Hey everyone,
So the title kinda sums this post up. I’m 27, since I was 18 I always had that “fuck it I’m gonna join the army, leave my hometown and go on an adventure”. I even went to MEPs and got approved for a contract with the marine corps reserve because I wanted to finish college while serving. Ended up weighing my options, got cold feet, told the recruiter I changed my mind and finished out college in 2020.
Since I graduated HS in 2016, I was periodically hit with these huge bouts of desire to leave the homestead and go somewhere new on my own. The problem was that I grew up poor and had no money, so naturally the only way to travel was joining the military at that point. As I finished college, the pandemic happened and I stalled even further on trying to join until things settled down. Fast forward to now, my dog passed away recently, and the desire to just run away and join the military perked up in my mind.
I talked to alot of people who were in and those currently serving. Most say it was a positive change for the better, and many of them said they were glad to have left their hometown we grew up in and they’re all set up for financial success now.
For those of you who are serving/served/feel the same type of way. At 27, is it the wisest thing to do?
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It’s definitely popped in my head multiple times. It’s very appetizing. But as others said it’s a young man’s game, you gotta get in early. For me I just joined my local railroad so I’m fine financially, I get 2 pensions, better social security, good healthcare, etc. The only downside is I’m stuck living in the 2 states my railroad is in
I’m still up in the air with what I want to do. I could go into law enforcement but it’s not what I want to do my whole life. So I don’t blame you for not going with a local railroad and 2 pensions. I’d stay put.
I was in the Marines, and while I can't speak for the other branches, I definitely would not do it again if I had other options lol. The physical stress was whatever, but the mental stress was brutal for me. Being led by a bunch of emotionally immature man children who think that yelling and punishment are the only things required for leadership, zero intellectual stimulation, four years spent in a moldy barracks room with no A/C or heat, meeting all of the worst people I've ever met in my life (literal neo Nazis). The GI bill and other VA benefits are great though. I always tell people if I were to do it again, I would do something easy like air force or coast guard.
Air Force or army for me at 27. No way I’d be able to hang at USMC boot camp even though I run and exercise pretty frequently.
You'd be surprised. My best friend from the Marines joined at 27
I just want to get a good contract with whatever branch I’d settle on. People always told me the AF will get me good paying jobs after the military + QoL while you’re serving. Didn’t think many people joined the marine corps in their mid/late 20s
AirForce has the pretty great QoL overall but you can’t pick your job. It’s entirely possible you can end up with a job that you hate, or a job that doesn’t translate to what you wanna do in the civilian world. That’s why I went CG.
Is the CG and Army the only branches that can guarantee your MOS based on your asvab score? I’m not too worried about scoring cause I have a college background and tests aren’t really hard for me.
You can pick your job in the Navy (with one or two specific exceptions). I’m pretty sure you can pick your job in SpaceForce too, but they don’t have a wide selection of jobs to choose from.
Thanks for that! I heard from one of my close friends the navy was the best for traveling.
They definitely don't lol. My friend is the odd one out. Also, they're not lying about good paying jobs. Air Force has jobs that actually translate to the civilian world. Also, I remember when it was time for me to leave, I was looking at the certifications they offer. The Marines pretty much only offered CDL and welding certificates. The AF had literal pages of a ton of cool shit they'd send you to do. Air Force is easily the best option all around.
Hell, I knew ppl who joined the army for infantry in their late 20s and 30s. One of the guys I knew was 30 and he was a mf beast.
Hell no.
Ive been considering it lately just because the jobs market is damn unstable right now since orange man got back in office, but then again it feels like we're about to open a front on south america and I dont want to be sent to cities to beat my fellow Americans into submission.
I’m in the coast guard and I love it, it’s the most chill job I’ve ever had and this is the most financially stable I’ve ever been.
If you do decide to join, for the love of god don’t go Marine Corps. Also be aware that joining at 27 means a lot if your superiors will be younger than you.
I’m okay with being older and not in charge. My uncle was in the coast guard and he really liked it. I’d do that, AF, or army depending on job placement.
I come from a military family and the only person in the military not miserable is my coastie aunt lol
My dad complained about the army while enlisted but missed it when he retired. He missed the “camaraderie” as he put it.
I think the older you get, and the more money you make, the more the military is not worth it (for enlisted, at least).
However, if I was you, and I really, really wanted to join, I’d use my degree and commission into the military as an officer. The pay is great, and you’re not doing the bitch work that enlisted folks are doing. It’s a higher quality of life. PowerPoints, command briefs, and meetings upon meetings are going to be your bread and butter (if you’re not in combat arms - I can’t speak for what their officers do). You are a leader to your juniors, so you are held to a higher standard physically and mentally, and you are treated like an adult.
One of the lieutenants at my old unit was bringing home about $10K per month, including regular pay and other allotments. He is married, so he makes a bit more, but he’s an O-2 right now. You will commission as an O-1 if you’re not already a doctor or have a Masters degree, as far as I know.
Look only into the officer route for the military, or you are doing yourself a major disservice if you decide to join.
Appreciate it. I’d only join thru the officer route at this point. I have my bachelors so why enlist yk.
Yes, same here. I have been thinking on and off about joining the military since I was 19. I was actually in the process of joining the national guard at one point but ended up backing out.
It’s hard when you’re not entirely sure and the older you get the stronger the urge becomes cause you don’t want to regret never trying it. I wish the military had a year contract to see if you’d like it lol.
Same here lol.
I had these urges a few years ago when nothing in my life was going right, couldn’t find a job, etc. Now I have a job I love and a girl that I love more, I can’t see myself leaving any time soon.
A few times, but admittedly I don't think I'm "built" for that mentally or physically.
The results for my family who had served have been mixed to say the least aswell.
My dad was in the navy for at least a dozen years and he loved it. He joined out of highschool so I can't comment on the age element. It sounded tough no doubt, but he loved talking about his travels and he was a fantastic man so I think it shaped him well. He wasn't a pro-war kind of guy but he always spoke very fondly of his years in the military, it was a fulfilling experience for him. He did search and rescue - it doesn't get much more badass than jumping out of helicopters to save lives. He ended up getting an associate's degree using government student support, and later needed about 20 years of extensive medical treatment and/or long term care due to a car crash he endured after serving, which let him paraplegic. There's not a chance in hell my family could've kept him alive for so long without the VA. So he got his money's worth in the end! The benefits from having served can really add up.
Personally I'm aggravated with our country and can't imagine the idea of serving in our military, but I'm fortunate enough to have a comfortable job. I don't exactly support our troops with a patriotic fervor, but I can't begrudge someone for realizing the adventure, discipline, and benefits offered by the military could do them personal good. It was the right move for my dad anyway.
I have yet to hear a negative experience about the navy. Apparently it’s very great for traveling. I appreciate the input.
The Navy’s great and you travel a bunch but, you’ll spend A LOT of time out at sea. To some, it’s truly amazing; being able to see the stars with no light pollution was one of the greatest things my eyeballs have ever seen. The caveat to it is that you’re on the ship seeing the same people everyday and eating basically the same food for 4/5 days in a row. There’s a lot to do while at sea besides work, my friends and I use to have super smash bro tournaments, play uno, watch movies & play other games to kill time.
Edit: there’s also a lot of rates (what we call MOS) that don’t go out to sea as well.
In the end it’s up to you what you wanna do. When I was a kid (I’m 27 now as well), I wanted to join the military because I thought it was cool that most of my family had. My dad was in the Army during the 90s (honorable discharge in 1999) and he doesn’t regret joining as he wanted to serve his country but he also carries PTSD from Desert Storm and Desert Shield and while it’s gotten better over time, the same things still affect him. He tried to go to Afghanistan after 9/11 happened but they wouldn’t let him. I asked him out of curiosity if he’d ever go back if he could and he said not today but in the past he would have done it if he could.
This very much is a "your mileage may vary" situation. I joined the Marines right out of highschool, and while it was tough and definitely took its toll, overall I think of it fondly. It was an awesome experience being paid to travel the world and blow stuff up with my buddies, all on the governments dime of course. I probably got very lucky however. Had I been stationed at 29 Palms or had any job that wasnt in the infantry, I could imagine it sucking way worse than it already did. Concerns that the other Marine commenter brought up are also very possible.
We had a guy in our platoon that also joined at about 27. He was always referred to as the "old man" and did wind up needing some serious surgery from wear and tear sustained during the job. Though perhaps that was unique to him and his physiology. Overall I can't fault you wanting to join. I and many others have had great experiences, while others have terrible one. Its all down to what cards you're randomly dealt.
This was my thought, but being more of a flight attendant or something - definitely not the army. If you have a decent job, join an airline credit card plan and go places on the weekends.
I wanted to join the airforce so badly, but I realized I have too many mental and physical health problems for the military. I'm autistic, so I probably wouldn't fit in well, I also have depression and suffer from constant pain in my body and stomach due to IBS and chronic constipation which makes it feel hard for me to move around, and I have asthma
I thought about it this year too but I have some issues that probably wouldn't work out well for me and I'd regret it
I was in the army and I dropped out of the Marine corps when I was 17. I honestly lost every bit of respect for veterans that I had. Marine corps is full off average Joe's with inflated egos for no real reason, the army couldnt think their way out of a paper bag. If someone has any other option ill always tell them not to do it.
It’s definitely really tempting, especially because I’m shitty paycheck to shitty paycheck right now, but my fiancee was a Marine and she told me in no uncertain terms that I would be miserable and treated poorly, regardless of the branch. Plus, they typically don’t like handing guns to people with my particular brand of mental illness :)
Fuck no
Not even once, my husband tried to join the army after highschool but thanks goodness an ibuprofen allergy disqualified him.
I was in the Navy, I joined right after high school and I got out last year. It was the greatest time I never want to have again, the friends I met along the way and the places I’ve been to were truly amazing and I’m grateful for that. The opportunities and benefits that I receive now are truly life changing but I’ve lost relationships with friends and family & got injured along the way (nothing crazy, I fell from a platform and my backs kind of fucked up). I’m extremely blessed for the opportunity that was given to me from joining the service, honestly it’s never too late to join either; I was in bootcamp with a 38 year old. If you were to join and do 3-6 years you’d be set for the rest of your life. It’s very hard to get ahead in life with this economy and it sucks that you have to sign yourself up to potentially go to war but the benefits you receive make life a lot easier.
I don’t go out telling everyone to join the military anymore because I’ve lost friends to suicide while surviving but if people are interested in joining I give my honest take.
I could never take an oath to serve under this current administration. Currently its the equivalent of being hired as a trigger man for the mafia. Considering whos president and whos head of "the department of war" it seems more and more likely that one or more illegal wars are on the horizon. So I guess if you want to be apart of invading Venezuela to steal their oil or marching in to Greenland to occupy a Nato Ally's rightful territory then I wouldnt recommend it. If you're the moral type then you would have to disobey several illegal orders and sit in military prison .