Does the military make you much stronger?

Question

Here's the thing. I want to join the Guards. I mean, really really want to. I must admit now that I'm a puss, both physically and more so mentally. Does the military give you goals and direction in life? Right now I'm kind of just floating and clinging to home, and I know it's not good.

I want to make a difference in people's lives, make myself a better person, and be able to travel. It seems like the only other option is volunteer work. Can someone give me a personal story of how they have changed as a person in the military? By describing your past self and who you are now?

Also, how physically and mentally demanding is it? Just so I know how much to run and train before I join up, and how to prepare myself as a person. Will it be tough for me being such a weak person mentally at the moment? I know I can do it, but I just want to gauge how far I'm going to have to go.

Also, what's the risk of deployment for the Guards atm? This is only a concern for me right now because I'm earning my Bachelor's degree and don't want it interrupted. Thanks for the replies.

Answer 1

if your already in college look into ROTC, they will get you in shapen and help with your modivation and leadership skills. However the guard does not have an ROTC program so your only options would be Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marines. For you i would prolly stay away from the marines mainly because from what you said, it would be too much of a shock for you. But you have to have your mind set on this and do it for the right reason. Dont go in thinking it will be a cake walk, but if you go in with the determination, you will feel a good sense of pride afterward.

Answer 2

I joined the active Army out of high school. I was the physically meager kid, the nerd so to speak, so I didn't have a lot of capacity for what was asked of me at first. But, the training is designed to get everybody into similar shape, and the human body is remarkably able to adapt at a young age.

I learned discipline and control of my environment. That is, I keep things neat and clean, pay attention to small details, and notice when things might go wrong in a situation. I was in a combat infantry unit, so your MOS (job) might not necessarily develop in you the same things as I learned.

Training demands a lot of you physically, but if you're willing to push yourself, you'll do fine. Expect a lot of verbal abuse, degrading comments and the like. Ignore it. It's designed to give you something to push against. Also, the mental stress that they'll throw at you is designed to keep you alert and on your toes. They'll keep finding ways to mix you up, get you off balance. Just remember they're training you to be able to respond to changing conditions in a split second, and with precision. I'd suggest practicing a martial art ASAP. That will help you strengthen your body and mind before joining up.

In terms of how it changed me...I'm much more focused and organized than I was previously. In high school, I was a bit of a flake, never really together about anything. After the military, I started playing the guitar and practiced diligently. That's one thing I'd say the military does for you, it gives you a sense of duty and diligence.

As for deployment...expect it. If you're in college, you might have a smaller chance of being sent overseas, but these days, anybody in uniform is eligible for a tour.

Answer 3

the military can make you stronger physically and mentally  

Answer 4

I dropped out of college from partying too much and had no direction in life.  All I did was stay at home with my parents, work part time as a waiter, and party whenever I had the chance. Then one day my friend came back from USMC boot camp.  I saw the confidence in this actions and in his eyes.  So I joined the US Marines.  The USMC changed my life around.  Since then I've deployed to Iraq twice already and learned crucial skills in living a more productive life.  Leadership, courage, commitment, honor, the list keeps going and going.  It's weird how a combat zone can change the way you see things.  I'm currently happily married to a lovely wife and  working as an accountant after I went back to school and got my bachelors.  The CG basic training is considered the 2nd hardest in the US military service(after the Marines) and I believe you will gain a life long experience that school and the work place can never give you.

Answer 5

I don't have any experience with the military myself, but I do know about what my 2 brothers went through. They both were pretty much coasting along, partying and just working odd jobs. then one went to the Marines, and the other to the Navy. When they got out, they immediately went back to school, and both now have their Master's Degrees and work good jobs. Both are married to very good women, and I now have a 2 year old nephew.

The military is VERY demanding mentally, as you must get used to people giving you orders and esp during basic, screaming at you and treating you like dirt. The physical part is easy to conquer, as that is merely getting some intense training in before you go. For that I'd consult a trainer at a gym or the YMCA for a good regimen.

Answer 6

You will get the same basic training as regular forces do.  It will make you stronger and more self-confident.  I recommend you buff up at least a little bit before you sign up.  Jog.  Join a good gym program (tell your gym instructors what you're seeking to accomplish).  Unless you are a grossly overweight marshmallow with the IQ of a broken twig, training won't be too demanding, but it will still challenge you.  The services have been taking in kids and turning out military personnel for a long time; they know how to do it.  Attitude is important.  Instead of concentrating on "I don't know if i can do this," you should start envisioning yourself completing the course and coming out the far side having really accomplished something.  Deployment is "iffy."  You need to be realistic about that.  When you take the oath and take the money, you've made a deal.  If you are called up, there are a number of educatoinal opportunities offered while you're in service.  Today's military needs a well-educated and still-learning force and they make allowances for that.  If you do decide to go for it, good for you and God bless for your service to this great country.

Answer 7

Yes, the military changes you, one of the main reasons why you go to boot camp is to break your old self down and rebuild you. It does make you a better person, and personally to me it gives me a since of accomplishment. When I enlisted, a specialist told me that once out of training, everybody will notice a change in you, and you'll never walk with your head down again. It builds you physically and Mentally.It is very physically and mentally demanding, you will learn to work under great deals of stress since combat is a very stressful situation. there really is no way to prepare as far as mental or physical, some people say basic and everything was the best times of there life, and others said it was 10 weeks of h**l.

Risk for deployment, well we are at war, so there is a possibility but it depends upon your MOS (Job) and your unit, but there is what they call College First Program where you can't be deployed for 2 years, as long as you are a full time student.

Answer 8

there is a high risk of death for less than noble reasons.  it is very demanding, especially emotionally/mentally.  if you want to get paid to kill people, go for it.  license from the govt to kill innocent civilians.  

ask all the people in the national guard who doing several tours of duty in iraq and afghanistan about how likely they thought it would be that they would be doing this right now.  

get your education.  and live a full life.  don't be cannon fodder in the middle east.  

Answer 9

Yes, you will be stronger in physical fast, due to the amount of physical task you do, however you most likely going for officer in your case, for higher officer ranking, score high in physical is a must, much more demand than enlisted side, example you don't see many fat general out there, but you will several fat master sergeant.