[calljack]

I got two words for you.

Air Force.

[Red Badger]

GET A GUARANTEED MOS (MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY) BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING! ALSO DEMAND A RANK OF E2 OR HIGHER UPON COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING!........

[Yo-Yo]

Get any promises in writing. Ask about delayed enlistment in order to guarantee training in a desired field. Ask about the minimum obligation for the desired training. Save the Air Force recruiter for last, because that is who she will end up enlisting with. ;^)

[twstearman]

Just like the Badger says, get a guarantee on a job! Only problem is the Recruiter probably can't give that guarantee himself. That happens at a MEPS for the Navy (What I do incidentally).

Good luck!

[deport]

What questions would you have or ask of a college or university?

What questions would you ask of an employer at the interview?

What questions would you ask of yourself regarding what you expect out of opportunity?

[Kaylee Frye]

It might also be a good idea to talk about duty stations and which ones are easier to get for which MOSs. I wouldn't believe every word a recruiter says, though. They are under intense pressure to deliver recruits and will often stretch the truth or outright lie. I agree with "get everything in writing". Even so, be aware that the needs of the Army (or Air Force or Navy or Marines) will always come first. She may also want to ask about educational opportunities and other benefits. Ask the dumb questions because when you're in basic training and you can't get help is not the time to realize that you need help.

And Hooah from an Army wife! :)

[Redleg1963]

Make sure you ask specifically what MOS (Job) she will get. Don't take the answer, in the Communications Field.

IMO, make sure she gets the GI Bill. She'll have to put money in for it, but I have too many troops who didn't want it when they signed up, then realized they needed it when they got out.

Enlistments are for 8 years. Even if she does only 2 or 3 active, she is subject to recall for the whole 8.

Most bonus' are paid half up front (or completion of AIT)and the rest over a 2 or 3 year period. If she takes a bonus and does not complete her enlistment (except for certain medical reasons) the Government will come back and get that money. You might want to inquire about that.

Makes sure she gets everything the Recruiter told her in writing. If it's not in writing, you won't get it.

Good luck to you daughter.

[ansel12]

For a female the Air Force is the best bet, in the Army she will be constantly preyed on by the males and lesbians, while the Air Force will be similar, it may not be as aggressive or threatening.

[Gay State Conservative]

I could be very much mistaken,but if you're thinking "safety" for your daughter,think Air Force or Navy.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Marine recruiter will ask her what she can do for the Corps, not what the Corps can do for her.

[yldstrk]

It won't matter. Once she is in what will matter is how she conducts herself. If she is hardworking, honest and keeps her nose clean, she'll do great. If she is a victim type, trying to enforce the contract and threatening to call her folks or her Congrssman, she'll have a terrible time. I tell you this as a female who had a great time and was proud to serve in the US Army.

[TexasTransplant]

Has she already taken all of the tests and gotten back the results?

The results would help to refine the choices and opportunities, there isn't really much to talk about with a Recruiter until you know what is available.

[Pondman88]

Good luck!!! If you ask me there ain't a higher calling than serving for your country!

[Ben Mugged]

The Air Force has the best managers and good opportunity for advancement. The Navy has the best training and tech schools. IMHO young ladies should avoid the Marines and Army. If the recruiter makes any offers, have them put it in writing or don't believe it. Make sure you meet the aptitude and minimum entry requirements for a selected career field before you sign the enlistment papers. But my best advice is to only go in as an officer. Get your school behind you then select a military career. You will find it much more rewarding.

[mrsmith]

"What'd you get that medal for?" is a good ice breaker....

Good luck, when one member of a family joins- they all join.

[jz638]

tough to suggest without knowing why your daughter is intending to join the military, and what career fields she's interested in.

Without knowing anything however, I'd ask about the levels of equivalent civilian education her prospective military training would garner, and I'd want to see something in writing. Some tech schools last a year or more, some you can walk out with an associates degree, others bumpkus. There are tradeoffs to that education of course, and maybe your daughter is looking for an adventure or a challenge more than an education, but that would be one of my questions.

I'd also want definites on the lengths of required initial enlistment for her prospective jobs. Not everyone signs up for a three year tour, many of the more enticing jobs require four or five year terms. That's a five year commitment before your daughter gets to return to civilian life (or get a re-up bonus.)

[ladtx]

Ask about the Army recruiter about the Warrant Officer flight training program. Unless things have changed she can become a Warrant Officer and a helicopter pilot within a year, provided she can pass the flight physical and the aptitude tests. It's a tough program but very rewarding, of course I'm prejudiced as a retired Army Warrant Officer.

[elc]

If she ends up leaning toward the Air Force, I'd want to know how the proposed personnel cuts might affect her as a new recruit. Most of the cuts are coming on the enlisted side.

[TSgt]

Run, don' t walk to the AIR FORCE recruiter.

Having served 10 years in the Air Force I can tell you that not only do they have the best of everything, they also have the best training and jobs that are easily applicable to the civilian world. Navy second, Army third and I wouldn't even consider the Marines.

Try to find a job that involves a technical school longer than 6 months and require the rank of E2 upon completion of basic training. Also ask to see if they are offering bonuses based on specific career fields. The last two are things I wish I knew about when I signed up.

Most of all make sure your daughter knows that it is an honor to serve and it will be a positive life experience that she can use for the rest of her life.

Good luck,

Mike USAF 1995 - 2005

[isom35]

my first question would be "hey RECRUITER, what's with the caps lock?"