what we do and that is a pretty good feeling that even though we all look at what they do and say we would never do that, they also look at us and say they couldn't do it without what we do.

I also find it funny how all of the branches think they are the best and spout off their reasons. (Ironically, its always their branch thats best) There is no best, each branch is good at what their mission is.

[usmc2801]

yes the ASVAB is very easy its just your most basic skills you learned in high school I flew through the test and scored and 88 out of a total 99...and i know i missed a few b/c i did it on a comp and hit the wrong key for my answer twice

[rjteeter]

Wow. Thanks for all of the responses guys. Im think im just going to see if I can find something local working for the papers or something. If nothing else comes up ill probably contact some recruiters. Airforce is looking good rite now though,

[Shawn96VR-4]

The pay is good given they pay all your expenses.

[intern8tion9l]

go with whoever has an aircraft carrier and a plane to land on it(from a pilot's point of view)

[xceebeex]

Originally Posted by intern8tion9l

go with whoever has an aircraft carrier and a plane to land on it(from a pilot's point of view)

Why do you say that? Doesn't that only leave the Navy? IMO the Air Force has some pretty awesome planes.

[intern8tion9l]

they do, i just think aircraft carriers are so sweet

[rjteeter]

Check. join the navy because aircraft carriers are sweet. got that