Joining the military. What's the best option to enlist to be safe and have the best benefits?

Question

My sister wants to join the military. I want to inform myself so I can help her make the best decision. She is 24 years old and of slight build. She doesn't have a college degree.

We want to keep her as safe as possible. We'd like a position for her that will help her with her life after the service is over.

She has aspirations of going to college, earning a degree, but she isn't very academically inclined.

We also want to make sure that she takes a position that will give her the greatest net worth after the service--in terms of benefits that will accrue while she's serving and benefits she will receive after the service.

If you have an INFORMED answer, please give me several options, weighing the pros and cons. Otherwise, do not answer.

Answer 1

Well...they are all dangerous. The Air Force, however, is known to offer a better quality of life to its people, but it has higher admittance standards. Tell her to go speak to a recruiter.  

Answer 2

The military doesn't just operate front line. There are loads of jobs in the military. If she takes a military course in, for instance I.T, she can work in an office and, thanks to special skills, she can earn extra money. As with companies, the military cares about improving it's personnel's skill so they'll let her take a course for free still being paid.

Not sure if that's the same with the American army but they did model theirs on ours so it should be.

Answer 3

I mean no disrespect at all, even though I could. If you or your sister are joining the military in order to be safe, you have done the wrong thing. These are dangerous times and no matter what the MOS, the risk is there and it is real.

If you must absolutely go for safety, get a job on an aircraft carrier. That is the most defended asset the United States has. Either that or the Air Force. We keep their bases well to the rear.  

Answer 4

go to various recruiters and have them explain some options..but i will tell you..if you or your sister want to join the military and stay behind while others fight...well i wont go any further with my comments...

Answer 5

Air Force bases are the nicest, cleanest, prettiest. They have very nice housing, and Rec halls, and swimming pools, and golf courses. They provide a very high standard of living for their people. Often you could spend months at a time on base, with no need to ever leave the base. Since the Air Force provides everything you need, they do not need to pay much

The Navy has ships and bases. Navy bases are usually a row of piers, a row of office buildings, and four rows of warehouses. If there is housing it is falling apart, and no Navy base has enough housing to house everyone stationed there. No Rec halls, the swimming pool is usually being repaired, and there is no other source of recreation except drinking. Navy bases do usually have at least four bars. The Navy pays much higher pay to sailors, so they will go out and house themselves and their families. If you want recreation you have enough money to find your own amusement. I once worked with an Air Force E6 who had the same time in service that I had. We were both E6s. My paychecks were four times greater than his.

The Army and the Marines both pay service members about the same level as does the Air Force. Though their bases and not nearly as nice as the Air Force bases are.

Answer 6

none of your beeswax.  everybody gets paid the same based on paygrade and time in service regardless of what job they do.  

EVERYBODY deploys and there are no 'safe' jobs.. gas a civilian or in the military.  

this is HER decision and life.  you and the rest of the family can just butt out.  all you have to do is support whatever choice she makes.  

Answer 7

The military and her part in it is her decision and her decision alone.  You have no say so.  Once she raises her hand and gives the oath, her boss is the US Government, not you.   Have her go see a recruiter and take the ASVAB and see how she tests.  That will be the biggest factor as to the type of job she can get.

USAF Veteran

Answer 8

Joining the military for money is a p**s-poor decision, they have the lowest salary with a high risk.  Don't buy into all that propaganda c**p, plus that just ruins the demeanor of patriotism to join for those bonuses and money.  Might as well get Financial Aid through FAFSA as a civilian if college is what you are seeking, they will provide you enough funding for a Doctorate Degree.  www.fafsa.gov   Don't know why these knuckeheads insist that the military is theonly route to college. The GI Bill only pays enough for maybe two years worth, full term.   I joined the Marine Corps because I pissed all over that bonus c**p they offered to the other services, such a disgrace if you ask me!  The military is a volunteering force for people who want to serve their country, to provide the freedom that they bask in each of their merry lives!  It sickens me to see the Army commercials about how well they will get college and bonuses, again I call that an utterly disgrace to people who gave their lives for our beloved country!  I'm proud in serving my country, it is about time others start doing it too without thinking that they deserve something in return.

Answer 9

Make sure that the job she picks has a civilian equivalent. Military intelligence is a great option. She'll get a Top Secret clearance, have job training (that she's paid for), and will be set up for a great job when she gets out. There is a chance she'll get deployed (that's what people don't seem to remember when they enlist), but she'll be set.

Answer 10

just to let you know its the military not an office cubicle, everybody wants their family members to be safe, my husband flies over to iraq and afghanistan a lot, i don't want anything to happen to him either and he chose to join the military, if you and she want a desk job for her she shouldn't be joining the military, i don't understand people who want to join the military but aren't willing to fight for their country, all your sister can do is talk to the recruiter and look at the list of jobs available, it will be a great experience for her and employers love prior military service

Answer 11

I am in the Air Force, and since I have experience in it, I highly recommend it.  The USAF is known for having the best living standards.  And your sister will have to get in shape, but that's good!

Credits from her tech school can add onto her getting a CCAFdegree, and higher (make sure she signs up for the MGI Bill, it's fantastic!).  Honestly, maybe she hasn't been motivated with school right now, but in the military, you grow up really quick.  Talk to a recruiter for more information, or send me a message, I'm happy to help.

Good luck!

Answer 12

Having been in the US Army and National Guard for 7 years, my first suggestion to her is to avoid the Army or the Marines, as they're the ones who go around town keeping areas secure or taking the fight to the enemy up close and personal.

The biggest difference between the two branches is that the Army operates largely on the ground (but they have units that operate in the air as well), while the Marines can be on the ground or at sea (they're the ones that land on the beaches to secure some ground for the US).

The first thing she has to do is take an ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test. This is basically a multiple choice test concerning a wide variety of things, and ultimately it's what's going to give her the career choices she can pick from in the military (the military looks at two things, first what your score is, and then what jobs they need filled. The better her score, the more jobs available to her).

Regarding what kinds of jobs are useful outside of the military, she should look at finance, legal support, logistics (supply, making sure the unit has enough items for the soldiers, which is quite important in the real world too), medical (probably an in-demand job right now, but hopefully she's not squeamish at the sight of blood), or military police (the skills she learns here transfers very well over into the civilian police force).

Of course, the military isn't the "safest" job in the world (in fact it's one of the most dangerous), but it generally looks good on a resume later on, and if nothing else you can make friends and go to places that you would never go to on your own. Plus for the most part many Americans are proud of their veterans, and it can instill a lot of pride in the person.

The benefits are pretty nice too. I got all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled while serving (for free), full medical (may not always be the best, but beats having to pay for it), and once I got out, I paid for my way through college with the GI Bill (try to get the GI Bill Kicker and the Army College Fund if possible on the contract when signing up, but you need to score high on the ASVAB to get this as an option), and I can get a VA home loan to help me buy a house later.

Bottom line is, it can be a really tough decision to make, and definitely not one you just want to jump into feet first. There are a lot of nights where I got incredibly homesick, and was wondering what the heck I signed up for. On the other hand, there were days that I felt really great, and wondered what I'd be doing with myself if I didn't join.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me more.

Answer 13

She should study for the ASVAB exam so that she has a possibility of scoring high and being able to get any job she wants. You can get the ASVAB book at a local library. If your family wants her to be safe then she should definitely not join the Army. The Coast Guard or Air Force would be her best option.