Armed Forces Enlisting/Recruiters

Chromaflage · 08-11-2005, 01:22 PM

My oldest son will be starting his Senior year of high school this fall. He is currently exlporing options for post-graduation education and career opportunities. He is looking seriously at the armed forces as an option. He has been to a couple different recruiting offices and each one tells him that they are the best show in town and they can offer him the best package in terms of pay, job opportunities and educational opportunities.

Has anyone been through this process? How do you sort it all out?

I would sincerely appreciate any insight offered.

Thanks,

CrF

Just_learning · 08-11-2005, 01:28 PM

Tell him to enlist only if he is interested in serving the country, not to get benefits or an education. He may as well flip burgers and save money, as opposed to making pennies on the hour waiting for his enlistment to end so he can start/finish his schooling.

Otherwise, just have him hang out with them more and choose the one he feels more comfortable with.

The bottom line is, recruiters are salesman, and in this day in age what you purchase may be returned to your family in a pine box.

Boatdog · 08-11-2005, 01:49 PM

USCG !!!!

The Chub · 08-11-2005, 02:20 PM

Airforce!

If I could do it over, I would have went that way.

Rakkasan · 08-11-2005, 02:40 PM

I have a 17 year old son who is thinking of following my footsteps in the military. I told him when I went in it was because I wanted to serve my country. I did not do it for a bonus nor did I elect to get the GI bill. It all sounds appealing to a young motivated mind but time and time again I have seen kids (relatives) go in and quickly find out what the real deal is. I was a ground pounder and it was hard work for the money. May I suggest he goes on ride along with the different branches. I think they still do it. He will still get training but it is not a degree on the outside. Some training will transfer into credit which is honored by civilian schools but not all. I received some of the best leadership training in the world with over 500 hours in school. I received 5 credits for it.

Be aware that recruiters will say one thing and do another. I had orders for airborne school and a certain unit. I ended up going to air assault school and a different because they changed my orders.

I am all for young adults serving this country but I have seen a lot of disappointment and even a less than honorable discharge because he did not want to be there.

I can say for myself that if I had to go back and do it again I would not change a thing.

I would recommend having someone who has been in help you as the process goes along to make sure things are right and you are not getting fed a line.

David Banaka

wade · 08-11-2005, 03:55 PM

I think motive for signing up is entirely on the boy. I signed up in college because I got $200/mo, badly needed, $100 from ROTC and $100 from the Army Guard. Serving my country wasn't in there. Yes there was a time obligation but that time came and went before I knew it, then the 20 years was there. I don't know why I said all that.

Chromaflauge, We're talking TODAY, not 21 years ago. Here's the bottom line. If your boy believes we need to kick some Al Kaeda butt and he wants to help then he should sign up and join the force to do it. If not, forget it.

Kevin

pearl · 08-11-2005, 04:03 PM

Get hold of "Big Tule" He recently just left the Navy as a recruiter and now works as a civilian. He'll give you the straight scoop.

Pearl

FROGGY · 08-11-2005, 04:04 PM

Have him PM me his intrests, what he expects to get out of the military, etc.
I served not that long ago, and I also have worked with all of the services at one time or another, so I could give him an unbiased opinion on what branch would be best for him.

Cohodependent · 08-11-2005, 04:34 PM

I did the same thing after I graduated, but that was 20 years ago before this war started. (can you call it a war if not declared by congress?) Any way I had a great time in the Army and would do it again if I were graduating this year. The thing that I would strongly recommend is to pick out a job that interest him. I was a medic and did Ranger and Airbore schools. That was great up until I blew out my knee so I ended up working a Medical Center. The expirence and training I got was the best. I still work in the Health Care field and love it. The military has hundreds of jobs and a lot of them transfer directly to the civilan world in really well paying jobs. My only regret was getting out prior to retirment. If I had stayed in I would have retired already. Tell him that 20 years go by really fast...

If he has any questions about Health related fields send me a PM. I would be happy to talk to him.

24 on/ 48 off · 08-11-2005, 05:18 PM

Second vote for the US Coast Guard. It is a military branch, and comes with all the military benefits. DD-214 upon discharge, etc.

The one thing that I find great about the USCG is once you get your billet, you are out there SAVING LIVES from the git-go. Sure, there is lots of daily training, but you get to have direct contact with people and are an intregal part of the US defense.

--spud--

wannacatchem · 08-11-2005, 06:53 PM

When I enlisted, serving my country wasn't on my radar screen. Not starving to death, having a warm place to sleep and a couple dollars in my pocket was. Traveled the world (14 years overseas) got married, had kids and apparently recieved enough training to land a six figure job when I got out. I enjoyed the discipline and the responsibility. I would definetely recommend it to others, and have. One of my son-in-laws has joined up, and another is thinking about it.

Tell your son to have his recruiter put him in contact with people in the jobs he is thinking of doing. I know the Air Force does this, and there is a base in Tacoma Wa.

PGJPJ · 08-11-2005, 07:14 PM

I would also encourage him to serve if he is doing it to serve our country, not to do it for college money. I did serve in the Marine Corps, and did graduate college after words. But it was mostly on my own dime, or what I could borrow. My brother in-law is currently serving in the Navy and he loves his job 3 years into a 6-year enlistment.

If I had a son joining the military I would try to recommend the Navy (don't tell my Marine buddies).

The USCG would be great also, but they are not the Navy. He'd better be in great shape. I went to Rescue Swimmer school with some of those USCG guys, and they were sharp and fit.

Good luck to him!

Fish Wheels · 08-11-2005, 08:07 PM

While I can't speak from personal experience, I would say the Air Force is the branch to enter for educational purposes. Not just after, but during. IMO they are the most technology oriented in most all areas. No Infantry. I know the Air Force did wonders for my Brother who dropped out in the 10th and got his GED. This was in the early 80's and he got a hell of an Electronics and Communications education while in the Air Force, resulting in steady WELL PAID employment ever since he left after 4 yrs. As alluded to above though, we weren't at war during that time.

k9jeff · 08-11-2005, 09:52 PM

Navy,, A warm place to sleep, hot chow, and you get to see the a lot of the world. It looks good on resume later in life. He can also take classes on board ship toward his degree. I did it and would do it again if I was 18yoa and had nothing else lined up. The GI bill does give some $$$$ for school also. I had a ball and made some memories that I will never forget.

Lets see,,,flip burgers or drink a beer in spain?

EULACHON · 08-12-2005, 01:20 PM

I would look at the USCG if had it to do again

sinker · 08-12-2005, 05:57 PM

I graduated in 91 and the biggest regret that I have in life was that I didn't sign on the dotted line for the Marines. Think about it quite a bit the last few years.

Granted, it was a different time but before 9/11 I was regretting it.

I had a family and career started by then and I couldn'd do what my brother-in-law did and drop everything to join. But I have to hand it to him, it was something he wanted to do and he did it.

Space · 08-15-2005, 03:29 PM

I served my time in the service and had the best times and worst times of my life all at the same time. I loved it and would do it again.

One thing I didn't see in any of the other posts was that he should train in something that he can apply to civilian live as well as military life. I just don't see many job listings for ordinance specialist or sniper needed. I trained as an electronics technician and worked on all the electrical systems on the Mohawk ov-1d airplanes. I was able to apply my training to my current employment as an electrican.

SPACE

Ramstrong · 08-16-2005, 05:19 AM

CrF,

It all depends on what your son wants to do. Of course each recruiter is going to tell you that they've got the best program. They�re sales people. When I signed up, I decided what I wanted, and then found the service that offered the program that best fit my requirements.

I preferred the AirFarce. I wound up enlisting in the Navy because they guaranteed, in writing, the job I wanted.

Has your son taken the ASVAB yet? That's going to dictate how much leverage he has in negotiating with recruiters. The higher you score the more you are desired. That gives you a lot of wiggle room for making demands. The war is allowing the Navy and Air Force to fill billets. The Marines and Army are hating life right now. The reason they are able to throw so much money in recruits faces is because if they weren't, no one would be signing up.

My first enlistment was in 93. In 2003 I went through the process again and wound up enlisting in the Navy Reserve after checking out the Active Navy, Air Force Reserve and Air Guard. Just remember your son is the one that's in control. If he doesn't like what he's hearing, he can walk.

If he has any questions, have him shoot me an email. The military is what you make it. You have to deal with a bunch of BS, but that�s just training for life.

Big TULE · 08-16-2005, 06:54 PM

I just Left the Navy on July 4th 2005, i was a Navy recruiter in the Vancouver area for 3 years and in the Gresham area for 1 year.
I helped over 100 kids join the Navy and did not need to lie to any one of them. If you want your kids to know the truth, the real one they can get unbiased info from me. I now work for the Evil empire (BPA). And would be glad to let them know what every branch is about. There are also some great resources to use. I will not put a link because i am sure the Mods would not like it. But PM me and i will send you the link...
There are a few on this site that can vouch for me. As i will not stear a young person in the wrong direction.
Chris

uhmw · 08-17-2005, 04:15 PM

joining the army was the best thing I ever did- started life as a private learnd that I needed a collage degree to get any where in life. Got the gi bill by contributing 100 a month and when I went to collage they payed out 40000 dollars equal payments each month - that was 20 years ago now its a lot more. I was a 18 year old punk converted into a man in three years. Got my engineering degree (no one thought I would ever amount to anything) I own my own plastic company now and have more stuff then my dad which was my goal in life. I give all the credit to the military. and my dad who gave me 5 choises when I turned 18- army,navy,air force,marines or the street. he was a west pointer and wouldnt pay for my collage cause he didnt.

Chromaflage · 08-19-2005, 07:41 PM

Wow!!! A lot of information to ponder. I want to thank you all and to pass on my son's appreciation for all your information. He has a strong desire to serve his country in some capacity and, if possible, obtain training and college support in telecommuncations and information technology. I have to be extremely thankful that he has goals right now and he's getting serious about pursuing them.

At this point, he is going to be applying for ROTC scholarships with the air force and army. That's the route his uncle took and he's now a Lt. Colonel in the USAF with 6 years until retirement. My son is truly excited about going this route rather than enlisting. He had all the info in front of him that he and I both amassed and whittled it down. Now it's a matter of the paper work, SATs and the waiting game. I'll be behind him all the way!!!

I guess in a few years, I'll have to call him "sir."

Thanks again to all of you who responded to this post and sent PMs!!!

CrF

wannacatchem · 08-19-2005, 08:08 PM

Just a thought. I knew more than a few people that started out as officers.....then went into the enlisted ranks. You get a lot more hands on expierience with a lot less politics (and pay) for the time spent. Unless he can get into an aircrew/filed crew as an operator, and even that requires the patience of Job.

That said, I know a lot thet went thru colledge as ROTC, became officers and got out as soon as possible. Quite sucessfell.........

USAF 1980-2001,
MSgt, Ret