Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 11/5/2007

Question
QUESTION: i am 17 and a junior in high school. ive talked to recruiters at my school and they said i could do basic training over the summer. but if i do that would i have to also do boot camp after i enlist?

ANSWER: Dear Mario --

You must have enlisted already to go to boot camp (basic training).  If the recruiters are trying to get you to enlist as a reservist before you finish high school, do not agree to it.  You have much better potential for good jobs and promotions in the Army, if you complete high school first.

If they are talking to you about enlisting as a reservist after you graduate from high school and before you go to college, be cautious.  As a reservist you are liable for deployment immediately, whether or not you are in college or have an important job on the outside.  

If you are serious about serving, I recommend going active duty.  If you are serious about college and serving later, I recommend trying for a reserve officer training corps scholarship, or a billet at one of the service academies.  

Please write back if you need more information on any of your options.


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

QUESTION: i am pretty sure i do want serve. but i thought i could take college corses while i would be in the military. i would want to serve four years and then be a police officer and i thought that if i whent to the military i could just take the 2 years for the requirments for college to be a police officer and as soon as i would have served my 4 years i would be good to go. Am i right?

Answer
Dear Mario --

You can take college classes while you are in the military.  You have to be diligent, and your unit's leadership has to work with you, to make sure your duties allow you adequate class time.  You can get tuition assistance from the Army Education Center to help pay for your college courses.  With the right Army experience and the right classes, you would be a very strong candidate for a police force when you finish your Army service.

Alternatively, you could join the active Army, accepting the GI Bill, and with your enlistment bonus going to the Army College Fund.  Then when you finish your Army service, you get out and go to college full time to study for your degree in police work.  Once you have your degree, you use that and your Army experience to apply for employment on a police force.

You could also apply for an ROTC scholarship.  Go to college in law enforcement, or other applicable police field, then enter the military as a second lieutenant.  Once you serve your five years, you could get out and be a police officer with even higher potential for promotion, if you do well on the police entrance exam.

Please explore all the options open to you, so when you make your choice, you know it is a good one for you and your future.

Best of luck to you.