If someone is going to join the military what branch and why

[Dragonfighter]

Army. Dad was an old 10th grouper.

Army has the best schools.

Your Daddy was a smart man! I was in 10th Group as well!

Germany or Mass?

[x007x]

How much do the marines roughly make?

[SF18C]

How much do the marines roughly make?

Not much starting out.

http://www.navycs.com/2012-military-pay-chart.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Andrew]

Wow, even as an O-3 with housing and rats I wasn't drawing that kinda dough.

[rotor]

Served 8 years in the AF but why would you join the military for the career that you desire? I respect everyone that joins the military but the service is NOT a stepping stone to being a gunsmith or opening up a range. Sign up for a gunsmith school if that's what you want. Especially do not listen to what a recruiter "promises". Their job is to recruit. You need to think this out a lot more before deciding on your future.

[x007x]

Served 8 years in the AF but why would you join the military for the career that you desire? I respect everyone that joins the military but the service is NOT a stepping stone to being a gunsmith or opening up a range. Sign up for a gunsmith school if that's what you want. Especially do not listen to what a recruiter "promises". Their job is to recruit. You need to think this out a lot more before deciding on your future.

I am still thinking. I am not in a rush, also I have my other reasons for joining too, that's not about a career, and thanks for the advice. I have looked at AGI( I can't remember what it is right now) gunsmith school, but that was an online class and I don't have the guns they talk about to work with. I would like to find an actual class,nit a teach your self handout. Wish I had more money to get in those schools too.

[Texas Dan Mosby]

If you want to get into firearms construction and repair, than take a gunsmithing course.

If you want to run a business, than take business accounting / law / appropriate courses.


I wouldn't recommend the military for anybody anymore. Not after witnessing the utter incompetence and negligence of senior military leadership during the G.W.O.T., and certainly not now with the addition of the "relationship baggage" introduced by recent manning regulations.

Good luck regardless.

[x007x]

So I have decided. I am joining the military. My heart and passion and life craves me to join, and to live life to the fullest and go beyond human capabilities. I am tired of sitting around and having a dull life. I do love the people I am with and around, but they will support my decision, but it will be hard for my parents to accept. especially my mom. If I don't join; I feel i'll live a life of regret. Saying, why didn't I at least try it. I know what the chances are of dying, but I am not really worried about that, because I know death is everywhere and if I happen to die. Death is not on my mind. I mean, I don't think. Oh I could die today or tomorrow, or this or that could happen. Do you know what I mean by that and if anyone else thinks the same way? Why not accept it with something I enjoy and that makes me happy. I want field experience and adventure in my life. To me this is living life. I know the 2 main choices I want to join are small % of passing, but its what I strive for. I want to be a marine and a Army Ranger. I'd like to have both careers under my belt if possible, but the Marines is the top goal. Its what my heart keeps beating for over and over.

I did talk to the recruiters and I've been told what I need to do first. Which is get in better shape.
Here, I am just writing out my feelings needing to talk about this. I am 25. I want to tell the parents, but I still don't feel its time yet.
If anyone else is in this type of situation; join the conversation and post how you feel too.

[Abraham]

Just remember you enlisted.

No one forced you to take the oath.

Why do I say this?

Being constantly yelled at - madly rushed only to wait interminably - endless busy work - taking orders from folks you wouldn't socialize with in the real world and the list of other negatives stretches out quite far...

Get past this time, finally graduate from recruit and then see if you're still gung ho.

You very well may be and I hope you are, but I've seen more than one in the military start off with great enthusiasm and then think differently after experiencing a bit of it. Some are horribly chagrined to find their expectations quite different from what they imagined while others absolutely love it.

I hope you're in the love it category, cuz once in, you're in for what may seem a long, long stretch...

[MamaK]

. I want to be a marine and a Army Ranger.

I did talk to the recruiters and I've been told what I need to do first. Which is get in better shape.
Here, I am just writing out my feelings needing to talk about this. I am 25. I want to tell the parents, but I still don't feel its time yet.
If anyone else is in this type of situation; join the conversation and post how you feel too.

Whats your GT score? WOuld you score a 300 on the APFT? Can you run 5 miles in under 8 minutes per mile? Can you pass the combat water survival test? Are you red/green color blind?

Once you earn E4, you can toss in your hat to be an 18X. You will go through several schools, and you will not go SF straight out of boot. You might get RASP and if you pass you might get attached to a Ranger Battalion but you won't be a Ranger (yet). They say RASP is the easy part. Work out, run a lot, and be patient. Also, find what MOS they do take - they don't take every MOS.

Marine's special force is Recon.

Feel free to tell your parents because until you have that 18X behind your name, you aren't special forces. You have to earn that 18X, which is why the community is so small. Consider researching Don Purdy - he's iconic. Study the Ranger book, and run a lot. Run with gear, in gear while sopping wet, run in gear while its hot and humid. You will need a clearance. (Know your life from birth to present, where you lived, where you worked, what you did - crime to include juvi records that were expunged. Document everything because you will be filling it out on an SF86. )
Research Don Purdy, he's iconic.

Considering that all branches pay the same, why not look at doing intelligence for the Air Force? Once you get it, you will be thankful for the better conditions and you can also apply to be a Paratrooper.

[JALLEN]

Just remember you enlisted.

No one forced you to take the oath.

Why do I say this?

Being constantly yelled at - madly rushed only to wait interminably - endless busy work - taking orders from folks you wouldn't socialize with in the real world and the list of other negatives stretches out quite far...

Get past this time, finally graduate from recruit and then see if you're still gung ho.

You very well may be and I hope you are, but I've seen more than one in the military start off with great enthusiasm and then think differently after experiencing a bit of it. Some are horribly chagrined to find their expectations quite different from what they imagined while others absolutely love it.

I hope you're in the love it category, cuz once in, you're in for what may seem a long, long stretch...

Welcome, once you actually get in and get past boot camp, to the brotherhood of US Veterans who have all written that blank check. I note that I enlisted 50 years ago next week, and survived boot camp and OCS, twice.

While boot camp makes it seem like everyone in the world has lost their minds, the only real goal is to get the young recruit used to attention to detail under pressure, to get used to teamwork. Once you clear that, it's a whole different ballgame. They'll make you do some things that seem unpleasant, but little in boot camp is actually dangerous. That comes later.

If they tell you your first job is to get in better shape, then you probably are not Ranger/SF/Recon material, or you would already be in better shape. Don't worry about the SEAL Challenge, either.

Pay attention, keep your mouth shut, unless a response is required, listen, listen listen, and don't ever leave your rifle unguarded, out of your possession.

I used to be able to tell upon meeting someone whether they had ever been in the military. Those carried themselves straighter, wasted less movement, more disciplined, more polite, more "squared away." It is a good experience, one you will never forget, friends you will never forget, if you live. And you will be eligible for USAA and the thanks of a grateful nation. Don't minimize that!

Good luck!

[Purplehood]

How much do the marines roughly make?

Having done Military payroll for a very long time before changing Branches and MOS, I can tell you this: The Armed Forces all make exactly the same amount of money based on grade, longevity (years of service) and sometimes, specialty.

[Purplehood]

Having been the child of an Air Force lifer, a Marine for 17 years (3 of them as a Recruiter) and a Soldier for 7 years...I would hands-down say join the Marines if you want professionalism.
If professionalism (Esprit de Corps in my book) is not your concern, look at the Army for opportunity and travel, the Navy for getting wet and travel, and the Air Force for looking down your nose at everyone else.
Yes, I am biased.
BTW, the hardest service to get into is the Coast Guard.

[3dfxMM]

. I want to be a marine and a Army Ranger.

I did talk to the recruiters and I've been told what I need to do first. Which is get in better shape.
Here, I am just writing out my feelings needing to talk about this. I am 25. I want to tell the parents, but I still don't feel its time yet.
If anyone else is in this type of situation; join the conversation and post how you feel too.

Whats your GT score? WOuld you score a 300 on the APFT? Can you run 5 miles in under 8 minutes per mile? Can you pass the combat water survival test? Are you red/green color blind?

Once you earn E4, you can toss in your hat to be an 18X. You will go through several schools, and you will not go SF straight out of boot. You might get RASP and if you pass you might get attached to a Ranger Battalion but you won't be a Ranger (yet). They say RASP is the easy part. Work out, run a lot, and be patient. Also, find what MOS they do take - they don't take every MOS.

Marine's special force is Recon.

Feel free to tell your parents because until you have that 18X behind your name, you aren't special forces. You have to earn that 18X, which is why the community is so small. Consider researching Don Purdy - he's iconic. Study the Ranger book, and run a lot. Run with gear, in gear while sopping wet, run in gear while its hot and humid. You will need a clearance. (Know your life from birth to present, where you lived, where you worked, what you did - crime to include juvi records that were expunged. Document everything because you will be filling it out on an SF86. )
Research Don Purdy, he's iconic.

Considering that all branches pay the same, why not look at doing intelligence for the Air Force? Once you get it, you will be thankful for the better conditions and you can also apply to be a Paratrooper.

Getting a 300 on the APFT is not a requirement to be in SF or the Rangers. It won't hurt, but not getting it doesn't mean you are already done. Also, being able to run 5 miles at an 8 minute per mile pace is not necessary right off the bat. Once he makes SF or Rangers that 8 minute pace will probably put him finishing pretty far back. :)

Since he is 25 already, as long as he meets the other requirements, he can enlist with an 18X contract. There is no need to wait to hit E4. That will get him Infantry OSUT, Airborne School, the SF prep course, and a slot at SFAS. If he passes all of those then he can start SF training.

If he would prefer to be a Ranger, he can try to get an 11X Option 40 contract which will get him Infantry OSUT, Airborne School, and a slot at RASP. If he passes all of those he will be a Ranger and will be assigned to one of the Ranger Battalions. He will be sent to Ranger School some time later when his CoC feels he is ready. As you pointed out, he can get an Option 40 contract with other MOSes. There are quite a few that are eligible. 11X is just the most common.

Best of luck to the OP whichever path he ends up taking.

[SQLGeek]

Good for you on going for it. I wish I had done it at your age. Just a scant few years later and I'm on the cusp of 30 with several dependents and pretty much no chance of making it happen for myself.