I was I the army. I recommend that you do it.

Iraq is finally simmering down now; Afghanistan is where the action is at these days. One Marine brigade that was scheduled to deploy to Iraq is already on its way to Afghanistan instead. This is going to continue under Obama.

Just remember that the military is a big bureaucracy and bureaucracies aren't very responsive to individual needs. You will also have to put up with a lot of bullshit from conflicting personalities. While the military looks very organized on the outside, internally it can be very chaotic, like any big organization.

Overall I would say it's a great experience though.

I have never known a single person who said they regretted joining the militarym, and i spent over half my life around them, that has to count for something.

I've always wanted to be in the Air Force...but I don't want to leave my family and friends. But, if I didn't have anything else going for me I definitely would go.

@Mikey

I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I was out of college and didn't know what I wanted to do with my live and was looking for a career. I had already worked for an airline in baggage and really liked planes. My family kind of expected me to go Navy if I was going into the military since I would be a 3rd generation Naval Officer, but I get sea sick. :o

So, I went to apply to the Air Force as an officer (since I had a college degree), which usually takes about a year...well it took me two years. The war in Iraq was full swing at the time and all organization in the military was just a clusterfuck. At first they told me I was in, then I got rejected because of my eyesight (btw the physical you have to do is a big pain in the ass, it takes all day!), and then I was in, but not for a flying position. I also went through 3 recruiters and I had enough.

So then I checked into the Marine Corps. :D They were much more organized and actually a much nicer group of people. In the middle of testing the Air Force called me back and said I was in again and the whole circus started all over again and I'd had enough. I also met my future husband at this time and decided not to pursue a military career. I still think about it though.

If you decide to do this, just know that this is not an immediate fix, when you enlist it will still be several months before you are actually sent to boot camp. I know you wear glasses, if you eyesight is worse than -8.0 you will have problems getting in. Mine is at -7.5 and it created a huge mess.

Also, the Marine Corps is more hardcore, there's definitely more camaraderie and organization. The Air Force has better food and living quarters, but they tend to be a little more stuck up. The Army and the Navy I would not reccommend because in the Army you have to walk everywhere is every weather condition carrying a heavy pack. I've had friends in the Army and they hated that part. In the Navy you are stuck on a ship in very tiny quarters with 8 other guys. Not fun.

At any rate, I think it's a good idea and that you should go for it! Oh, one other thing: you can't have any tattoos above the base of your neck or below your wrists, they won't let you in. Basically in your full uniform, you can't have any tattoos showing.

Good Luck! :D

i detest guns and i would never shoot anyone ...
plus i question everything... i dont take orders well.
i cant tolerate fools
i'm scared shitless of heights

id be a pretty lousy soldier.

Dont forget "I'm a canadian..."


Just kidding. I grew up around a lot of canadian military brats, and with the excpetion of the accent and the perpetual need to rag on the newfies, they were pretty much the same as us.

oh, and a bone to throw all the Canadians as far as the military is concerned:
One of the most amazingly ass-kicking soldiers alive is a canadian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Furlong

@Papillon, thank you for the support :D, Also my friend told me about the tattoo thing yesterday, im definatly happy i didnt get my neck done, i originally wanted to do up my whole upper body in tats. The Marines is the one im gonna go for, although air force does sound tempting, I love jets and planes im really interested in them. As for my eyes im kind of worried i know its a tad bit hard for me to see without my glasses. :eek: I'm definatly hoping for the best!

@Hace, I know if i had more going for me in my life (which i dont) i would probably second guess this decision a whole lot more. I think this will be something that will make me a better person too.

@everyone else, thanks for the advice and all the other stuff you all said, its helped me even more with my decision.

No problem. :) With the vision thing, generally as long as you can see 20/20 with your glasses on, you should be fine. Just make sure that when you meet with them, especially for the physical, that you are not late. If you are late, they make you come back another day. Oh, and start running now. You want to be in shape when you go to boot camp, otherwise you will be miserable.

Haha damn well i guess i should start getting in shape. I play baseball and skate and stuff so im kinda athletic just really thin, i work out too. I should be okay i hope :D. Im really good at being on time aswell im almost never late, except for a few times at work when i over slept.

You're gonna let some fools on a horror forum that you've only been a part of for a couple of weeks, help you make a life altering decision ?


the Marines sounds like a good bet