What do I join?

Terminator

If you are terrified and scared of going to Iraq I would say that you should not join the Marines. Join the Coast Guard. They never leave US territory.

mike_one_zero

If you are that afraid don't join. The purpose of the military is to wage war, whatever the reason for it. You sound like you should find a different career path. Also, you might want to stop driving, since more people die in car accidents every year in the US than the amount of soldiers killed in the Middle East each year since the war began.

priorsvcmarine

I am a prior service female Marine, hon, if you are that afraid, really consider not joining. You have to think of the real reason you wanted to join in the first place.

bored_army_soldier

If i was you i would join the airforce. then never leave the base to fight and they have the best of everything, deployed and at home.

Phil Z

Some military jobs are much less likely to be deployed into a combat environment. For example, If you want to be a mechanic for F-15s (a jet fighter)...that means you will be going where that type of aircraft goes. If you are in administration, you are much less likely to be deployed (although it can happen). Some positions are very limited, and are only located in specific places. You must firstly understand that no matter what job or what branch of the military you may choose, there is a chance (no matter how small) that you may be deployed. Secondly, talk with a recruiter about making a career choice that will minimize your chances of being deployed. However, DO NOT let a recruiter push you into something you don't want. As far as a particular branch of service, Air Force or Navy is best if you want to stay away from a combat environment. And lastly, choose a career field or job that will translate into qualifications for civilian employment, and take advantage of every educational opportunity or program you can (if you enlist). There are some options for the length of enlistment. Some jobs require a specific amount of time. Depending on what branch and what job, you're probably looking at 4-6 years (sounds like a jail sentence, huh?), although I've heard of as low as 3.

Gandalf Parker

Army= march 20 miles with a 5 lb pack
Marines= run 5 miles with a 20 lb pack
Navy= do your job under extreme boredom
Air Force= do your job while taking orders from @$$holes

Navy/Air Force: most jobs involve getting the Army or Marines to the fight. Air Force particularly involves alot of waving goodbye to the officers that are going to the war front (flying the planes).

All of them have large bases which are basically small cities. Any job in a city, they have. They involve many jobs that dont go to war.

ZULU45RM1664

Navy Marine or Air force

USMC also have a air wing, so it best of all choices

However what would worries me more as a recruiter is your statement,

" It jus frightens me to think that ill be placed in Iraq because of the many soldiers that have been killed"

No member of the armed forces wants to die in combat, but it is the risk we under take when joining. Been sent to Iraq or Afghanistan is a highly possible at the moment. You need to re access your reasons for joining any branch of the armed forces.

Remember a Marine cook or office clerk is firstly Marine and then his trade thus can end up in combat if the need arises.

Also quick reply to Terminator.
If you are terrified and scared of going to Iraq I would say that you should not join the Marines. Join the Coast Guard. They never leave US territory

Not TRUE the US Coast Guard have served during both WWI & WWII, Vietnam, The 1st Gulf War and now Iraq.
Plus a number of Medals of Honor have been awarded to the Coast Guard.

aprilx4u

how about the COast Guard?

Rachel M

I served happily in the Navy for 4 years and during the first Gulf War. Things are different now and women much more likely to see combat than they were back then. My suggestion is still that you join the Navy - if you get sea duty and are deployed to a war zone, at least you will be on a very well defended ship and not a tent in the middle of the desert. The Navy offers a wide variety of career fields: administrative, technical, mechanical and many educational opportunities. Honestly, any branch of the military is a great choice for a young person. I'm proud of you and wish you luck.

lighthouse

If you're that confused, talk with a recruiter.

thatoneguy

I would say air-force or coast guard. They will usually want you to do 4 years. Some jobs with a longer schooling part they will want you to do more. for example if you schooling takes 2 years they will usually require 6 years for that job.

I would research the different job options before you join to make sure you pick one you like. If you decide on the navy i would recommend not to be a nuke or engineering rate (MM,EM,DC,MR,EN).

reed w

Why do you want to join the military? You need to ask yourself this question. I would suggest you go talk to a recruiter, but from your question, I don't think the military is the right career for you. I'm a retired Marine and all branches of service could end up in combat. Good Luck.

stinkyraccoons

Don't join the military. If you don't want to serve in a crappy place just don't take the risk. But if you must... It sounds like you'd be a crappy Marine, so scratch that. The Navy might be okay for you. The Air Farce possibly as well. It depends I guess. Maybe you should just decide for yourself since you're the one that'll have to live with this decision.

mricon75

join the Navy then. if you chose the submarine service then you are gurenteed not to be in iraq or any other hostile area unless you specifically volunteer for it and they actually could use you i.e. communications support.

and the Navy is most often not in any harms way at all, sure accidents happen, but the most dangerous thing in the Navy is driving to work.

i just realized your female, so never mind the sub service thing.

the amount of years depends on the job you qualify for and select. for example an eletronic tech starts at 5 years because of schooling, but a cook will be 3 or 4 at the most.

plus look at advancment rates of the field you want to go in, some fields look nice and fun, but have a very slow advancment rate, i.e. no cash for you!

go talk to a recriuter, sure he will try getting you into anything just to get you recriuted, so ask more and more questions about everything the recruiter told you BEFORE you sign the paper.

Salem

Air Force~

â™« Smile the while you kiss me..â™«

Why do you want to be in the military? Is it the uniform? You will be placed where you are needed. The way you describe your feelings tells me that you should NOT join the military. These people are put in dangerous situations, ALL the time. Is this question a joke? Rethink your career choice. You may want to sell shoes at a mall. I'm sorry, but your question really was unusual, to say the least.

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