Join the Army?

[Toimu]

I've worked for one of the largest chemical companies in the world for 3 years, they are paying for my college, I have an Associate of applied Science degree in Chemical Technology, am 22 years old, live in Houston, and make $40k a year. Last week, I stop by an Army recruiter's office to see what kind of stuff I could do with my back ground. With the score I got on my AVFAC (or what ever it's called) test, and my background, I'm looking at doing something with Nuclear & Biological Chemicals (NBC's).

I'm just kind-of bored with work and school, and want to do something different. Traveling and messing with NBC's sound better than what I'm doing now, but I'm not sure which will be better 20 years from now. Either way, I plan on getting my BS in somthing, and hopefully a Ph. D.

[Unregistered]

Join the Air Force and then go Work For NASA. You might get to go to space some day.

[mistled]

If you're looking 20 years from now, join the military. They'll give you free education and it looks damn good on your resume when you get out.

[Shyfted One]

http://www.goarmy.com/jobs/mos/mos54B.htm

http://www.goarmy.com/jobs/mos/mos89B.htm

I'm really not sure what will let you deal with nuclear, biological, AND chemical weapons

[Navaron]

and when you retire , you still get that nice chek everymonth...

[Shyfted One]

I've also been thinking about joining. I don't plan on seeing much if any combat and would like to work in a warehouse and manage the inventory. Sounds sort of boring, but I've been working for an inventory company part time for the past 3 years, so I've gotten a pretty good grasp on what can go on in warehouses and how different places handle their records. the only thing that makes me hesitate is that I don't know if I can get a higher rank just by doing this and I don't want to serve for 20 years and not have any progress.

This is what I plan on doing: http://www.goarmy.com/jobs/mos/mos92A.htm

[Airlift]

Air Force is definately a good choice. Instead of a barrack, you could find yourself put up in a condo on the beach with maid service. The PT tests involve rigorous exercises like the mile walk and the handfull of pushups. If that's not enough to win you over, think B2, F117A, F22, F18, F16, etc. etc. True, it's not all a walk in the park, but it's the least hassle you can get in military service. And if you want to push yourself, you can always go para-rescue.

[Jaged]

I am thinking of joining the AirForce when I get old enough. I want to be a fighter pilot. I know that is kindof a high ambition, but anything's possible with Barbie!

[Incompetent]

As long as were posting what jobs we want in the military, I want to be a Marine Infantryman.

[Bighoss]

I wanna be the black hearted oil barron that sends you all to die while fighting for oil that I sell to Americans at extremely high prices

[Toimu]

Originally posted by Shyfted One
http://www.goarmy.com/jobs/mos/mos54B.htm

http://www.goarmy.com/jobs/mos/mos89B.htm

I'm really not sure what will let you deal with nuclear, biological, AND chemical weapons

Those 2, and another one called someting like "Recon Chemical Solider" are the 3 I'm looking at. Recon Chemical Solider has to do with getting samples of possible toxic areas and sending them for tests, or doing simples tests on site.

[KoldFusion]

I'll be shipping out to boot camp in april for the Air Force. My job will 2A031 Avionics Test Station & Componets Apprentice. Basically i'll be an avionics systems tech and i'll be working on some of the aircraft mentioned above. I think I may stay in for at least 20, but who really knows since i'm not in yet.
I have done alot of research on the branches..... Navy or Air Force is the way to go for what you want to do. Being in the militray is not really that bad of a life though..... as long as you are 100% ready for it. I know I grew up in an Army household. My dad was an E8 and was in for 24 years and a Vietnam vet. I wish the best of luck to you. Here is a site to go get some info. http://usmilitary.about.com/

all the info you need without the sales pitch :) Hope it helps PM me with questions

[Mtx]

I've been in the Army. No fuckin way am I ever going back. They told you you would do something in NBC huh? Here's what they really meant. You'll put on MOPP4 and take a shower inside your suit while a dumbass with a double digit IQ tries to explain the importance off your MOPP4.

It only takes around 10 minutes to put the stupid suit on. Who could possibly frag or gas you in that amount of time? ;)

[Manitou]

I have been there too.

NBC? haha! Sounds fancy and exciting... MOPP4 isn't either of those. It is like having to put on a layer of plastic, charcoal lined snowsuit with a heavy plastic bag over your head and a sealed football helmet that is too small for you and wear it for however long they deem it necessary.

I spent 6+ hours in that getup one time in a foxhole trying my best at around 1am in the morning to defend my position. I was near blind with heat exhaustion, hungry, thirsty and tired. I had no clue wtf was going on and all I knew was we were under attack from some direction. haha!

I suggest you research this carefully. You seem to have a great career going and a good source of income in a stable environment.

Don't get me wrong. I was proud to be in the army, but it doesn't provide you with anything near what you have now. Most people are constantly deployed and away from home.

Someone mentioned the Air Force. I am close to retiring from the AF. I retire next year, as a matter of fact! I do look forward to that small check every month from now until I die. It will nicely cover my house payment. :)

But the military is a total way of life. It is all consuming in its demands and the demands on your family. The person who joins and stays for 20 has earned that check. Think long and hard, and make sure this is what you want.

If you decide to go, I salute you and respect your decision. But first make sure with your degree you look into becoming an officer first. Better money, and better respect.

Just my two cents. :love:

[KoldFusion]

I'm the one that IS going into the Air Force Manitou. THanx for the advice. What is your job in the AF? Officer or enlisted? Can you get me authorized to stay in the girls dormitory? kidding.... look at he valentines day thread and that will prove it.

[Nohimn]

Originally posted by Toimu
I've worked for one of the largest chemical companies in the world for 3 years, they are paying for my college, I have an Associate of applied Science degree in Chemical Technology, am 22 years old, live in Houston, and make $40k a year. Last week, I stop by an Army recruiter's office to see what kind of stuff I could do with my back ground. With the score I got on my AVFAC (or what ever it's called) test, and my background, I'm looking at doing something with Nuclear & Biological Chemicals (NBC's).

I'm just kind-of bored with work and school, and want to do something different. Traveling and messing with NBC's sound better than what I'm doing now, but I'm not sure which will be better 20 years from now. Either way, I plan on getting my BS in somthing, and hopefully a Ph. D.

I never knew you had to be in the military to be on NBC!:eek:

[Manitou]

Kold Fusion, the AF is a much different lifestyle than the army. Unless you go into the combat arms area of the AF, you will have a much more "civilian job" type atmosphere, depending on what you do.

I am enlisted. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the enlisted core and the NCO's of the military. The enlisted core forms the backbone of the military and gets the job done.

Officers are the "upper management" and provide the leadership, or at least they should, for the enlisted core.

The US Air Force is the most globally powerful military force on the planet. We can project power to any point on the earth. I am not a flyer, but I am what is referred to as a "support weeny". :D But without support, the mission would not get done. We act together as a team.

If you have any questions about you enlistment, please PM me them and I will try and help you. :)

[BLuE_ZeRO]

Mani you should change your title to "Support Weenie"

[Mtx]

I second that.

:D

[Manitou]

Ahhhh.... you forget I did my time as a grunt in the Army. But then, I got smart. ;)

[Sputty]

What do you do exactly?

[Hamma]

He fly's a desk, I think him and Vicchio are in the same squadron.

:D

[BLuE_ZeRO]

Ahh the 52nd AirDesk Squadron? I've heard of them lol :D

[Sputty]

They fly tactical flights to and from the supply room getting pencils and coffee. and bombing it on the unsuspecting..other...desks guys..../me notices his joke spiraling down to a hideous demise

[Mtx]

My mother flies with the 347th EVAC squadron over the pacific.

She tells me all about the retarded Army and Marine soldiers who "find" ways to hurt themselves. Here's a few examples.

A) If there is a minefield marked on your map... don't walk into it.

B) If you step out infront of a hum V... it will hit you.

C) If the M1A1 infront of you stops.. don't run into it.

D) If you feel like you are suffering from exhaustion... drink water.

E) You are a member of the most powerful military in the world. You carry the most advanced weaponry known to man. You have recieved endless hours of training. Never forget that bullets don't care...

[SandTrout]

Joining the Air-Force as soon as I'm out of highschool. Might make a carreer out of it once I get my degree.

[CyricMoonblade]

I'm in the army as well, it's wierd never though i'd find so many miltary personell on a forum lol..... Im an 88M ..... Truck driver :-D I'm only in the reserves though.... It's just an "extra" money type deal.... but once i get back from BASIC and AIT I might go Active Reserve or something... depends on a few things.

[Mtx]

What is active reserve? :confused: ;)

[KoldFusion]

I plan on getting my assocaites degree almost immeadately after Tech school b/c of all my previous college experience. Then i'll go straight to my bachelors and then look into OTS. I may just do warrant officer instead who knows:rolleyes: :) What do you think about warrant officers Manitou? I would PM but the info you share with me may help others in their decision process. Will I have time to pursue my education? Now that the military (the AF is farthest along in this mandate) is renovating the dorms/Rax and going to the 1+1 system are the rooms are broadband capable? I know you can get cable TV..... any help you can give on this matter would be appreciated :) You never did tell me what job you do though Manitou.... where are you stationed? And SandTrout.... what jobs are you looking into? follow that link I left above to the about.com site full list of job descriptions enlisted/officer as well as indepth benefit info, a guide for basic training so... great site :)