A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Okay, so I'm 25 and I still live at home with my parents. Because of the crisis we may have to have to sell the house and get my ill mom moved to a special care facility. I'm considering joining the military to cover for expenses and hopefully keep this from happening. Can anyone advise me on what to do?As for why I am where I am:#1. my Uni education really sucked dry all my funds. My mom and dad helped where they could, but I made a point of paying the bulk of the money as it's my study, my future, my responsibility. But as most students in the US, I had some debt upon graduating. I kept it from becoming huge ($10.000), but because I've had a hard time finding jobs --ending up in the endless cycle of companies wanting an amount of experience, me not having that experience and not getting experience because they won't hire me-- paying off the debt has been slow. I now have a job way below my pay grade and education, but at least I have one. #2. while I'm slowly getting my finances in order, the rest of the family has become unemployed. My mom is ill with MS and is in an electric wheelchair. The care she needs, though 200% worth it, is very expensive. My dad lost his job and hasn't found anything since. My autistic brother had a job, but lost it because of downsizing. He also lives at home. By September my dad's unemployment benefits wages will officially stop. We have calculated that the combined income by then won't be enough to make a living (and we're already living as sparingly as possible). So it basically means we'll probably have to sell the house and mom will have to move to a special care facility because we can't afford it anymore. I'm considering joining the military because a lot of people at least still get hired and the pay is better than my current job. I'm in good shape and I think I could handle it. I'm not really clear on what branch or function just yet; I'm just throwing out the idea. I want to try and support my family that way so everything won't fall apart. What do you think?Sorry for the long ramble. It's been on my mind for a while now and I need some opinions.
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female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (9 November 2012):
 It's hard because on one hand you want to be honest, but being honest also would mean that you are not joining the military because you are all HUA (hooah) aka fan of it, but out of need.
So, I would tell that you want to make something of your life while being able to take care of your loved ones. As an opportunity to better yourself, because THAT you will do :)
Do have any plans or idea of how long you want to join for? Because like Cerberus mentions going the Officer route might be better paid and with better opportunities when you get out.
And WRITE down ANYTHING you really want to know and bring the list of questions with you.
Be prepared. BE be CERTAIN that it something you can see yourself doing.
Read this article. I think it's a very good one to get you thinking if this IS the right choice for you.
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter1.htm
A
reader, anonymous, writes (9 November 2012): "but is there some stereotype that says that after completing service in infantry, that's all you can do?"
No not at all, but think of the experience you will gain. A combat infantry unit isn't exactly going to give you an advantage at an admin job in the way that working in the quartermasters office would. You know?
It wouldn't be a disadvantage for any job OP, that's not what I meant. I just mean it more in the way of maximising your potential by choosing a path that will give you the best possible benefit once you've finished serving.
I mean say your chosen field in college was medicine and your plans are to be a doctor for example. It would make more sense to join the medical corps than a combat unit wouldn't it? Or you have a business degree then you're best served working in a quartermasters office, or in logistics in the Airforce where you would get practical experience managing things and working as part of a logistical team. Who would get that office job? A person with a business degree and front line combat experience, or a person with that degree who spent 4 years working in logistics and dealing with the admin side of the military? The latter would have more experience and skills that the front line person and besides front line combat can leave mental and physical scars that you really don't need to risk.
OP the military isn't like a job in the US, the reason people choose to go in the military is it's an almost guarantee of acceptance. OP they don't do recruitment drives in schools, colleges etc for the hell of it. They always need people.
Be honest with them, your reasons are noble, there is no better reason to do anything in this world than when it's to take care of and protect your family. That makes you very appealing to the military OP because their whole ethos is of being one big family and you're showing that you're willing to do all it takes to protect that. Plus the more info and the more honest you are the better they can advise you on the role that would suit you best. They'll also try and set you up close to home and find you a role with the least amount of deployment time.
OP believe it or not they don't want some blind drone, flag waving ho-haw who wants to defend "freedom", fight for their country in the name of God and die for BurgerKing, those yokels are thrown into the infantry as cannon fodder. They want intelligent, well educated, noble people who can think for themselves and are doing so for real reasons and not some blind devotion.
Also look into becoming an officer, if you have the skill set and can become an officer that is an amazing advantage to have once you leave. The pay is better, the chance of promotion and raising your pay grade is better too. Who knows you may love being in the military and might make a career out of it.
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reader, anonymous, writes (9 November 2012): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionOh and one more thing:
@Cerberus: what do you mean concerning infantry: "The career opportunities after serving are very limited to tough lines of work in the field of security or law enforcement"?
Not that I'm planning on becoming Red Sonja ;-) but is there some stereotype that says that after completing service in infantry, that's all you can do?
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reader, anonymous, writes (9 November 2012): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThank you all for your input. I'm going to meet with recruiters from all branches and see what they have to say.
One question though: how should I present myself? I mean, explaining my situation as the reason why probably doesn't make them eager to take me on. On the other hand I cannot lie and say this is something I've always wanted to do, because in that case I would have been able to narrow it down already.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your time!
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reader, anonymous, writes (8 November 2012): When I say front line I mean infantry combat units. To my knowledge women can't join those yet in the US military. And I wouldn't advise that anyway. The career opportunities after serving are very limited to tough lines of work in the field of security or law enforcement. IT specialists, engineers, pilots etc. have far more opportunities in better paying jobs after they serve and there is every chance she could find a role that enhances what she studied in college and gives her more options in her chosen field. Plus the whole American "hero" military thing is a big plus when looking for jobs.
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female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (7 November 2012):
No Cerberus, women can "join" the front lines now.. Equal opportunity and all... (well except Infantry) many line-unit have women as well, not to mention transportation. Some may not consider driving huge or smaller truck being in the front line but they get blown up by rode side IOD no matter the gender.
Just FYI
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reader, anonymous, writes (7 November 2012): Sorry I didn't pay attention to your gender OP and my post was aimed at a man.
Most of it is very relevant though and I don't think you have too much choice about being a front line combatant anyway so you're sorted there. Other than front line combat all other roles are still availalble to you.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (7 November 2012):
Joining the military is not the worst option, but as I see it people should WANT to join, not feel like it's their only option to survive.
Yet, this is very common in the US.
How about you go to the nearest recruiter and make an appointment? And may I suggest the Air Force over the Army? After having spend the last 14 years as a soldier's wife (Army) and having met quite a few female soldiers from both Army and AF - it seems to me that the AF is a better choice both over Army and Navy. But don't just go by my word, go see a recruiter from all 3 places if you are not sure what you want to pick.
And like Cerberus mentioned LOOK for an MOS (that is the line of work classification) that interest you or that builds ONTO your college education.
(you can google MOS/Air Force/Army/Navy and see what they have) but The recruiter can tell you which MOS are open and your aptitude test will show which MOS you might be suited for.
The military may or may not be for you, but they DO take care of their own. With you mom's illness you may be able to have her in your medical benefits as a dependent. (not sure though, you would have to discuss this with the recruiter as well)
And I'm sorry you and your family are in this dire situation.
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reader, anonymous, writes (7 November 2012): If you've exhausted all other options then I don't see why not OP. Family comes first always, if you need to put your chosen career on hold for a few years to help them out then that's what you're going to do.
If I were in your position I'd look into the military too but I'd look into something that fits into what you did in Uni.
Your mom is ill with MS I don't think it would be helpful to her if she thought you were a front line marine kicking down doors in Helmand and dodging IEDs. Better to get a technical or admin job in something like the Airforce. Even if you are to be deployed you'll mainly be on base. Check out your options for staying close to home too, your nearest base etc.
If I were you I'd go into recruitment offices and have a detailed discussion with the officers there about your options, your special circumstances and they'll be able to find the right role for you, tell you how easy it would be to progress in that role to a higher rank and pay grade and may in fact entice you to make a career out of this.
The range of jobs you can do is endless, the engineering corp helping with specialist building projects, the airforce and become an IT command control operator, a missiles systems analyst, a munitions expert, join the navy and do one of many jobs they have. I would stay away from front line combat units and or demolitions though OP. It's look great in movies but the ex soldiers I know say it was the most boring job ever tinged with brief moments of some fucked up shit combat, corpses etc. Not the kind of man you want to become when you can sit at a computer and play war like a strategy game or be a radio operator, or artillery fire and control operator etc.
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