Semper Fi ...
Posted on 06/16/2010 11:34:05 AM PDT by keats5
My 20 year old son has informed us that he intends to enlist in either the Army or Marines, after his first year of college. He did alright in college, but he is not set on any particular civilian job. What he really wants to do is something in the military, and he wants to do that full time without waiting to complete another three years of college.
He was majoring in exercise science with a mild interest in physical therapy down the line, but he's not enthralled with those majors. He would seriously consider being a lifer in the military. He has also expressed interest in Police, FBI, CIA type work.
He is in amazing shape, as he is a gym rat who gets up at 5 AM every morning to work out 2-3 hours before work/ school. (By the way, he did not get this drive from his parents.) He is above average intelligence, fine at math, science and well written. He has talked to an Army recruiter and was told he would have to decide on a job before he began training. So far, he is interested in the pathway to an Army Ranger. He still needs to talk to a Marine recruiter.
Do any of your FReepers have some wisdom to share? He would like to eventually get his degree, ideally while in the military. If he serves his four years, could he gain some college credit in the military? If he switched into the reserves while he got his degree, would that affect his pension? Which civilian jobs could he aim for from a Ranger background?
Anything you could share would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Air Force.
The Marine recruiter will ask him, “Would you be more satisfied after climbing over a 6 foot wall or a 12 foot wall?”
Marines, see tagline.
Can he squeeze his head in a jar? If so, Marines....
He might try for an appointment to one of the academies.
An Infantry background will not give him the technical abilities for many jobs. However, it will give him the leadership background and employers love grunts.
Combine infantry with a college degree and he’s a solid prospect.
I’m partial to My Army (America’s senior service - we always march in the FRONT), but the USMC is no slouch either. The Army offers a better selection of duty assignments (positions, countries, units, etc.).
Anyway, he’s be mighty priveleged to serve in any of our country’s services.
Marines. He will become 10 feet tall and the world will cower in his presence. Army. Not so much. Navy and Air Force. You have to be kidding.
“Vanity: Should my son enlist in Army or Marines?”
Neither, for two reasons:
1) We don’t have a Commander-in-Chief who is an American citizen: therefore, all orders Nobama gives will be ruled moot
2) The person who is acting as Commander-in-Chief is a muslim, and is therefore speaking for the enemies of our country.
If he has the time and the opportunity any service will pay 75% to 100% of his tuition and books for college courses completed while he serves. In a perfect world he could finish a 4 year degree during his enlistment, get out, and then use his GI BILL to pay for grad school.
Might want to consider becoming a combat medic or firefighter/para-medic. Great training and excellent employment opportunities if he wants to get out after his commitment. Depending on the state, fire department paramedics have income-time off-retirement advantages that he wouldn’t have to finish college to have a very good income and support a family.
Just sayin...
My youngest son is a former Marines. He served as a SAW gunner in Iraq. The physical and mental transformation was amazing, and very positive.
I am very proud of him.
Do you trust your politicians,specificly the present commander in chief?If you Then yes I would reccomenda stint in the military.
If you don’t trust him the I would avoid making that reccomendation untill the present commander in chief is voted out.
Afterall you have to trust the President to do the Right thing and not place the lives of your lovedones in jeopardy uneccessarily.
I suggest the USMC.
I would say that which ever Corps gives him the best deal on training for a civilian job.
However, speaking as an ex-infantryman who became a REMF court reporter/stenographer, if he's as smart as you say, my recommendation would be for him to go into ROTC at the college and come into the Service as an officer. Any officer who has a parent who is also a FReeper is someone that the Army desperately needs.
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