I've been in the army for over 6 years and its a great life I made more money before i joined but I wouldn't change it for the world I've got to see some amazing place and have alot of opportunities that you just wouldn't have available if you just had a degree. I'm moving to Hawaii next month and I won't have to pay a dime to do it!

 

I've considered the military many times but I'm so close to my family it would be too hard. and my family and gf say no to military. I just feel like I'm not really going anywhere in life. I've been detailing at Ford for 3 years now and I make $9.50/hr. I live at home still bcuz I don't believe in renting bcuz you're just throwing money away when I could live at home for free. I know itsthe whole "out on your own" feeling but I'm a real tight *** with money. I plan on having my mom take over my truck as long as she can afford it so then I won't have a car payment, but I don't know what I'll end up doing about college or work

 

That is even more of a reason to go into the military, you need the discipline to make your own decisions and live your life. If the war is an issue consider the Coast Guard or try to get a guaranteed location in the USAF or Navy.

I am a proud disabled veterean and served in the USCG, it was the BEST decision I ever made. After leaving I went to OU for a while but left college because I saw I could make more money doing what I love to do, not what others wanted me to do.

If you really want school, do it now, no questions. If you want the military then go for it, you will make yourself proud for being the man you want to be.

 

Michigan has a National Guard unit right? It wasn't my choice, but I believe they still get the same benefits when serving their AT time, MGI bill and all. Plus unless you are deployed you still live where you are now, just have to put in one weekend a month. Sure, the deployments suck, but either way, 4 years (active or reserve) still gets you the same benefits. I've never heard anyone that was honorably discharged regret having gone for the military. I've heard plenty say that they didn't like it, others that wished they had stayed, but never one that regreted having done it. Plus you don't need a degree to do something that you enjoy. Like to work on vehicles? There's an MOS/Rate for that, no college required. Like to work on computers? Same thing, no degree needed. The military will train you for the job w/o the needless classes, give you college credit for the training received, and most of the time get you a job post military that pays better than those kids fresh getting out of college. I'm not a recruiter, but for anyone that is short on $, wants to go to school, and has bills to pay, is young, and is not afraid to leave the family for a short while should strongly consider the military. Plus you said there aren't very many higher paying jobs where you're at if I remember correctly, so from the way that it sounds you'd have to move for school and/or the future job after school anyways right? I'd do some research online, look into the various branches then if I found one I thought would be best I'd study for the ASVAB so that I could get the best job in whatever service choosen. I'm not trying to push you into the military, but you asked what I would do.

 

No offense, but it is your life.....you need to live it the way you want to. My family was disappointed when I gave up a lucrativ career to "try" the Army for a few years. But, it is something I always wanted to do. I didn't want to look back on life and regret that I never stepped up to the plate. 8.5 years later, I now have a fullfilling career as an E6 Medic, and would never look back.

Regardless of what dicisions you make, you need to make them for you. noone can live your life for you. Lay out your future goals and work a backwards plan from there. This will show give you the direction you need to get to where you want to be.

 

im 26 years old and i am in the navy. i joined right out of high school and i have never looked back. the military is either a great thing for you or it can be the total opposite. it is what you make of it. you have to put forth the effort to make rank which equals more money. i have been in 7 years now and i just bought my first house have a brand new 2010 FX4 thats loaded and have a motorcylce and a few other toys. the military has done me right and im loving every minute of it. i get to do the job that i love and im already dreading retirement which is 13 years away. put it this way if you do your job and a little extra you will succeed by far. there are alot of people in the military just like there is in the civilian world that are just there for a pay check but if you do your job no matter what it is it will set you apart from the rest. you get to see awesome places and meet amazing people. your family is always going to be there and your friends will be there as well if they are true friends. im a little older than you but not buy much so i no how important those things are but its your life and your family is going to be there your hole life and your friends arent paying the mortgage and the truck payment for that truck you want to keep. its a rare occasion but im stationed in tinker afb OK in oklahoma city and this is compared to being on the boat. so like everyone else has said, its your life just make the decision that is best for you. military isnt a bad option there are plenty of college programs out there.

 

thanks for all the input guys

 

good luck man hope it all works out for ya

 

I joined the Army right out of High School and I would recommend either the Navy or Air Force if you do go that route. I'm not trying to knock the Navy or Air Force but they are just not that physically or mentally demanding as the Army or Marines. Besides if you were in the Army or Marines you probably can guarantee to be in Iraq or Afghanistan every other year like I was. From my stand point I hated my last two years of enlistment and couldn't wait to get out. Just be careful the Military will use you up and spit you out when your no longer use to them. I get 50% disability from them and that took 2 years and about 20 appointments later to get. I can say though I'm glad I did make it out alive because after getting out I was able to get my College paid for and now have a job where I make 120k a year.

 

Thank you for your honesty JoeCool!