Should I wait to go to the military or just go to college first?

Question

I want the military to be my career but i don't know if just in case i should go to college first. I mean i want to have a back up just in case i like lose a limb in the military. But this is my senior year in high school so i don't want to waste scholarship opportunities. I just don't know i would like helpful answers.

Answer 1

I haven't done much research nor do I have much knowledge in this area but I'd say finish high school and try the military. I've heard that if anything happens or your finished with it they can help get you into a good college and pay for some of it. This could all be just rumor though.

Answer 2

Why not go to west point?

http://www.usma.edu/about.asp

You can get a good education and when you graduate can work in the military over people(not sure of the rank you get) instead of being one of the enlisted.

Answer 3

Join the millitary first. If you want it to be your career then thats what you want and you cant help that. You have to do what you realy love. In the military they can pay up to 100% of your tuition. If you want the millitary life style, join up first, you can always go to collage after you get out on uncle sam's buck.

Answer 4

I would certainly go military first. You can get tough so nothing after that brings you down. Plus they pay for college too.

Answer 5

college always first!!

Answer 6

If you can multi-task, you can join the navy or something and go to college while you're already in. No student loans that way :-)

Ah,you have scholarships.

Go to college first, you'll jump in rank immediately when you join the military that way.

Answer 7

College first

Answer 8

If you want to go to college, are ready for college, and have a way to pay for college; go to college.

Pick a school that offers ROTC, the first year has no obligation; and you can 'try on' the military.

If you don't want to go to college next year, by all means enlist.  I have enjoyed my time in the service as an enlisted Soldier.  You will be able to do college while in, or after your time in the military.

Good Luck

Answer 9

Go to college on the military.   Get them to pay your college completely.  You will be part of the ROTC and upon graduation you will be pinned an Officer.  Sure you will have to give them 8 years; but, at least you will go in with a degree.

Retired Vet here

Answer 10

Go to the military! Minorities always do exceptionally well in the military and in no way have a greater then 50% kicked out rate... I swear!

Answer 11

Why don't you go into the military and do college while in. It is free afterall. That way, if you decide you don't like the military, then you have a back-up plan.

Answer 12

The value of a college degree deteriorates after graduating.  I think about 3-4 years, it'll be worth next to nothing.  So make a wise decision.

Answer 13

yes

Answer 14

I would def say go to college first. The good thing about it many colleges have jrotc programs that can help you get your feet wet in the military. Best of all they offer scholarships, give you monthly checks, and when you graduate you are offered better positions in the military. Good luck  

Answer 15

If you have the funds, attend college first.

You will earn higher rank and pay with a degree, and low rank means you will be treated terribly.

My husband knows. He entered the military right after high school. Starting at the bottom is not fun.

If you need the money for college, join up and take the abuse like a man. Be prepared. He has been on a serious knee surgery waiting list for three years!

Answer 16

Depends on you. If you will be able to pay for college easily and won't have to work so you can really focus on your studies than you could go college first.

If you need help for paying for college and want to learn more about yourself and gain a discipline for getting stuff done than go military first.  

Answer 17

go to college definitley! 100%. after getting qualifications do whatever you want to.  

Answer 18

i wish i would have gone straight to school, the military does have its benefits if school is what you want to do but the risks now might be too great

Answer 19

My friend went into the military right after high school so he could get money for college.  They told him four years and he would get $36,000 for school.  Just shy of finishing his time, they said they were going to transfer him to inactive-reserve and he wouldn't get any money.  His only option was to sign up for another four years.  They gave him a $9000 signing bonus that he later found out they subracted from his G.I. bill.  Go to college

Answer 20

Well, what are your grades like? What are your SATs and extracirculars? If you are at a 3.5, consider some of the military academies. Coast Guard, Citadel, VMI.. etc. I know that to get into the Naval or Air Force Academy you have to get a senator or something to sponser you. I believe other ones aren't like that. If you get into a military academy, they will prep you for four years in order to join the military. Also, if you can't do that, check out ROTC.

Not that enlisting after high school is a bad idea. It is just you will be working a full time job at 18. You stop being a kid, ya know? If you go to college or do ROTC, you still have that time to sow your oats before you commit to the military when you are older.  

Answer 21

If you want to join the military and go to college do rotc and you can even get a scholarship!!!

Answer 22

if you go to college first and get your degree you can start higher in the military

Answer 23

College then Military it opens up more options for you.

Answer 24

Why not do both? The Army has an SMP, Simultaneous Membership program; where you drill with a National Guard or Reserve unit one weekend a month and train as an officer while taking ROTC classes along with other classes in college. You get paid as a Sergeant for drills and you get a monthly stipend.  

Answer 25

I agree with Demo..college first and then the military. You will be able to enter/make rank faster,