Need Opinions v. Thinking about contracting with Army ROTC

tubachris85x

Well-Known Hunter

• Feb 18, 2008

• #1

Well just as the title says, Ive been thinking alot lately about contracting with the ROTC here. Most of my reasons would be because Ive been wanting to goin into the military for along time, and plus, if I contract, I will getting paid monthly.

The Pro's:
-Money
-Become an officer
-Get physically fit (which I need to)
-Cool people

The con's:
-required 8 years of service after colllege (I can do 6 reserve and 2 active..or was it the other way around?) (EDIT: I mean in terms of time away from friends, family. I would GLADLY defend my country, especially for our current situation)
-Getting deployed somewhere

I know quite a few members here are prior service, so I ask for their input. One thing that Im still wary of, is that I spent 7 years of my life in the Naval seacadet corp, so naturally, I want to go Navy, but I cant because the only navy rotc is at FAMU, and it I would have to do a cross-town, but I dont have my own car.

So these are my reasons, for awhile, Ive been wanting to, but I just cant decide just yet

Thanks

-tubachris

 

Last edited by a moderator: Feb 18, 2008

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slave1pilot

Well-Known Hunter

• Feb 18, 2008

• #2

Getting deployed is not a CON, it's a PRO.
Getting the opportunity to actually defend your country is quite an honor .

 

tubachris85x

Well-Known Hunter

• Feb 18, 2008

• #3

slave1pilot said:

Getting deployed is not a CON, it's a PRO.
Getting the opportunity to actually defend your country is quite an honor .

Click to expand...

Well I didnt mean it in that manner, just the time away from family. I wouldnt be joining any military if I didnt want to serve...

 

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slave1pilot

Well-Known Hunter

• Feb 18, 2008

• #4

tubachris85x said:

Well I didnt mean it in that manner, just the time away from family. I wouldnt be joining any military if I didnt want to serve...

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Understood. My apologies if I sounded harsh.
( I'm a little touchy when it comes to military service )
Some people do sign up "just for the college money"

Time away from family can also be a good thing.
Helps young men mature & become self-sufficient.

IIRC you can enlist for 2 years active (depending on MOS) & do 6 years Inactive Reserve.

 

tubachris85x

Well-Known Hunter

• Feb 18, 2008

• #5

slave1pilot said:

Understood. My apologies if I sounded harsh.
( I'm a little touchy when it comes to military service )
Some people do sign up "just for the college money"

Time away from family can also be a good thing.
Helps young men mature & become self-sufficient.

IIRC you can enlist for 2 years active (depending on MOS) & do 6 years Inactive Reserve.

Click to expand...

Im used to being away from family, being in seacadets, I would spend many weeks, up to month away for trainings, come home for a week, and then leave again. Been like that since I was 12

The way Im thinking now, is that if Im eventually going to join, I might as well start now. I understand your feelings about the money thing, and I hate people who just do it for the money too, but Im desperatly in need of money these days, I am living on my own now. Im relying on financial aid money and my parents. As much as it helps every now and then, its not a very reliable source of income. I do have a job, but Im not really making much as a busser

 

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cojake

Hunter

• Feb 18, 2008

• #6

I spent 6 years in the Marines. I often joke that it was the million dollar experience I wouldnt do again for a million dollars.
On the positive side, I made some great friends and share a bond with others that have served. It looks great on a resume. I work in law enforcement as a correctional officer and my past military experience was a big, big plus in addition to college. It also helped pay for my college.

On the negative side, I remember throwing my wedding together in 11 days before getting activated for Desert Storm/Desert Shield. ( my 17 year anniversary is this Friday!) It is hard on families being separated on deployments. There are a lot of politics involved. You have to learn to play along and go with the flow. Some of the military logic defies all reason:rolleyes
This is a huge descision that should not be taken lightly. I considered it an honor to serve. Good luck! Jason

 

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whistle8mp

Active Hunter

• Feb 18, 2008

• #7

If I were you I'd just go full time and get it over with. The way things look with the new elections, Iraq is going to be a thing of the past. But I can gaurantee at least another four years of combat in the suck. Either way it will get you where you want to go.

 

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Col Chopper

Hunter

• Feb 18, 2008

• #8

Cool I am in USNSCC too which division are you in I am in Constitution Division

 

tubachris85x

Well-Known Hunter

• Feb 18, 2008

• #9

Col.Chopper said:

Cool I am in USNSCC too which division are you in I am in Constitution Division

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I was in the Spruance division in ft lauderdale for 7 years I was LPO my last year, and CG commander

 

Halo 1

Well-Known Hunter

• Feb 19, 2008

• #10

It's a big decision and one that requires alot of thinking on your part...I myself served in the Singapore Armed Forces for 2.5 years [late 90s] as a Combat Field Engineer, E5, Section Leader. When my Active Stint ended, I served another 13 years in the Reserves, same vocation.

Learned alot, made new friends, and the best bit? Worked with Demo and loved it so much that I always got picked to blow the biggest structures.

It's a giant step in self reliance, and very much an honor in serving your country. IMHO, it's a win win situation [shades of Pauly Shore in In The Army Now. 8)].

Good luck!

Tim.

 

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Spacescopie

Jr Hunter

• Feb 19, 2008

• #11

Currently serving in the RAF and work very closely with the USAF.

Every job has its pro's and cons, but not every job offers the life changing opertunities that the military does.

You guys are lucky, in the US you are treated like heros, unlike here in the UK where the public turn the other cheek.

Take the opertunity, you wont regret it. Even if you only do a short time you'll exit the service having seen the world and developed yourself as a person exponentially over your college peers.

Go for it!