Thinking about joining the military soon and...

8 years ago I told a friend that fought in Afghanistan I was thinking about joining. He grabbed me by my collar, threw me up against a wall, and made me promise to "Get the fricking military out of my fricking mind."

(no message)

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* Which is the best branch? Talking benefits, living conditions, etc.

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No branch is the best. But living conditions would have to go to the AF overall (unless coast guard is better; I have no experience with them). Navy would probably be a close second as far as living conditions/treatment are concerned.

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* A 51 on the ASVAB is pretty shitty, no? I feel like my recruiter is bullshitting me lol.

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Is it high? No. But the more important question is what jobs does that qualify for. As long as you meet the minimum for a job you want, who cares? That I feel is the most important question. What are you interested in? Look at jobs in each branch and see what interests you. Then ask the recruiters from each branch specifically if your ASVAB score meets the minimum requirement. He/she is going to try to steer you towards a hard to fill job (i.e., meaning there's a good chance it is a shitty job). You don't have to take that job. Stick to your guns and see if you qualify for what you want. Hold out for that.

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* How do you feel your time served affected you? Positively, negatively, etc.

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Best decision I ever made. I enlisted, ended up getting my B.S. with tuition assistance (government dime), got accepted to OTS, got my masters and currently working on my PhD as my full-time Air Force job. I've been afforded opportunities through the military that I never would have had. It's not for everyone, but if you have a good head on your shoulders you can go far.

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* How is basic training?

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AF basic training was more of a head game than anything. It wasn't difficult, just more of an opportunity for them to break you down from the "individual" way of thinking to more of a team concept. I enjoyed it, but others didn't. I can't speak for the other branches.

Bottom line. Military isn't for everyone, but it has been one of the best decisions I made for myself. Anyone that tells you one branch is better than another is simply misinformed. It may be better for that person, but it may not be a good fit for someone else. Do your homework and find out what type of career you are interested in. See if you qualify, and hold out for it. Good luck.

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* Which is the best branch? Talking benefits, living conditions, etc.

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Benefits are the same in every branch, living conditions are better in Air Force.

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* A 51 on the ASVAB is pretty shitty, no? I feel like my recruiter is bullshitting me lol.

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Don't know if that score will get you in the Air Force, or at least a good job within it, but idk. They were being really selective a while back.

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* How is basic training?

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If you are out of your bullshite, frick off phase of life, then it is fun and a breeze if you are mature and serious about what you are doing. On the flipside if you are a 18 year old punk and still think you can do what you want, don't like taking orders, so on... then you will have a horrible time and hate life.

I had a fun time there, and made friendships that are better than any I've ever had. It's a fun experience, the most important part is to remember it's basically all just one big game and that the real side of the military is nothing like the bs you face in basic. You'll still see some of it, but you'll see what I mean one day, if you join...


*Air Force & Navy girls are the hottest
*Pick an MOS that will carry over to the real world
*Use your education benefits
*Make a lot of close friends
*Don't meet a dependapotamus and don't get in a relationship. You'll likely end up married and divorced and the women you can meet & hook up with is far greater than being tied down.

If you have specific questions, ask away

Well i was in the navy, so that gets my vote

Yep, I think a 51 is pretty shitty, I got an 85, I'm no rocket surgeon. You want a higher score than that so retake it. Dont want to go in undesignated, they'll make you chip paint and shite instead of actually learning a useful skill.

Boot camp wasn't horrible, just do what they say. The weirdest part is the lack of communication with the outside world, but you get used to it.

My time served definitley changed my life for the better, thats why I joined. Was dickin around in college and would have just kept partying. I still partied a lot in the navy, but when I got out I used my gi bill and got my degree (a lot of navy stuff gave me a lot of credits). I'm in a pretty good spot in my life right now and wouldnt be without my time in the navy.

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A 51 on the ASVAB is pretty shitty, no? I feel like my recruiter is bullshitting me lol.

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I think that means you are clinically retarded.

A 51 is a pretty normal score. A 36 is the minimum to enlist in the USAF BUT A 50 is required for Coast Guard. Like others have said it depends on the job you want to do. In USAF you need a G64 for Cyber Security or Cyber Ops but for Supply (Material Management) you just need a G44. Remember you only need to meet the minimum for the ASVAB sub area (mechanical, electrical, general, administrative) like G for general above.

So the big question is... What do you want to do? What skill do you want the military to teach you for free that you could use later in the civilian world? I learned computers and electronic in the Air Force and it set me up for life.

Both wars are pretty much over so all branches are transitioning to a peacetime role compared to the last 15 years or so.

Everyone hates on each other, each branch has its perks BUT one thing that's a concensus besides the fact that the coast Guard sucks, is that the AF takes better care of their people.

Pick a handful of jobs that you think you'll like and get the MOS/AFSC from your recruiter and do some research on your own. Look at civilian equivalents and job outlook.

The whole experience is what you make it. I made friends that I co side family and would drop what I'm doing at a moments notice to fly and help them if needed. It's like college but better.

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* A 51 on the ASVAB is pretty shitty, no? I feel like my recruiter is bullshitting me lol.

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you should probably go army

The navy was a blast in the 90's. Plus you ain't getting shot at. It was pretty much like a 7-3 job just with shitty pay and you had to stay on base/ship once a week for your 24 hour duty/watch. I did 3 Mediterranean cruises (Med Cruise's) and had a fantastic time. I think they all pay the same with the same benefits. Then I got married and it sucked.

Edit to say DO NOT MARRY A MILITARY WOMAN and if you can help it don't get into any serious relationships. I loved the one navy base I was stationed at that shite was on the beach. That's what is so great being in the navy all the bases were near the beach lol. Doesn't matter either if you want to be a cop when you get out any police force should hire because the government should pay a portion of your salary. So go with a job that is plentiful where you live. If you live by Plants do something that can get you on at Marathon, if you like cooking go for chef in the Navy. I loved being a chef we got first shot at all new women coming aboard. They had to work for me for 30-90 days. Ummm party favorites as we called them lol.