Should I buy a car before I join military?
Hello, I am 17 and it has been hard times for me, after a lot of thinking and researching I've decided to join the military. I am only part time and I can come up with the money to buy a car but not afford insurance since I only work few hours. I've talked to my parents about joining and it was hard for them but they agreed, now when I join will I ship off and do some training then when I am 18 go full training and then they decide what to do with me. My question is should I buy a car since I would probably be transferred to another state or save and when I get to another state purchase a vehicle. Thanks for any input. Oakley,
Why Do I Miss being In The Military AT Times? I hated It?
Anytime you have a choice, there will be some type of "buyers remorse." There will always be a part that feels you should have made the other choice. The bigger the decision, the bigger the feeling can be. It is exactly the same thing as when you were in the military wondering why you joined and all the imagined ways your life would be better if you had not joined. Remember the story about the 3 Billy Goats Gruff and the line, "the grass is always greener on the other side." That is what you are going through.
Do you regret being career military?
I don’t. When I came in the military I was unsure of myself. I did not stand up for myself. I came in 3 years after high school, wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for a few years. I said I wanted to do career when I came in at 21 but I don’t think I knew at the time what I was really signing up for. My dad made the military his career and retired after 23 years. There have definitely been some trying times that I really thought about getting out. They tested me mentally and physically. I think thru those hard times is when I really started to find myself, stand up for myself and the people around me. I never knew what kind of impact I had really made until people I have supervised have come back and said I had made an impact on their lives. Whether it was then staying in the military, going on to college or going to another career. I have never felt like I was doing anything that hasn’t been asked by all of us in the military and what is asked of us when we become NCO’s. There are times though that have made me stop and resflect and see what is really happening. I enjoy the people around me, those are all my brothers and sisters. Now I look back and would not trade this for anything, no regrets.
What's it like being a military girlfriend?
I was a military girlfriend for a little while before I became a military wife. We got married in Chicago the day after he graduated Navy basic training almost two years ago. I have some friends who are still girlfriends to friends of my husband and I-- and let's just say it's probably more difficult for them than it is for me... (We do not have kids yet so that certainly helps) I know girls who drive 18+ hours to stay for a weekend to see their guy. It all kind of depends. Since you said you already know what the long distance thing is like that is definitely a part of it-- CG or not. Deployments are still possible. I think the worst part of being a girlfriend to a military guy is that to the military you will not technically exist. That sucks. But you keep up the romance aspect through the phone, Skype (as was previously mentioned), mail and of course as many visits as your school/job/whatever will allow. I love hearing how supportive and upbeat you are about his decision. More guys need girls that leave the drama and selfishness behind that some ladies bring to this kind of often long distance relationship. My best advice to you is to just remember that when he is on the phone and tired and possibly being rude and short with you-- that his day probably sucked but that it wasn't your fault and he knows that. Sometimes you have to sacrifice your feelings in that moment so that he can function and feel better-- because while you will have family only a yell or phone call away-- you are one of the only people he will have the time to really unload on. Support him! Don't forget about yourself and your ambitions (a lot of military girlfriends and spouses do) and hang in there. There are a bunch of great blogs for military girlfriends. Those girls will all be super sweet and you can make friends who know exactly what you're dealing with.
Deployment question for military wives ONLY!?
My husband is in the army reserves and we recently found out that he is being deployed. We dont know where, when, or how long yet which is really making it harder to deal with cuz im not sure what to expect. my question is, How hard is it going to be to get through this? Does it go faster than you think? I know there are some questions that you dont ask a military wife but how else am i going to find out. I am scared that i wont hear from him that much and then i will sit there and worry if he is OK. i think i am going to lose it. Help me please.
What military branch is the easiest to get into?
To be more specific, the problem urinating is: having trouble starting a stream sometimes. Sometimes it's extremely easy to start a stream, and other times, it's pretty hard and time consuming. Also, does the military give everyone some time off for themselves during the day (in boot camp and in service)? Because if they do, then that might be a good time to spend trying to use the restroom.
Is it hard to get used to civilian life after being deployed in the military?
Not particularly difficult. You just have to realize a couple of things: 1) the military structure you previously relied upon no longer exists - you’re on your own as an individual. Your off-the-job problems are just that - yours. Unless you find yourself in the news and make the company look bad, no one cares what you do. 2) You don’t “out rank” anyone else. Your former military rank doesn’t mean spit. Just produce for the company and make your boss’s job easier.Three things you should have learned in the military are extremely useful in civilian life: Be professional. Be on-time. Keep your word. Do those three things and you will be ahead of a large percentage of the work force.Probably the most difficult thing for me was deciding what to wear.
Why do military recruiters try really hard to enlist people?
Because it's their friggin job!Seriously this is pretty simple. Why does the T-Mobile rep push hard for me to upgrade my phone and plan when I go their to pay a bill? Because that's their job! Why does the Direct TV guy at Costco try hard to get me to subscribe to their service? Because it's their job!Recruiters are just a fancy word for salesman. That's what they do, they try to sell you into joining the military. Salesmen are pushy and forceful because they must convince people to something they might not be disposed to do.Military Recruiters have particular quotas (like most salesmen) that they must meet to do their job. Some recruiters barely get 3 hours of sleep because they're busy trying to meet their quotas. That's why they are desperate. Desperation makes them pushy and forceful, especially if they know they have a qualified candidate who only needs a little convincing to sign a contract.If you have no intention of joining the military, you should steer clear of Military Recruiters. In fact you should be upfront when they approach you and let them know that they're wasting their time talking to you. Tell them you don't want to join or that you've got asthma or are a gang member or major cokehead or something. Just be clear and concise enough and they'll leave you alone.Otherwise like all hungry fishermen, a desperate recruiter must keep fishing.
Besides joining the military, what are some "hard core" experiences I can put myself through to test myself?
Build a house. It’s not necessarily as “hard core” as you’re looking for, but it will test you, and it’s for a good cause. Gather together 14 other people and contact Amor Ministries (Amor). What they do is they organize the building of 11x22 foot houses (shelters) for poor families in Mexico.The deadline is tight. The work involves a lot of hauling of gravel, rock, sand, and concrete under the hot sun, as well as basic carpentry. It’s nothing that an able bodied person can’t handle, but it is hard work. At some point in doing it you will find yourself getting tired, to the brink of exhaustion, and it’s at that point where you get to find what really motivates you. Otherwise when it gets hard you’re going to sit down and quit, and that will teach you something about yourself too.But you know, it’s not all about the work; there’s also moments for fun and games too.