Started By
Message
re: Joining the Military
Posted on 1/19/15 at 11:36 pm to DynastyDawg
Posted on 1/19/15 at 11:36 pm to DynastyDawg
quote:
So does anyone want to actually explain what a degree gets you, or why it doesn't get you an officer spot, or do we just want to keep posting
"yes it does"
"no it doesn't"
Here is the deal: You (not "you" in particular, but lots of people in general) might have heard that engineers are in high demand, and worked hard, and then cheated when you had to, to get that degree in a field, that you are not really suited for, and really lack love for it, and because of this, your aptitude does not match.
The ASVAB is similar to an IQ test also, but it goes further into attempting to find a person's forte.
Some people with all kinds of degrees and credits, can barely qualify to be a cook, much less an officer. After that(maybe before), if you pass all of those tests, your background will be taken into consideration, criminal record etc..mental evaluation, are you leader material?
sorry.. typed this after sippin on some whiskey, hope you can make sense of it
This post was edited on 1/20/15 at 9:15 am
0
Posted on 1/20/15 at 6:32 am to diddydirtyAubie
OCS isn't easy, but if you don't fricking suck then you'll make it. You guys are acting like its this damn near impossible feat. If you have a bachelor's and you aren't a little bitch then you can be an officer.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 6:53 am to Wanderin Reb
To the OP:
If you don't want to be an officer then don't be. I had my bachelor's before I got in, made a 98 on my ASVAB with my lowest sub category score being a 123, and I still went enlisted. I had enough buddies in to know that going straight to OCS would have felt like cheating I didn't want to lead before being led. I had planned on getting E5 then going officer, but that changed once I got in. I love being enlisted, or more specifically being an NCO. My personal philosophies more closely align with the NCO corps than the commissioned.
I would suggest looking at other jobs. I'll admit I have a blast during pre-mob when we do infantry tactics and all that good stuff, but doing it every day would get mind numbing. You'll get plenty of that stuff at basic. I would look into a job you'll enjoy doing day in and day out.
I'm in ATC right now and I love it. It's mentally challenging and we get to work with all sorts of cool equipment. I also think our ATC repair guys have a pretty cool job as they're trained to work on and fix all of our equipment (radar, mobile tower, TAIS). What they do seems really interesting to me.
Just be sure you really think about the MOS you choose. I see way too many peke come in with the wrong MOS and it ruins their career.
If you don't want to be an officer then don't be. I had my bachelor's before I got in, made a 98 on my ASVAB with my lowest sub category score being a 123, and I still went enlisted. I had enough buddies in to know that going straight to OCS would have felt like cheating I didn't want to lead before being led. I had planned on getting E5 then going officer, but that changed once I got in. I love being enlisted, or more specifically being an NCO. My personal philosophies more closely align with the NCO corps than the commissioned.
I would suggest looking at other jobs. I'll admit I have a blast during pre-mob when we do infantry tactics and all that good stuff, but doing it every day would get mind numbing. You'll get plenty of that stuff at basic. I would look into a job you'll enjoy doing day in and day out.
I'm in ATC right now and I love it. It's mentally challenging and we get to work with all sorts of cool equipment. I also think our ATC repair guys have a pretty cool job as they're trained to work on and fix all of our equipment (radar, mobile tower, TAIS). What they do seems really interesting to me.
Just be sure you really think about the MOS you choose. I see way too many peke come in with the wrong MOS and it ruins their career.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:23 pm to TheJunction
I have not read one response...I will say this...if you are truly 3 semesters...basically 9-10 months from an engineering degree...you are stupid to leave that to go be a fricking grunt marine...
get your degree first...then go in...to the Navy or Air Force as an OFFICER...
I'm a vet btw...and have served for over 12 years...don't be dumb..
ETA:
I just read through the thread...it seems I was not alone in my thinking...two points stuck out...you mentioning you want to be infantry...and the guy who said "officers don't dig ditches"
he is right and you would be foolish to quit school and go do shite work for four years in an infantry unit...be the guy who leads those men at the least OR as one mentioned, think Navy Nuke Officer...guys getting out of the Navy after leading a Nuke division on a Sub are starting at about $130K a year at the nuclear plants on the civilian side...just sayin
get your degree first...then go in...to the Navy or Air Force as an OFFICER...
I'm a vet btw...and have served for over 12 years...don't be dumb..
ETA:
I just read through the thread...it seems I was not alone in my thinking...two points stuck out...you mentioning you want to be infantry...and the guy who said "officers don't dig ditches"
he is right and you would be foolish to quit school and go do shite work for four years in an infantry unit...be the guy who leads those men at the least OR as one mentioned, think Navy Nuke Officer...guys getting out of the Navy after leading a Nuke division on a Sub are starting at about $130K a year at the nuclear plants on the civilian side...just sayin
This post was edited on 1/20/15 at 12:35 pm
Posted on 1/20/15 at 12:53 pm to TheJunction
OP, I'm a former active duty Marine who served for four years and did two floats with the 24th MEU.
For god's sake, finish your engineering degree. If, once you finish, you still want to do military service, either apply for OCS or enlist.
I also recommend (if you enlist) that you re-think your choice of MOS. The 03 group sounds awesome when you're sitting in a bullshite college class or drinking beer with your buddies on the weekend. In reality 03s are stuck in a four year hellscape of nearly impossible promotion cutoffs, bullshite training ops and a complete lack of transferable job skills.
If you're not making a career of the Marine Corps but just want to do your part, pick an MOS that might serve you in the future. Career Marines from 03 service are highly regarded but if you plan on doing 4 years and getting out, pick another MOS.
For god's sake, finish your engineering degree. If, once you finish, you still want to do military service, either apply for OCS or enlist.
I also recommend (if you enlist) that you re-think your choice of MOS. The 03 group sounds awesome when you're sitting in a bullshite college class or drinking beer with your buddies on the weekend. In reality 03s are stuck in a four year hellscape of nearly impossible promotion cutoffs, bullshite training ops and a complete lack of transferable job skills.
If you're not making a career of the Marine Corps but just want to do your part, pick an MOS that might serve you in the future. Career Marines from 03 service are highly regarded but if you plan on doing 4 years and getting out, pick another MOS.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 1:15 pm to TheJunction
Engineering degree should point you to the navy or AF, IMO.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 1:23 pm to TheJunction
Join ROTC if you're set on going into the military. Finish your degree now.
Posted on 1/20/15 at 6:42 pm to TheJunction
Have you thought about becoming an officer? I have a bunch of friends from Auburn who went through OCS. The military will pay for your education... I assume the rest of your college since you're a junior. You will leave college making $40K will full benefits. You have to put in your time of course & that will be one hell of a resume builder.
Page 4 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News