Could really use some advice

[Squirrel]

Ok first thing is what do you want out of life and what kind of jobs are you interested in? After you figure that out your decision will be alot easier. As far as military is concerned it depends on what you want to do. If you just want something to see the world go navy, want the benifits without the risk go Airforce. If you want to kill people go Marines, If you want to kill people without being brainwashed go Army. But try to figure out what you would like to do and go from there.

[ncbobcat]

My bro's done alright he says there's a decent amount of liberals in the military but it's kind of a closet thing. For some reason I've talked to way more liberals in the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. Army and Marines seem to be pretty conservative.

They are all conservative, but the Army and Marines are probably 90% conservative. Oh, and the bit about liberals going to war versus conservatives 'opting out of it', (reading between the lines) is a freaking joke. Everyone know the military as a whole is very conservative. It's the liberals who are ashamed (secretly)of their country.

[ncbobcat]

I know in the end I'll be the one to make the decision but some helpful advice couldn't hurt. I'm going to the 12th grade next year (..or this..year I guess) and I don't really know what to do after that. Like a few months ago I was sold on going to the army, serving for 4 years, then going to college, but I don't know about that anymore. They don't really have anything job-wise that I really give a **** about, and I don't want to serve..just to serve, although it would look good years down the line when I'm running for public office. But then again the free housing, and free college afterwards might be too good to turn down. But then there is that dying aspect of it..

Then I could just go to community college for 2 years, then transfer (either way I'm going to get a 4 year degree) and the CC is like one street over from my house, but I don't really want to take out loans and get myself in debt before I'm 19. Plus I don't know what a potential employer would think years down the road if I went to a CC.

Then there is the 4 year University plan that I really wanted to do to start with, but my credits got fuged up when we moved from Alabama to North Carolina, and I won't have the requirements to go start to a University as it is now. I would have to go to the CC anyway after high school to get the requirements, and it would cost money to take those classes, so I mind as well just stay the 2 years right?

Then the last option is I just drop out and become a bum!

Its a good problem to have I guess. I just want to see what you guys think.

Go in the military for the minimum time (3 years now I believe), get the GI bill and go to an instate college that isn't a big name school. The big myth out there is employers really give a rat's arse about a school's "name". Get you a 4-year degree and hit the job market. DO NOT go to straight to a masters program. If you get a job and want to get a higher degree, there are ways to do that.

I did all of the above except for the last step (grad school) and came out smelling like roses. I did well in graduate school, but it tripled my debt and did nothing to further my career. I'm still regreting that move.

[Delhommey]

Don't forget the Coast Guard!

[House]

I will tell you that the revised GI Bill is a lot better than the old $800 a month for 36 months deal they used to have.

The new bill pays 100% tuition for 36 months, which should get you a 4 year degree if you are not an idiot. You get $1000 a semester for books and a housing allowance to pay for your rent/mortgage.

The military is not for everyone though. However half of these "the military will brainwash you maaannnnnn" arses have no idea what the fug they are talking about. Yeah, you have to do poo thier way but they don't try to fuging mind-meld your ass. Unless you are a Marine, they do mind-meld those fugers.

I had a blast in 4 years of the military. Don't regret it at all. Anyone who has every been in will tell you the same. But you can't half-ass it while you are in, you have to put forth effort.

If you do military go Navy or Airforce. Airforce is pie and they have the best bases. Navy is better for seeing the world and getting really drunk.

[pstall]

Travel for 6 months. Doesn't matter where just far from your current casa. Then relook at what you want to do.

In that 6 months you might have some epiphany of some sorts. But give yourself some perspective prior to making a big ole decision.

[southcakalac]

If you seriously intend to run for public office, which you say you do, then I suggest you hope your past posts never come back to hunt you..

Fixed it for you

[SorthNarolina]

They are all conservative, but the Army and Marines are probably 90% conservative. Oh, and the bit about liberals going to war versus conservatives 'opting out of it', (reading between the lines) is a freaking joke. Everyone know the military as a whole is very conservative. It's the liberals who are ashamed (secretly)of their country.

my brother's liberal as hell and almost cried at his commencement so that's not really true. He's always been proud of his country like my liberal as hell father taught us to be. Political ideologies shouldn't affect a person's pride in their country. That's a problem with their personality it's not the ideology they identify with that causes that. I don't even get why people choose to make such ignorant generalizations they know are false.

[ncbobcat]

my brother's liberal as hell and almost cried at his commencement so that's not really true. He's always been proud of his country like my liberal as hell father taught us to be. Political ideologies shouldn't affect a person's pride in their country. That's a problem with their personality it's not the ideology they identify with that causes that. I don't even get why people choose to make such ignorant generalizations they know are false.

I didn't say all liberals are ashamed of their country. Ones that go into the militarty have to be somewhat patriotic. Your TYPICAL liberal could give two hoots about patriotism. That's usually reserved (labeled) for the gun-toting, red states folks.

Just put it like this, on scale of 1-10 if someone were to poll this, I guarantee conservatives would score out at least 3 points higher on the question of patriotism.

Patriotism: conservatives>>>liberals

Again, don't take that to mean every liberal is apathetic about patriotism.

edit: Anyway that jab was at CWG for his statement.

[mmmbeans]

i'm wearing american flag boxer shorts...

[Davidson Deac II]

Don't forget the Coast Guard!

Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force are all good. You can join, and in all likelihood you will never see combat. Although thats not an absolute guarantee, even in the Coast Guard.

I traveled all over the world during my time in the Navy, saw places and things that most here will never get to see.

Most important thing is to do what you want to do, as long as what you want to do is not "party until you are to old to do anything."

[Davidson Deac II]

They are all conservative, but the Army and Marines are probably 90% conservative. Oh, and the bit about liberals going to war versus conservatives 'opting out of it', (reading between the lines) is a freaking joke. Everyone know the military as a whole is very conservative. It's the liberals who are ashamed (secretly)of their country.

Not really. I would say its about 60/40.

[ncbobcat]

Not really. I would say its about 60/40.

I'd say 60/40 would be the Navy and Air force, but the Marines and Army has to be higher. Of course I've been out for 15 years. I know they were softening standards when I was going through boot camp. Company Commanders (CCs) were no longer allowed to touch a recruit which was relatively new. Not long after that I heard you could actually take up a greivance if you thought you were being treated harshly or unfairly.

[thefuzz]

If I were to do it over again, I would have probably joined the Air Force, had them pay for my 4 year degree, and still be doing what I am now.

Go Air Force if you do it.