Should I join the Army after college graduation?

Question

I've made a list of pros and cons, but honestly, making it and evaluating independently didn't really do me any good. I could really use some outside opinions.

I'll be graduating with an Honors BA in Psychology from a large research institution in May. What I'm now considering doing is joining the Army and subsequently becoming an officer (as I understand it, I am eligible to do so via Officer Candidate School following Basic). I'd then like to work in either Psychological Operations or as an Intelligence Analyst (or in some other job specifically related to intelligence).

PROS

-$$$ (I will be broke upon graduation, which has made my original plan of going to grad school immediately following undergrad obsolete)

-Travel - I'm obsessive about travel

-Language skills - I'd really like to learn more foreign languages (I'm currently proficient but not excellent with Spanish)

-Experience - intelligence experience would be very helpful in regards to my dream career, and I feel it would increase my odds of grad school acceptance as well

-Weight loss! - I'm by NO means fat, but surely the training would make my figure even more svelte and shapely

CONS

-Sleep deprivation - my one weakness

-I'm very short - this makes climbing things very difficult, and I assume you have to do stuff like this in Basic

-Food allergies - would they accommodate this in Basic, or just yell at me about it?

-War stuff - but if I do intelligence stuff, it's not like I'd be shooting people in Iraq, right?

-Family - my mom would have a fit about me being so far from her and I'd have to deal with it

Suggestions, opinions, and ideas of any kind relating to anything I've said/asked would be very, very helpful. I'd just like to get a more concrete idea of things before talking to a recruiter.

Answer 1

My 2 cents would be , yes i suggest you do go talk to a recruiter, intelligence stuff would be the way to go! Nowadays with just a college degree, its hard to get the position you would like. So military Might push you over the top. Also, I agree on being broke so the Army could help with that, if you qualify for a bonus which i'm sure you will.

Good luck

Answer 2

JUST DO IT.

Answer 3

In your position, I wouldn't choose the Army, but the AF or Navy instead....

When you do speak to a recruiter, make sure it is an officer recruiter.

Best of luck to you!!!

Answer 4

uhh well you cant have people decide for you.

this is something you have to decide for yourself;

only you know whats best.

we dont knolw you so how could we know

Answer 5

Don't do it. I've been in the AF going on 19 yrs in Oct. Its changed a lot, not for the best. Its less about team now more every person for themselves. I'm strictly speaking form the enlisted point of view. The officer tier isn't much different, especially in Intel. I worked along side Intel for four years 03-07 in England. Great assignment. That was my second time there. I earned my BS in Computers from the Univ of MD while I was there. I've spent 14 of my 19 years in the AF stationed overseas, consecutively. I also like to travel. Its better ways to spend your time. Remember after you sign up AF needs come first. Period. You just finished time on a deployment? So, get 30 days rest and if the person that was supposed to go can't. Guess what? You'll probably being going back. Work your tail off and expect some recognition for it. Maybe. Write your own awards, decorations and officer performance reports. One of the sharpest Lt's in Intel asked his supervisor to look over his Intel Officer of the Year award. His supervisor said this looks really good I'm gonna use it for mine and she did.

It is free travel if you can get it. Funds and programs are being cut for GWOT money. I'm from Baltimore and while I was stationed in England the 1st time back in the 90's one of the best things about it was the flight that went from on base to BWI twice a week. Round trip to my hometown cost me $12. Cancelled that due to GWOT. Now everyone has to travel 2 hrs to London to fly out.

But at the end of the day its your decsion. As a whole my AF career has been a goodtime. If I had it to do all over again I'd still do it.

Answer 6

I was in the Air Force, so this is what I know. You can go into Officer Training School and come out a 2nd Lieutenant, instead of an E-3.

The workouts are amazing, you get the toughest, yet best workout of your life. And you get to eat a lot (well, not at first, but eventually!) of decent food.

I think you should do it, it'd be an awesome experience and would definately help you in your career down the road