thinking about service

[bishop1]

Hey, i have a few questions for veterans out there. Im 18, i dont want to go to college, at least not any time soon, and i dont really know what i want to do with my life. I really respect people in uniform and am patriotic so it seems natural, and it would feel good knowing that im making some kind of difference somehwere. Its something that i will definatly be looking into, but not totally sure yet, but my questions are
how do the branches feel about lasik (im nearsighted and have thought about this, would they still let me in, do they encourage it etc...?
Im not very athletic or anything, but what would a good workout/getting into shape regiman be?
Are there any subjects/things to study up on?

Is there anything you would want someone to know that they dont tell you at the recruiters or website?

Im thinking maybe something like the Army, or Marines, maybe 101st or Infantry, but well see, its just something im looking into, but any help would be appreciatted.
Thanks

[Jack Mehoff]

Why don't you enlist, complete basic/AIT then get your LASIK? Hell, Tricare might even cover for all the cost.

[Dennis G]

Im not very athletic or anything, but what would a good workout/getting into shape regiman be?


http://www.mattfurey.com/

[FallenAngel]

Joining the service might be something you would really want to look into considering your position in life...

...or you could just find a really hot and rich girl and marry her. ;)

[ArmyRanger]

First of all what branch do you wanna do? Army, Navy, Marines, AF, Coast guard??? what job are you interested in?

[shrek]

Don't join because it would be patriotic, join because you want to and it's right for you, being patriotic will be what gets you through it!

Remember that in a few years you will probably be getting out of the service (unless you love it), think about what that first resume will say and what that first college counselor will see when they look at your application. 101st and the Marines are fantastic ways to go, but how will they apply to your life later. there are plenty of other things to get into in the service that will have fantastic applications later in life. Any weapons system MOS; Hellfire, Slamraam, Patriot etc. will have good applications outside of the military as well as any specialized aircraft or vehicle.

A good basic cardio workout with a lot of running and upper body strength workout is all you'll need. Being light on your feet, so to speak, is key. Your muscle to body weight ratio is something that will help you a great deal. Gotta haul that carcass everywhere.

Got to the recruiter, then post what he tells you on this site, those of us who have been to "the lying machine" will tell you what's true and what's not!


Personal note: I was you in 1988, I was 24, hated college, needed someone to tell me what to do and a job that I couldn't quit. I met the love of my life in Hawaii, I got to travel all over the world, I served in two wars and countless other "excursions" and I loved, well, almost all of it. You will probably not regret it!!

[bishop1]

Thanks for the info guys, and thats true about the combat oriented MOSs, that they dont apply much to life later, but say i join the 101st or Infantry, and i really do like it, if they sent me through college alittle later, could i get into something else other than a very linear MOS that might apply to the civilan world? Or it might be something that if it works out might be a carrer, but i dont know.

To Jack, or anybody, would the service pay for lasik once youre in, or would you still have to pay?

Thanks

[FallenAngel]

I know more than a few cops who are/ were military- mostly infantry.

The CIA, FBI, and other domestic units are always looking for people with military experience in combat arms.

Or you could go to work for a Security Contractor like Blackwater if you're good enough.

[rangerone]

Bishop-

In regards to college, depending on what branch you decide to serve in and whether you are National Guard, Active, or Reserve, the military may pay your entire way through college and you can choose your major. It's what I am doing right now through the IL ARNG.

Also, Infantry is pretty damn cool. Lots of opportunities to travel abroad and do a lot of cool things. I would reccommend doing a few years in the Infantry, and then, if you choose, you can switch your MOS.

[American Patriot]

Whatever you do, don't join the FBI when you get out.

[Uncle Sam]

Do it for you! Once you're in, sign up for the G.I. Bill! I did and got 4 years of College and 2 degrees. Go to Ranger school if you're going 11B. Best taining you'll ever get unless you go SF.

[Colt45]

theyre giving free lasik to all the new SF guys ;)

[Merik]

As far as I know I havent heard anything about Tricare actually paying for Lasik surgery but you never know. Tht only thing about it is DO NOT, EVER, tell a doctor in the military that you had Lasik surgery, that will end your career depending on what it is(aviation, etc.)

[WolverineBlue]

If I were in your shoes, I would seriously reconsider college. If you have the motivation, you can get a college degree AND go through ROTC. You cannot compete in today's workforce without a college degree, unless, having the above-mentioned motivation, you can kick some butt starting your own business, becoming a skilled tech (telecom, electrician, plumber, etc.), or you come into money.

Then, if you do go military, be an 11x -- a long line of honor precedes you.

[bishop1]

Thats the thing, there is absolutely no motivation what so ever, i know it would help, but the idea just seems unbearable, i hate school. Not to mention id rather be payed for something im intreasted in than to pay for something id probably hate. As stated before, its no rush, so there are a few others im gonna look into, but it all comes back to the military, it just seems like the thing i want to do if theyll take me.

[Jackel]

Dude listen,
Join the military because you want to shoot guns, blow **** up, kick ass, drink beer, sleep with loose women (watch out for the fat ones), travel the world, get tattoos and be in great shape. Do that for four years dont and get killed. Leave the military and then get a real job. You will be about 22-23 years old just perfect to start a real job or college.

As for me I had the GI bill pay for 4 years at the university I went to.

P.S. dont be afaid of college its a big drink and ass fest with a little bit of studying mixed in.

[bishop1]

Lol, how can you say no to that?

[dghost]

As far as I know I havent heard anything about Tricare actually paying for Lasik surgery but you never know. Tht only thing about it is DO NOT, EVER, tell a doctor in the military that you had Lasik surgery, that will end your career depending on what it is(aviation, etc.)

bad move. There is some idiotic stuff that medical doctors will do, but never, ever, ever f*ck around with your eyes. especially with Lasik.

If you go for laser eye surgery, go for PRK. because there is no incision made in the eye, recovery time is drastically reduced and there is a much lower chance of side effects. if you get assigned to the right post, Tricare will even pay for it. there might be a waiting list, but it is still something that you can elect to get.

here is the website I was pointed to: link (http://evans.amedd.army.mil/Eye/default.htm).

little blurb on the Army's policy towards laser eye surgery...



The current Army Medical Regulation, AR 40-501, prohibits entry into the military and into many special schools including, but not limited to, Flight, Ranger, Airborne/Air Assault, HALO, SCUBA, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. Waivers for commissioning are routinely granted if AR 40-501 vision standards are met, results are stable, and more than 6 months have passed since treatment. Commissioning standards per AR 40-501 must be met - not "perfect surgical results". After 6 months any school except HALO, Flight, Diving and SF may be entered post LASIK and even those will admit a select few on waiver as part of an on-going study. All except Flight may be entered post PRK. In addition, the Army is also waiving in about 200 flight school students post PRK or LASIK as part of a new study. The current standards are under constant study and review.


less of a hassle to go with PRK if you can get into it.


I hated high school and I hated college. I never finished either of them but I wish I had - as Jackel said college is a lot of drinking and chasing ass. I wish I could go back just for the hot chicks - you just do not find them that often in the Army. and truely respectable ladies are even harder to find. When I get a chance, I probably will go back to school and get a degree. But... I figure the time for that will be later, for I am young and have not yet had my fill of kicking ass and blowing **** up.

Unfortunately, I seriously underestimated how much trivial **** I would have to learn in the Army. You learn enough random **** that college becomes preferable (and damn easy to learn and keep up with). Sprinkled in there is a *lot* of important-life-saving information that you have to know as well. Don't for a minute mistake joining the military as being easier than going to school for 4 years.

Even in the Infantry there are skills that you can pick up that would make you desirable. You can learn to be responsible and self-motivated. You can learn to manage other people and be responsible for their training and performance in a job. You can learn how to maintain gear and equipment properly, as well as work with all sorts of things. You can choose to do it - or you can choose to not. It all is up to you - I've seen really squared away soldiers and I have seen total ****bags that i wouldn't trust with a potato peeler. If you take the easy route and don't learn anything, than you won't walk away from it with any skills that are useful in the outside world. If you are going to go that route, I would suggest I would suggest looking at a technical MOS - the ones shrek suggested are good examples.

[MEGR]

I still kind of consider the military. However, I wanted to make sure that I got my four year degree before any military duty. College is tough, but It's darn worth it.