lets talk military

[scottsxj]

Well im 17 years old and and in a year ill be graduating from highschool. Ive already decided that college is going to wait. So i want to hear from some of the people that are in the military or were in the military some pros and cons about the different branches. Thanks

[JnJ]

Navy - out on a boat (Ship) with a bunch of guys for long periods.
Marines - God Bless them.
Air Force - takes best care of their members, but slow promotions.
Army - quicker promotions then Airforce, but not as member friendly as Airforce.

Me - Retired U.S. Army, Father - Retired U.S. Air Force, Brother - 1 tour U.S. Navy.

Of course a lot depends on the speciality you get and the unit(s) you are with.

[Eagle]

My father and uncle were Air Force officers, another uncle did a hitch in the Navy, a cousin is retired Air Force, and I went to Vietnam with the Army. All were too long ago to be of much help to you going in today -- the entire military is different now than it was then.

Like someone said, a lot depends on your job specialty ("MOS" in the Army, I think it's what they call your "rating" in the Navy). Keep in mind that a lot of MOSs in the Army still put you where you can get shot at. In fact, what we saw in Iraq was that a lot of people who normally would never have been where they should expect to get shot at -- did. Jessica Lynch was a supply clerk.

Pick a branch, and talk to the recruiter about officer candidate school.

[Rebeldawg]

Go army or go home, no just playin. Really any branch is what you make of it. I was in the army for what seemed was a lifetime, but was the best thing I ever did for my future. Got to travel alot and made some pretty good money also. Work hard and have fun, make sure you are ready for the commitment though. Seen alot of guys punk out and want to go home. Like Eagle said you are a soldier then you are a cook, or a medic or whatever your MOS may be.

[scottd29]

I am currently in the National Guard, was active duty Army for 4 years. A total of almost 12 years. Depending on what job you want, the Army isn't that bad. Of course your duty station also plays a big part of it. If I had it all over to do I would have joined the Airforce. They treat there airmen like real people not just a number, they also have the newest equipment, best barracks, and best food. The National Guard is pretty good, (besides all the deployments) because depending on the state you can get free college tuition to state funded schools. Of course whatever branch of service you choose you will most likely have to spend some time in a foreign country (Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Cuba-Gitmo). So if you have opposition to the current state of the military in combat you may want to rethink your options.

[thecroat1]

I say Air Force. Better chow, housing, and quality of life for the same pay. Closest thing to being a civilian out of all the Armed Forces. I was in for 8.5 years and loved it until the last year (shortitis). Depending on your AFSC (career field) you can have a pretty stable work schedule. If you go to an AF recruiter don't sign anything until you have a guaranteed job selection, or at least narrowed down to around three possibilities. As far as careers to choose, the farther away from the aircraft the better; your life will be a lot more stable. Stay away from Security Forces and Aircraft Crew Chief, they are the most cr@ped on of them all; deployed constantly, long hours, etc. . . . If I had it to do over again, I would have tried to get into a medical or civil engineering AFSC. Another added bonus about the AF is that you have the least chance of being shot out of all the Services.

[cherokeekid95]

alls i have to say is QUESTION EVERYTHING! recruiters tell you want u wanna here. dont wanna start a discussion about that just go in with your eyes and ears open. :peace:

[Glenn B]

Take your time, look at them all. Get any promises in writing..... and be sure to understand what you are getting in to.

The Army was great for me, and would do it again if given the chance.
Glenn

[Yucca-Man]

Like someone said, a lot depends on your job specialty ("MOS" in the Army, I think it's what they call your "rating" in the Navy). Keep in mind that a lot of MOSs in the Army still put you where you can get shot at. In fact, what we saw in Iraq was that a lot of people who normally would never have been where they should expect to get shot at -- did. Jessica Lynch was a supply clerk.That's one reason the Corps makes sure that every Marine is trained as a basic rifleman first, and job specialty later. There are untold numbers of tales from our history in WWII, Korea, Vietnam and just about every war the Marines have been in where supply clerks, truck drivers and cooks were called into service. Wake Island in the last days of 1941 was defended by cooks and clerks. We are required to train annually with our rifle to ensure we don't have a cluster-fu** of an operation like that maintenance company...

[Glenn B]

The Army does the same thing. All MOS's are Soldiers first.
Glenn

[RichP]

I'm retired National Guard, I did 7 years USN, submarines from 70-77. Got out and went back to school, joined the NJ National Guard to supplement uncle sams $225 a month, stayed in the guard for 17 years. I went in the navy in late 69 to avoid getting drafted into the army, prefer showers. sleeping indoors and 3 squares a day :D
If I was going to do it now, I'd get at least an associates degree, for the army, all the other services require a BS degree for a commission if thats to your taste, officers live better PERIOD, most army families are generally on food stamps and live in the 'low rent' areas around bases as the army generally is not into building family housing and the housing that does exist is pre-50's stuff so there is a shortage of it. Navy and Air Force are much better in that aspect of retention.
Got a 19yo son who is planning on military service but we convinced him to go to at least 2 years of college first to get the advantage over HS grads, he may even go for 4 now before he goes in, we'll see.

[woody]

5.5 years Army here... my only regret was not getting a written guarantee for an Airborne Infantry job. I got IMHO second best... Cavalry Scout, but it took 5 years to get to Para school... and I had to get out & reup during a war & a quick drop from E6 to E4 to get it even then. Like Glenn says, I'd do it over again but I'd do it smarter.

[Rebeldawg]

If I was going to do it now, I'd get at least an associates degree, for tofficers live better PERIOD, most army families are generally on food stamps and live in the 'low rent' areas around bases as the army generally is not into building family housing and the housing that does exist is pre-50's stuff so there is a shortage of it.

You are right officers live better, but why are most enlisted families on food stamps? Have you seen the pay scales for an enlisted soldier? Not to bad. Most of the guys I worked with that had money problems also had a freakin expensive car in the drive way and some parts to install.

[steve01XJ]

Scott, you should be evaluating this decision based upon one thing - are you prepared to die for your country. The likelihood you will is much higher today than it has been since Vietnam.

If the answer to that question is yes, then listen to the vets who have already posted for advice. They have been there and they know.

If the answer to that question is no, then go to school.

If you were my son, I would do everything in my power to convince you not to enlist in the current global environment. I would do everything I could to get you into college. If current service personnel are not re-enlisting like they used to, that is a good indicator of what the climate is like today. I have many friends who were in all of the branches of the service, and on balance their service was a positive experience. However, none of them served during conflict.

[Glenn B]

I'm retired National Guard, I did 7 years USN, submarines from 70-77. Got out and went back to school, joined the NJ National Guard to supplement uncle sams $225 a month, stayed in the guard for 17 years. I went in the navy in late 69 to avoid getting drafted into the army, prefer showers. sleeping indoors and 3 squares a day :D
If I was going to do it now, I'd get at least an associates degree, for the army, all the other services require a BS degree for a commission if thats to your taste, officers live better PERIOD, most army families are generally on food stamps and live in the 'low rent' areas around bases as the army generally is not into building family housing and the housing that does exist is pre-50's stuff so there is a shortage of it. Navy and Air Force are much better in that aspect of retention.
Got a 19yo son who is planning on military service but we convinced him to go to at least 2 years of college first to get the advantage over HS grads, he may even go for 4 now before he goes in, we'll see. Enlisted? Food Stamps? Not when I was in. Was I rich? No. Was I able to provide food, housing, etc... to my familiy? You betcha. I even had enough to have a kick ass stereo, new furniture, new wife, kid, and my first new car. I hardly suffered, and I never saw one single food stamp when I was in. Not one.

But again, I lived within my means. I lived in VERY nice places, considering.

Officers, yeah, some got it better.... but until you make at least O-4, you are a dime a dozen. Period. Those lower ranking officers better do every damned thing absolutely correct if they intend to make a carreer out of it. Otherwise, it is the Senior NCO's that have "been there, done that". School is great... gets Soldiers to salute you first, but does not make a carreer. No sir.

:)
I will take a senior NCO over any officer lower than a Major any day.
Glenn

[JnJ]

Enlisted? Food Stamps? Not when I was in. Was I rich? No. Was I able to provide food, housing, etc... to my familiy? You betcha. I even had enough to have a kick ass stereo, new furniture, new wife, kid, and my first new car. I hardly suffered, and I never saw one single food stamp when I was in. Not one.

But again, I lived within my means. I lived in VERY nice places, considering.

Officers, yeah, some got it better.... but until you make at least O-4, you are a dime a dozen. Period. Those lower ranking officers better do every damned thing absolutely correct if they intend to make a carreer out of it. Otherwise, it is the Senior NCO's that have "been there, done that". School is great... gets Soldiers to salute you first, but does not make a carreer. No sir.

:)
I will take a senior NCO over any officer lower than a Major any day.
Glenn
Ya that gets a little blow out of porportion (SP?). Some used WIC and some in high cost of living areas (Cali) may qualify. Usually with big families and non working spouse. I started as PVt/E-1, married with one child as SPC/E-4, and Married with 2 kids as SGT/E-5, I was never on welfare.
I am one of a dieing Bread, I just retired last year with no degree. Every chance I get to talk with current enlisted, I tell them, they better get their degree, and not an Associates, you need at least a BS. The degree will help you a lot while your in (promotion points) and even more when your out.

[Glenn B]

No doubt John. Get the education... one way or another.
I joined when I was 17, and did tons of college at night. It was a little money, but was worth it. During the Cold War when I was in Berlin, ALL College was absolutely free. Man, that was great. I sucked it up like a sponge. :)

Is it better to have a degree before going in? Sure could be. Can you continue your education whil you are in? You betcha. Can you get that deal to pay for your education after you get out? Sure. What is better for *you*? That is the hard part.... that ya gotta figgure out.
Glenn
Ya that gets a little blow out of porportion (SP?). Some used WIC and some in high cost of living areas (Cali) may qualify. Usually with big families and non working spouse. I started as PVt/E-1, married with one child as SPC/E-4, and Married with 2 kids as SGT/E-5, I was never on welfare.
I am one of a dieing Bread, I just retired last year with no degree. Every chance I get to talk with current enlisted, I tell them, they better get their degree, and not an Associates, you need at least a BS. The degree will help you a lot while your in (promotion points) and even more when your out.

[poomba]

Well im 17 years old and and in a year ill be graduating from highschool. Ive already decided that college is going to wait. So i want to hear from some of the people that are in the military or were in the military some pros and cons about the different branches. Thanks

I was Army. If I had it to do over again, I'd have picked Air Force or at least something that applied in the real world, after you get out. "I can blow up tanks" doesn't do a lot on your resume. Peacetime army sucks, in that you stand around, polish and paint anything that doesn't move fast enough to dodge it. Pluses..nothing like adversity to show who you can trust..and who needs to be used as overhead cover when they yell 'incoming!'. Whatever service, don't show an attitude. Go in with the understanding of what the services can do for you..and get it. Myself..Coast Guard is a great way to go. Real life mission, with positive feedback. Whatever you do..you are entering another world, one worth exploring and being a part of. Honorable service is it's own reward and sets you apart not from those who can't serve..but from those that won't.

[Glenn B]

As Poomba pointed out, do not be a Tanker. Not a lot of future in that. Try hard and get a good score on your asvab and get a good MOS.
Glenn

[ChuckD]

Here is my adivse, much of what has been said I totally agree with. I have been in the Air National Guard my entire military career. My Father was Active Duty AF then join the Guard when we moved out to CA. Then after graduation, I to then decided to join the Guard. I have been in the guard for about 14 years, I have held 3 and maybe soon 4 AFSC's (MOS's) durring my career.

My suggestion is, before you sign anything, research. Most Guard bases will alow you to check out the different shops and specialties. The Air Guard has the same jobs as the Active duty AF. So if you find something at the Guard you like, you might be able to work your contract to to get in that carrer field. In the Guard, you choose your AFSC(AF Specialty Code) before you even leave for Basic Training.

Pluses about AD AF over Guard. You get to travel more, you make more money. You have more money for college and you earn more retirement points.

Last bit of advise is don't pick the Security Forces career field, if you like that stuff just join the Army. It does not help you get a job a a police officer. Well at least here in CA.

If you have any other specific Questions PM me.

[scottsxj]

as some one mentioned earlier, they said i should base this decision on one thing, am i willing to die for my country. That should be a risk that you should accept but i dont think that should be the deciding factor. Its just that right now if im not going to college right away, what better choice is there for me to make. I def. dont want to be some idiot working a minimum wage job, as i am now(minus the idiot part), and living with my parents. I def. am planning on going to school either during or after i serve. I dont know its all just so freakin confusing right now, with all this pressure as of what to do im going to do after high school, and more importanly what im going to do for the rest of my life.

Oh yeah just out of curiosity what is the pay like in the military, im sure it depends on what you do but whats it on average.

[ChuckD]

as some one mentioned earlier, they said i should base this decision on one thing, am i willing to die for my country. That should be a risk that you should accept but i dont think that should be the deciding factor. Its just that right now if im not going to college right away, what better choice is there for me to make. I def. dont want to be some idiot working a minimum wage job, as i am now(minus the idiot part), and living with my parents. I def. am planning on going to school either during or after i serve. I dont know its all just so freakin confusing right now, with all this pressure as of what to do im going to do after high school, and more importanly what im going to do for the rest of my life.

Oh yeah just out of curiosity what is the pay like in the military, im sure it depends on what you do but whats it on average.


http://www.dfas.mil/money/milpay/pay/

The first couple promotions ususlly come pretty fast.

If you notice, the Navy does rather well. They have a ton of special pay entiltlements. They also can't spend very fast, being on a ship and all.

I agree, don't go to college until you are ready. No point in wasting your time and your parrents money. In the militray you can live a little, see what out there, sew those wild oates. I know many in the AF who have gotten there degrees while serving.

I see the militray are one of those door openers, just like college. If you have more expirecne, training, and knowledge. You are a better person than one who just has an education. Goodluck with your choice.

[JnJ]

I dont have a current may schedule, but I'm sure someone will post it up. I was much like you are, I did not really enjoy school, didn't have funds or desire to go from Highschool to college, so I joined the Army. When I first joined I went Hoah and went Airborne with my first assignment with the 82nd Airborne, then after the first 4 years I reenlisted for a Medical Field Job so I'd have some skills for the civilian world.

[scottsxj]

haha just as im reading this thread i get a call from the marine recruiting guy, i told him id call and set up a time to come in and talk to all the branches. But geeez those guys are persistent. Im def. leaning towards the airforce for what ever reason. Thanks everyone for all the input.

[Rev Den]

My bro went in the USAF at 18, he is now 54, and getting ready to retire. he just made full Col. a couple of years ago. he is now at the highest rank with no flight experiance. He started fuelling B-52's in Thailand, now is in DC.
When my dad passed last month, I asked my brother if he still would have made the choice he did...Air Force or school (as my dad told him he made a mistake when he first enlisted) he thought about it a quick moment and said, simply "yes".

He has seen this country and a few others, been shot at, attacked by terrorists with commercial aircraft, through 1 divorce, lost a son to suicide, been away from home for months at a time....and he still answered a simple..."yes".

Can't argue with that.
Good luck with whatever you do.

Rev

[thecroat1]

haha just as im reading this thread i get a call from the marine recruiting guy, i told him id call and set up a time to come in and talk to all the branches. But geeez those guys are persistent. Im def. leaning towards the airforce for what ever reason. Thanks everyone for all the input.

Smart lad. . . . . . :D :thumbup:

[Darky]

I'm a bit biased as I'm a Marine, I say go for the Marine Corps. I've been in 4yrs so far, and while I likely won't re-up, I don't regret any of my time in. As Jim (Yucca-Man) said earlier, the Marine Corps makes sure every Marine is a riflemen. I deployed to Afghanistan a couple years ago and just overall wasn't too impressed with the conduct of most of the soldiers (Army, in the Marine Corps, you're a Marine. Both services tend to get mad if you confuse them) over there. They, as seemed to be the case with Jessica Lynch and her company, didn't seem to be very familiar with their weapons. Too many stupid mistakes resulting in negligent discharges. One soldier was killed as a result. It got to the point where they weren't even allowed to keep loaded magazines in their weapons. We had no problems though. That comes down to amount of training.
The Air Force lives the best, deployed or at home. They were the first to get A/C they had 6 people to a tent with wooden walls built up to give everyone their own room while we and the Army kept 13 (or more) to a tent. The Marine Corps requires you to "field day" your room once a week to keep it clean. The rumor I've heard from others and hinted by an Airmen is the AF has a maid service...again just a rumor. But it depends what you're after. The AF gives you the cushiest life, as has been noted before, the most like being a civilian in uniform. The Navy has good chow and rather relaxed grooming standards (compared the Corps). I see more overweight sailors than any other service. However, they have a lot of highly technical jobs you can get and get good pay in the civilian world when you get out. The Army is one step above the Marines when it comes to comfort and such, and the Marines have a lot of honor and respect amongst the international services. The Nazis of WWII would go out of their way to avoid the Marines, even taking on larger Army units to stay away from us. We were awarded their highest name, shock-troop. They use that only on the most elite special forces troops and they gave it to the Marines. Our other main nickname still in use today is, Devil Dog, or tehfelhunden as the Nazis named us. Literally, Devil's Hounds. They feared us, and the Marines will give you the most challenge. But like everything, its what you put into it that determines what you get from it.

[Darky]

btw, I'm 21 now, joined when I was 17. I have about a year left. As an E3 (Lance Corporal- LCpl), I make just over $19,000/year. Its 1585/mpnth before tax. I'm married now and get an extra $1184 to cover housing costs. That varies though depending on where you are. They give you enough to cover rent and utilities based on the local average for what they think someone in your paygrade should live in. Its actually more than enough to cover my rent, and I got a place at the higher end.
Bout the food stamps, I technically am eligible because they only count your base pay towards it, that doesn't include my housing allowance. Whether or not I actually do get it is another story. I don't need it, but I will be eligible as soon as our baby is born. Probably won't apply though. I'm doing fine with the pay I'm making.

[RichP]

The education is the important thing, the recruiters now are looking for young, dumb, gullible enlistees. I know, we had a recruiter over to the house and I listened. He did not know I was retired but he sure did by the time he left. While I agree that butter bars are a dime a dozen and take alot of training if done right they make good officers and officers that come up thru the ranks make the best cause they already know what it's like on the short end of the stick.
Right now, when you get out of high school the transition to college is fairly easy if you don't mind 2 or 4 years more of school. It is tough to do once you have been away from it for a few years and in this current political circus and peacekeeping mode we are doing you can forget about spending a semester or two at some nice post where you will be doing mon-fri with duty every other weekend. Units now are rotating out of combat, retraining for 3 months and getting shipped right back in or you get the real short end, get transferred to another unit and they get shipped back in before you can even unpack your duffelbag.
My son is planning on a career in the service, wants to get into either cid or nis, one of the law enforcement areas but he's actually planning what he wants to do instead of taking pot luck.
Here is a novel idea, if your grades are good why not apply to one of the service schools, USNA, USAF, West Point, USCG.
But in the end you need to do whats right for you, I'm using hind sight which is 20/20.

[Darky]

That's not entirely true. I did one rotation in Afghanistan while on Okinawa, but now I've been at Pendleton for over a year and a half and haven't had to go back overseas. It all depends on the unit you get. Same goes for leadership. My first shop had great NCOs, my second had crappy ones. I transferred to another shop (more learning to be done here) and I have some pretty good NCOs again. If you go for infantry you'll be gone a lot. Go cook and get stationed at a chow hall for infantry you'll be gone cooking for the infantry. Any MOS that isn't strictly assigned as Air Wing, Division (ground side, infantry and such) has a good chance of deploying a lot. Go for a technical MOS if you can, you're chances of deploying and being put in harms way are much less than the less technical ones. I know that's true in the Corps, and would assume it to be true for the rest. If you work on aircraft, you'll be stationed somewhat forward at the air bases but those are usually a little back from the front lines. Go AF and you likely won't even have to see the country we're fighting in...;)

[ladywolf]

being in for 4 years now, my advice would be is to talk to all of the recruiters, then go with who will give you the best opportunities, and or what you wanted the most. being aviation, yea, we do get crapped on a lot, but the benefits can far outweigh the long hours and field time. I've got two years left, dont know If i'm going to reup, go warrant, or go home. Since you are still in high school, if you want army and want to be an officer, talk to your recruiter about high school to flight school. you can be a warrant officer straight out of basic training. if thats what you want, is to be a pilot. Being an e4, i live within my means. I have two jeeps, a horse, and yea, i live in the barracks, but the life isnt that bad. I spent 16 months in iraq, and came home safe and sound. i'm a soldier first, a blackhawk mechanic second. i went on lots of convoys, and saw a lot of iraq, and never had any worries about the training i received or what would happen if something came down. i trusted my nco's, and in return showed them that they could trust me as a gunner, a driver, or a passenger. just whatever you do, dont settle for what you dont really want. fight for what you want, believe me, you'll get it.

[RichP]

Oh yea, but being around usmc/usn you gotta know they take rotation SERIOUSLY between sea, shore, neutral duty. The army tends to be a little bit more, shale we say 'flexible' or lax on dotting the I's and crossing the T's on schedule. I thought I knew what 'hurry up and wait' really was being around USN and USMC bases, then I attended my first crypto repair school at Ft Gordon Ga and saw my first division pay day back when you could take either cash or a check... that was a whole day affair complete with circling gunships and locked and loaded APC's with M2's up there... The navy had been using direct deposit for 5 years by then... Just my 02

[Darky]

strangely, I've never set foot on a sea-borne vessel since joining the Marine Corps, not even a private boat...Most people I know have, but I haven't...:)

[RichP]

Managed to weasle out of the mags have we, for shame......look at all those good ports your missing.... :D

[Darky]

My deployment to Afghanistan was via AF C5s, only things big enough to move our stuff quickly. Took 2 or 3 of em...then 4 or five trips by 2 C17s. I must say from what I've heard, that's the way to travel.
I'm in the Air Wing so I've never had to go on float like the MEUs do.
Although...I am kinda bummed about missing out on seeing more places...

[Yucca-Man]

We've sent our share of Wingers on MEU while I was with MALS-39 in Camp Pendleton; typically one Cobra/Huey squadron would go while the MALS would send a couple of Ordies to handle the guns, racks and handling equipment. Of course, the entire MALS (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron) is deployable as well, as I was attached to MALS-11 for Desert Storm when the whole base picked up and moved to the Persian Gulf.

My whole time with the 'Gator Navy' was restricted to tours to 32d Street in San Diego to take my students down as an intro to onboard Ordnance handling.

Like blacksport, we relied on the USAF for transporation to and from our destination, and infiltrated their chowhalls and PXs whenever possible but relied on ourselves for everything. Everything I have seen of the Air Force and heard from airmen is that the mentality of that organization is centered strictly around the pilot. If you aren't a pilot (and especially if you're not a fighter pilot) you are there merely to serve their needs, similar to Caesar acknowledging Roman slaves only as long as they served his whims.

The story goes that the main difference between the Air Force and the other services is that the Navy will build its airfields first, then the support buildings, then the PX, golf course and barracks. When they run out of funds somewhere around the PX they scream for more money from Congress. They don't get it though because the airfield is running. However, the Air Force will build the golf course, PX, and base facilities first. When they run out of money, they ask Congress for more...Congress tries to deny it but since the airfield isn't complete they get more funding. That's not entirely true of course, but that's the way it looks to the rest of us.

Talk to the recruiters, ask questions and make sure you read everything. Ask questions here or more appropriately, on Glenn's talkmilitary.com - if something doesn't sound right or seems to good to be true I bet there are a few of us that can put it in perspective for you. Don't think that the recruiters absolutely HAVE to have you however. No matter how much they might be behind mission, it is still you applying to join their service, and if you don't fit they will let you know.

[RichP]

Better than a guy that was in my guard unit, went AF outta HS, ended up in sac, flew around the world several times, boarded his buff in maine, flew around the world, got off in Maine, never went anywhere else...3 years he was there, I seem to remember he told me '27 trips' and never set foot anywhere but Maine. Course then again on the boomers out of sublant, missile subs, we'd pull out of rota or holy loch or charleston, pull the plug and drill holes in the ocean for 3 months, but then we'd get 3 months off and get sent to tech schools all over the place while the other crew was drilling holes... Fast attacks out of subpac were a whole nother world, sure wish I had some of that money I blew on beer back then in all those westpac ports :D

[8Mud]

My personal experience is kind of dated. But from experience, a tech. has some autonomy in most of the services. I was a fire control and hydrolics mech. for most of my service time. Took every military school I could and made sure to graduate, high in my classes. Rank came fast. My speciality reguired, some serious math, basic computer skills, electrical/mechanical skills and was just exotic enough, that few people had the slightest idea, what I actually did (easy to BS the Officers).
If I had to do it again, I´d probably go Coast Guard. Small unit organisations, are often much easier to tolerate, than regimented large units, like Infantry and Armor. Coast Guard is going to grow, something to be said for getting in on the ground floor. Coast Guard is often, detachment duty. Often with TDY (per diam) and the other benefits of working in smaller units.
I got close to some of the Coast Guard people, when I was in the Harbor Craft School in Presidio. Like I mentioned my info is kind of dated. But never meant a Coast Guardsmen (or woman) that had anything really bad to say, about that service. They mostly complained about the weather.

[Boatwrench]

US Coast Guard here, coming up on thirty years both active and reserve. My rating is Machinery Technican, (mechanic/machinists/small voltage electrican/boiler tech) been recalled on active duty and on leave from my job since Sept 12th 2001.

I have opinions good and bad about the other services, but let's not start a pissing contest. The Coast Guard was my choice because of its peacetime mission, Search & Rescue...Boating with a Purpose.

There are many different fields in the CG: Search and Rescue; Law Enforcement (boating safety, fisheries and counter drug); Science Missions (artic & antartic ice ops); Aids to Navigation (bouys & lighthouses); Marine Environmental Protection (oil spills) and Port Security (here and abroad).

The largest unit I was assigned to had 117 people, that's company size in the Army. Most Small Boat Stations have less than 25. E7s, Chiefs serve as the Officer in Charge at many of these units. I was on four Cutters, two 82'; one 95' and one 125'. The buck & a quarter was built before my father was born. Long enough and then some to earn a 'Cutterman's Pin' and carreer sea pay. Was stationed on small rescue boats in San Francisco Bay (three different stations) and Lake Tahoe. Only two regrets...never worked on the western rivers (Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio) or been across the artic circles.

In my CG carreer have personally pulled people out of the water including an 18 month old baby girl, she made it...others didn't. Watched a man jump to his death off the Golden Gate Bridge on Christmas Day 1976, I was 19 years old. Made three arrests, one at Lake Tahoe and two at sea. Been seasick more times than I can remember, boaters and fisherman usually don't get into trouble on a calm day.

Would I do it again...you betcha! It's an exciting time to be young in the CG. I admire Marines & soldiers, but a 18 y.o. E4 in the CG wields a lot of power as coxswain of a boat crew, including carrying a loaded weapon as a federal law enforcement officer among our citizens. I tell anyone who will listen and my kids also that if wasn't for my wife and the CG I would have wound up living under some freeway in a carboard box. Learned a trade having worked as a mechanic on Buicks and buses, the leadership courses attended in the CG prpeared me up to do well on the promotion ladder at my civilian job. I now run a bus shop for the City of San Francisco, promoted to that position from mechanic is just 12 years.

Pay, well someone gave you a link to the payscale...there is also incentives, allowances and premimums that add onto that and are commensturate with your rank. Opportunities exist in all the services, I think we have a job that's more fun. Boating with a Purpose.

SIDRIPTIDE is also former CG.

What ever you decide, if you join a service thank you for defending the freedoms we as Americans enjoy.
Tom