I'm really 50/50, well maybe 51 (Army)/49 (Air Force).
Why I want to join:
- Serve my country
* Something I think that everyone should do in one way or another and doesn't necessarily have to be the military
- Learn new skills
- Get into shape
- Make some extra money
* Also get some college loans paid off
- Make some new friends
* I'm new to the area
I have a great job right now that pays really well and I talked to them and their stance on it is this.
- Training comes out of vacation time and if I don't have enough of that, then it's unpaid days off
* Should be fine because I get paid during training right?
- If I get deployed, my job will be here whenever I get back
So everything looks good there.
I'm in Phase 2 now.
Ok, my journey to the ultimate decision has been broken up into 3 phases.
Phase 1:
- Learn basics about each branches (very basic info) and benefits
- Research online possible MOS's
- Start changing eating and exercise habits
Intermission
- Let everything cool off and take time to really think about it. Let emotions fade (if they will)
- Let the "world" cool off and see what direction the war is going
Phase 2:
- Meet with recruiters to discuss jobs and specific bonuses
- Take ASVAB
Phase 3:
- Talk to parents
- Talk to work
- Swear in
What I'm doing in the mean time:
- Running
- Push ups
- Talking with friends and getting input
What I really want to find is someone I can trust who will say, "now is (or isn't) the perfect time to join!" I have a friend that was in the Marines and he says for me to go Air Force because its the most cushy. I just don't know!
Some things that I think are really in my favor is my job being ok with it and my wife being 100% supportive. I would have thought that one of those wouldn't have worked out as well as they have but it's been great.
I'm 23 so I'm still fairly young. I don't want to wait very long to decide though, I'm thinking in a year or less. I also don't want to drag it out. Kids are years off, don't worry, we both agree on that.
I try to think of what the root reason is that gives me the desire to serve and until I figure that out then I can't make a decision. Some of the reasons I think that help build that desire are:
- I've always loved playing "guns" when younger
- I enjoy all war movies from Apocalypse Now to Black Hawk Down
- Paintball is a blast
- I think ACU's are awesome
- I was in JROTC in high school
- Wanting to prove to myself that I can "make it"
- Tell people that I was in the military
- Make a difference
- Be of service to others
See how many things there are that could be just emotional? I can't join just because I really like Call of Duty 4 and Battlefield Bad Company! I need to make sure that this isn't just a fad.
My wife thinks it's a real passion that I need to pursue. I think she's right, maybe it's not that I like these video games and paintball and that makes we want to serve but it's me deep desire to serve that makes me enjoy these things. Hmmm interesting....
I don't think that if I don't join I won't still feel accomplished, I just think that by serving you either get that sense of accomplishment in a different way.
I guess that's it for now. Let me know what you think. I could use your help.
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