Thinking of joining the military

[Tanya]

le sigh. my life has been so screwed up for such a long time. and these past few months have become unbearable, not being able to find a job, feeling utterly useless, miserable, etc. i am really running out of options, except hooking :rofl: or joining the military. i am extremely tired of feeling helpless. i have two kids that i havent been able to do ANY thing for because of my joblessness, except just "be there for them", but that is simply not good enough these days.

i'm not really even sure if i could make it either, i am SO out of shape, a 2 mile bike ride makes my legs feel like rubber. i have smoked for 13 years, had 3 kids, been a waste of flesh since high school basically.

i do know i have to get my GED first, but i dont have the damn money to even do that :cry:

i hate to think of being away from my kids again for months, but we need the money REALLY bad, and their dad already failed out of the Navy when he was 18, so it's up to me I guess

any advice, suggestions, help is GREATLY appreciated... on any branch of the service, thanks.

 

[zachm611]

The military is great however i hate to tell you this but the military will make you give up your kids when entering into the service unless you are married. maybe there is some way around it or maybe they will let you leave them with their dad while you are training and then have them as dependants, i can ask my old recruiter how things go with children if you like.. I do however miss my time in the Air Force it was some of the best time of my life, everything i couldve asked for. steady paycheck, great friends, and of course the traveling. if you have any questions about the AF feel free to ask and i'll try my best to answer. good luck!

 

[Tanya]

I am married, albeit unofficially separated. Kids are with their dad.

I am considering the Marines, Air Force and Army. Mostly the latter two for hopes I could get stationed in WA, but damnit, I've been intrigued by being a Marine since I saw Full Metal jacket many years ago. Argh!

 

[zachm611]

oh ok well than things shouldnt be to difficult. get your GED taken care of and get the ball rolling, the Army might be the easiest to get into with a GED, I would shoot for the AF though, it is much better for families, not just living quarters but the way they are treated. not to mention the food is MUCH better. i was stationed at a Army base and the food was terrible. however any branch of the military is great, i was just spoiled by the Air Force lol

 

[Tanya]

hmm... McChord Air Force base... I wonder...

GAH, I am SO undecided :'(

 

[zachm611]

first thing i would do is start talking with a recruiter. sign up to take the asvab and get started on the GED ASAP. dont worry if you dont do so hot on the asvab the first time. it took me 3 tries before i got a decent score that opened up some good jobs.

 

[Zumtizzle]

tanya.

it's really a good option.

good luck.

(no personal experience, sorry)

 

[midwestwerks2jz]

im going through teh same but no kids. but i am going to try and enroll int he national guard. same thign but you arent getting your ass deported and taking a big risk. (i fully give it up to you guys overseas dont get me wrong). my buddy joined the antion guard after absic traning he got i think ti was liek 10g's and every month gets like 3 g's. and he hasnt left his normal home for the last 4 months

 

[85celicasupra]

fairchild is here in eastern washington. It is quite large, and has very nice living quarters.

 

[gaboonviper85]

How old are you tanya?



85celicasupra...that's funny...I got my ass chewed out today for calling an 85 supra a "celica"...strange!!!!

 

[Tanya]

27.


and lol.

 

[mattsplat72]

You are still young. you might be able to get a waiver on the GED . They allow you to join and goto Bootcamp then they would give you X amount of time to get it. With your mechanical appitutde you should be able to get a good job. My suggestion is to go into either the Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. Get trained in Air craft repair . Afterwards you can come back to Wa and work at Boeing or work for any of the airlines at any of the airports. Option two is to join and goto college to be an RN they will help you and then you get a Job Making 30 and hour to start on the outside. You are smart enough to do that. With todays economy you are not going to find much help and there are no more jobs for the unskilled. You may have to make a sacarfice now to reap the rewards later. just my opinion

 

[drunk_medic]

hmm... McChord Air Force base... I wonder...

GAH, I am SO undecided :'(

They are going to put you where they want you, USAF or not.

 

[savannahashlee]

atleast back in 2001, you were able to put in a 'request' to go to certain bases if your MOS was offered there..they had you request 3 bases, but it was no guarantee you were going to get stationed there...you're also looking at about, what, a year average before you'd go there with basic and mos training school?

 

[Isphius]

The national guard here in NJ will pay for any community college. And if you do ROTC the whole thing is free theyll give you money for books and everything and some on the side. maybe that way elsewhere too. Become an officer even in the reserves youll make like 400 a month just off drills plus you may be able to get a sweet govt job if there is a base/operation near you. Just make sure you pick a critical MOS and hunt down those 20k bonuses they offer

 

[TheOneOnlyDrone]

Well, I'm a current Marine. I will tell you, it is tough. The Marine Corps doesn't just take anyone. You mentioned it being rough to bike for two miles. One of the requirements to be a Marine is females have to run a 3 mile run in under 31 minutes. Also, I don't know what your height/weight is, but there is a standard there too (it's not impossible to get in shape though). Get your GED is the first step though (and also required). Unless going reserve, don't expect to go where you want to go as far as being stationed is concerned. Just a couple answers that will hope to help you out. Feel free to pick my brain.

 

[gaboonviper85]

Well, I'm a current Marine. I will tell you, it is tough. The Marine Corps doesn't just take anyone. You mentioned it being rough to bike for two miles. One of the requirements to be a Marine is females have to run a 3 mile run in under 31 minutes. Also, I don't know what your height/weight is, but there is a standard there too (it's not impossible to get in shape though). Get your GED is the first step though (and also required). Unless going reserve, don't expect to go where you want to go as far as being stationed is concerned. Just a couple answers that will hope to help you out. Feel free to pick my brain.

if tanya turns sideways she literally disappears!!!!

 

[CTsupra]

im going through teh same but no kids. but i am going to try and enroll int he national guard. same thign but you arent getting your ass deported and taking a big risk. (i fully give it up to you guys overseas dont get me wrong). my buddy joined the antion guard after absic traning he got i think ti was liek 10g's and every month gets like 3 g's. and he hasnt left his normal home for the last 4 months

Yeah, ok. Don't listen to this guy. Unless he was an E-5, or an O-1 working AGR directly out of basic, your buddy is not making "3g's" a month being in the guard.

I'm currently in the Army National Guard and I was deployed three months after I left basic training in 06' and I'm being deployed again in Jan. 10'. Tanya, let me know how old you are and I can give you the PT test standards for your age. Anything you can do in the Air Force, you can do in the Army. You just need to score high enough on the ASVAB to qualify for that MOS. Anything you can do in the Marines, you can do more in the Army being a female.

If you join the Guard, there is a program called Active First where you are active duty for less than half of your total enlistment then you serve the rest of your enlistment with the National Guard of your state of residence. Or, you can either enlist active duty Army, or National Guard. Not to mention 100% tuition waivers (Reserves only pay 75%) and other benefits of being in the guard.

I didn't have to pay one red cent of $2000+ for this spring semester

I believe the guard also has a program where you can get your GED through the Army. Best thing I can tell you is talk to a good recruiter. Active, or Guard. Stay away from the Reserves.

Oh, and about the kiddos. No, the military will not make you give up your kids (what the hell are some of you talking about?) Our military isn't run by China. Anyway, you'll need to show proof of marriage to put your kids down as dependents. Otherwise, you're screwed for the extra cash. That's just the way it is in the military.

Edit: Just noticed you posted your age already. Ok, look below.

Push-ups: 17 in 2min.
Sit-ups: 45 in 2min.
2 Mile run: 20:30sec.

This is the minimum standard.

 

[rj_conerly]

i was in the navy for the past 4 1/2 years and yeah for the most part it was a good experience. they will not take your kids away but you have to do a family care plan. all that means is that you have someone to take care of your kids while in basic and on deployment and in case something happens to you. the pay isn't that good but its not that bad either especially if your e1 to e4. but they pay for you and your house and your kids. you might not make the best money but they will make sure that you are taken care of. i know from a single person's point of view you kinda get screwed over cause i got to fill out a dream sheet (pick where i wanted to be stationed) and i didn't get any of my choices. but i know alot of married folk that got their first choice. it does suck geting deployed but the pay is better. in hte navy you get dla (dislocation allowance) which is like 250 for every full month that you are away from home port (married or dependants only) plus tax free pay (in certain areas) and other pays (hazard duty, flight deck pay, etc.) so its up to you. i know it wasn't for me and so thats why i'm out. but looking back i caused alot of the problems that i had. but if you go in with an open mind and remember why your doing it then the time will fly and it will be worth it. good luck to what ever you decide. any questions bout the navy hit me up i'll be glad to talk to you bout it.

 

[rabidchimp]

Tanya..you know my thoughts on this, though I'd urge you (even though I was in the Marines for four years) to join the Navy or Air Force. Marines, however, do kick ass. Get that GED, talk to that recruiter. Good luck!
-Aaron