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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/where should i go?
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Question
Hi Mr. Powers,
I'm 17 years old, a senior in high school and wondering whether I should enter the military. I've done well in school until recent years due to personal issues, but academics wouldn't be a problem in me enlisting. Because of the recent fall in my grades, my confidence in scholarships has fallen, but I know I could do great on the asvab.
I've spoken to an army national guard and marines recruiter because it was convenient to do so. They were both very nice and considerate to me. I see the benefits and from the information I've been given I feel like national guard will give me better benefits whereas the marines will give me the discipline and other values I feel I need.
More of my concern is centered around the commitment in joining either. I've yet to have a sit-down conversation with my parents on the topic, but during the brief times I was able to bring it up, I didn't receive positive feel back.
It looks like my options for the future are lessening each day and I feel more pressured to make a decision. The main things I think I'm looking for are financial benefits for school and the ability to get out on my own without having to rely on my parents or others. I have no doubts that I'd be ineligible for any branches for any reason.
Which branch, including those not mentioned, would be best for me?
Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Andre
Hi Andre,
Nobody -- not me, not your parents, not your friends, not a recruiter -- can tell you which Military service would be best for you. Only you can make that decision, based on the best information available about each military branch.
I recommend two of my articles, which may help you to decide which service might be best for you:
(1) "U.S. Military 101" at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/military101.htm and
(2) "What the Recruiter Never Told You" at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter.htm
Read through these two articles very carefully.
Good luck!
For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com Hope this helps!
Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com
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Answers by Expert:
Rod Powers
Expertise
Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.
Experience
Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.
Education/Credentials
Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
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