Freeper Help Requested: Which branch of the service should I join?

Question/Vanity | 10/15/2001 | ME

[Myrnick]

This is my first (and hopefully only) vanity post. I just wanted to get the input of all the veteran (and current military) Freepers.

I am giving serious consideration to joining a branch of the armed services (or their reserves). I would like a little guidance from those with more experience than me.

A short resume:

Age: 30
Married
Father
Probably 40 lbs overweight but not unhealthy
Bachelor's degree in history
Employed currently as a money manager

My dad was in the Air Force prior to Vietnam, and I am not sure I want to quit my job so I was thinking Air Force Reserve. I am driven to this decision by two desires, one to serve my country, and two to participate in this "war on terrorism" even if I'm just driving a desk. I've been particularly frustrated lately. Giving money, donating blood, and flying the flag daily just aren't cutting it.

Your insight regarding pitfalls and plusses would be greatly appreciated.

[First_Salute]

U.S. Coast Guard

[dep]

navy.

first, you can do just about anything -- especially aviate -- there. second, as a senator once put it to me in an interview, "when the army wants something, they come to us and ask. when the air force wants something, they put together a big multimedia presentation. when the navy wants something, we find out about it when we get the bill."

dep

[Night Hides Not]

I applaud you for wanting to serve. I think AF Reserve would be a good choice. However, you must be there for your family first. I think our President would say the same thing. There are plenty of unmarried 18-25 year olds to fill the active duty slots.

When I was in the Army, I was stationed on AF bases for four years. Man, those guys (the zoomies) had it made! The AF does a much better job of taking care of their people. I'd be on duty for 4 days straight during a base alert (catnaps at night), while the AF guys & gals would bitch about having to work 12 hour shifts!

I do remember one great joke, though: What's the difference between being in the Air Force and being on welfare?

A: When you're on welfare, you have to go GET your check!

[DLfromthedesert]

Right now, none. My son was in the Army, broke his foot. They misdiagnosed it as a sprained ankle; he walked around on it for 3 months before another doctor diagnosed it correctly. His foot is permanentl damaged. He dcannot run, and the VA will NOT agree with that assessment. Screw them if this is how you get treated. You risk your life and get screwed .

[DoSomethingAboutIt]

army....it doesn't look like this is helping too much so far

[wastoute]

ou are a 30 year old married father. Do what you are doing now for our country. Believe me, I know, I work for the Army.

[PhiKapMom]

If you join anything, join the AF Reserves or Air National Guard. Been around the AF for more years than I like to count, my daughter is now in the Navy in school in Florida, and I still would recommend the AF hands down!

[detsaoT]

To quote the Simpsons: "Yvan eht nioj!"

:) ttt

[HEFFERNAN2]

Your first responsibility is to your wife and family. Period. And nothing could be more patriotic for you than to raise your children to be patriotic Americans. Period. And lastly by being a successful businessman and helping this economy and paying your taxes you are doing more than most and any time that you have left you could do some volunteer work like visiting the veterans at your local V.A. hospital or getting involved in the USO with your family. Advice from a combat Marine Corps veteran. Semper Fi, Mike

[Henry F. Bowman]

From what I have heard of the co-ed services, I'd pick the Marines or one of the elite forces, if it were possible to qualify.

[FRMAG]

Been retired for more than ten years from the Army (after 26 years) but the thinking used to be.

NAVY for chow

ARMY for rank

AIR FORCE for quarters and USMC if you want to break things and kill people.

Coast Guard sounds good these days.

[SlickWillard]

Probably 40 lbs overweight but not unhealthy

If you are really 40 lbs overweight, it would take you a minimum of six months, although probably more like a year, to whip your body into the kind of shape it would need to be in for you to have even a snowball's chance in hell of making it through basic training.

I'm talking six months of a strict non-fat, non-sugar diet, no more than about 1500 calories a day, jogs of five miles a day, stairwork every day in a local skyscraper, weightlifting three or more time a week, swimming 1500 meters a day, 100 or more pushups a day, 100 or more situps/leg lifts a day, 50 or more pullups/chinups a day, etc. You're looking at four hours a day of exercise, on top of the eight hours a day you're already working at your job. This leaves approximately zero hours a day for the wife and kids.

There's also no guarantee your heart could take it; you'd need to see a cardiologist and have him give you the green light first.

[cactmh]

Could someone tell us what the minimum requirements are as far as running, push-ups and sit-ups? I would like to get into military shape just in case. cactmh, 23 yrs old

[RaceBannon]

I think you are too old to enlist now for the first time. At your age, and emotional experience, one of the more stricter services is NOT for you, so go for Air Force or Navy or Coast Guard.

[fourdeuce82d]

Depends on what you want. If you want technical training (jet engine, etc., I would guess AF/Navy. If you want a combat arms deal, but don't want to do the ranger/seal/marine thing, go army- either tanker or bradley crewman.

If your heart is set on being hairy chested, I'd recomend Ragner battalion. I did time in the 82d infantry, (80-83) and while I'm proud to have served my country, you don't really get any bragging rights for falling out of a plane a few times.

'course SEALs are pretty much it in the hairy chested dept., but they have areally high attrition rates.

At this point, from what I've heard, I'd guess (and yes this hurts to say) the Marine Corp is a more serious, hard-core, combat oriented outfit than the other services. Not as tough as ranger school/seal, but I'd have to give them the nod over eighty-deuce.

of course in the end, each service will be what you make it- if you decide you're going to be a hard-core, gung ho, STRAC troop, it won't matter where you go.

Good luck, and feel free to email me if you have any questions.

[HEFFERNAN2]

P.S. war is for single men who if they are MIA or KIA will not leave orphans and widows. S/F Mike

[Matsuidon]

Take care of your family first. Do not buy into the propaganda from an unconstitutional government. If they need cannon fodder let them go themselves.

matsuidon (police state)

[Mr.Clark]

Remember, you can only join the Coast Guard if you are six feet tall or taller. That way you won't drown.

Sorry, couldn't resist the old Navy joke.

[Eva]

The Coast Guard. I should warn you though, they are also calling up reserves to active duty.