I have a situation and I am looking for advice or opinions. I know that I have to be careful with the information I post about myself here but just bare with me. I just graduated from a technical school and recieved my A.A. in Architectural Computer Aided Drafting and Design. I graduated top of my class with high honors. I then moved back home with the 'rents after I got a job making pretty decent money for my age (21). I am single and have no children or the desire to ever have any. I don't care to get married either.

One night, shortly after I moved home, I was sitting up with my step mother and talking about small (yet irratating) problems I have in my life. She mentioned something about me joining the millitary. I kind of laughed and just blew it off. I have never put any thought into joining. I have also never been opposed to it.

Couple of weeks go by and I'm starting to get bored with my job. Things in my life are getting pretty stressful. I continue to make wrong decisions and then get angry with myself. I start to realize where the paths I've chosen are going to take me. In a short sense... I am young, don't want children, don't want to get married. The schooling I have chose has put me in front of a computer, in a cubicle, in an office with barely any windows. Basically I just realized that my downward spiral is going to take me to unhealthy, over weight, lonely, middle class society lab rat falling into the rut that about 60% of americans call thier "happy" life style! Do you see where I am going with this?

I'm young, smart, love being in school, I have no attachments in my life, yet nothing really to live for either. So I have this inkling that maybe I could make my life worth something. At the same time, the reason I am asking for opinions, I don't want this decision to be something I make because I feel as if its an "escape" route when I'm not happy with my life.

All my friends and family that I have spoken too about it STRONGLY disagree with the idea. Of course they know nothing of any facts. The only other people I have to speak to about it are recruters. I know that a recruter is basically the "sales" department of the millitary. Of course they'll tell me all the good stuff that would convince me to join. Sugar coating it too I suspect. But I want someone to tell me the truth about it! Someone that knows...

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The Broadwayblues / New York Yankees
Sacred Heart University-Division 1 Men's Ice hockey.
Army Aviation U S A


Classic. And we get it.

Posted by... Nightflyer..Go get me a beer.... Posted by Zekos....get me one too b.itch Posted by... Exo1.Haha!!... good man!!.... .........yeah!!.... while your out there get me one too.....Posted by... SniperALpha1Corona with lime is the way to go. CAUSE THAT'S AMERICA *****!Posted by...Zidane Whiskey pl0x.

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Well, personally - if you have "nothing really to live for" you shouldn't make any life altering changes until you work on yourself first. The only person that can give you reason to live is yourself - not a job or person. That is just my opinion... Just because you are young, don't want to get married or have kids does not make you the perfect military canadate. (Unless you want to go join Japan's military)

You mentioned being in a cubical in front of a computer - without windows, etc... JUST wait until your in a military office building with no AC because the dems are cutting costs. haha! My hubby has no AC, shares ONE computer with two other people and only gets out occasionally. Granted you have PT and generally set hours... good vacation and other nice benefits. There are many opportunities...

Best of luck to you. Just research the jobs ask questions... do some self-review and I think you'll do what is best.

Fire

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-Fireball
Army Wife and mother of 3

__________________
The Broadwayblues / New York Yankees
Sacred Heart University-Division 1 Men's Ice hockey.
Army Aviation U S A


Classic. And we get it.

Posted by... Nightflyer..Go get me a beer.... Posted by Zekos....get me one too b.itch Posted by... Exo1.Haha!!... good man!!.... .........yeah!!.... while your out there get me one too.....Posted by... SniperALpha1Corona with lime is the way to go. CAUSE THAT'S AMERICA *****!Posted by...Zidane Whiskey pl0x.

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Kitten,

The Army is definitely a life-changing decision. You're smart, well educated so do your research. Then find out what you'd like to do in the Army. I'm sure you'll find several MOSs related to your education. Then get yourself in good physical shape. Find out what the standards are for the Army Physical Readiness Test & get yourself able to do the required pushups, situps & runs for your age & gender. If that all is OK with you then decide if you want to go Active Army , Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. Both of the Reserve components will require some active duty for basic & school. Be prepared to be deployed no matter what component you go into. We're a nation at war. Check out any enlistment bonuses that may be available to you. After you've done all you research & have asked questions on sites like this one then see a recruiter. The more knowledge you have of the Army the better chance you'll have getting exactly what you want. Don't sign up right away. When you decide to go to MEPS for testing & assignment don't accept something you really don't want just to get in.
Speaking of MEPS try to get a study guide for the tests they'll administer. Some public libraries have them. Study them good because the higher score you get the more MOSs are available to you.
Good luck & thanks for considering joining the Army during wartime.

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Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

the army isnt a job you can take now and decide in a couple months you dont like it anymore and quite. and no matter what advice you recieve, it is your life in the end. i was going to join after i graduated high school, then i got pregnant and decided to put that off for a while. now i am married, have three kids, and my husnband will be deploying with his unit in a couple months. i never wanted children, but now i cant imagine not having them. life changes and you change with life. make sure whatever decision you make today is one you can live with for the rest of your life.

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Mother is the Name for God on the lips and in the hearts of Children!

You are absolutely right, and I understand this completely. I also understand that right now because I am not happy with my life, makes the millitary sound so much better. But it is life changing, and quite a big step. I know that I cannot base my decision on how I feel now. As for taking it as a job and quitting in a couple months... I have never worked a job that I have been there for less than a year. Even the ones I have hated. I am, and have always been, very career oriented. My parents did a good job of drilling in me to be able to take care of myself and not depend on anyone. Plus keeping every job for at least a year looks pretty good on resumes. Shows dedication and persistance.

I just started working for a drafting company and have only been here for 1.5 months. If I do decide to go, I will not be joining until at least October of 2008. Which enables me all sorts of time to research, get in shape, figure out an MOS, and realize what it is I really want. Alot can change in the matter of one year!!!




MSG Glenn ... Thank you for giving me some direction as of things to get a better idea and research about.
I have already taken the ASVABS once before in my senior year of high school. The recruiter pulled up my score last night (even tho we can not use it... it must be within 2 years of taking the test and enlisting) but I had scored an 89/99. This was almost 4 years ago... so hopefully I can get just as good or better.

We discussed some MOS's I could look into, but the recruiter said that until I take the tests, he doesn't want to really get into it. He wants to make sure that the jobs I would/could be interested in will be something I can get into.


Fireball ... I didn't realize how I stated my words until your response. "If you have "nothing really to live for" you shouldn't make any life altering changes until you work on yourself first." Very nicely stated! And you are right. I do need to work on myself. I need to completely re-evaluate myself.

If you guys have ever been to a psychiatrist...they let you do all the talking. And in return, you end up answering alot of your questions yourself. The reason I posted a thread here, is along those same lines. I knew if I could state my problem and recieve opinions on it, I could get a little guidence as to where and what it is that I really need to be thinking about. I'm still a fish out of water, but at least I can smell the ocean now!


Nightflyer ... Thank you



I have a question tho... what is the deal about being flat-footed? Im not flat-footed, for granted i dont have a high arc, but im for sure not flat-footed. But what is the deal with that? is that really something that depicts if you can enter? Why? just curious...


hehehe... I also discussed my sight with the recruiter. I'll have to wear the BCGs - those nice big glasses. lmao... when I heard what the BCG stood for. I'll get to pimp those out if I do join!




Thanks guys
Kitten

I'm sure that flat-footedness is no longer an issue with the military. It was back in WW II & probably later that it was a DQable condition until they decided that there were even benefits to having flat feet.

Enjoy the BCGs. Actually wouldn't you rather have a pair given to you free & clear so that when you break them during training it wouldn't be money out of you pocket? Besides, who's gonna look at you while in Basic? Once your out of BCT the Army has issue glasses that are a bit more stylish & you can even wear your own. I would consider that the least of my worries. The main object is being able to see your Drill SGT & the target downrange.

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Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

The recruiter actually told me that they'll give me quite a few pair. They will supply them for me. I just got a kick out of what they refer to them as. BCG - Birth Control Goggles. I'm not sure what they are really called.

Besides the sight, I asked him a few questions about my health / fitness. I got a colorblind test, we checked my height, body fat. He even showed me how to do a push-up the "right" way. LOL... he was pretty funny yet down to earth. I got a lot of answers from him too. He was very thorough at explaining things.

My research will still continue...

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~*KiTTeN*~


---I tell the truth as I know it, the whole truth as I believe it to be, and nothing but what I think you should know.
---A key mark of intelligence is knowing when you don't know something and admitting it!

Hi Kitten- I am the Mother of someone who went into the military for similar reasons, feeling lost in direction, etc.- I Love him dearly, and learned to be Supportive of him- But do make sure that whatever you do is because U want it, not because u think it will fill and empty void in ur life. U'r young, and really look before U leap. I also have some personal experience in not dealing with some real issues and realities of my own, from the past, and they only came back to bite me in the ...!!! When all is said and done It Is Ur Life, and U need to do what is best for U... Hope this helps.