Originally Posted by
pvt. hainstock
okay..well here's my un biased breakdown..
Navy: if you want to sail, be at sea for months at a time, see the world and not really have to worry about much combat, this is the branch for you. the basic is real easy, i believe it's only 6 weeks or something like that. but there aren't as many jobs to choose from, and the navy [as far as i know] cant guarantee you a job. but all the good looking girls join Navy [or Air Force] lol
Air Force: if you want to fly, or work on planes/helicopters/etc then this is the branch for you. i personally wouldnt join just because you want to fly because only about 2% of people in the Air Force ever get to fly/go up in a plane/helicopter and you have to have 20/20 vision or better, if there is such. i believe there's still a signing bonus of 20k prolly depending on your job. the basic for Air Force, too, is only about 6 weeks. Air Force also has the best housing while at basic. you get your own room and such. that's because they put more money into housing and stuff like that than the other branches. all the good looking girls join Air Force [or Navy] lol
Marines: if you want to be the first one into battle, then Marines is where it's at. they [for the most part] are the first in and the last out. they're on the front lines. they take a majority of the fighting. they cant guarantee you a job either, and they too have a small selection of jobs. somewhere between 40 and 60 jobs i believe. they too have good signing bonuses depending on your job.
*some say the Marines get brainwashed, some dont. i guess it depends on the person. from what I'VE seen and heard, alot of marines do come back total dickheads and not the same person as they once were.
Army: if you want to fight, but dont necessarily wanna be the first one in, and want to be guaranteed a job, this is the branch you should check out. this is the branch i joined. the army has over 180 jobs to choose from, depending on how well you score on the ASVAB test. they can also guarantee you what job you'll get. and idk if it's true with other branches as well, but i know after 2 years in the Army you can change your MOS (military occupational specialty) so you can sign as light wheeled mechanic and in 2 years switch to firefighter or some shit if you want. and there's no limit to how many times you can change your MOS. you get a signing bonus which varies on your job. truckers get 60k i think, while others like military police [which is what i am] only get 20k. also, alot of people join the Army because they feel it's there last option, or only way out. and some because a court ordered them to join the Army or serve time. now, when i was at MEPS doing all the tests and shit to get in, i saw some motherfuckers that made me rethink joining...like i would look at some of them kids and be like "no way in hell i would trust that motherfucker with my life" but...basic does turn alot of people around. so if you worry about having some degenerate watching your ass in the battlefield...this might not be the branch for you. lol.
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now if you DO join, you got to decide wether to go Active or Reserves..
Active Duty: the pay is more than double, and if you're overseas, your pay almost doubles again. you live on base, or off base if you choose. if you live on base, the military pays for your housing. if you live off base, the military gives you money for housing and food. idk if they'll cover all of it, but a hefty chunk. you'll work on base every day, like a regular job. if you're married and/or have kids, def think about going Active. you get more pay and better benefits if you're married, and your family will have all your benefits. pregnancies are paid for, check ups...paid for. dentist visits...paid for.
Reserves: if you want to stay around where you live and go to school and whatnot, go Reserves. the pay isnt nearly as good. but, you have time to go to school and shit and have a job and whatever else. you'll go to your unit one weekend a month, and 2 weeks out of the summer to train and such. you'll get paid for the time you're at your unit. im not sure if EVERY branch offers reserves, but i KNOW Army and Air Force do.
**i went reserves cuz im gonna go to college when i get home from basic and i dont wanna leave my gf and shit for huge periods of time.
now Smoka you better fucking read this whole post with as much time as i just spent typing all this shit lmao.