College or the Army?

Question

I graduated high school in 2018 and now I'm just out and about. I wanted to go into the army as an officer with a bachelor's but I don't get along very well with school. I did a semester of community college and absolutely bombed it. So I dropped out and decided to go into the army. Well, that never happened. So now, six months later, I'm still doing nothing because I don't know what to do. My parents want me to go back to college and get my bachelor's but I don't think I can do it. At least not right now.

I was thinking about just finding a job and working full time for 9 months and then ship out to boot camp around this time next year. I have something coming up next summer so I can't enlist before then. So I would then enlist with a three year contract as 11B and then after that go back to college and get my bachelor's. Then after my bachelor's go back in as an officer and make it a career.

That's my plan right now and I want some feedback about it. I'm 19. I'm young and dumb. Please don't rub it in. Just in need some guidance.

Desperate Wife · Answer

Hello Landon,
It is normal for most parents' dream of their children obtaining a college education verses joining the military unless it is a generational thing. Whenever you get a chance, write down two columns, and list at least 10 to 20 pros and cons of college education and also joining the military.

For you to decide the best options, l will share this with you based on my exposure to the military population and college students. In the military, you are getting paid, and the government provide funds to support your college education, even if you took online school. Also, while in the military, you can take advantage of putting some of your pay into a special account where your funds will grow significantly. You will have to consider getting up early to participate in physical training, deployments, constantly getting promoted, politics among soldiers, lots of training, staying in the barracks, for examples. 11B is infantry and they work really hard; yet that MOS will prepare you to become a police officers or somewhere in law enforcement once your three year contract expires. You may want to consider logistics in the military. You will be at the very bottom of the food chain in the military and would have to show much respect to nearly everyone of higher rank over you.

As for attending  college, you will be moving quickly from one class to another class. You or your parents will be responsible for your entire college expenses, buying books, et cetera. You will not be getting paid. You will have lots of fun, but it will be challenging to focus on your studies unless you are very serious. You will be gaining an education in 4 years, and your parents will be proud. If you decide to obtain your Bachelor's degree, then you can make preparation to join the military as an Officer, and of course, you have so much other trainings to accomplished. You can become an officer by 22 years old. By then, at least you will not enter the military at the very bottom of the food chain....you will be in the middle with some power.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm sorry that I can provide any guidance to you, all I can say is best of luck in whatever you do.

? · Answer

Just serving one hitch in the military will give you free complete healthcare for life.

jeeper_peeper321 · Answer

just having a bachelors degree, doesn't mean you can be an officer

thats just one of the many requirements

Enguerarrard · Answer

I wonder. If you don't like college, how will you tolerate boot camp and Army life? Don't get me wrong, the military can provide paid training you absolutely can't get anywhere else. But military life is very regimented, much more so than college life. Of course if that's your cup of tea, then that's different. Try talking to some vets.

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College or the Army?

5 Answers