18 and considering military?

Army OCS is now closed to non-prior service indivuduals without completed degrees, prior service can still switch over with 90 credits. Active Duty just dropped the age to 30 too. (ARNG is still the same atm)

 

Hasn’t Army OCS (Federal) at Ft. Benning required for some time now that non-prior service direct entry OCS applicants possess a bachelor degree? I know they did back in 1974 as did the Marine Corps when I was at OCS in Quantico.

 

I served in the army from 83-86 so my experience is dated. I had a year and a half of college an this got me E3 going in. It wasn't that bg of a deal but every little bit helps, right?

A few thoughts:
*Basic training is tough and the drill sergeants will make it sure it is, no matter what. However, being in good physical condition will help tremendously. By good physical condition I mean be able to do 80-100 consecutive pushups in 2 minutes, as many situps, 15-20 chinups, and run 2 miles in under 13 minutes and 5 miles in under 40 minutes.

*Learn to march in step before arriving.

*Learn when not to speak. The old adage "It's better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt" rings true in the military.

*Set up an allotment to a savings account for the paycheck from day one. Pick a frugal budget and stick to it. Room and board are covered so banking more than half shouldn't be a problem.

*Infantry is where the promotions are. It's also where the bullets fly.

*Probably the best job I saw was clerk/typist. This requires knowing how to type.

*One can attend college classes in the evening. Usually only one or two at a time, but it can be done. I imagine that today distance learning is an option.

*I suggest avoiding the reserves, at least initially. On active duty you know you are getting paid and you are on call. In the reserves, they mess up your plans with long deployments.

*We are at war, and this means people get hurt and people die. I'm not going to push a religion, but get a relationship with God before you get there.

 

Your advice is not lost on me, I appreciate your perspective. I also appreciate your service, thank you!

 

He's following this thread, thank you for your advice. I'm hoping he will consider ROTC, I mistakenly didn't think we had a program near us. We do, it's about 75 miles away with dorms. I like that they do 2 years without commitment, and he can get a taste of the experience long before decision time. Like the poster before you said, he's young and doesn't have the life experience to make a truly informed decision- thats where his dad and I come into play (hopefully) but we are lacking in this area to be sure!

 

I can't agree with this at all. What kind of job you can get after your life in the military really depends on what you trained for while in the service. There are many specialized military jobs, for example, that pay quite well after leaving the service. Just a couple of these include aircraft mechanics and air traffic control operators.

If you receive training for either of these jobs while in the military, not only do you get free training, but each of these is worth around 60 credit hours through TESC. There are many other Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges that will award a large chunk of college credit for military training.

And the pay isn't too shabby either. Air Traffic Control dudes routinely earn close to six figures.

There are many different military specialties that are like this....I just pulled a couple of examples out of a hat.

 

Let's not forget that you actually get experience! Something a degree/college can not assure.

 

AV8R -

Good points, but there is also the need in the military for grunts, cooks, truck drivers, receptionists, maintenance personnel, janitors, etc (10 fold that of air traffic controllers and aircraft mechanics). A very small percentage of the total military population gets the opportunity to serve in roles that lead to equally, or greater, opportunities professionally in a civilian capacity. My purpose to the OP was to give the "other" side of the military, the one that the majority of people experience, not the minority.

I was fortunate, I was trained as an Accountant. I also was able to join a Reconnaissance group after my formal schooling, and eventually Ground Defense Security Forces, I got to play G.I. Joe and get a good foundation of education. But the true reality is, all the "good" jobs go fast and not everybody who should get them do.

I think it is unfair to give the OP nothing but glorified opportunities when those who have served know they are the exception versus the norm. I think Perrymk said it best, "we are at war..." With that being said, these parents need all of the realities and possibilities to help their son make a life changing decision.

 

Thanks, I respectfully accept both sides of the coin. OTOH, this isn't my decision- it's his. Should he change his mind, I'd be here asking what's the best suggestions for this that or the other path. Within the context of his decision, I'll take all the feedback I can get. I am, however, his teacher...so that part I DO have control over.

 

I recall when different representatives from the various Marine MOS branches visited our class at The Basic School in Quantico in an attempt to recruit for their various military specialty areas, there was an air traffic controller Captain. He looked worn out (e.g., very thin and almost decrepit in appearance), but in actuality he was probably about only about 25-26 years-old; was very high-strung and a chain smoker. I remember him mentioning that it took several hours with air traffic controllers just to make the transition (hand-off) from one shift to another. Needless to say, I didn’t choose air traffic control as my primary MOS.

 

Pick wisely!

I think he's headed in the right direction by doing his homework. I didn't have a clue before I enlisted and my recruiter screwed me over good.

 

Nah... just drop him off at a recruiter's office and let them take care of it. He'll be E-1 on his way to 88 Mike in Afghanistan dodging IED's before you know it. EZ!

(jk btw)

 

My co-workers husband just got into Active Duty Army OCS at 35 years old. He is a prior service Navy E-6.

 

I'm sure he did, this just came outta USAREC Jan. 1st.

 

I definitely see your point. That's one of the reasons why I recommended ROTC before entering active duty. This way a person gets to train for a specific career (on the government's dime) before entering the service. If a young person is smart and chooses a major that leads directly to a great career (both in the military and civilian world), that person is set up for life and will not end up as a cook, grunt, etc.

 

Not taking this personally, but both my husband and I are chefs.

 

My stepson graduated from a very good university with a BS degree in Business and Economics - he started his career as a server (so he could ski days) in a good restaurant chain, worked his way up to cook, then chief chef, then manager. He earned an excellant salary and benefits (it was funny to see him ordering fish and other items at midnight for the following days menu).

 

And being prior service drops your "age". So if he was prior service Navy E-6 he probably served, conservatively, 8 years active duty making his age for OCS purposes 27. Over 30 no-go, prior service of course they will bend a bit.

 

Not taking this personally, but I was a grunt and some of the most amazing people I met were Marine Corps infantry. A few made sacrifices that most egomaniacal narcissists...err I mean pilots could ever imagine, I can show you some obits if you'd like.

I also recommend people do ROTC or some sort of officer route. What's wrong with looking for leadership and getting more money? However, you can also participate in one of the many enlisted to officer programs that the services have if someone does go enlisted.

Good luck to your son Jen,

C