Thread: Military

Originally Posted by Bowzer

Like fm2176, I am also in the Army. However, I choose a different path from the straight up enlistment option. If you would like to know more, feel free to send me a message.


Right now, the Army offers the largest enlistment bonus at 40,000 if I remember correctly. It is also by far the largest branch with the most different types of jobs. The Army would be a solid choice, as would the Navy and Air Force (or even Coast Guard). I would, however, advise against joining the Marines unless you really, really want to. They seem to become brainwashed after joining. They are also underfunded and have a tendency to die more frequently than the other branches.

One thing I didn't touch on, and which Bowzer would be a better help with. Officers. If you don't want to work, like to shuffle papers and believe in "gentlemen", this is the job for you.

Seriously, though, Shinysides mentioned having some college. If you have enough college you can put in for Officer Candidate School once you enlist. There is even a way to enlist with OCS in your contract, where you will attend the 14 week OCS course at Fort Benning after your basic training. Bowzer went through the Reserve Officers Training Corps, IIRC. This is a four year program where you go to college and earn a commission upon graduation. Enlisted also have Green-to-Gold, where they get out after their enlistment to attend college and ROTC before getting commissioned back in. Officers make more money, though they do not get some of the education benefits and other perks. NCOs run the Army, but we all need officers to take the blame when something goes wrong.

Originally Posted by fm2176

One thing I didn't touch on, and which Bowzer would be a better help with. Officers. If you don't want to work, like to shuffle papers and believe in "gentlemen", this is the job for you.

Originally Posted by fm2176

Seriously, though, Shinysides mentioned having some college. If you have enough college you can put in for Officer Candidate School once you enlist. There is even a way to enlist with OCS in your contract, where you will attend the 14 week OCS course at Fort Benning after your basic training. Bowzer went through the Reserve Officers Training Corps, IIRC. This is a four year program where you go to college and earn a commission upon graduation.

ROTC is 2-4 years (you get a full ride and then some while youre going to school).

Originally Posted by Bowzer

ROTC is 2-4 years (you get a full ride and then some while youre going to school).

I haven't worked with ROTC much, I stick to JROTC. I keep getting older, and they just stay the same age. Overused reference, I know, but it's my job now, for better or worse.