How do You Just Pick up And Leave?

[Anybodyhome]

1- Join the Navy.

2- Travel the world.

3- Fug hot women.

4- Get paid for said traveling & fuging.

5- Get a free college education.

Check, check, check, check and check.

And, when I decided to retire after having accomplished the above several times over, I threw a dart at a map and moved to NC on a whim. A little over a year later I attended the first Panther football game ever in Clemson...

[Batman]

Check, check, check, check and check.

And, when I decided to retire after having accomplished the above several times over, I threw a dart at a map and moved to NC on a whim. A little over a year later I attended the first Panther football game ever in Clemson...

I'm thinking about re-enlisting and making a career out of it. I first enlisted right after turning 17 (graduated HS early and parents signed release). It was a way to get out and explore the world and get funding for college. Now I miss it and wanna go back.

I'm 26, no wife or kids, have a Bachelor's Degree in Nuclear Engineering, 6 years of service (2yr USMC, 4yr USN), and have qualified for OCS in Norfolk.

I miss the USS Carl Vinson. And San Diego. And Asia. And Hawaii. And Australia.

Most specifically I miss all the smoking hot Australian chicks with their sexy accent. Those girls melt like puddy over an American dressed in Service Blues with a Southern Accent.

Only thing that worries me is the bastards in DC wanting to do away with the military retirement plans and set it up basically as a 401k. And the fact that if, or when, they change it those who are currently in, whether 1 year or 10, won't be grandfathered in and will lose the retirement they originally signed up to get. That's really the only thing making me hesitant.

[thefuzz]

So, where to start? I'm 21 and my entire life I've lived in or just outside of Greensboro NC, spending the majority of my life living in the small town of Reidsville. For many years this city has worn me down. The people, the way of life, and the lack of ambition in people is disheartening. There is barely enough jobs here to support half the population of the city and if you're lucky enough to get a job you're earning minimum wage. It's become clear to me that I need to get away from this place, if I want to better myself. I'm interested in moving to Seattle, Charlotte or Portland, in that order. The problem is, I have absolutely no clue how to go about moving halfway across the country, or even across the state. Where do I start? How do I plan? I have a limited amount of cash to work with and I need to form a plan. I'm not looking for a solution, just decent advice to aid me on my journey of leaving home in search of a better life and education. 

 

 

PS: fug the Saints.

I feel like we have heard these things from you in the past...but I could be mistaken.

Did you ever get your drivers license?  How about a job?

 

That said, I would, in your shoes, join the Air Force, unless you have a bad record.  You can immediately get out of that town, learn new things, meet new people, and move on.  They will pay for you to get educated, and you should have money saved when you get out, if you aren't an idiot.

 

P.S. forget the writing thing as a source of income, get a real job, and do that on the side.

The bigger question from me:  Why the hell are you still there at 21 years old?

[Batman]

I feel like we have heard these things from you in the past...but I could be mistaken.

Did you ever get your drivers license?  How about a job?

 

That said, I would, in your shoes, join the Air Force, unless you have a bad record.  You can immediately get out of that town, learn new things, meet new people, and move on.  They will pay for you to get educated, and you should have money saved when you get out, if you aren't an idiot.

 

P.S. forget the writing thing as a source of income, get a real job, and do that on the side.

The bigger question from me:  Why the hell are you still there at 21 years old?

Unless you just don't like the water and traveling, or have an affection for flight, I wouldn't ever pick the Air Force over the Navy.

Two of my friends went into the Air Force. One was stuck in desolate North Dakota and the other in rural Georgia. It wasn't really any different than staying home and getting a full time job.

Meanwhile, I was stationed in beautiful San Diego, visited Hawaii 6x, Australia 2x, over 25 countries in Asia, crossed the Equator and became a shellback, jumped off an Aircraft Carrier into the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The only bad part was cleaning the ship until the paint wore off. Then repainting it. And repeat.

The USAF is a terrific branch and overall they might offer the best financial careers, but I never saw the appeal.

[thefuzz]

Unless you just don't like the water and traveling, or have an affection for flight, I wouldn't ever pick the Air Force over the Navy.

Two of my friends went into the Air Force. One was stuck in desolate North Dakota and the other in rural Georgia. It wasn't really any different than staying home and getting a full time job.

Meanwhile, I was stationed in beautiful San Diego, visited Hawaii 6x, Australia 2x, over 25 countries in Asia, crossed the Equator and became a shellback, jumped off an Aircraft Carrier into the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The only bad part was cleaning the ship until the paint wore off. Then repainting it. And repeat.

The USAF is a terrific branch and overall they might offer the best financial careers, but I never saw the appeal.

I was just thinking it may be a bit better joining at 21 in the AF, and the jobs coming out do seem to pay better.  I would prefer the Navy myself, and possibly the Coast Guard, but that's just me.

[Batman]

I was just thinking it may be a bit better joining at 21 in the AF, and the jobs coming out do seem to pay better.  I would prefer the Navy myself, and possibly the Coast Guard, but that's just me.

I have friends that joined the Navy at 26-30 after wasting 8-12 years after high school and they still loved it. It's not ideal and likely embarrassing to be in your late 20s and ranked lower than 19/20yo's but it isn't the end of the world either. Better late than never.

Yes, USAF jobs are generally better for finding work afterwards if you're just going straight to work. But that was my whole point. USAF jobs are basically mechanic, manufacturing, etc jobs located in the middle of nowhere USA.

But it's irrelevant if you take advantage of the college funds and get an education. From that aspect it's irrelevant what branch you served in. And while serving at least Marines get to shoot badass guns and Sailors get to travel the globe. Airmen build and assemble parts in a warehouse.

[Batman]

Anyways... Dear OP...

Anything is possible. But not until you shut up, get off your ass and make it happen. Talk is cheap.

It's like these threads are an annual event for you, yet you've still failed to do anything years later.

The best thing you could do for yourself is destroy any computer, tablet, TV, game console, etc you own. The Internet is bad for you. Drop it cold turkey and go do something with your life before I drive to your house and slap you silly.

My cousin sat around on his ass for 8 years after high school doing nothing and jumping from one dead end job to another. Then he finally got tired of his miserable life and went to college at 26. And after he got his Bachelor's at age 30 he applied to the Navy's Officer Candidate School and was accepted.

At age 26 he was an unemployed high school graduate with no ambition. At age 33 he was serving as an enlisted Officer in the most powerful military branch in the entire world. Once he finally got off his ass he was able to obtain a great life for himself. All it took was a little motivation.

You are only 21. You're much younger than he was. You can still do anything you want. But it's probably not gonna happen. You're like a broken record. Note get off your ass and get going motherfuger.

[strik9]

Save enough for two months rent (hit craigslist for rooms/small apts), pack a backpack and duffle bag, and finally buy a one way bus ticket. I cook so i've always been able to find work. The internet has made travelling easy. Once your set up community colleges are a dime a dozen.

 

With that said, I often wish I'd went the sevice route.

[pantherclaw]

Lots of work in Texas. 

 

Sure is flat and hot though.

[h0llywood]

Cost of living in Seattle is low and their minimum wage is $15.00 so that is a plus compared to coming to other big cities like where i live. You can also work for Starbucks and get a free education through ASU. 

 

That or USMC. Because if you're going to commit, grown your balls as big as possible.

[SOJA]

just do it

 

but definitely make sure you have a plan