Is joining the military at 25 years old worth it?

Gabfest

You sound very intelligent but are obviously in a state of transition and are searching for your way in life. First of all, no matter how well meaning they are, I wouldn't let friends influence you on things you want to do in life. The military is very regimented and not an easy life but can be very rewarding for those who take advantage of the opportunities. The Marines are probably the most intense of all the services and very serious so if this is not what you want to do and only you can make that assessment, then I would not recommend it. However, if this is something you want to persue and make a contribution to our country there is nothing more admirable.
Have you thought of volunteering and joining the Peace Corps, that would give you some experience and a couple of years to decide what you want to do. Sometimes we think we've burned bridges when they're really not burned they're just broken and can be mended. You're young and the world is your oyster, go out there and make the most of it and don't let family and friends deter you from doing what you want to do. Best wishes and Good luck!

Moxie Crimefighter

What do YOU want? Why are you letting people influence your choices? This is your life...it's all what you make of it, not them...

Josh A.

If you feel as if it's what you need to do, then go for it. Don't listen to others......they just hold you back. We are all here for a purpose.

xXxmeaganMASSACRExXx

yes my dad was in the military and now he gets like a bunch of discounts. one time on a cruise he saved $1000.00 because he was in the military

Travis

nah man u should, im going to college and getting a degree then switching to the marines also

Forget War Buy More

Sure. My mother joined the National Guard in her 30s and has loved it and been promoted quickly. She did go the officer route, however, my brother has met many enlisted men with advanced degrees. If you want to do it, do it. Just sign up for 3 years, not 5.

azyankeeboy70

I went throught basic at the ripe old age of 32. Nothing to it. Being enlisted over commissioned, a very good thing. If something gets done in the military it's due to an NCO getting it done. As far as the friends and family being against it, man it's your future.

sprinter

you would be serving our country go for it!

Tim

I'm considering OCS with the navy myself and also have a poly sci and history degree. The military can really open up some doors, but the Marines are the toughest branch in the armed services. If you even have to think about it (thinking about wanting to enter it rather) instead of being for it whole heartedly then join another service.

Just remember joining any service be prepared to give 8 years of your life no matter what enlistment term you sign. Read all fine print, it will tell you that no "job" or specialty is guaranteed, and regardless of the active duty term you sign (usually 4 years), you still have reserve duty in which you can be deployed up to eight years from when you joined.
Or you could always join AmeriCorps. Similar to the Peace Corps, but you stay in America and help Americans. Grad schools may look kindly on that even if you have past discretions.

Ron g

I also have a degree in Poli sci and history. Im 23

If you want to enlist in a branch go to the Air Force. How many airmen have died in the 5 year war in Iraq? 42 out of 4000.

This will kill the argument that scared people will give you as to not join up. You also dont really get to kill people unless your a pilot.

I was about to do Army OCS but i know my family couldnt take it. You also dont get to choose what type of job you would do.

Join the Air Force or Navy if you want to serve.

Liam

It's fine. Half of my friends have joined up and they were about 16 when they joined, I was brought up to join but just happen to be in the half that went onto university. The debate over being an officer or not, I think its better to work your way up, then you can feel confident about the orders you give to people below you when you are a higher rank; you've been there yourself so they are more likely to respect you.

Edit: It's a great life, beats getting an office job, you will be well looked after even when you retire, it's not all wars and fighting like some people seem to think, you will more than likely be sent to protect rations that are being sent to starving people, or helping customs keep illegal drugs out of your country, or you could become a mechanic away from the front line, or a guard on homeland bases.

NOBAMA 2008

Having served in both the Army and Navy I believe the best opportunities for you would be in the Navy. (I was in the Army 1st and went to the navy later which is how I know)
You are never too old to serve your country.
Thank you for even considering it and I wish you the best of luck!

Mark H

Don't. But if you insist go to OCS. What you have learned should not be wasted and line officers from captain on down have the highest casualties. You won't be ducking anything. All that about camo insignia, hiding rank and so is so much hot air. If it weren't, I would not bother to tell you the other side just follows the communication team that stays with officers. Killing a radio man is as good as killing who's in charge. Either way is like breaking a telephone line. Under fire it causes confusion. More casualties. So even if you go to OCS, you got a lot of the chance of being a first target. Furthermore you sound like the kind of leader we have been always depending on. Back to the Revolution and before. You have common sense and can command and talk to the guys you command. But if you do this you have an excellent chance of being killed. Or disabled. So I gave you more of a common sense talk than any recruiter will. Don't worry about being a sissy, just think it over and do that careful then make up your mind. If it feels right do it!

Jana

if u want 2 do it then do it..its ur life so do wat u want 2 do...hav fun!

Biran_Sefar

Given your educational credentials, not to mention the sentiments of your parents and your friends, one really has to wonder about the status of your mental health that you would consider throwing your education away, disrepecting your parents' and friends' feelings, and jeopardizing your life.

It's the not the first tour in the combat zone that messes up your head...it's the third and fourth tours that pretty much seal the deal on your post-traumatic stress disorder. If you are lucky enough to come back physically uninjured, you can expect severe mood swings, delusional thinking, and sudden uncontrollable outbursts of extreme rage. And that's just if you're lucky. Otherwise, you stand a very good chance of leaving some parts of yourself overseas...with a very high probability of some form of severe head trauma. Do you want to have to relearn how to talk and walk?

There is a lot of good that you can do for your country...in your country. You don't have to risk killing or being killed to demonstrate your patriotism. There are many different forms of public service available, particularly for someone with your level of education.

Cast your eyes to the heavens and do your thinking with your heart. Keep your eyes upon Jesus already done His part. Look to God and ask of Jesus," What am I to do? Then trust your heart and lean on Jesus the tried and the true. Trust in God and be faithful to Him that watches over you. Then walk by faith in Him that leads you " The tried and the true. Remember me when you see him if you see Him fore I do. Tell Him I for one am trusting wavering has been much my trouble too. I try my best but my best could be better and yes Lord I will try. Forgive me now Lord for I am sweeter with a sparkle in my eye.

Rainman

My younger brother joined the Navy at age 29. He is still in the Navy almost 20 years later. He really enjoys his job. He is enlisted, not an officer, and works in the communications field on submarines.

My older brother and I both joined the Marine Corps right after high school (right ner the end of the Viet Nam War). Both of us had jobs supporting aircraft operations, so we weren't directly involved in combat.

If I had a choice as you do to choose between OCS and enlisted, I would definitely choose OCS. The pay is better, living conditions are better, you will be much closer in age to your peers, and you are immersed in leadership training.

I don't know what your hesitance is about being an officer, but even if you decide to enlist, with the proper attitude you can do quite well and have a much better chance of gaining more desirable employment when you get out.

The best way to reduce the concern of those that are worried that you would be assigned to a combat zone, I suggest that you consider the Navy or the Air Force as an alternative to the Marine Corps. The danger is greatly reduced.

I really enjoyed my time in the Marine Corps and was able to go to college afterwards and then go to work in my chosen profession. I am sure that my military service had a great deal to do with it.

If you don't feel comfortable being an officer then trust your feelings and don't do OCS/OTS. Are you only considering the Marines? They have the lowest incentive for undergraduates to enlist, other services will start undergraduates up to E-4, Marines only E-2. As to your being 25, there are plenty of men your age enlisted.

Good luck and God bless.

Terri

Joining the military @ 25 years old is worth it. You would have a job w/medical/dental benefits, & a chance to see the world that you may not otherwise have. It sounds like you are easily lead, however, which is a detriment to you, no matter what you do. Learn to stand up for yourself & make your own decisions. Stop following the crowd. The military is an elite group of people who accept the fact that they are on the front lines, no matter where they are stationed, fighting for our freedoms. We watch each other's backs & are there for each other.

wachirasa

you will be older than everyone at your rank but not that old. you should be OK

icabod

Been there done that. Been both officer and enlisted. Officer is much better

You'd have the advantage as being older, the NCOs will expect you to be more mature and have leadership skills. The degree will help. Conversely, much of the material is presented at a 5th grade level with lots of repetition.

Later, once at your duty station you'll find the social structure an issue. I found I had more in common with officers then my peers.

Best is to avoid OCS. Better to go back, enroll in ROTC and get a commission.

If you do chose the enlisted route make sure it's with training you can use afterwards and will have time to get some more college in. Being a bullet stopper firing a machine gun is exciting but doesn't translate to a job afterwards.

Frankly, it sounds as you're in a situation you want out of. That's a poor reason to join up

jtk15sc

joining the military at any age is worth it in my opinion

JOHNNY M

take less classes and stay in school find something you are really interested in the military is not the answer right now

tats1027

Hey friend Im 28 and I leave for Army BT in 8 days! Im going 18x program and am really extremley excited. I feel you and I are in a similiar boat, as the normal 9-5 just doesnt cut it. I also have a younger brother (8years) and hes family he will understand trust me. I say if you are in g ood health then dont worry about it. Get in there and show all those young boys how things are done.

To to mention if you score very well on your tests and get a good MOS you can really have a hefty savings when you get out. Put your worries to the side and do it.

Subhuman23

YES, It is greatly worth it!!!! The younger guys may have the leg up on you regarding time in service but your maturity will level the playing field.

The immaturity of your peers will make you stand out like a diamond in a coal mine. Every guy I know who joined later always did extremely well in their advancements and evaluations.

You will be fine. DO IT!!

Tom M

yes

bigjoe55

do what your heart tells you to do.myself it;s a bad time right now to go into the military.but even after we get a new president we;ll most likey be involved in more war to come.but you do as you want to do.that way if it does;nt work out for you. you can say it was my idea i;ve got no one to blame but myself. you;ll most likely go to iraq if you join up now.just give it a lot of thought before you make your move.good luck in your venture.

Sarah Grissom

A lot of people that can't find good jobs go in the military. It is very logical. The military takes almost everyone that applies, and they give you great benefits and job experience in something that the private sector wouldn't have entrusted you with. When you get out you'll have terrific references.

For you it might be worth it. First, there is little you can do with a bachelors degree. I have found that the door to good jobs didn't open until I had a Masters, and additionally I look back and I didn't have any skills until I got a Masters. Second, History and Political Science are both two fields where I would imagine the job market would be especially limited. Those would be great if you had a PhD, but if you decided to quit grad school then things are probably going to be bleak. Have you thought about becoming a K-12 school teacher?

If the military doesn't fit you, I would suggest you check out a trade school or community college and learn a blue collar trade. For example, truck driving school costs 3 thousand, you get training and they find you a job with a company. Drivers make nearly 100k annually. Similarly, there are many blue collar trades you could train in for a short time with minimal investment, and you could subsequently find a decent job that typically would pay equal or better than what you would get with a bachelors.

smp1000_1999

I think you should go for it.. I think that if nothing else, it builds charactor and I think you'll grow from it. If you decide not to then I would at least concider relocating to find something in your field because you don't want to waste all that education.

Aubreigh aka The Female T-Pain

Hey! Yes, it's worth it. It's not that much older than seventeen. You have to be at least seventeen to join it. OK?

emilieluvsparis

I don't think you can put a price on serving your country.

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