Military vs College?

Question

Trying to figure out whether I should join the military (specifically air force) after high school, or just go to college? I know I can get higher positions if I go to college first, but my problem is I can't exactly pay for college unless I ride on scholarships. (I am a 3.7-3.8 range student.) And besides, I'm willing to take all the abuse that comes from being at the bottom of the food chain. I could use it.

I'd really like to join the military because I feel it could give me experiences like no other. I just want to make sure I can still go to college and what not because I don't want to make the military my career in my life, even though I am interested in it and am willing to dedicate much of my time on it and make sacrifices for it. If that makes any sense. xD

Answer 1

There are several ways you can do both, I would talk to different recruiters (not just Air Force)about that.  The Coast Guard Reserve has a great enlisted/college program.

I know it sounds kind of old school, but in our selfish, comfort loving society, I recommend the military first. You do one h**l of a lot of growing up, become a better student, earn college money and get to see the world (sometimes).

Plus, in the military, you may learn about careers and opportunities that you might have missed being a college student first. And, if you are really bright (like you say) there are scholarship/officer programs available, too.

Answer 2

From what you're telling us, I'm inclined to say join then do college. If you want to serve but not for a career, I'm not sure doing college then being an officer is the best way. Officers are really the career soldiers in the military, even though many of the juniors also stay in only for one or two terms. The DoD invests a lot into their training and pay and you have to be very committed and passionate about becoming an officer to get through OCS or the Academy (ROTC can be difficult from what I've heard too).

Do your 4 years, go ahead and start working on college through distance learning, and if at the end of that term, you want to move on, don't re-enlist, and resume college on your GI Bill. You might graduate a little later than if you were to go straight to college, but you will have benefited from some AF training and discipline, gotten an education on the govt's dime and potentially seen the world too.

On the other hand, if you find you like the AF, you can either re-enlist, keep up your college and eventually go to OCS to become an officer, get out and fast-track college and then go to OCS, or just stay enlisted. Either way, you'll probably have better job security than in the civilian world.

Answer 3

your gpa is above what they currently want for air force ROTC (3.0) I would try Air Force ROTC you can try it with them paying for your first year if you get the scholarship which is fairly easy considering your gpa. If they pay for the first year and you decide its not for you you can still back out nothing owed but if you go into your second year and back out they want money for that second year of collage. But if you go all four years in AF ROTC what they ask for right now is I think six years of service 4 active duty, 2 with an air guard unit but don't hold me to it I'm going army ROTC so look into AF ROTC and shop for what scholarship you think works for you. check out there website you can sign up for on-lineine. I think the deadline is october if you are a current senior so if you are hurry up.

Answer 4

go to a military academy. you will be able to get your education and be involved in the military at the same time.

I am currently in college, and am in an army rotc program. If I new about the air force academies before I came to college I would have went there instead right out of high school. I would have been able to prepare for the military while also getting my college education from the academy.

Answer 5

Go to college. Its' safer and generally better for everyone all the way around. Military life in a global economy may become an outdated institution other than a few, isolated, mercenary entities-i.e.,Black water.  

Answer 6

This is the second time I've heard this question. As a 8 year vet (Marines) the best advice I can give is GO TO COLLEGE. The Military will take you as an officer when your done. DONT LEARN THE HARD WAY. GO TO COLLEGE!!

Answer 7

Go to college first, then if you still feel like going after college you can go as an officer.

Answer 8

Talk to a recruiter.  They just revamped the MGIB.  I think 3 years of honorable service will get you a full free ride through the highest public college in your state.  It's a pretty sweet deal.

I still recommend applying for ever scholarship under the sun.  If you get picked up by Navy ROTC you can still cross over to USAF later.

Answer 9

Watch the HBO documentary "The Recruiter", but watch it all the way through. And then tell me what you want to do.

Answer 10

what job do u want in usaf if u want to fly in the air force u kneed a college degree anyway  

Answer 11

Well heres a great answer for you!!! Go to college and go to the military! Its called ROTC! When you find the college you are going to join ask about there ROTC program! It will allow you to attend college and study whatever you want and become an office at the same time! Seriously this is an awesome thing and I highly recommend it. They will pay for all your college too!!! If you have any more questions email me or just talk to your counselor at the college!  

Answer 12

You can do both.Enlist then take classes and all while in. The Air Force would be an excellent choice for this. They will let you do distance with any accredited college you want(Online) plus they have their Own Community College.

Or you can enlist in the Military, and go to college after your first enlistment if you leave(They will pay for it).

If you go before you enlist and graduate with a Bachelors you can go in as an Officer. Associates dont mean anything to the Military.

Answer 13

the biggest thing is what do you want to do long term if you want to fly (you said air force) you have to have a college degree but if you just want someone to pay for college then join do your 4 and get some money for college just save up too because they don't always cover all of it and if you want more than four they don't cover anything after the four

Answer 14

go to college, and after you graduate you  can still join the military as an officer.

Answer 15

one of the things you could do is go to college for a couple of years and go enlisted instead of officer. i was talking about this same thing to a 5 year army veteran and he said that if you go in with an associates as an enlisted, you could quickly make warrant officer and they get a lot more respect from enlisted member than officers ever do. you don't get paid as well but it's worth it for the respect.  

Answer 16

Heyy How about you do both?  Try looking into the Air Force Reserves, you will get money for school and stuff. Trust me its worth looking into. They will help you with your college and you can use the other scholarships to cover the slack. I think it would be worth it my friend. Good luck. By the way I was in your exact position I picked the Army Reserve, and I stand by my decision

Answer 17

Join the reserves and get money to pay for college from them and you can go to college and live a civilian life while in the military. Or you can join ROTC in college and get a scholarship through them and be an officer when you graduate college. Also look in the service academies. The Air Force Academy, Annapolis, Westpoint, or even the Coast Guard Academy. You really don't have to make a choice between the military and college you can do both. If you do decide to go active duty you can always hope for a job where you can work the night shift and go to college during the day full time. Or you can take night classes if you aren't that lucky.  

Answer 18

girl college and the army r the same bcuz my brother went to the army to study mechanics but first u have to go through BT( basic training)