Posted on 10/09/2010 2:10:47 PM PDT by 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.
1 yr. in Saudi Arabia over 11 yrs. as opposed to multiple tours in Kandahar that last for 14 mos?
Bless her for serving but you go where they tell you. That is the nature of the beast.
I liked the Navy. Wide range of jobs, big ships, lots of billets in pleasant places like Norfolk and San Diego... I’d do it again.
A little more:
Consider the Service Academies. She’ll be on active duty for the entire four years, and will have a commitment obligation of five to six years after, but:
1. They offer a bachelor’s degree, so she’s partway to the MD, and;
2. If she does well academically, she may have the opportunity to attend med school while on active duty. This will incur an additional obligation - usually of two years service for each year of school - but it leads to an MD, and a guaranteed practice for the time she’s in the service.
Again, check it out. The Naval Academy - my alma mater - has what they call “Blue and Gold Representatives” in all states, and can answer questions and provide suggestions, maybe even help in finding a source for appointments to the Academy. I’m sure the other Academies have similar services.
Good luck to your daughter.
I was USN but believe strongly that USAF would be the best for a woman.
Do what you have to to get your test scores up. Colleges have “learning support” classes for students who are weak in math or English. See if you can audit or take one of these classes locally.
The more course work you can test out of, the better off you will be in the long run. The higher you test pre enlistment, the more choices you will have.
My understanding is some of the services want to see a semester or more of post HS study before enlistment, is that the case in your area?
TnGop,
I’d say it sort of depends on how smart your daughter is.
NOt meaning any trouble, if she is REALLY smart, go in the Air Force.
Then the Coast Guard, Navy, Army, Marines.
Course if you are just trying to marry her off,,,,
Send her to the Army.
I had a live-in girlfriend in the 80’s who had been in the Air Force. She said most of her basic was learning how to properly dress and apply make-up. Then I worked as a civilian contractor at Fort Hood in the mid-90s. The male soldiers (pickle suiters) would be hoofing with 60 pound packs and the ladies had fanny packs. When people started complaining, they all started carrying fanny packs. Just my observations.
I would say the Air Force is a better career choice for a young woman.
Okay, back for more. Check out this link:
http://www.usmilitary.com/4245/armed-forces-medical-school-education/
My wife, a former Navy nurse, suggested this.
Air Force-Air traffic controller.
As a benefit, USAF food is the best in the services. Navy isn't far behind.
I believe all branches have pretty much the same tuition assistance programs, so that's a wash.
If she really wants to be a doctor, she should go ROTC and get her degree before her active service. It's very difficult to handle school and an enlisted job.
Best wishes to her, and thank her for considering service to our nation.
/johnny
There are very few higher callings than that of a “diddy bopper.” It is truly a noble profession.
But she's definitely not your typical pretty girl...
Yes, but it drives many crazy, and I’m crazy enough as it is!!
GO NAVY
My niece was partway through medical school and joined the Navy. I believe they paid off all the education loans she had taken out, and paid the remainder of her schooling. They’ve been very good to her, and she got an immediate promotion when she finished her internship. She’s at Bethesda right now as a resident, I think. She has had to take three weeks of officer’s training, but was not required to take basic training.
I understand, and agree that basic training has declined a bit. But it’s after basic that recruits get the chance to “strike” for a rating specialty, such as medical corpsman, and attend the technical training schools. That’s worth getting through the basic cosmetology training, if enlisting is her choice.
Thanks to your ex for her service.
I, too, am a retired Army officer...and I would recommend the Air Force for my daughter.
Agree with you 100%.
I spent 27 years in Cryptology with duty in subs, overseas and stateside. Navy had PA’s as well as MDs. They are drawn from the Corpsman rating after a number of years service. You attend I believe two years of schooling to become a PA. My dealing with my Army, Air Force counterparts, I discovered their schooling is limited to the specific item because they rely on RepDepo for major equipment repair. Navy gives more complete training because you can drive up to a repair facility to get it fixed. The Navy as a large correspondence course program for both enlised and officer. As an enlisted I complete over 60 officer courses before becoming an LDO.
The Military and the quality of the personnel regardless of branch are big step up from the general public.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
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