Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: betty on July 16, 2008, 03:51:24 PM
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she had the army recruiter there today, she will be having the national guard ppl there tomorrow and other recruiters the rest of the week for USMC and Navy. now....i know we have alot of military ppl here..so i need your opinion to which would be a better pick for her. she is very much unsure of what or where she will go however she asked my opinion and i told her i needed to ask around. so can yall give me a opinion as well as a good reason that way i can tell her????
plz no slamming on this thread i'm serious that my niece needs this. she graduates from high school this year so she wants to make a decision. i know recruiters will talk up everything.....so i'm not trusting them all and she really needs help deciding. shes a great girl and has a good head on her shoulders. i'm proud of her and will stand by her no matter what she does.
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Doesn't matter which she picks, they will all ship her off to the same place (Afghanistan).
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Doesn't matter which she picks, they will all ship her off to the same place (Afghanistan).
Even the Coast Guard?
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Hey Betty I would advise her to go Guard. She more then likely will get shipped over no matter what branch she chooses. I was able to get out 3 months before my unit got shipped. I would've went active army, but things in my life changed which sort of made up my mind on what I was gonna do with my military career. I do regret not making a career out of if. Anyways if she goes guard she can get a taste of military life, and can decide from there what she wants to do. Just let her know that there is always the possibility she could be sent over. Also what kind of MOS (job) does she want to do. That has alot to do with what branch she chooses. <S> to ur niece and to u I guess lol.
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Hey Betty I would advise her to go Guard. She more then likely will get shipped over no matter what branch she chooses. I was able to get out 3 months before my unit got shipped. I would've went active army, but things in my life changed which sort of made up my mind on what I was gonna do with my military career. I do regret not making a career out of if. Anyways if she goes guard she can get a taste of military life, and can decide from there what she wants to do. Just let her know that there is always the possibility she could be sent over. Also what kind of MOS (job) does she want to do. That has alot to do with what branch she chooses. <S> to ur niece and to u I guess lol.
she doesn't mind the thought of being sent anywhere, she just wants to matter. she has 2 boyfriends, 1 is in the marines and one is in the national guard, shes knows there is a good chance of her being sent over to iraq or where ever but still she wants to make this a career. she's not wanting in it just to leave after a few years. she wants to be a lifer. she's more worried about what would be the best move for her as far as having a good future, job, income whatever. she wants to have a good life. so that is more of the help she needs on which would be the best choice as far as who offers a better future i guess.
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Ok being that she wants to make it a carrer have her forget about the guard. Like I said I think alot of it has to do with what MOS she wants. My father in law is retired Air Force and being that he got bored after retiring he was able to be a contractor to the Air Force. I hear that they are pretty much the only ones who offer job's after u finish your carrer. Srry couldn't be much help <S>.
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Ok being that she wants to make it a carrer have her forget about the guard. Like I said I think alot of it has to do with what MOS she wants. My father in law is retired Air Force and being that he got bored after retiring he was able to be a contractor to the Air Force. I hear that they are pretty much the only ones who offer job's after u finish your carrer. Srry couldn't be much help <S>.
i told her cuz she's short to go for a fighter pilot...her mom of course didnt like that idea but hey! maybe she could give me a ride :)
she luvs to fly....it was just a thought ;)
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If she wants to be a pilot but doesn't meet the height requirements, she should at least look into getting a waiver. It may not be possible, but it couldn't hurt to find out first. Also, the Air Force offers plenty of flying jobs if she really wants to fly. Such as Boom Operator, Load Master, Flight Engineer, and etc. for enlistees as well as Pilot, Navigator, and ABM for officers :salute
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Airforce....if I had it to do over again, it would be the direction I chose.
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Well Betty I think most of us would like to see her go Air Force, but in the end it is her decision. I hope we have helped. <S> and tell ur niece ty.
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she had the army recruiter there today, she will be having the national guard ppl there tomorrow and other recruiters the rest of the week for USMC and Navy. now....i know we have alot of military ppl here..so i need your opinion to which would be a better pick for her. she is very much unsure of what or where she will go however she asked my opinion and i told her i needed to ask around. so can yall give me a opinion as well as a good reason that way i can tell her????
plz no slamming on this thread i'm serious that my niece needs this. she graduates from high school this year so she wants to make a decision. i know recruiters will talk up everything.....so i'm not trusting them all and she really needs help deciding. shes a great girl and has a good head on her shoulders. i'm proud of her and will stand by her no matter what she does.
I'd suggest that she try to get a ROTC scholarship with any branch of service (I'd suggest Marine or Navy) so when she's actually in the service, she's an officer. I'd suggest the Marines and doing this because in the long run, it'll be better for her than just joining right now.
That's what I'm gonna do when I'm out of high-school. :aok
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I was in the Navy. In most cases your not in direct contact, and or fighting, but your still helping out. I was on board the USS Eisenhower, a nuclear carrier out of Virginia. 3 years prowling the sea. Did two Med tours, and spent time off the coast of Iran (during the hostage stuff). Probably the safest from enemy attack, not that working on a ship is the safest thing in the world either, but I was pretty sure the only time I might get shot or blown up was while drinking in port. Schooling's great, and you get to see the world ( I did make it all the way around in one 4 month period :) )
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2 words......AIR FORCE :aok
NOT
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I started my military career in the Navy but switched to the Army back in 2002, I'm an electronics techy. What does your niece like to do? PM me if you would like and I'll give you my email or cell phone number if you'd like to bounce questions off of me.
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Definately Navy or Air Force. However, even these two services are sending people to Iraq and Afghantistan. I've been in the Navy for 16 years now, and made 6 deployments to the Persian Gulf; one of those was in country guarding detainees for a full year. Working right along with us were Army National Guard MP Companies and Air Force Security Squadrons. Our Navy unit was a 400+ Battalion.
However the desision is ultimately up to her. The Air Force has a much better quality of life than the Navy, however, the Navy get more travel than any of the other services.
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ty guys for your opinions. i have told her about what was said, i had read them all to her over the phone, she is not sure what kind of job she wants, she thought about medical but she said she doesn't want to see any dead bodies. but helping people is her goal i guess.
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airforce is the best bet . if she gets a guaranteed career field she will be nice and safe, along with the fact that most AF jobs will transfur to the civilian world afterwards .
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Whichever she chooses, I strongly suggest that she very carefully researches any and all "claims" that the recruiter tells her.
I was in college in the early 90s, shortly after the F117 Stealth Fighter became public knowledge. A buddy of mine who was a Proffesional Pilot student was told by a Navy recruiter that if he joined the Navy he would be flying F117s from a carrier. :huh
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She needs to figure out what she wants to do prior to commenting to any service. They all have good points and bad. I was in the Coast Guard (C-130 Flight Engineer) for 12yrs prior to transferring to the Army, I have 24yrs of service now. (Long story why I switched over, Loved the USCG) If she wants to do something Aviation, I would recommend the USCG, it's an awesome job. The ship guys are different story. :D If she wants to get into the medical field I would go AF. They probably pamper their people a lot better. My son is in the AF and likes it. Anyway; I would suggest she research what it is she would like to do as a job prior to commenting to a particular service. Good Luck.
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Air Force w/o a doubt. She is much more likely to gain a technical skill with them.
Is college out of the question here though? Just about anyone with sense will tell you if you're going to go military, be an officer.
Plus, college is so much fun! Your first year if you live in the dorms you meet so many friends, people with comon goals of getting an education. Away from parents...freedom...
The military isn't going to be quite as much fun, substitute one authority figure for 5 others.
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Betty I have 2 cousins in the air force that are in the medical field. I will see if I can get some info from them and post on here for ya. <S>
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If she feels she has to join something I would go Air Force but a good JC might be a better choice right now, and would give her time to think about it more.
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If she wants a military career...........I'd suggest college, ROTC, and go in as an officer!
I did a 2 year stint as an Army recruiter in 90-91, and 11 years total service as enlisted. My brother, on the other hand went to college, got into ROTC and went active duty Army as a brand new butter bar (2Lt). He is now a Major, bucking for his LTC (Lt Col), and not 1 regret or gripe from him either.
Many outstanding Universities and colleges offer ROTC for all the services. Good way to get your education paid for too ;)
Just my 2 cents worth :salute
Rob
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Air Force w/o a doubt. She is much more likely to gain a technical skill with them.
Is college out of the question here though? Just about anyone with sense will tell you if you're going to go military, be an officer.
Plus, college is so much fun! Your first year if you live in the dorms you meet so many friends, people with comon goals of getting an education. Away from parents...freedom...
The military isn't going to be quite as much fun, substitute one authority figure for 5 others.
yes dredger..she wants to go to college. that was one big point of her joining she said her 2 reasons was "to make a difference and have them pay for my college" she's got a good head on her shoulders. she could care less bout the "officer" thing, she just wants a strong financial future. she does plan to go in this year to ROTC. she said she would have more experience and would help her in her military future.
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Navy or Air Force
i think Air Force pays a little better and offers alot more jobs after millitary life
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Doesn't matter which she picks, they will all ship her off to the same place (Afghanistan).
Not really true.
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Depends on what she likes. If she still like school she can always go ROTC, it's pretty easy imo. She can get an easy major for the 4 years degree while doing ROTC. If she can't take learning anymore go then go enlisted. Air Force is probably the easiest and less dangerious side of the arm force, navy probably come seconds. If she like it a lil tuff go army or marine. Best of luck.
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Navy or Air Force
i think Air Force pays a little better and offers alot more jobs after millitary life
Pay is the same just depends on the situation. If you go Navy and go to sea, you get sea pay. Then add in combat pay, sub pay, and other types of pay just depends on what you do. Get married, you get more pay. Have kids, more pay.
The big advantage for anyone without a college degree joining the military is that you can get FREE college while active. Now the new GI Bill is looking really good for the members about to leave the service.
For the posters who state going AF is the safest route. That is not true either as we have many AF Boots in combat areas.
As a 11 year Naval Vet. I would push Navy so anyone can travel and see the world unless you are on a submarine. Jobs can be transfered to civilian work force and the Navy has some of the best schools for the career/job choice you want. Shhh, I won't mention how many AF personnel were in some of my classes...LOL.
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Navy
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Betty, I am active duty USAF (for 23 years) so I am biased. I have been a crew chief on fighters, a helicopter flight engineer and am now currently a sensor operator on the RQ-4A Global Hawk UAV. I have been many many places and if I was just coming in I would either go USAF or Coast Guard.
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Go navy!!
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Doesn't matter which she picks, they will all ship her off to the same place (Afghanistan).
No..thats not correct.
I did 4 years Navy. It was a great expierance.
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Betty, I started my military career in the Navy where I did 4 years and 3 of those were spent onboard the USS Nimitz as an AMS=Aviation Structural Mechanic. After leaving the Navy, I joined the Air National Guard and have been doing that for the last 13 years. IMO I would go Navy. I really enjoyed my time there and would do it all again tomorrow if I could. I found that in the Navy it seems that working in a certain "Rate" you learn to do a more wide RANGE of things...Being a AMS I did (obviously) structural work but I also did composites, tire and wheel, welding, painting A/C and NDI=Non-destructive Inspection. It seems that in the Air Guard/Air Force you learn one job REALLY well. In the Guard I am qualified to do NDI ONLY and working the in the Airframes shop or Paint facility is out of the question unless I want to quit NDI.
I also went to more countries around the world by the time I was 19 than ALL of my high school classmates combined. :eek:
As far as the Marines....One of my employees (apparently disgruntled) :rofl joined the Marines just last week and he is going in as a AE=Aircraft Electronics and his recruiter told him there was a 99% chance he would be going to Iraq/Afghanistan.
I guess it's all about what she feels comfortable with. :aok
:salute
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Marines. Trust me.
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Do not trust him.. :noid
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I also went to more countries around the world by the time I was 19 than ALL of my high school classmates combined.
Boy is this statement so true. When I went to my 5 year class reunion (MANY years ago), I had fellow classmates tell me that they would trade in their degree to see the countries I saw. By that time, I saw most of Europe, Northern Africa, Parts of the Middle East, South America, Caribbean, and a lot of the States. All that while in the Navy :aok
If you get the chance, watch the PBS show "Carrier" to get a feel of how things can be.
For anyone who is interested in the Navy you can always talk to me and other Naval Vets plus checkout these sites to get information:
http://www.navyvets.com/
http://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/index.jsp
http://www.military.com
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Betty, if I may... Tell her to go to school for 4 years, get a bachelors degree in something (while in ROTC) and then try to be an officer..
If she's planning on making a career out of it and REALLY wants to "matter" (no offense to NCO's, I was one too), this is the way to go..
If she was especially good in school with a high GPA and did a lot of athletics, she could apply to Annapolis or Westpoint..
I'm not sure what academic level she is at, however in order to get in ROTC or any military academy, you usually have to have a pretty high GPA and be involved in sports as physical fitness is a requirement..
She could also go the path of a Warrant Officer (most pilots on the US Army go through WOFT or Warrant Officer Flight Training).
However, she would have to score especially high on her entrance exam to be considered for this.
Either way she goes, tell her to consider or at least look in to being an officer.. The pay is better, the benefits are better, and it looks better on a resume..
Good luck to her!
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Then ring the bells right merrily throughout our Northern land,
Let the booming of the cannon give an echo strange and grand!
Let the notes of freedom's joyous songs bid every true heart thrill,
And the Stars and Stripes we love stream forth from every vale and hill.
Long, long ago we kept it as a day of jubilee,
When no cloud to mar the prospects of the nation could we see.
We spoke of the old war times as of a drama past—
That pleasant time is gone. We know our fathers' deeds at last.
Honor to ye brave men, from the battle wounded and gory!
Honor to ye brave men, whom the angel of death passed by!
Ages on ages hence shall others rehearse your story,
And pray that when duty calls like you they may live or die.
They are all a good choice. They all serve the same purpose of providing the blanket of freedom that we all sleep under at night.
Even krusty........
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My neices husband just retired from the Air Force as a Colonel. He's probably 40. He did spend about a year in Iraq right near the end of his service.
Also, with any military career, you can always be recalled even after you think you're done.
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What does she want to do and why does she want to join the military? She needs to answer those 2 questions before picking a service. They all have they ups and downs so it's not one of those things you just say "I'm going to do it!". If she wants to get her hands dirty and be in the stuff go enlisted, if she has the grades and the want, I'd strongly advise going to an academy and be an officer. I personally really enjoy the Coast Guard, however, it's a small force and as such you do multiple jobs whereas the Army has 200+ specialized jobs or something. She'll also advance a lot faster in the Coast Guard than in other services, depending on the rating she chooses. PM me if you want more information.
Also, it's actually somewhat difficult to get a billet over in the Middle East in the Coast Guard. That isn't to say it won't ever happen but as of right now that's a pretty exclusive position to get, and if she does it's patrolling waterways for the most part.
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What does she want to do and why does she want to join the military? She needs to answer those 2 questions before picking a service. They all have they ups and downs so it's not one of those things you just say "I'm going to do it!". If she wants to get her hands dirty and be in the stuff go enlisted, if she has the grades and the want, I'd strongly advise going to an academy and be an officer. I personally really enjoy the Coast Guard, however, it's a small force and as such you do multiple jobs whereas the Army has 200+ specialized jobs or something. She'll also advance a lot faster in the Coast Guard than in other services, depending on the rating she chooses. PM me if you want more information.
Also, it's actually somewhat difficult to get a billet over in the Middle East in the Coast Guard. That isn't to say it won't ever happen but as of right now that's a pretty exclusive position to get, and if she does it's patrolling waterways for the most part.
Well...to my understanding to what she had told me last night, she said she wants financial security, a job that means something, and wants to join the military so they will help her with college and along with doing so she will be doing something to try to make a difference. All she knows is she wants to help people, she has a great GPA, she's a great student so GPA will NOT be a problem for her. She has the National Guard recruiters comin out today, Navy and Marines will be there friday, she has yet to make an appointment with the Air Force recruiters that i know of. I want to thank all of yall for your advise and I hope that it helps her when it comes to making a decision when the time comes. She is NOT the kind of girl that will just jump in feet first without putting thought into it. And I'm proud that she is putting some thought into it and taking her time to choose. My daughter is gonna be 13 on July 21st. She is watching my niece Amber go through this and is admiring her, she was also talking to me about if this was a good choice for her to do when the time comes. My daughter is very much mature for her age and is starting to think of her future as she will be driving in a few years. I am glad that my niece is setting a positive example even for my kids as far as what they should do to prepare for a life of being an adult. Whatever she chooses I'm sure she will not regret it at all after weighing her pro's and con's to the situation. At least she wants to go to college and make a good future for herself. My niece Amber has had her life planned out since she was like 13 years old, she wants to go to college, get her degree in whatever she decides, work on her career for 10 years THEN maybe have a child..and ONLY 1 kid is all she wants. hehe
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Getting an ROTC scholarship is pretty easy. 2,3, and 4 years scholarships. If she has the GPA, and played some sport in High School and some kinda of leadership in college she got a pretty good chance of getting a full ride. There are a lot more oppertunity as an officer then as an enlisted. I work as an LT for an army rotc batalion. There are a lot of route to get a secure job in the military career that many people don't know about (such as helo pilots etc). There's a route to it that many people don't know about. Anywho, get w/ me offline on PM and I'll send ya some info on it.
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(http://www.logosoftwear.com/embroideryclipart/Military.United%20States%20Coast%20Guard%20Seal.(CD050406TE).(2.98x3).18224.jpg)
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Deciding what she wqants is the key to the question. It's really tough at that point in life to make a life long decision but that is what it amounts to.
If she wants to go career then Officer is the way to go as long as she wants higher education. They will often pay for advanced degrees in certain career fields for those who are promising.
Over all, even though I am a bit biased towards the Army, for a woman I recommend the Air Force. They have better living conditions on base and do what they can to foster higher education including sponsoring college classes right on base. The Air Force is technically oriented (as is the Navy) and offers many civilian cross over fields of work. There is also more gender neutral positions in the Air Force than the Army & Marines. Note I am NOT dissing the jarheads, well OK that time I did, just for women both the Army and Marines are not as diverse in career fields for them.
If she can make the first 2 years of college ROTC will also help pay the next 2 years. Note that you do not "try" being an Officer. You are commissioned and you ARE an Officer provided you complete the requirements.
If she wants to go medical there are certainly jobs out there in all of the services. Later on she will need a degree and certification to be a nurse in the civilian world but she could work anywhere in that case. She needs to find out how she could get the degree if she decides to go enlisted then later try for nurse. She will see dead bodies in any part of the medical area. There are worse things to see than dead people.
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Air Force....
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The thing about the Coast Guard, at least in Colorado, the recruiters don't really need to "recruit" so she probably won't see them unless she makes an appointment. To get in you have to consistently call and reaffirm that you want to join because they won't hold your hand. The Army on the other hand was calling me 2 months after I had already gotten to my unit. From my understanding only a few thousand people go through boot camp every year and with more people crossing over from other services it's getting harder to join.
Any good recruiter will tell you to talk to all the services before deciding on one, the bad recruiter is the one that will hand her a contract and say sign it. Another thing, when she gets more into the process and starts getting bonuses and guarantees, make sure they are in writing because sometimes words don't mean a thing.
Also if she definitely wants to be in the medical field there are direct commissioning programs if she gets her doctorate and various other degrees and professions. Depending on her knowledge she could be a commander or captain straight out of college. Its all about the route she wants to take.
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All the military services are great and important, but if she has a choice, go Air Force! :salute
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I was in the Army, and loved it. If I had my choice of going back to choose a different service, I would still have joined the Army.
One thing I did not consider was the marketability of the MOS experience after time in service was complete. Thankfully, someone else was looking out for me, and I was able to choose well with good advice. It paid off at the end of my time in the service to not have just taken whatever MOS the recruiter was trying to fill at the moment I walked through the door.
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Abe Lincoln once said 'give me 6 hours to cut down a tree, and I'll spend the first 4 hours sharpening the axe'
I would try to impress upon you niece that after going to college, she would be in a position to give orders rather than take them. If making a difference is what is important to her, then she should consider what would put her in the best position to effectuate a difference.
But alas, the young want adventure. Joining the service will provide a good deal of that element, instantly. She'll probably even find a nice young man in a profession with a considerably higher ratio of men to women.
If she is academically strong, and even if money isn't too terribly constraining, then forget the junior college, go right into the 4 year program at a university. If she is in Texas, and the top 10% of her class, she is guaranteed admitance. I hate to say it, but junior college is often an extension of high school, something she probably wants to escape from. Plus, there's alot of half assed students in junior college, skip it unless she is highly motivated.
I begged my parents 20 years ago to sign my enlistment papers, they declined. Instead they footed the bill for my university education, thank god in retrospect.
She will want to make it on her own, and with little means, then the military is a viable option to do so. Open the option for her, tell her if college is something she would consider, then you will help her pay..if it is an option.
Otherwise, Air Force. Good luck with whatever.
Dredger
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Air Force. Its not just a job...its like college.
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I was in the Army, and loved it. If I had my choice of going back to choose a different service, I would still have joined the Army.
One thing I did not consider was the marketability of the MOS experience after time in service was complete. Thankfully, someone else was looking out for me, and I was able to choose well with good advice. It paid off at the end of my time in the service to not have just taken whatever MOS the recruiter was trying to fill at the moment I walked through the door.
Yeop ! go w/ something that you can use for civilian life after military service.
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Im in the Air Force and i love every moment of it.. You can be in the Air Force and live a real comfortable life
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#1 pick: College
#2 pick: ROTC Navy or Air Force
#3 pick: Navy
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#1 pick: College
#2 pick: ROTC Navy or Air Force
#3 pick: Air Force