Which Branch of Service is Best for an 18 YO Female to Join

freerepublic.com ^ | 10/09/10 | TnGop

[TnGOP]

Hi everyone. My daughter is a senior in high school, 18 years old, and will be graduating next May. She has decided to join the military after high school.

Her goal in life is to be an MD, and needs to go into the branch of service that will help her the most toward that goal. She has spoken with a Navy recruiter and a Marine Corp recruiter at school, but is still undecided.

I work with a bunch of retired military folks from all branches. Most of them are recommending Air Force or National Guard.

What we are looking for is the branch that will help her with college expenses, and further her goals of becoming a doctor. I'm going to turn this over to her for this thread so she can respond directly to you. Thanks for your help in this most important matter.

[TnGOP]

OK Freepers. Here is your chance to tell us the good, bad, and ugly of your branch of service to a future recruit.

[spokeshave]

Submariners

[ObamaMustGo2012]

As an Air Force veteran, I’m a bit biased to my group as a choice for women.

The Marines? Please, no.

The Army? You want your daughter to be a grunt?

The Navy? The two happiest men in the navy are John Fitzpatrick and Patrick Fitzjohn, if you know what I mean (wink, wink.)

In all the branches, she’ll get to travel, but it’s quicker getting back and forth with the Fly Boy’s. Also, since most of the Air Force jobs are technical in nature, for the most part, she’ll be hanging with a smarter group of people.

Ok, as I said, I’m a bit biased.

[Tamatoa]

Air Force... I am an Army veteran but for daughters I would recommend the Air Force. When my daughters get to be of age I would also recommend they join the Air Force.

[edcoil]

While my service was in the Navy in the Submarine service.

I’d recommend either the Coast Guard, or the Merchant Marines. The MM have an excellent education system without the military commitment of the other services.

Wish her good luck. My daughter graduated from HS this year and entered college.

[ConservativeMind]

Boy, I’d suggest the Air Force, from my own knowledge, as well.

[chasio649]

Air Force...i was a Navy veteran...wouldn’t recommend it for female.

[M Kehoe]

What Tamatoa said in post 4. Although, going Squid might work too.

5.56mm

[2ndDivisionVet]

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
http://www.usuhs.mil/

[Godebert]

Make sure you research the MOS (specific job specialty) before signing any enlistment papers. I take it that going the ROTC scholarship route is not an option?

[FlingWingFlyer]

Another Army guy who would recommend the Air Force due to her life objective of becoming an MD.

[fanfan]

ping

[TnGOP]

The ROTC program is kind of out unless I get my ACT math score up. I have a 17 in math and need a 21 to do the ROTC program, that is actually what I would like to do but my ACT scores will not allow it.

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Army has more Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) than any other branch, mainly because they're the largest. Most soldiers are NOT combat arms (”grunts”) as you stated. Only the Army will write a contract to a particular MOS rather than a “career field” which may include undesirable jobs. Due to my GT score, I was offered ANY MOS the Army offered but was “encouraged” to go into Military Intelligence by the MI counselor at the AFEES, who wouldn't take no for an answer. First he wanted me to be a “diddly-bop” (Morse Code Interceptor) but having grown up in the Marine Corps where my late father was a Commo Chief Gunnery Sergeant, I knew better than to pick that one. I settled on Order-of-Battle/Intel Analyst after perusing the catalogue.

[biggredd1]

Air Force or Air National Guard.

[bannie]

Air Force

[Scarpetta]

Coast Guard.

[jospehm20]

Air Force. She will fit right in, most guys in the Air Force are kind of girly too.

[Dr. Sivana]

Why does she want to join the armed forces in the first place?

[CaraMiaR]

I know a woman who joined the Air Force and resigned after 11 years when they wanted to send her back to back to Saudi Arabia, where you cannot leave the base except in a burka. One year was her duty and she did it, but two was too much to ask. She was an officer and a professional. I say pffft to the Air Force. Our country is less safe without her.