Armed Forces?
 

Have you ever though of entering the Armed Services? Do you know of anybody who has joined?

I decided that I am going to join the Navy, and become a cook on a submarine.

They have a pretty good package for recruits, I wont bore you with the details.

Please don't turn this in to a "War is wrong, war is right" thread. I'm just asking about the armed forces.

-Aaron

Re: Armed Forces?
 

I considered it earlier in high school.

As senior year (last year) came around, I gave it a final look before deciding that it really wasn't the way I wanted to go after graduation.

Since I did ROTC for four years in high school, I do know lots of folks who either enlisted or went to college for ROTC to become an officer. And I tip my hat to them (and anyone else who joins, for that matter).

Re: Armed Forces?
 

i considered joing the Air Force, I met with the recruiter and took the test and everything. All i had to do was sign the papers, but i decided to try college first. I am still considering joining the reserves

Re: Armed Forces?
 

I have many friends who are interseted, and it went through my head once. I didn't see it as the best choice for me.

However, I'd encourage you to keep getting the information out. I know a good few people that are now able to afford college specifically because Navy/Army/Air Force covered them in exchange for service.

- Genia

Re: Armed Forces?
 

AFROTC is a good way to goto school and go into the AF. They have unlimited billets at several schools which I am now considering. $15k a year is a significant amount of money.

AF is looking attractive, but with my Dad being a Naval Academy grad with 22 years (reserve included) I'm partial to the Navy. :)

Wetzel

Re: Armed Forces?
 

I am in AFROTC right now and it's worked out really well so far. The military is a great way of life, my parents were both in the Air Force for 20 years and it's looking like it's going to be the same way for me. I'm hoping to get a pilot slot so I can fly fighters :D . But yeah, it's a great thing to do if your heart is in the right place.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

Well, I see several comments from folks who have thought about joining the military, so I guess it's time for a comment from someone who did serve.

A long time ago, the summer of 1982 to be exact, I made the decision to join the Air Force as a Junior in High School. Since I was only 17, my parents went to the recruiter's office with me and signed the papers so that I could enter the Delayed Enlistment Program. I actually entered the Air Force in June 1983. I really enjoyed being able to just sit back and smile during my Senior year when my classmates were stressing out about going to college or not. I knew that for the next four years my life was set.

Four years ended up being 20. I was blessed to be a computer programmer my entire career, working in some really great places. Writing software to track satellites in Colorado Springs, maintaining systems to monitor everything flown into and out of Korea, building Orbital Mechanics training tools and Satellite Simulators in Denver, and then spending 10 years as an instructor in South Mississippi.

After I retired I took the knowledge I gained during my career and became a UNIX Systems Administrator. I certainly would not be in the job I am right now without my Air Force background.

For me, the Air Force was the right thing to do. I also met a lot of folks that should never have been in the uniform. Are there advantages to serving? YES! Saving for college after you get out, reduced tuition while you are in, pretty good pay and benefits. Are there drawbacks? YES! The chance that you will be away from home during important times in your family (I saw my son for the first two weeks of his life, then saw him again at seven months old. I was in Korea while he and my wife were in Colorado), the very real possibility that you could be sent to a combat zone, having people tell you what to wear every day. The military isn't for everyone, but if you are going to be at the Championship Event I'd be glad to talk to you and answer any questions you have from a non-recruiter angle.

Good Luck with your decision!
Jack Higgs
TSgt, USAF, Retired
Team Fusion, #364

Re: Armed Forces?
 

I have wanted to join the armed forces, particularly the Air Force for almost as long as I can remember. I recently made the decision final as I accepted my appointment to the United States Air Force Academy as a member of the class of 2009. A lot of thought went into the decision, as well a lot of time and effort.

On a side note....any other FIRSTers currently at/goign to the AFA this summer as a cadet?

Re: Armed Forces?
 

Hey thats awesome man, I was considering the Academies...I recieved appointments to the Air Force and Naval Academies from Gene Taylor, but then decided I would rather go to a regular college. I knew if I didnt have a 100% committment, I would never make it through. I am still doing AFROTC next year in college, then when I graduate I'll go to flight school. How awesome would it be to get to pilot an F-22?! Anyways congratulations again and I wish you the best of luck...I know how tough it will be.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

i've considered it... still kindof am... but i'm not exactly sure yet.

i live next to an Air Force Base, so ever since i was little, i went to Air Shows and simply fell in love with fighter jets. to this day, i still have a little dream that i'm going to become a Fighter Pilot and fly a Thunderbird (or if i go into the Navy, a Blue Angel)... although i've looked a little into the Navy, i'm more partial to the AF, since it would make it easier for me to become an Astronaut and eventually make it to Mars (hopefully). :D (...yes my ultimate goal in life is to become an Astronaut somehow... and even more ambitious than that, i want to be the *FIRST* woman person to set foot on Mars...)

Armed forces are cool though.. they teach you a lot about discipline and leadership, etc. i have a few contacts in different branches of the Armed Services.. and if my mother wasnt so completely against it, i'd probably consider it more than going civilian. :)

Re: Armed Forces?
 

I,m also considering the navy. My uncle and one of our team mentors served on submarines. The college opportunities are another thing to consider. The armed forces can give you a lot of experience for later life by teaching you a number of trades. Im going in for carrier deck fire & rescue. Its a great place to go, besides its free worldwide travel.

P.S. to fusiondude364 rumors have it that the f-22 projects are going to be cancelled in the near future ( 5-10 years ) at $130 million a plane its becoming a little too expensive.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

You don't pick if you fly, my friend.

I thought about the academy, but was medically disqualified!!

Re: Armed Forces?
 

Aaron,

The Navy may seem like a good idea to join, all that I remind you is that even as a cook you may be called out to battle on the front lines, when times get tough everyone must fight. I think you will do well, (though we'll miss you around home), Make sure that this is something you really want to do before you commit. Talk to recruiters, talk to former members, find out if the navy will really be a good fit for you.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

Never considered it, and that's not just because most parts of Canada's Armed Forces are rather laughable, and that they are misused. It's not just because I wouldn't be able to make an amount of money which is proportional to the post-secondary education I plan on taking part in. It's also not because I want the power to choose what I do and where I go, when I want to -- basically to be my own master.

It's more like a combination of those. The Armed Forces are completely contrary to my personality and I guess ambitions. Something tells me (and this is pure conjecture) that Dean Kamen isn't too crazy about the whole American "soldier worship" phenomenon either. I'd say in this specific case, FIRST isn't "changing the culture" at all. But I can definitely see the appeal the Forces have to someone who is very hands-on or technically-inclined. Like many if not most people in FIRST. To each his own though.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

I served in the Air Force as a Ground RADAR tech for four years, and it was an outstanding experience. Those were truly four of the best years of my life. I can't say enough good things about the USAF.

Just make sure the recruiter sets you up with a guaranteed job. Look through his big book (web site?) of job descriptions and find something that interests you, preferably something with a long tech school. If there's not an opening in the job you want, go on the delayed enlistment program and wait for a slot or try another job that sounds interesting.

-Joel

Re: Armed Forces?
 

Wow I had not heard about that...I knew they were expensive but I had not heard anything about the F-22s being cancelled. I hope not. They may be really expensive, but there is no other fighter equal to it. I thought it was funny when I was watching some show about them and it said that the F-22s are more stealthy than the stealth fighters (f-117s right? cant remember), but then the stealth fighters are much older. To matt: yeah i know about the part on flying...but I think they try to put you where you want to fly, be it fighters, cargo, or choppers. All depends on what the AF, Navy, or whomever it may be needs. Still, there is a chance there and I certainly would not pass it up if I got it. Even if I just became a cargo pilot, thatd be cool too...down here we have Keesler AFB, and its the home of the Hurricane Hunters, so that would be another cool flight opportunity. And that sucks about the medical disqualification, sorry about that...

Re: Armed Forces?
 

Well its done, I talked it over, and decided it was right for me.

I am now an enlisted member of the United States Navy entering full time active duty October 31st 2005.

-Aaron

some thoughts
 

Answering some quick questions...

Adrienne L. Stanish is at the AFA right now. She was a 3 year member on team 234 Cyber Blue and one of my best friends through high school. If you have questions I can try to get you in contact with her.

Flying---
It's interesting how you get different slots. First, you have to PQ (pilot qualify). For AFROTC, this is an AMAZINGLY competitive process. It is based on a few things, including GPA, Commander's Ranking, AFOQT score, flying time, etc. I know that in Marine and Navy you have a little better chance of getting in but it is still competitive. Also, you DO NOT have to be an Aero Engr. (nor do you have to be on scholarship) to fly. It is not major specific by any standards. Normally, you find out if you got a pilot or navigator slot second semester of your junior year. Once you go to flight school, you have to be qualified to fly different planes. Again, EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE!

Scholarship---
There are a lot of scholarships available for all ROTC programs, however, not everyone doing ROTC is on scholarship. Actually, more than 60% i think aren't on scholarship. I'm pretty sure the scholarship phase for the 05-06 school year is over and has been for a while. Normally you have to do the first part before december of your senior year.

In General---
From spending a year in AFROTC at Purdue University (The Greatest Detachment in the USA), let me tell you that it is no cake-walk. It could be the hardest thing I've ever done. I will not be continuing in AFROTC, but am very thankful for the opportunities that it has given me. For me the reasons are personal. However, I thank God every day that there are those who will make the decision to serve and fight. My thoughts and prayers are with you all every day.

The military is a great way to start out your career, especially in a technical career. It will immediately put you in a leadership role and force you to prove yourself. Former military persons are in high demand in the commercial sector.

If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me at ccfultz@purdue.edu and I'll do all I can to answer questions or get you in contact with those who can help you out.

Thank you and God Bless America.

Re: some thoughts
 

I had joined the Air Force DEP in December and I just got my job now. I am slated to leave 30 August as an Integrated avionics technician.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

For a long time, I was planning on going to the Coast Guard Academy, and becoming a pilot. On top of going to a top rate engineering school, I would graduate an officer with lots of options for further training and a careerer doing something I would love.

It appealed to me for many reasons The chief being that I like the idea of service but not so much the shooting or being shot at. The Coast Guard struck me as being a way to serve my country while avoiding the very real ethical dilemmas I had with being a part of the other armed forces. It was comforting to me knowing that I would never be called overseas to take part in a war I couldn't support. My job would be to protect the American coast and waterways, and those who used it. Thats a job description I knew I wouldn't ever regret.

By the end of high school, it was obvious that I wouldn't be able to qualify for flight school due to medical reasons. While the academy was still a viable option, being a sailor simply didn't light the same fire in me. I opted instead to go to a normal 4 year tech school.

The Coast Guard is a fantastic service with a huge list of benefits no other branch can offer. If you love the sea and the idea of service with out long deployments, consider it.

-Andy A.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

I have enrolled in NROTC at U of A with the intention of recieving a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the USMC. I chose the Marines because I feel they represent the best of what America has to offer. They guard the President and our embassies overseas. They also have the most career offerings of any of the four branches. You can do anything from drive a tank to fly an F/A-18 to guard a consulate in the Marines. No other branch can offer you that type of diversity. Thats just my little spiel....

Two of our former members are currently enrolled in AFROTC and they can't speak more highly of the program. I believe that each branch has something to offer for everybody, you just need to find whats right for you.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

The Marines don't have Doctors or Nurses, they have to borrow from the Navy for those and some other specialties.

Wetzel

Re: Armed Forces?
 

I also was looking at the Coast Guard Academy while in high school. I joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, civilian volunteers who assist the USCG in many missions, most visible being Public Education. This gave me many valuable contacts in the active duty USCG.

I went so far as to have been accepted and visited the Academy for 2 weeks. I had wanted to become a helocopter pilot but found that I was medically disqualified for aviation jobs. With that dream gone the CG just didn't seem to be the life I wanted for a future family, 3 month deployments on ships and frequent moves (about every 4 years) just wasn't what I wanted. So I declined the academy and instead went to Kettering University (at the time it was GMI) for electrical engineering.

Now, 9 years after high school, I have 4 years of employment as an electrical engineer and am still very active the the auxiliary. So much so that, after a few lives saved and many more people assisted in the past 10 years I have volunteered, I have decided to go into the CG reserves.

The Coast Guard really is great, what other military service helps people directly by saving lives. The other services train constantly for war, but have to wait for a conflict to put their training to use. The Coast Guard trains just as much as other services but that training is put to use daily to protect Americans and save lives at home. Don't get me wrong, the other services are definately needed and I respect all the men and women in those branches and appreciate what they do for us. But for me the direct involvement is most important.

As a small correction to Andy's post I would like to add that the Coast Guard does deploy overseas to assist with wartime efforts. Even now there are USCG men and women in the Persian Gulf area. One was even killed about a year ago in the Persian Gulf, the first to be killed in a war zone since WWII. The Coast Gaurd is one of the armed services, they do shoot and get shot at, even here in the US.

I'll jump off the soap box now.

Dave

Re: Armed Forces?
 

Congratulations!


You too!


-Joel

Re: Armed Forces?
 

my dad served 29 years in the Marines ending his career as a Master Gunnery
Sergeant. MY uncle served in the MArine Corps for 33 years ending his career as a Lieutenant Colonel. Both my grandfathers served inthe Korean Army for a number of years. One ended his career as a General, and the other as Colonel.

As you can see, my fmaily ahs a loong history of military background. so naturally, 3 of my cousins just entered the Marine Corps and is going through basic training as Private Firt Class. And now im the next to hit 18, and the pressure on me is not MIT, CAL TECH, GT, HARVERED, but some military college so i can be a officer. my parents are very supportive of my decision, but i think im going to stay away from the armed forces field of work for now. But if u do go, HOORAA :D

Re: Armed Forces?
 

Congrats! I was going to NROTC when I went to college. I actually got accepted and was all ready to do it when the medically disqualified me at the last minute. There are some times I wish I could've had the chance to be in the Navy, but maybe it wasn't meant to be. I wish you all the best.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

i have a couple of friends who are going to the army ...
basically, here what they do is you go through officer training (ie take a year out before uni) then you go to uni, they pay you through uni. then you hav eto do 4 years service abroad to cancell out the money

Re: Armed Forces?
 

The military has always been something I wanted to do and now I will finally be able to do it. I have been appointed to the class of 2009 at the United States Military Academy (West Point). The military seems just the right route that I want to see my life go through. Plus, the degree is going to look so good when I am looking for a job as a mechanical engineer.

Re: Armed Forces?
 

thats what id like to do. ive always been interested with mechanical engineering.