[aldaron327]

Originally Posted by TheMadHatter99

Can't help you with much of the rest but I can help you here.

You're going to need a full bachelor's degree at least to even be considered for any officer program (unless Seaman-to-Admiral somehow waves that requirement) which will mean probably at least 4 years of schooling followed by some sort of officer training, either OCS or maybe ROTC while at school or the Academy. Regardless, what I'm trying to convey is it won't be a quick transition.

Then again, you could go Army and become a Warrant Officer like me!
I have a 4 year degree, but it's not a requirement. I fly Apache attack helicopters and I'm in Iraq right now. It's never easy being away from home, but the job itself is rewarding. I still have to do PT and take PT tests like every other service member, but I fly a very complex and technically advanced aircraft. Flight school can take up to 2 years, but it's a blast.

The reality is just what all the others have stressed to you on this board. Being in the service is just that... you are SERVING the American people. Your life ceases being your own to an extent. You become the instrument of our nation's foreign policy. You have to do things that you don't always like doing and may not agree with, but if it's a lawful order, you will follow it.

In the end, the benefits of a military career are pretty good. You'll also develop a better sense of personal pride. You'll get to see some pretty cool places (probably pretty warm places in the near future) and meet tons of interesting people. You'll have to endure hardships that most civilians would balk at, but you'll become stronger as a person than you have ever been and you'll get a feel for your own worth as a human being and as a servicemember. Just my .02