17/F highly interested in joining military, advice?

Question

I took my asvab test in May of 2008 however I've not yet received my scores but quite recently I've had recruiters calling me daily, so I'm assuming I did well enough to have recruiters call.

From the time I was 12 I only considered joining the Navy but over the past year I've been told that the Air Force has more oppurtunities as far as what you would like to do and it's easier for you to change if you don't find yourself doing something that satisfies you. Any advice on what branch would better suite someone for me (I'm interested in being a nurse)? Being deployed isn't really a problem for me but I've heard that unless you are a pilot in the air force you never really see that much action, I'm great under pressure but I don't think I could ever find myself to fly.

Answer 1

My husband has been a marine for 13 years so I know a little bit....

First of all, don't be fooledf by all the recruiters calling you because they have a quota to fill and will tell you anything to get you to sign up.  Try talking to people who are in the armed forces and get their point of view... somebody without an agenda.  What my husbad tells me is that the Air Force is the best place for a woman because of living conditions and they get higher salaries.  There is a whole lot of info about the military that you may not be aware of.  it is a huge decision to make.  A great plus about the military is that you can retire in 20 years.... if you can stand it that long.  Just do your research.  Good luck and remember, DON'T trust the recruiter!

Answer 2

don't.  

Answer 3

I am over forty years old so I suppose I have life experience. From what I have heard and been told the Navy is the best for everything. Money, travel and educational opportunities.  

Answer 4

You could be a nurse in the Air Force.  And yes Air Force personnel get deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan just like everybody else.  But the tours are usually shorter - was 4 months now increasing to 6 months.

Answer 5

First, I cannot believe the Anti-Troop, Anti-American c**p that has been the main responses so far... Second, you do what YOU feel is best, just because others say that the USAF is the way to go for them, doesn't mean it is for you... Nurses exist in all Branches, except the Corps... however, usually to be an RN, you would have to have your Degree FIRST, however, in the Army, I believe there is a Medic MOS that is actually an LPN... you do what is best for YOU, either way... Good Luck.

To the fools that are disappointed with the US... Freedom is amazing! You even have the Freedom to Emigrate!  

Answer 6

The Navy and Air Force are both great. But if you want a bit of both action wise, go Navy. The Navy has a lot of good educational benefits, medical benefits and if you go civilian they give you the opportunity to get good civilian jobs with whatever you did your training in, they also have Aviation so it's like the Air Force with a lot more other ratings (jobs) than the Air Force.

The Navy has extremely good technical jobs, in the computer field, engineering field, electronics and much more.

If you want to know more about the Navy go to http://www.mynavyonline.com Im KJC88 there, ask questions, look around, read, and get to know the different ratings there are in the Navy with their descriptions.

What are you interested in learning?

As far as your ASVAB scores, I did mine in April I got them in April. So they may be just waiting on you and your parents' consent to join and give you the score. The score means nothing keep in mind, the line scores are what matter.

What recruiter did you go through to take the ASVAB? If it was Air Force, you can use that same score to go Navy, don't let the AF tell you you can. In fact, you can go get the score, and the line scores now, walk to the Navy Recruiting Station and ask them what jobs (ratings) do I qualify for? And they can give you descriptions on it as well.

Good luck Shipmate!

Answer 7

For what you want to do, I would definitely say that the Navy is the way to go. They have FAR more opportunities as far as Nursing goes. The Air Force is great if you want to do something technical or mechanical, such as working on Aircraft, but for what you want to do, the Navy offers you far more than the USAF ever could.

And furthermore, let me apologize for the people who feel the way they do about not serving their country. It's a sad shame... And the fact that they feel the need to chastize your decision rather than answering your question. I think it is very admirable and honorable for you wanting to serve your country.

Answer 8

Consider the purpose of the Army: You're putting yourself on the line for your country. Do you really want to serve /this/ country?

Answer 9

I'm only 19 and I've been to Iraq twice...join the marines

Answer 10

HA who the heck told U that , girl please my husband is in the AF and he goes everywhere all the time. And with you being a nurse BELIEVE u will see someaction,  going to IRaq , afghanitstan and all that bc ur in need right now.  The amount of time ur deployed depends on ur job, the most is for a military cop.....the AF is the most serious military branch compared to the army and marines and stuff.   If u do go in the military make sure u do it right, get ur free degree , and make sure u study so when its time to test for promotions u can move up quick,..

GL

if u really think this is for you than go ahead and do it bc SOMEONE has to defend this country

but be prepared not to be APPRECIATED BY AMERICANS.

bc thats how this country is, but when something happens than they want to love the military......................i know stupid right .......?

Answer 11

If you want to lose time and an arm or a leg, do it.

Otherwise, don't

There are countless opportunities for you in the world.

Please take my advice, or you'll graduate college as a 40 year old!

And it's a dangerous world out there.

But yes, I heard that military nurse are in much demand.

But you could be a hospital nurse, since there's also a demand for that!

Answer 12

Do yourself a favor and go Air Force.  There are plenty of medical jobs available in the Air Force, and if you let your superiors know that you want to become a nurse they'll work with you in terms of getting you the training you need and helping you take college courses.  The person who said the Navy will offer you more opportunities than the Air Force obviously knows nothing about the Air Force -- for starters, you have just as much chance of getting deployed to a forward area in the Navy as you do in the Air Force, and I know from talking to numerous colleagues in the Navy that there are more opportunities in the Air Force, not to mention the fact that it's much easier to change jobs in the Air Force if you want to make a change.  I could give you a list a mile long of other reasons to go Air Force, but I'll just use the words I've heard over and over again from my colleagues in the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard:  "MAN, I wish I had joined the Air Force!"

Answer 13

Your 17, do 4 years in the Air Force, get that life/educational experience, and if its not all that you thaught it would be at your 4 years, then get out and use your GI Bill to go to school, For FREE!! No student loans to pay back! yay! its so worth it!  Whats 4 years of life experience?  Most of my active duty military girl-friends love being in, and some have been in over 10 years!  Dont have life regrets, or what if's!  

Answer 14

Take a look at the ROTC program.  Most RN's nowadays have a bachelor's degree, and why go through the military as an enlistee to get a lower level of experience?  If you get an ROTC scholarship you can go to the college of your choice for free, be commissioned a second lieutenant/ensign when you graduate, and do your service as an officer.  I would suggest the Army, they have a ton of different programs for nurses.  The next time your recruiter calls ask him or her about ROTC options.

Edit:

Here are the links for the various ROTC nursing programs.  The Navy one came up as an untrusted source on my computer, but it seemed fine to me.

Answer 15

First, you decision to join the military is an excellent one. I joined the Navy nervous as heck and quickly found that it was the best decision I ever made. Been in for 15 years now and don't regret it a day.

The Navy and Air Force both have great opportunites. The biggest difference is that that Navy is ship based and the Air Force is land based.  If you enjoy the ocean, ships, travelling, etc then look at the Navy.

If you like being on land- you don't travel as much but there are always resturants, gyms, day spas, malls, etc available. Then look at the Air Force.

Really that is the biggest difference you will find.

Other minor differences: The Air Force tends to promote slower since fewer people get out. The Air Force usually has better facilities since they are less mobile. The Navy has more of a 'get it done and go home' attitude and Air Force tends to work longer hours.  

If you are seriously interested and want more info, just e-mail me.