Air National Guard

[Rob52240]

I was a political science major for 3 years.  Then I wised up after my older friends who graduated with that same degree all ended up selling progressive insurance or managing a rental car place.  One even became a cook.

If you're going to do liberal arts and have no intention of becoming a teacher, in my opinion you are wasting your time and money.

I saw the writing on the wall, left university for trade school and found that I am a lot more employable as an industrial electrician / mechanic and I make more money than most of my friends with liberal arts degrees.

However,
If you were to go the officer's route (which would be smart) a political science degree should be fine.  If you are at a community college now and transfer to a 4 year school it will be a kick in the nuts because that tends to be a very competitive field of study considering all of the people in it who are also pre-law.

[Hetzer7]

Just an observation based on experience, sport.

Based on mine, he sounds like officer material <S>

[jolly22]

It's not that I don't have the grades to compete with the already pre-law students. I chose the community college route because of money. That's the fact there. That's a good point. I simply don't know what I want. So I started considering military.

[guncrasher]

joining the military definitely would remove the laziness from you.   just like everybody else said, you maybe called to go to overseas.

if you dont know what you want then dont join the military, because you will find out real soon that being there is not what you really wanted.

perhaps you will find an answer if you ask people that are closer to you and that know you and that includes yourself.

btw I am lazy, I dont go to work because I want to work but because I like to eat and have some money to waste .  however once I get to my job then I find out that time passes faster if you actually do some work than if you sit around looking at the wall.


semp

[Selino631]

So who here is in the Air National Guard. I'm STRONGLY considering joining it.

 I'm not physically or mentally able to go into a military branch. I just can't. I won't survive. I'm not mentally tough enough.

the Air Guard IS a Reserve Component of the United States Air Force.... it IS a branch of the military. Also, be advised. Depending on your military occupational specialty. there is a pretty decent chance you could be forward deployed overseas.

also Jolly22, whats your where-abouts in VA?

[Tumor]

There was a position open here in VA where they basically needed a brain. Where to move troops when needed, how many to have on at a certain time, etc. I don't remember what it was called But I feel like that would fit me perfectly.

  They advertise well don't they.  I'll be blunt again... if you "enlist", it will be 10 years before anyone in your chain of command is interested in your "brain".  You'll be the guy "making it happen" so to speak, by following the orders of someone else and doing the leg work (this after months or years of mostly training). Oh sure, you'll be expected to do well on all your training, testing, and especially "qualification training/testing".  It's not like you go to Basic & Tech School then "off to work".  Once "formal" training is complete, it's OJT the rest of your freeking life (well, it WILL seem so).   

  There are a HOST of jobs in the USAF that fit what you describe.  Brainy stuff and all that.  There aren't too many jobs where your average doofus is going to do well.

  If you do this, FORCE as much information as you can from your recruiter.... make no mistake, his butt is on the line if he doesn't make his quota.  Look at the catalogue of jobs available, and then call a unit and ask about it.  I'm not kidding, you'll likely find most of them eager to help. I can't stress this enough... there is SO much in terms of possibilities.  If you see something you think you'd like, and don't do your research, you may well be disappointed.

[Tumor]

oops

[jeep00]

I guess i misinterpreted myself there. I know they're military, but not part of the main branches? lol I knew that.

I couldn't be a teacher. I'm too smart for that. I'm too valuable to be a teacher. I'm not knocking teachers, It's just not me. I need something where I can use my brain but still be able to make a physical impact if necessary. There was a position open here in VA where they basically needed a brain. Where to move troops when needed, how many to have on at a certain time, etc. I don't remember what it was called But I feel like that would fit me perfectly.

I'm not saying I "couldn't" handle it. Because I could, but it would put a lot of strain on me. I'm an extremely hard worker ONCE I GET GOING. It's getting me into the working part of it that's hard. I'm all business at that point.

I don't want it to be sugar coated. I don't want a false idea of what I could be going into, so I appreciate it tremendously.

You have a lot of participation trophies don't you? The military is not Stripes. It is a commitment and that sounds like one item missing for you. Not knocking I was once young and undecided too. Have fun now while you can but know you have to make a choice sooner or later and you need to prepare yourself for it. 

[jeep00]

I would go to school if i were you...Also, concider becoming a teacher.  Teacher manual labor load is light. summers and weekends and holidays off.  Pay is not great but you will have a union to help maintain your job and benefits , maybe a pension.

For a lazy person such as yourself teaching should be perfect.  The old saying goes something like "Lazy professionals become teachers."

GL and stay in school. don't sign your life away to the military, yet.

 

Wow.   

[RotBaron]

Wow.   

X 2 on the wow!

What Natcigg said is more disturbing than someone saying they are not cut out for the military "can't handle it" and yet they want to go Guard.

[jolly22]

X 2 on the wow!

What Natcigg said is more disturbing than someone saying they are not cut out for the military "can't handle it" and yet they want to go Guard.

I don't want to go overseas. The "NATIONAL" guard, tbh, I thought was only to help when there are states of emergency. NOT international duties. That's what I don't want. I would love to do National Duties, but not International.

[Selino631]

I don't want to go overseas. The "NATIONAL" guard, tbh, I thought was only to help when there are states of emergency. NOT international duties. That's what I don't want. I would love to do National Duties, but not International.

If you are not willing to serve overseas than the military is not for you. There are other routes. Since you live in VA,
You could join the Virginia Defense Force. It's a state owned organization which I guess you could consider is a state military auxiliary. They are just voluenteers and retired vet that show up in BDU uniforms to "drills" and assist the local community. You do not recieve pay for this though.


But again. If you are not willing to go overseas. Do not join the National Guard.

[Puma44]

I don't want to go overseas. The "NATIONAL" guard, tbh, I thought was only to help when there are states of emergency. NOT international duties. That's what I don't want. I would love to do National Duties, but not International.

Then, the military is not for you.  Since the Vietnam War, the military has been an all volunteer force.  Part of the "volunteer" is the very real possibility of overseas assignment.  With the draw down of our military comes the opportunity for everyone to serve more than thier fair share of overseas assignments, including guard and reserve members.

[NatCigg]

I don't want to go overseas. The "NATIONAL" guard, tbh, I thought was only to help when there are states of emergency. NOT international duties. That's what I don't want. I would love to do National Duties, but not International.

Public service is up your ally.  While i would stick with teacher as a recommendation.  Have you thought about law enforcement or someother form of public service.  Funding for cops seems to be bulletproof and a nice retirement is in order.  Also check with you state and local authorities, they myriad of state and government jobs will also come with good pay, benefits, and retirement.  All of these social service jobs have room for interns, allowing you some immediate exposure and experience.

 

[BuckShot]

Funny. That's my major. Major: Political science/law. Minor:Spanish

Great. You can be the new "Amnesty czar."

Join the service. Good lessons learned regardless of outcome.