I am a junior in High School and Im pretty sure I know what it is that I want to do with my life, it's just that I'm not quite sure how to get there. Thats where I am looking for some guidance.

Ever since I was very little I was positive about the fact that I wanted to join the military and now I think that I know what I want for my career. It would be in microbiology and the older I get the more I wonder what would be best for me after High School. Basically I am looking for something that would keep me on the military track and pay for all my college and postgradute school, as well.

I started looking at ROTC programs and have learned about them. As well as reading about the GI Bill but the only one that seems to have full tuition coverage is the Navy ROTC.

So I have four questions: Which branch will have a job for me after I get out of college that is what I majored in, in college? Which branch will pay for all of my college? Will they pay for schooling beyond a Bacholer of Science? And what kind of job security do I have that when I get out of I college I will be doing what I majored in?

Any and all advice helps Thanks a bunch for reading!

bookie05us...

Well, I was kind of in the marines for a while, and let me tell you that at least in that branch, nothing is 'guaranteed". Although they may tell you that they have your job 'locked down', if you could only see your agreement, you would see that they leave your contract 'open'. Meaning that your job is not for sure. Truth is, if they need you to, once you get out, if a war should start, and they need you as a 'bullet sponge' infantryman, they can put you there. Now the lucklihood of that happening is low, but keep it in mind. I was in high school JROTC, and I'll tell you it was the best time of my life. On the other hand Marine Corps boot camp was the worst time in my life. Ironic isn't it? If I were to join a branch to further your education, I would suggest the navy or the air force. Speak with a local recruiter to get the low down. Trust me that they'll be more than happy to speak with you. In fact, they get payed based on recruiting you. To be specific they have a quota they must meet, so they won't be picky in recruiting. However, this is a double-edged sword, because since they need to recruit, they will say almost anything to get you to join. Don't join based on what they say, only based on what your heart and mind tells you. I don't mean to scare you with any of this, but they managed to sucker me in, and I just want you to be smart.

Bookie05us,

I'm glad to hear that you are looking for the military to help with your education - there are some good programs to help you out, depending on your goal. If you're looking to go to college, the services have ROTC/NROTC, which help with you Bachelor's degree. The Navy also offers something called the Baccalaurate Degree Completion Program (BDCP), which also helps towards a Bachelor's degree, specifically the last two years of school. There are also programs to help with optometry, nursing, dental and medical schools, along with financial assistance programs for allied health and dental school. The programs I just mentioned result in you commissioning as a Naval Officer...There are also options that come up every year for specialty fields in the enlisted ranks, including bonuses or assistance with getting an Associate's degree.

My advice is to check into each of the services and see what each one offers - if your looking at a Bachelor's degree, then look in your local phone book for the Officer Recruiter of the service that you're interested in. One word of advice - don't be afraid to ask questions, and be sure that you're offered is what you want to do - there are some recruiters that are not very truthful out there.

BTW - I've been in the Navy for 21 years, and I did a tour as an Officer Recruiter (and a very successful one). Good Luck!

(Disclaimer: I've never served in the military due to childhood medical problems, but my family has a long history in three branches; Marines, Air Force, and the Navy. That, and having a number of friends with both good and bad experiences with the navy help with my opinion. Of course, it's just that, an opinion from an outsider.)

While it's true they retain the option to drop you wherever they feel like it, most people's bad experiences with placement were due to things they caused themselves. For example, you sign up, get your college paid for, then skim by with grades just high enough to keep you in the program. When you're ready to enter active duty, chances are pretty good that you're going to get bumped from a job with limited openings by someone with better qualifications. Also, attitude and personal history play a factor in placement decisions.

On the other hand, if you take your classes seriously, excel academically, and take your military training/career seriously, there is little incentive for anyone to drop you to infantry. In the unlikely case of them "needing more bodies", it's a matter of value. If you're a promising soldier with outstanding technical skills, you're less likely to be pulled out of your MOS before someone with a less skilled MOS. Essentially, it's easier to train a new cook than it is a microbiologist. (Apologies to the cooks out there.)

You sound like (and you've thought about it for a long time) you're looking forward to your plans, so you should be alright. One thing you should think about is what to do if you're plans change. For instance, during your courses you discover you'd rather be a doctor. I suggest not getting disillusioned and letting your microbiology classes slip. Continue along your chosen path once you get into active duty, but look for ways to change/modify your MOS and work towards your goals.

Some people don't do this, assuming that the military will be just as happy to place a doctor, not realizing that when they signed that paper, they were "budgeted" for that position years in advance. On the other hand, filling that position and doing a great job can make it a lot easier for your superiors to help you change your specialty, and having experience in another area increases your value, thus giving them an incentive to keep you happy. As long as you understand that, you should be able to figure a way to get what you want, and avoid ending up as a grunt.

As for which branch? Check out the Army. First, there are a number of specialties that your choice might allow you to enter. That choice may be limited in others. (Some don't do much with that kind of research, so you might only be an ordinance specialist or a medic.) Second, there are a lot of Army research bases around the country, which means there's a greater likelyhood you'll end up within a day's drive if you want to visit your family.

Again, I'm an "outsider", so take this with a grain of salt. Good luck, though!

Get your education first. Then consider the military.

werd. Not that I regret my enlisted career in the service (Navy, submarines), but I have to agree with quietguy on this one. Officers have much better flexibility in their jobs, and way better pay and lodging. They also can get bonuses to pay off the student loans if the degree meets the services specs. Talk to a recruiter, but don't ever trust one.

Navy: It's not just a job. It's a really hard job!

helllo bookie05us,

I will tell you this, i am enlisted in the military i just came back from Iraq and i renlisted to go to cali. My first 4 years were ok i enjoyed the times with the guys i was with and everything i did. I hurt myslef in Iraq and now its now as fun. trying to get yourself back to par is not the thing in the military. They look down on you if your hurt and they really dont care. If you cant do your job they will jsut put you someplace to get you out of the way.

I loved my job before i got back. Just keep that in mind if you really want to go into the military try the airforce. The Army has all this jobs but there not into letting anyone do any schooling. The Navy your on ship half of you r life how much fun is that. And they use Windoze on there computers YUCK. The Marines unless you like to run 10 to 20 miles a day and working late and being around people that either hate it or love it it goes both ways in here. But everyone says when they get out that they miss it.

So go talk to the Air Force you will get a regular job more money for school. And not as much crap to deal with.


Lotec25

Slackware it runs so easy I got it installed on my toaster.

I probably should say that I am from a small town and that the recruters around here dont know verymuch about the science area that I want to work in it would be in Microbiology

Thaks to all those that took the time to read and respond

what i did was go in the army and after 6 years break my leg in a jump accident and get chaptered out. now due to my disabled status the VA pays for my college and gives a decent living allowance. not that i would recomend this route for anyone, just wanted to give my