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