<p>My younger D seems well suited for a career in the military. As a former competitive gymnast, she loves being pushed to her physical limits, enjoys teamwork and likes to commit to her team 100%. I wasn’t in the military, H wasn’t, nor were either of our fathers. I may have seen too many movies (“Where are the condos?”) but I always think of the recruitment offices as places that give big sales jobs without necessarily highlighting the downsides. Where does a student go to obtain accurate information on military careers and service?</p>
<p>This is a good question - I’ll be watching for answers too. My son has a good friend who is interested in joining the military.</p>
<p>Maybe a veteran’s organization. Certainly not the recruiting office.</p>
<p>You should probably post this on the Service Academies subforum. It has lots of knowledgable military families and info on ROTC and military service in general.</p>
<p>The reference:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My husband who is retired military went with my brother went he talked to the recruiters. Both my brother (who is now retired) and my husband said that it is important to have someone with you that knows how to ask the right questions and knows how to insist on getting things in writing.</p>
<p>Network to try to talk to military people who have been there. We live in an area where many of D’s friends parents/families are or have been military, including several who attended the academies. Also, there are more college graduates joining up, given the job market…they might have more recent views to share. Good luck!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That is what I’m interested in. There is an uncle, but he has been out for quite some time. I’d really like her to talk to a bright, attractive young woman who is either serving now or has served in the recent past. D dismisses the idea out of hand, but I truly think it’s because she doesn’t like the wardrobe!</p>
<p>Trust me, I’m not a parent who would push the military…it just seems like something that would be a good fit with D (except for the wardrobe!)</p>
<p>Missy-- pm Bullet or bulletandpima</p>
<p>Go to a recruiter’s office and ask to speak with the Officer Selection Officer, a.k.a. OSO.</p>
<p>I think this is an opportunity to learn research skills. Sure, your D should go talk to the recruiters. And perhaps sign up for the visiting weeks at the Service Academies. That’s a way to see the best side of the military. </p>
<p>In addition, she can ask the guidance counselor for the names of students who have gone to the Service Academies in recent years and who have enlisted, and she can start a correspondence with them.</p>
<p>Finally, there are many many blogs that are maintained by members of the Armed Services. That’s another way to get information. She should try to get as many different perspectives as possible.</p>
<p>Missypie, My S1 went to college on a Navy ROTC scholarship, graduated/commissioned May '09. He is currently an Ensign in Special Operations training.<br>
Were you thinking of your D becoming an officer?
What kind of info. are you interested in?</p>
<p>Make sure she checks each individual branch of the service since they’re not all the same. Different branches like the Air Force and Navy tend towards the more technical although they all have their share of technical/management as well as low skilled positions. Some branches, like the Air Force, are ‘pickier’ about who they accept. There are different living conditions depending on the branch (AF versus ship duty for example). Each branch has virtually any job you can think including managers, doctors, lawyers, pilots, engineers, technicians, accountants, purchasing experts, logistics, nurses, police, restaurant positions, hotels, maintenance, educators, and anything else you can think of.</p>
<p>If she’s interested in making the military a career instead of just doing a stint in it then she should strongly consider entering as an officer which generally means at least a coolege degree. however, just having a college degree doesn’t guarantee one will be an officer so check with the particular branch.</p>
<p>I agree she can talk to recruiters but make sure her info is balanced so she gets info from other sources as well including those who have served. Make sure she understands the differences in operations, environment, and opportunities between each branch.</p>
<p>I went through undergrad on an AFROTC scholarship in 1977, although I didn’t end up doing active duty until Summer of 1990 ( August 2nd. <a href=“Gulf War - Wikipedia”>Gulf War - Wikipedia; great timing!). It was with my mothers encouragement, and though it ultimately turned out okay, MANY times I have asked myself What was she THINKING? I know she figured it was the best way to pay for college, but honestly, I think a person is better off coming up with the military idea on his/her own, because if it DOESN’T work out, it can be bad in a pretty spectacular way.</p>
<p>Keep in mind my job included evaluating a lot of people trying DESPERATELY to get out.</p>
<p>Commissioned Officers (I’m talking about Line Offerers here) have a much less chance of achieving 20 years service and a retirement than enlisted specialists do. I’ve seen many officers get forced out after ten years. It all depends on your MOS. And 30+ y/o non-field-grade line officers are always the first to go.</p>
<p>I second the idea of talking to an OSO, or find a parent at your daughter’s school who is a career military person or someone in your town? Most military personnel are happy to help; my husband has counseled lots of kids about going into the military, and since he’s not a recruiter, he doesn’t have a sales pitch or quota, just gives them info and helps them figure out what they want to know. </p>
<p>pm me with any questions you might have</p>
<p>If your D’s HS has an JROTC unit, try there. My niece graduated from HS this past spring. The JROTC advisor was very supportive and blunt about what she could expect. My dad was career Army, too and she has been surrounded by the military her entire life.</p>
<p>She signed on to the Army Reserves in January of her senior year, having done JROTC all four years of HS. Left for BCT two days after HS graduation, is currently at AIT. Will graduate in January and head off to either language training or college, where she will be ROTC at North Georgia College, get her 2LT commission on graduation in the Reserves. As long as she’s in school, she won’t get called up to active duty other than her weekend/summer training. She may yet go career RA. She scored very, very high on the ASFAB (sp?) and is in military intelligence. Will major in music and probably whatever foreign language she is placed into with the Army.</p>
<p>She absolutely loves it. I’m sure she would be willing to talk to your D. She’s pretty girly, too. :)</p>