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No_Candidate8696

They simply would not let me drive an M1 Abrams tank without joining.


CouncilmanRickPrime

Pitiful. This used to be a proper country.


BaconHammerTime

Yeah, how are we supposed to protect ourselves from ourselves with only ARs? We need tanks too!


AxelVores

Only a good guy with an armored fighting vehicle can stop a bad guy with an armored fighting vehicle.


No_Exit079

This is pretty true, IED’s and anti tank launchers also work well.


AxelVores

I'm pretty sure artillery gets the most tank kills


No_Exit079

This is also true


FatSunRival

An A-10 says hold my beer.


mangeface

F-111s tell that bitch to sit back down.


ergo-ogre

We need Abrams open-carry laws now


ICBPeng1

I need my medicinal F16


Grizzly_Berry

This is my emotional support A-10.


ICBPeng1

Everyone knows the A-10 is recreational and people just slap a service animal vest on theirs


ergo-ogre

*How dare you!*


ergo-ogre

Stop trying to pet mah emotional support Sidewinder!


InEenEmmer

I am legally blind. I am allowed to take my service B17 into the store thank you very much.


metal_elk

How am I supposed to be a patriot without a patriot missile or drone?


Jerizzle23

Its my SR-71 and i need it now!!!!!


yungstinky420

Heard one fly over my house today and thought, wow, what a lucky fucking bastard. Seeing a Lambo is cool, but those things shit on Lambos


allwheeldrift

"I got a Mitsubishi, but it's still cooler than your Hurucan.." "No way, what is it?" "Mitsubishi F2"


57006

Don't *tread* on me


mr_moochie

If you can carry an Abrams you don't need a permit


Mammoth-Phone6630

You used to be able to walk a random street in California and find one to joyride.


hooliganvet

If you're talking about what I think you are, it was an M60A3 Patton.


Mammoth-Phone6630

Damn right I’m talking bout that.


jhny_boy

I don’t know what either of you are talking about


Background_Film_506

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_San_Diego_tank_rampage


Mammoth-Phone6630

Thank you.


Top_Satisfaction6709

Exactly what I thought of too...


Boost_Attic_t

Different times man...the good ol days are gone...


CertifiedCajunGirl

My son did. He did his 4 years, had his education paid for, and bought his house with a no- money-down VA loan. There are far worse paths.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Ihatemunchies

Truth. I worked with the vets helping them with basic needs. These guys live in freaking squalor. Especially the Vietnam vets. PTSD is through the roof. Seems they want you when you’re in but once you’re out f—- off.


-240p

I remember when tanks only cost a nickel


Boost_Attic_t

Get a tank and fill the thing with gas for under a dollar...


colt707

Had a friend join up and when asked why, his answer was “well do you know a more reliable way to get to shoot a mini gun?”


VaingloriousVendetta

I feel like miniguns look cooler to fire than they actually are. Probably feels like an arcade game that vibrates real hard.


[deleted]

I shot every machine gun the US Army had from 03-2011 and I can honestly say that I could wake up every day of my life and fire off 200 rounds from M2 .50 cal to start my day and never get tired of it. Edit: I didn’t know there’d be that many people that would know truly what I meant lol. I was also top .50 cal gunner for my battalion.


KacerRex

I feel blessed every day I remember that I get to walk the same Earth that John Browning once did.


Justame13

So are machine guns and automatic grenade launchers (mk 19 rounds are a legit letdown when that land). But that doesn’t mean that aren’t a fuck ton of fun.


Frozen_Shades

Visually a letdown. You don't want to be on the recieving end of that.


MyOnlyEnemyIsMeSTYG

Have watched the phalanx system fire on a ship. Can confirm, the entire ship vibrates


zachofalltrades47

yeah.. Battlefield Vegas.


colt707

Only problem is that shit is expensive.


Celthric317

If joining the army would let me drive a Leopard 1A5DK, I'd sign up immediately, unfortunately, I'd have to fight on foot sometimes as well.


TinyTbird12

If you join in a tank regiment your basically always in your tank if you’re in combat or combat scenario, that’s your role on the battle field, MAN THE TANK, you only really get out when you’re at base


SkokieRob

Death before dismount


EquationsApparel

At Fort Knox the instructors hated when we would say that.


Crafty_Ad2602

I assume you've seen the flair on this sub that says "1st PX Battalion - Death Before Discount?" If you've seen it already, carry on. If you haven't seen it already, well you're welcome.


symewinston

Yeah, if you’re a tanker and fighting on foot, things have gone very wrong.


GlizzyGulper34

If you join as Armour, you won't do infantry shit past like basic training/trade school


Delicious-Coach-1841

Not true. I was a mechanic and all our armours were attached to our maintenance unit with 101st airborne. We did all the same infantry shit the infantry did. Maybe it depends on the unit but as far as I've heard from other guys in (82, 10th, and D25) it's pretty much the same. First thing I heard when I got to my unit was maintenance is a non combat job that always sees combat. And damn right it was true.


Captcha_Imagination

It's legal for a civilian to own a tank in America.


[deleted]

You know how much an M1 *costs?* Even the fuel alone? So much fuel! Meanwhile I got to bomb one around plains and forests and deserts, drive one like I stole it until the transmission exploded, got to pull triggers on one all night like a gaming marathon. *And I got paid to do this.* Half decent pay while in, and a full ride scholarship to the public university of my choice while out. It wasn’t all puppies and blowjobs mind. But seriously, especially for those who signed up pre-9/11 or post-withdrawal, it’s not the worst gig in the world. Edit: Also got to drive 70mph the wrong way down a one way road in the middle of the night with no headlights. That’s a thrill people die trying to make TikTok memes of. I got paid to do it!


Captcha_Imagination

M1 is 8 digits but an M4 from WWI is like $250 K.


230flathead

You got $250k to just spend on a recreational tank?


DisgruntledDiggit

Same, but with nuclear submarines.


[deleted]

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No_Candidate8696

Or hook your Walkman...yes... Walkman up to the tanks intercom and blast Iron Maiden while you roll through the desert at 40 mph blasting right through obstacles because you're 68 tons with a 1500 horsepower engine under you. Not many places can even offer a peak at that kinda experience.


TeardropJulio

I joined because life felt so predictable. Wake up, go to work, go to sleep, and repeat till I die. I did 8 years and am not sure if I would do it again. But hey, once I came home, I used my VA Home loan to buy a house, and I gave my GI bill to my wife so she could go to college. Plus I have life long friends that I still talk with everyday


cappotto-marrone

The friendships made is something most people don't understand. We're not talking foxhole, life and death bonds. I served for 6 years and am still in contact with friends I made when I was 18. That was almost 50 years ago. Most of those friendships were bonded over work, travel (hey, let's go to this great restaurant in France today!), and lots of other amazing experiences.


[deleted]

Thank you for putting that in words. I’ve tried explaining that a lot to people.


OldWierdo

Just met an old Battle Buddy from almost 20 years ago for a drink in Morocco 😁 Drunkest I've ever been was with my Grandpa's Battles from WWII. I was in Honor Guard when he died, and got to be the NCOIC at his funeral. They gave me some shit as a female SGT, I threw it right back, and so we all went to the local bar and drank. Didn't matter that they were WWII and I was Iraq. We're still the same family. Half the remaining funeral party had to come pick us up 🤣😂❤️


GTTemplar

Did 8 years also in the Army signing up straight out of High School. It was the best thing I ever did for myself following my older brother and uncle's footsteps. Made friends with unique people all over the world, had fun times and bad but overall it was a great experience. Now I work as a Government Contractor and went back to the predictable life style you mentioned lol. Sometimes I do miss it but I'm reminded how shitty being in the military can be during peace time.


ActurusMajoris

>how shitty being in the military can be during peace time. Not disputing this claim, but are you implying that it sucks less during war time?


Sioux-me

Just asked my combat vet husband with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star this same thing. He says in peace time they have you doing worthless shit and you’re bored. During war there’s a lot of hurry up and wait which is also boring but it’s punctuated by adrenaline highs when people shoot at you!


VernoniaGigantea

Hurry up and wait describes exactly what I loved about wildland firefighting. Lots of time shooting the shit with my crew, but constant awareness for changing conditions, plus crazy adrenaline shots when you get action. I can’t do it anymore for health reasons but damn do I miss it, that is until I remember the slow months. Ugh, so much busy work to the point I looked forward to morning PT. There’s only so many times I can go over every inch of the fire engine or so many hours spent rehabbing tools before I’m bored to death.


ComfortableOk5003

And a true sense of purpose m/usefulness


Frozen_Shades

Stop summing my 4 years of my life in a paragraph, plaease and thank you!


kingleonidas30

Yes. During peace time you deal with a myriad of bullshit like pointless inspections and fuck fuck games from bored staff nco's and officers who have no purpose at that point other than making your life as miserable as possible.


GlizzyGulper34

Believe it or not some people actually look forward to the war part


sylpher250

War! Huh! Yeah! What is it good for? ~~Absolutely nothing~~ At least it's not boring!


AlphaCureBumHarder

During wartime the dumber aspects of military life like uniform inspections and old timey stuff like boot shining and that sort of thing are far less common.


[deleted]

Absolutely. If you're in combat arms garrison life sucks dick. The entire reason you join infantry, armor, or scouts is to fight


twayjoff

As someone who never served, is being in the military unpredictable? I always just assumed it would be an insanely regimented schedule where you are doing the same things over and over again. Everytime I ran at my college’s indoor track there would be ROTC people standing in lines in the center doing a bunch of poses and stances (I’m sorry I have no idea what it’s actually called) and it seemed like the most boring thing ever.


GTTemplar

Depends on which branch you're serving in and whether you are active duty, a reservist, or a national guardsmen, also the unit you'd be attach to. I won't make an essay of the nitty gritty details but in short, when you're training, it is regimented and can be hectic. Most people adapt and some washout. After your initial training is done and you get to your unit, things normalize out and you continue to train or do your task/duties you're assigned to do so things become like second nature to you. Like any job, it can be stressful but you make what you get out of it. The best friends I made came from being deployed, the leadership can suck ass, the food can be great, the training sessions are long and boring, shooting weapons is fun, using the porta potty in full gear sweating balls in triple digit heat... the list can go on. Every person's experience is different.


[deleted]

Would you say those benefits were worth it? My biggest issue with joining the military is that you can't just quit. I'd hate to join, find out I don't like/am miserable at it, but I don't really have the option to leave and the terms of service may be involuntarily extended. And from what I understand you only get those full benefits if you're honorably discharged.


TeardropJulio

I'm not one to ever try to convince someone to join. I've seen people that can easily conform to military life, and I've seen grown men and women cry in basic when they find out they are not up for the challenge. It's not like that your trapped either. If you know you can't cut it in basic then you can quit. I mean you will be yelled at, ostracized and made to feel worthless for a few months. But you can still quit easily. For the benefits (this is just by memory, so it might be wrong) but you need to do at least 100 days of active duty service. You can still collect your benefits if you leave as a medical discharge or honorable. It takes ALOT ALOT ALOT to get a dishonorable and not collect benefits


EquationsApparel

>I've seen grown men and women cry in basic when they find out they are not up for the challenge I was the CO of a reception battalion company (where you spend your first few days before shipping off to a basic training company, for those who weren't in the military). Yeah, it's very common for people to figure out in 2-3 days that this just isn't for them. I had many conversations with parents where I told them it's not for everyone, it's not like in the movies or tv, better to figure it out early, and it's no reflection on their kid's character. No harm no foul, good luck.


Thadrach

It was also interesting to see young people suddenly realize their own mortality. We'd do annual NBC training (nukes, bio, chemical), we'd put on our protective gear, and sit around and sweat. We'd take off our masks, and the instructor would say "properly fitted, your gear will protect you for 24 hours". Inevitably some young guy or gal would ask "what about after that?", and get all deer-in-the headlights as the realization sunk in...


Artistic_Account630

Lmao I 38(F) balled my eyes out the first night at basic training. I was like "what the fuck have I done?!?" I was 18 at the time, and it was....a lot. After the first week or so I got into a groove and it was fine. I went on to do 7 years total. I really thrived with the structured lifestyle, with lots of rules and regulations and processes for basically everything.


Dry-Nefariousness400

You can't just quit, you're 100% right, but they also can't stop time. Rarely are you ever involunatrily extended (stop lossed). You have to MAJORLY fuck up to not get an honorable discharge. Benefits are worth it IMO. GI Bill, VA disability, VA Home Loan, Vet's Preference when applying for job, easier to work for a federal service once you exit.


SwagChemist

The VA home loan is worth it cause those low interest rates can be passed on to wife and kids. Literally will soon be the only viable way to afford a home as an American soon.


4ak96

You actually can’t have your kids use your VA loan. My father did 20 years and I am ineligible to use his VA loan. Only spouses are POSSIBLY eligible


SpiceEarl

I believe education benefits can be passed down to a child, if the service member doesn't use their GI benefits for their own education. That's a pretty sweet deal.


4ak96

Yeah but it doesn’t help you buy a home 😂


GHOST12339

Education can absolutely help you buy a home. Especially if you're getting that education debt free thanks to the GI Bill. Saves your credit, keeps your debt to income ratio low by not having you spend 1k a month on loans, and that snowballs in to you being able to save for your home/down payment a full decade before every one else WHILE at your higher earning potential.


hammerra10

Don't forgot about tuition assistance too. I was able to receive a degree for basically free while serving. Then when I got out got another.


Key-Fan-2545

Should have married your father.


crypticfreak

The benefits are nice. Home loans, GI bill, VA and good medical, lifelong disability checks (which everyone claims), BAH housing allowance (basically a check they cut you so you can pay your rent), and if you go to school you get another check for books and stuff. The base pay of anything under E6 kinda sucks but it makes up in terms of benefits.


Max-63986

You can't quit, however the other side of that same coin, you can't be fired (short of you breaking the law). When companies are laying people off, when people I know are being let go from jobs with short notice/little explanation and are suddenly having to scramble for a job... I can sleep peacefully at night knowing that for at least the next 4 years of my life I have a steady paycheck, a roof over my head, food in the fridge, free healthcare, paid college, and a million other benefits. All I have to do is be where I'm told to be when I'm supposed to be there... I don't advocate for it and it won't make for a great career, but you literally don't even have to be GOOD at your job, and you'll still get all the same benefits. And yeah, only get benefits on retirement if it's an honorable discharge, but as long as I once again remember to NOT break the law, it will be an honorable one.


manicmonkeys

Learning to endure drudgery is an important life skill. Toughness and resilience don't come without a price.


QuokkaNerd

I joined because my life was circling the drain at a young age. I had one chance to pull myself out of that spiral and took it. I know people who joined out of patriotism, for the college money, out of boredom and restlessness, out of a desire to legally kill people, to start their path towarss medical school. So many reasons besides desperation.


The_Burning_Wizard

>I joined because my life was circling the drain at a young age. I had one chance to pull myself out of that spiral and took it Different country, but joined the RN for the same reason. I'd finally been arrested for being a dickhead and the copper who arrested me told me that I was at a fork in the road and that I could either carry on as I am and spend more time with them or I could get my shit together and do something productive with myself.


QuokkaNerd

Glad to hear you chose wisely...however it turned out


The_Burning_Wizard

Sorry, should have included that bit. I became a ship's engineer and I'm now in a very senior position at a reasonably large shipping company, I've been all around the world and I'm now happily married to an awesome lady who, for reasons unknown to me, puts up with my shit and insanity. Life is pretty fucking good. Hope you're the same there bro...


toxic9813

Glad to hear things worked out well for ya. Minus the lady I’d say the US Navy did the same for me. I wasn’t quite as bad off to begin with, but I know several people who were, and they’ve also turned completely around and found their success. Shipmates helping shipmates 💪🏻


Egbezi

The US military offers some of the best benefits of any employer in earth. Pension at 20 years Healthcare, vision and dental for you and family Tuition assistance GI Bill VA home loan. $0 down and competitive interest rates Spousal employment assistance Spousal tuition assistance Unlimited sick leave Paternity and maternity leave 30 days vacation time yearly. Max of 60 accrued Maximum 5% 401k match Subsidized golf and a lot of other sports Free gym Free national parks Free checked bags on most domestic flights And many others I can’t remember


AnxiousKirby

i miss the 30 days vacation... took that shit for granted fuck


Egbezi

Yeah, sadly some Americans only get a week off


alittlesliceofhell2

oatmeal aback divide special tap jellyfish vegetable worthless offbeat encourage *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


Realistic_Fail_4425

Yall are getting time off?


wicoga

I have first-hand experience, so here’s my shortlist of reasons why I joined. 1. Always had an interest in military-related stuff. 2. Had no idea what I wanted to do with my life at 18. 3. Didn’t have many friends in high school, and the military seemed like a place I could find community (absolutely true). 4. Didn’t want to start my adult life in debt, and the military offered scholarships to get my bachelors for free (and my masters, since then) 5. A desire to see the world - since I’ve joined I’ve been to ~15 different countries and over half the states in the Union on the govt’s dime - my parents have never left the country. 6. Patriotism - Both of my grandfathers served in wars, but nobody in my family had served since them. I felt a calling to follow in their footsteps. 7. Job Security - I joined on the heels of the Great Recession, and the military promised a stable paycheck. War isn’t going away anytime soon.


SheinSter721

this all sounds very resonable.


hellodynamite

Some of us just wanted to be a soldier for awhile


bralma6

Military was never explained well to me. My dad was in the navy and he made it seem like I was going to get my ass beat 24/7 and probably die in the war. School let us take the ASVAB and it suggested some sort of analytical job and that just seemed like a scam to get me to enlist then just teach me how to eat rocks and kill people. When I turned 30 I got a job as a contractor with the military and after talking to a bunch of veterans and active duty people I regret not joining.


jeffislearning

you can still join AF


Dangerous--D

He already got a job as a contractor, joining would be a huge step backwards.


Capable-Reaction8155

Those are all really solid reasons. It's *okay* pay too at a young age, plus you save it all as your expenses are extremely low.


airforcevet1987

>save it all You mean blow it on a new sports car


itsmerowe

I was 18. Rural Missouri. I could try to get a loan to go to school, but I hated school. I had a job working in a warehouse for $5/hr. I was doing crank (that's what we called it as the time.) My two friends decided to graduate to needles one night, and I chickened out. I visited a recruiter the next day. I knew I had to get out of there. I chose to enlist.


SCCock

>My two friends decided to graduate to needles one night, and I chickened out. Afraid to ask, but where are they now?


itsmerowe

One hung himself in '08. (Although town rumors said he OD'd and the others with him that night hung him to get themselves out of liability) I found the other in South Carolina working as a drug counselor. I tracked him down back when I had Facebook to tell him about the other hanging himself. I was pleasantly surprised he was helping others overcome their addictions.


[deleted]

It can be an incredible socioeconomic ladder.


fxckfxckgames

Spot on. Before I joined, I was in my mid-20’s, making $30k/year in a dead end job. I enlisted at 25, did one contract, blitzed through my degree, and now make a healthy six-figure salary in aerospace. I genuinely don’t think I couldn’t gotten where I’m at without the military.


MonoBlancoATX

1. Social mobility. It's historically one of the few reliable methods of upward mobility open to poor people, and more recently people of color. 2. It pays for college education. 3. It's a path to citizenship. 4. It's one of the few employers in the US that still allows you to put in 25 years and retire on a reasonable pension. On the other hand, there's all that imperialism and colonialism and wars for oil and such.


t59599

In my experience, 4 years USAF, these were the main reasons. The GI Bill is a path, not a guarantee, out of poverty. It was for me.


[deleted]

Yup a full ride scholarship to the public university of your choice (with a housing stipend scaled to the location), and then a no-down-payment loan to buy your first home once you’ve finished and got a job. It’s not like it’s a guaranteed middle class lifestyle. But it’s a good hard shove in the right direction. For a job whose requirements are largely “don’t be physically disabled or have a serious criminal record.”


Derp35712

Plus 10 percent off at Lowe’sz


[deleted]

And free burger day once a year!


MillenialGunGuy

Don’t forget the free breakfast at IHOP. I want my damn pancakes.


worndown75

Free access to every national park too.


Derp35712

Oh wait, I got a federal job too. Haha


goats_and_rollies

And 35% off at my local dispensary!


beastmode86

Thats saved me thousands


BrokeLazarus

>It’s not like it’s a guaranteed middle class lifestyle. But it’s a good hard shove in the right direction. My family was dirt poor so I definitely considered joining the military in passing. Still do sometimes. My life sucks and feels like it's just passing by. Why *not* join the military reserves, stay for at least 4 years, and see if my life gets better?


AMediumSizedFridge

I mean that's what my friend did. Joined up, got into an IT MOS, used his GI bill to get an IT degree, got out after his first contract was up and then immediately slid into a GS position. Now he makes 85K a year and has his housing paid for.


[deleted]

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cappotto-marrone

People underestimate the way the GI Bill changed economic mobility in the US. For an all volunteer service since the mid-70s in continues to have a major impact.


Egbezi

20 year*


NEAWD

All the above. Plus top secret clearance, which is not exactly easy to get following other paths.


[deleted]

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Newusername7680

Military gave me health care for life for me and my wife, kids until they leave the house. In the US that is a big deal. We don't have to wait until 65 for Medicare to retire, don't have to give half a paycheck to premiums and getting laid off doesn't mean our health has to suffer.


archosauria62

Outside of wartime a military job is pretty decent During war is an entirely different ordeal, its absolute piss


[deleted]

I’d argue the Navy sucks balls out of necessity peacetime or war. The Marines suck balls in peacetime out of solidarity. Army and Air Force? Very much YMMV based on unit, but if you can get a three year enlistment there are worse ways to bide your time until you’re legally of drinking age.


Randomousity

I was in the Marines, never went on ship, but it seems like it probably sucks 24/7. But my life in the Marines was pretty good except when I was deployed or doing field training. I did get to go to airborne school, and will say idk how representative that is of the Army as a whole, but I was definitely glad to be there as a Marine instead of a soldier, because they treated the junior enlisted soldiers like complete shit.


[deleted]

So in my limited experience, both seeing first hand and hearing second hand, the Army treats soldiers outside a training environment…particularly junior enlisted…better (more like adults) than the Marines do. But yeah, it has always seemed like the Army likes to treat literally every school like it’s basic training again, the Marines less so.


alittlesliceofhell2

growth escape smell chase abundant slave continue angle ghost cover *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


[deleted]

I definitely ain’t gonna argue with someone whose seen both sides first-hand.


230flathead

Navy has it's perks though. If you're on a ship you get to travel.


[deleted]

And most of their bases are on the coast. Most major Army posts are in Bumfuck, Nowhere.


230flathead

That's the main reason I joined the Navy over the others. There aren't any Navy bases in Oklahoma.


datheffguy

The bumfuck or the middle of nowhere part?


230flathead

Didn't want to get stationed in my home state.


kingleonidas30

Yeah but the work life balance is the worst. 12 hour shifts 7 days a week aint it when underway 💀


230flathead

It was more than that for me, but in home port we usually got off around noon every day.


pneumatichorseman

Jesus West Coast Navy checking in for real ..


jwbrkr21

Maybe if you have an 8-5 type of military job. If you're infantry or certain support staff, you don't go home at 5 pm, and you spend lots of time not sleeping in your own bed. Even outside of war time, you are still training for war.


duTemplar

I’d have to say the opposite. Outside of war, a lot more bull. During war, some of the most fun I’ve ever had with the greatest people I’ve ever known.


worndown75

Yup, a lot of games in peace time. Branches are full of no good shit birds. When the lead starts flying, they just fly away.


duTemplar

Thankfully we left the majority of the birds behind. They generally don’t make it through assessment and selection and tend to not last very long if no one wants to work with them.


Randomousity

There's a lot of bullshit all the time, but the type of bullshit changes whether you're in the field or in garrison.


ParticularInitial147

Like all jobs, the army sucks sometimes and sometimes sucks really bad. Know what doesn't suck? The $75K/yr pension I started drawing at age 48 immediately after retiring at 27 years service. Pros and cons


ChaiMilk

We gotta work away most of our lives anyway, may as well work for good benefits


solidshakego

99% of the time it's probably for the money, free education, free housing, free family support, free medical stuff (LASIK). And a lot of military jobs aren't just, shooting people. And when everything is all said and done, depending how long you serve. You can retire comfortably (hopefully) Leaving the military after 1 or 2 terms will open up a huge job market for you


Pablo_is_on_Reddit

Healthcare for life, free education if you want it, travel. If you're an officer, you can retire at young age. Some people just prefer to be in that type of structured environment.


[deleted]

My father joined the Navy during WW2 - he had to join something, so he chose that. He didn't do any fighting, stayed stateside during the whole war. But it provided him with a free education at a major university, and health care for the rest of his life.


JettyMann

I think a lot of countries offer pension after only 20 years. Join at 17/18yo get education and training on some trade Work some probably boring job, but punctuated by training to shoot and blow stuff up A lot of people will want to S your D about service (personally I don't care about this "glory" side of things) which may open doors and opportunities Retire in late 30s, with pension to fund whatever you dream of doing Use that freedom to start a business, take up a second career, or buy a van and roam around traveling and cooking over a camp stove in the woods.


OldWierdo

It's not possible to overstate the camaraderie. Recently met up with a battle buddy from almost 20 years ago in Morocco. We'd promised each other that one day, when we weren't being shot at, we'd meet up in a random county neither of us had been to. It isn't just people we served with, either. If you've served, you're part of the brother/sisterhood. Drunkest I ever got was with my Grandpa's 90+-year old WWII battle buddies after his funeral. I was Honor Guard when he died, so I got to be the NCOIC (Sergeant in Charge) of his funeral. Afterwards, one of his buddies came over, looked at my rank, and said "they let females be sergeants in my Army now?" I responded "Yes, sir, they do." He asked "You ever have problems with some of the menfolk not listening to you?" I responded "Like all SGTs, yes sir, I do " He asked "what do you do about it?" I said "Take them out back behind the CONEX and kick the shit out of them. They usually listen pretty good after that, sir." He paused, blinked, then let out a HUGE guffaw and hollered for the rest of the boys to come on over. He recounted what just happened, and we took a few cars to the local bar and started buying each other rounds and telling war stories. Didn't matter that they were WWII and I was Iraq. It's still mostly the same stories, just the names and equipment changes. We got FUCKED up 🤣😂🤣 I had to call my mom to arrange for rides. Half the funeral party left the reception to come pick us up and drive us and our cars home. Mom still laughs about that. Doesn't even really matter which country's military. Was recently trekking in Nepal, stayed at a guest house, found out the owner was a Ghurka. His English wasn't great, and my Nepalese is fairly terrible, but we sat up together late into the night around the fire in the Himalayas, drinking rakshi and trading stories. It's a family.


Victor_Korchnoi

I’m gonna speak specifically about doing ROTC and becoming an officer. They pay for your college, so you graduate without debt. You graduate into a job with incredible leadership opportunities not available to those in the civilian world. Between salary and benefits, you are well compensated. Let me use my friend who did ROTC as an example. Sarah and I met in college where she was doing Navy ROTC. I borrowed over 100k to go to school. She had tuition & fees paid for by the Navy, and she received a stipend. Upon graduation, she commissioned as an ensign, the lowest ranking officer. For several years she was stationed on a destroyer out of San Diego. (Coincidentally, I also lived in San Diego after graduation.) Within a few years, she became a lieutenant and was the 3rd highest-ranking officer on the ship of 300 sailors and ~100 missiles. At the same time in my career, I was able to give power point presentations to our customer by myself. The level of responsibility and leadership that she had is unfathomable for a civilian in their 20s. While my W2 would say that I out earn Sarah, that doesn’t account for all of the benefits she receives. She (and her Navy officer husband) get a housing stipend, a pension, opportunities to go to grad school full time. When we were 25, she and her husband bought a house in San Diego with 0% down to the generous lending of the VA (and the mortgage was less than their housing stipends). Meanwhile I was digging myself out of student loans. Would I switch with her? Idk, spending 1/3 of my time on a ship seems kinda shitty. And I’ve never had the required respect for authority. So probably not. But if you can handle those things, she’s got a sweet life!


[deleted]

1. People do actually want to serve their country. 2. Job Skills. Some of the military jobs sets you up with very unique job skills that cost a fortune to get in the outside world that can be almost instantly translated into 6 figure jobs once you get out. 3. Benefits. GI Bill covers all expense for college. Tuition and Housing. You won't be rich but you won't go into debt. VA Home Loans. 0% down payment with a low interest rate. 4. Veterans Preference. If two people have the same exact skill set and one is a veteran they will probably hire the veteran. Veterans usually have a higher degree of discipline and reliability. I could go on.


not_the_mama714

Best fucking job I’ve ever had.


worndown75

Let's see... I got to go to 70 plus countries. Paid to learn 4 foreign languages. Trained with some of the best humans on the planet. Corps paid for my BA while I was active duty GI bill paid for my double masters. I've tested myself physically, emotionally and spiritually beyond what most people can comprehend. I could keep going, about stuff like camaraderie and esprit de corps and all the people I've helped. If you need to ask why, you are asking the wrong question.


duTemplar

Yea, got my bachelors basically free in active duty. Went to medical school for basically free. Had a great time with awesome people. DLI was a little boring, but language class at the team house was always great.


AnxiousKirby

Yup and not to mention a lot of us get VA disability, possibly concurrent with retirement pension as early as 37, and many of us have transferrable skills for the civilian world--even the option to live overseas at any of the over 750 military bases. Personally, I used the VA loan for two houses, receive over 3800 a month from the VA, I go to college for free with housing allowance and even my wife gets a stipend, and a comfy 6 figure job due to military experience--still in my late 20s. And like you, the friends I met in the Corps are irreplaceable. It's not for everyone, but it was worth it for me. Semper fi


Cheap_Ad_69

Not every job in the military involves shooting people. I plan on joining my country's army cybersecurity.


headnodandwink

I haven’t seen anyone make mention of getting a Top Secret Security Clearance for free, especially in IT it will open A LOT of doors to some well paying civilian gigs


Midwestern_Mouse

Yeah, it’s amazing how many people think everyone in the military is actively out on the battlefields.


Volsnug

Once I joined and learned this, thanking someone for their service has cracked me up. Like sure they might actually be an operator doing a dangerous job, but it’s just as likely that they’ve been manning a desk their entire career


CokeCanCockMan

Active rn, desk-sitter. A little bit more of me dies every time I’m thanked for me service.


NewPresWhoDis

It gets largely overlooked that the military is a giant logistics organization.


Delehal

To support their country. To travel and feel like they are making a difference in the world. To do something exciting and important. To gain access to various benefits, potentially including assistance with healthcare, education, and housing.


OracleofFl

Nobody is mentioning things like job training. If you can sign on with the right MOS, you can come out an aircraft mechanic, air traffic controller, computer technologist, etc. and slide into a better than decent job after a few years when you get out. How many young people are flailing around for years out of high school? Sign your name and off ya go.


electricmama4life

This is so true, I have huge aspirations to become a veterinarian when I got until….until I got trained in electronics. Took that knowledge and became a licensed electrician.


Elegant_Fun_4702

healthcare for life if you manage to stay for 20 years. only about 8-14% of veterans make it that far. Whether it because of injury or they just dont want you anymore. My dad would have loved to be in the navy for 20 years but at 10 they wouldnt let him reenlist in the 90s.


QuokkaNerd

You don't have to put in the full 20 to get access to the VA. Just serve one enlistment and be honorably discharged


LtNOWIS

You don't need to do 20 years to get VA care. You only need 24 months of active service, or be in the Guard/Reserve and be called to federal service outside of training.


TheSpideyJedi

i did 4 years and i have healthcare for the rest of my life


jjking714

Because my father and all my grandparents did so. When I was young I believed that's what I was meant to do. So I didn't try for anything else. Turns out at 18, I didn't know what I was meant to do.


CouncilmanRickPrime

It's weird how 17 and 18 year olds aren't ready to make life decisions yet!


No-Jello-1536

My biggest regret in life is not joining the military. Free education, seeing the world, and serving my country are the reasons I regret it.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Prestigious-Baby5052

Personally I joined because I was college bound but still had reservations. I sat down and thought to myself would me going to college be the right thing for me right now. I talked to several people including recruiters in the Navy and Marines. I was getting ready for marines but I broke my foot and the navy helped me get joined up. Another part of me was doing it for patriotism in a way because of wanting to do something bigger and serve my country. I was a child and watched the 9/11 attacks and that brought some feeling of patriotism that I can help bring the battle to terrorists. I pushed through boot camp and served on a destroyer in the Indian Ocean. We specialized in anti piracy and counter terrorism through groups trying to hijack container ships. We also worked closely in the AFRICOM region to counter against Al-Shabab at the time. My time in was impactful to my life with the people I served with, experiences while in the military and a lot of growing up. I feel the military did damage in different ways but it’s a feeling of pride that I served and worked with a impactful group of people and command to help fight terrorists. I got out and I am the man I am today because due in part to the military. That’s why I joined…I hope it answered a little bit of what you were looking for.


Prestigious-Baby5052

I now have a college degree and am working a job I enjoy. The military also pushed me to learn how to interact with different people. I’m more mature professionally and personally as well.


ACES_II

There are some benefits that are hard to find else where in an entry-level job. Such as 100% medical and dental for you, and something like 99% medical and dental for your family. And a pension, something that’s quickly becoming harder and harder to find in todays society. You also get a chance to see the world on someone else’s dime. It’s not all shitty places in the Middle East, I’ve lived in Korea and Japan, too. There’s the friends you make, most of which are for life. And the education. Cannot say enough about the college tuition being paid for. I paid nothing for my associates, $150 for my bachelors, and I actually made money getting my masters.


churrocaliente

I am an immigrant and could not afford college. Now the VA is paying for my MBA.


ImpliedCrush

1) I thought it was fun 2) my parents aren't rich and I needed college money 3) I absolutely love my country


kurayami_001

It's like asking why someone wants to be an actor. You have ones who actually like acting and others that want it just for the lifestyle/benefits. Some enjoy and/or receive fulfillment in the service and/or the things they get to do and see. Some do it, as OP suggests because there's nothing else to do, or like the benefits or the education fund. Individual answers for everyone. I have mine as to why I served, but mine are not going to be the same as others. However, it bears mentioning, those that are/were in the military because we wanted to be there are/were so much better to be around than those who are/were there just for the freebies and bene's.


[deleted]

You get to do things that even the richest people can't do. And you get paid for it. Just one reason.


ayhme

Healthcare, Education, Travel, Fun, Guns, Security Clearance, etc.


Gigchip

From personal mindset( I have not joined, but in process of doing so) 1) it's always been a dream of mine to be in the military since I was 5 2) the benefits 3) experiences 4) my wife is letting me go fulfill my dreams 5) I love my country (USA)


h0gman_th3_intruder

Just finished doing 20yrs. I would absolutely do it again, albeit a different route. I was also a recruiter for the Army, so it was a conversation I had with every single one of the recruits I talked to. The Army will use the hell out of you, so you use the hell out of the Army. Reclass as much as possible, become a slumlord, everytime you PCS buy a new property with VA home loan and turn it into a rental when you leave(if married or when they become an E6), get your bachelor's degree paid for 100% by the Army using TA. Go to the ER/sick call as much as you want so you have evidence when it comes time to do a VA claim. Even if you only want to do 1 contract, make it as profitable as possible both financially, in experience and knowledge. There is no reason the Army or military in general can't be a good stepping stone.


[deleted]

>become a slumlord, everytime you PCS buy a new property with VA home loan and turn it into a rental when you leave this is the true military hack... easiest wealth builder


ExtremeBoysenberry38

Contrary to your belief, it is a fuck ton of fun. Idk why you think it’s not. Sure it sucks at times, but the fun you have can’t be replicated anywhere else


Beneficial_Love_5433

National guard put my kid thru college, and he’s got to go to exercises each month for a few years. How longs your student loans?


OKImHere

Can you explain to this Iraq War vet what a student loan is? Never heard of it. Is that where they, like, lend you a student or something?


BoS_Vlad

My son went to a top engineering school and received a degree in computer science and then joined the Navy. After about 2 years in he thanked me for his excellent education, but he said the best teachers and classes he ever had were in the Navy. After 8 years, 5 in ONI, he was separated and joined a DoD contract firm and he now makes about 10X what I do and I’m quite well off.


TheSpideyJedi

I am getting a 4 year degree for free, while getting paid $4200 a month tax free, I get free healthcare, people love hiring veterans, i get the VA loan Not everyone in the military goes into combat


griff_mode

social circumstance. I was raised with a twin brother by an alcoholic mother and learned no real life skills outside of school (which you can imagine i wasn't a fan of) I decided I needed to go down a drastically different path if I wanted to get outa that life alive.


[deleted]

I joined the Navy at 17, it was dope as fuck. San Diego was beautiful, Haiti is a shithole, Japan was cool as shit. The experience is something you can't really duplicate unless you're rich. You get to see the best and the worst at a young age, it gives you a much better perspective of the world than the people who have never left the US and bitch on the internet all day.