I'm probably going into the army reserves

[Shotgun!]

I love spiders! I can't wait to have sand under my eyelids!

J/K
I hope it all goes well for you and you have fun in Iraq.

[tim]

I thought about it in highschool and now 2+ years in college I am thinking about it again. If you do decide to go I would have it set in your mind that you will be shipped off somewhere.

I have many friends who are deployed now or have just gotten back from recent deployment. The ones who are deployed hate it but the ones that just got back say they have no regrets.

Whatever you decide to do you there will be pros and cons you just have to decide which one will have the better outcome. The armed forces offer very specific training in many fields that many employers want.

If I remember correctly you were just talking about switching majors and now talking about armed forces? If this is correct it sounds to me like you need to do something different to be happy/successful.

[Jakey]

I have also been keeping the military after graduation in the back of my mind. Between the different branches, there are a number of excellent options, which have outstanding financial benefits and shortened committment requirements compared to many in the past, available for engineers.

[Jana]

The night before I was to go in for my tests and whatnot for the Navy with one of my good friends in highschool, I backed out. I don't regret it, but often wonder what my life would have been like (I can't imagine life without Allan now :D ). It's different for women... but whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll be doing it for the right reasons. Good luck! :)

[AJ]

All I want to say if you decide to sign up is "be safe!"

[niterydr]

Yes if you sign up, stay low if you get sent overseas.

[JET]

You are pretty safe for getting deployed while you are in school. I spent 6 years in the Army National Guard and I was glad that I did. It definately helped me get a better perspective on life. I also went in at 138 lbs and came out at 176 lbs. I gained 38 lbs of muscle while in basic/AIT for the infantry. It also gives you a lot of pride to know that you served for your country.

[Puhrot]

I'm not so sure how that works while you're going to school, if you get deployed and whatnot. I sit next to a guy in the reserves at school. I asked him this exact question. The army does not give you any money for school until you complete the class. So you pay for the class up front once you get to the end of the term with a good grade they cut you a check. The big catch is they can pull you out of class at anytime and he said they will not hesitate just cause you are in school at the time. And if they pull you out of class you did not finish it therefore no check from the army. He also made a point to say that the infantry unit here in Minnesota is one of the best ranked units in the gaurd. So when they are looking for gaurd units to deploy you would definatley be near the top of the list. And remember the Army will tell you almost anything to get you to sign up. This is a sad thing that they lie to so many kids but it is the truth. So I would not sign up thinking that you are going to go through basic and then just sit back an relax for a year until they put you in job training. You think that makes much sense to the army to have a perfectly good newly trained soldier just sitting at home collecting a check when we are a nation at war? If you sign up now you will be deployed that is pretty much a garantee.

[Shotgun!]

w3rd. There is no way you wouldn't be deployed somewhere.

[JET]

That guy was blowing some sunshine up your ass. The MN infantry is actually ranked pretty low. College students also have a lower priority. Most of the time they will activate 2 units to mobilize 1. Part of the reason is that they are low on soldiers, so the units aren't full to begin with. The 2nd is that some people just can't go.


It is true that you have to pay for the classes first, but think about it. You pay for one set of classes, then you get a check after you are done. Now you have money to pay for the next set of classes. You also get paid for drill while you are in school (~$200/mo) and get the GI bill (~$400/mo). If you are lucky you can also get a $10,000 loan reimbursement program, so they pay off a $10k student loan for you.

Don't become an MP if you go in, that is the #1 thing they need in Iraq. Also, don't take the recruiter's word for anything. Make sure you EVERYTHING in writing. I got hosed out of a couple of things by the recruiter.


I sit next to a guy in the reserves at school. I asked him this exact question. The army does not give you any money for school until you complete the class. So you pay for the class up front once you get to the end of the term with a good grade they cut you a check. The big catch is they can pull you out of class at anytime and he said they will not hesitate just cause you are in school at the time. And if they pull you out of class you did not finish it therefore no check from the army. He also made a point to say that the infantry unit here in Minnesota is one of the best ranked units in the gaurd. So when they are looking for gaurd units to deploy you would definatley be near the top of the list. And remember the Army will tell you almost anything to get you to sign up. This is a sad thing that they lie to so many kids but it is the truth. So I would not sign up thinking that you are going to go through basic and then just sit back an relax for a year until they put you in job training. You think that makes much sense to the army to have a perfectly good newly trained soldier just sitting at home collecting a check when we are a nation at war? If you sign up now you will be deployed that is pretty much a garantee.