[pabianice]

Save some time. Naval Aviation.

[pabianice]

Two words: Army.

[toddlintown]

GET IT ALL IN WRITING! Don't let them sweet talk with the ole "Oh, yeah, that's not a problem!" B.S.

If it's not a problem (or "guaranteed"), then it needs to be in writing.

It might be different now, but back in the day, all bets were off if we were at war. It was in the contract.

[Doc-Joe]

Most important question: "Can I get that in writing?"

[ops33]

Every comment advises that you seek a guaranteed MOS/AFSC. That is the abbreviation for Military Occupantional Specialty (Army) or Air Force Specialty Code. It is the exact job or skill each enlistee is trained and qualified for. I was an air traffic controller in the AF, a very desirable career field. Most of the young people who came into the AF to become controllers had to enter through the delayed enlistment program. Basically, what that means, is if you meet all the qualifications for a particular job then you enlist in the inactive reserve. While in the inactive reserve a person doesn't actually do anything military, basically they are waiting for a vacancy in the technical training school where they will go following basic training. For young controllers, the wait was anywhere from 8-10 months.

I can't speak for anything other than the AF, but if your daughter doesn't want to wait that long then she can enlist with a guaranteed job area. The AF breaks all the enlisted skills down into 4 areas; administrative, electronic, mechanical, and general. If she chooses this route then the AF will not guarantee her a specific job but rather they will guarantee her a job the category she choose. If she choose general she will be guaranteed a training in a skill in the general category only. Some good jobs, some bad, depends upon her ASVAB scores. About.com has some very good info on enlisted job skills for all the branches of the military and will list each AF skill in each of the 4 categories.

I strongly recommend that she pick a specific job she wants and enlists for training in that particular skill. And I also strongly recommend she go AF. That's not just because I retired from the AF but a lot of the training is better (I know that statement will upset many) and the living conditions are better. Good Luck!!

[Billthedrill]

I am (navy) perfectly neutral on the topic (navvy) and so (Navy) haven't any particular (Navy) advice to give you. All of the (NAVY) services have their strong (NAVY) points and weaknesses (NAVY!)

1. Get it in writing.
2. Have the recruiter explain the educational benefits both in-service and post-.
3. Ask the recruiter what duty stations he or she has had and what he or she would have done differently if anything.
4. Find out about guaranteed MOSs (military occupation specialties) or ratings (Navy occupations). Find out about how they go about selecting one for her if she's undecided.

There are personality differences between the services. If she likes bobbing up and down on an air mattress at the enlisted pool between games of golf, try the Air Force. If she likes driving huge, armored vehicles at top speed crushing everything in her way and tearing up the countryside, maybe Army is the way to go. If she likes wandering through exotic foreign ports and getting tattoos that she can't explain later, Navy'll do it. If those tattoos spell out "USMC" and they're done on the forehead with a nailgun, that'd be a Marine... :-)

[68skylark]

I think it's great your daughter is interested in learning more about serving, whether or not she decides to join up in the end. I hope you're really proud of her.

[Yasotay]

Just remember all enlistments are really for 8 years AND don't forget: STOP LOST

Get signing bonuses ($) in writing.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

What is the enlistment bonus?

After she enlists in the Air Force you can FRmail me for more info. I spent 6 years in the U.S.A.F. Reserves and my hubby has been in for 34 years. My son in taking his physical this weekend to join his father's unit.

[Not A Snowbird]

Marine Corps! Ooh Rah!

The only advice I have to give is read the fine print and get every promise in writing.

If she's guaranteed a certain occupational specialty, make sure it's spelled out and there's no possibility of loopholes.

[ODC-GIRL]

Over 20 years in the Air National Guard and making Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) on Saturday. The reserves of the Air Force have been very good to me. I am a Supervisor in a field I have always enjoyed. I have FORMER Marines, Army and Navy folks working for me and without exception, they all have been pleased with the Air Force.

If she's set on going active duty, fine, but the Reserves or Guard may be an option to getting her feet wet and getting a lot of benefits. She could always go Active Duty later.

I've had a full-time job since 9-11 and, despite the talk of cuts, there are awesome opportunities announced every day.

[armymarinemom]

Just read the fine print and then ask questions. Cindy Sheehan obviously never read the fine print.

[weps4ret]

Short of starting an inter-service rival flame.

Two more words, Coast Guard. Highest ASVAB scores required. They actually do something, besides train to do something. Saving lives, Port Security, Environmental Protection, Pollution Response, Drug Interdiction, and Law Enforcement. An E-4 is a fully sanctioned Federal Law Enforcement Officer. We all know how to swim, no longer are issued Jesus Sandals, and we no longer have to be six feet tall.

Semper Paratus

Gunner

[antiRepublicrat]

There's a box on the back of the enlistment form. Anything the recruiter promises MUST be mentioned in that box or it doesn't exist. Otherwise, pick and choose from (as others may have mentioned)

• Guaranteed MOS (job). Run a list of jobs she likes through us here (collect my name and ping please) so we can tell you the ins and outs.
• If she plans to make a career, look for a job with promotion potential (some jobs have very slow advancement)
• Guaranteed assignment upon completion of training. Great chance to see the world. But remember, an assignment in Germany doesn't prevent her from spending half that time in Iraq.
• If she plans to get out, look for a job with civilian college credit and experience potentential. Some jobs can get you civilian certifications, especially in the medical field.
• GI bill (helps pay for college)
• College fund (lot more money for college)
• If she plans to do college while in the military, try to get a job (or post) that doesn't go to the field too much. Avoid Fort Drum, NY, like the plague
• Get all the freebie goodies you can (coffee mugs, etc.)

Last but most important: Resist all attempts at pressure. Have her put off signing for however long she wants, do not let the recruiter steer her to a particular MOS. Recruiters have a quota to fill, first and foremost, and are often under intense pressure.

[Tarantulas]

Have her check out the Navy Nuclear Power Program. When I enlisted (1971) I had to promis to extend my enlistment to 6 years. But I got a rank of E-4 right out of "A" school and two years of electrician and nuclear power plant training. As a woman, she will almost certainly be assigned to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier with (comparatively) all the comforts of home. No snipers, RPGs, kidnapping by terrorists, etc. And once she gets out of the Navy she will have nuclear power skills, and those will be valuable at the new nuclear power plants this country is starting to build. Nuclear power plants pay well, and many of the staff members at the current plants are reaching retirement age, so job openings will be everywhere. The Navy Nuke program weeds out most of the jerks and idiots during the training, so she will be working with the cream of the Navy crop, so to speak. You can find more information here and here. Good luck to her and please let us know what she chooses.

[antiRepublicrat]

One excellent job these days with good college credit and applicability outside the military is intelligence. Specifically, anything requiring a language. The Army will send her to school for up to a year to become fluent in a language, and she'll earn extra pay as she keeps up her skill in it. The other side is this requires IIRC over a four-year commitment.

And if after those years she's thinking of getting out the enlistment bonuses are extremely enticing. Wanting to stay in for one tour can quickly turn into a career.

[liberateUS]

Coast Guard and get it in writing!

[BlueNgold]

Too many unknowns to answer properly - feel free to Freepmail if you want more info.

Here's a start - it's more about your daughter than the military:
1. What is her educational background?
2. What are her educational plans/desires?
3. What are her long term career goals?
4. What is her physical condition?
5. What are her top 3 reasons for considering military service?

Answering these questions will help guide you through the maze. It will hopefully answer if military service is a good choice for her, and if so, what branch is best suited for her talents and commitment.

I love recruiters, but remember that they can be a lot like car salesmen - they have a tough job, are under much stress to move product, and their careers depend on their success. Recruiters have been known to make verbal promises that the DoD does not deliver - so like everything else, get their commitments in writing. Even then, remember that the needs of the country will outweigh even a written promise from a recruiter.
** It's not about the job, it's about the service. **

I'll close with tidbits from the I-Day speech I gave to my OCS recruits as they arrived:
- Look at the flag - if you're not willing to add your blood to the red stripes you see, if you are not willing to honor your country and your shipmates with your valor, if you are not willing to die so that others may live - you are in the wrong place. The future greatness of this country relies on the honor, dedication, valor, and sacrifice of those who answer the call and willingly serve. If you are up to the task, welcome.
- If you're here for any reason other than service to your country -(pause for effect)- do NOT dishonor those who have gone before you nor those who will follow -(another pause)- the door is open. You can leave the way you came.

[Incorrigible]

This may help the decision making process:

 

 

[Random Access]

Make sure they give her choices on the color scheme for her condo at basic training.