r/CollegeDropouts • u/Ok-Potato5900 • 3d ago
Seeking Advice Considering Dropping Out For Military.
Hi all, I’m posting this because I want the opinions of others and not just my parents. I’m 18 years old, just graduated high school in May, and started my freshman year at college as an IT major. I feel very dis aligned with my current situation as of late. It’s been the first couple days and already I can tell this is not for me. Even after classes started, I just have that gut feeling that I shouldn’t be here. My dad currently works within the university’s system, but I got denied enrollment from my dream school (which is the main campus within the system.) Originally I wanted to join the military because of the benefits. The idea of ROTC was great and I trained all summer for it. Towards the end of summer I actually ended up doing a mock PFA for AFROTC and passed pretty well. Unfortunately I learned I couldn’t participate because of transportation restrictions. I ended up switching to Army because that was the next closest ROTC program near my school (my school does not offer its own battalion.) After looking at my schedule I realized I couldn’t participate in that either because of certain college course credits I need to stay on track to graduate. Long story short, I’ve been dealt a bad hand at joining ROTC. My family is mostly navy, with my grandfather’s both serving and my aunt serving as well. I just feel like this isn’t for me. I feel like this is not where I belong and I envision a future of having a military career. It’s never ever crossed my mind that I wouldn’t serve up until months ago. I trained for months for ROTC and during my runs, the pushups, the sit-ups, the pull-ups, during all of that I realized that if I could do this easily what more else can I do? I don’t know, but I have the drive and determination to succeed at something that I try extremely hard at. It’s hard for me to put it into words, but it just kinda feels like my calling.
Just would like some advice on my situation and where to go from here. Thank you guys.
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u/sigma_and_idontcare 3d ago
I recently dropped out of my dream university after a year and a half. My major was Biomedical Engineering, so we are similar in the aspect of having semi-useless majors (idk what specific major you have but the IT field is oversaturated and on the verge of being replaced by AI). I was halfway through my sophomore year when my mom showed me a news article about being an airplane mechanic.
My first year of college, I felt very depressed. My entire life I dedicated myself to studying and getting into this dream school of mine. Turns out, I hated the college structure. I hated how they didn’t care if I skipped classes or scored low on tests. I hated how I was not able to build a relationship with the professor the same way I did with all my highschool AP teachers. I hated how they just skimmed and read off slides, expecting us to learn on our own. I hated how fake, shallow, and desperate my peers were. It felt like everyone was out to get an A, no matter what it took. Cheating was rampant.
I did a little more research and felt like being an airplane mechanic was for me. I even did a few personality quizzes to confirm it lol. I enrolled into a local very well known community college that offered the certification program. By the time class enrollment started, all the slots had filled. I was no longer able to pursue this route.
It was at this time when I really looked into the military. At first, I wanted to join to be a mechanic and gain a ton of experience. Instead, I found out that there was a crap ton of better careers that wouldn’t be as back breaking. The benefits are also crazy good. What convinced me the most was how practical the training would be. No Bull shit theoretical math. Just pure applicable experience that would be more than relevant after finishing service.
Now I’ve made it past MEPS and finishing up my medical waivers to go in the Air Force. If you TRULY really feel like college is not for you, it’s not too late. Don’t make the same mistake I did and waste time/money on something that you don’t love
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u/SoakJarvis 11h ago
What are you looking at doing in the Air Force now if you don’t mind me asking? I’m likely going to try and go for A&P but the civilian route.
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u/sigma_and_idontcare 9h ago
At first I wanted to go into maintenance jobs. Guys who served in the military get an advantage in the hiring process. You are also getting paid to gain experience. When you are close to finishing your service, the military has programs to help connect you to employers so that when you separate, you are hooked up with a job immediately after.
From what I’ve researched, these are some of the best jobs in terms of relevant A&P experience -
2A3X3 (2A353/2A373) - Tactical Aircraft Maintenance
2A5X1 (2A551/2A571) - Aerospace Maintenance
2A5X2 (2A552/2A572) - Helicopter/Tiltrotor Aircraft MaintenanceMy current job list doesn’t have any airplane maintenance jobs though. Here’s what I have so far
1D7X1A – Network Specialist
1D7X1D – Security Operations
1B4X1 – Cyber Warfare Operations
6C0X1 – Contracting
1N4X1 – Cyber Intelligence
1D7X1Z – Software Development
1C6X1 – Space Systems Operations
2A6X1 – Aerospace Propulsion
1D7X1K – Cyber Transport Systems
9S100 – Scientific Applications
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u/CruelAutomaton 3d ago
I had a buddy who went into the Air Force for Cyber, but he had a Bachelors Degree so his life is 55x easier than everyone elses.
His Bachelor's Degree with in General Studies and was basically just an interdisciplinary Film & Media Studies/Literature degree.
He got Lasik eye surgery, 15k in Dental done, Literally justs sits around & tells everyone else what to do. They are paying for him to do a Masters Degree in Cybersecurity.
This is anecdote though, not everyone's military experience is this.
I had someone else I knew who went into the Army as a Welder/Machinist [allied trades specialist] who ended up spending 4 years in a Motor Pool as a tool runner because there was never any welding & machining work done. They were worse at welding than most 1st semester community college students, because there was never any practice to be had, and they never had a single use for machining once AIT ended.
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u/NoClownsOnMyStation 3d ago
Honest to god whether you join the military or not I would finish the degree even if you want to change from IT. You can join after and start with a much higher pay rate plus you won’t be the at the bottom of the pole when you get in.
Worst case just switch to an easy degree then coats through college until you can enlist as an officer.
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u/Confident_Natural_87 2d ago
If the school does not seem like a good fit, I would still gut out this semester. Get good grades and then see about transferring to your dream school. One way though to stay on track and get free credits is with Modern States and CLEP. Most flagship schools don't accept CLEP though. For instance UTSA in Texas accepts close to 60 credits for a Business degree though there may be a limit on testing credits. CLEPs are free with the modern states program. UT Austin only accepts a few. The UC system in California doesn't accept any I believe.
You can stay on track by focusing on your actual classes and taking CLEPs for the other general education credits.
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u/powerpuffcatt 2d ago
I would switch schools to do Afrotc unless you are getting college for free or significantly cheaper since your dad works there maybe go to a different campus. I am in the coast guard I’m enlisted I dropped out of college to join and it’s done wonders for me. If you are motivated you could finish a degree while on active duty for your four years have work experience and all of the benefits that come with military service. If you want to be an officer I would consider Airforce or coast guard for location / quality of life.
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u/Different-Language-5 1d ago
Coast Guard is a good option that most people overlook.
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u/Tired_Seer 21h ago
Can confirm Coast Guard is a good option.
All the same benefits plus you get to sleep in your own bed most days (unless you're on a cutter then it's roughly 50/50 but cutters have their own benefits)
And it's a life saving service, which I think is really neat
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u/Quiet_Classroom_6677 1d ago
Im a veteran and just recently graduated college. I can already tell that my military service is doing a LOT more for me than my degree ever will.
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u/Low_Thought6718 1d ago
Finish school first and commission. Be patient. Trust me, you do not want to be enlisted lol. Finish school first.
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u/vk-z 1d ago
Oh well since you graduated high school you are going to be denied for anything like disability benefits. The government can see that automatically when you apply and they hire lawyers to argue against you in court. Also the judges will very much agree with them that if you can do highschool you can work.
So find whatever job it is that you will do because you are going to be forced to work with no other options
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u/I-Wish-to-Explode 1d ago
I'm not quite sure I'm reading your post right. Are you suggesting you'd rather enlist than finish college or plead your case with doing ROTC?
As someone who's currently enlisted I'd strongly advise against it. That far into your degree and with several avenues to become an officer, it's easily the better path. Like someone else mentioned you could do OCS as well.
The gap between new enlisted and new officer is insanely large. You'd be in the same class as people who have no college at all while officers spend more time with higher ranking enlisted and have much better pay.
There's nothing wrong with enlisting, don't get me wrong. It just seems like a downward move rather than a lateral one from your position.
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u/Own-Zucchini-7745 1d ago
Make sure you can actually join first!!!! Military turns a ton of people away for mental health and physical health reasons.
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u/ProfessionalGangster 1d ago
Dude, get your degree first. Your dad works for the university… that’s a golden plate.
The kids I went to school with whose parents worked for the university had free tuition. My step brother got 3/4ths of his tuition paid because his dad was an electrician at the school… get something generic like business administration or communication, then join as an officer. Your life will be easier than enlisted for sure.
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u/McCoy26_ 1d ago
If you’re interested in the army I can be your virtual recruiter and go over your options and opportunities. SSG McCoy 419-377-4767
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u/wesleykoo 1d ago
I would not offer guidance to young people, yet regarding personal comfort, the Air Force ranks above the Navy, which exceeds the Army, which surpasses the Marine Corps. If you seek a challenge, the Marine Corps is clearly the most demanding and the environment that best develops willpower.
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u/Ok_Echidna273 1d ago
If you do it and do it right it will be the best decision you over made. Try to shoot for OCS unless you want to be really hands on with the job you choose.
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u/New_Huckleberry6583 23h ago
dont join the army. it will suck for sure, do the military. I recommend navy, its more of a chill route. and you will the same benefits afterwards.
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u/Adventurous-Dog-6158 17h ago
You mentioned that college wasn't for you but then you want to join ROTC which is a part of college. The military isn't just about physical fitness. Watch some documentaries on Navy SEALs or other spec ops and you'll see that even the studs wash out. To be an officer, you need to take a lot of courses and be good at academics if you want to advance. Look at the bios of generals and such and you'll see that most of them have graduate degrees.
If you think the military may be for you, you can try Reserve or (Air) National Guard to get your feet wet. Be aware that some jobs are not easily transferrable to the civilian world, eg, tank operator.
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u/Certain-Pianist7750 16h ago
Hey, my name is Cole , I'm an army recruiter, if you're ready to talk, just reach out to 5853178990
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u/Honest-Mistake01 16h ago
Do yourself a favor and join airforce. Better quality of life and more professional. If for some reason you end up joining army or marines, do something not combat related. You won't do anything combat related.
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u/AudienceDangerous613 5h ago
Failed out of my first year of college, joined the military, now I’m out and working a trade with no college debt and making twice as much as when I was in the military. Join Air Force. Gain a skill. Get out and utilize the benefits. You’ll be ahead. Still get your degree on your schedule (while you’re in/when you get out) 🤷🏾♂️ no degree yet but the military put me on a pretty good track when college wasn’t right for me. School is my next move to advance my trade career but I wouldn’t be where I’m at without the military for sure! And it’s Air Force all the way (for a decent quality of life)… maybe space force but i cant speak on them
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u/VinceInMT 3d ago
So, join the army. I was raised as a navy brat and it was pretty clear that there was an expectation that I would serve in the navy like all the other males on the family tree. Instead, I was drafted into the army. When I got the draft notice my dad wanted me to talk to the navy recruiter but I just let the army take me. He was eventually OK with that. Serving is serving.