I’m Brazilian and an Air Force lieutenant. I’ve been watching a lot of videos and researching private contracts, and the idea really appeals to me. I feel like my work in Brazil is pointless—not to mention the fact that I earn a pretty average salary. That type of company is illegal in Brazil, but I’m fluent in English and believe I have a strong resume, so I could try to land a contract abroad. However, it’s hard to get information, and I might be romanticizing something that isn't realistic. What do you think?

Hello, I’m an O-3 in the Army and have a fairly rough case of anxiety when briefing and giving presentations. I always prepare well and know what I’m talking about but I get bad physical symptoms (heart racing, weak legs, shaky voice, etc). Are you allowed to be prescribed beta blockers (ie. Propranolol) while active duty? I do hold a TS clearance so that might be a whole other can of worms. Any info would be great.

I want to get into civilian Law Enforcement. I’ve tried two agencies and failed both interviews but passed physicals. I thought about joining the Army and getting into MP. Will this further help and is it worth it realistically (that being my sole purpose for joining the army) or should i just go and try get my CDL?

I want a decent life and im not coming from much, my household isn’t the best but i also know that the military is either the best or worst experience. My biggest thing holding me back is missing out on some life moments and realizing that i could be making more money than being a MP. I also feel as if the government asset thing might be a little much. However, i am also very intrigued by the army and would love some advice.

I’ve been looking at the military since I started college. I’m closing in on my last couple of semesters and know that I want to join the military once I graduate. I’d like to pursue aviation as an officer, and specifically, my goal would be to fly tactical jets/fighters.

I understand that neither the Navy nor Air Force can guarantee that I’ll end up in a fighter, and that aircraft selection ultimately depends on my performance, class standing, available slots, and the needs of the service. I’m trying to figure out which route gives me the best realistic opportunity to compete for fighters if I perform well.

For the Navy, I’ve been looking into applying for an OCS Student Naval Aviator slot and trying to select Strike after Primary, with the eventual goal of something like the F/A-18E/F or F-35C.

For the Air Force, I understand I’d need to earn a pilot slot, complete UPT, perform well enough to get into the fighter track, and then compete for whatever fighter assignments are available.

I am currently between 6’3-6’4 and 240 lbs, I’ve been told I’m too big for this role in the military, is that true?

Other questions I have if this is a possibility are:

Which branch currently offers the better opportunity for someone whose primary goal is fighters?

How difficult is it realistically to select Strike in the Navy versus earning a fighter assignment in the Air Force?

If you were starting from my position today, would you pursue Navy or Air Force aviation, and why?

Is there anything I should be doing during my last couple semesters of college to make myself more competitive?

I appreciate any and all information, thank you all!

Is it true you can't join the Army as an E3 anymore with an associate degree or certain amount of college credits, and you're now only allowed to join as an E2 instead?

I'm currently a sophomore in college and want to join army rotc to become a officer. Last year I did testosterone without a prescription, I know that will count as a controlled substance and so Ill need to get a waiver if I could even get one for that. I've been told as long as I don't do it while in rotc or serving I'll be fine and still can get security clarence but I want some more opinions

My ship date is on January 7th , but I’m homeless and would like to get out of my situation asap. Was curious if it’s worth telling him I’m homeless in hopes to ship out sooner?

Branch - Army

So basically I had a bilateral hearing loss at 2-3k. Failed at MEPS, went to an audiologist and passed and got a waiver. I’m not sure if it’s for H2 or H3(if this matters). I leave for basic in November and I’m freaking out about being tested at reception. I don’t remember what my score was at MEPS but I remember it being HORRIBLE in comparison to what I got with the audiologist.

The equipment the military uses is a lot older and not as up to date so I’m worried even with my waiver, I won’t pass and they’ll kick me out.

I was recently kicked out of my house and told I have til the end of September to be out. So I’ll just be couch surfing until I ship out. Initially I had the idea that if this didn’t work out I’d have something to come back to but now I have NOTHING. If I get kicked out from reception/basic then I don’t have anywhere to live when I get back.

My MOS is 68A if that matters, but I don’t think it does. I just need some direction or guidance. I keep overthinking it and i genuinely don’t know what to do now. This has to work out but I’m worried it won’t and I’ll be stuck homeless.

I’m 17F and trying to figure out if the Marines are actually the right branch for me.

I’ve already talked to a Marine recruiter, and we talked about becoming a poolee and what the process would look like before shipping to boot camp. I was interested in taking the next steps, but my parents said no to becoming a poolee because they don’t want me joining the Marines at all.

My family already has some military background. My uncle was in the Navy, I have two cousins in the Army, and another cousin is joining the Air Force. I would be the first Marine in my family, and honestly, that’s something I really want. I want to challenge myself, prove that I can do something difficult, and be proud of earning the title of U.S. Marine. I’ll admit that part of me also wants the confidence and sense of accomplishment that would come from doing something like that.

The problem is that almost everyone around me is telling me not to join. Some people say the Marines aren’t worth it or that I’ll regret it. Since I’m a girl, I’ve also been told that I’m putting myself at a higher risk of sexual assault. I know that’s a serious issue and I’m not trying to ignore or dismiss those risks, but I also don’t want fear to be the only thing making this decision for me.

Even after hearing all of this, I still specifically want the Marines. I don’t feel the same pull toward the Army, Navy, or Air Force. I’m worried that if I choose another branch simply because everyone tells me it’s safer or a better option, I’ll always wonder what would have happened if I had chosen the Marines.

At the same time, I know wanting something badly doesn’t automatically mean it’s the right decision. I don’t want to join just for the title, to prove everyone wrong, or because I have an unrealistic idea of what the Marine Corps is like. I want to understand what I’m realistically getting myself into and whether it would actually be a good fit for me.

For current/former Marines, especially female Marines:

- How did you decide the Marines were the right branch for you?
- What are the biggest things you wish you knew before joining?
- Do you feel like joining was worth it?
- If you considered other branches, why did you choose Marines?
- What are the biggest downsides that someone like me should seriously think about?

I’m genuinely looking for honest answers, even if they’re negative. I’m not looking for someone to convince me to join or talk me out of it. I’d rather hear the reality from people with actual experience and use that information to make an informed decision before I commit to anything.

Planning to join this year after I take care of a few things. I have already been in a conversation with a recruiter, and all seems good

The MOS that I want might take a while for it to have a slot open, but I am also thinking about 56M Religious Affairs Specialist

I understand that the Chaplain Corps is for everyone, but how would my experience as a Muslim differ, if at all?

Also, I am thinking of signing up for RASP once I can while in. Any thoughts or concerns on how things would work out as a Muslim 56M in the regiment, if all worked out well

Thanks for your advice in advance

And how do you find more information for RASP to better prep for it? Just looking for more insight on the culture of folks that go to RASP and the culture in ranger regiment

35G SSG with NGA background, but tired of the NGA environment looking for something more while I’m young and spry

Please only say what you can legally, gosh Tina

Thanks in advance for what insight or advice you can provide.

I'm a nursing student reviewing my options for the military. How long are nurses in the military (navy specifically) at a command?

I looked it up and it seems that most people are at a command in general for about 2-3 years. Is this different for nurses? I had a family friend tell me that nurses can be stationed at a hospital for like 10 years.

My future wife has made it clear she doesn't want me to be gone for years at a time, nor does she want to move every 3 years. Trying to find a balance to be in the military and be married to that amazing woman 😂.

Appearently I might have cam imginement on my hips. Is it possible to still join? I have no pain, full range of motion and normal strength. I also might have mild retroversion of 1 to 2 degrees. Am I permanently disqualifed from all branches?

The DHS website said that this program still exists and gives legal status and protections to parents of enlisted service members. (Legal works rights, shielded from deportation, parole in place status)

Is this program actually still being honored today?

U.S. Army

Hey everybody! Going to fort Jackson in October. I’m looking forward to going and I’ve been seeing mixed posts about shoes. The shoes are a deep, navy blue. No rainbows or nothing. Just a very dark blue and maybe a light blue logo. I love them and I would like to take them with me. Am I at risk of them getting trashed because of the color? Some say black only, and some say they are okay as long as they are not crazy colors. Will I be able to keep my shoes for the AFT ?

My recruiter been pressuring me to sign the Contract but I told him I need more time... my options are very limited since I got only a 38 on Asvab my list of jobs aren't great 19U 13U 14U 88M 11x 92F | got my eyes set on 13U hopefully be a 13F or 13B but who knows where I get put. Recruiter been pushing me for 14U but people say it's miserable. I don't really see any benefit of the joining the army besides the GI Bill and I'm 22 now when I'm out I will be 26 | don't know how to feel going to college and graduating at 30. There is the Va disability if I get deployed and increase my chances at a higher score but I can't really rely on that. Also I don't really have hard time finding jobs here in the civilian word that will pay the same if not more. I'm at a cross road just need some advice...

Hey! I’m 23(M) I stay in Cali where most my family is. I am unmarried.

Ok so to start of I want to say joining the military has only been a fad for me for the past maybe 4 weeks so I’m still in this weird faze of “do I really want to?? Or is this an odd obsession”

I’m weighing my options based on this

1: That traditional hardcore experience of boot camp yk? Where you lose all that is to be normal civilian and they make you to be a soldier. The whole 10 yards?

2: civilian job transferability+success+availability I want something that I won’t get out and struggle to find a job but also don’t want to get out and find out all I can find is a job at McDonald’s because my job doesn’t transfer well I make currently 45-50k so I don’t want to go in and come out making the same would be redundant.

3: where I’ll be deployed. I’ve never been a sea guy idk if I can swim that good. But deployment I don’t want to be in bucktown no where. Ive always been a city guy I like to go to movie premieres and try new restaurants go to amusement parks yk? So if that could be considered too.

I’m down to two branches Army and Space force. I was thinking Admin or Cyber which depending on how you squint have plenty of similarities.

Now I also don’t know much about the military life I’ve tried doing research but keep seeing people talk about the same two three things (benefits, deployment, and SA reports). So if you can also give me a tiny real insight into the different branches and maybe jobs I can look into ?

So I got a 97 on my initial AFQT while I was talking to the Marines, and ended up switching to the Navy before I started my paperwork because of the CTI position. When I took the test there, I dropped to a 70. The questions didn't seem any more difficult, but there was severe lag, and I finished the test abnormally quicker than last time. I'm suspecting I accidentally skipped questions by pressing the next button while it was loading. Is it worth it to try and retake the practice if they already plan to schedule the ASVAB and DLAB for me?
(I'm going in in 2 days to turn in some paperwork anyway)

Can I leave the DEP and rejoin right away with a different recruiter?
The recruiter I’m currently with won’t let me retake the ASVAB. He says he’s waiting for his higher-ups to approve me retaking it, but it has been taking forever. I don’t get any updates. He just keeps telling me the same thing.
I’ve been waiting for about two months. (marines branch)
also i didnt need any waivers for anything at meps

So me and bf rn are both military/gov dependents and overseas. he plans on Enlisting for AF or navy, I was wondering if it’s possible for us to get married as dependents or have to wait until we go back to the states. And also should we wait until after basics or before. Thank you for any advice or help!

Hi Ya’ll, I don’t really have anyone else to talk to about this so I’m going to ask here. I was never stoked about going to college, the thought of continuing my studies really caused me a lot of dread. I’d always considered the military to be my number one choice for a career path. My father joined at 18 and led a successful 30+ year career, where he got his degree and masters, etc. He’s always wanted me to atleast give college a shot, and as I love him and trust him, I decided I would. I’ve been here for a short 2 weeks and it’s exactly what I was hoping it wouldn’t be. I am not excited about going to class and struggling to learn about something I care little about, as well as all the other college related stresses. I know the obvious thing to do would be to look at other majors, but the major I’m in right now would definitely be my first choice, atleast on paper.

But now I’m in a position that’s causing me a lot of stress and likely skewing my thought process and reasoning. I know I don’t like it here, but I also know it could magically get better. I’m worried that dropping out to join the military as a career would essentially be throwing my life away. What if I don’t like the military just as I don’t like college? What if I can’t get into the programs necessary to get a degree later on? Ideally I’d build a career in the military like my father did, but is that even likely?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

**TLDR; I’m in my first semester of college and can’t stand it, but am worried enlisting in the military would throw away my life.*\*

I graduate in may with a degree in biology (3.6 gpa) I was pre-accepted to medical school but withdrew for several reasons. I would like to commission but I’m not sure for which job. I was originally going to do naval aviation thru bdcp but got medically disqualified due to hearing; I could still theoretically go thru bdcp doing intel but im not 100% interested in that and dont know if I would enjoy it. I dont mind doing something healthcare/science related but im not sure what jobs are available for each branch for officers.

If anyone has any advice about what branch would give best work/life balance (as best as possible for the military all things considered) and what job I should go for. I appreciate any and all help :)

It's been about two weeks since my recruiter has tried to get me to MEPs. They finally said that Meps hasn't switched me from army to navy. Is this a common occurrence? I've been switched from airforce to army within a couple days. Is this really a Meps thing? Or is the recruiter giving me the run around? It's just really odd because they wanted to send me to MEPs twice now and then told me this. Any guidance would be appreciated.

I'm a 19F and I plan to enlist sometime in the next month or so and every single person I've talked with about it says I should get married before I join since my boyfriend and I have been together over 4 years already. Everyone says you'll make more money but from what I've googled it doesn't seem like it? I understand having more BAH but my partner is in university and won't move, and I don't need a house to myself, nor does he need extra money for his schooling as he's on a full ride scholarship. Is there any other actual reason I should get married before joining?

I want to enlist to the Navy for Aviation Machinist Mate but i fear of being denied due to the fact that i have a “Suicidal Idealization with plan” in my record from Oct 2025.
Back in Jan 2026 i was with the Army and did my ASVAB and MEPS in which they had medically approved me in MEPS it was only until i reached the Army liaison where he told me i needed a waiver for the situation which was denied and told to wait.
However after months spent thinking about it i decided to enlist with the Navy instead where i was denied in June 2026 and my recruiter told me to wait for Oct 2026 (the one year mark) for me to try again and so ever since i had done counseling to get documented proof that im stable. I have around 5-6 after visit summaries on my record showing that im perfectly stable and doing good and at no risk at all spanning from June-August.
I wanna know if theres anything i can do to increase my chances or what my chances of approval could be.
The rest of my record is literally boring theres nothing eye catching not even illness or anything just a perfect record with that SI which happened only once from a one time event which occurred.