military then college?

Parents Forum
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<p>I’m a highschool senior contemplating the same option. Thank you all for your comments; they’ve been very informative. </p>

<p>Obviously, Cornellstudent, I’m no more experienced than you, but I have one thought. Though nyustudent’s choice of words is somewhat abrasive, I think it’s worth considering the serious issue he has mentioned. If you join the military, you are committing your life to the discretion of the United States. You should consider this commitment and all its ramifications thoughtfully; your service could involve being killed or permanently handicapped fighting a war you don’t support. I certainly don’t mention this to discourage you, I just believe it’s important to realize how momentous the enlistment decision can be before you “sign the dotted line.”</p>

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<p>For those whose chances of going to college are practically nil because of monetary considerations, serving in the military can give access to GI bill benefits that can equal an all tuition scholarship. </p>

<p>Flame nyustudent all you want, but one has to acknowledge that serving in the military when we have men and women in harm’s way in places where PTSD, death and serious brain damage can and do occur (we live near a Marine base, so our local paper carries news of such things often) entails a certain risk.</p>

<p>If you are not willing to die for your country, then I’d find another way to get money for college.</p>

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<p>Regarding the comments on the safety aspects of being in the military - one should be objectively informed on this as opposed to taking an uninformed simplistic comment like the one a ‘student’ posted on this thread. Take a look at the odds of being killed, being wounded, getting stationed in a war zone, etc. When doing this one needs to do so according to the different branches of the military. Many people not familiar with the military in general seem to usually think of the soldier as an Army or Marine on the front lines with an M16 or riding in a tank and would be surprised at how low the casualty rate is for those in the Air Force, the Navy, CG, and even for those in the Army or Marines in a time of war. While one certainly takes a risk in the military depending on one’s particular duties and what’s happening in the world at the time (and a number of the ‘jobs’ are inherently somewhat risky whether there’s a war on or not - fighter pilots, seals, special forces, parachuting, etc.), it’s not as high as most people unfamiliar with the military seem to think. </p>

<p>One shouldn’t enter the military with rose-colored glasses but they should also arm themselves with objective data about the real risks, how the different branches function, the different jobs in each branch, etc. to make an informed decision. </p>

<p>On top of this, to the surprise of some people, there are actually those who want to join the military to serve their country despite the risks. I’ve known a number of them and am happy there are people willing to do this voluntarily. </p>

<p>I wonder if the OP made a decision on this.</p>

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<p>If you have good stats and ECs and want to serve, I would also recommend looking into ROTC or the academies. You would complete your degree first, then serve, and you would enter as an officer (generally more management and leadership type positions).</p>

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<p>I will say that the veterans I’ve had in class - a fair number - are consistently the most disciplined, the most prepared, the most likely to be engaged in their own education. The ROTC and Reservists run a close second. Let’s face it, after what you face in the military, especially on active duty, getting through a college class is a walk in the park.</p>

<p>If the OP wants to enlist for whatever reasons, fantastic and thank you for your service. But if this is being considered as a “hook” to increase admissions chances…well, thank you for your service.</p>

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<p>You decide what is most important to you- college or being in the military. Think of the lifestyle. Do you want to be the lowest ranked soldier/sailer (whatever) with a chance of going to a war zone? The death rate is not the only risk- there is the injury and mental trauma rate no one hears about. As a top HS student do you want to surround yourself with a peer group that is a majority of average HS students, not those who typically would apply to, much get into elite colleges? Will you have the same intellectual stimulation? Will it be comparable to instead getting a low paid (after all, you will only have a HS diploma and no other job skills) job on an assembly line, but with your life regulated 24/7? Sure, you can take online courses- but will they be of the same caliber as those on the campus you could be on? Can you choose the same majors, get the same inclass discussions, labs?</p>

<p>As a top HS student and with an interest in the military I strongly urge you instead to consider the ROTC route. Your active duty will be as an officer, not an enlisted person. You will not give up the right after HS college experience, either. There is a future cost for this route as well. Your post graduation military obligation precludes some opportunities, although unless the economy improves by the time you graduate the guaranteed job could be nice.</p>

<p>I have a niece and nephews who did the military route. The girl did a year of college, joined the Guard, met her H and did do the online business type degree. She admits she was a screwup in college- would not have succeeded. Her H hopes to get out next year and then finish college- he keeps going overseas. The boys did not do their best in HS and did 4 years in the military- now working and perhaps getting degrees some day. The one always wanted the military- the reality of it made him change his mind and do only the 4 years he signed up for. If HS grades and money were there they would not have gone that route. I do not hear of any benefits of doing the military then college from their experiences.</p>

<p>btw- the other side of the coin. Even at the height of WW II not every eliglble young man was serving in the military- colleges had many more women during the war years, but there were still many men in colleges. Despite the huge numbers in the military it was not the majority of the population. Life went on at home (same thing during the Depression- not everyone was out of work/poor…).</p>

<p>Only use the military as your option if you want to be in the military. Find out about the day to day lifestyle, even if you never face a war zone. Can you tolerate the lack of academics for 4 years? Everyone is changed by the 4 years spent after HS- in different ways. Some benefit from the military discipline, others don’t need it to achieve their goals. Nothing wrong with postponing the responsibilities of adulthood by being that 18-21 year old college student.</p>

<p>I’m of the Vietnam War/draft generation. Today’s military is a choice- no comparison. Just remember there is always a price to pay- is it too high?</p>

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<p>I would agree on the ROTC stuff. Particularly since I have been hearing that college grads wanting to enlist as officers are not having an easy time of it right now. The Air Force just laid off 3,000 officers in our area anyway and lots of military personnel are telling me that you can’t just walk into a recruiters office and get signed on as an officer.</p>

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<p>^^very true. S1 went the NROTC route. A couple of the guys who commissioned with him have been cut loose by the Navy. Navy apparantly has more junior officers than it needs and is trying to downsize</p>

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<p>Addenda. Regarding the more mature veterans in college- you should hear my niece complain about the immaturity of the enlisted men and women around her, she feels so much older and wiser while in her early 20’s. The young adults will be their age, whether in uniform or in college, the only cure is time/life experience of any kind.</p>

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<p>I do see what futurestudent is saying. I would say go to college first, and when you are 21 or 22 decide if you want to enlist. I wouldn’t let my kid join the military when he/she is 18. If that’s what my kid wants to do then go to a military academy.</p>

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<p>Not to put too fine a point on it, but the size of the military, including the officer corps, is decided by Congress. They tell the military you get this much (personnel, money, bases, etc.) to figure out how to do what the President says. Any of the services could use more personnel if they could get the authorization and budget, as those they have live a stressful and frequently deployed life.</p>

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<p>Actually, the way the system works, is that they are mandated on % between company (O1-3) to field (O4-6) to flag (O7-10). </p>

<p>Due to the economy people are not leaving, thus, there are certain yr groups that are ballooning. The military is not like corporate, you can not give 2 weeks notice and leave. There are certain points where you can. Traditionally it is at the 5 yr point for the 1st opportunity. This is called 5 and dive. However, because of the economy they do not have enough people diving, which means to keep them in proper ratios they need to cut (Reduction In Forces aka RIF) the jr officers (company).The other problem is field grade, but that issue is easily solved from speeding up promotion boards and reducing the % promoted. Passed over 2x and you are gone. The final is a SERB which is also occurring (Selective Early Retirement Board). Traditionally if you make LTC you can stay until 25, again to keep the ratios aligned, if too many are not leaving they will SERB them.</p>

<p>Now going back to the OPs question, regarding chances. Here’s the thing:</p>

<p>Your chances actually do increase because of life experience and now you have a GI Bill, however, I would never do this route just for chances. You need to have that desire to serve. It is a very high price to pay. Go community college and get great grades.</p>

<p>Remove going to the sandbox, how about sending your butt to SK or Germany for the next 3 yrs and you can’t get home for Xmas or your sister’s wedding? You’re safe, yet you are thousands of miles away from home. My Father was diagnosed with Leukemia when I lived in the UK. I didn’t have those days to sit by his bedside as he died. I didn’t expect his death, he was diagnosed and died within a yr.</p>

<p>Our children never once had a family member visit them in the hospital when they were born. We were hundreds if not thousands of miles away. </p>

<p>Bullet (AD AF) would come home from the squadron to see my cry as I listened to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas while baking cookies. He saw my tears on Sundays when I called home and heard the laughter in the background from my siblings as they had Sunday dinner.</p>

<p>Trust me, you don’t or can’t understand how deep your roots are buried until you leave. The cost of college is not worth it. Go to CC and do great.</p>

<p>FWIW, I loved every flipping second of our military life. Our DS is in AFROTC on scholarship. It is a great life, but if it is a fiscal reason, than re-think this path</p>

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<p>My DH enlisted in the military just out of high school and did his Basic training during the summer. In the Fall after HS graduation, he entered college in the ROTC program. He was in the Reserves. At college graduation he was commissioned as a officer. He has stayed in the Reserves and is presently a LTC. He has served overseas and potentially could go again. He is an excellent husband, father, civilian attorney and soldier. This was definitely a good choice for him. It has required sacrifice on all of us at times but I think it is worth it.</p>

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<p>My niece graduated from HS at age 17 this past spring and entered the Army Reserves upon graduation. (Did JROTC all through HS., which she says was surprisingly good physical preparation for BCT. Don’t know if that’s because her school has a particularly good program or if this is standard.) Is currently at AIT, and when she finished she’s headed to either language school for six months or to her college, where she will be Army ROTC, and will get her commission upon graduation. As long as she’s in school, she’s obligated for the Reserve weekends and summer training, but not deployment. She’s also MI and scored in the mid-90s on ASVAB.</p>

<p>One of my sons has a classmate who did a year of college, goofed off, and decided to quit wasting his parents money. Joined the Marines. Did two tours in Iraq. Is now at a top school. S says the guy is a real inspiration and brings a level of maturity and experience that 18 yos just don’t have.</p>