Well after 2 year of attending USC Upstate, I have began to believe that this type of life isn't for me. I want to do something that will push my mind, heart, and body to the limit. So i am considering joining the Army soon. I would like to hear from anyone on here what their experiences have been while joining the US Military. I know each branch is different but I would like to know how their decision has changed their lives. Thank you everyone..

 

Not to bag on you, but starting of by saying you want to be in combat is a ridiculous notion. Little late tonight, but possibly another day I can explain better.

 

2nd that. I'd recommend therapy instead of military service. As the son of a career Marine who saw over 6 combat deployments, I can tell you with certainty that if you're considering going enlisted, you're throwing your life away.

 

I thought the same thing when I started my first sememster of college. I signed myself up for the Navy during the 2nd quarter and left a couple months later. I would recommend that since you've already gotten that far in college get your degreee and become an officer instead of enlisted. As far as how it's changed my life, well I'm basically doing what nurses do in clinics/hospitals and sort of getting the experience from it. Not that giving shots to dependents/retirees all day is major, but I've heard only nurses can administer vaccines in the real world. If I plan on staying in after my contract is over I would most likely go into the officer side. I just don't see a point in being enlisted for the next 20 years of my life and not having a real career out of it.

 

I tried college and i tried 'the real world' after high school. I didn't really like either of them at the time. I then decided to join the Marine Corps and now almost 2 years in i cant decide what to do. I love the Corps but kinda hate what i do, i know i want to become a high school history teacher down the road but i dont know if re-enlisting after my contract would be better. ITS A STRESSFUL JOB, alot of times the military can drive you to your breaking point, its up to you if you want to find that point and push yourself or if it will be too much.

 

I have not been in the military (just missed Vietnam by a year), but I have been a contractor for most of my engineering career and have worked closely with all of the service branches, so my view is a bit different.

With 2 years under your belt at USC, you are on the home stretch. You’ve survived all the cattle call classes, the “change your major” classes and the weed-out process. Now you can concentrate on getting your degree. With that, you can go in as an officer and life will be a lot better. Even if you don’t love your degree field, it will be a foot in the door in the future. It proves that you have the motivation and skill to overcome obstacles and reach a goal.

If you do decide to go enlisted, go Air Force and set your goal as E-8 or E-9. USAF Senior Sergeants do what Lieutenants and Captains do in the other branches. They have responsibility, run projects and build skills that are useful after their military careers. The Coast Guard is good that way too.

If you have the chance, get on a project or system that has a lot of life left in it. I know guys that started as seamen running Navy P-3 mission systems who are now retiring as contractors supporting those same systems. The guys starting out on P-8 today will have that opportunity too. Of course, you don’t have to build a career that way, but it’s sure good to have the option.

Best of luck in whatever path you choose!

 

it's a tarp

 

Combat only takes away from you. There is nothing of me that would not be better without it. The best thing you can do is forget any notion of romanticism. It's a job that needs doing. Sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes for the wrong reasons. If you want to stoke the fires of your soul get off your ass and go see the world. Just don't do it with a machine gun. My .02.

 

Almost 4 years Air Force experience here and have an Uncle in the Army, cousin in the Marines, and brother & sister in the Air Force.

Since you've knocked out half of your college, just stick it out. Enlisted military is great but officer life is way better. Once you take out these last 2 years and still aren't satisfied with life, take your degree and join as an officer.

You'll be in for a few years and you may or may not like it. If you like it, great. Stay in and make a career out of it. If you don't like it, still great. You have a degree, courses from the Air Force, as well as job experience as an officer.

A lot of people have that "gung ho" mentality about deploying and seeing action, but everyone I know that has been in combat situations (let alone just being deployed as support) severely misses home and freedom.

From someone who is still young but didn't get to experience college life...enjoy it. You can go into the military at almost anytime within the next decade, college as someone young (with your friends the same age) usually only comes by once.

 

Thank you Guys for all the feed back.. After much thought I figure I might as well just finish college and if I still want to join in 2 years, I may enlist. I am majoring in physics and minoring in business. So I am sure there are a many things in the military that would benefit me from this.