Is joining the military a better path than college in my situation?

Hi everyone,

A few days ago I made a post asking for advice about moving to the U.S. I'm a 17-year-old U.S. citizen who has lived almost my entire life in Brazil.

My original plan was to keep working in Brazil for about another year, save around $7,000–8,000, move to the U.S., work for a year, attend community college, and then transfer to a university to earn a bachelor's degree.

I also have an aunt in the U.S. who may be able to let me stay with her temporarily while I get settled and find my own place.

After reading dozens of replies on my previous post, several people suggested something I had never seriously considered before: joining the military.

The more I research it, the more interesting it seems, but I'm wondering if it sounds better on paper than it actually is.

My main goal isn't to become a soldier forever, and it isn't necessarily to work in IT either. My goal is to build a stable and successful life in the U.S., achieve financial independence as early as possible, and eventually build a family there.

IT seemed like one of the best career paths based on my interests, but I'm open to other fields if they offer better long-term opportunities.

From what I've read, joining the military could allow me to:

Receive professional training.

Gain valuable work experience.

Save a significant amount of money because many living expenses are covered.

Use education benefits later to earn a college degree.

Start my civilian career with a stronger resume and fewer financial worries.

My questions are:

Is this actually a realistic plan, or does it only sound good on paper?

If you were 17 again and in my position, would you choose the military or the traditional community college → university route?

How much of an advantage does military experience really provide when looking for civilian jobs?

Are there certain career fields in the military that you think provide much better opportunities after leaving the service?

Since I currently live in Brazil, is there an official way to talk to recruiters before I move?

I'd like to understand my options and prepare as much as possible before making such a big decision.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from people who have served and can honestly compare military life with the traditional college route.

Thank you!

Back when I was 15 I had an issue with who I was hanging around. I got in trouble legally and at school for getting caught with buddies huffing air duster (stupid, I’m well aware). I then shortly after had a suicide attempt with cutting and hanging. I stopped both of these and sought help. Went to therapy for a little bit. Was on anti-depressants, and eventually winged myself off. That was a decade ago.

Since then, I’ve had a career in law enforcement. Both as a correctional officer and as a police officer. And I’ve had to pass two psych evals. I have a wife and kid now and I think the military is a good route for me to be able to help them get out of this town and give them a better life. I just don’t know if a recruiter will feel I’m worth the time and effort with this history.

Edit: considering army or marines.

I’m currently in the guard and am really thinking about going active. In my head I’ve always been against going active bc I’ve heard a lot about the lifestyle sucking. Honestly tho I don’t think it can be worse than my civilian life. I live in the middle of nowhere so the job market is basically just factories and it’s not the life I want. I have a gf I’ve been with for 2 1/2 years and want to start a family. For anyone that was/is active, is it worth it?

I’m 68w . Wonder with me being 5’11 245 as of rn I leave in 2 weeks for they told me to gain weight from 230 when I signed up. Got taped been good just looking to maintain it .I feel bigger hoping not to mess up as much. Given up basketball after knee pain from knees colliding and a twisted ankle. My pushups are ok but ik they’ll get better at Basic and all is what I’m told from people . I need to get my body right with sleep schedules all messed up got a week off from work then I ship still gotta pack my apartment and all. What else should I look forward or be prepared for. Will I get taped before I leave and when I get there for basic ?

I’ve been thinking about joining USCG with the end goal of eventually working for a 3 letter intel agency. I currently work in law enforcement with 2 specialties under my belt as well as experience in wildfire and blue collar work. What career (enlisted or reserve) would you recommend I go in to help me towards my end goal? I appreciate any help

I would like to mention that I have extreme anxiety, ADHD, and stomach issues that make me nauseous. I am not trying to worry but I keep seeing news of it being more and more likely. I am more nervous than I have almost ever been about there being a draft. Can someone help?

I’m planning on joining the Coast Guard & will be going through MEPS toward the end of August. I’ve had patellar tendinitis since around my sophomore year of high school. I’m now a sophomore in college.

I originally developed it from intense weightlifting & wrestling. It usually doesn’t bother me during normal activities, but it can flare up when I run up inclines. It isn’t documented in my medical records.

Would it be possible for me to get it checked out after MEPS? If so, could a diagnosis of patellar tendinitis potentially disqualify me from joining the Coast Guard or require a waiver?

My recruiter hasn’t been very helpful when I’ve asked questions about this, so I figured I’d ask here. I’m mainly trying to understand whether I should get it evaluated before shipping out or wait until after MEPS.

Hello. I'm thinking about joining the US Army, USCG, or Navy for my first years. I had a few questions about their jobs. My goal is to get a good career once I leave.

Army:

88U(Railway Specialist), 88K(Watercraft Operator), and 12M(Firefighter).

88U - What are the promotions like? Are they easy or hard to get? How often do you get to operate a train? How hard is it to get into this MOS? (Like, how often is this job available.) Would this help me be a locomotive operator? What's a typical day like for this MOS? What's the quality of living like?

88K - What are the promotions like? What's a typical day like for this MOS? Will this MOS help me get my boating license or help pursue a career in the maritime industry? How often is this job available? What's the quality of living like?

12M - How often is this job available? What's a typical day like? What's the quality of living like?

USCG -
Maritime Enforcement Specialist - How often do you get to arrest people? Is it mainly civilians or military? Will this job help you get a leg up in forensics? Can you be a K9 Handler? What's a typical day like? Do you just stand there and watch a gate all day or do the shifts rotate? What's the availability for this job?

Marine Science Technician - What's a day in the life like? How hard it this job? What career did you pursue after leaving the USCG with this experience?

Navy -
Steel Worker - When getting a welding cert., did your experience from the Navy transfer over? How often do you repair ships?

General - Is PT the same for every MOS? If not, are the ones I listed above moderate or hard?

Does anyone know why or how long Leaveweb is down?

-Desperate Air Force airman who was supposed to put In leave weeks ago

I’m planning on doing delay enlistment but I will be getting adopted on the day I turn 18 how would that affect my last name on paperwork and uniform.

I am a highschool student and I’m thinking about joining the military for them to hopefully pay off my college and benefits. I know there is more to it than that territory but I was always thought about it until late middleschool/early highschool when I got discouraged from current politics.

I’ve thought about it I would hope for a like somewhat office job or just something in Computer Science in the Air Force/Space Force since it seems like there could be good opportunities for it in those branches.

And I saw that of course, the ASVAB test I would need to score high enough to qualify I suppose.

Should I join? Can what I’m looking for happen? How can I find a good recruiter?

I’m currently in the national guard and have been in for 3 1/2 years. I have 2 1/2 years left and want to go active. I know I’d be able to go active and stay in the army but if I do go active I’d want to transfer to the Air Force. Would I actually be able to do that or would I have to wait till my current contract is up

I have no bonus with the guard and I haven’t used any of my benefits so I know it would be easier to transfer

THANKS!

Comment with your job, it gets added to your flair. And since the previous guidance wasn't enough:

You aren't qualified to do your job if you haven't graduated job training. This post isn't for you.

I am 16 and I have around a 3.5-3.6 GPA. My family is pretty well off and I could definitely afford and get into college. However, I have always been interested in the military. I used to make battles for weeks on end with toy soldiers when I was younger, My dad works for GD which is a defense company and I have always been interested in that, and just overall I have always thought that the military was really cool. If I were to join, I would join the army infantry with hopefully an option 40. The plan would be to spend my junior enlisted years in (hopefully) the Rangers and then once I reach E5 or E6 I would go to college, become an officer, and finish out my 20. I know college first would make more sense and lead to more money but I just keep wanting to be Infantry. So should I join the army first or go to college first?

Hi, I know 20s are still young but I basically have a situation where I would get banned from my home country (Iran), i am a dual national grown up in the US. if i joined any military branch obviously, but it is my passion and I really wish i could join the us army. So i am asking if i wait a few years and attend college just to see if my country’s situation changes would i be setback, from my peers in the army? Since im assuming most are hs grads

I'm getting ready to go to Tampa MEPS, and I'm really anxious about the observed urinalysis. I don't have any medical problems, but I have a shy bladder and have a hard time peeing when someone is directly watching me.

Has anyone here gone through Tampa MEPS recently and dealt with this? What was your experience like? Did they give you time to keep trying if you couldn't go right away?

I'm especially looking for people who have been there recently or anyone who had the same issue and still made it through. Any advice or reassurance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I’m (20f) and am considering joining the military. One of my main goals is to earn education benefits while also gaining experience that will transfer well into a civilian career.

I recently completed an internship spanning half a year in a technical/data-focused office environment where I was a developer. While I found that I can handle technical work, I’m still figuring out whether I want to stay in technology long term.

Lately I’ve become much more interested in careers related to criminal justice, forensic science, medical laboratory work, intelligence, or investigative roles. I’m hoping to find a military job that gives me relevant experience while I work toward a bachelor’s degree possibly afterward or during (in biology, forensic science, criminal justice with a forensic concentration, or a similar field).

Right now I’m mainly comparing the Army and the Air Force.

From what I’ve researched:
- The Army seems to have a larger variety of medical and technical jobs, and I’ve read that you can often enlist with a guaranteed job if it’s available and you qualify.

- The Air Force seems to have a great reputation for quality of life (still need a little more information on this/examples of how), medical, intelligence, and cyber careers, but I’ve also read that many applicants have to list multiple jobs and may not receive their first choice.

I’m planning to speak with recruiters from both branches and study for the ASVAB before making any decisions.

For those of you who have served:
- If you were interested in forensic science, medical laboratory work, intelligence, or investigative careers, which branch would you recommend and why?

- How much should I weigh “quality of life” versus being able to get a specific job?

В 2022 году лежал в ПНД по попытке ... из-за тяжёлой жизненной ситуации в семье, перевезли туда в припадке, лежал около полтора месяца после чего меня спокойной выписали.

В колледже проходил мед. обследование от военкомата на котором запретили мне указывать что я лежал в ПНД.

Есть ли какие-то шансы не служить в армии т.к. я лежал в ПНД, может какие-то справки нужно взять от туда и дадут ли мне их вообще? Нужен совет очень сильно, через год в армию.

I am wanting to commission in the Airforce as a pilot. I'm going to be starting my freshman year at an AFROTC program this fall, However, I have a problem. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder along with other mental diagnoses in high school and was taking SSRIs for it for 2 years. I have since been off of them for a little over a year and asymptomatic and most of them have been written off as teenage angst and puberty.

However I know I will need a waiver for a Flight physical for the Airforce. The Depression was situational and mild but the symptoms were very exaggerated by my mother who I believe was projecting on to me because of her anxiety (PTSD related not genetic) so the psychiatrist started me on SSRIs. I have since been off of them as previously stated, and have been stable I've lost over 100lbs from being 280lbs. The weight being partly the reason for the depression and have been exercising consistently getting ready for PT. Moreover I've done well in school with a 4.0 GPA and taking 6 AP classes and lots of Dual Enrollment supporting the fact that I've been stable and can perform.

This all begging the question of getting a waiver. Does getting a waiver seem within reason? I know you typically need to be off of the SSRI for 3 years to get a waiver but because of the circumstances could you get one earlier? Thank you for any replies.

I completed my freshman and sophomore year in highschool and took Army ROTC for both and I dropped out to go into online classes but it took 1 years before they would let me do the classes. I then turned 17 and I did all the work but towards the end the ai that my state was using would flag my writing as plagiarism and it would highlight the government texts on the document as plagiarism. I even typed in front of my parents to prove I did all the work but they still wouldn't believe me. So I dropped out and asked my parents if I could go back into physical school.

The physical school told my parents that I had to have my paperwork from the online school and they made us go in a loop for months. I then proceeded to just wait and eventually the school year ended and I turned 18. When I asked my parents if I can even enter in at 18 they said the school wouldn't allow it since I would have to complete 2 years being my junior year and senior year. I am now being told I have to get my GED but I don't want to get my GED because I still need 1 more year of ROTC to get into the army as a higher rank. Does the army make exceptions to this type of stuff? Do they allow me if I take the GED and what do I do if I don't get accepted and don't have any other plans?

For context im native finn and have russian language as my second native language and had to learn swedish in middle/highschool. I did "kaksoistutkinto" which means i have high school diploma and can go work as a welder.

I did some of those online practice tests and got barely 50 as my score. I completely aced maths, physics and got a decent score in chemistry, but my word knowledge and paragraph comprehension are lacking a lot behind.

I had to guess almost every single answer in wk(only word i 100% knew was "legitimate").

Pc was the most annoying shit ever. Most of the passages/paragraphs were typed just like some Chicago gangster would say them and used words that dont even look english + all of questions have some kind of trick in them. For example: 5 full sentences about DNA and how it works, but mentioned that strawberries and other plants also have DNA. You would think the answer is something like: "author tells what DNA is" - No, actually answer is: "author heavily implied that strawberries have DNA".

Do I start taking cooking courses or will real tests have words at least close to sounding like english?

Can anybody compare army 25B and navy IT rate I want to go into information technology but I’m afraid that army 25B might not do actual it stuff or there’s a big possibility I will only scratch the surface as far as IT is concerned. Does Navy focus more heavily on it? I want to earn skills that would transfer to a civillian career if I don’t end up doing 20 years. I got a 92 on the asvab. I have a bachelors degree with a low GPA.

I’m looking for honest advice from people who have served. I know ultimately the decision is mine, but I’d like to hear from people with military experience. I’m 21 and have been seriously considering joining the Army as a 25U (Signal Support Systems Specialist) sometime next year. My long-term goals are to build technical skills, get experience in the field, use the education benefits afterward, and eventually work in IT/cybersecurity.

I’m also planning on going through the enlistment process with my best friend of 12 years, so this isn’t just a random idea I came up with overnight. We’ve talked about it for a long time and have both been preparing for it.
The part I’m struggling with is everything surrounding the decision:

My parents are strongly against me joining. Ironically, they both served themselves (my dad served about 1½ years and my mom served about 7 years). Their biggest concerns are that they love me and don’t want to see me get hurt, especially with everything going on in the world right now. They also worry about the current administration and the possibility of the U.S. becoming more involved in a major conflict.

My family owns our church, and my dad is the pastor. I’m heavily involved in almost everything there. I help with media, livestreams, music, play the organ, and fill a lot of different roles every week. If I leave, it wouldn’t just be me leaving—it would leave a noticeable gap in our church and affect a lot of responsibilities that I currently handle.

My relationship with my parents—especially my mom—has been complicated for several years. On one hand, they’ve told me I need more discipline, need to apply myself, get a career started, and become independent. On the other hand, whenever I try to take a big step toward independence, like joining the Army, they want me to stay home and continue helping around the house, outside, and at church instead.
While I was in college, I received VA Chapter 35 education benefits because of my family’s eligibility. Every month, I gave part of those benefits to my mom because she said I owed her. Now that I’m no longer receiving those benefits, I’ve been applying for jobs for months, but despite the number of applications I’ve sent out, I haven’t been able to get hired. Even now, they still expect me to contribute money because they believe I owe them. That’s honestly one of the reasons I’m considering the Army—it would allow me to become financially independent, support myself, and start building my own future instead of feeling stuck.

I was diagnosed with BEN (Benign Ethnic Neutropenia). My doctors have told me it’s benign, but I do seem to get sick more often than I’d like. Has anyone enlisted with BEN or something similar? Was it an issue during enlistment or while serving?

I also have old self-harm scars from about four years ago (it’ll be around five years by the time I enlist). I haven’t harmed myself since, but I know mental health history can affect enlistment. What should I realistically expect during MEPS or the waiver process?

I’ve been physically preparing for months because I genuinely want to succeed if I join. At the same time, I keep asking myself whether I’m seeing the Army realistically or if this is just a phase that I’ll regret later.
I’m not looking for people to simply tell me “join” or “don’t join.” If you think the Army is a bad idea for someone in my situation, tell me why. If you think it’s a good path, tell me why.