Their are pro's/con's to both sides, it just depends on what things are important to you as an individual.
Your dream is to be a Marine? That's some low aspirations lol.
It's just some friendly banter, don't get butt hurt.
If that doesn't work, a few of my buddies have thrown some money towards the recruiter and they were glad to help out. It really all depends on whats going on at the time you want to go active.
...entire post...
Question:
If I was to do NG while in college, how easy would it be to separate from NG and go AD once I graduate from college?
Thanks for the info, Freefalling. As I. Said before, I' most likely going to stick with my plan of getting a degree before enlisting. I migh change it if financial burdens become a serious issue or the military situation changes drastically.The NG tends to frown upon such activities, but that can vary from state to state and MOSQ among other things.
In other words, don't bank on going NG to AD. You want AD, go AD.
Thanks for the advice, 8654Maine. It helps to be reminded that that I have an option C as well. With that being said, I still plan on getting a degree before enlisting. This decision of mine has been strengthened by the fact that PSAT scores were fairly high (84th percentile) and my SAT scores are going to be coming in soon (which I'm confident will be at the very least decent). My only worry id the financial aspect of getting a degree.Mod, I'd like to post if I may.
I'm a newb here. I have sent in my DD214 and am awaiting verfication.
I will not remark on BrianP's posts, since it was handle well already.
I'd like to respond to the OP's question and give you another example of option C.
It was worth it to me because it gave me a true appreciation of both sides.
I did 2 years at Cornell. Got on the wrong side of work ethic and lost my scholarship.
I enlisted in the Corps right after sophomore finals and went to boot camp basically right away.
Made honor man and my DI's had a conniption when they learned that I wanted 03xx, infantry. My goal was Force Recon, all the way. Back in 85, there was no recon pipeline (that I knew of).
I made it. Had the best and most educational experience of my life. Truly shaped who I am today.
My Platoon Commander was one of the greatest officers I've ever known. He gave me the push to get higher education. If it wasn't for his encouragement I wouldn't have an MD from another Ivy League. I am thankful for his advice.
If I could change it, I'd probably stick w/ a military career and have them pay for all of my future education.
It all comes down to what you want and the effort you put into it. Too many young folks today want HSLD but don't want to the sweat equity.
I've decided to take goon's advice and come up with a quick pros and cons list for both options.
College Pros
-better job opportunities
-more time to mature
There's no place to mature like the military.
-better options if I join afterwards
Your options really aren't greater. As an officer, your branch is chosen for you. Getting put into something like Quartermaster Corps will pretty much exclude you form SOF completely- at least on the operations side of the house.
College Cons
-may lose interest in the military while I'm there
-harder to get in shape for infantry and SOF
-student debt
Unless you become a lawyer or a doctor, you'll probably make more money in the SOF community. 18Xs are pulling in 50k after they graduate the Q-course, more if they are deploying. Can you use the GI Bill to pay off student loans?
-job market is reducing the value of a degree
-not sure if I really want to go ATM
Military Pros
-doing what I want to do right out of High School
-better shape (or more likely to be able to meet physical conditions)
Don't think that being younger means better shape. I'm not as fast of a runner as I was when I first joined, but feel as though I am in much better shape and would do much better in selection now than when I went 4 years ago- I think a lot of SOF guys are in a similar category. Look at pro athletes, they aren't at their physical peak in the their early 20s, and definitely not in their teens.
-more chances to purse an SOF career
Military Cons
-if I'm injured, less opportunities when I get out (due to not having a college degree)
If you are injured in the military, especially in SOF, you will be well taken care of. There are plenty of amputees who fill operations jobs and are allowed to stay in indefinitely.
-may not get the MOS I want
There is no reason why you shouldn't walk away from the recruiter with 18X, 11B, 13F, etc...
-may find that I actually hate military life
This is a rough list. Feel free to critique.
Disregard my last post, it was a mistake. Mods, please delete it.Another thing to remember is that college is absolutely free when you are active duty. You'll have to take most of it as online classes, although a lot of people still find time to go to night classes. Tuition assistance is capped at something like $2,400 a year, but that's not bad when you don't have to pay for a room or food (don't forget, housing and meals are free for single guys in the military).
Disregard my last post, it was a mistake. Mods, please delete it.
Thaks for the feedback, Etype. I have a specific question; how long on average would it take to obtain a 4yr degree if I took night classes while on AD.