Military People

[ar0ck]

I've recently gone through a huge change in my life & I have been entertaining the notion of joining the Army to sort of get out of Jersey and experience the much bigger picture in life. I recently graduated community college where I maintained a 3.0 average and received my associates degree, but I would still like to finish my education. I've already applied to William Paterson as a History Major and in the following semester I am applying for there teacher certification program. I only have about 2 full years to go before I get my Bachelors.

I've been thinking of joining the Reserve Officer Training Corp and I wanted to see if any of you guys have done this or may know someone who has. I've already experienced both Army & Marine recruiters as I wanted to do this a few years ago but some previous medical history prevented me from entering the service. As much as I would like to join, these recruiters are like used car salesman & they will tell you just about anything to get you to join. I want to make sure if this is the right path for me and if Uncle Sam is going to pull through with paying my college tuition and so on.

Does anyone have some advice?

[Firebird67dude]

Come with me to the recruiter's office. Don't go army GO MARINES!!!!

[johnjzjz]

excuse me marines are sub contractors for the navy son -- 101ST Airborne - Ranger officer after anything you want to be in the GOV the door is wide open -- jz

[Firebird67dude]

Ture ture, the Marines are a dept. of the navy but IT IS the MENS department!!!

[johnjzjz]

hahahahahahahahhahahaha -- almost had u hahahahahaha == any service but go special forces the only game in town for a real man -- jz

[Ian]

alex, what do you want to know about ROTC? One of my close friends went throught the ROTC at Virginia Tech. I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any questions you would care to relay to me :)

[ar0ck]

Mostly if they keep up there end as far as Tuition goes & such? Thats my biggest concern. I have heard from a few friends it took them a while to get reimbursed for college expenses and if I have to end up at Rutgers my parents wont be able to pay for my tuition with my sister going to a SUNY Art school...

My bergen tuition was totally payed for by a relative who passed away that I have never met. So I guess I was kinda lucky.

[Ian]

as far as I know, ROTC doesnt pay for anything. it allows you to apply for a few extra grants and loans, but the military doesnt pay for you when you're in ROTC being as its part of your school.

now if you meant to say you'd be going into the reserves, then yes they would pay for your education.

[Tru2Chevy]

Just taking ROTC classes won't get you money for school, you'll have to actually sign a contract for 4 years of service.

If you aren't sure if it's right for you, take the first few classes that the ROTC program offers. That's what I did when I when went to school. I made some great friends, learned a lot, and my appreciation for what those in the military go through for us increased greatly. I also figured out that it just wasn't for me, although I did enjoy the experience, and I would do it again if faced with the choice.

- Justin

[Untamed]

The money is one part. Mostly I would be concerned about getting into the MOS you want. I understand you are given three choices of MOS' to serve in once you receive your commission. Most get their first choice, but not always. Definately talk to an ROTC instructor before even taking any of their courses, ask your questions and get the right picture before setting foot in the classroom.

[qwikz28]

are you thinking of joining the armed forces for a change of scenery or is this something you wanna do?

personally, i don't understand the whole trying to find yourself idea. i believe the philosophy that if you are not happy with it, you will not be happy without it. or vice versa of course. whats important in life? you already know that, and thats loved ones. everything you do is for that.

just think about your motives before making any rash decisions.

[Batman]

ROTC is a good deal, but it doesn't pay for anything. You are going to have to sign away six to eight years of your life but they are erally good about getting you tuition and money. Just make sure you join for the right reasons, a change of pace isn't a good one. Just the money isn't a good one either. You can expect to spend 1 out of every 3 years in the middle east or Afghanistan right now and it is an easy life. Hell I probably have one of the easiest jobs in the military and I am still gone about 200 days every year. If you aren't going to join to serve your country then don't sign on the dotted line, it isn't worth it.

[jims69camaro]

If you aren't going to join to serve your country then don't sign on the dotted line, it isn't worth it.

i'd like to use this, but take it a step further: if you aren't going to join to serve your country out of a burning desire to do so, then don't sign the dotted line. it is not, nor will it ever, be worth it.

to give you an idea of what a burning desire is, they are the people who make the armed services their life. they re-up whenever their term is about to end and they most likely have gained a certain rank, like first sergeant or better, in the time they've been in.

i joined out of a need for a job and the 'enlistment bonus' and 'guaranteed training' they were offering at the time. i could not wait to get out and feel that my time while in was wasted. of course, i was enlisted during peace time, which is a much different picture than what it is right now. if i had it to do over again? probably would not have enlisted. but if i could change anything else about it, i probably would've waited a few more years before enlisting.