Career Paths, Military?

I was going to be a career guy, but 2 years in I got shot in the head and blown out of a Huey by a rocket in Vietnam! Was a quadriplegic vegetable for 3 years then slowly came back! After 11 enduring years of therapy I was finally Walkin & Talkin once again! I'm 59 now and my doctors tell me I have the general conditon of a healthy 25 yr old male! Makin up for my lost youth now!

congrats, truly fukin' amazing

Coast Guard here. I've been on a few missions. If you like the more laid back branch and the more humanitarian, go CG. My first boat was docked right beside a NOAA boat. I never knew what NOAA was until I saw there boat, then again I come from a small town. My advise is this: Don't listen to a recruiter until you're about to sign the papers. Learn about the branch through other sources and remember that just because you choose one job doesn't mean you're going to be doing it all the time. On my boat you had to be very flexible with your job. You could be cooking one second and then doing a boarding the next. The hardest part of the job was getting up after getting 3 hours sleep to do a 48 hour boarding. If you have any questions about the CG or Army pm me. I have good friends in both that can answer a lot of questions for you.

Right now you will be used as cannon fodder. Go to college even if you have to borrow the money.

I actually have an opinion on this. Firstly, to anyone who hasn't served, shut your mouth, you don't know shit about it..at all..no; watching Platoon or Apocalypse Now doesn't count..even if you've seen it a hundred times. And if you have only run around with a SMG that shoots paintballs..again..shut up.

My advice would be to go Navy.. for what you want to do, but be sure to get a contract..and one that you like. The Navy does co-operate with institutes like Scripps and Woods Hole..where do you think these civi outfits get all that cool tech. You should be try to go OCS, then pursue an advanced degree whilst serving..it works to both your advantages. From there, its up to you. Continue with the Navy on joint ventures with the civi industries...or oil exploration (big money)... or hell, join frickin Greenpeace or whatever. It's the skills and knowledge that you want. Oh yeah, running around with a weapon is cool too. It's all what you make it.

^ I totally agree Makosurfer, I'm noticing a lot of people joining in the military jokes/advice that are to scared to actually join...were you in the service? It's really sad to see kids wearing a camo-like get up with insignia he can only dream of (special forces and he has the IQ of a peanut?). Seriously...if your brother/sister/Dad/Mom/Uncle/Cousins served, great...but that alone does not give you the privelage to crack military jokes. If you hadn't earned the uniform, you haven't earned the privelage to crack jokes about any branch, period; or wear the uniform (paintballing OK). We do it for moral and it's all in fun...we know what it's like being sleep deprived, drills, reveille'd at 0400, standing watch, going to musters, uniform upkeep, schooling, changing schedules etc...so it means more coming from each other than someone who has never made it to basic training.

As for the thread, I would go something a long the lines of Diver, or a Sonar Technician (which is what I am). That's all the fields I know that deal with oceanography, my schooling got me college credit for oceanography. Whatever you decide (CG, Navy, AF etc)...be sure you know the job before you sign those papers. And do NOT, DO NOT go undesignated/Seaman Apprentice unless you love to paint stuff and be a little ship slave! Your recruiter may try to pull that "new job every day" trick on you to enlist!

Canada has more than one submarine, trust me...I think I would know since I look for submarines as a job.

SUBMARINES and TORPEDOES- Some real facts that you more than likely have wrong.
Sure, I even crack jokes at bubbleheads...but they do some crazy stuff. The worst situation to be in is when there is a possible unknown submarine off our coast. For one, our submarines have target cooordinates pre-programmed for the missle's, why wouldn't our enemies? Second...they are difficult to find, the water conditions have to be PERFECT to detect at least even a hint of one submarine running off their battery. Regardless of what Hollywood shows, one good explosion from a torpedo can collapse the entire submarine. Yes...I said collapse. Submarines/ships DO NOT explode from torpedoes. If you thought they did, smack yourself if you think you know everything. The torpedoes create a huge air pocket that pushes water away from the target, and then the water collapses on the submarine at such a great pressure that the hull might not be able to handle it. For a ship, they detonate usually 25 feet under the keel in the center, displacing the water...forcing all the weight to the center of the ship onto the keel. Why do you think Ships always break in the middle when they are hit from a torpedo?

Military is the way out for people that don't have the means to reach their long term goals, military provides pretty much all the benefits for low income type of individuals in general, those who really think they can make a difference and don't see the military as a source of income and a quick 50 G's if they are sent to Irak maybe that's their path in life but you man, you have a Bachelors in Science! you are made man, go and find a good scholarship in one of the hundreds of colleges throughout the country and get your masters! You are more than half way through NO MILITARY! is not for you!!

Quote:

Originally posted by tupuc

Military is the way out for people that don't have the means to reach their long term goals...

ouch! that's a gross generalisation, mate.

Unless you want to get somekind of traing you cant otherwise afford, like flight school etc, i say screw it.
But if you had to pick, i would only go with coastguard, and it seems like thats the way your skills are pointing anyway.

Quote:

Originally posted by tupuc

Military is the way out for people that don't have the means to reach their long term goals, military provides pretty much all the benefits for low income type of individuals in general, those who really think they can make a difference and don't see the military as a source of income and a quick 50 G's if they are sent to Irak maybe that's their path in life but you man, you have a Bachelors in Science! you are made man, go and find a good scholarship in one of the hundreds of colleges throughout the country and get your masters! You are more than half way through NO MILITARY! is not for you!!

Congratulations.....you have just managed to piss off a sizable portion of the posters here on WBW, myself included. FYI...it is spelled "Iraq", lost some credibility points on that one Mr. Higher Education.

I voted AF cause that's what I am. I'd say go one extreme or the other, AF or MC. Good Luck.

Good Game

EDIT : And to the asshat up above talking about military being a "way out" and "you have your degree, don't join" whatever, that's BS. First of all, in my job field over 20% of us have our BS and over 80% of those that are left have some college experience. And we're just the enlisted people.

I'm going to stop there; there are more than enough people on here that know that you're an idiot. Maybe just ignorant, but the fact that you try to sound like you know what you're talking about makes you an idiot in my book.

Speaking of books, go read one.

Last time i checked if you served or if you didn't you still have the right to voice an opinion, crack jokes (after all it is a JOKE) but i guess you makosurfer and hougy are now making the rules for free speech, i do agree it is one thing to downgrade and criticize the military, if you have not served, but as i say where are the book of rules on Jokes? I've never seen one? Jokes seem to cross ever political. ethnic, gender etc line, but, it's a fuckin' joke, get over yourselves

Quote:

Originally posted by Fannyman

I am in the Royal Air Force, but as for the yanks, the coastguard is probably best, you wont be firing on friendlies then.

Like when we fired on friendlies back in WWII?

Quote:

Originally posted by ev1l0ne

[reply=tupuc]
Military is the way out for people that don't have the means to reach their long term goals, military provides pretty much all the benefits for low income type of individuals in general, those who really think they can make a difference and don't see the military as a source of income and a quick 50 G's if they are sent to Iraq maybe that's their path in life but you man, you have a Bachelors in Science! you are made man, go and find a good scholarship in one of the hundreds of colleges throughout the country and get your masters! You are more than half way through NO MILITARY! is not for you!!

Congratulations.....you have just managed to piss off a sizable portion of the posters here on WBW, myself included. FYI...it is spelled "Iraq", lost some credibility points on that one Mr. Higher Education.
[/reply]

If you speak more than 1 language you would understand people tend to make this type of mistakes dumbass not all the world speaks english like people tend to think in the US, iraq can be spelled in spanish and german as IRAK. And about the issue with the education, i added to my comment that generally that's the way "SOME" low income type of dudes think, I'm sorry but my father in law and uncle joined the military for that reason, and a bunch of friends have joined because you get fucking tons of cash for being shipped to "IRAQ" or being in the reserve, I also added that if he truly feels that that's his path in life then it's understandable but only if he sees the military as a profession not as a fucking lottery ticket, I admire people in the military but only those who were born to be army men, if you felt personally targeted I'm sorry but that's not my problem, the problem is within yourself

P.S. I added "SOME" because as I see nowadays sensitivity is really high among "some" army men

I myself am biased to the Army serving 14 years in May, but for you I would say the Coast Guard or Navy. with your skills and interest that is the way to go. As for the other dick saying it is a way out, there are alot easier ways out then this. If you want to talk about it, do it, then maybe you can get some other idiot to join your wagon. I am sure enough people will be around to tip it over on you.

Quote:

Originally posted by tupuc

[reply=ev1l0ne]
[reply=tupuc]
Military is the way out for people that don't have the means to reach their long term goals, military provides pretty much all the benefits for low income type of individuals in general, those who really think they can make a difference and don't see the military as a source of income and a quick 50 G's if they are sent to Iraq maybe that's their path in life but you man, you have a Bachelors in Science! you are made man, go and find a good scholarship in one of the hundreds of colleges throughout the country and get your masters! You are more than half way through NO MILITARY! is not for you!!

Congratulations.....you have just managed to piss off a sizable portion of the posters here on WBW, myself included. FYI...it is spelled "Iraq", lost some credibility points on that one Mr. Higher Education.
[/reply]

If you speak more than 1 language you would understand people tend to make this type of mistakes dumbass not all the world speaks english like people tend to think in the US, iraq can be spelled in spanish and german as IRAK. And about the issue with the education, i added to my comment that generally that's the way "SOME" low income type of dudes think, I'm sorry but my father in law and uncle joined the military for that reason, and a bunch of friends have joined because you get fucking tons of cash for being shipped to "IRAQ" or being in the reserve, I also added that if he truly feels that that's his path in life then it's understandable but only if he sees the military as a profession not as a fucking lottery ticket, I admire people in the military but only those who were born to be army men, if you felt personally targeted I'm sorry but that's not my problem, the problem is within yourself

P.S. I added "SOME" because as I see nowadays sensitivity is really high among "some" army men
[/reply]


http://whatboyswant.com/forum_rules/

Well you broke several of them with that last post.

Quote:

Originally posted by tupuc

P.S. I added "SOME" because as I see nowadays sensitivity is really high among "some" army men

and women!

Toujours prêt!

I've been in the Corps for many years. I believe my path has been the best for me after a long ride with other Services. It sounds to me that your best bet would be the Air Force. The Air Force treats soldiers good, and you don't do a lot of deployments, or relocation. If thats what your looking for is to be away from your family and home, join the USMC. My father has been an officer in the Corps since the day I was born. I moved every two years. Now that I'm enlisted, I've also moved every two years. If your looking to rank fast, Air Force would be a good route. To all Marines Semper

I'll start off by suggesting the Navy, Then the Coast Guard. Those both have plenty of options. Check into the academies, they may take you straight in an pay off your college debt. Whatever you do with the Military, remeber one thing ALL recruiters lie, every word is a lie. So get it in writing, before You sign anything! Everybody has the right to free speech and to express any opinion they want about your situation. But having spent 10 years in the Navy; I along with the others on here who actually served feel we have the most accurate information to advise you with, some positive some negative. The ones who haven't served really aren't offering much beyond inane rhetoric and conjecture. But make up your own mind, do all the research you can. If you live near a base of any branch, Call or visit it. Ask the folks on here questions, You can PM me all you like with them. No branch of the Military is good for everybody and some people aren't cut out for it at all. In the end, I believe if you do go through with it, you will be glad you did. I know I am.


And for anyone who thinks the NAVY has it easy.Tell that to the Sailors on the USS Tripoli, the USS Cole or the USS Stark to name a few. I saw very little combat myself, but I did see it for what it is worth.
Coasties see more interdiction action, but they do go overseas, When I was over in the Gulf we worked with CG ships all the time. Just a little more info to consider.

Let us know what you decide, I'm curious.