Which branch of service?

[Ancient Mariner]

I spent over 20 years in the Navy riding submarines. I agree with the above post concerning the technical training. As a matter of interest, I just saw that all branches are paying some really good singing bonuses. They go up if you have some schooling before you enter. The offer expires in May. Good luch to her.

------------------
99. 5 QC, 4X4, Auto, 3. 54, Forest Green, Rhinoliner, Running Boards, Trailer Tow Pkg with mirrors, VA Box, Aluminum Tool Box

 

[Alan Reagan]

Right on Chad. I served 4 enlisted in the Navy, went to college on my VA and took and came back in the Coast Guard Reserves as an officer. The training and responsibility the young officers and enlisted get is unbelievable along with the work they do. Even in the Reserves, we fully augment the active duty with ship boardings, pollution investigations, search and rescue, aids to navigation, fishing law enforcement on the high seas, drug interdiction. Never a dull moment. I like the CG alot more than the Navy because of the type of work. It's exciting and never the same from day to day. Chad is right. It's part of the Department of Transportation but falls under the Navy during wartime. The motto is Semper Paratus... . Always Ready.

 

[John]

Good luck Dawn in whatever path you choose to take. #ad

 

[Amianthus]

The Coast Guard ain't no real service 'cause they ain't got no submarines! #ad
#ad


In all seriousness, they do have some excellent rescue crews, and becoming an EMT for them might just be the kind of action you are looking for.

 

[Diesel Freak]

I spent 6 years in the navy, made E-5 in 4 years... . I was a nuke MM. The navy IMO has the best technical schools. I work with a guy from the AF and from what I have gathered the AF training is very single minded... ... no cross rate training. You also have to realize that anyone in the nuke field gets mechanical, electrical, electronics, and other training that I cant get into on an open forum. If I told you I would have to kill you. #ad


------------------
http://www.mudrunner.sites.cc

 

[joel]

OK, first, I'll toss my support behind the Air Farce for a young enlisted woman today. The Navy is coming along, but not quite there just yet. If you want to see cool places however, that does tip it in favor of the Navy. If you're thinking career, I'd strongly recommend you go to college first and make your career as an officer in whatever service you choose. No offense to anyone, just my perspective. And you're right, college won't guarantee you anything, but WILL open some doors for you. What you do once inside is all up to you.

I've been a Naval Officer for 14 years now, flying EA-6B Prowlers mostly with a few hours in some other types sprinkled in.

I want to address a couple of errors in some of the posts above, too. First, the Coast Guard IS one of the 7 uniformed services (bonus to anyone who can name 'em all without looking it up on the web) but currently is NOT part of the Department of Defense. They belong to the DOT during peacetime. Should we go to war - real war, that is - they would fall back under the DOD as a component of the Navy.

Chad - the USMC most certainly DOES fall under the DoD umbrella. I could make some comment about dumb jarheads here, but I won't. The USMC falls under the DoN which in turn falls under the DoD. DoD is the parent government department for 4 of the uniformed services (Navy, USMC, USAF, Army). As previously mentioned, the USCG falls under the DoT. One of the others falls under the DoT and I'm not sure enough to say where the last falls.

One final thing, if you do enlist: do not sign anything on a recruiter's promise!!! If it's not in writing on your enlistment contract it's not happening. Period. Promises are worthless and recruiters WILL deceive you to make quota. We had one E4 in my unit who came in with a degree. Talked to an enlisted recruiter who told him he HAD to enlist before he could get a commission. Once we researched it, we offered this guy out of his contract and had the recruiter written up and discplined. Get it in writing and ask around before you sign anything. Sounds like there's enough experience on this board to tell you if you're getting a straight deal. Ask us.

Finally (in you didn't get the little quiz above), the seven uniformed services are:
Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Uniformed Health Services, National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA - the weather folks).

 

[Archive]

Dawn...

First, I can not stress this fact enough... do not sign anything until you have a written guarantee of the training you want!

My wife and I were both in the Air Force. She loves to travel, and spent three years in europe. I hate to travel... spent four years in montana. . 250 miles from where I grew up, 150 miles from my mountain cabin.
We both had a blast. Once you get thru the training, the air force is like having a civilian job, except you have to wear a uniform. Some civilian jobs have that also.

Training: My wife and I are both air traffic controllers. We both got our training in the service, and that experience helped us to get the job. But the FAA retrained us anyway. Now instead of dogfighting with the airplanes, I am paid to keep them apart!
Basic training was the most difficult part, and even it was fun. I am sure all branches would be good. I, nor my wife, have any regrets about the air force.

 

[Timinator]

Dawn,
You've heard a lot of opinions. There is a tremendous wealth of experience talking on this web site. I was Air force for 9 years and loved every minute. I got out so my wife and I could start a family. I was flying KC-135s and deployed a lot. My wife is still in the Air Force. Maybe you would want to talk to her. Let me know. She's a Major, Ph. D phychologist, and mom. The Air Force paid for her Ph. D. at a civilian school. We are currently at the Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, where she works for the Superintendent and teaches. She works with people your age every day (4000 cadets!). I would recommend coming into any service as an officer, which means college first. There are a lot more opportunities that way and the pay is better too. There are ROTC programs all over the place, but there is also OTS (Officer training School), which takes only 90 days for the same thing.

 

[Chad Sheets]

Chad - the USMC most certainly DOES fall under the DoD umbrella. I could make some comment about dumb jarheads here, but I won't. The USMC falls under the DoN which in turn falls under the DoD. DoD is the parent government department for 4 of the uniformed services (Navy, USMC, USAF, Army). As previously mentioned, the USCG falls under the DoT.

I should have worded that better. Since the beginning of this Nation, the Marine Corps has not officially been recognized as a "department" of anything, or as its own separate branch like the army/navy/airforce. Every World power has an army, and most have navies and air forces However, only 29 countries maintain a Marine Corps for amphibious operations and raiding functions. Out of those 29, the United States has the only Marine Corps in the World with such a high status, which has evolved over the past 226 years. We started out as two battalions on 10 November 1775. Formed at Tuns Tavern in Philadelphia Pennsylvania (Nations Capitol at the time) to provide protection for our Navy (yes, even protection to those higher ranking sailors who are in a position of leadership, yet talk ill of their fellow soldiers of the sea... a. k. a. Marines. That's O. K. , there are a lot of us dumb jarheads who are members here, so I dont blame you for not making "some comment". ) and to conduct amphibious raiding operations.

It was not until the National security Act of 1947, that Marines were given staying power under the DOD Under the NSA of 1947 the Marine Corp. was given a firm mission which reaffirmed its status as the primary amphibious responsibility over landing force tactics, technique, and doctrine. The Douglas Mansfield Bill of 1952 also laid the law down giving the Commandant of the Marine Corps equal status in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which also falls under the DOD. The role Marines played during W. W. I, and W. W. II secured us a permanent place in this nations future. If it would have been up to the Navy and the Army, we would have been disbanded and all moneys allotted to us divvied up between the other armed services. Luckily it went before Congress and ultimately the American people

So, yes we do fall under the DOD. However, only 50 out of the past 226 years has been in that umbrella. Its hard to teach an old, dumb jarhead new tricks. We still go by the "old Cops" way, where we are the adopted stepchildren of the Armed Forces. Sorry for this misunderstanding. I am glad you gave me the opportunity to clear this up. Semper Fi.

------------------
Always ready to help!
2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, boost, pyro and fuel pressure gages, Hot Power Edge, EZ box, race transmission, Barry Grant fuel system, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Marine Corps window sticker, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple Black, 340 car w/air. Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, shaker hood, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!
NRA Life Member
My Diesel Page

 

[Pete Peterson]

Yep!! The Marine Corps was started by a bunch of drunks in a bar!!!! #ad
#ad
Pete

 

[Ralph Edward]

Having served 5 yrs with the Air force after being an army brat for 18 yrs I would go with the Air Force. I think it depends on your career field as to how much you travel. My daughter went to college for two yrs. quit and joined the Air Force. She is out now finishing college but she enjoyed all four yrs. My son is in the army and he would get more money for college, if he gets out, than the Air Force gives. My daughter was trained as a meteorologist in the A. F. so she has skills for civilian life. My son is in Special Forces not a big call for in civilian life, but I am very proud of my boy, SF is the best of the best. Just showing contrast the two services for civilian jobs after discharge.

 

[illflem]

Update: My daughter went in to the AF recruiter all set to enlist, they told her that the medical fields are full until June, so she is on hold as of now. I just hope she doesn't change her mind in the meantime.

 

[Amianthus]

I went through Navy Dive School with some Recon Marines. I will say this about the Marines. They are some of the most dedicated, hard-charging, "get the job done any way possible" type of guys I ever had the fortune to work with. They have my respect as a service, ******* children of the DOD or not.
Not to mention, any Marine's dress uniform looks way better than the crap I had to wear. Only the Navy's uniform has remained essentially unchanged since inception. What say you?

 

[Timinator]

Dawn,
I'm serious about going to college first. My wife's sister went to college and had the Air Force pay for medical school. She is now a wealthy surgeon!
Tim