Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 2/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: I asked this question last year about this same time and was told that the military would not be the right choice for me. I will be 36 years old in July, have 4 step children. Ages 14,20,20,and 21. Three of my own ages 18months,4 and 6. I am unemployed and the job outlook does not look very good. Would the Army be a good choice for me right now. My youngest and the 4yr old have health issues. I want to do the right thing but is joining the army it???

ANSWER: Dear Michael --

Unless you have a spouse that is able to take care of all those children while you are away for more than a year, the military remains a poor choice for you.  Your large family means you have multiple needs at home.  The military cannot give you time off every time a child is sick, or your spouse is overwhelmed by caring for 7 children alone.

If you leave your military duty station without permission, even if it is for a very good family reason, you can be charged with absent without leave (AWOL).  The least that will happen is that your pay will be docked.  The worst that could happen is that you could go to military detention (jail).  The most likely outcome would be somewhere between the two extremes.  I mention this because a large number of people who have family problems when they join the service go AWOL to "fix" the problems they couldn't fix before they joined.  AWOL then worsens an already difficult situation.  I do not want that to happen to you.

Since I do not know your educational background, your prior work history, or your professional skills, I cannot recommend what path might be good for you to find a job with healthcare, and located where you can assist your family when needed.

The Army is accepting enlistees up to the age of 42, if they otherwise meet the educational, health, physical, moral and family requirements of enlistment.

Good luck to you and your family.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I sent you a message 2 days ago and got your reply. You were wondering about my education. I have my AAS degree in Athletic Training, certified massage therapist, and a year left for physical therapist assistant. In all, i have over 300 credits. I am in default on my student loans so I can't finish because I can't afford it. I took the asvab and scored really low(37). I am retaking it in a couple weeks. Would joining the army for 2-4 or maybe longer years to finish my education a good idea?

ANSWER: Dear Michael --

Joining the military will still be a bad idea for you.  Your ASVAB scores are terribly low, so you are unlikely to be accepted.  If you are accepted for enlistment, you will be offered the least desirable jobs in the service.  If you had better ASVAB scores, you could possibly be accepted by the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) as a physical therapist assistant, but with your current scores, that is not possible.

I recommend you visit an AMEDD recruiter not a regular Army recruiter.  Bring a copy of all your transcripts for your physical therapist assistant training and education.

Good luck

 



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I meant to say how do I find an AMEDD recruiter? Do I go through my recruiter and ask him? I don't want to offend him or step on anyones toes. I think the army would be a good choice for me being that there is nothing else around due to the economical downfall. I just want to know everything I can before I go in. And it kind of scares me that you said, I will only be offered the least desirable jobs due to my low ASVAB scores. I want to serve my country and get an education, so when I get out, I will have a good job. I want to enjoy what I am doing. I don't want to be stuck in something or put somewhere where I would not enjoy it. Thank you for your time. You are being very helpful.

Answer
Dear Michael --

You can locate an AMEDD recruiter by going to this website

http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/m_spec/find_a_recruiter.jsp

and typing in your zip code.

AMEDD recruiters are separate from regular Army recruiters.

I recommend you take some practice ASVAB tests before your retest, so you have a better chance at getting a successful score.

Good luck to you.