<p>I have no real idea what I want to do. I am considering a career in the military, but am unsure if that is the life for me. I want to be able to dedicate myself to the military or to a specific academic area of study while in college. What should I do?</p>
<p>Don’t do it, man. People die. It’s kill or be killed, and 90% chance even the skilled guy lands in front-line infantry.</p>
<p>I want to serve my country, the danger is not an issue. However, I am a female so the danger is far less for me.</p>
<p>How about this? Go to school and graduate with your Bachelor’s. You are then qualified to enlist as an Officer, after completing OCS of course. Don’t listen to lovesavage. Not everybody gets deployed and even if they do, there are different branches. It also depends on your MOS. You may or may not die, but the chances of a catastrophic meteor hitting the earth is probably higher than that, so don’t worry. If I was given the chance to enlist I would, unfortunately certain circumstances prohibit me from doing so. Besides, you get benefits, help with housing if needed, ability to retire after 20 years and still have those benefits. Also the most important of them all, the feeling of having helped others before yourself. That you were willing to sacrifice your life so that someone else’s life in a tyranny ridden country is just a bit better. Name me one job/career in the private industry that has all of this? Nothing. Go for it</p>
<p>if you think that it’s the right decision then go for it, but don’t assume that you won’t be in as much danger because you’re female; women are becoming more active in the military and you might face combat, so make sure you’re prepared for that. also, one thing to consider: do you approve of everything that our military does? personally, my main reason for never wanting to enlist is the possibility of being forced to fight a war that i don’t believe in, so make sure that this possibility won’t be a problem for you. if this worry doesn’t apply to you, then i think it’s a valid alternative to college while you figure out what you want to do.</p>
<p>
Wait, I agree that he exaggerated a lot, but you honestly believe it’s more likely for a catastrophic meteor to hit the Earth than for a soldier to die? Because I know some families that would be very upset to hear you say that. Anyone joining the military needs to be completely realistic in considering it. Just saying “I won’t die” isn’t an option.</p>
<p>
There are other ways to serve your country; and in wars with no front lines, many women end up fighting anyway.</p>
<p>But either way, you should get a college education first. At the very least, it will help you get a less dangerous job.</p>
<p>When you join, you take an aptitude test that tells you what career is best for you. My cousin had an aptitude for languages that sent him right to the language school and on to a job as a translator. No overseas assignment. He was paid while in school and now has a job. Any college courses he chooses to take while working will be paid for by the military. And, the GI bill will allow him to finish his degree at low cost after his 6 year enlistment is over. Math and science aptitude might cause you to have a different path. It’s worth talking to recruiters from different branches. The military has been meeting its quotas of late so don’t know how many new recruits they are actually accepting.</p>
<p>OP, listen to ricegal. But ignore everyone else because they are all foolish fools. I swear :rolleyes: All they know is “Harvard pwns all, yay! If I get into Harvard, I’ll make women wet the moment I tell them!” </p>
<p>Military doesn’t always mean going off into the front line. They don’t send everyone to the frontline. THIS IS A MYTH.</p>
<p>Much of military work requires engineering, computer science, investigative work, and many scientific work. There are plenty of divisions and educative opportunities. </p>
<p>OP: I suggest you ask your high school’s career center for contact information about any Military related organization. The Coast Guard, Navy, Airforce, etc. I’d personally avoid the Marines, but it’s up to you. I’d like to aim for WestPoint.
But you should sit and arrange an interview with these and discuss your future with them. I highly doubt you’ll get substantial answers in these forums. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>
of course not everybody gets deployed, but they do deploy people who weren’t exactly hoping to fight on the front lines. if you enlist, you are in fact taking that risk, even if being put in a dangerous situation isn’t the most likely outcome.</p>
<p>OP, if you feel called to serve then do it. It is a good way to get your education paid for. Just go into the contract with your eyes open. Check each service for its guarantee for your career field. While you might be in an engineering field you will be there as a TECHNICIAN, not an engineer - a good way to learn the application side but the actual engineering is done by contractors and officers. And You most probably will deploy, no matter which service you enter.</p>