Expert: James Bell - 10/21/2009

Question
recently i've been chating with a recruiter for the marine corps I feel like their just telling me what i want to hear and not what i need to know. So on the side i've been looking into the air force. The air force seems pretty cool i have no problem with fightin for my country at all. Anywho in the marines the training seems extremly hard and rough especially for me since i'm a female. I'm having trouble choosing which one i should enlist in i need some insight...

Answer
Marishia -

It all depends on what your goals are.  I knew a woman that joined the Army because she liked the green uniforms over Air Force blue.  That's a pretty flimsy reason for determining the direction of your life for the next four to six years.  You need to determine your reasons for joining: Are you looking to learn a skill or trade to provide experience for later in life?  Is serving your country your primary goal?  Either branch is going to require certain levels of physical training, so you need to be prepared for that, regardless of your decision.

If you want to pick up a rifle and fight on the front lines, I can't think of a service that sees more action than the Marines or Army.  If you want a technically oriented job that will challenge your abilities and provide experience with which to start a life-long career after the military, then the Air Force offers a wide variety of careers.

If you are working with a Marine recruiter, go in and ask him hard questions: What jobs do I qualify for based on my ASVAB scores? What bases of assignment are available for a given job?  Can I get a guaranteed job, or does the military pick one for me?  All these are questions that if you don't ask now -- because you didn't know what to ask -- you may not like the choices that are made for you.

After asking these questions and getting answers from the recruiter, I'm sure it will spark more questions from you.  It won't be long before you have a picture painted of what you can expect.  You can then seek out an Air Force recruiter and ask the same questions.  See which branch of service will meet your needs for developing a technical skill that will last a lifetime, as well as giving you the satisfaction of serving your country in a worthwhile manner.

Sincerely,
James Bell