Brother with Bachelors is talking about Military

[wildenout]

Hi all!
My little brother is talking about joining the Military after getting his bachelors this spring. I don't know if he is going active or reserve, Guard, or Air Force (I was a little stunned when he started talking about it all). But I have a few questions based on what he was talking about this weekend. I recruiters will tell you tons of stuff you want to hear so I want to see what is truth and what is fiction.
1. Can he join the reserves and have them cover a Master's degree?
3. What other benefits are there besides a higher rank?
4. Is it still the agreed upon 8 years, or as many as he spends in school does have to give back? (so if he does 2 years, does he serve those 2 plus 2 more kind of deal).
5. Do they consider your GPA as to whether or not you can apply to go on in school? (so if you have a bad gpa do they shut those dreams down)
6. Do they still give bonuses based on language abilities? (I am tri-lingual so I figured I'd ask for myself, he is bilingual)
7. Would you do it over again?
Thanks for your time all!

 

[galena]

IMHO he should look into Officer Training in the branch in which he is interested. I retired in 1988 so I am not up on the current requirements/needs. There are in-service programs for education and advanced degrees; in addition he would be eligible for any GI bill type education programs that apply to his service time. Language ability is a plus and could help him enter specific career fields. Most of my time was in the Air Force Office of Special investigations and additional language was a plus. I was in for 22 years, retired as a Lt Col, and Yes, I would do it all again if I could.

 

[peyton]

First I will say he needs to speak with an officer recruiter of the military branches. You did not mention what his degree is in, and what languages does he speak?

 

[vigil617]

I had a bachelor's in Journalism and worked for two years after college before applying to the Coast Guard's OCS (Officer Candidate School) and being accepted. It was a four-month program, leading to a commission as an officer in the Coast Guard Reserve and an immediate active-duty commitment of three years followed by three years of active reserve. Reserve officers were considered for promotion on the same schedule as other officers, and were given the opportunity to "integrate" into the USCG after becoming an O-3 (in the Coast Guard, a Lieutenant). I elected to leave service before doing so, but extended for an additional year on active duty first.

This was back in the mid-80s, so I don't know the current requirements, benefits, and so forth. I do know that many regular officers were allowed to earn a master's degree, usually at the O-3 or O-4 level, as a duty-station assignment. (For two years, they were full-time college students again, on the government's dime while receiving full pay and benefits.)

Would I do it again? Absolutely. I had a fantastic experience in service and am glad that I served. I requested, and was given, assignment to medium-sized cutters because I wanted "operational" duty, and while I purposefully didn't ask for assignments that would have utilized my journalism training, I did wind up on both of my ships being, as a collateral duty to deck watch officer, the public affairs officer for the unit!

Good luck to your brother, and to you if you too decide to join up.

 

[Harrison]

For factual and informed answers to the multitude of questions you ask, they should be posed to a recruiter of whichever service your brother is thinking of joining. Unless someone on this forum is a current recruiter for that service you will probably not get fully informed and factual answers based upon current conditions in the military. When in doubt ask the experts. Want detailed questions about S&W, this is the place to come. Want detailed information regarding current military opportunities and regulations, ask a recruiter.

 

[jaykellogg]

ask a recruiter.

Recruiters have been known to outright lie.

I know that during Vietnam my brother was recruited with 2 years of college under his belt. (GPA 3.5 out of 4) He was promised that he would immediately finish his education, get a commission (Air Force) and serve at least 4 more years. Instead, they made him a sergeant, taught him how to put fuel in planes and sent him to Cambodia. After his tour of Cambodia they asked him if he was still interested in the program. He asked how much time he would have to serve after graduation (He had over 2 years in at that time). They told him "4 more years" and he said he wasn't interested. They then offered him an early out.

He finished his education in CA and got a master's using the GI bill.

 

[pineappleshooter]

I retired as a Chief Petty Officer (E-7 enlisted type) - make sure he speaks to an OFFICER recruiter - not just any old recruiter. Not bashing enlisted folk but since your brother has put in the time and money to get a degree on his own it would be a shame if his degree were wasted. In the long run, if he does 20 years, the retirement is much better as an officer.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

For a variety of reasons-the repeal of DADT for one-this enlisted Vietnam veteran and retired LTC,USAR no longer recommends military service for a young person. The military's idiotic "up or out" promotion policy has given us an officer corps of people who "make a career out of their own careers" and worry more about punching their tickets than in learning to do a good job. And with sequestration and budget cuts and downsizing looming-the Chief of Staff of the Army is talking about eliminating 80,000
slots-it's like going to work for a company that is in financial trouble.

 

[Darkenfast]

With all respect to the serving members of this forum (who likely are NOT part of the problem), I agree with BLACKHAWKNJ. Between the moral decay of the military (which of course, is simply reflecting the dominant part of the culture from which it springs), and the political nature of the leadership, I no longer recommend the military to anyone who asks me. I find it sad, but the nation I spent twenty years serving no longer exists.

 

[wildenout]

First I will say he needs to speak with an officer recruiter of the military branches. You did not mention what his degree is in, and what languages does he speak?

He only speaks english, and spanish. And I believe he was talking about the Air Force. I was just curious mostly for myself, I speak spanish, albanian, and arabic. Haha

 

[wildenout]

I retired as a Chief Petty Officer (E-7 enlisted type) - make sure he speaks to an OFFICER recruiter - not just any old recruiter. Not bashing enlisted folk but since your brother has put in the time and money to get a degree on his own it would be a shame if his degree were wasted. In the long run, if he does 20 years, the retirement is much better as an officer.

How would he get a hold of one of them? I think he is just talking to a regular recruiter. Is officer training a whole seperate entity then? He kept saying "it's 6 weeks long instead of 8 and you get weekends off" I found that a little hard to believe.

 

[WR Moore]

I had a good buddy who was an Air Force recruiter and while the AF idea of basic training is a little strange compared to the other services, OCS isn't done in 6 weeks. IIRC, unless you're pilot material or have unique skills need by the Air Force, they get most of their officer cantidates from the Air Force Academy.

As others noted, he needs to inquire about OCS and ask to speak to officer recruiters-if they exist. OCS is indeed a whole different kettle of fish than basic training for the enlisted folks. For comparison, back when, Marine OCS was 12 weeks (essentially boot camp), followed by commissioning and 6 months in the Basic School (of Application) before actually serving your commitment. So, at that point in time, a 3 year commitment was actually 3 years, 10 months and 14 days.

Unless things have changed, GPA doesn't mean much, specific field of specialization might.

 

[Shuutr]

What is his degree in? That will determine his usefulness in the military and the worth of his bachelors degree.

I was Navy in the medical service corps and came in as an O3. Officer indoctrination school (not ocs) was only 5 weeks and I was in training with Docs, nurses, nukes, lawyers, dentists, and optometrists. We didn't have class on the weekend, but we had a watch rotation and studied on weekends.

I would do it again as long as it was as an officer. Enlisted get a lot of **** work and the worst schedules.

Recruiters lie. Sometimes on purpose. Sometimes not. Listen but verify.

The money is good, but that shouldn't be the determining factor. You start weighing that decision a lot when your sitting in Djibouti making 60% of what your peers make annually.

All military obligations start with 8 years. Usually 3-4 years active plus the rest in the inactive or active reserves. The Inactive reserves don't get paid and don't drill, but if we invade North Korea, you could get called back to duty.

The military in my opinion is a great opportunity. You can get a lot from it so long as you give a lot to it.

 

[Jyezahn]

As some have said, have him talk to a recruiter. There is a lot of misinformation in this thread.

Also, have him check out the following website to get some good info regarding ways to become an officer.

Officer overview

Direct commission overview

On the Direct commission overview page, he can even chat live with a recruiter to have questions asked.

 

[Len]

Rule number 1. If it's not in writing, it's not going to happen!!!!!

When any recruiter, officer or enlisted, says things like,

"Most people can do...."

"You'll probably be able to...."

"All you have to do is ask for..."

"Sure you can get to that, all you have to do first is prove that you can...."

"Yep! Most guys get posted to Hawaii for four years and are taste testers for ice cream..."

it's time to run, not walk away.

Len

 

[bishopm14]

For a variety of reasons-the repeal of DADT for one-this enlisted Vietnam veteran and retired LTC,USAR no longer recommends military service for a young person. The military's idiotic "up or out" promotion policy has given us an officer corps of people who "make a career out of their own careers" and worry more about punching their tickets than in learning to do a good job. And with sequestration and budget cuts and downsizing looming-the Chief of Staff of the Army is talking about eliminating 80,000
slots-it's like going to work for a company that is in financial trouble.

I have to agree with this. I was in just (?) ten to thirteen years ago. I could not really encourage anyone else to do it today...but if you just have to serve, it is one way. When you're done, you will have done something few others nowadays sign up for. You won't be part of the problem.

But as far as your friend with a bachelor's degree, I would go the commissioned officer route or nothing. By the time you have the degree, going enlisted is a waste. And no disrespect intended for enlisted, I was one too.

 

[lagavulin62]

Easy answer. Go Officer. Enlisted is good for those just out of High School who are not ready for college but other than that Enlisted is just not worth it.

 

[Herknav]

#1-http://m.afreserve.com/benefits Note that this is for the Reserves. Active and Guard will be slightly different.
#2-No question asked.
#3-Not sure what you're asking. Benefits of what compared to what? Mil vs non-? Officer vs enlisted? Active vs Guard vs Reserve?
#4- To get the GI bill, you have to have served a certain amount of time and commit to a certain amount. I *THINK* TA (see link above) is a 3 yr commitment after course completion). Note they attempted to cut TA earlier this years and only restored t after an outcry.
#5-They AF doesn't care unless you are applying to a degree program on their dime. They couldn't care less for TA or GI bill.
#6-The AF doesn't give any special benefit for English or Spanish.
#7-I've been down this road. I would explore a different one next time.

 

[Jyezahn]

Easy answer. Go Officer. Enlisted is good for those just out of High School who are not ready for college but other than that Enlisted is just not worth it.

It's pretty sad that you think that way.

 

[wildenout]

Guys, I appreciate all of this! I was just so worried he was going to get in above his head. I pointed him in the right direction though with some of these points. It sounds like he is going to talk to an ROTC officer this coming weekend!