Thinking about joining the military

[JKLNHYD]

Originally Posted by GTAHVIT

I wouldn't dispute that. But there's no reason for him to start enlisted if he can start as a officer.

Yes he will be probably be a better officer if he has been prior enlisted... But there are more then a few mustangs running around that are worthless.

Bottom line, this thread is about whats best for him. Now, after he puts the uniform on then it is about whats best for the Navy/Army/Airforce/Marines...

[Epitaph]

Thanks for all of the replies, I wasn't expecting so many.

I've never even been arrested - so no, I don't have any criminal offences.

I know because I have an artery( pushing on my left ear drum. NAS Whiting Field (outside of Pensacola, Fl) has my records - stepfather was in the navy. Getting them wouldn't be a problem.

Do I have a problem with getting shot at? I sure do, but I'm pretty sure that everyone does. If I need to do something for my country, I'm sure as hell going to do it. Other people have done it for me & I'm going to return the favor if need be(to my country).

What kind of job do I want? Anything that will give me experience in the Computer Science field. Thanks for the offer - I'll let you know if I need to.

Just remember that your subordinates are people and you can't accomplish your mission without them. Take care of your people, and they will take care of you.

I wish people would do that in "the real world". That's how I took over as manager 2 months after getting my first job(at the age of 18). I respected my colleagues, and I gained their respect. My manager ended up getting fired & I took his place. I know it's not the same situtation as the military, but it's the same idea.

Just to let you all know, I'm going to take each person's comment into consideration. I'll let you know what happens within the next 2 months. Thanks for taking your time & responding.

Last but not least, thanks for serving in the US Military. Hopefully I will be able to join you.

[GTAHVIT]

Computer science is not really a job in the Navy. I would guess that Airforce may be your best chance for computer science. Assuming the focus is on software development.

There are a few special programs in the navy that involve working with a contractor or an R&D command that may allow you to work with developers but those are completely luck of the draw and very rare.

the closest thing the Navy has is IT's and their focus is Networks, PC and server maintenance. No software development. You might get a chance and some web development but again lucky placement with the detailer...

FWIW.

[monstertodd]

10 yrs, 10 mo, and 26 days active duty in the Navy. I separated in December of 2008. If you like seeing the world, then join the Navy. Just ask me, I've been everywhere. I wouldn't trade my time in the Navy for ANYTHING.

Everyone here has there own opinions about what service is "better" or has better job opportunities. Take it with a grain of salt. People tend to get pretty passionate about their services, and as such, there tend to be some pretty emotional arguments.

Truth be told, all the service's have excellent opportunities and all are outstanding at what they do.

Thinking you won't get an opportunity because you didn't join the right service is nonsense.

I worked on SH-60 helicopters as a greaseball airframe mechanic for my entire time active duty, and you know what I do now? I'm a civilian contractor flying UAV's. Those two positions don't exactly correlate especially considering I have no prior experience working on, or flying UAV's.

As others have previously stated, make an INFORMED decision regarding your career. Don't let a recruiter cajole you into a profession that you don't really want anything to do with. YOU are in charge of YOUR career, so make the right decisions early on. I would be confident in saying that on this forum alone, there are literally HUNDREDS of years of combined military experience from which to draw upon. So ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

Another thing: If a recruiter tells you that a certain job is "not currently available", tell them to call you when it is "available". I can't stress this enough.

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by monstertodd

10 yrs, 10 mo, and 26 days active duty in the Navy. I separated in December of 2008. If you like seeing the world, then join the Navy. Just ask me, I've been everywhere. I wouldn't trade my time in the Navy for ANYTHING.

Everyone here has there own opinions about what service is "better" or has better job opportunities. Take it with a grain of salt. People tend to get pretty passionate about their services, and as such, there tend to be some pretty emotional arguments.

Truth be told, all the service's have excellent opportunities and all are outstanding at what they do.

Thinking you won't get an opportunity because you didn't join the right service is nonsense.

I worked on SH-60 helicopters as a greaseball airframe mechanic for my entire time active duty, and you know what I do now? I'm a civilian contractor flying UAV's. Those two positions don't exactly correlate especially considering I have no prior experience working on, or flying UAV's.

As others have previously stated, make an INFORMED decision regarding your career. Don't let a recruiter cajole you into a profession that you don't really want anything to do with. YOU are in charge of YOUR career, so make the right decisions early on. I would be confident in saying that on this forum alone, there are literally HUNDREDS of years of combined military experience from which to draw upon. So ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

Another thing: If a recruiter tells you that a certain job is "not currently available", tell them to call you when it is "available". I can't stress this enough.

This man speaks the truth!

I was a helo crewman rescue swimmer and now I'm and IT project manager.....



But I would have never gotten the job I have had it not been for my military experience.

[leperkhaun]

Originally Posted by GTAHVIT

Computer science is not really a job in the Navy. I would guess that Airforce may be your best chance for computer science. Assuming the focus is on software development.

There are a few special programs in the navy that involve working with a contractor or an R&D command that may allow you to work with developers but those are completely luck of the draw and very rare.

the closest thing the Navy has is IT's and their focus is Networks, PC and server maintenance. No software development. You might get a chance and some web development but again lucky placement with the detailer...

FWIW.

The Air Force has a couple jobs for programmers. There is an enlisted career field for them. As for officers im not sure (since im enlisted i dont much pay attention to officer AFSCs). I know that they do some of that as one of my friends was one.

It really depends on what job you get. My dad went in with an english lit degree and became a weapons controller. My former chief of maintenance had a comp sci degree, came in as a comm officer, and did not ever use one bit of his degree. He admited to forgetting all of that stuff.

A technical degree will give you better chances of getting a slot than a non technical degree. However that does not guarantee that your job with have anything to do with it.

One thing to remember is that they might not have openings right when you want to join. Id probably reccomend against going enlisted so you could join and then trying to get a slot at OTS. Just keep checking back with them and see when a spot opens up.

[Zeus]

What do AF Officers get paid?

[TFord]

Originally Posted by BEARS-SS

The BEST officers in all the branches are those who respect their SNCO, NCO, and soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines. I've seen both sides of the coin on prior enlisted. Ones that keep the understanding of what it's like to be enlisted, and ones who treat their enlisted like crap (because that's what they went through). It's really a wash.

Just remember that your subordinates are people and you can't accomplish your mission without them. Take care of your people, and they will take care of you.

Couldn't agree more!

Originally Posted by monstertodd

10 yrs, 10 mo, and 26 days active duty in the Navy. I separated in December of 2008. If you like seeing the world, then join the Navy. Just ask me, I've been everywhere. I wouldn't trade my time in the Navy for ANYTHING.

Everyone here has there own opinions about what service is "better" or has better job opportunities. Take it with a grain of salt. People tend to get pretty passionate about their services, and as such, there tend to be some pretty emotional arguments.

Truth be told, all the service's have excellent opportunities and all are outstanding at what they do.

Thinking you won't get an opportunity because you didn't join the right service is nonsense.

I worked on SH-60 helicopters as a greaseball airframe mechanic for my entire time active duty, and you know what I do now? I'm a civilian contractor flying UAV's. Those two positions don't exactly correlate especially considering I have no prior experience working on, or flying UAV's.

As others have previously stated, make an INFORMED decision regarding your career. Don't let a recruiter cajole you into a profession that you don't really want anything to do with. YOU are in charge of YOUR career, so make the right decisions early on. I would be confident in saying that on this forum alone, there are literally HUNDREDS of years of combined military experience from which to draw upon. So ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

Another thing: If a recruiter tells you that a certain job is "not currently available", tell them to call you when it is "available". I can't stress this enough.

Good advice there also. I'm medically retired from the Naval Submarine Force. I was a Missile Technician Second Class (MT2(SS)). Besides becoming disabled I wouldn't trade the time spend for anything in the world. As someone said before, all the branches have something to offer...but more important is what you do with the opportunities what you'll get. After being retired I walked with a strong background in physical security, explosives, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, mechanics, some computer networking and a TS clearance. There are a lot of nice high paying jobs qualify for but can't attain due to disability. Personally if I were you I'd go officer (I do think prior enlisted make the best officers though) There are good career paths for what you want in all of the services, the information's out there. you just have to find the program that will benefit you the most! Once you have it narrowed down, Id recommend trying to find people that have/had done it, so you can know whats real and bs...there are some good recruiters out there, but in my experience there are more that will do anything to get you to sign on the dotted line. The most important advise I think I can give you is to never become complacent once your in! Qualify everything you can, and try to qualify what you can't(outside your job). It's too easy to say F it and just float along! Network get to know your superiors and subordinates, contractors and anyone else (I don't mean brown nosing either). You'll make life long friends for sure, but having people that know that your damn good at what you do in high places, and that want you on their team, helps when your out.

[leperkhaun]

Originally Posted by Zeus

What do AF Officers get paid?

all officers (and enlisted and WOs) get paid the same in every service.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2010paycharts/a/basicpayoff.htm

Now some specific jobs and duty positions get extra money, but the base salary is the same

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by leperkhaun

all officers (and enlisted and WOs) get paid the same in every service.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2010paycharts/a/basicpayoff.htm

Now some specific jobs and duty positions get extra money, but the base salary is the same

So your pay increases with Rank and years of service.... how often do you get one of those checks though?

For instance if your pay is $5,000.... how often do you get a check for 5k?

[Ghost of Vincent Price]

Originally Posted by Zeus

So your pay increases with Rank and years of service.... how often do you get one of those checks though?

For instance if your pay is $5,000.... how often do you get a check for 5k?

You get paid on the 1st and 15th of every month unless it falls on a holiday, then you get paid the last working day before said holiday.

So if your monthly pay is $5,000 you get $2500 on the first and $2500 on the 15th, minus taxes and SS and what not.

[TFord]

Lets try to stay on topic...and Vincent Price's ghost is correct with reguards to pay.