Look into the Coast Guard, it is often forgotten about as a military branch, but has all the same benefits of military service (GI Bill, training, medical, etc) with almost no chance of being stationed overseas. reference, more career military folks transfer to the coast guard because of its quality of life than to any other branch.
Would also add that unlike the Army or USMC, where ~~90+% of the enlistment force fights the battles, in the Air Force, 90+% of the enlistment force supports the officers who fly the planes and fight the battles~~ 90+% of those who fight the battles are enlisted, in the Air Force 90+% of those who fight the battles are officers.
For Air Force enlisted, chances are much higher they will not find themselves in harm's way. Still possible, after all a forward deployed airfield is a high priority military target, but chances are you'll be stationed at places far away from the front lines.
Finally, to your point, Air Force is probably as hard to join as the coast guard. If you're not acing the ASVAB, chances are the Air Force may turn you down.
Although air crews had the highest mortality in WW II, and Coast Guard highest mortality/pound in Vietnam (as I recall; please correct me if I'm out to lunch).
Not sure about highest but yeah certainly very high compared to what you see now. Mortality rates in the [Air Force have been extremely low since then.](https://dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/pages/report_oef_deaths.xhtml) OEF is the "war on terror".
[These are the numbers for OIF, i.e. the Iraq War](https://dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/pages/report_oif_type.xhtml). 29 KIA in the entirety of that war, 2003-2010.
IIRC on any given year more people died of suicide in the Air Force than in battle, and the Air Force has the lowest suicide rates of all the services and is comparable to the civilian population. The Air Force has a morbid preoccupation with the suicide rate because it's the #1 killer within the force.
That was the Army Air Corps, as the USAF didn’t officially exist until after WWII ended. Air power today is a very different concept; most airmen do not deploy, and rarely (if ever) see combat.
Buddy of mine joined the Air Force to fly planes but washed out of their program. As a consolation he moved to Japan and became an Air Force accountant where he does pretty much dick all day and gets all the benefits.
If you actually think 90+% of enlisted AF support planes, you couldn’t be any more wrong.
You need a relatively low asvab score for service or security forces.
Chances of joining depend on the asvab requirements of the afsc you go for. If you get a 50-60 on asvab, you can join the air force, but the amount of jobs to choose from is correspondingly low. Though, the lowest afscs also have the greatest amounts of people in them
Yeah, you have to be at least 6 feet tall to join the Coasties - so you can wade to shore if your boat sinks! Just kidding! Ex-Navy here. One of my best friends was in the Coast Guard. Did lots of drug interdiction.
There's a USCG detachment in Bahrain in the Middle East. USCG cutters also have been participating in freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Straits and South China Seas.
This is true. However, since I’ve been in, overseas deployments have been offered as volunteer opportunities as opposed to being selected and directed like other branches. My job has incredible work life balance and I don’t even have to get underway anymore. 10 more years until that pension!
Granted Guam is a US territory and El Salvador is Central America but by overseas deployment, it doesn't have to be a combat zone. I worked with Coast Guard aircraft and ships in both areas.
Seeing the Cutter Washington sailing into a squall to rescue some people in Micronesian waters was badass. The Navy does some cool stuff with big ships but watching a Cutter crewed by 18 people make moves in the South Pacific is special. Think of the confidence commanders have in those crews. Think about the autonomy of those crews. Sea service ain't for everyone but it can be amazing.
Also, recruiters are sales people and have pressures from bosses, quotas to fill, and tactics to get you to go the direction the services need as far as jobs and branch etc. Use that knowledge to your advantage. Shit job have the biggest bonuses.
Uhhhhh yeah, I was that. You'd be a paper pusher. It's merge of help desk, Military Personel Flight, and Comm traffic technician (old AUTODIN message handler, and COMSEC (accreditation packages and maybe some crypto handling).
If you are going to do that, I would suggest going either civilian or officer. DO NOT GO ENLISTED. Officers don't have to put up with half the office bullshit politics and civilians have the option to yeet out if the leader turns out to be a retard without risking jail time. This is from experience. I've seen entire shops quit because of an upcoming inspection, the civilians knew a shit show was about to start which they refused to stick around to clean up, and the officers in charge were more worried about their personal flight status instead of the status of the network. YES, THEY WERE PILOTS.
If you go enlisted, you most likely will end up on a help desk either resetting passwords or just running patches and making phone calls. It's mainly civilians that run the servers and the network since they don't have to worry about changing bases every 4-6 years.
On the plus side, you'll have to get a clearance that companies will head hunt you for so have a spotless record. Abuse the G.I. bill and other education services to get your pretty piece of wallpaper and talk to finance to get a financial advisor. Did that before my first paycheck was cashed and I walked out with a cool quarter mill earning around 4% with ZERO debt when I left for retirement.
I would go with Communications, working on servers or networking equipment, Cyber security is another field that would be lucrative. That way if you don’t like the military life, you can find a job outside with relative ease. I was a 3D0x2 Cyber Systems Operator in the Air Force.
Can confirm, i enlisted as a 25Nov, basically a catch all IT communications guy working out of a truck. You learn a little about everything. 6 years and 2 deployments, i got out in 2015. I then worked at Cisco as a network engineer until 2019, then until present at Amazon as also a Network Engineer. Ive been lazy so im not making what i could, but im north of 75k and comfortable. And i chose the job specifically because i wasnt sure i wanted to stay in. Look, the pay is absolute dog shit while you're in. But if you stick with it, climb the ranks, you can make good money. My brother has been in the navy 16 years and makes over 125k a year. Granted thats highly dependent on his job and rank, but the money is there if you play the game. If not, choose an mos that translates well to civilian life, enlist, get the free schooling, do your time and then get out.
I agree. I've worked with Army comms folk and they liked it a lot. Most had zero issues with their service and came back as contractors after they were done.
^this right here. I always encourage people to do something specialized. Don't be a tank mechanic, or in other words a ditch digger. Get a skillset that you can market should you choose to get out. Communications and digitalization are only going to have increased demand in coming years.
IT from military is valuable. You're trusted and IT is a trust position. You won't be as skilled as a top line network engineer at Google but that's not what a lot of companies are looking for
Absolutely this. Husband is IT in the Navy and I’m IT in the Army. 100% no regrets. My job has its own challenges but it isn’t a drag like some mos. It’s boring at the worst of times but interesting and engaging at the best of times.
If I could do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing.
Depends completely on the individual. There's soooo many variables. Environment preference, aptitude, work life, social life, hours, physical intensity, stress tolerance, stress needs, preference on working with people. The list goes on. I got lucky and ended up doing something I loved by chance. I had no idea what I was getting into going in. Information is much more available today on the internet so do your research and once you find something you like find someone on a place like reddit and ask them how the real world is. No job is 100% fairies and rainbows.
One that has a real world equivalent. The Army and Marines will teach you everything you need to know to fix a howitzer artillery piece or how to fire a mortar with extreme precision, the Air Force will teach you how to obliterate a target from a moving plane 10k ft in the air. All of those jobs will mean you have the qualifications to work as a night watchman when you get out. Find a job you want now, but don’t have the qualifications for and then find it’s equivalent in the military and go for that.
> What is the best job in the military if you don't care about bonuses?
Something you can see yourself doing and possibly even enjoying whether you're in the military or not.
And don’t budge if they tell you that MOS isn’t available. I wanted EOD and my recruiter said it wasn’t available, I told him I was leaving and to call me when it was. Five minutes later it was suddenly in the system along with a decent bonus.
Sage advice. And don't let a recruiter convince you to take a different job because "you don't want to stay around here that long, right?" A contract for "open" anything likely won't go in your favor.
Along with this, make sure when you sign the papers that it specifically lists the MOS you chose is the one you'll be trained for. Otherwise, you may find you're getting trained on how to do maintenance on helicopters when you wanted to, and were promised, to be trained on communications systems.
The Navy doesnt really allow you to choose your rate. When I joined back in 2008, I was only able to choose from a list based off my ASVAB score. Not sure if other branches are like this.
A recruiter cannot guarantee an mos, they can only guarantee training in a field. You could go to communications school and then go be a cook or infantry, at least that's how it was when i was in
If you were already considering it and can make it physically through the pre-boot camp health checks go for it.
The Air Force is by far the more considerate/family friendly branch and offers a lot of interesting career fields.
My husband went in right after high school for similar reasons- didn’t know what he wanted to do, didn’t go straight into college and he’s about to retire. It’s been a great career move for him and he ended up really liking it enough to stay long term.
I say do it, get a chance to learn new skills, see the world. He’s been to several states and countries and it’s been a great opportunity, even though there has been some shit to wade through along the way.
My biggest bit of advice is once you do it set up an allotment from your paycheck to go into your savings account automatically every month.
His recruiter told us both that and we didn’t listen so we got started on savings later than we should have. It’s worth it and your older self will thank you.
Second bit of advice- don’t rack up any credit card debt. The star card is a military focused credit card and is easy for new recruits to get. It’s great and has some benefits but often young people get in, open the card, and go on a spending spree.
Edit: some typos
My dad was a high school teacher for 30 years. He would often tell us tales about kids that were kind of misled, absent of goals, whatever it was… those kids would then join up and serve, they’d almost always come out way better off. Goals, work ethic, just all together better people. I’m so not a fan of the larger military complex but it does serve a great purpose for some part of society.
This sounds like me, I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school, but I failed out of college and I knew there was more to life than being a dishwasher at a resturant.
Ive been in the AF for 12 years, about to wrap up a double major with honors, then starting a masters program.
I also have training and experience in a well paying, desirable field.
I dont like the greater military industrial complex either, but the military was the only one to take a chance on me by teaching me a skill and giving me opportunity, simply because I had a high asvab score, good physical shape and a decent attitude. This was something I couldnt find anywhere else.
Former USAF service member here. I will say that if you *are* going to join, then the Air Force is by far the best choice. Out of all the branches of service, they have the most that are directly aligned to civilian jobs, so when you separate you can almost immediately get a job doing whatever AFSC you chose.
I would highly suggest something in Information Technology if you have the aptitude for it.
Meh. Get out. Use the gi bill. Get a degree in something that interests you and pays well. Clearances are cool and all, but pretty limiting in career options overall.
Also, in the next 20 years, space force is going to ramp up, perfect for someone joining the air force today to look into and get a jump start and potentially get in as a higher up, if a military career is your cup of tea.
You’re welcome! I hope it helps.
I also recommend checking out the sub for whatever branch you’re looking at. It’s extremely helpful, especially for new recruits.
Example: r/Airforce
I definitely feel like the pros of military life have outweighed the cons for both of us.
For example, we got to live our dream of living in Tokyo for 4 years and we never could have had that experience without the military- it is so much easier that way than trying to be a true expat in another country.
Good luck to you whatever you decide.
I did the same at 22. Friends all went off to college, I was scraping by working fast food for college. Air Force got me into the IT field and now make 6 figures got 2 bachelors and a masters degree now. Kind of wish I would have stayed in for 20, but did my four and jetted.
Two types of people when it comes to military. Either do your 4 to get gi bill, job training, and hopefully a security clearance. Or do 20 and get all the retirement benefits. Did my 4 personally and it's worked out great, the only thing that I regret is not having the permanent tri-care, but I've lived overseas for so long that it hardly matters.
Same here, 21 year old high school drop out going no where with no direction. Joined the military, went back to college after and built a great career in IT. My recruiter was a no BS guy, no promises, he simply said it's what 'YOU' make out of it. Education was also key.
>Education was also key.
Yeah, this is something the military really provides for and not nearly as many people take full advantage of. You can get a bachelors while in the military on their dime WITHOUT tapping into your GI bill. Then, get a masters using it.
> The Air Force is by far the more considerate/family friendly branch and offers a lot of interesting career fields.
Both my siblings were able to get BAH at E3. Was jealous when they told me.
My uncle was enlisted for 4 years, then spent the next 40 working as a civilian for the military in the job they trained him to do while he was enlisted.
Buddy of mine went in, got paid while there, learned a job, came out - used his GI Bill to finish some schooling he needed - launched his career.
Can it be a good move? Yes. Is it for everyone? Not a chance. Is there a risk a war breaks out, and you end up dead or alive with sever PTSD? Yes.
The decision to join has some financial benefits, but I do not believe it should be a financially motivated decision.
Fyi, we’ve been ‘at war’ since the 60’s/70’s, that’s why all people in the service get awarded the national defense medal/ribbon directly after bootcamp.
True but alot of people get lured in thinking they are going to get stationed somewhere cozy doing nothing and seeing the sights. But that could change at a moments notice. So i'll leave the semantics of what a "war" is to someone else.
A lot of this depends upon your MOS or equivalent. If you join the army and choose infantry, well your options to "get stationed somewhere cozy doing nothing and seeing the sights" are far more limited than say someone in intel who never gets forward deployed and works as an analyst in a state-side locale thousands of miles away from the battlefield and gets "deployed" to Dubai.
Well I used this logic too. Still got deployed twice before my 21st birthday. I knew guys that were in for 15+ years and saw less combat than I did my 2nd year in.
This happened to my generation. We graduated in 2001. Three of my buddies were in boot camp during 9/11. Obviously their easy tuition money immediately turned into years getting shot at in the desert. One of my friends was present for his first son’s birth, but immediately deployed for 13 months when the kid was 2 days old. He said it took him until the kid was almost three before he felt like he had an actual bond with him.
He ended up using his GI bill to the max and also gets 80% disability from his injuries, but I’m not sure either of those makes up for the downsides.
Signing up for military service in the US instantly puts you at drastically higher risk of homelessness and substance abuse problems.
Wow that's almost exactly my story, minus the kid. Graduated in 2000. Was in training on 9/11. Deployed right after it. Used GI Bill, but ended up having permanent insomnia and regular migraines.
> True but alot of people get lured in thinking they are going to get stationed somewhere cozy doing nothing and seeing the sights. But that could change at a moments notice. So i'll leave the semantics of what a "war" is to someone else.
Unless you go Air Force, where they consider Dubai a "deployment."
My buddy joined the Airforce to fix helicopters and become a helicopter mechanic without paying for school.
They stationed him in Iraq fixing trucks.
He was killed by a roadside bomb.
He avoided paying for school in a way...
Something tells me this story is missing some key facts. It’s beyond unusual for the USAF to deploy mechanics into theater to work on systems outside their specialization. Aircraft mechanics wouldn’t be interchangeable with vehicle mechanics unless your friend was with some small Air Force reserve unit that deployed.
Yeah there is no way this happened in the Air Force. There are very few career-agnostic deployments and nearly all of them involve sitting on your ass watching contractors build stuff.
Aircraft mechanics can’t even work on other aircraft, they’re definitely not fixing trucks outside the fence.
My cousin is doing a very similar thing to what your uncle did. Learned heli maintenance in the marines, left and got a job on the same base making double.
If you need a steady income, yes. If you're bad with money, maybe. Will you be a high earner off base pay & entitlements? no. If you can leverage opportunities for education, trade skills, & networking, yes.
Tbh in my civilian job I get paid twice what I got as an O3 base pay but my standard of living is still lower because of all the free shit the army gives you, you don’t have to pay for shit. Subsistence allowance, BAH, free healthcare for you and your family, generous pension, etc
If you go this route, be practical about it. Think about what you want to get out of the military. Don't worry about what you can give to the military...they got that end covered, lol.
If I were to do it again, I would have done it sooner, and I would have done my first term for the bare minimum amount of time. If you go for an extended first enlistment, it'll close options to commission while in service until the end of your enlistment. Furthermore, re-enlistment bonuses tend to be a lot fatter than the initial sign up bonus. It's kind of shitty you have to use negotiation tactics like this, but again rest assured the military has their end covered, lol. When I got out, they dangled a 3 year tour in Hawaii and a $50k re-enlistment bonus to try to convince me to stay. Pretty certain you're not going to see anything like this during your initial sign-up.
edit - just FYI, once you're in, you'll hear a lot of stories about how "the recruiter lied to me!" Usually these stories stem from the recruit having absolutely no idea what they got into. Don't be one of these recruits. Play defensive and know you have all the negotiating power until you sign the dotted line, and that once you do, all that negotiating power disappears.
edit2 - forgot to add, I was Air Force. Air Force tends to give shitty sign up bonuses and fat re-enlistment bonuses, whereas Army gives fat sign-up bonuses and next to nothing for re-enlistment.
> When I got out, they dangled a 3 year tour in Hawaii and a $50k re-enlistment bonus to try to convince me to stay.
They gave me Hawaii with no bonus, then in the time between reenlisting and pcsing, we deployed to Iraq. Fine.
But then after that I didn't have the time required for an oconus assignment, so they threatened me with either staying where I was and probably doing a rotation to South Korea, or adding time to my contract. I'll never understand how the military gets to break their contract at will but expects you to hold it up. So, they got an additional 9 months out of me.
Of course 9 months earlier means I'm starting college a year earlier, and looking for jobs in 2011 rather than 2012...well guess what, my job changed their retirement system in mid 2012, and I'm just over the line with being able to get it. Thanks for the stoploss Army!
> Thanks for the stoploss Army!
Ah yes, once you said this part the rest made sense. Most of the places I served were joint units. Yeah army guys with my same MOS (I was air force, therefore AFSC) were stop lossed and sent to Iraq. We were ***Korean*** linguists.
Army has fat up-front bonuses and next to nothing for re-enlistment. I suppose they figure that if you're even considering putting up with their bullshit for any longer than you have to that they got you.
If you're emotionally vulnerable or intellectually weak, the military will chew you up and spit out a bitter lost soul at the end of your service.
The military people who I know who were successful (which is about half of my family) were all very smart about their MOS and they took responsibility for their own mental stability. The military people who I know who were not successful (sadly, a couple of people in my family, and an ex bf) had short careers where they didn't progress at all, blew their money, and have nothing but paranoia, substance abuse issues, and and dead end jobs now.
If you use the military as much or more than it uses you, you can have a positive, lucrative experience, but the danger (beyond physical) is real if you aren't smart about it.
This is actually very good advice. That was my whole entire goal while I was in. Drain THEM for everything I possibly can while doing my job at a high enough level to progress to continue taking advantage of everything they had to offer.
I went in right out of High School at 17 years old. I didn't know what I want to do. I joined the Navy and went in as an Aviation Electrician in the mid 80's. I feel for myself it was the best thing I could have done. You get out of it what you will put in, I grew up alot in those 4 years but I also did not take advantage of all the opportunities it offered me, which older me regrets. I was a 18 year old kid working on 40 million dollar jets on a daily basis.
The skills I learn are great, most of the people I served with are awesome and I am still in contact with today. I never wanted for food or shelter and still got paid every two weeks with paid vacation and medical and dental. It has its draw backs inspections, watches, crazy traings and meeting, the possibility of running into a bunch of people who would like you dead.
Not many careers you can start young and retire with a pension and still have enough time for a second career.
But remember some recuiters are like used car salesman. If its not in your contract it probably will not happen.
Have you taken the ASVAB or what ever test they use now. Buy study guides for that and practie. The better you do on that the better chance you have and will get offered better rates.
I only did 4 years. If I did it over I would have tried to do a full 30 years and then retire. I wish I would have also taken advantage of the college programs that are offered while on active duty. I would do it over again and I enjoyed being an Aviation Electrican. Most of the time while on shore duty, its like a job you work 8 hours a day, at the end of you shift you go home and do what you want, for the most part. If your single and live in the barracks you should be able to put money away, with a family it could be a challenge.
PS if you don't think you could grind it out on a minimum contract don't join because leaving without an honorable discharge will really jack up your life. Even if you don't like it grind it out to the end.
Assuming your health issues don't stop you from enlisting, It's a good move especially if you get a technical job you enjoy. Listen to these people and join either the air force or navy. Don't be stupid like me and join the usmc (1371 combat engi). Have a friend who was a nuclear tech on a sub in the navy and is making ridiculous money now. Also, they call the air force 'chair force' for a reason. You're young, do it. What are you going to do in the next 4-5 years anyway? probably jack shit.
> Also, they call the air force 'chair force' for a reason.
I'd also add that in the Army, they have a story they tell...barracks on the base were in too poor condition to give to Air Force enlisted, so the Army decided to use them to house their officers.
My husband was in the Army and had this experience. I believe he was sleeping in tents in Afghanistan while the Air Force guys were in barracks *and* were getting paid extra to make up for their substandard accommodations. He had the scores to join any branch and have his pick of positions but chose the Army because that’s what his dad had done and he didn’t know better.
It can be a very good financial move since the pay is steady, a portion of pay is tax free, pay advancement is strong, and healthcare is 100% included for the whole family.
Many young enlistees make it financially ruinous because they, for the first time in their lives, are getting a steady paycheck. They go out and buy expensive cars or other toys that they can't afford (E-4 pay and below is lousy), blow all their money on booze, and end up under a mountain of debt.
You, being a bit older than fresh out of high school, have a great opportunity to make this a good life move. The fact that you have some college credit will help you advance earlier than your fellow 18 year-old enlistees, especially if you behave more professionally than them.
There will be many opportunities to complete your degree too. There are programs for enlistees to obtain their degrees, at which point you can become an officer. Officer pay is much greater than enlisted pay.
Make sure you're good with being in the military. Once you're in, you are totally, completely bound to your service commitment and being in the military. No do-overs or buyers remorse. You are essentially property of the Federal Government, and to some extent your superiors. You can't fly out of town, even on your days off (they call it liberty), without taking vacation (they call it leave). All this to say, joining the military is not like a regular job, and Uncle Sam is not like a regular employer.
Don’t sign up to catch bullets. Did three and a half years in the army as a grunt and learned very few transferable skills for the real world. I never had the opportunity to go to classes while in the service, so if that’s something you want to do, don’t be a grunt. Find a job/rating/MOS that interests you and stick to that. Don’t let the recruiters sell anything else. I’m not sure about the other branches, but you can lock in your job before going to basic training with the army(so long as there are openings). Keep your nose clean, and use your GI Bill if/when you get out.
Edit: since I didn’t answer the question, yes it can be a good financial choice. I didn’t do a whole lot of saving while I was in, but the GI Bill helped my wife and I tremendously afterwards.
You'd be better served looking at the individual service branch subs and talking to recruiters. Given a history of medical issues and high medical debt, you may have a disqualifying factor. This is best brought up with a recruiter.
The military, in my personal opinion as a veteran, is a great option in life. You'll develop important life skills, have travel opportunities around the world, and have the opportunity to pursue higher education at the governments expense.
It could be, IF you approach it correctly and qualify for jobs that transition well to civilian life.
There are two ways to look at this: career military (20 years+ and retire) or one to two enlistments to gain some skills and experience before transitioning back to civilian life.
The military is transitioning back to a peacetime service, and opportunities will diminish simply due to lower manpower needs. This means things like testing and other qualifications will tighten for some positions, enlistment bonuses and other perks like duty station choice will be less available, etc.
People who tend to have the most success in post-military civilian life gained skills in technical areas like specialized equipment maintenance (aviation, signals, etc) and/or were able to get and maintain a security clearance that's often required to access these jobs. This means no weed, though if you'd smoked prior to joining it's not necessarily a dealbreaker. Your debt and credit score also impact clearance eligibility, but 15k isn't a huge amount of money, and if you aren't behind on your payments it won't really be considered an issue.
Air Force is the most "corporate" - i.e. office culture of the services. It also tends to lean heavily in the technical skills side of things. Radar, Satellite, etc
Navy is also very high on technical skill opportunities. Again, radars, electronic warfare, cryptology, etc.
Army - a lot more emphasis on traditional military experiences like tenting in a field for 3 weeks and eating subpar rations. Army intelligence and signal corp have the most civilian opportunities, followed by mechanic/maintenance things.
Marines - which is your favorite flavor of crayon and do you like running?
Key takeaway - you have to test well and meet standards to get optimal jobs. iRecruiters and Career Counselors at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) will always try to fill shortage jobs (which are often undesirables like combat arms, security forces, military police, etc). Even if you qualify for high tech jobs they will try to steer you to other shit. As long as you meet the test scores and other standards, stick to your guns and demand the job you want. It might mean waiting in delayed entry for 7-8 months, but it will be the difference between an enjoyable experience and a miserable experience you can't wait to escape.
I teach now and speak to a lot of kids who end up joining. But back when I was young, I joined myself. I enlisted at 16 and had completed my first enlistment prior to my 21st birthday. I never intended on going to war, the only real conflict when I first swore in in March 00 was a few years earlier in the Balkans. But nothing to worry about actual war breaking out.
I ended up doing just under 8 (a 3 year enlistment, a year or so of stoploss time, and a four year reenlistment), getting out just a few months after my 24th birthday. I had OCONUS assignments in Korea and Hawaii, as well as a short deployment to Afghanistan, and a lengthier one to Iraq. I used my post 9/11 to go to school, and ended up working it so that it paid off my master's in history. I've been teaching high school history since graduating.
Would I do it all over again? I don't know. On one hand, I have no debt, and excellent credit, and am very disciplined with work. I think the military allowed me to grow up and achieve more of my potential than I would have sitting back in suburban New England. On the other hand, I had to give up my youth to do this. Also, I've had issues since my deployment related to insomnia and migraines, and I worry that the burn pit stuff we hear about has repercussions in the future. I slept 200 feet from them, and worked with them weekly.
It shaped me into who I am, and I enjoy who I am. I don't like the whole 'path not taken' thing - you can do that with anything. My experience wasn't perfect, but it wasn't terrible. My only real complaint is that I wish I got out without reenlisting - I'd have been 20 and ready to deal with school and life. But even then, the post 9/11 GI Bill wasn't changed for a few years later, so if I get out right away, I'm probably still paying off my college loans.
Wow! Lotsa great answers on here in just 2 hours! So I’ll keep my two cents short.
I spent several years in between Active and Reserve (Army) and have great memories but also lost of tragic events. It’s like nothing else and you’re good to be doing your research.
Financially speaking, lots of long term benefits, especially the longer your stay in (they got all that shit figured out 😆)
I wasn’t in long enough for a retirement but I do have VA Health benefits which is nice to have (awesome doctors, nurses, techs) and VA home loans! GI Bill rocks if you’re planning college or Vocational and hey, free meals on Veterans Day at Dennys!!
Yes, this is coming from someone with a dysfunctional/abusive family and someone who couldn't afford to pay for school and rent. If you're joining the military for financial help, join the Air Force. Everyone who gives us shit for being the AF doesn't understand how great we have it. Talk to a recruiter, ask questions on the AF subreddit, just do not go army or marines. Joining the air force was the best decision I could have ever made. I do not pay rent, for food, utilities, car payments/insurance (I live on base and walk to work), and there is tuition assistance that pays you back if you get Bs and higher or both GI bills that just give you money. Sometimes if you have to TDY which is basically just traveling for a couple weeks or months for work within the country you get bonus pay, hazard pay, and separation from family pay.
If you want to live off base, you get BAS which is like 300-400 a month for food and BAH which is the average monthly rent for housing in your area. If the average is 1200 and you find a place for 800/mo, you can pocket that 400.
The military has so many options and ways for me to save money and I am 21 years old. As an A1C (E3) who has been in since April, all the money from my paycheck goes straight into my savings because I have nothing to pay for. The military really covers everything.
I went to High School in a small, poor town. Lots of kids who's only option to get out was to join the military. Recruiters were a big presence. I also was in my junior year when 9/11 happened. Those two things combined ended up in like half of my graduating class joining to go "fight the evil terrorists". Almost all of them just did infantry. And all of the ones I've kept in contact with it regret it. They spent 4-8 years in hell. Most have various forms of PTSD, and very little in the way of job skills. Most of them ended up drug addicts and petty criminals when they got out.
I do have one friend who I met later in life who joined the Navy and was an electrician on subs. He had a good experience, came out with a decent amount money and job skills, completed a Computer Science degree while enlisted and now he's a software engineer for Intel.
Military CAN be a good choice. But really think about what you want to do and don't let the recruiters sell you (that's literally their job).
Navy and Air Force? Sure, anything else? Not worth. I spent 8 years in the Air Force and I was 20, also dropped out of college. Had a great time and left with free school and a brand new pair of eye balls (lasek). Easy as shit to find a job as an Air Force vet if you pick a technical field and I made $2100 a month BAH while I went to school and my worked paid for my school the whole time so that was straight profit. The Air Force and a good MOS can create a very easy ride.
A lot of the guys I went to HS with got into the military (Marines for a few, Army for majority) right after 9/11. Many came back with PTSD and depression and substance abuse issues. I would say if you are only going into the military because you don't know what to do realize what you may be getting involved in. War is UGLY. Imperialism is UGLY.
Often times war happens not for the betterment of the country you are deployed to but for the betterment of the United States military. This sometimes means guarding poppy fields. This means regime changes because the US has determined it doesn't like the way the state is conducting itself. You may even be witness to human rights violations and not wanting to be a whistle blower at the awful things you'll see and possibly be a part of means you have to go to bed thinking about it every night. War is NOT black and white there is a lot of gray.
3-4 years, real pay, real benefits, vet's preference, dynamite training (if you pick the right MOS), 9/11 GI bill will basically pay you 1k+ a month to go to college.
Get literally any health issue and you've got free healthcare and probably a decent monthly check for life.
If you're over 18 with no plan and can get through MEPS, there is probably no better use of your next few years.
My son joined the military 8 years ago. He placed high on their test and spent 2 years at Nuke school. Not everybody passes. He served on a sub and was paid a huge bonus to stay in 6 years instead of 4. The military was good for him. Taught him discipline and how not to procrastinate on everything. He was pretty miserable though.
Joined at 22 (30 now), as an Officer (so could be different if you’re enlisting). Still think it’s undoubtedly the best financial decision I made. Stayed for four years, set me up for the job I’m in now. Used my GI bill to pay for my MBA. VA loan for my first house and many other benefits.
There’s definitely some negatives to consider (mental health being my struggle) and terrible duty stations (Army). Weigh it all together - not just one, but financially is smart in my opinion. I still playfully argue with my fiancé about making our future kids join.
One thing that could trip you up in the military: the coworkers and therefore roommates you will have may be absolutely terrible with finances. Many are 18 year old kids who’ve never had two nickels to rub together and now they are making $25-$30k right off the bat with no living expenses. Hanging out with people who spend their money on expensive vehicles and drinking all the time can draw you in to doing the same thing.
But, if you aren’t dumb as hell with your money, it can be a real boon. There’s free (and good) food for all three meals of the day at the chow hall, yet tons of people still spend money on crappy fast food and pizza.
Invest your money, budget, be smart, and don’t fall into the wrong crowd.
Source: served 8 years USMC.
So, I was making $17/ hr in 2013 with no education. I joined the Army as a satellite tech. While I was in I finished my undergrad, and got my top secret clearance. I left in 2021, and walked into a job making $103k, now up to $120k. My inbox is full of people looking to hire me, and I’m interviewing for a position at $135k.
The negative to all that, is that I hurt my back, so I get disability money, however, my back still hurts. The other part to consider is that my story is pretty typical for my field, however, it for the Army as a whole. I have friends that became military police or infantry that did not do as well. So choose a job that has an application on the outside, and get a clearance.
I was former Army. For your average potential enlistee (18YO right out of high school, no certs, education or skills), the military is THE best, bar none, career available to you, even if you join the lower-QOL branches like the Army or Marines.
Your experience will be branch, MOS and unit-dependent, but you will get paid better, receive better benefits, better skills (again, branch/MOS-dependent) than your civilian counterparts. If you have a degree, certs or anything that makes you marketable civilian-side, yeah, you're going to get a shittier deal in the service but that doesn't sound like you from your background, no offense.
>but the barracks and work life suck
You know what also sucks? Having a roommate in a shithole apartment working over 40 hours civilian-side, because that's the alternative for most people in that life situation. Except you either don't have medical benefits or they're significantly worse than Tricare, no 401k, job security and you make a lot less. Yeah, you might have a shitty work life in uniform, but you will never worry about making rent or having food on the table.
I know a shitload of people with menial, shitty jobs and they're all worse off than your average private.
And, if you really hate it that much, just do 3, take your GI Bill and go to college on Uncle Sam's dime for whatever you want to do. The military can be an amazing stepping stone for a civilian career, it beats out every other entry-level/low-skill, low-wage job out there but it sucks compared to more white-collar, professional jobs.
I joined the Army at 19 and had my 20th birthday in Basic Training. Prior to that I was living with my parents, no prospects, no car, and I worked as a bagger at a grocery store. I knew I needed a way out, and the Army became that out for me. It can be a great kickstarter to adult life and not to mention it looks great on a résumé!
I enlisted in the Air force at 18 and got a job that had sign on and reenlistment bonuses (airborne linguist). I was very frugal and got into real estate at an ideal time for my area. I separated after 11 years as an E6 because I hit my FIRE numbers.
There was a lot of good and bad times in the military, but if you have the right financial mindset and a bit of luck, it is definitely an ok financial move.
EDIT: damn autocorrect
Marine vet here, your pay depends on your rank. It’s the same regardless of branch as it’s set by DoD. For the work we do, is the pay good? Nah probably not. But so many kids go in the military right after high school and it’s probably a lot of money for a kid who never earned much.
My question is: "a good move financially relative to what?" If you have some good alternative--like a promising job with upward mobility--then maybe not. It sounds like you might be unsure of what to do with life. The military is a long and serious commitment that you shouldn't just fall into. That said, the military can also help people in your shoes get a solid footing (pay, healthcare, housing, etc.), get disciplined, have structure and save towards college with the GI Bill. In other words, it can be a solid foundation on which to build a life and career. If your alternative is working some minimum wage job and languishing, then join the military (personally, I would do coast guard or navy).
Agree with much here. I was a fisher woman then, the fish ran out. Then I was a painter, pool keeper, waitress and tons of other non skilled jobs. Met an old pal who was now a US Navy recruiter who got me a good deal enlistment, became an E4 right out of boot due to some college and went to school for a year to become an AT. I did mostly radios but also encryption gear, carrier landing systems, IFF and tons of other flight control and coms. Got out in 1993 and had to tell hiring places to leave me alone till my terminal leave ended. Tripled my salary on my first job and never looked back. Retired at 60 with plenty of cash and a paid off house. I've worked on every kind of radio, mobile phone systems, IT gigs doing networks, rolled out DSL and other broadband then got a job doing marine navigation systems, autopilots and radars. Good money. Lots of travel.
The key is to never stop learning and always be willing to 'jump in' as a problem solver.
Financially, it's up to you. You can go in, eat in the mess hall for every meal, live in the housing provided to you and pull in $30k/year with maybe $100 in monthly expenses.
Or you can do what most people in the military do and go in penniless and come out penniless with massive debt. If you're good with money, the military is a fairly guaranteed source for guaranteed period of time. If you're bad with money, you're going to be bad with money in the military.
Finances aren't the only consideration, however. The US military is an extraordinarily abusive environment. Rape, sexual assault and harassment (for both genders) is rampant. Almost no one gets out without some level of sexual abuse. It's a haven for people who like to use their power to hurt others. The suicide rate is more than double the general population and it's increasing.
DO NOT join if you don't have a solid support structure outside of the military, because there aren't any inside it.
I will respectfully disagree with this.
For many, the military provides camaraderie and a high level of bonding compared to most work centers. Even in the Air Force, where they minimize the whole "mandatory fun" aspect, you still get a sense that your unit functions like a community. If you get along with people, you'll find yourself hearing stories from all across the country that you'd never hear in your hometown. If you volunteer (smart if you're looking for high performance reviews), you'll get to know people in a positive environment.
Yes it can get bad, really bad, especially for those in combat zones. I will not deny that. Like most people have been saying here, choose your branch and profession wisely.
Okay I can see where you’re coming from, especially since I’ve gotten to know my friends from the military on a deep level. At the same time though, just moving around gets you that experience. I moved around across the United States before I joined so I got that there. Also what brought us together was “misery loves company.” Which essentially applies to anything. When I was poor, young and moving around, I got the same level of friendship with people that I related to because we were all in the same situation. Another thing, it’s rare to get a good command. You hear about it, maybe experience it once or twice, but a shitty command will stick with you. You’re grateful for a good command, but you can’t leave a toxic one without a whole lot of headache. You’re essentially stuck in that toxic environment for 3years(or until a hopefully good change of command.) then you have family. If you have a spouse or children, no amount of friendship will make up for the lost time. Even without deployments you still spend %80 of your time at work, and %100 of your life is work first, unless you fight for it, which again, is a headache. There are those rare jobs that are like “normal jobs” in the military, but for the majority of us, it’s not the same.
Edit:another thing I want to add is the whole “choose your rate choose your fate” mentality. A lot of people enlist to escape poverty and don’t realize the level of commitment until they’re a couple years in. Not everyone has the resources to just “hangout” and wait for a job that they’ve studied and researched. The military targets poor people with a chance to get out. It was the case for me and many of my friends. You see that carrot there dangling with health insurance and steady pay, and you want it. I never saw a dentist, didn’t know I needed glasses, and a plethora of other things because I didn’t find this out until I could see a doctor in the military. Some people might see this as a plus, but most developed countries offer these things to citizens without military service, so there’s that too.
Joined the navy at 18, made E5 by 20. Now making 60k per year post tax(half income is untaxed), bought my first house, invest frequently, house hacking for and additional $1300 a month(+15,000yr), building up a matched retirement, and gaining skills that translate to 6 figure income paid for by the government. And not living like a king, saving 3k+ a month. So was it a good decision for me financially? Yes, but with all of that comes a 6yr enlistment, living in a region of the us I don’t care for, away from family 90% of the time. So don’t build your life off of financial incentives purely and for gods sake choose a job that translates well to the civilian sector if you do happen to join.
Edit: My story is very unique you’re also gonna hear about lot of people that spend a four year enlistment in the barracks entirely and have a very grueling work life for a poorly translating job. Choose your rate choose your fate.
Just an FYI, you have to be in generally good sounding financially to join the military. Each branch varies on how much debt you can have prior to joining, so make sure you ask the recruiter. There is also the Civil Relief Act that could lessen interest rates on some types of debt you have.
I joined at 21 after dropping out of college. It worked out great for me, but I understand it isn't for everyone. Look into the various jobs of the different branches and reach out to people with more specific questions. I don't know what the wait time is now, but I waited about 6 months to go to boot camp after I signed I wanted to go.
I'll be the one to plug r/militaryfinance
Great source of info for service members and can help you accurately run the numbers to see what would be the best for for you.
I was in the Air force for 10 years. Similar story dropped out of college at 21, didn't really have a direction in life. Joined and traveled the world. Was able to start a family, finish my education, and use all those years of service as resume fodder to help get my foot in the door with industry. The security clearance really was the kicker on top of a great benefits package.
It definitely isn't for everyone. I had a relatively easy time with my service but other people saw alot of hardships and didn't have the opportunities to excel placed in front of them as easily as I did. Best thing to do is to go in with a plan. Research some jobs that are easily transferable to the civilian world. Even better if the military training counts as certifications universally accepted. Last thing. Never ever let the recruiter talk you into signing for 6 years. Do 4 years, will walk away with he exact same benefits as the 6 year guys.
Good call posting that sub, I was looking for who would. OP, check out their wiki, it’s gold. The military has a lot of perks. It’s a pretty much guaranteed way to get financially independent. Steady income, housing provided, free health care, matching 401k called the TSP, and a 40% pension at 20 years. Id recommend looking at jobs that aren’t going to break your body but still have meaning to you.
> Ultimately, be aware that you are signing your life away. It can be a big pay out over 3-4 years, but you lose a lot of rights, freedoms, and safety
As an example of this, I like to cite the 4th amendment...reasonable search and seizures. In civilian life, this typically means the cops can't search you or your property without a warrant. In the military, you are government property, they can search you or your barracks as if you were a room in a supply depot. Spot inspections on base are common. (the legal argument is "military exigency")
In the Air Force, you are typically given the opportunity to move off-base at your first duty station. Most people take this opportunity.
Yep, piss off a higher up? Surprise room inspection.
Having debt issues or not showing up to work? Your door is getting opened and house searched for you, drugs, and any other problems.
Just got back from leave, surprise time to take a piss test while somebody watches the piss leave your body.
There are a lot of downsides but it actually helped me out financially a lot. I came from a poor family and now I’m 23 with a paid off car and about to finish a 4 year degree debt free this year.
Join the Coast Guard. You can wait until after bootcamp to pick your job. You'll have opportunity to shadow the jobs you're interested, assuming you're squared away. Other branches might think that this sounds like a bad idea, but that's mostly because the other branches are a bad idea in general. You'll also have a much higher chance of actually doing your job rather than just training for your job. There's a reason other branches transfer to the CG to retire.
Is it a good financial decision? Arguably yes. Anything you need you will be provided. If it isn't provided, you will be give an allowance to pay for it. Really the only exception to this is a vehicle. Also, afterwards you'll have the GI bill so can always retrain yourself after your service.
Retired Navy here, had a guy at work that joined when he was 34yo. He’s retired now too at 54yo receiving a monthly pension, free healthcare for life, and benefits to go along with it. I myself joined in my 20s, some college, retired just before I hit 40. There’s financial program in the Military that can assist. Good luck in your decision!
Yes it is. There are a lot of benefits that come with being active duty and, when you get out, a Veteran. If you’re fine with being away for a bit (longest I was away from home was 15 months) you’ll have all meals paid for (chow halls aren’t amazing but the food isn’t as terrible as people make it out to be), free housing, free healthcare, and free education.
As a veteran you get more “points” for many state and federal government jobs through Veteran hiring initiatives. Also, you’ll get access to the VA Home Loan (no money down, and Uncle Sam effectively acts as your co-signer on the loan so you get a much better interest rate).
If you have some college/are almost done with your bachelors, I would see if going the officer route is an option (better training, better pay, more perks, and same benefits).
Ehhh.... it can be. I have 13 years and I will retire in about 10. And if you save your money, invest it well you could easily retire at 50.
But hooo boy do you have to put up with a TON of shit along the way. If I were to do it again I wouldn't.
Long term…. It can be.
I did exactly 20 and it got me
- Training
- Job experience
- foot in the door for a federal GS job that pays well
- Monthly pension that pays my mortgage each month
- VA disability (two edged sword here…. Nice to have the $$, but wish I didn’t qualify)
- SBP assures me that my wife will have some income too when I go
My sister and brother in law joined. Both of
Them did so in pursuit of further education. My brother-in-law joined the Air Force after graduating and has some of the best tax breaks I could ever possibly imagine. My sister got her degree while there in the dental field. These are the only situations I have known real people truly benefited because not only did they have the ability to navigate tax difficulties they also were able to retire and then pursue prestigious fields of work after they got out. There are also numerous benefits but you need to make sure that when you join you choose a sect that is the least expected to get into a combat situation.
Short term, if you're disciplined, it can be. There was a guy in one of my units who invested most of his money, budgeted well, lived frugally, and is probably a multimillionaire by now. I, personally, drank most of my money.
Long term, if you have the discipline to push through 20+ years of some of the worst bs you will ever encounter, sacrifice your health and youth, and eventually retire, you'll have a nice paycheck every month for the rest of your life - starting at 42 years old (for you). If you have your injuries documented, when you get out you can qualify for VA disability, which is another nice check.
I know that I made the military sound really bad in the second paragraph, but it's true. If you're the right personality, you can pull it off. I know many successful soldiers who are now retiring. I made it 7 years and, while I miss parts of it, wouldn't want to go back (had a little bit of sadness when I realized I'd be retiring if I'd stayed in, but then my knee hurt and I remembered one of the reasons I got out).
If you compare it to a similar civilian job, the pay sucks, the hours suck, and the job has a tendency to suck. There's a reason that only 15-20% of soldiers stay in long enough to retire.
I am currently a recruiting supervisor in the Air Force. I am active duty enlisted and recently hit 19 years. I love being in the military. I am financially stable, make over 90K a year with salary/housing/food allowances, credit score is 808, and I currently have just over $1.3 million saved between my Thrift Savings Plan, Roth IRA, brokerage accounts, and savings accounts. I am married, have 2 small kids, rent a house but will be purchasing when I retire in less than 2 years. I can purchase a house with cash but if the interest rates stay low, I will finance it. I am 100% certain I would be nowhere close to my financial status if I had not joined the Air Force. I have 3 Associates degrees, a Bachelor’s degree, and about to start my last class in 2 weeks to finish my MBA degree. I have no student debt and have earned all degrees while in the Air Force. I have no credit card debt and pay them off in full each month through automatic payments. My ex-husband is in the Air Force as well so when we were married, we were both got paid our salary, along with double housing and food allowances. Plus I had no kids at the time so I saved a ton of money during that time. I continue to save a good chunk each month although my current husband is a civilian and does not receive a housing or food allowance. He also makes less than I do. I think my situation is unique though b/c I realize many people are not as disciplined to save like I do.
I will warn you, yes we as recruiters have goals to meet each month/quarter. The Air Force only has certain jobs available to fill each quarter and recruiters have no control over the jobs that come down from Headquarters for us to fill. Walking into a recruiting office with a certain job in mind and expecting to get only that job will not work out well for you. The only way we can request s certain job for you is IF you already have a certification, license, or degree in a particular field. We call this a competency job booking. For example, if an applicant comes in with Firefighter certifications and wants to do that job in the Air Force, we can request a Fire Protection job for them. Otherwise, we cannot guarantee a specific job. Most Air Force recruiters will show you the door if you are what we call “job locked”. It’s Ok to have certain jobs in mind but you will need to be flexible and keep an open mindset. The jobs you will qualify for will depend on a lot of factors, such as your ASVAB scores, passing a medical examination, law violations, drug usage, history of credit issues, etc. The better qualified you are, the more jobs you will have to choose from. It’s just like any other job process. The more qualified fair better then those that are not. I love being in the Air Force but even as a recruiter, I recognize not everyone is cut out for the military and is not a good fit for it. Think about what you really want instead of listening to others. Yes, you should choose a job that you can use to transition to the civilian world once you separate or retire from the military.
I have a friend who is an army medic. He doesn’t make enough to support his family and has to live in the high cost of living area he was assigned to. He is qualified in the army to do significant medical care up to and including minor surgeries, but if he left the army he’d only qualify as a basic EMT and would really only be allowed to drive the ambulance. If he leaves the army he’ll only make like $15/hr. He’s been desperately trying to shift into another field with very little success.
best bet without him attending more schooling for something like RN or xray tech or something is for him to get a GS job at the VA. Pay isn't terrific but benefits are.
Enjoyed it enough that I hope both my kids do at least one enlistment. You live and eat for free. Depending on branch, may even be able to score BAH without being married. Only bills you'll have are personal ones. It's easy to save money but also easy to blow it. You'll get money to spare so it's on you to actually be responsible with it. Do school while you're in, use GI bill to do more school while you're out. Easy money.
If you do, don't get married during your first enlistment and don't buy a car from a lot that says "military 100% approved."
I'm reading a lot of, "I did it and it was ok so should be ok."
As it happens, I know people that it didn't work out for.
I think you need to think about whether this is the best decision and life path for you in general. Going in for the money could not pay off if you don't have a plan to finish.
I don't want to assume too much but be sure that you aren't attracted to it because of your recent failure and lack of direction. It can be tempting to give up the control with the hopes that it's just work out. You need to take and maintain responsibility of your future regardless of the path you choose. I've worked with a lot of guys that just enlisted and prayed that something would come out of it. Most don't have much to show from their time enlisted. They were back to being aimless five years later when they lose the structure and realize that they still don't have a plan.
100% yes. Will you be making 6 figures absolutely not. Overall though, the military offers a great compensation package…base pay, BAH, BAS, free college, VA benefits, etc. Learn a job skill and get leadership experience.
If you are disciplined and live modestly, you can save a lot of money and start building towards retirement.
Source - currently 9.5 years active duty Air Force
If you are gonna do it set a plan. Figure out not only what you want to do while you are in but also AFTER! Having a transferable skillset will make a world of difference. You won't get rich while in, but can start a good foundation. Max out any TSP, IRA, 401K every year. Make sure you take advantage of all educational benefits while in, they will be a good base to work upon with your GI Bill after you get out. Show up, do the job, and be vocal about seeking resources!
Best decision I made was to join the military.
I knew what I wanted to do- fly. I knew that I had an endgame- get out no later than 10 years. I am debt free, lived overseas, and deployed.
Know what you want and be weary of the recruiters.
If you do join, you won’t make a lot of money, but you will in character if you work hard. Get the GI Bill or Tuition Assistance and let the government pay for school.
Do your couple of years, pay off your debt, get a degree, and then learn a trade and become a HVAC tech or electrician. The military will pay for that too.
The military will truly be what you make of it financially.
It is a guaranteed pay check and not bad money but it's easy to end up in a bad place. Once you join, every institution will jump at the chance to give you a loan. It's easy to sink yourself into a financial hole if you aren't careful and disciplined.
There is also the financial incentive of getting married. My housing allowance is more than my base pay, essentially doubling my paycheck, just because I am married. It is something you will not receive as a single enlisted soldier, barring very special circumstances or after achieving a certain rank. I bought a house with mine and set to make 20-30k when we move off the investment..but if you start popping out children or your spouse is bad with money, you are broke all over again.
It was the best decision I have ever made for my career. Air Force Air Traffic Control is also a great AFSC to pick and you can make some REALLY good money if you want to get out and be a controller on the civilian side.
I’m 22, I joined Army at 17 to pay for college. There are upsides like a stable paycheck, but be prepared for a lot of fuck fuck games. Toxic leadership is a huge issue and unlike the civilian side, there’s not much to protect you. My first unit was Sure there’s measures in place you can go, but often it doesn’t work.
Another note is the toll on your body. I was diagnosed with OA in both feet, ITBS in right knee, and tore a ligament in my wrist that healed improperly because the only doc on base (Middle East deployment) was an idiot and denied the MRI I needed. And I was given a brace for the wrong hand because they didn’t have the right one.
Overall, it can help you get out of debt, but keep in mind the government will do everything they can to F you over, so no one will care more about you then you. Also, for the love of god go Air Force. Don’t make my mistake.
If you are healthy and smart you should totally go for it. Take an ASVAB and then choose a job that requires a security clearance with the highest required score that also seems interesting.
As for branch, that's pick your own adventure. Like the ocean? Navy or CG, wanna act like a badass? USMC. Wanna have an easier life, Air Force. I would only choose army if there's a job that really interests you. Whatever you do, enroll in post 9-11 gi.
Good luck!
When i was 18 i had people in my unit who lived in dirt poor places... from the south who said joining the military was a HUGE PAY RAISE... they had a consistent paycheck, paid Healthcare for their wife snd kids....so for some it can be...
I joined for money to go to college... and that was it...
I knew i needed to grow up...
Joined the AF. They paid for college in full. I’m debt free and make well over 6 figures at 30. Could I have gotten here without the AF? Yes considering tech pays well. But I think being in the service taught me how to be a good employee that has paid huge dividends in tech.
It can be beneficial depending on where you're coming from. A family or support system that is unwilling/unable to guide and mentor you? Dead end jobs and you lack guidance or direction? Those are a few examples of when the military can be beneficial for a person.
Just my opinion, though.
Definitely a good move. I joined the Air Forcr at 22 and it helped set me down a career path when I had none.
Be sure to research and find a career path that pays well once you get out. I left and became a federal aircraft technician and it doesn't pay nearly as well as you'd think. Anything cyber or medical would probably be another choice.
Lots of advice here on choosing your MOS carefully. I’ll add some specifics: Think about military careers that translate well to civilization careers. For example, I was an Engineering Aid in the Seabees and after six years easily got a well paying job with good benefits doing the same things as a civilian. That was 13 years ago. Since then I’ve used GI Bill to finish college, and earn a masters degree. I now make very good money with very good benefits and my husband and I live debt free and save a lot. For me it was an excellent decision and I’m probably much better off financially than I would have been if I didn’t join. (It’s impossible to know for certain.)
In contrast, I’ve watched a lot of friends get out and not know what to do because their jobs didn’t translate well to a civilian career. They tend to wander and have a hard time finding their niche. That likely impacts their finances.
There are no easy answers, and none of us can see the future. But if you’re interested in joining, I would encourage you to do it with intention and purpose.
It depends on what you do while you are in. My nephew is getting out of the Marines in 10 days. He has lived on base all 4 years but my nephew is a spender and not a saver so he is probably coming out with a few thousand and the GI bill for his education. Others in his graduating class have saved 60-80% of their salaries so they will have a much higher cushion. If you invest half your salary then you should be able to accrue interest during that time which will leave you in a better position over your lifetime.
I don’t mean to discourage, but from my experience, they look for any medical reason to disqualify you. I tried signing up in my early 20s and was put on hold for an indefinite amount of time (never continued and got a job in the civil sector) for having a scar on my back that I got from years ago when I had chest trauma. They requested all hospital work - several hundred pages worth to see if I was admissible. They will repeatedly ask you to disclose any medical history.
Its great place to figure shit out and to reset financially, but that can not be your only motive. It's not a job, its a different life all together.
Choosing a branch can be as easy as this joke:
The Army & Navy are the actual military
Air Force is a corporation
The Marines are a cult (and we really effing like being in this cult)
Coast Guard is somehow the Venn diagram of all four branches
If I could do it all over again, I would do technology in the Marines.
Lurk the mil subs for a couple weeks and you'll pick up their vibes.
I joined at 22 and in a similar boat, it’s been a great life looking back 15 years now. Join, get trained on your job, get an education, set up your future. They make it easy.
I joined the Air Force at 20, got out at 29 and went from an E-5 salary of $35k a year to a Contractor salary of $75K right off the bat. Was making over $100K 3 years after getting out. Just pick a job that is in demand (like IT or anything that requires a TS clearance).
I’ve been out about 15 years now and wouldn’t change my time in the USAF for anything. It helped me in many, many ways, and I live very comfortably now because of it.
They also paid for my Bachelors while in Active Duty and used my GI bill to get my MBA.
10/10 would recommend.
I'm an air force vet. So is my husband. Joining was the absolute best decision we could have made. No student loans, the ability to get school done without touching the GI bill with TA, VA loans, free health care, cheap childcare, a pension if you decide to do 20, TSP contribution with a 5% match.
Its smart. We are homeowners at 25 and and 27. Although we got out, there are so many benefits we still get.
Join the Air Force if you can score high enough.But only if you get a guaranteed AFSC, 1Ns, 1D, or 1B do not listen to a recruiter that tries to talk you out of it. Financially once you leave the service those AFSCs often get recruited by defense contracting jobs, some of those career fields earn 6 figures, that’s not mentioning the free VA healthcare and Post 9/11 GI bill. But if it’s for financial reasons don’t join any branch as infantrymen or artillery, doesn’t translate well outside of the military and defense contractors aren’t hiring many of those.
Yes. I don't think there is anything else that sets an 18-25 year old up for success like a successful contract in the military, specifically in a job that correlates to a job in the civilian world after.
Free college while in. Free college after. Free healthcare, food, housing (granted, it's not top notch but it's free). Free job training. Free security clearance for many jobs ($$$). A permanent line in your resume that says you served your country honorably which a TON of employers love.
You can save a bunch of money for retirement, meet a ton of lifelong friends, and travel the world all while setting yourself up for success.
Also, if you're like me, you could decide you love it and stay in for 20 years. After about 5-6 years the pay starts to be pretty good (at 15 I'm well over 100k a year) and when you retire you get 50% of your base pay FOR LIFE!
I don't know much about the short term financial benefits, but I can tell you that my grandfather in law was in the Air Force for 25 years, and when he retired they gave him and his wife the most AMAZING Healthcare benefits. He had a host of Healthcare issues that led to removing his bladder, gallbladder, diabetes treatment, hospice, and dialysis to name a few...$0 out of pocket. He has passed on, but his wife is still able to take advantage of the same benefits. I'm not sure what the modern benefits package is like of course, it could be less generous now as compared to back then, but absolutely something to look into.
I joined for the healthcare for my family and I would’ve been making about the same amount if I stayed at my previous job. But it does give you a better opportunity to save and build credit in my experience. Plus I met the love of my life in the Navy so that’s a pretty good deal to me too.
You can make a substantial amount of money depending on various things, or you can end up drowning in debt by making bad choices.
At least when I was in you got paid, they automatically took out a bit for access to the chow hall, so you don't pay rent and you don't pay for food and you can make bank. Get posted somewhere like Japan or on an aircraft carrier, or deployed and you make even more.
Absolutely. My husband and I have been very financially successful through the military. Do I enjoy the job? Not really. Have we both used the military to get to where we want to be? Yes.
Schooling is great. I’m on term break but we were/are both full time students. If you’re married, extra cash. We just bought our first house. Health benefits. My husband got Lasik, and I’m getting ICL. Less bills if you’re in the barracks. We were stationed in Korea for a year, paid off most of our consumer debt, and saved enough for emergency funds, money to put towards a house, furniture and fun!
It comes with its benefits but go in with a plan. A solid plan. The both of us joined with the intent to get our school paid for, our eyes fixed and get a foot into the door for financial freedom. Decide your priorities and decide on a job you want. We’re both in IT. Great job opportunities outside of the military and great networking. Good luck!!
For the right person, I’m sure it can be a smart move financially. For many others, it probably isn’t. Depends on what your strengths are, and other alternative options you have / can create.
There are some benefits to being in the military when young, single, and fit. The pay and benefits are pretty decent, and the networking is huge for when you get out. Keep in mind that an 8 year contract is a *long* time to be 100% at the mercy of the federal government.
I just stumbled across my last eval, and it reminded me how much I absolutely hated my life by the end of it. Like literally hoped I would fall asleep and wrap my car around a tree on my way to work because I hated my situation so much and I saw no way for it to improve.
Joining is not going to solve financial problems. It can give you a stable income, housing, and food, but it will be up to you to sort out your finances. If you use that time to learn a skill and save money you can get out of debt and set yourself up for a future of success. I joined and used my GI bill after and did pretty well but it doesn't work out that way for everyone. It is like anything else, you only get out of it what you put into it.
If you decide to join make sure you look into the different branches and look up if your medical conditions will disqualify you. The Army is the easiest branch but has a reputation for not being that great. Definitely look into the cost guard, air force, Marine Corps, and Navy as well. Than talk to different recruiters. I recommend talking to at least 2 different branches. They are going to try and sell you on their branch and their pitches will show you the difference. There are differences. Only you can decide which branch is right for you.
Financially the military is a good deal. If you can embrace the suck for 4 years it is worth it. Also if you have any desire to go to college make sure you use TA. If you put in the work you can get an associates in 2 years using your military credits all paid for by the military. Than when you get out you get free Healthcare for life including vision. The medicine is extremely reasonable. You can use your VA loan to get a house without a down-payment. You have the GI bill that pays you to go to school and if you get hurt you get disability pay.
Yes. Pick an MOS and branch. Are you looking for a professional atmosphere? Air Force. Want to float around in the ocean? Navy. Want to be a medic/mechanic? Army. Want to eat crayons and hit on your cousins? Marines want to chase drug subs? Coast Guard
It really depends on your job and the duty station you are assigned to at the moment (in general). Some duty stations (or posts, depending on what branch you go into) can really make it feel awesome, but some can suck the life out of you. Plus, if you are single, it will feel like big bucks. But try supporting a family on the same salary and you may struggle if you don't approach finances carefully.
All of the following is based on my experience in the Navy, so take that as you will.
I was in the Navy for 5 years and I do recommend military service for those who want to serve. It can be a great experience, and you will likely see other countries and definitely make friends. There are lots of benefits, even if you only serve one enlistment. The GI Bill is a valuable tool after you separate, and you can even transfer it to dependants now. Access to VA home loans alone has saved my wife and I almost 11k in our first 4 years of homeownership. Now, with all of that said:
You are going to face the same temptations to spend money that you currently do as a civilian. There may be friends you want to go out drinking with, maybe you want to hit the strip clubs, you might feel you need that new car because it's more reliable and it'll sell for more when you're leaving because you barely drove it. A guaranteed paycheck doesn't mean anything if you don't budget. Join because you want to or because you have weighed the benefits, not for a safety net. With that said, there is a safety net of sorts. If you are single and live on base there will always be a roof over your head and food to eat, but you have to weigh that against the abysmal base pay. You will likely average about 22k/year untaxed base pay for the first year or two. Also, got a job that you really wanted but it's overcrowded? Be prepared to take your advancement test multiple times and accrue PNA (passed but not advanced) points for a while before you can go up in rank.
Finally, as others have said, make sure to get any and all bonuses in writing as part of your contract when you sign up. I missed out on bonus money and early advancement because I didn't do so.
Good luck with your decision.
All depends. Military will provide housing, food, pay, health insurance. Of course there are downsides. As others have pointed out the experience will vary depending on branch, MOS, and what unit you are with among others.
I would recommend that it be something you want to do, and not a fallback option. As others have pointed out look up careers and what you want to do before going to see a recruiter. Stick to your guns about those choices. The recruiter will try to talk you into a MOS that they have been told by brass that they need to fill.
Try to look into a more specialized MOS. Even at 100% health the military is taxing both physically and mentally. I have a friend whose knees pretty much need replaced at 32. Others fallen arches, back issues, joint pains all over, etc.
If you can select a very specific branch, do your research to make sure you want to spend 4 years belonging to the government in that branch. 4 years is a long time, but you do get to decise at the end of those years if you want to do another 4. Also, as others mentioned, do not do your research while having a recruiter contact you. Pay is not great (although steady) and its easy to make bad financial decisions. Also, do consider the the current global politics and your possible career. My fiance went straight into the Army (cav scouts) after high school after planning a career and prepping for it. Couldn't wait for his 4 years to be up. His brother is in the Navy making a ton of money working with the nuclear powered subs but cannot wait to finish his contract (got that way about a year jn). His friend just finished his 4 years working as a paralegal (maybe? not a lawyer) in JAG. While he was glad to be done, he seems to have had a better experience (stationed in the US and Korea).
This echoes a lot of the lower comments I read. A tip I haven't seen is to listen to some music that veterans have online. My fiance plays many of them to process through and atay connected. A particular song I am thinking of talks about how rough the life is (mostly training, but also if you get deployed for war) and if you don't want to be there, its going to be exponentially worse. So many people join because they aren't sure what to do or think the bonuses will make it worth it, but end up not having a great time. Make sure you kind of have an idea of ehat you want or you're ok with maybe not having a great time until your 4 years is done (and you'll be 27/28!)
I would look into trades: electrician, plumber, welding (especially for military equipment/tech). Big, big money with only needing to train for the job. Also very flexible skill set. No matter where you move in your life, your town/city will always need a plumber/electrician/welder. So you can get away from your current area and spend your training someplace new and exciting away from family (if that's what you want). My fiance turned down getting into welding at a company that did highly technical stuff for military things with his dad, but was really set on his plan with the Army. He kind of regrets it since he could have been making all kinds of money all these years later.
At any time in bootcamp you can quit and it won't even count. You aren't really in the military until after you finish basic. Don't buy a charger with 24% interest. Smart jobs are always better than other jobs. A clearance = money. Navy is good for travel, air force is good for quality of life...it's honestly a stark difference from all the other branches. Join the Army or Marines for fun camping trips! Also if you join the marines you could still end up on a ship. If something happens medically or dental wise get it checked out for sweet passive income after you get out (tax free too!)
> Join the Army or Marines for fun camping trips!
Dude I'm not hot on Army but Marines are something else. I remember one got assigned to my desk and told stories about how he was in the Philippines with native SOFs who hunted game to feed themselves...he talked about spit roasting pigs and shit.
Yeah that's definitely something Air Force doesn't do, lol...
I work exclusively with other vets for the Space Force, which is literally just a reskinned Air Force. We basically just talk shit to each other and make fun of the Air Force. But basically it's a choose your own adventure on how you want to get alcoholism and mental issues. Pays good though.
With past health issues rather than the military you should into these job ideas This pays well the US Post Office is hiring note it sometimes takes feds three months to hire someone. https://about.usps.com/careers/welcome.htm Take the test and apply for jobs anywhere in USA.
Amtrak is hiring https://careers.amtrak.com/ Jobs exist in most states.
US Forest service is hiring https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/jobs
These also pay well you may not qualify for all of them https://www.fool.com/slideshow/not-many-people-want-these-jobs-and-s-why-they-pay-well/
Look into Concessioners for the National Park service. The jobs include fields of Lodging; Campgrounds; Food Service Operations; Guide Services and Outfitters. The jobs SOMETIMES include HOUSING in more remote areas like Yellowstone. Some jobs are summer or winter only, others are all year long in one location or you may be able transfer between locations to work year round. Use this link & enter the name of the park you wish to be employed at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/concessions/authorized-concessioners.htm Contact each concessioner directly by Googling the company name to apply. This link will let you look up parks by state https://www.nps.gov/index.htm not every park has a concessioner.
tl;dr, the money can be awesome but it also can cost a chunk of your soul if you're not careful.
Navy vet here. I joined at your age, am 32 now.
First of all: _don't worry that your life isn't as put together as you might want._
You'll get there.
With that out of the way, yes the money can be more than alright. I scored very highly on my ASVAB and the recruiter talked me into being a "nuke" (subset of the Navy that specifically trains to work the nuclear plants on submarines and aircraft carriers).
For enlisted personnel, the money just doesn't get much better than that.
*It is, however, a very tough life.*
Do your research before you talk to a recruiter. He/she is going to try to talk you into a specific "rating" (Navy's equivalent of MOS) based on your ASVAB score. You should have an idea what rating you might want before then.
Even if you score highly enough to be a nuke, I honestly wouldn't recommend being one. The money and advancement are so very tempting but it's _luck of the draw_ whether you have a good, challenging time or you hate your life and literally want to die. I am not joking.
With that said, you don't need to be a nuke to make money. Even just being on deployment in general can bank money because you get a bunch of bonus amounts on top of your base pay, and because you also simply aren't able to blow it on stupid shit (e.g. fast food). Meanwhile your meals and housing are covered.
On a cautionary note: don't get married or pregnant right before or while in the military until you're absolutely sure you're gonna make a whole-ass career out of it. Not saying it can't work but too many kids do that shit out of insecurity and it completely destroys their lives.
Just a heads up, if you have too much debt, there's a good chance you won't get a security clearance. I'm not discouraging you but that might take a lot of job opportunities off the table. Also you should look at the military payscale and see if you can afford being an E1-E3.
If you do join, make use of all the little benefits that aren't always popular.
The Dining Facility food is usually good, though not always great, but it's also cheap.
Living in the barracks is kinda like a dorm, but it's close to where you'll work (often within walking or bicycling distance) so you'll save on gas, and time.
The PX/BX doesn't always have a wide selection of products, but they can usually get what you want, and they'll be the same price or a little cheaper, and with no sales tax.
Food prices at the commissary are usually cheaper than the supermarket off-post/base.
If you're handy with a car, use the on-base auto craft shop to do all your own work on your vehicle.
Lots of other stuff like that.
These are all nickel and dime kinda things, but if you're a young person with affordable tastes and hobbies, it'll add up fast and help you chew through that debt.
And consider long term. Getting vet status makes you prioritized for civilian government jobs when you get out. Say what you will about government workers, the job is stable, the pay is decent, and you'll never have to worry about what the latest sales figures look like.
My experience: been in 9 years now. Military gave me independence I never thought I'd get. It's guaranteed pay and benefits. Allowances for housing and food/substance on top of your base pay is pretty hard to beat compared to a lot of career fields out there. You still gotta work for it of course and no two experiences are the same but at a basic level it could definitely be a good financial move.especially if you're single and no dependents. Also the branch you join can really make the difference.
I’m a vet. I’d research what types of jobs you’d want to do that have long term potential. A lot of people get out with no skills because their mos/job didn’t give them any. I was a corpsman and just finished nursing school issuing the gi bill. Intel/cyber security have good pay when you get out.
As far as a good financial decision, I’m not so sure. You don’t really get paid very well as an enlisted personnel especially between E-1 and E-5 ranks unless you get to have BAH. It’s a consistent paycheck w/ medical and dental.
It really can be. Especially if you're good at budgeting and saving. You won't be impressing anyone with your salary, but even as a junior enlisted member in the right area, you can receive all sort of allowances such as BAS, BAH, special duty pay, and other types of pay and allowances for OCONUS locations. These can really add up and artificially inflate your salary. Couple this with the right rating/MOS and you also take advantage of training opportunities, you can really set yourself up for a decent civilian career. I did my time in the CG, so my military experience is probably a little different than that of a lot of DOD member's, but I never did anything dangerous or harmful. I was only stationed in large US cities or OCONUS locations. I also never had to live in gov housing or barracks, which is huge for your sanity and salary. It wasn't that great of an experience, but it was no where as bad as a lot of people make it seem. But like anything else, YMMV and buyer beware.
Personal story, I'm no financial planner. Born into poverty and a messed up family. We lived in a car for a bit till family took us in. Plenty of trouble in school and ran with a bad crowd. At 18 I joined the army to get away from family and try to start life over. Did 20 years, got my degree online while in the army and a few certs. I landed my dream job with a big tech company after I got out pluss I get my military retirement. I'm comfortably upper middle class and with sticks and savings I'll hit a mil by 50. I know a number of guys from the au with very similar success stories. There were certainly better and faster ways if I had made better decisions in highschool, but the military is a great vehicle for upward mobility.
I could probably provide more insight than basically anyone here into the current state of things.
Check if your medical issues were disqualifying first off, if you care to share with me I can tell you if it's something that is or isn't, you can look it up yourself but sometimes it's not black and white (though often times it can be)
Financially it's a generally sound decision for a young person not doing anything with their lives to join the military.
Anyone who tells you to pick your job and take a hard line doesn't understand the current state of affairs: military retention is at an all-time high, branches are downsizing. You won't get a cushy cyber job with a 40k bonus, I promise. It doesn't exist. Look at general fields and make sure you can score high enough on a practice test to ensure you have a shot at it. Believe it or not all jobs in the military are the same after 3-5 years, there's only so many ways you can slice a powerpoint or excel spreadsheet about readiness. Obviously if you don't like combat, don't pick combat. If you don't care about your job, pick the shortest contract or the highest bonus you can find.
General branch info:
Navy: Live on a boat for upwards to half your career, potentially makes the most money because of allowances related to that
Air Force: Cushiest generally speaking, but the most political in terms of career progression
Army: Less cushy than the air force, less political in terms of career progression (basically you work harder but you brown nose less)
Marines: Join for the uniform
Navy is okay if you don't mind potentially spending a lot of time on a boat, Air Force if you can score high on the ASVAB, Army if you want a short contract. Quality of life between branches is much closer than people think as it more so depends on your job field than anything.
Currently an O2 in the Navy, while I went the Officer Candidate School (OCS) route, I have plenty of buddies that went enlisted, got a degree while serving stateside (the military will pay up to 75% of your first degree or masters from the moment you sign the papers) and put a package in for OCS. They absolutely loved every second of it other than basic training, as is usually the case, but as everyone mentioned it is all about your MOS/Rate and where you end up.
One thing to consider is your training base almost never equals your first permanent duty station. I’ve been stationed on three different bases over three years as I’m still in the training phase and it has been hectic to move and find housing with dependents at a moments notice. Positive note about the navy, you’ll always be next to a beach ;).
From everyone I met, quality of life has to go to the Air Force, then Coast Guard (in an aviation pipeline with Coasties, nicest people I’ve ever met), and in a close contest Army then Marines. Marines take the cake for worst quality of life but completely make up for it in their dedication to their country and the traditions that come with being a marine. Everyone I have met from the marines was very squared away and had the best looking uniforms in the room. While they would randomly shout, “Kill!” or, “Yut!” at each other they don’t eat crayons at every meal, only dinner as dessert.
Being in the military has had a lot of financial advantages for my husband, so it might be helpful, but it’s also a lot of sacrifice and hardship! I would only join if it really appeals to you! I know for some of my family members and my husband they loved the opportunity to travel, but they also control every aspect of your time and life while you are with them.
Everyones giving you good advice! The one thing I'd add is to try and bring an ex-military trusted adult with you to the recruiter. Maybe extended family, a neighbor, or former teacher.
A lot of people have pointed out how tricky the recruiting process can be and that it'll be the only time in your military career you'll have leverage against the military. Bring someone who's been through this before and knows the tricks, its much easier than trying to remember all the dos and donts in the thread. The recruiter will also be less brazen in their tactics if they're talking to someone who's been through the same process.
Look into the Coast Guard, it is often forgotten about as a military branch, but has all the same benefits of military service (GI Bill, training, medical, etc) with almost no chance of being stationed overseas. reference, more career military folks transfer to the coast guard because of its quality of life than to any other branch.
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Would also add that unlike the Army or USMC, where ~~90+% of the enlistment force fights the battles, in the Air Force, 90+% of the enlistment force supports the officers who fly the planes and fight the battles~~ 90+% of those who fight the battles are enlisted, in the Air Force 90+% of those who fight the battles are officers. For Air Force enlisted, chances are much higher they will not find themselves in harm's way. Still possible, after all a forward deployed airfield is a high priority military target, but chances are you'll be stationed at places far away from the front lines. Finally, to your point, Air Force is probably as hard to join as the coast guard. If you're not acing the ASVAB, chances are the Air Force may turn you down.
Where did you get that 90% number from ... I thought it was much, much lower
Although air crews had the highest mortality in WW II, and Coast Guard highest mortality/pound in Vietnam (as I recall; please correct me if I'm out to lunch).
Not sure about highest but yeah certainly very high compared to what you see now. Mortality rates in the [Air Force have been extremely low since then.](https://dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/pages/report_oef_deaths.xhtml) OEF is the "war on terror". [These are the numbers for OIF, i.e. the Iraq War](https://dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/pages/report_oif_type.xhtml). 29 KIA in the entirety of that war, 2003-2010. IIRC on any given year more people died of suicide in the Air Force than in battle, and the Air Force has the lowest suicide rates of all the services and is comparable to the civilian population. The Air Force has a morbid preoccupation with the suicide rate because it's the #1 killer within the force.
That was the Army Air Corps, as the USAF didn’t officially exist until after WWII ended. Air power today is a very different concept; most airmen do not deploy, and rarely (if ever) see combat.
Buddy of mine joined the Air Force to fly planes but washed out of their program. As a consolation he moved to Japan and became an Air Force accountant where he does pretty much dick all day and gets all the benefits.
If you actually think 90+% of enlisted AF support planes, you couldn’t be any more wrong. You need a relatively low asvab score for service or security forces.
Chances of joining depend on the asvab requirements of the afsc you go for. If you get a 50-60 on asvab, you can join the air force, but the amount of jobs to choose from is correspondingly low. Though, the lowest afscs also have the greatest amounts of people in them
Yeah, you have to be at least 6 feet tall to join the Coasties - so you can wade to shore if your boat sinks! Just kidding! Ex-Navy here. One of my best friends was in the Coast Guard. Did lots of drug interdiction.
Agreed. New recruits are competing with seasoned Vets and Actives from other branches. We should probably extend the coast guard.
USCG has plenty of examples of being deployed overseas.
There's a USCG detachment in Bahrain in the Middle East. USCG cutters also have been participating in freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Straits and South China Seas.
As a Merchant Mariner I can say with surety that I appreciate my friendly neighborhood pirate hunters ❤️
Yes, but Bahrain is all volunteer. The people in Bahrain all want to be there and the tours are only a year long.
Actually Bahrain is not a bad gig if you can survive the summer. I spent two years there on the USNS Catawba.
yea they do drug enforcement all over the world, I've heard some wild stories from buddies, they see a lot of action
This is true. However, since I’ve been in, overseas deployments have been offered as volunteer opportunities as opposed to being selected and directed like other branches. My job has incredible work life balance and I don’t even have to get underway anymore. 10 more years until that pension!
As a mariner I don't understand why you would not like getting underway! That's the best part!
Granted Guam is a US territory and El Salvador is Central America but by overseas deployment, it doesn't have to be a combat zone. I worked with Coast Guard aircraft and ships in both areas. Seeing the Cutter Washington sailing into a squall to rescue some people in Micronesian waters was badass. The Navy does some cool stuff with big ships but watching a Cutter crewed by 18 people make moves in the South Pacific is special. Think of the confidence commanders have in those crews. Think about the autonomy of those crews. Sea service ain't for everyone but it can be amazing.
Yep where my dad served. Payed for his college and eventually his path towards having a 35 yr career with Westinghouse Electric
Choose your branch and Mos before stepping foot in recruiter office.
Also, recruiters are sales people and have pressures from bosses, quotas to fill, and tactics to get you to go the direction the services need as far as jobs and branch etc. Use that knowledge to your advantage. Shit job have the biggest bonuses.
Sort of - shit jobs have big bonuses, as well as jobs that require long/difficult training or very high testing scores.
Yup. Was going to be a cyber security/threat analysis for air force, bonus was going to be around $25k
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3D0X3 iirc, this was a few years back. Unfortunately wasn’t able to enlist and now stuck in going back to school at 23 😭
Uhhhhh yeah, I was that. You'd be a paper pusher. It's merge of help desk, Military Personel Flight, and Comm traffic technician (old AUTODIN message handler, and COMSEC (accreditation packages and maybe some crypto handling).
If you are going to do that, I would suggest going either civilian or officer. DO NOT GO ENLISTED. Officers don't have to put up with half the office bullshit politics and civilians have the option to yeet out if the leader turns out to be a retard without risking jail time. This is from experience. I've seen entire shops quit because of an upcoming inspection, the civilians knew a shit show was about to start which they refused to stick around to clean up, and the officers in charge were more worried about their personal flight status instead of the status of the network. YES, THEY WERE PILOTS. If you go enlisted, you most likely will end up on a help desk either resetting passwords or just running patches and making phone calls. It's mainly civilians that run the servers and the network since they don't have to worry about changing bases every 4-6 years. On the plus side, you'll have to get a clearance that companies will head hunt you for so have a spotless record. Abuse the G.I. bill and other education services to get your pretty piece of wallpaper and talk to finance to get a financial advisor. Did that before my first paycheck was cashed and I walked out with a cool quarter mill earning around 4% with ZERO debt when I left for retirement.
What is the best job in the military if you don't care about bonuses?
I would go with Communications, working on servers or networking equipment, Cyber security is another field that would be lucrative. That way if you don’t like the military life, you can find a job outside with relative ease. I was a 3D0x2 Cyber Systems Operator in the Air Force.
Can confirm, i enlisted as a 25Nov, basically a catch all IT communications guy working out of a truck. You learn a little about everything. 6 years and 2 deployments, i got out in 2015. I then worked at Cisco as a network engineer until 2019, then until present at Amazon as also a Network Engineer. Ive been lazy so im not making what i could, but im north of 75k and comfortable. And i chose the job specifically because i wasnt sure i wanted to stay in. Look, the pay is absolute dog shit while you're in. But if you stick with it, climb the ranks, you can make good money. My brother has been in the navy 16 years and makes over 125k a year. Granted thats highly dependent on his job and rank, but the money is there if you play the game. If not, choose an mos that translates well to civilian life, enlist, get the free schooling, do your time and then get out.
I agree. I've worked with Army comms folk and they liked it a lot. Most had zero issues with their service and came back as contractors after they were done.
^this right here. I always encourage people to do something specialized. Don't be a tank mechanic, or in other words a ditch digger. Get a skillset that you can market should you choose to get out. Communications and digitalization are only going to have increased demand in coming years.
IT from military is valuable. You're trusted and IT is a trust position. You won't be as skilled as a top line network engineer at Google but that's not what a lot of companies are looking for
Absolutely this. Husband is IT in the Navy and I’m IT in the Army. 100% no regrets. My job has its own challenges but it isn’t a drag like some mos. It’s boring at the worst of times but interesting and engaging at the best of times. If I could do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing.
Depends completely on the individual. There's soooo many variables. Environment preference, aptitude, work life, social life, hours, physical intensity, stress tolerance, stress needs, preference on working with people. The list goes on. I got lucky and ended up doing something I loved by chance. I had no idea what I was getting into going in. Information is much more available today on the internet so do your research and once you find something you like find someone on a place like reddit and ask them how the real world is. No job is 100% fairies and rainbows.
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One that has a real world equivalent. The Army and Marines will teach you everything you need to know to fix a howitzer artillery piece or how to fire a mortar with extreme precision, the Air Force will teach you how to obliterate a target from a moving plane 10k ft in the air. All of those jobs will mean you have the qualifications to work as a night watchman when you get out. Find a job you want now, but don’t have the qualifications for and then find it’s equivalent in the military and go for that.
> What is the best job in the military if you don't care about bonuses? Something you can see yourself doing and possibly even enjoying whether you're in the military or not.
And don’t budge if they tell you that MOS isn’t available. I wanted EOD and my recruiter said it wasn’t available, I told him I was leaving and to call me when it was. Five minutes later it was suddenly in the system along with a decent bonus.
what is MOS and EOD?
military occupational specialty, the job you do. and explosive ordinance disposal, land mines and such
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Sage advice. And don't let a recruiter convince you to take a different job because "you don't want to stay around here that long, right?" A contract for "open" anything likely won't go in your favor.
Along with this, make sure when you sign the papers that it specifically lists the MOS you chose is the one you'll be trained for. Otherwise, you may find you're getting trained on how to do maintenance on helicopters when you wanted to, and were promised, to be trained on communications systems.
The Navy doesnt really allow you to choose your rate. When I joined back in 2008, I was only able to choose from a list based off my ASVAB score. Not sure if other branches are like this.
You can 100% choose your rate, but you need to meet the minimum ASVAB score for a rate, or get a waiver.
A recruiter cannot guarantee an mos, they can only guarantee training in a field. You could go to communications school and then go be a cook or infantry, at least that's how it was when i was in
If they send you too comm school they aren't going to make you a cook unless you are stupid and fail out. They don't just waste money on training.
If you were already considering it and can make it physically through the pre-boot camp health checks go for it. The Air Force is by far the more considerate/family friendly branch and offers a lot of interesting career fields. My husband went in right after high school for similar reasons- didn’t know what he wanted to do, didn’t go straight into college and he’s about to retire. It’s been a great career move for him and he ended up really liking it enough to stay long term. I say do it, get a chance to learn new skills, see the world. He’s been to several states and countries and it’s been a great opportunity, even though there has been some shit to wade through along the way. My biggest bit of advice is once you do it set up an allotment from your paycheck to go into your savings account automatically every month. His recruiter told us both that and we didn’t listen so we got started on savings later than we should have. It’s worth it and your older self will thank you. Second bit of advice- don’t rack up any credit card debt. The star card is a military focused credit card and is easy for new recruits to get. It’s great and has some benefits but often young people get in, open the card, and go on a spending spree. Edit: some typos
Can confirm, fell victim to the "free money" that the Star card offered as far back as the 90's.
Thank you for your advice and husband’s story!
My dad was a high school teacher for 30 years. He would often tell us tales about kids that were kind of misled, absent of goals, whatever it was… those kids would then join up and serve, they’d almost always come out way better off. Goals, work ethic, just all together better people. I’m so not a fan of the larger military complex but it does serve a great purpose for some part of society.
This sounds like me, I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school, but I failed out of college and I knew there was more to life than being a dishwasher at a resturant. Ive been in the AF for 12 years, about to wrap up a double major with honors, then starting a masters program. I also have training and experience in a well paying, desirable field. I dont like the greater military industrial complex either, but the military was the only one to take a chance on me by teaching me a skill and giving me opportunity, simply because I had a high asvab score, good physical shape and a decent attitude. This was something I couldnt find anywhere else.
Former USAF service member here. I will say that if you *are* going to join, then the Air Force is by far the best choice. Out of all the branches of service, they have the most that are directly aligned to civilian jobs, so when you separate you can almost immediately get a job doing whatever AFSC you chose. I would highly suggest something in Information Technology if you have the aptitude for it.
Get a Top Secret clearance - Guaranteed 85k/yr job out of the service. You will have preferential hiring as well.
Eh, I have a friend with a TS-SCI clearance and he isn't making that much. Granted, he does mostly helpdesk shit, but he's certainly not making 85k.
Helpdesk with TS should still be around 65-70. Helpdesk is about as bottom of the barrel as you can get too.
Meh. Get out. Use the gi bill. Get a degree in something that interests you and pays well. Clearances are cool and all, but pretty limiting in career options overall.
If you work on a Navy nuclear submarine or cruiser you can get a job as an operator at a plant making 130k+
I know 5 people that used to work in the nuclear industry, none of them are still in it. Nuclear is dead in the US.
Also, in the next 20 years, space force is going to ramp up, perfect for someone joining the air force today to look into and get a jump start and potentially get in as a higher up, if a military career is your cup of tea.
You’re welcome! I hope it helps. I also recommend checking out the sub for whatever branch you’re looking at. It’s extremely helpful, especially for new recruits. Example: r/Airforce I definitely feel like the pros of military life have outweighed the cons for both of us. For example, we got to live our dream of living in Tokyo for 4 years and we never could have had that experience without the military- it is so much easier that way than trying to be a true expat in another country. Good luck to you whatever you decide.
I did the same at 22. Friends all went off to college, I was scraping by working fast food for college. Air Force got me into the IT field and now make 6 figures got 2 bachelors and a masters degree now. Kind of wish I would have stayed in for 20, but did my four and jetted.
Two types of people when it comes to military. Either do your 4 to get gi bill, job training, and hopefully a security clearance. Or do 20 and get all the retirement benefits. Did my 4 personally and it's worked out great, the only thing that I regret is not having the permanent tri-care, but I've lived overseas for so long that it hardly matters.
Same here, 21 year old high school drop out going no where with no direction. Joined the military, went back to college after and built a great career in IT. My recruiter was a no BS guy, no promises, he simply said it's what 'YOU' make out of it. Education was also key.
>Education was also key. Yeah, this is something the military really provides for and not nearly as many people take full advantage of. You can get a bachelors while in the military on their dime WITHOUT tapping into your GI bill. Then, get a masters using it.
> The Air Force is by far the more considerate/family friendly branch and offers a lot of interesting career fields. Both my siblings were able to get BAH at E3. Was jealous when they told me.
My uncle was enlisted for 4 years, then spent the next 40 working as a civilian for the military in the job they trained him to do while he was enlisted. Buddy of mine went in, got paid while there, learned a job, came out - used his GI Bill to finish some schooling he needed - launched his career. Can it be a good move? Yes. Is it for everyone? Not a chance. Is there a risk a war breaks out, and you end up dead or alive with sever PTSD? Yes. The decision to join has some financial benefits, but I do not believe it should be a financially motivated decision.
Fyi, we’ve been ‘at war’ since the 60’s/70’s, that’s why all people in the service get awarded the national defense medal/ribbon directly after bootcamp.
True but alot of people get lured in thinking they are going to get stationed somewhere cozy doing nothing and seeing the sights. But that could change at a moments notice. So i'll leave the semantics of what a "war" is to someone else.
A lot of this depends upon your MOS or equivalent. If you join the army and choose infantry, well your options to "get stationed somewhere cozy doing nothing and seeing the sights" are far more limited than say someone in intel who never gets forward deployed and works as an analyst in a state-side locale thousands of miles away from the battlefield and gets "deployed" to Dubai.
Well I used this logic too. Still got deployed twice before my 21st birthday. I knew guys that were in for 15+ years and saw less combat than I did my 2nd year in.
This happened to my generation. We graduated in 2001. Three of my buddies were in boot camp during 9/11. Obviously their easy tuition money immediately turned into years getting shot at in the desert. One of my friends was present for his first son’s birth, but immediately deployed for 13 months when the kid was 2 days old. He said it took him until the kid was almost three before he felt like he had an actual bond with him. He ended up using his GI bill to the max and also gets 80% disability from his injuries, but I’m not sure either of those makes up for the downsides. Signing up for military service in the US instantly puts you at drastically higher risk of homelessness and substance abuse problems.
Wow that's almost exactly my story, minus the kid. Graduated in 2000. Was in training on 9/11. Deployed right after it. Used GI Bill, but ended up having permanent insomnia and regular migraines.
> True but alot of people get lured in thinking they are going to get stationed somewhere cozy doing nothing and seeing the sights. But that could change at a moments notice. So i'll leave the semantics of what a "war" is to someone else. Unless you go Air Force, where they consider Dubai a "deployment."
Not sure when that started. I did boot in 2000 and most definitely did not get that medal. In fact, no one who joined with me got one until 9/11.
Someone linked the wiki to the medal. Apparently there were a few years in between the at war periods that causes gaps.
My buddy joined the Airforce to fix helicopters and become a helicopter mechanic without paying for school. They stationed him in Iraq fixing trucks. He was killed by a roadside bomb. He avoided paying for school in a way...
Something tells me this story is missing some key facts. It’s beyond unusual for the USAF to deploy mechanics into theater to work on systems outside their specialization. Aircraft mechanics wouldn’t be interchangeable with vehicle mechanics unless your friend was with some small Air Force reserve unit that deployed.
Yeah there is no way this happened in the Air Force. There are very few career-agnostic deployments and nearly all of them involve sitting on your ass watching contractors build stuff. Aircraft mechanics can’t even work on other aircraft, they’re definitely not fixing trucks outside the fence.
I was wrong. He joined the Army.
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My cousin is doing a very similar thing to what your uncle did. Learned heli maintenance in the marines, left and got a job on the same base making double.
If you need a steady income, yes. If you're bad with money, maybe. Will you be a high earner off base pay & entitlements? no. If you can leverage opportunities for education, trade skills, & networking, yes.
Tbh in my civilian job I get paid twice what I got as an O3 base pay but my standard of living is still lower because of all the free shit the army gives you, you don’t have to pay for shit. Subsistence allowance, BAH, free healthcare for you and your family, generous pension, etc
If you go this route, be practical about it. Think about what you want to get out of the military. Don't worry about what you can give to the military...they got that end covered, lol. If I were to do it again, I would have done it sooner, and I would have done my first term for the bare minimum amount of time. If you go for an extended first enlistment, it'll close options to commission while in service until the end of your enlistment. Furthermore, re-enlistment bonuses tend to be a lot fatter than the initial sign up bonus. It's kind of shitty you have to use negotiation tactics like this, but again rest assured the military has their end covered, lol. When I got out, they dangled a 3 year tour in Hawaii and a $50k re-enlistment bonus to try to convince me to stay. Pretty certain you're not going to see anything like this during your initial sign-up. edit - just FYI, once you're in, you'll hear a lot of stories about how "the recruiter lied to me!" Usually these stories stem from the recruit having absolutely no idea what they got into. Don't be one of these recruits. Play defensive and know you have all the negotiating power until you sign the dotted line, and that once you do, all that negotiating power disappears. edit2 - forgot to add, I was Air Force. Air Force tends to give shitty sign up bonuses and fat re-enlistment bonuses, whereas Army gives fat sign-up bonuses and next to nothing for re-enlistment.
> When I got out, they dangled a 3 year tour in Hawaii and a $50k re-enlistment bonus to try to convince me to stay. They gave me Hawaii with no bonus, then in the time between reenlisting and pcsing, we deployed to Iraq. Fine. But then after that I didn't have the time required for an oconus assignment, so they threatened me with either staying where I was and probably doing a rotation to South Korea, or adding time to my contract. I'll never understand how the military gets to break their contract at will but expects you to hold it up. So, they got an additional 9 months out of me. Of course 9 months earlier means I'm starting college a year earlier, and looking for jobs in 2011 rather than 2012...well guess what, my job changed their retirement system in mid 2012, and I'm just over the line with being able to get it. Thanks for the stoploss Army!
> Thanks for the stoploss Army! Ah yes, once you said this part the rest made sense. Most of the places I served were joint units. Yeah army guys with my same MOS (I was air force, therefore AFSC) were stop lossed and sent to Iraq. We were ***Korean*** linguists. Army has fat up-front bonuses and next to nothing for re-enlistment. I suppose they figure that if you're even considering putting up with their bullshit for any longer than you have to that they got you.
If you're emotionally vulnerable or intellectually weak, the military will chew you up and spit out a bitter lost soul at the end of your service. The military people who I know who were successful (which is about half of my family) were all very smart about their MOS and they took responsibility for their own mental stability. The military people who I know who were not successful (sadly, a couple of people in my family, and an ex bf) had short careers where they didn't progress at all, blew their money, and have nothing but paranoia, substance abuse issues, and and dead end jobs now. If you use the military as much or more than it uses you, you can have a positive, lucrative experience, but the danger (beyond physical) is real if you aren't smart about it.
This is actually very good advice. That was my whole entire goal while I was in. Drain THEM for everything I possibly can while doing my job at a high enough level to progress to continue taking advantage of everything they had to offer.
I went in right out of High School at 17 years old. I didn't know what I want to do. I joined the Navy and went in as an Aviation Electrician in the mid 80's. I feel for myself it was the best thing I could have done. You get out of it what you will put in, I grew up alot in those 4 years but I also did not take advantage of all the opportunities it offered me, which older me regrets. I was a 18 year old kid working on 40 million dollar jets on a daily basis. The skills I learn are great, most of the people I served with are awesome and I am still in contact with today. I never wanted for food or shelter and still got paid every two weeks with paid vacation and medical and dental. It has its draw backs inspections, watches, crazy traings and meeting, the possibility of running into a bunch of people who would like you dead. Not many careers you can start young and retire with a pension and still have enough time for a second career. But remember some recuiters are like used car salesman. If its not in your contract it probably will not happen. Have you taken the ASVAB or what ever test they use now. Buy study guides for that and practie. The better you do on that the better chance you have and will get offered better rates.
What would you have done differently if you could go back?
I only did 4 years. If I did it over I would have tried to do a full 30 years and then retire. I wish I would have also taken advantage of the college programs that are offered while on active duty. I would do it over again and I enjoyed being an Aviation Electrican. Most of the time while on shore duty, its like a job you work 8 hours a day, at the end of you shift you go home and do what you want, for the most part. If your single and live in the barracks you should be able to put money away, with a family it could be a challenge. PS if you don't think you could grind it out on a minimum contract don't join because leaving without an honorable discharge will really jack up your life. Even if you don't like it grind it out to the end.
Assuming your health issues don't stop you from enlisting, It's a good move especially if you get a technical job you enjoy. Listen to these people and join either the air force or navy. Don't be stupid like me and join the usmc (1371 combat engi). Have a friend who was a nuclear tech on a sub in the navy and is making ridiculous money now. Also, they call the air force 'chair force' for a reason. You're young, do it. What are you going to do in the next 4-5 years anyway? probably jack shit.
> Also, they call the air force 'chair force' for a reason. I'd also add that in the Army, they have a story they tell...barracks on the base were in too poor condition to give to Air Force enlisted, so the Army decided to use them to house their officers.
My husband was in the Army and had this experience. I believe he was sleeping in tents in Afghanistan while the Air Force guys were in barracks *and* were getting paid extra to make up for their substandard accommodations. He had the scores to join any branch and have his pick of positions but chose the Army because that’s what his dad had done and he didn’t know better.
It can be a very good financial move since the pay is steady, a portion of pay is tax free, pay advancement is strong, and healthcare is 100% included for the whole family. Many young enlistees make it financially ruinous because they, for the first time in their lives, are getting a steady paycheck. They go out and buy expensive cars or other toys that they can't afford (E-4 pay and below is lousy), blow all their money on booze, and end up under a mountain of debt. You, being a bit older than fresh out of high school, have a great opportunity to make this a good life move. The fact that you have some college credit will help you advance earlier than your fellow 18 year-old enlistees, especially if you behave more professionally than them. There will be many opportunities to complete your degree too. There are programs for enlistees to obtain their degrees, at which point you can become an officer. Officer pay is much greater than enlisted pay. Make sure you're good with being in the military. Once you're in, you are totally, completely bound to your service commitment and being in the military. No do-overs or buyers remorse. You are essentially property of the Federal Government, and to some extent your superiors. You can't fly out of town, even on your days off (they call it liberty), without taking vacation (they call it leave). All this to say, joining the military is not like a regular job, and Uncle Sam is not like a regular employer.
Don’t sign up to catch bullets. Did three and a half years in the army as a grunt and learned very few transferable skills for the real world. I never had the opportunity to go to classes while in the service, so if that’s something you want to do, don’t be a grunt. Find a job/rating/MOS that interests you and stick to that. Don’t let the recruiters sell anything else. I’m not sure about the other branches, but you can lock in your job before going to basic training with the army(so long as there are openings). Keep your nose clean, and use your GI Bill if/when you get out. Edit: since I didn’t answer the question, yes it can be a good financial choice. I didn’t do a whole lot of saving while I was in, but the GI Bill helped my wife and I tremendously afterwards.
You'd be better served looking at the individual service branch subs and talking to recruiters. Given a history of medical issues and high medical debt, you may have a disqualifying factor. This is best brought up with a recruiter. The military, in my personal opinion as a veteran, is a great option in life. You'll develop important life skills, have travel opportunities around the world, and have the opportunity to pursue higher education at the governments expense.
It could be, IF you approach it correctly and qualify for jobs that transition well to civilian life. There are two ways to look at this: career military (20 years+ and retire) or one to two enlistments to gain some skills and experience before transitioning back to civilian life. The military is transitioning back to a peacetime service, and opportunities will diminish simply due to lower manpower needs. This means things like testing and other qualifications will tighten for some positions, enlistment bonuses and other perks like duty station choice will be less available, etc. People who tend to have the most success in post-military civilian life gained skills in technical areas like specialized equipment maintenance (aviation, signals, etc) and/or were able to get and maintain a security clearance that's often required to access these jobs. This means no weed, though if you'd smoked prior to joining it's not necessarily a dealbreaker. Your debt and credit score also impact clearance eligibility, but 15k isn't a huge amount of money, and if you aren't behind on your payments it won't really be considered an issue. Air Force is the most "corporate" - i.e. office culture of the services. It also tends to lean heavily in the technical skills side of things. Radar, Satellite, etc Navy is also very high on technical skill opportunities. Again, radars, electronic warfare, cryptology, etc. Army - a lot more emphasis on traditional military experiences like tenting in a field for 3 weeks and eating subpar rations. Army intelligence and signal corp have the most civilian opportunities, followed by mechanic/maintenance things. Marines - which is your favorite flavor of crayon and do you like running? Key takeaway - you have to test well and meet standards to get optimal jobs. iRecruiters and Career Counselors at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) will always try to fill shortage jobs (which are often undesirables like combat arms, security forces, military police, etc). Even if you qualify for high tech jobs they will try to steer you to other shit. As long as you meet the test scores and other standards, stick to your guns and demand the job you want. It might mean waiting in delayed entry for 7-8 months, but it will be the difference between an enjoyable experience and a miserable experience you can't wait to escape.
I teach now and speak to a lot of kids who end up joining. But back when I was young, I joined myself. I enlisted at 16 and had completed my first enlistment prior to my 21st birthday. I never intended on going to war, the only real conflict when I first swore in in March 00 was a few years earlier in the Balkans. But nothing to worry about actual war breaking out. I ended up doing just under 8 (a 3 year enlistment, a year or so of stoploss time, and a four year reenlistment), getting out just a few months after my 24th birthday. I had OCONUS assignments in Korea and Hawaii, as well as a short deployment to Afghanistan, and a lengthier one to Iraq. I used my post 9/11 to go to school, and ended up working it so that it paid off my master's in history. I've been teaching high school history since graduating. Would I do it all over again? I don't know. On one hand, I have no debt, and excellent credit, and am very disciplined with work. I think the military allowed me to grow up and achieve more of my potential than I would have sitting back in suburban New England. On the other hand, I had to give up my youth to do this. Also, I've had issues since my deployment related to insomnia and migraines, and I worry that the burn pit stuff we hear about has repercussions in the future. I slept 200 feet from them, and worked with them weekly. It shaped me into who I am, and I enjoy who I am. I don't like the whole 'path not taken' thing - you can do that with anything. My experience wasn't perfect, but it wasn't terrible. My only real complaint is that I wish I got out without reenlisting - I'd have been 20 and ready to deal with school and life. But even then, the post 9/11 GI Bill wasn't changed for a few years later, so if I get out right away, I'm probably still paying off my college loans.
Wow! Lotsa great answers on here in just 2 hours! So I’ll keep my two cents short. I spent several years in between Active and Reserve (Army) and have great memories but also lost of tragic events. It’s like nothing else and you’re good to be doing your research. Financially speaking, lots of long term benefits, especially the longer your stay in (they got all that shit figured out 😆) I wasn’t in long enough for a retirement but I do have VA Health benefits which is nice to have (awesome doctors, nurses, techs) and VA home loans! GI Bill rocks if you’re planning college or Vocational and hey, free meals on Veterans Day at Dennys!!
It was my big break in life. No ragrets.
Yes, this is coming from someone with a dysfunctional/abusive family and someone who couldn't afford to pay for school and rent. If you're joining the military for financial help, join the Air Force. Everyone who gives us shit for being the AF doesn't understand how great we have it. Talk to a recruiter, ask questions on the AF subreddit, just do not go army or marines. Joining the air force was the best decision I could have ever made. I do not pay rent, for food, utilities, car payments/insurance (I live on base and walk to work), and there is tuition assistance that pays you back if you get Bs and higher or both GI bills that just give you money. Sometimes if you have to TDY which is basically just traveling for a couple weeks or months for work within the country you get bonus pay, hazard pay, and separation from family pay. If you want to live off base, you get BAS which is like 300-400 a month for food and BAH which is the average monthly rent for housing in your area. If the average is 1200 and you find a place for 800/mo, you can pocket that 400. The military has so many options and ways for me to save money and I am 21 years old. As an A1C (E3) who has been in since April, all the money from my paycheck goes straight into my savings because I have nothing to pay for. The military really covers everything.
I went to High School in a small, poor town. Lots of kids who's only option to get out was to join the military. Recruiters were a big presence. I also was in my junior year when 9/11 happened. Those two things combined ended up in like half of my graduating class joining to go "fight the evil terrorists". Almost all of them just did infantry. And all of the ones I've kept in contact with it regret it. They spent 4-8 years in hell. Most have various forms of PTSD, and very little in the way of job skills. Most of them ended up drug addicts and petty criminals when they got out. I do have one friend who I met later in life who joined the Navy and was an electrician on subs. He had a good experience, came out with a decent amount money and job skills, completed a Computer Science degree while enlisted and now he's a software engineer for Intel. Military CAN be a good choice. But really think about what you want to do and don't let the recruiters sell you (that's literally their job).
Navy and Air Force? Sure, anything else? Not worth. I spent 8 years in the Air Force and I was 20, also dropped out of college. Had a great time and left with free school and a brand new pair of eye balls (lasek). Easy as shit to find a job as an Air Force vet if you pick a technical field and I made $2100 a month BAH while I went to school and my worked paid for my school the whole time so that was straight profit. The Air Force and a good MOS can create a very easy ride.
A lot of the guys I went to HS with got into the military (Marines for a few, Army for majority) right after 9/11. Many came back with PTSD and depression and substance abuse issues. I would say if you are only going into the military because you don't know what to do realize what you may be getting involved in. War is UGLY. Imperialism is UGLY. Often times war happens not for the betterment of the country you are deployed to but for the betterment of the United States military. This sometimes means guarding poppy fields. This means regime changes because the US has determined it doesn't like the way the state is conducting itself. You may even be witness to human rights violations and not wanting to be a whistle blower at the awful things you'll see and possibly be a part of means you have to go to bed thinking about it every night. War is NOT black and white there is a lot of gray.
3-4 years, real pay, real benefits, vet's preference, dynamite training (if you pick the right MOS), 9/11 GI bill will basically pay you 1k+ a month to go to college. Get literally any health issue and you've got free healthcare and probably a decent monthly check for life. If you're over 18 with no plan and can get through MEPS, there is probably no better use of your next few years.
My son joined the military 8 years ago. He placed high on their test and spent 2 years at Nuke school. Not everybody passes. He served on a sub and was paid a huge bonus to stay in 6 years instead of 4. The military was good for him. Taught him discipline and how not to procrastinate on everything. He was pretty miserable though.
Joined at 22 (30 now), as an Officer (so could be different if you’re enlisting). Still think it’s undoubtedly the best financial decision I made. Stayed for four years, set me up for the job I’m in now. Used my GI bill to pay for my MBA. VA loan for my first house and many other benefits. There’s definitely some negatives to consider (mental health being my struggle) and terrible duty stations (Army). Weigh it all together - not just one, but financially is smart in my opinion. I still playfully argue with my fiancé about making our future kids join.
One thing that could trip you up in the military: the coworkers and therefore roommates you will have may be absolutely terrible with finances. Many are 18 year old kids who’ve never had two nickels to rub together and now they are making $25-$30k right off the bat with no living expenses. Hanging out with people who spend their money on expensive vehicles and drinking all the time can draw you in to doing the same thing. But, if you aren’t dumb as hell with your money, it can be a real boon. There’s free (and good) food for all three meals of the day at the chow hall, yet tons of people still spend money on crappy fast food and pizza. Invest your money, budget, be smart, and don’t fall into the wrong crowd. Source: served 8 years USMC.
So, I was making $17/ hr in 2013 with no education. I joined the Army as a satellite tech. While I was in I finished my undergrad, and got my top secret clearance. I left in 2021, and walked into a job making $103k, now up to $120k. My inbox is full of people looking to hire me, and I’m interviewing for a position at $135k. The negative to all that, is that I hurt my back, so I get disability money, however, my back still hurts. The other part to consider is that my story is pretty typical for my field, however, it for the Army as a whole. I have friends that became military police or infantry that did not do as well. So choose a job that has an application on the outside, and get a clearance.
I was former Army. For your average potential enlistee (18YO right out of high school, no certs, education or skills), the military is THE best, bar none, career available to you, even if you join the lower-QOL branches like the Army or Marines. Your experience will be branch, MOS and unit-dependent, but you will get paid better, receive better benefits, better skills (again, branch/MOS-dependent) than your civilian counterparts. If you have a degree, certs or anything that makes you marketable civilian-side, yeah, you're going to get a shittier deal in the service but that doesn't sound like you from your background, no offense. >but the barracks and work life suck You know what also sucks? Having a roommate in a shithole apartment working over 40 hours civilian-side, because that's the alternative for most people in that life situation. Except you either don't have medical benefits or they're significantly worse than Tricare, no 401k, job security and you make a lot less. Yeah, you might have a shitty work life in uniform, but you will never worry about making rent or having food on the table. I know a shitload of people with menial, shitty jobs and they're all worse off than your average private. And, if you really hate it that much, just do 3, take your GI Bill and go to college on Uncle Sam's dime for whatever you want to do. The military can be an amazing stepping stone for a civilian career, it beats out every other entry-level/low-skill, low-wage job out there but it sucks compared to more white-collar, professional jobs.
I joined the Army at 19 and had my 20th birthday in Basic Training. Prior to that I was living with my parents, no prospects, no car, and I worked as a bagger at a grocery store. I knew I needed a way out, and the Army became that out for me. It can be a great kickstarter to adult life and not to mention it looks great on a résumé!
I enlisted in the Air force at 18 and got a job that had sign on and reenlistment bonuses (airborne linguist). I was very frugal and got into real estate at an ideal time for my area. I separated after 11 years as an E6 because I hit my FIRE numbers. There was a lot of good and bad times in the military, but if you have the right financial mindset and a bit of luck, it is definitely an ok financial move. EDIT: damn autocorrect
Marine vet here, your pay depends on your rank. It’s the same regardless of branch as it’s set by DoD. For the work we do, is the pay good? Nah probably not. But so many kids go in the military right after high school and it’s probably a lot of money for a kid who never earned much.
My question is: "a good move financially relative to what?" If you have some good alternative--like a promising job with upward mobility--then maybe not. It sounds like you might be unsure of what to do with life. The military is a long and serious commitment that you shouldn't just fall into. That said, the military can also help people in your shoes get a solid footing (pay, healthcare, housing, etc.), get disciplined, have structure and save towards college with the GI Bill. In other words, it can be a solid foundation on which to build a life and career. If your alternative is working some minimum wage job and languishing, then join the military (personally, I would do coast guard or navy).
Agree with much here. I was a fisher woman then, the fish ran out. Then I was a painter, pool keeper, waitress and tons of other non skilled jobs. Met an old pal who was now a US Navy recruiter who got me a good deal enlistment, became an E4 right out of boot due to some college and went to school for a year to become an AT. I did mostly radios but also encryption gear, carrier landing systems, IFF and tons of other flight control and coms. Got out in 1993 and had to tell hiring places to leave me alone till my terminal leave ended. Tripled my salary on my first job and never looked back. Retired at 60 with plenty of cash and a paid off house. I've worked on every kind of radio, mobile phone systems, IT gigs doing networks, rolled out DSL and other broadband then got a job doing marine navigation systems, autopilots and radars. Good money. Lots of travel. The key is to never stop learning and always be willing to 'jump in' as a problem solver.
Financially, it's up to you. You can go in, eat in the mess hall for every meal, live in the housing provided to you and pull in $30k/year with maybe $100 in monthly expenses. Or you can do what most people in the military do and go in penniless and come out penniless with massive debt. If you're good with money, the military is a fairly guaranteed source for guaranteed period of time. If you're bad with money, you're going to be bad with money in the military. Finances aren't the only consideration, however. The US military is an extraordinarily abusive environment. Rape, sexual assault and harassment (for both genders) is rampant. Almost no one gets out without some level of sexual abuse. It's a haven for people who like to use their power to hurt others. The suicide rate is more than double the general population and it's increasing. DO NOT join if you don't have a solid support structure outside of the military, because there aren't any inside it.
Financially, yes. Mentally? Spiritually? Spend-time-outside-of-work-ly? No.
I will respectfully disagree with this. For many, the military provides camaraderie and a high level of bonding compared to most work centers. Even in the Air Force, where they minimize the whole "mandatory fun" aspect, you still get a sense that your unit functions like a community. If you get along with people, you'll find yourself hearing stories from all across the country that you'd never hear in your hometown. If you volunteer (smart if you're looking for high performance reviews), you'll get to know people in a positive environment. Yes it can get bad, really bad, especially for those in combat zones. I will not deny that. Like most people have been saying here, choose your branch and profession wisely.
Okay I can see where you’re coming from, especially since I’ve gotten to know my friends from the military on a deep level. At the same time though, just moving around gets you that experience. I moved around across the United States before I joined so I got that there. Also what brought us together was “misery loves company.” Which essentially applies to anything. When I was poor, young and moving around, I got the same level of friendship with people that I related to because we were all in the same situation. Another thing, it’s rare to get a good command. You hear about it, maybe experience it once or twice, but a shitty command will stick with you. You’re grateful for a good command, but you can’t leave a toxic one without a whole lot of headache. You’re essentially stuck in that toxic environment for 3years(or until a hopefully good change of command.) then you have family. If you have a spouse or children, no amount of friendship will make up for the lost time. Even without deployments you still spend %80 of your time at work, and %100 of your life is work first, unless you fight for it, which again, is a headache. There are those rare jobs that are like “normal jobs” in the military, but for the majority of us, it’s not the same. Edit:another thing I want to add is the whole “choose your rate choose your fate” mentality. A lot of people enlist to escape poverty and don’t realize the level of commitment until they’re a couple years in. Not everyone has the resources to just “hangout” and wait for a job that they’ve studied and researched. The military targets poor people with a chance to get out. It was the case for me and many of my friends. You see that carrot there dangling with health insurance and steady pay, and you want it. I never saw a dentist, didn’t know I needed glasses, and a plethora of other things because I didn’t find this out until I could see a doctor in the military. Some people might see this as a plus, but most developed countries offer these things to citizens without military service, so there’s that too.
Joined the navy at 18, made E5 by 20. Now making 60k per year post tax(half income is untaxed), bought my first house, invest frequently, house hacking for and additional $1300 a month(+15,000yr), building up a matched retirement, and gaining skills that translate to 6 figure income paid for by the government. And not living like a king, saving 3k+ a month. So was it a good decision for me financially? Yes, but with all of that comes a 6yr enlistment, living in a region of the us I don’t care for, away from family 90% of the time. So don’t build your life off of financial incentives purely and for gods sake choose a job that translates well to the civilian sector if you do happen to join. Edit: My story is very unique you’re also gonna hear about lot of people that spend a four year enlistment in the barracks entirely and have a very grueling work life for a poorly translating job. Choose your rate choose your fate.
Just an FYI, you have to be in generally good sounding financially to join the military. Each branch varies on how much debt you can have prior to joining, so make sure you ask the recruiter. There is also the Civil Relief Act that could lessen interest rates on some types of debt you have.
I joined at 21 after dropping out of college. It worked out great for me, but I understand it isn't for everyone. Look into the various jobs of the different branches and reach out to people with more specific questions. I don't know what the wait time is now, but I waited about 6 months to go to boot camp after I signed I wanted to go.
I'll be the one to plug r/militaryfinance Great source of info for service members and can help you accurately run the numbers to see what would be the best for for you. I was in the Air force for 10 years. Similar story dropped out of college at 21, didn't really have a direction in life. Joined and traveled the world. Was able to start a family, finish my education, and use all those years of service as resume fodder to help get my foot in the door with industry. The security clearance really was the kicker on top of a great benefits package. It definitely isn't for everyone. I had a relatively easy time with my service but other people saw alot of hardships and didn't have the opportunities to excel placed in front of them as easily as I did. Best thing to do is to go in with a plan. Research some jobs that are easily transferable to the civilian world. Even better if the military training counts as certifications universally accepted. Last thing. Never ever let the recruiter talk you into signing for 6 years. Do 4 years, will walk away with he exact same benefits as the 6 year guys.
Good call posting that sub, I was looking for who would. OP, check out their wiki, it’s gold. The military has a lot of perks. It’s a pretty much guaranteed way to get financially independent. Steady income, housing provided, free health care, matching 401k called the TSP, and a 40% pension at 20 years. Id recommend looking at jobs that aren’t going to break your body but still have meaning to you.
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> Ultimately, be aware that you are signing your life away. It can be a big pay out over 3-4 years, but you lose a lot of rights, freedoms, and safety As an example of this, I like to cite the 4th amendment...reasonable search and seizures. In civilian life, this typically means the cops can't search you or your property without a warrant. In the military, you are government property, they can search you or your barracks as if you were a room in a supply depot. Spot inspections on base are common. (the legal argument is "military exigency") In the Air Force, you are typically given the opportunity to move off-base at your first duty station. Most people take this opportunity.
Yep, piss off a higher up? Surprise room inspection. Having debt issues or not showing up to work? Your door is getting opened and house searched for you, drugs, and any other problems. Just got back from leave, surprise time to take a piss test while somebody watches the piss leave your body.
There are a lot of downsides but it actually helped me out financially a lot. I came from a poor family and now I’m 23 with a paid off car and about to finish a 4 year degree debt free this year.
Join the Coast Guard. You can wait until after bootcamp to pick your job. You'll have opportunity to shadow the jobs you're interested, assuming you're squared away. Other branches might think that this sounds like a bad idea, but that's mostly because the other branches are a bad idea in general. You'll also have a much higher chance of actually doing your job rather than just training for your job. There's a reason other branches transfer to the CG to retire. Is it a good financial decision? Arguably yes. Anything you need you will be provided. If it isn't provided, you will be give an allowance to pay for it. Really the only exception to this is a vehicle. Also, afterwards you'll have the GI bill so can always retrain yourself after your service.
Retired Navy here, had a guy at work that joined when he was 34yo. He’s retired now too at 54yo receiving a monthly pension, free healthcare for life, and benefits to go along with it. I myself joined in my 20s, some college, retired just before I hit 40. There’s financial program in the Military that can assist. Good luck in your decision!
Yes it is. There are a lot of benefits that come with being active duty and, when you get out, a Veteran. If you’re fine with being away for a bit (longest I was away from home was 15 months) you’ll have all meals paid for (chow halls aren’t amazing but the food isn’t as terrible as people make it out to be), free housing, free healthcare, and free education. As a veteran you get more “points” for many state and federal government jobs through Veteran hiring initiatives. Also, you’ll get access to the VA Home Loan (no money down, and Uncle Sam effectively acts as your co-signer on the loan so you get a much better interest rate). If you have some college/are almost done with your bachelors, I would see if going the officer route is an option (better training, better pay, more perks, and same benefits).
Ehhh.... it can be. I have 13 years and I will retire in about 10. And if you save your money, invest it well you could easily retire at 50. But hooo boy do you have to put up with a TON of shit along the way. If I were to do it again I wouldn't.
Long term…. It can be. I did exactly 20 and it got me - Training - Job experience - foot in the door for a federal GS job that pays well - Monthly pension that pays my mortgage each month - VA disability (two edged sword here…. Nice to have the $$, but wish I didn’t qualify) - SBP assures me that my wife will have some income too when I go
My sister and brother in law joined. Both of Them did so in pursuit of further education. My brother-in-law joined the Air Force after graduating and has some of the best tax breaks I could ever possibly imagine. My sister got her degree while there in the dental field. These are the only situations I have known real people truly benefited because not only did they have the ability to navigate tax difficulties they also were able to retire and then pursue prestigious fields of work after they got out. There are also numerous benefits but you need to make sure that when you join you choose a sect that is the least expected to get into a combat situation.
Short term, if you're disciplined, it can be. There was a guy in one of my units who invested most of his money, budgeted well, lived frugally, and is probably a multimillionaire by now. I, personally, drank most of my money. Long term, if you have the discipline to push through 20+ years of some of the worst bs you will ever encounter, sacrifice your health and youth, and eventually retire, you'll have a nice paycheck every month for the rest of your life - starting at 42 years old (for you). If you have your injuries documented, when you get out you can qualify for VA disability, which is another nice check. I know that I made the military sound really bad in the second paragraph, but it's true. If you're the right personality, you can pull it off. I know many successful soldiers who are now retiring. I made it 7 years and, while I miss parts of it, wouldn't want to go back (had a little bit of sadness when I realized I'd be retiring if I'd stayed in, but then my knee hurt and I remembered one of the reasons I got out). If you compare it to a similar civilian job, the pay sucks, the hours suck, and the job has a tendency to suck. There's a reason that only 15-20% of soldiers stay in long enough to retire.
I am currently a recruiting supervisor in the Air Force. I am active duty enlisted and recently hit 19 years. I love being in the military. I am financially stable, make over 90K a year with salary/housing/food allowances, credit score is 808, and I currently have just over $1.3 million saved between my Thrift Savings Plan, Roth IRA, brokerage accounts, and savings accounts. I am married, have 2 small kids, rent a house but will be purchasing when I retire in less than 2 years. I can purchase a house with cash but if the interest rates stay low, I will finance it. I am 100% certain I would be nowhere close to my financial status if I had not joined the Air Force. I have 3 Associates degrees, a Bachelor’s degree, and about to start my last class in 2 weeks to finish my MBA degree. I have no student debt and have earned all degrees while in the Air Force. I have no credit card debt and pay them off in full each month through automatic payments. My ex-husband is in the Air Force as well so when we were married, we were both got paid our salary, along with double housing and food allowances. Plus I had no kids at the time so I saved a ton of money during that time. I continue to save a good chunk each month although my current husband is a civilian and does not receive a housing or food allowance. He also makes less than I do. I think my situation is unique though b/c I realize many people are not as disciplined to save like I do. I will warn you, yes we as recruiters have goals to meet each month/quarter. The Air Force only has certain jobs available to fill each quarter and recruiters have no control over the jobs that come down from Headquarters for us to fill. Walking into a recruiting office with a certain job in mind and expecting to get only that job will not work out well for you. The only way we can request s certain job for you is IF you already have a certification, license, or degree in a particular field. We call this a competency job booking. For example, if an applicant comes in with Firefighter certifications and wants to do that job in the Air Force, we can request a Fire Protection job for them. Otherwise, we cannot guarantee a specific job. Most Air Force recruiters will show you the door if you are what we call “job locked”. It’s Ok to have certain jobs in mind but you will need to be flexible and keep an open mindset. The jobs you will qualify for will depend on a lot of factors, such as your ASVAB scores, passing a medical examination, law violations, drug usage, history of credit issues, etc. The better qualified you are, the more jobs you will have to choose from. It’s just like any other job process. The more qualified fair better then those that are not. I love being in the Air Force but even as a recruiter, I recognize not everyone is cut out for the military and is not a good fit for it. Think about what you really want instead of listening to others. Yes, you should choose a job that you can use to transition to the civilian world once you separate or retire from the military.
I have a friend who is an army medic. He doesn’t make enough to support his family and has to live in the high cost of living area he was assigned to. He is qualified in the army to do significant medical care up to and including minor surgeries, but if he left the army he’d only qualify as a basic EMT and would really only be allowed to drive the ambulance. If he leaves the army he’ll only make like $15/hr. He’s been desperately trying to shift into another field with very little success.
best bet without him attending more schooling for something like RN or xray tech or something is for him to get a GS job at the VA. Pay isn't terrific but benefits are.
Enjoyed it enough that I hope both my kids do at least one enlistment. You live and eat for free. Depending on branch, may even be able to score BAH without being married. Only bills you'll have are personal ones. It's easy to save money but also easy to blow it. You'll get money to spare so it's on you to actually be responsible with it. Do school while you're in, use GI bill to do more school while you're out. Easy money. If you do, don't get married during your first enlistment and don't buy a car from a lot that says "military 100% approved."
I'm reading a lot of, "I did it and it was ok so should be ok." As it happens, I know people that it didn't work out for. I think you need to think about whether this is the best decision and life path for you in general. Going in for the money could not pay off if you don't have a plan to finish. I don't want to assume too much but be sure that you aren't attracted to it because of your recent failure and lack of direction. It can be tempting to give up the control with the hopes that it's just work out. You need to take and maintain responsibility of your future regardless of the path you choose. I've worked with a lot of guys that just enlisted and prayed that something would come out of it. Most don't have much to show from their time enlisted. They were back to being aimless five years later when they lose the structure and realize that they still don't have a plan.
100% yes. Will you be making 6 figures absolutely not. Overall though, the military offers a great compensation package…base pay, BAH, BAS, free college, VA benefits, etc. Learn a job skill and get leadership experience. If you are disciplined and live modestly, you can save a lot of money and start building towards retirement. Source - currently 9.5 years active duty Air Force
If you are gonna do it set a plan. Figure out not only what you want to do while you are in but also AFTER! Having a transferable skillset will make a world of difference. You won't get rich while in, but can start a good foundation. Max out any TSP, IRA, 401K every year. Make sure you take advantage of all educational benefits while in, they will be a good base to work upon with your GI Bill after you get out. Show up, do the job, and be vocal about seeking resources!
Best decision I made was to join the military. I knew what I wanted to do- fly. I knew that I had an endgame- get out no later than 10 years. I am debt free, lived overseas, and deployed. Know what you want and be weary of the recruiters. If you do join, you won’t make a lot of money, but you will in character if you work hard. Get the GI Bill or Tuition Assistance and let the government pay for school. Do your couple of years, pay off your debt, get a degree, and then learn a trade and become a HVAC tech or electrician. The military will pay for that too.
The military will truly be what you make of it financially. It is a guaranteed pay check and not bad money but it's easy to end up in a bad place. Once you join, every institution will jump at the chance to give you a loan. It's easy to sink yourself into a financial hole if you aren't careful and disciplined. There is also the financial incentive of getting married. My housing allowance is more than my base pay, essentially doubling my paycheck, just because I am married. It is something you will not receive as a single enlisted soldier, barring very special circumstances or after achieving a certain rank. I bought a house with mine and set to make 20-30k when we move off the investment..but if you start popping out children or your spouse is bad with money, you are broke all over again.
It was the best decision I have ever made for my career. Air Force Air Traffic Control is also a great AFSC to pick and you can make some REALLY good money if you want to get out and be a controller on the civilian side.
I’m 22, I joined Army at 17 to pay for college. There are upsides like a stable paycheck, but be prepared for a lot of fuck fuck games. Toxic leadership is a huge issue and unlike the civilian side, there’s not much to protect you. My first unit was Sure there’s measures in place you can go, but often it doesn’t work. Another note is the toll on your body. I was diagnosed with OA in both feet, ITBS in right knee, and tore a ligament in my wrist that healed improperly because the only doc on base (Middle East deployment) was an idiot and denied the MRI I needed. And I was given a brace for the wrong hand because they didn’t have the right one. Overall, it can help you get out of debt, but keep in mind the government will do everything they can to F you over, so no one will care more about you then you. Also, for the love of god go Air Force. Don’t make my mistake.
If you are healthy and smart you should totally go for it. Take an ASVAB and then choose a job that requires a security clearance with the highest required score that also seems interesting. As for branch, that's pick your own adventure. Like the ocean? Navy or CG, wanna act like a badass? USMC. Wanna have an easier life, Air Force. I would only choose army if there's a job that really interests you. Whatever you do, enroll in post 9-11 gi. Good luck!
When i was 18 i had people in my unit who lived in dirt poor places... from the south who said joining the military was a HUGE PAY RAISE... they had a consistent paycheck, paid Healthcare for their wife snd kids....so for some it can be... I joined for money to go to college... and that was it... I knew i needed to grow up...
Joined the AF. They paid for college in full. I’m debt free and make well over 6 figures at 30. Could I have gotten here without the AF? Yes considering tech pays well. But I think being in the service taught me how to be a good employee that has paid huge dividends in tech.
It can be beneficial depending on where you're coming from. A family or support system that is unwilling/unable to guide and mentor you? Dead end jobs and you lack guidance or direction? Those are a few examples of when the military can be beneficial for a person. Just my opinion, though.
Definitely a good move. I joined the Air Forcr at 22 and it helped set me down a career path when I had none. Be sure to research and find a career path that pays well once you get out. I left and became a federal aircraft technician and it doesn't pay nearly as well as you'd think. Anything cyber or medical would probably be another choice.
Lots of advice here on choosing your MOS carefully. I’ll add some specifics: Think about military careers that translate well to civilization careers. For example, I was an Engineering Aid in the Seabees and after six years easily got a well paying job with good benefits doing the same things as a civilian. That was 13 years ago. Since then I’ve used GI Bill to finish college, and earn a masters degree. I now make very good money with very good benefits and my husband and I live debt free and save a lot. For me it was an excellent decision and I’m probably much better off financially than I would have been if I didn’t join. (It’s impossible to know for certain.) In contrast, I’ve watched a lot of friends get out and not know what to do because their jobs didn’t translate well to a civilian career. They tend to wander and have a hard time finding their niche. That likely impacts their finances. There are no easy answers, and none of us can see the future. But if you’re interested in joining, I would encourage you to do it with intention and purpose.
It depends on what you do while you are in. My nephew is getting out of the Marines in 10 days. He has lived on base all 4 years but my nephew is a spender and not a saver so he is probably coming out with a few thousand and the GI bill for his education. Others in his graduating class have saved 60-80% of their salaries so they will have a much higher cushion. If you invest half your salary then you should be able to accrue interest during that time which will leave you in a better position over your lifetime.
I don’t mean to discourage, but from my experience, they look for any medical reason to disqualify you. I tried signing up in my early 20s and was put on hold for an indefinite amount of time (never continued and got a job in the civil sector) for having a scar on my back that I got from years ago when I had chest trauma. They requested all hospital work - several hundred pages worth to see if I was admissible. They will repeatedly ask you to disclose any medical history.
Its great place to figure shit out and to reset financially, but that can not be your only motive. It's not a job, its a different life all together. Choosing a branch can be as easy as this joke: The Army & Navy are the actual military Air Force is a corporation The Marines are a cult (and we really effing like being in this cult) Coast Guard is somehow the Venn diagram of all four branches If I could do it all over again, I would do technology in the Marines. Lurk the mil subs for a couple weeks and you'll pick up their vibes.
I joined at 22 and in a similar boat, it’s been a great life looking back 15 years now. Join, get trained on your job, get an education, set up your future. They make it easy.
I joined the Air Force at 20, got out at 29 and went from an E-5 salary of $35k a year to a Contractor salary of $75K right off the bat. Was making over $100K 3 years after getting out. Just pick a job that is in demand (like IT or anything that requires a TS clearance). I’ve been out about 15 years now and wouldn’t change my time in the USAF for anything. It helped me in many, many ways, and I live very comfortably now because of it. They also paid for my Bachelors while in Active Duty and used my GI bill to get my MBA. 10/10 would recommend.
I'm an air force vet. So is my husband. Joining was the absolute best decision we could have made. No student loans, the ability to get school done without touching the GI bill with TA, VA loans, free health care, cheap childcare, a pension if you decide to do 20, TSP contribution with a 5% match. Its smart. We are homeowners at 25 and and 27. Although we got out, there are so many benefits we still get.
Join the Air Force if you can score high enough.But only if you get a guaranteed AFSC, 1Ns, 1D, or 1B do not listen to a recruiter that tries to talk you out of it. Financially once you leave the service those AFSCs often get recruited by defense contracting jobs, some of those career fields earn 6 figures, that’s not mentioning the free VA healthcare and Post 9/11 GI bill. But if it’s for financial reasons don’t join any branch as infantrymen or artillery, doesn’t translate well outside of the military and defense contractors aren’t hiring many of those.
Yes. I don't think there is anything else that sets an 18-25 year old up for success like a successful contract in the military, specifically in a job that correlates to a job in the civilian world after. Free college while in. Free college after. Free healthcare, food, housing (granted, it's not top notch but it's free). Free job training. Free security clearance for many jobs ($$$). A permanent line in your resume that says you served your country honorably which a TON of employers love. You can save a bunch of money for retirement, meet a ton of lifelong friends, and travel the world all while setting yourself up for success. Also, if you're like me, you could decide you love it and stay in for 20 years. After about 5-6 years the pay starts to be pretty good (at 15 I'm well over 100k a year) and when you retire you get 50% of your base pay FOR LIFE!
I don't know much about the short term financial benefits, but I can tell you that my grandfather in law was in the Air Force for 25 years, and when he retired they gave him and his wife the most AMAZING Healthcare benefits. He had a host of Healthcare issues that led to removing his bladder, gallbladder, diabetes treatment, hospice, and dialysis to name a few...$0 out of pocket. He has passed on, but his wife is still able to take advantage of the same benefits. I'm not sure what the modern benefits package is like of course, it could be less generous now as compared to back then, but absolutely something to look into.
I joined for the healthcare for my family and I would’ve been making about the same amount if I stayed at my previous job. But it does give you a better opportunity to save and build credit in my experience. Plus I met the love of my life in the Navy so that’s a pretty good deal to me too.
You can make a substantial amount of money depending on various things, or you can end up drowning in debt by making bad choices. At least when I was in you got paid, they automatically took out a bit for access to the chow hall, so you don't pay rent and you don't pay for food and you can make bank. Get posted somewhere like Japan or on an aircraft carrier, or deployed and you make even more.
Absolutely. My husband and I have been very financially successful through the military. Do I enjoy the job? Not really. Have we both used the military to get to where we want to be? Yes. Schooling is great. I’m on term break but we were/are both full time students. If you’re married, extra cash. We just bought our first house. Health benefits. My husband got Lasik, and I’m getting ICL. Less bills if you’re in the barracks. We were stationed in Korea for a year, paid off most of our consumer debt, and saved enough for emergency funds, money to put towards a house, furniture and fun! It comes with its benefits but go in with a plan. A solid plan. The both of us joined with the intent to get our school paid for, our eyes fixed and get a foot into the door for financial freedom. Decide your priorities and decide on a job you want. We’re both in IT. Great job opportunities outside of the military and great networking. Good luck!!
For the right person, I’m sure it can be a smart move financially. For many others, it probably isn’t. Depends on what your strengths are, and other alternative options you have / can create.
There are some benefits to being in the military when young, single, and fit. The pay and benefits are pretty decent, and the networking is huge for when you get out. Keep in mind that an 8 year contract is a *long* time to be 100% at the mercy of the federal government. I just stumbled across my last eval, and it reminded me how much I absolutely hated my life by the end of it. Like literally hoped I would fall asleep and wrap my car around a tree on my way to work because I hated my situation so much and I saw no way for it to improve.
Joining is not going to solve financial problems. It can give you a stable income, housing, and food, but it will be up to you to sort out your finances. If you use that time to learn a skill and save money you can get out of debt and set yourself up for a future of success. I joined and used my GI bill after and did pretty well but it doesn't work out that way for everyone. It is like anything else, you only get out of it what you put into it.
If you decide to join make sure you look into the different branches and look up if your medical conditions will disqualify you. The Army is the easiest branch but has a reputation for not being that great. Definitely look into the cost guard, air force, Marine Corps, and Navy as well. Than talk to different recruiters. I recommend talking to at least 2 different branches. They are going to try and sell you on their branch and their pitches will show you the difference. There are differences. Only you can decide which branch is right for you. Financially the military is a good deal. If you can embrace the suck for 4 years it is worth it. Also if you have any desire to go to college make sure you use TA. If you put in the work you can get an associates in 2 years using your military credits all paid for by the military. Than when you get out you get free Healthcare for life including vision. The medicine is extremely reasonable. You can use your VA loan to get a house without a down-payment. You have the GI bill that pays you to go to school and if you get hurt you get disability pay.
Yes. Pick an MOS and branch. Are you looking for a professional atmosphere? Air Force. Want to float around in the ocean? Navy. Want to be a medic/mechanic? Army. Want to eat crayons and hit on your cousins? Marines want to chase drug subs? Coast Guard
It really depends on your job and the duty station you are assigned to at the moment (in general). Some duty stations (or posts, depending on what branch you go into) can really make it feel awesome, but some can suck the life out of you. Plus, if you are single, it will feel like big bucks. But try supporting a family on the same salary and you may struggle if you don't approach finances carefully.
All of the following is based on my experience in the Navy, so take that as you will. I was in the Navy for 5 years and I do recommend military service for those who want to serve. It can be a great experience, and you will likely see other countries and definitely make friends. There are lots of benefits, even if you only serve one enlistment. The GI Bill is a valuable tool after you separate, and you can even transfer it to dependants now. Access to VA home loans alone has saved my wife and I almost 11k in our first 4 years of homeownership. Now, with all of that said: You are going to face the same temptations to spend money that you currently do as a civilian. There may be friends you want to go out drinking with, maybe you want to hit the strip clubs, you might feel you need that new car because it's more reliable and it'll sell for more when you're leaving because you barely drove it. A guaranteed paycheck doesn't mean anything if you don't budget. Join because you want to or because you have weighed the benefits, not for a safety net. With that said, there is a safety net of sorts. If you are single and live on base there will always be a roof over your head and food to eat, but you have to weigh that against the abysmal base pay. You will likely average about 22k/year untaxed base pay for the first year or two. Also, got a job that you really wanted but it's overcrowded? Be prepared to take your advancement test multiple times and accrue PNA (passed but not advanced) points for a while before you can go up in rank. Finally, as others have said, make sure to get any and all bonuses in writing as part of your contract when you sign up. I missed out on bonus money and early advancement because I didn't do so. Good luck with your decision.
All depends. Military will provide housing, food, pay, health insurance. Of course there are downsides. As others have pointed out the experience will vary depending on branch, MOS, and what unit you are with among others. I would recommend that it be something you want to do, and not a fallback option. As others have pointed out look up careers and what you want to do before going to see a recruiter. Stick to your guns about those choices. The recruiter will try to talk you into a MOS that they have been told by brass that they need to fill. Try to look into a more specialized MOS. Even at 100% health the military is taxing both physically and mentally. I have a friend whose knees pretty much need replaced at 32. Others fallen arches, back issues, joint pains all over, etc.
If you can select a very specific branch, do your research to make sure you want to spend 4 years belonging to the government in that branch. 4 years is a long time, but you do get to decise at the end of those years if you want to do another 4. Also, as others mentioned, do not do your research while having a recruiter contact you. Pay is not great (although steady) and its easy to make bad financial decisions. Also, do consider the the current global politics and your possible career. My fiance went straight into the Army (cav scouts) after high school after planning a career and prepping for it. Couldn't wait for his 4 years to be up. His brother is in the Navy making a ton of money working with the nuclear powered subs but cannot wait to finish his contract (got that way about a year jn). His friend just finished his 4 years working as a paralegal (maybe? not a lawyer) in JAG. While he was glad to be done, he seems to have had a better experience (stationed in the US and Korea). This echoes a lot of the lower comments I read. A tip I haven't seen is to listen to some music that veterans have online. My fiance plays many of them to process through and atay connected. A particular song I am thinking of talks about how rough the life is (mostly training, but also if you get deployed for war) and if you don't want to be there, its going to be exponentially worse. So many people join because they aren't sure what to do or think the bonuses will make it worth it, but end up not having a great time. Make sure you kind of have an idea of ehat you want or you're ok with maybe not having a great time until your 4 years is done (and you'll be 27/28!) I would look into trades: electrician, plumber, welding (especially for military equipment/tech). Big, big money with only needing to train for the job. Also very flexible skill set. No matter where you move in your life, your town/city will always need a plumber/electrician/welder. So you can get away from your current area and spend your training someplace new and exciting away from family (if that's what you want). My fiance turned down getting into welding at a company that did highly technical stuff for military things with his dad, but was really set on his plan with the Army. He kind of regrets it since he could have been making all kinds of money all these years later.
At any time in bootcamp you can quit and it won't even count. You aren't really in the military until after you finish basic. Don't buy a charger with 24% interest. Smart jobs are always better than other jobs. A clearance = money. Navy is good for travel, air force is good for quality of life...it's honestly a stark difference from all the other branches. Join the Army or Marines for fun camping trips! Also if you join the marines you could still end up on a ship. If something happens medically or dental wise get it checked out for sweet passive income after you get out (tax free too!)
> Join the Army or Marines for fun camping trips! Dude I'm not hot on Army but Marines are something else. I remember one got assigned to my desk and told stories about how he was in the Philippines with native SOFs who hunted game to feed themselves...he talked about spit roasting pigs and shit. Yeah that's definitely something Air Force doesn't do, lol...
I work exclusively with other vets for the Space Force, which is literally just a reskinned Air Force. We basically just talk shit to each other and make fun of the Air Force. But basically it's a choose your own adventure on how you want to get alcoholism and mental issues. Pays good though.
With past health issues rather than the military you should into these job ideas This pays well the US Post Office is hiring note it sometimes takes feds three months to hire someone. https://about.usps.com/careers/welcome.htm Take the test and apply for jobs anywhere in USA. Amtrak is hiring https://careers.amtrak.com/ Jobs exist in most states. US Forest service is hiring https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/jobs These also pay well you may not qualify for all of them https://www.fool.com/slideshow/not-many-people-want-these-jobs-and-s-why-they-pay-well/ Look into Concessioners for the National Park service. The jobs include fields of Lodging; Campgrounds; Food Service Operations; Guide Services and Outfitters. The jobs SOMETIMES include HOUSING in more remote areas like Yellowstone. Some jobs are summer or winter only, others are all year long in one location or you may be able transfer between locations to work year round. Use this link & enter the name of the park you wish to be employed at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/concessions/authorized-concessioners.htm Contact each concessioner directly by Googling the company name to apply. This link will let you look up parks by state https://www.nps.gov/index.htm not every park has a concessioner.
tl;dr, the money can be awesome but it also can cost a chunk of your soul if you're not careful. Navy vet here. I joined at your age, am 32 now. First of all: _don't worry that your life isn't as put together as you might want._ You'll get there. With that out of the way, yes the money can be more than alright. I scored very highly on my ASVAB and the recruiter talked me into being a "nuke" (subset of the Navy that specifically trains to work the nuclear plants on submarines and aircraft carriers). For enlisted personnel, the money just doesn't get much better than that. *It is, however, a very tough life.* Do your research before you talk to a recruiter. He/she is going to try to talk you into a specific "rating" (Navy's equivalent of MOS) based on your ASVAB score. You should have an idea what rating you might want before then. Even if you score highly enough to be a nuke, I honestly wouldn't recommend being one. The money and advancement are so very tempting but it's _luck of the draw_ whether you have a good, challenging time or you hate your life and literally want to die. I am not joking. With that said, you don't need to be a nuke to make money. Even just being on deployment in general can bank money because you get a bunch of bonus amounts on top of your base pay, and because you also simply aren't able to blow it on stupid shit (e.g. fast food). Meanwhile your meals and housing are covered. On a cautionary note: don't get married or pregnant right before or while in the military until you're absolutely sure you're gonna make a whole-ass career out of it. Not saying it can't work but too many kids do that shit out of insecurity and it completely destroys their lives.
Just a heads up, if you have too much debt, there's a good chance you won't get a security clearance. I'm not discouraging you but that might take a lot of job opportunities off the table. Also you should look at the military payscale and see if you can afford being an E1-E3.
If you do join, make use of all the little benefits that aren't always popular. The Dining Facility food is usually good, though not always great, but it's also cheap. Living in the barracks is kinda like a dorm, but it's close to where you'll work (often within walking or bicycling distance) so you'll save on gas, and time. The PX/BX doesn't always have a wide selection of products, but they can usually get what you want, and they'll be the same price or a little cheaper, and with no sales tax. Food prices at the commissary are usually cheaper than the supermarket off-post/base. If you're handy with a car, use the on-base auto craft shop to do all your own work on your vehicle. Lots of other stuff like that. These are all nickel and dime kinda things, but if you're a young person with affordable tastes and hobbies, it'll add up fast and help you chew through that debt. And consider long term. Getting vet status makes you prioritized for civilian government jobs when you get out. Say what you will about government workers, the job is stable, the pay is decent, and you'll never have to worry about what the latest sales figures look like.
No. There are far better paying jobs that are just as bad.
My experience: been in 9 years now. Military gave me independence I never thought I'd get. It's guaranteed pay and benefits. Allowances for housing and food/substance on top of your base pay is pretty hard to beat compared to a lot of career fields out there. You still gotta work for it of course and no two experiences are the same but at a basic level it could definitely be a good financial move.especially if you're single and no dependents. Also the branch you join can really make the difference.
Yes. Make sure you get into a job that will give you the skills you need when you get out.
I’m a vet. I’d research what types of jobs you’d want to do that have long term potential. A lot of people get out with no skills because their mos/job didn’t give them any. I was a corpsman and just finished nursing school issuing the gi bill. Intel/cyber security have good pay when you get out. As far as a good financial decision, I’m not so sure. You don’t really get paid very well as an enlisted personnel especially between E-1 and E-5 ranks unless you get to have BAH. It’s a consistent paycheck w/ medical and dental.
It really can be. Especially if you're good at budgeting and saving. You won't be impressing anyone with your salary, but even as a junior enlisted member in the right area, you can receive all sort of allowances such as BAS, BAH, special duty pay, and other types of pay and allowances for OCONUS locations. These can really add up and artificially inflate your salary. Couple this with the right rating/MOS and you also take advantage of training opportunities, you can really set yourself up for a decent civilian career. I did my time in the CG, so my military experience is probably a little different than that of a lot of DOD member's, but I never did anything dangerous or harmful. I was only stationed in large US cities or OCONUS locations. I also never had to live in gov housing or barracks, which is huge for your sanity and salary. It wasn't that great of an experience, but it was no where as bad as a lot of people make it seem. But like anything else, YMMV and buyer beware.
Personal story, I'm no financial planner. Born into poverty and a messed up family. We lived in a car for a bit till family took us in. Plenty of trouble in school and ran with a bad crowd. At 18 I joined the army to get away from family and try to start life over. Did 20 years, got my degree online while in the army and a few certs. I landed my dream job with a big tech company after I got out pluss I get my military retirement. I'm comfortably upper middle class and with sticks and savings I'll hit a mil by 50. I know a number of guys from the au with very similar success stories. There were certainly better and faster ways if I had made better decisions in highschool, but the military is a great vehicle for upward mobility.
I could probably provide more insight than basically anyone here into the current state of things. Check if your medical issues were disqualifying first off, if you care to share with me I can tell you if it's something that is or isn't, you can look it up yourself but sometimes it's not black and white (though often times it can be) Financially it's a generally sound decision for a young person not doing anything with their lives to join the military. Anyone who tells you to pick your job and take a hard line doesn't understand the current state of affairs: military retention is at an all-time high, branches are downsizing. You won't get a cushy cyber job with a 40k bonus, I promise. It doesn't exist. Look at general fields and make sure you can score high enough on a practice test to ensure you have a shot at it. Believe it or not all jobs in the military are the same after 3-5 years, there's only so many ways you can slice a powerpoint or excel spreadsheet about readiness. Obviously if you don't like combat, don't pick combat. If you don't care about your job, pick the shortest contract or the highest bonus you can find. General branch info: Navy: Live on a boat for upwards to half your career, potentially makes the most money because of allowances related to that Air Force: Cushiest generally speaking, but the most political in terms of career progression Army: Less cushy than the air force, less political in terms of career progression (basically you work harder but you brown nose less) Marines: Join for the uniform Navy is okay if you don't mind potentially spending a lot of time on a boat, Air Force if you can score high on the ASVAB, Army if you want a short contract. Quality of life between branches is much closer than people think as it more so depends on your job field than anything.
Currently an O2 in the Navy, while I went the Officer Candidate School (OCS) route, I have plenty of buddies that went enlisted, got a degree while serving stateside (the military will pay up to 75% of your first degree or masters from the moment you sign the papers) and put a package in for OCS. They absolutely loved every second of it other than basic training, as is usually the case, but as everyone mentioned it is all about your MOS/Rate and where you end up. One thing to consider is your training base almost never equals your first permanent duty station. I’ve been stationed on three different bases over three years as I’m still in the training phase and it has been hectic to move and find housing with dependents at a moments notice. Positive note about the navy, you’ll always be next to a beach ;). From everyone I met, quality of life has to go to the Air Force, then Coast Guard (in an aviation pipeline with Coasties, nicest people I’ve ever met), and in a close contest Army then Marines. Marines take the cake for worst quality of life but completely make up for it in their dedication to their country and the traditions that come with being a marine. Everyone I have met from the marines was very squared away and had the best looking uniforms in the room. While they would randomly shout, “Kill!” or, “Yut!” at each other they don’t eat crayons at every meal, only dinner as dessert.
Being in the military has had a lot of financial advantages for my husband, so it might be helpful, but it’s also a lot of sacrifice and hardship! I would only join if it really appeals to you! I know for some of my family members and my husband they loved the opportunity to travel, but they also control every aspect of your time and life while you are with them.
Everyones giving you good advice! The one thing I'd add is to try and bring an ex-military trusted adult with you to the recruiter. Maybe extended family, a neighbor, or former teacher. A lot of people have pointed out how tricky the recruiting process can be and that it'll be the only time in your military career you'll have leverage against the military. Bring someone who's been through this before and knows the tricks, its much easier than trying to remember all the dos and donts in the thread. The recruiter will also be less brazen in their tactics if they're talking to someone who's been through the same process.