Considereing joining the military at 26?

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I was accepted in 2005 to the Naval Academy after finishing high school. I was uncertain then.

I am reconsidering joining perhaps the Navy or another branch.

I am interested out of service, scholarships, experiences, and resume boosting and need for better employment.

I have been unable to finish my bachelors degree in architecture primarily due to financial circumstances working no less than one job full time or more year round. What branch would be best suited for me considering my education?

Any advice would be appreciated. I think I may call the recruitment office tomorrow.

Thanks,
Alex
 
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I think you have several options, depending on how you want to go. If you're not sure if the military is for you, you can always look into a National Guard (Army or AF) or a Reserve (all branches) program near you.

If you're sure it's what you want to do, I'd look at ROTC. I'm not sure what their age criteria are, but they might be willing to pay for you to finish a degree. I know the AF wants technical degrees, and none really use architects, so you may have to change your degree field.

The third option is to enlist. Since you were accepted into Canoe U, you are (or at least were) a marketable commodity. I'd talk to recruiters and see what they have to say. Remember, they are like used car salesmen, and they are trying to sell you a product. If it's not in writing, it never happened. Double check everything they tell you. While most recruiters are OK, I've heard stories of guys who use some shady practices to make their quota. See if you can get a guarantee (in writing) of going to a career field you like. Be ready for Basic Training. A buddy joined the Reserves at 25, and he was a LOT more mature than his classmates. They were ready to take everything on via frontal assault whereas he was able to see the endgame. He laughed about it afterward, but it frustrated him while he was there.

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck. Let us know what you find out.

Cheers,
Herk
 
I joined the National Guard at 29 and went active at 31, for much the same reasons you mentioned. While I was Army and proud of it when my kids were looking at military service I suggested they look real close at the Air Force.
 
Air Force!

In 1970 I entered AF basic training at the tender age of 22. It was a "day care" experience.

The air bases I served on all had a civilian college nearby with night courses. I was able to work second shift, aircraft maintenance, and attend college during the day. The AF offered something for tuition assistance but I don't remember details or $$.

You are joining the military. Military needs come first regardless of what a recruiter says. In my opinion and experience, recruiters are below real estate agents and used car saleman when it comes to personal ethics. A recruiter will say anything to get you to sign on the line if you are age qualified.

While I hated military service, I never regretted picking the air force or getting out after my first enlistment. When I joined the AF in May 1970 my pay went from $160 week clear to $115 per month gross. My wife paid more Federal income tax from her job at Uniroyal, monthly, then I earned the first 18 months I was in service. In December 1978 when I was graduating with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering my first job paid $1,500 month. As an AF 2nd lieutanent with 4 years prior service base pay was $1,200, but you got base housing -- maybe.

I have talked to one guy who had a "signed guarenteed enlistment contract" for a particular career field. At the end of basic training he was going to a very different career field. After a week of discussions between his lawyer and the base legal office, he became a civilian without any GI Bill eligibility. He was satisfied. Don't get sold a bill of goods you don't want.
 
What Walnutred said, I spent over 33 years in the Army National Guard and enjoyed most of it. In less than 3 months my REWARDS check will start. If I were a young man again I would look at the Air Force.
 
Check with your local recruiters....
The Army has Engineers - The Navy has The Seabees.
Seems that either would give you practical experience that might serve an architect well.
 
Military at 26

Going into the Military is exactly like any other job or career--you are going to get out of it whatever you are willing to put into it.
If you want education, you can get it, meanwhile, you are getting paid, you have housing,you have medical care and you have a support group that is hundreds of thousands of other military personnel strong.
You can literally enlist at the lowest rank and rise to the very top of the Military, you want to learn to fly a plane, you can do it, you want to drive a submarine, you can do it, you want to be an astronaut, you can do it, it's all there and all available for you.
And when you do join, you will have the respect and admiration of every American who served before you and those who come after you.
It is a noble and rewarding job or career--sure, you may get yelled at some at first, but I assure you that no one is going to yell at an Army General, or a Naval Admiral---(and it's probably not a good idea to yell at any Marine after he graduates from boot camp).
But, if you decide on an four or six year job, or a thirty year career, at any time after that, if anyone asks, are you a vet? you can proudly answer, "Yes I am"
olcop
 
The only caveat I see in your plan is do you have a family? There are a lot of military divorces and dear John's because the spouse can't endure the time apart. Many of these women were dating or married to the guy while he was in the military, knew the deal and what they were getting into. If you are married, your spouse only thinks she does. If married, does she have a support system/family? A woman all alone, who has to handle everything alone, plus raising kids and can prosper while doing it is a rare gem. The stress from it regularly breaks a women.

Also, do you have kids? Is it fair to deprive them of Dad for extended periods of time? Kids needs their Dad and they did not sign on for the program.

Now if you are single, the military is a fine, honorable and respectable career. There are also a lot of successful military families, but most of them started while the Father was in the military and it's just how it is, no one has experienced different. They ALL feature exceptional, strong women.

I don't know your spouse, if you are married, she may be fully able to handle it, you know, I don't, I'm just bringing up things for you to consider since you asked.

My final advice is Pray about it and do whatever the Lord leads you to do.
 
I would caution you to think carefully as to why you would seek a military career.

It's not the cleanest job, not all that good at the pay scale, nor is it without some exposure to personal bodily harm.

There are some benefits, housing, medical, travel, education, & adventure, but if you don't have a job you love, the benefits can't make up it.

Join because you want to serve your country...


My $00.00002
 
Alex,

There are lots of good opportunities -- ROTC is a possible option, and the Louisiana National Guard will pay your tuition at any state university -- you sign up, go to boot camp, get assigned to a Louisiana
Army National Guard unit (there are several engineer battalions located within 45 minutes of Baton Rouge, for example, there is one headquartered in Placquemine, so you would be close to home for drill weekends). -- you get paid each month, (for a weekend drill); your tuition is paid, you do 2-3 weeks of active duty training each summer.
You could do both ROTC and Guard, get commissioned as a 2nd LT when you finish college. Louisiana has an excellent Air Force Guard presence as well. LA Army National Guard has large armories in Lafayette, Carville (about 20 miles south of BR), Hammond (brand new Army aviation facility), Jackson Barracks (New Orleans) plus smaller armories all over the state -- plenty of units to choose from.

The National Guard has both a state and federal mission -- expect to do hurricane duty (it is actually very enjoyable). You can serve both your state and country -- plus the networking is terrific with the Guard.
For example, COL Paul Rainwater (lives in Baton Rouge, former Lake Charles resident) is Gov Jindal's Chief of Administration. COL Doug Mouton (an architect) is a very well-thought of LAARNG engineer colonel (who has worked the new Charity Hospital project in New Orleans, as well as the $300 million renovation of Jackson Barracks post-Katrina). I could go on and on, but the contacts/friends you will make will be life-long.

As others have noted in this thread, join because you want to serve your country and state and give something back -- the benefits (GI Bill, tuition, etc) are add-ons. Military service will change you -- almost always for the better -- you will have a sense of self-discipline, accomplishment and most important, have "skin in the game" of keeping America a great country.
 
Then I salute you and wish you well in your future career. At 26, you are not 18 and it may be a little tougher, but you are still young. Get yourself in shape and go for it.

Let us know what you decide.
 
I would suggest you think hard about this, I would recommend to talk to all the branches that may interest you. As a prior Army Recruiter, I did take prospects that just were not sure to talk to both AF and also Navy if they asked, but had a lot of other recruiter even in my office saying I just lost a prospect, sometimes I would but I always thought about it as what if this person was in my Platoon when I finished recruiting would I really want the hassle if he didn’t really want to be there, which in fact I did finish recruiting and get deployed and low and behold in the same Company (actually Troop, I was in a Cavalry Unit) there was a Soldier that I did put into the Army and yes you guessed it we were getting ready to deploy prior to Desert Storm. I spent 22 years in Army myself, cannot complain as was said in prior post’s, it’s what you make of it, been working for the Army for the past 7 years since I retired. I did however tell my daughter when she was graduating HS and going to collage if she thought about Military service think AF, Make sure your getting the field you want I know the recruiter or actually the counselor you will end up seeing at the entrance processing station will try to sell what that branch of military needs, don’t jump on the first thing that comes up.
Something else to consider is, some Branches have what they call Student loan repayment, granted the list of jobs dwindles down but depending on the amount if any of student loans you have that could be a plus, as its normally a 3 year commitment and by the end of the 3 years the total allowed would then be paid off, but something to consider and ask recruiters about, the GI Bill would still be able to work for you even with this option for when you got out of the service. Also depending on where you live the National Guard in some States will pay your tuition at a State school while in the Guard. if you have questions, i would be willing to discuss them with you, i would say PM me but i am really new at this whole forum stuff and not sure how that works just really don't want to give a phone number or email out on here.
 
I was at Lackland AFB for a long time, that's where all USAF recruits go for basic training. Surprising how many older recruits I saw (both men and women), some up into their early 30s. You wouldn't be the oldest. It can be done.
 
I think the Navy Reserve is the only reservist branch that does not require a candidate go through basic. I was very late to party some years back, and was thisclose to joining a Navy Reserve unit in CT as a friend was in the SeaBee unit. A family illness sidetracked my plan, and life took a different course. I do regret not being able to participate, and now that I'm overage, the closest I get to anything military is the Old Navy store or local Salvation Army.

Do your research and follow your heart.
 
I may have been lucky, but, I walked into a Navy recruiter in Pittsburgh.

THEY wanted to use my best skills, THEY made sure I had the best fit and education.

I did not have a college degree yet, but, I had other skills and interests.

I had a great career, all on the Navy's effort, not mine.

If you go in with education and skills, the service (no matter which one) does not want to waste it.

The only concern is that you better make sure you want to do what you are educated at!! They will not waste their time retraining a skilled person!!
 
I found that a B.A. in English Literature and a Chemistry minor from a four year university didn't open up many employment doors for me when I graduated in 1986. Unemployment was high. I worked as a security guard for minimum wage at an Inland Boatman's Union labor strike... then for Blue Cross as a proofreader before finally enlisting. I didn't want to commit for 8 years (what they wanted from officers) so, because I scored highly on the ASVAB test they offered me a two year enlistment term. I chose the U.S. Army Infantry. I wanted the meat and potatoes experience of the basic soldier with a rifle (I've always liked hunting and shooting and have always been fit). I turned 27 while I was in the 13 week Basic/Advanced Infantry Training at Ft. Benning, GA. I could outrun and outshoot the 18 year old jocks that were hot stuff in high school football even though they called me "old man". I figured it would be an adventure.

It was.

It was 1989.

I qualified expert with rifle and pistol and mortar. I was in the field when hurricane Hugo hit. I got married. I was there when the big earthquake hit south of San Fransisco, stationed at Ft. Ord, CA. I went through Jungle Operations Training twice in Panama. I fought in combat in Panama against Noriega's PDF troops.

I left with an Honorable Discharge and $17,000 from the Army College Fund and G.I. Bill to spend towards my Masters Degree after just a two year contract. I worked it and they worked me. I could not have saved that much money any other way in two years.

Go for it. Have the time of your life. Work hard and put it to good use. That G.I. Bill money can be used for most any kind of training (welding school, flight school, college, whatever, and anyone in your family can use it now). A friend of mine had the same credentials I had and he chose to reenlist. He swapped his MOS to get trained as a Film Producer! Yes, the Army has all kinds of jobs available. Good Luck. Basic is mainly mental. Play the game. C.B.
 
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