Stuck Between CC and the Military
(Sorry about the length I tried to get to the point as soon as possible)
I am currently a student at a community college, with plans to transfer to a target, and then pursue a career in Investment Banking or Trading. I just completed my first semester and everything went well, But this really is not the type of change I was looking for. My high school grades were terrible, forcing me to stay at CC for 2 years to get my associates to transfer to the target/semi-target schools I am looking into. After this semester ended I realized I wanted a huge change in my life. I have always had this itch to join the military, so I looked into it and recently just talked to a recruiter. I figure the military will teach me self discipline, give me the change I am looking for, and help pay for my education as a bonus. I can take the ASVAB within a week or so and take the necessary steps needed to finish the process. My recruiter also told me I am able to finish the spring semester that I am already registered for and leave for basic as soon as it ends. So right now I am stuck and really do not know what to do. My plan would be to go to the military do my time and then finish undergrad as soon as I get out.
I know the military is a HUGE change and once I sign my contract there really is no going back. I know this decision is 100% on me, but I figured I would ask you guys since I am on the site 24/7 always lurking discussions. Thanks for taking the time to read!
Finish college and join as an officer, or join ROTC
Can't speak on the opportunity to transfer from a CC to a target/semi target because I've never done that. As far as joining the military goes, here is my opinion on where you're at with 2 years of college under your belt:
Option 1: Stop college and enlist. You'll be on the hook for 3-5 years depending on your job and training requirements. If you're a motivated, self-starter, I'd advise you to only go into a select few occupations as an enlisted person because you might go nuts if you get stuck in an mos that requires little mental ability. I'd look at SEALs, EOD, rescue swimmer, nuke technician, ect. Either something highly team oriented or highly technical. Don't do the IT / Intel jobs. You'll be inventorying safes and responding when people need to connect their printers.
Option 2: Transfer to a school with an ROTC program, pick up a 2 year ROTC scholarship. Need good grades for this. You'll get into the military as an officer, be able to do any job your health and grades allow. This will probably be looked upon favorably for future career / grad school options.
Option 3: Transfer to a better college and forget the military. I highly doubt that your odds of admission to a top school will be improved with prior enlisted service unless you are doing one of the aforementioned jobs. In case you haven't heard, the war is over and all of those awesome stories that you'd be able to tell won't be happening unless we enter another conflict - which I hope is a long way away.
Remember that military recruiting is done to fill quotas. Your enlistment is a step toward toward your recruiter's quota being met. Their promises are out the window once you sign that paper.
Thanks for the advice. Quick question, You said stay away from the IT/ Intel type jobs. I was looking into Human Intelligence Collector, I figure that was the best bet for an Intel job that also does field work. I also heard their work does not depend on whether or not we are in conflict. Would you still suggest to stay away from this job?
Yeah, looks like they got you with all of the classic "it won't be tough, smart guy - you'll be important" bs. FYI, I know a few people who went into the humint field. Getting shit thrown on you from the monkeys in gitmo will be the only collection you'll be doing. I can PM you more if you are really interested, but the real work is done by the SOF / CIA guys, not some guy a year out of boot with an early promote to E-4/5 based off of rate. Pay special attention to the last line in this clip if you haven't seen it already:
Sounds like you are realistic and just want to give yourself the best opportunities to succeed later on in life. On one hand, the military will give you a number of personal and professional development opportunities. Very commendable and a well-travelled path.
But on the other hand, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. If the sole reason to join the military is to go to a top school for IB and such, you'll most likely hate yourself after the first couple of months, which leads to bad performance and all other sorts of possibilities depending on your job capacity/station. You can get to wherever you want to with the right amount of dedication, preparation, and perspiration -- make sure you know what your motives are.
Definitely do ROTC or the reserves. Full enlistment is throwing the dice. ROTC and the reserves or national guard is a good hedge. Or you could go to college, graduate and go to officer's training school (OTC). No reason at all to enlist in the army. You enlist in the army as a young male then you get sent to Kabul.
Why else would anyone want to enlist?
For one, you should not go into the military for the sake of becoming a trader or investment banker. If you must, your ideal path should go as such: CC (if possible, STEM major) >> 4 year school (rotc, finish STEM degree) >> serve in military as a commissioned officer>> Ibanking, trading, or MBA. A post-MBA with a background consisting of military and STEM undergrad has the ability to write their own ticket regarding their career.
To be very candid, you seem quite bored with school. Based solely on this, investment banking and trading likely would not be a very good career fit for you, as I can see you becoming equally if not more bored with the work involved. The path I recommended allows you to figure out what you actually want to do by trying new opportunities, ultimately reducing your boredom while advancing your career. All that being said, you have to suck it up and do it.
Just to clear things up, I am not bored with school at all. I honestly enjoy the learning. It's the social aspect of community college that is really driving me nuts. I spent my whole life in this area, and I'm just ready for drastic change. So when I realized the military could help with self discipline, leadership skills and also give me the change I wanted, I started to do more research and as of right now it seems like a good option.
If I was you I would look at enrolling in one of the service academies as an enlisted soldier. Seems like it would be the best of both worlds and would give you plenty of options post graduation/active duty.
Are you trying to get him on the hook for the next ten years of his life?
Enlisted -- 2+ years Academy -- 4+ years (that's if he's lucky/talented enough to get in) Officer -- 5+ years
The clock doesn't start ticking 'til his first day of boot camp. Anyone who'd sign up to go this route because of exit opps is an absolute moron.
I'm not trying to get him to do anything. And anyone who joins the military in any form for the exit opps is an absolute moron, but that is really neither here nor there.
First, you don't have to be enlisted for two years before you apply (at West Point, at least). Second, he obviously thinks he would enjoy the military as he's always had the itch to join so maybe five years as an officer wouldn't be all that bad to him.
Again, I don't know what clock you're talking about, but per the West Point Admissions page an active or reserve soldier can apply at any time. Pointing out that doing your undergrad at a service academy gives a person plenty of options is not the same as saying do it for the exit opps.
I echo @holla_back 's sentiments. Enlisting now for the sake of improving your long term undergraduate college prestige makes very little sense.
For those who think enlisting and finding your way into the academy is easy - think again.
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