I am a college student and I'm thinking about joining the military. What are some good reasons to join?

Question

I am currently a second year college student majoring in engineering at a highly ranked university and I've been contemplating on joining the Air Force or the Navy after college. I first began thinking about joining the military when I talked to my cousin in law for the first time last summer. He did ROTC in college and now he's a pilot in the Air Force and described his experience and it seemed very attractive to me. Secondly, college life didn't quite met my initial expectations and I've always heard "college is the best time of your life" but I found it quite exaggerated. Anyways, joining the military interests me because I want to experience military life and do things that are not available to civilians. I also want to toughen myself and prove myself that I can go through the military as something I am be proud of. It seems a bit silly and cliche, but I also want to join the military for the pride/ honor, and because I am proud of my country. However, when I asked my dad about his time during the army, and he said he did not like it one bit and does not want me to join the military. He lectured me on how the military is full of "low level people" and is a complete waste of time that won't prepare my future. He says working on an aircraft carrier or flying military aircraft may sound fun, but it's really just a tedious job I'll have to keep doing without any choice which I'll eventually be bored of within a month. 

I'm not sure what to do, I'm getting bored in college, but the bottomline is I just want to experience something different and I think the military can give me that opportunity. I feel like miliary life is one of the things I may not necessarily enjoy every bit during active duty, but it's something I won't regret years down the line. I just want to know if I have good valid reasons to join the military. Any thoughts?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Your dad's probably one of those guys who saw all the war movies, wanted to be Rambo, shipped off, and was incredibly disappointed that he didn't get to run around with an M-60 shooting dozens of terrorists. As long as you know what you're getting into, you'll be fine.


If I were you, I'd talk to an Air Force or Navy recruiter (unless you want to be a combat guy, then go for the Army since they pay better and have better quarters than the USMC). See if either of them have ROTC programs at your school, if you're into that. If you want to go all-out, you might see if you can get into the reserves first. Active duty is fine, but if you're in a highly-ranked college you probably shouldn't give that up.


Talk to the recruiters, see what they have to offer, and good luck with your decision

Dee Dee · Answer

As of all the other answers. Finish your degree. If you still want to join the military after then go right ahead. Having a degree when going in moves you up in rank. If you want you could become an officer but have to go to officer school. But make sure you research thoroughly. Look for a job that you would enjoy and not become bored of. After you get out of the service and since you will have experience with whatever job you did employers will most likely hire someone with experience then someone with a degree and no experience(seen it happen). But make sure you do your research and don't jump into something. 
Good luck!

Bob · Answer

If you are considering ROTC, then you will have to stay in school. ROTC is a program that adds to your classes at school. You take one class (twice a week) and one lab (once a week) that will prepare you to be an officer in the military (as well as PT sessions early in the mornings). It is a 4 year program but if you attend LTC (a month long course like basic training that teaches you all the things you would have learned in your first two years in ROTC) you can compress it to 2 years.

During your junior summer you wil go to LDAC (like Basic, but for officers) at Fort Lewis and when you graduate, you will comission as a 2LT. 

If you are really not enjoying school (I would advise sticking with it however) then I would consider enlisting.

Nick M · Answer

STAY IN SCHOOL, this will go down int he regret book if you do not. You can always join the military afterwards, and will be more successful in the military with the degree.

Chuck · Answer

Unless you're about to flunk our of school because you're failing your classes, stay in school.

Finish your degree. Once you're done, if you still have the desire to join, then you can. If you decide not to join, you have your degree to fall back on.

irection · Answer

stay in school. every one i know that has went into the marines or the army wishes they never did. & the only thing it has to give you is money wich is nice, but not in the long run.

Anonymous · Answer

well for 1 thing u get to shoot a ****** gun!!! thats the most fun.

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I am a college student and I'm thinking about joining the military. What are some good reasons to join?

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