Question about my interest in joining militarty?

If you have a bachelors degree, you should look into becoming an officer. If you don't want to be deployed into a combat situation, stay away from the Army and the Marines...and probably the Air Force. The Navy or the Coast Guard might be great options for you...provided that you don't mind ships and water. In the Navy, you'll spend your deployments, for the most part, on a ship. As an officer, you won't specialize in fixing helicopters or something super technical. Rather, you will organize and lead the sailors under your command. There are a great deal of officer careers - from public affairs to pilots to administrative workers. Find more information here: http://www.navy.com/officer.

You are not too old, nor does being married or a woman present a problem. I wouldn't be too forthcoming about your prior drug use. Just make sure you have been clean for a while.

If being an officer doesn't sound compelling, you are eligible to enlist. Enlisted jobs are much more specific - fixing helicopters, landing airplanes, filing paperwork - and might be frustrating for someone with your experience. Officer or enlisted, you can join the reserves...but you will have to keep your day job.

You might consider watching the documentary Carrier - it is available on Hulu - it might help you decide if the Navy is of interest to you.

The military is exciting and very different from the corporate world, but it has its own set of issues.

Well first of all, a bachelor's degree will make you eligible for a commission- I'm not sure what your history with drugs are but you may need to obtain a waiver. Keep in mind that this going to be a four year commitment, and desire to, or reluctance to, being deployed will have little impact on whether or not you ARE deployed. At 25 you will still be eligible for service, and again even if you are over waiver's can be obtained. Marriage would be more of a personal obstacle, even if you join the reserves you're initial training can take you away from home for over a year depending on the job, and deployments could take you away longer. Also your branch of service will determine your options. The Marines for instance, will not let you take a commission and go into the reserves without first being on active duty. You should also talk to a recruiter or Officer Selection Officer to discuss your options, as an enlisted you'll have jobs such as fixing helicopters, while an officer will lean more towards more administrative options- Keep in mind that's very generally speaking. I would recommend looking at your options as an officer in something like the Army or Air National Guard, you would be making more money to help support your already established household, and while it may be a small thing, your peers will generally be you're own age, while enlisting you will be with mostly recruits 18-19 and you immediate superiors are likely to be a few years younger than you as well.

A few thoughts:

1. Past drug use can be disqualifying, but if it can be characterized as experimental and sufficient time has passed since the last use that concern can be mitigated. It might close certain opportunities to you, or it might not even slow you down.

2. With a bachelor's degree you may be eligible for Officer Candidate School. If the idea of leadership appeals to you, you might want to consider that.

3. The reserves are an option. If you join the reserves, you'll have to keep your "real job," which it sounds like you hate. Or you could take time off to do a master's, letting the military and VA foot part of the bill. If you go active, you'll belong to the military 24/7. You will leave your old job behind, but if you decide you hate your new job, too, you're out of luck because you're stuck. There are pros and cons to both you will need to balance.

4. If you have kids, you'll need a family care plan to ensure that their needs are met while you're deployed.

5. Practically everyone gets shipped off somewhere eventually, even the administrative types and helicopter mechanics. Speaking of helicopters, if you want to fly them, you can join the Army as a warrant officer candidate and go to flight school.

25 isn't too old and I can't think of a drug history that would DQ you fully.. as long as your pass the urinalysis at MEPS and the asvab. There are however some jobs within the Military that having a drug waiver you will not be able to get. Also, during times when recruitment is high, drug waivers may not be available and accepted so it's best to ask the recruiter which waivers are currently being granted prior to wasting his/her time a well as yours. I think currently the USAF and USCG aren't taking drug waivers.. But don't let that discourage you. You had mentioned law enforcement, I'd go that route. Start the process of getting in to the academy, you already have a degree and having a degree assures you that someday you can be promoted to Detective. In law enforcement, a degree guarantees that you wont hit that "Glass ceiling" Good luck!

If you're wanting to live together right away, then yes, you will probably need to get married. Most commands don't allow E-3 and under to live off base without being married. And it's just easier all around, since you have a baby together. I like the Navy for family things, but I'm sure that the Air Force is just as good as well.

-Being a woman or married does not mean anything against you. As for drugs, it depends how long you took them, type of drug, intensity, and whether of not you still engage in the drug. If you smoked pot for like 3 months in high school then chances are it will not effect you. If you lie about drug use then you should not join the military because, well, that's very ignorant, immoral, and shameful. Besides, Karma would come to haunt you.

-Since you have a B's Degree then I HIGHLY admonish becoming an officer. You will earn twice the pay than enlisted personnel and be open to more opportunities. You will be taught a wide variety of things (esp. leadership). Every branch branch has roughly the same base pay. Your officer training will be about 10 to 13 weeks after basic military training (BMT).

-As a woman you will NOT be placed into a "fighting job/career". Only males are allowed to do those choices. If you do not want to be deployed for any period of time then do not join the military. Besides, deployment does Not mean war. There are places like Germany, Rome, Africa, Korea, Japan, Greece, Britain, and South America. It all depends what branch you choose.

-Depending on what kind of person you want to be (because everyone changes after BMT. Especially in the US Marine Corps/ Toughest and longest, but most worth while and rewarding) and what you want, you should do your homework to discover which branch is right for you.

Plus as of right now, most branches have stopped recruiting because they are pretty much full. I tried Air force the other day and I would have to Wait until September.(unless spec. ops.) The same is relatively true for the Army and Navy--at least for non-comm. officers. Marines are still taking many in. BUT*** You should talk to a recruiter of each branch before you take my advice.

-You receive many benefits as well, like: Free dental, free medical for you and immediate Family, Free on base housing (you receive housig allowance if off base), and food allowance-- none of which are part of your base pay. All or most of this is tax free. Trust me, the Military will take care of you.

-Most important things are to be prepared mentally and physically. It is no joke, but it can and will be fun.

I plan to enlist this summer after I graduate from high school; I am highly excited. I am taken care of and I recieve many benefits. Although, it is more of a soul-searching thing. Which kind of sounds like what you may be feeling at this time. So, just do something that makes you happy, but only if your heart so condones it.

Sorry Phillip, but I'd rather have an educated person than some dumbass like yourself.

The first thing about your drug use. You can lie about it. Yeah it's morally wrong, but the average joe doesn't know you used to do drugs. Just circle "no".

And you definately aren't too old. As far as jobs in the military, i have no idea. just pick out ones you think you would enjoy doing for 4 years or more. not ones that are "cool".

And the reserves would be a great way to serve while still living a civilian life. One weekend a month, but do realize you could get deployed at any time. That comes with service and committment

Only jobs women are barred from are DIRECT COMBAT ROLES. Like Cav. Scouts and Infantry. Have a chat with a recruiter to see what your options are. Besides, degrees look very nice when it comes to promotions. See if you can get out of basic as an E-4. Save you all the "private" hassle!

Be honest about the drug use. That's all I got to say about that. My brother had minir run-ins with the law, but was able to enlist in the Marine Corps.

If you have never been arrested for drug use then you shouldn't tell them you ever smoked, and if you go reserves if you think you can live off 300$ a month, go for it or keep your job that you said you hate, go talk to a couple recruiters and see what your options are, good luck whatever your decision is

your past drug use can also keep you out of the military as well.