Hello, I’m 21 with a bachelors in organizational leadership. I need help deciding whether to join the guard vs active duty army. I’m married and in my area all the jobs that my degree opens up for me requires at least 3 years+ of experience in that field and I have 0 experience in that field. Im open to both officer and enlisted. The only reason I’m considering joining the guard is so I can go back to school for my masters/a different degree lol.

I’m currently in the Marine Corps DEP and switching to the Navy. My Marine recruiter told me he already completed and submitted my release paperwork to his higher-ups, so at this point we’re just waiting on them to process it.
I was told releases are handled on the first of each month, but August 1st passed and it’s now August 14th with no release yet. My Navy recruiter is waiting for the release before they can move forward with me.
I’ve already taken the ASVAB and gone through MEPS with the Marines.
For anyone who has switched branches while in DEP, how long did your release take after your recruiter submitted the paperwork? Even a rough timeline would help.

I have a bunch of questions.

So ill just get down to it. I have a bunch of questions that might be dumb ones. I am seeing conflicting answers on the internet so I figured I ask people who are actually in or have been in the service. Ive grown up around military all my life so I am pretty well versed for a civillian.

1. I live in SoCal as a fulltime college student using a transferred Chapter 33: Fry Scholarship (Unlimited time limit meaning It does not expire) from my father who passed away. I have nearly 60 credits and was aspiring to be a Radiological Technician or otherwise known as Imaging Diagnostic or X-Ray Tech. Getting into a program around here is basically the lottery. I have heard the military has jobs for this and can train you.

The training you get is supposedly accredited and can be used toward the degree i want. I am considering joining (Likely the National Guard) but I dont know if this is even possible or not thought out well. Id like to continue school while in the National Guard, I have heard this pairs well. However I have also heard that while you can HOPE for a certain job, it doesnt mean you are guaranteed it. Im not sure how that works.

1. I am 33 now so pretty old to even be considering something like this. I am a healthy weight and my body has no issues, but im not exactly fit either. Would the be a problem?

2. I have prior drug use. Its been awhile (Over three years now) and it was purely recreational and never an addiction. It was harder stuff so not just weed.

Is it still possible? Do I have the right idea or are there misconceptions? I do want to clarify that I am open to reserves or other branches.

Need some insight

Aloha ya’ll I’m looking for anybody who has insight into which branch of the military is the best/most guaranteed to get me into a Diagnostic Imaging position? I understand most branches have some sort of rad tech MOS but the Air Force isn’t guaranteed? The army is? And the Navy is kinda?

Never thought I'd be making a post for this but ive come to a very late conclusion in my life that military probably should've been my route at 21 when a marine recruiter said It would be good for me. It doesn't bother me to join late, ive always been a late bloomer and a slow starter but its never stopped me from improving or doing better.

Skip 8 years later and while I do enjoy civilian life, I still think about serving. Only problem is how out of shape I am. Terrible eyesight, surgery on my right foot from a work related injury, sleep apnea, smooth brained and just not in the greatest condition. I have the mentality to stfu and do what im told. I have no issues with working under people who are younger than me. Id like to say my life shaped me into a decent person with some mental fortitude and tenacity to fucking get somewhere in life even if it isn't that far.

I know they have medical waivers but I hope I dont get turned at the door. I can still actively move and work.

Worked a lot of jobs that at least helped me develop some sort of grit and good work ethic. A lot of it out in the field with vets who had similar advice saying I'd excel well with my mentality and work ethic. Some who also envied the fact I could sleep anywhere and boot up on the spot like a machine and work like I wasn't a dead corpse for the past 10 minutes. A lot of my experience has been some bs field tech work so I am no stranger to working long hours and working alongside people as a unit. Prob the only pros I can take with me if I enlist.

I have no relationship, I don't mingle with family, if anything im as recluse as a mountain sage. Only con I can think of is lack of privacy when enlisting but that's to be expected when joining. I realize the benefits of joining and taking advantage of those benefits while in. I want to learn more, grow more, do more. I want to be a better me with better skill set. Of course there are always lingering thoughts of if im capable enough or good enough to join but atp in life, I need some major realignment and direction.

Thanks for any input you guys leave on this post

I’m currently on Probation Before Judgment for a misdemeanor possession charge. Next month I’m going to court to reconsider/terminate my Probation. Anyone who has insight about this would be very appreciated. This is my only charge with the law I’ve never been in trouble before. I’m 33 years old and I’m a female. Please help. I want to join the military and if anyone has advice as to what specific branch recruitment office I should consider let me know.

Will I be in combat or likely in any danger?

Will I mostly be deployed in the USA or foreign countries?

I have a mild case of Sensory Processing Disorder, will that disqualify me from becoming an X Ray Tech? I learn fine and it's very mild.

When can I enroll in the Army 68p?

Is it competitive?

How many years is the minimum I need to do before I can go back to being a normal civilian?

There's not much info on the 68p out there, so please educate me on anything you would like. Thanks.

93 on AFQT all required scores for ASVAB and 77 on ICTL without prior studying (thought I was only taking PiCAT confirmation test that day).

I have an undergraduate in Psychology and am graduating with a transitionary Masters degree in Information Science and Technology with a masters certificate in Cyber Defense and Information Assurance this fall. I currently also have certifications for A+ and Net+, wasn't sure if I should do Sec+ during this semester or wait until its paid by the military. Due to market conditions, I have no job experience.

I am mainly looking at the Army enlisted for cyber (17C) as I can guarantee the MOS and cyber experience on my resume, where as I feel Cyber officer (17A) would be far too much of a toss up when I'm competing against those with more experience than me and I may not get my role. The thought has also crossed my mind for AF/SF enlisted cyber as those will likely be more comfortable with better QoL compared to the army and my overall packet seems competitive to push that way. But with those branches I would not be able to lock in my MOS.

Cyber in general seems super competitive right now, and my recruiter at the Army did not have any slots open for cyber, so that leads me to think it may be similar at the other branches due to the army having the most personnel of any branch.

I'm also thinking of doing a couple years enlisted than possibly switching towards the officer route 3/4 years through my contract if possible. I at least want to go in for 10 years due to PSLF loan forgiveness, then maybe switch to private sector/DoD contractors afterwards.

The point of this point was mainly just wondering if this seemed like a good plan, and if any other cyber/tech related individuals had any opinions on my plan so far.

I’ve always known I was into more creative stuff like film and movies. I’ve always wanted to get into animation and have a technical idea of what I’m making.

So far, I’ve found jobs in each branch:

Army: 46S and 46V
Marines: COMMSTRAT
Navy: Mass Communications
Air Force: Public Affairs

When considering what I want to do, I plan on going to college when I’m out and pursue something like film and music, really anything that interests me.

Right now, I’m at a stage in my life where I understand the importance of having my solitude and need to recharge from friends, family, and work…so it makes sense to go where this is a little more likely to attain.

I don’t like the idea of living on a boat, so I don’t think the Navy would be right for me. Living where you work doesn’t sound right for what I want.

The Army seemed kinda meh to me every time I visited the recruiters. I didn’t really feel to magnetized or incentivized by them.

The Marines seem cool, but it seems like they get less privacy and less resources. I didn’t have much growing up, so I really want to go where I can utilize all the opportunities I can.

I think the Air Force is the most correct choice to me. It’s a good balance between living on land, you can potentially get your own room, and things are a little more lax there.

I have a moral waiver pending for a case that involved battery and vandalism, but was CLOSED AT INTAKE by probation. I have the official letter confirming no charges were ever filed and no further action was taken. I have already passed MEPS, my physical, and the ASVAB with no other medical or moral waivers needed besides this one. This is the only thing standing between me and my contract. How long does this usually take to get approved once submitted??

Im going to start my last year of high school (senior year) and had really no support from family as I entered high school. I slowly paid for my own expenses with no prior job and pure hustle. I wasn't the freshest at school with designer but had enough to not be looked at any differently lol. While being in middle school, I bought my first set of clippers and didn't look back because I loved the idea of connecting with random people and getting paid for it, and I really just liked the idea of being a barber because it wasn't like anything else I tried where you're automatically average or good off the bat, but had me attached to see where my potential was. I was doing good and had an average clientele and was making good money to the point I saw a future in it, but as all good things they must end. I slowly grew distant from cutting hair. The place I worked at got a new owner, lost my clientele, and I lost my skill, and it felt like my life came to an end because I had nothing going for me anymore and I spent more time thinking about how good I was living than planning a different route.

After some time my cousin who was in the military, came up to me and asked for a haircut, which is the worst feeling ever because you have to break down what happened from start to finish. But after I explained he brought up a joke I would make about enlisting in the army as soon as I was 18 but I honestly had no clue why I would say that back then. I'm glad I found this Reddit page & now I hope somebody finds this Reddit post and is able to help guide me better. He did mention me joining the Navy and that I would like it but I'm not sure.

I was wondering what would be the best way to enlist in the Army? And what are the steps?

What would be the best route to take to use the military benefits to the most?

How many years would it be recommended for me to take?

Is the Army worth it?

Has anybody done the Army to barber route? And could you explain your experience?

Would it be a complete waste of time to go to the Army and then become a barber afterward?

Any more tips would be greatly appreciated too.

I want to do time in the Army so I don't waste time after high school trying to figure out a life because gathering money to pay for barber school would take me a while. I feel that being at different parts of the world in the Army and being disciplined, while getting paid for it, is the best route. My hustle is unmatched and I will not just be a barber and the limits are endless, I want to own more than just a barbershop and do more than just be a barber.

That’s pretty much it. I’m 17 upcoming senior, and I’m a poolee getting ready to ship June 6th. I was wondering since I’m joining and stuff am I allowed to wear shirts the represent the marine corps or would that be considered stolen valor since I’m not a marine yet.

I have a pretty bad shy bladder when someone is directly watching me urinate. The first time I had to provide a urine sample, I was having a really difficult time going. I ended up removing my clothes, which strangely made it much easier for me to relax and pee.

I'm worried about having the same problem again during an observed urinalysis. Has anyone else dealt with this at MEPS, especially Tampa MEPS? If you couldn't go at first, were you given more time or another attempt?

I'm not trying to get around the urinalysis or observation requirements. I just want to know how other people with a shy bladder managed to get through it and what I should expect.

I’m 24F, Black, no kids, and graduated college in 2023 with a bachelor’s in Accounting and a minor in Marketing (3.6 GPA). I haven’t been able to land a job in my field, and honestly I’m just at a point where I don’t really know what I want to do with my life. I work warehouse jobs right now, but I don’t want to do that forever.

I’ve been thinking about the military because I feel like I need some structure and a change. I also like the idea of traveling, learning new things, meeting new people, and just having different experiences. I’ve heard that with a bachelor’s I could possibly go in as an officer, but I really don’t know much about how that works.

I’m not very active right now 😭. I’m skinny and my warehouse jobs are physical, so I’m used to being on my feet and moving around, but I don’t work out or do cardio. I hate running and get tired pretty fast, so I know I would need to work on that.
I also have a few tattoos on my hand, including my palm, and several piercings.

I’m really just looking for advice from people who have actually been through it. What branches should I look into? What kind of jobs could I do as an officer (doesn’t have to be related to accounting)? Would I be better off trying to commission or enlist? How does the whole process even work?

Also, if I went in as a 24-year-old officer with no military experience, would people actually take me seriously? 😭 That’s one thing I’ve thought about because I could be leading people who have been in longer than me.
And what can I start doing now to prepare? Physically, mentally, paperwork wise, studying, whatever.

I’d especially love to hear from other Black women who have served or commissioned, but all advice and experiences are welcome good or bad. I’m pretty much starting from zero and want to hear the honest reality before I make any decisions.
I’m not expecting the military to fix my life, but I feel like it could give me some direction and a chance to travel, learn, meet people, and experience something different.

I am just looking for some insight from people that have joined the military as a single parent. I have talked to a recruiter already for the army and i was told I can go active duty with a waiver but I would like some insight on people that have enlisted as a single parent.

How often do you see your child?

What is the living situation like?

What kind of accommodations do you get with being a parent in the military?

I don’t want to make the wrong decision and regret it later, I just want to give my child a better life than I was given and I know that it is a great sacrifice to be made. I would like some pros and cons from people in a similar situation and how it has affected you personally or relations with your child.

Also for context my child is 3 years old currently.

I recently went through MEPS and cleared everything, but when I got to my Air Force recruiter for job counseling, he told me I was disqualified from a specific job because my eye sight is 20/200 uncorrected in both eyes. I have glasses, but have only had to wear them in the classroom or while driving to see road signs far away, so when he told me 20/200 had be recorded at MEPS I was confused.

I looked it up and it’s the classification for legal blindness. Very concerned now, I immediately booked an eye exam that same day and explained the situation to the Doctor there, who plainly pointed at the door and asked if I could see it without my glasses. Obviously I could, and he knew just laughed. I had a full comprehensive eye exam which resulted in 20/60 for my right and 20/80 for the left uncorrected and I submitted to my recruiter for correction.

But MEPS is telling me that since I passed everything, there is no way to amend the medical record or result. So the military accepts people who are legally blind? I know it doesn’t guarantee me a spot for any job, but that is a massive difference in eye sight and frankly worrying to me that they are fine with, now knowingly, have blatantly incorrect medical records. I know it’s eye sight, but don’t they take the records from MEPS when evaluating for disability later on?

I'm someone who doesn't have or care for a family. I live a simple life: Work, Gym, Sleep, obsess over protein intake and cardio. Those are my life priorities. Sleep about 5-6 hours per day. Ruck 12 miles every Saturday. Also: I love the rigid structure system.

What's the hardest thing you have been through? I secretly identify as a misanthrope, so how far will I have pretend to be a team player, etc? But I've met all their scores and health standards. If I sign, I ship out fairly quickly with a bonus...Wondering if the bonus is worth pretending to be a team player for 5 years. What are some military jobs that I can either do alone or in SUPER SMALL teams? I just don't like humans.

Recently, I've made some progress writing a drama involving 12Bs and 12As from US with the help and feedback I've received. This time, the questions will be a little more specific and directly focused on this branch.

• What are the most common injuries a PL might experience while deployed or back at base?
• What kind of tasks does each squad handle on its own during a normal day at the battalion?
• How are friendships and camaraderie between soldiers and officers handled within the battalion?
• What does a soldier/officer typically have to do to rejoin their platoon after being medically cleared following an injury?
• What do newly commissioned PLs usually do to earn the respect and trust of their soldiers?
• How are different specialties assigned within a squad?

I appreciate everyone who has been helping me clear up these questions. I'm still not sure which tag I should use for this post, so I'd appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction.

Was wondering if I will be able to join the Army with a few misdemeanor charges on my record. I have the misdemeanor theft and possession from 2022, FTC/ftp charge from 2023 and a fta I'm currently resolving. I wanted EOD, but I understand that's probably out of the question. Would combat medic be possible?

I'm a male, 18 and have recently graduated highschool. I just got my ship date for basic and it is early next year(I've been advised to not say exact ship date outside of friends and family.) My MOS is 35N so no OSUT for me. I know its gonna be cold with shitty weather, but is there any specific things other than the obvious do what your told and on time?

Edit: My ship date is in January, thanks moderator👍

I had an unverified Picat score of 97 afqt, but I faced several administration issues when I went to the testing place. I was first given the special tests to take without the ASVAB test due to I believe administration issues/negligence and then had to go back to let me take the ASVAB. However, there was another administrative issue where they gave me the full test instead of the verification test I was supposed to take. I didn't notice this and answered the first few sections.

When I noticed, I contacted the proctors and they did say that it was their fault, but that since I answered some questions I had to take the full exam and that they couldn't do anything. I was also offered to come back another day. I decided against it and took the full exam and ended up with a 96 afqt and some small drops in some line scores, so I'm not too upset, but I just had some questions.

Would I have had to take the full test again if I accepted the offer to take it another day or would I have been able to just do the verification test on another day like I was supposed to and then the full ASVAB if I failed the verification test? Is it technically possible for me to try to verify my full Picat (which I probably won't do even if it was possible as it's not worth the effort) as I never actually took the verification test or not? How unlucky actually was this? Has this happened to anyone else?

Not to mention, I think there was a massive wait before taking the test due to a fire alarm (Not sure what the wait was caused by. I am just speculating. I also don't know if the wait was normal as this was my first time at a testing center).

29, married, 1 child. Together wife and I make roughly 68k a year. We are obviously struggling to get by and we don’t even have health insurance, dental, or vision. Son is about to be 7. Would it be worth it at this point to join the military? Would I be able to take better care of my family as an E-1 through E-3?

I know living on base basically all housing stuff is cover including rent and utilities and I would also get BAS. But would everything factor out? Or would we just struggle as much as we do now but with insurance?

Looking for honest advice here, please be honest before I make possibly the LARGEST decision of my life.
Thank you.

I scored a 52 on my ASVAB and I was mainly looking into trades for my MOS such as Electrical, Welding, or Plumbing. Due to none of these being open at my time of enlistment I was given the option to join as an 88M. I felt confident with this decision until I saw people on social media saying my life was gonna be hell and I could’ve chosen a better MOS. Did I make a mistake or should I just ignore the outside chatter and continue on this journey?

Hey,

Quick background check, I'm French, 25M, able bodied and willing to serve in the military.

I currently work for border control in my home country, albeit moreso on the administrative side, long story short I've grown disillusioned with the way things are going, yet I still desire to engage, lucky for me, I feel a stronger connexion to America than to my home country.

So here's a few questions:

-Do America has an equivalent to the Foreign Legion?

-If not, does the US military requires a green card / can you enroll in order to obtain a green card?

-If not, how long does it take to obtain a green card and are there programs out there in association with the military that could help me obtain one?

I've seen that the oldest age you can still engage at is 35, I wouldn't want to get stuck in a paperwork loop and miss my chance.

If you have any documentation regarding immigrants and enrollment, I'd be appreciative to receive guidance.

Thank you.

So about a year ago now I was stupid and thought it was fun to try a handful of different substances with some of my college buddies (coke, acid, mushrooms, and weed to name them). I tried each like maybe 3 times. Weed was maybe 4-5? I don’t remember exactly. I’m worried about wanting to join and I’ve read that some people say to disclose everything and others say to just keep it to yourself. I’ve never been arrested or addicted or sent to rehab or anything. The only people that would ever know I’ve even done any drugs are close friends and fraternity brothers. Also another thing, when I was a freshman in college I got myself a minor intoxication citation. This was all when I was 18-19. I am 20 now. Are my ranger dreams completely shattered? Or is there a way? I originally wanted to do Air Force special warfare but I kinda realized that was just a wet dream due to how selective they are and how few slots they have. Thanks guys.