Need help deciding which military to serve in?

[Camaro_Corvette]

Depends on what you want to do. I would choose Air Force, or should I say, Damn near chose. Parts of me still wish I went into the military.

[Apex Motorsports]

One MOS often over looked by people joining the military with hopes of one day working in civilian law enforcement is 31D (Criminal Investigation Special Agent). Its less of a beat cop and more of a detective. If I had it to do over again that is what I would do, but I was a crazy kid that just wanted to blow stuff up so I went 19D (Cavalry Scout).

[wangtangjf7]

Originally Posted by Rob191288

You can make rank in the Air Force quick too if you do it right, I went from an E-1 in bootcamp to an E-3 afterwards (I'm also enlisted in for 6 years) then I made below the zone where you get to put on E-4 6 months early and I tested for E-5. Find out Thursday if I made it, and if I did I will be sewing on E-5 at 3 1/2 years Time in service.

The only thing you gotta watch out for in becoming Security Forces in the Air Force is you could also end up guarding the nukes. If you get one of the nuke bases chances are your not going to do much Law Enforcement.

USAF is right about the degree too, when you go through bootcamp and Technical training school you gain college credits, then you gain more credits by doing your CDC's which is job knowledge. After all thats done you only need 20 or so credits to have you AA in Criminal Justice. Its not hard to get that degree at all.

hmmm...that sounds interesting because i've already been taking criminal justice classes. i almost have 60 hrs of college credit as well and was also wanting to go in as an officer. man, there are so many things to consider but it seems like everyone is saying air force. i guess thats where i'm leaning towards.

[Rob191288]

Originally Posted by wangtangjf7

hmmm...that sounds interesting because i've already been taking criminal justice classes. i almost have 60 hrs of college credit as well and was also wanting to go in as an officer. man, there are so many things to consider but it seems like everyone is saying air force. i guess thats where i'm leaning towards.

Ohh if you have that many credits in Criminal justice then come in as an officer as a cop I'll tell you though, the officers dont do the grunt work such as the law enforcement or security, they are more admin jobs. But DONT let the enlisted recruiter get you to get in enlisted if you wanna be an officer. I know someone who had her AA in Criminal just and her recruiter screwed her got her to join enlisted and now its a pain for her to get into Officer training school because they don't take that many people at a time

[USAF]

Originally Posted by Rob191288

Ohh if you have that many credits in Criminal justice then come in as an officer as a cop I'll tell you though, the officers dont do the grunt work such as the law enforcement or security, they are more admin jobs. But DONT let the enlisted recruiter get you to get in enlisted if you wanna be an officer. I know someone who had her AA in Criminal just and her recruiter screwed her got her to join enlisted and now its a pain for her to get into Officer training school because they don't take that many people at a time

I agree. Though I am enlisted for life and could never see myself as an officer. If you already have the education and don't mind some politics there is no reason not to collect the extra money as an officer. I prefer to "work in the trenches" with everyone else.

[Rob191288]

Originally Posted by USAF

I agree. Though I am enlisted for life and could never see myself as an officer. If you already have the education and don't mind some politics there is no reason not to collect the extra money as an officer. I prefer to "work in the trenches" with everyone else.

I agree with you, It's alot more fun "working in the trenches"

[wangtangjf7]

Originally Posted by USAF

I agree. Though I am enlisted for life and could never see myself as an officer. If you already have the education and don't mind some politics there is no reason not to collect the extra money as an officer. I prefer to "work in the trenches" with everyone else.

Originally Posted by Rob191288

I agree with you, It's alot more fun "working in the trenches"

I agree with both of ya'll. I am basically doing admin work right now and i seriously hate it. dang, wish i could just get enlisted but paid like an officer. that would be nice

[el ess A]

Every branch has its good points and bad points. I can't speak for today, but when I was in the Navy in the 80s, I made E-6 in 3 years 7 mos. I never met anyone in the AF make rank that quick that started fresh. No one. It's all about the $$. If you're going to do it, get PAID! AF and Navy have the best training programs. I worked as a Navy Nuke mechanic and when I got out, I was able to walk right into a commercial nuclear power plant in the early 90s making some obscene $$. Get as much education as possible.

Now, officer ranks...that's the way to go. Don't let anyone tell you any different. You'll get a degree if you don't have one already, and you'll get leadership skills that many companies (by the time you decide you might want out, the economy might be better, if not, stay in!) like to see as you're far more seasoned than the average punk getting out of college.

At any rate, the military will make you self-sufficient but you also learn a lot about teamwork. Great experience, although I wouldn't want to do it again.

[SCPO/SS]

I may be a little bias but Navy all the way!!! The Master of Arms (MA) rate is the Navy Police Force. Yea, you will probably spend some time at sea, but you get extra pay when you do. There's nothing better than cold hard cash in the bank. The Navy has a lot of officer commissioning programs available for sailors, if you choose to go to the dark side. You need to talk to all of the service recruiters to see if that rate or specialty is open. Don’t let the recruiter make you a promise, you want that rate or specialty guaranteed and in writing on your enlistment contract if you choose to go enlisted. Once you’re in and you complete Boot camp, then it is up to you to complete the training school. :flag2:

BMCS/SS Retired

[halo8hkk]

im ex Air Force so im bias but i say USAF.

[usa1camaro1969]

What kind of question is this? You're asking a bunch of people you never met to make a decision like this for you? We don't know you. Talk to your Dad/Mom/family.

After 23 years in the Army I actually enjoyed climbing on my tank and rolling around in the dirt and shooting at things miles away. There's nothing like 72 tons hauling ass through a town with a mine-plow attached to the front.

Each branch does have different missions and different purposes. Each has good things as well as bad. For all those that go to Andrews AFB how many go to Minot AFB in North Dakota(no offense North Dakotans(especially you, Mom)).

Talk to your family.

[OrangeSS]

Originally Posted by usa1camaro1969

What kind of question is this? You're asking a bunch of people you never met to make a decision like this for you? We don't know you. Talk to your Dad/Mom/family.

After 23 years in the Army I actually enjoyed climbing on my tank and rolling around in the dirt and shooting at things miles away. There's nothing like 72 tons hauling ass through a town with a mine-plow attached to the front.

Each branch does have different missions and different purposes. Each has good things as well as bad. For all those that go to Andrews AFB how many go to Minot AFB in North Dakota(no offense North Dakotans(especially you, Mom)).

Talk to your family.

Meh.... Unless his family has served.. (which it sounds like they haven't), they will likely try to talk him out of it instead of provide guidance in his decision making. At least here he can get honest answers from people that have served and know what life is like in each branch.. Much like your stories of being in a tank. So I'd say he has a pretty good chance of getting the information he really wants here...

PS.. I was Army for 8 years, and I say Air Force, for pretty much the same reasons everyone else is.

[USMC85]

As a correction, no one joins the Marine Corps. If you prove yourself, you are then granted the title, Marine. A title you will carry with you for the rest of your life. A simple test would be to ask any one who has ever served in the armed forces. Those who served in the other branch will often respond with, “I served in the military” or “I was in the (Army, Navy, or Air Force).” When a Marine is asked, they never use the responses previous mentioned. To a man or women they respond, “I am a Marine,” and it doesn’t matter whether or not they still actively serve or have been out for years. You can see this play out in the earlier postings. I would suggest that if it is not your strongest desire to become member of the “World’s Finest Fighting Force” then join the other services, because the Marine Corps does not want you.

To my brothers and sisters in arms, God bless you and thank you for your support. God Bless the Corps and Semper FI!

[wangtangjf7]

Originally Posted by OrangeSS

Meh.... Unless his family has served.. (which it sounds like they haven't), they will likely try to talk him out of it instead of provide guidance in his decision making. At least here he can get honest answers from people that have served and know what life is like in each branch.. Much like your stories of being in a tank. So I'd say he has a pretty good chance of getting the information he really wants here...

PS.. I was Army for 8 years, and I say Air Force, for pretty much the same reasons everyone else is.

You nailed it. No one in my family has ever served and they've all been trying to convince me not to go. Reading different posts and seeing people's sigs and names, it seemed like a lotta people served here so i just wanted advice. Its not like i'm going to post a poll and thats gonna make my decision.

I just thought who better to ask than people who have actually served. Thank you everyone for responding and serving our country.