The Future..

[BFMF]

Haha..if i get that high up in the army i will stay on

But anyone whos ever served in the army here on simv, comments about what life in the army is like and what life on operations are like would be greatly appreciated!

I loved the Army, but hated Vietnam. If not for injuries forcing me out, I would have retired from the Army.

The benefits are without equal in most of the job market in the US. You get signing bonus's, reenlistment bonus's, pay increases with each pay grade and cost of living raises. You also have ongoing education during your service. You can get the government to pay for college. You get a clothing allowance and a housing allowance. You get free medical for life as well as your wife and children (theirs ends when they turn 18) also get free medical. You also get very low interest loans for purchasing a home through the VA after you retire or leave the service (as long as it's an honorable discharge).

This is just what I can remember, Andrew can probably give you a much more up to date list of benefits in the US Army. I'm sure the British Army must have an equivalent type of benefit structure.

That mostly sums it up. I really can't think of anything else except Space A on military flights, and little perks like shopping on military bases, cheaper haircuts on base(I was surprised to see how expensive haircuts are in the civilian world. $14 is insane!), and other little things like various discounts. I've gotten military discounts at airshows, resteraunts, movie theaters, and I even get a military discount on my cell phone plan. Not to mention when i'm in public while in uniform, people don't see me as just a kid, and I get a lot more respect. Also,  if you ever go to a bar in your dress uniform, people tend to give you free drinks... 8-)

[eno]

eno, EX Royal Engineer ...... Can be a fantastic career ..... can be boring as hell.... can have you sh**ing yourself .... can have you falling over laughing.
Make sure you get exactly what you want out of it ..... and don't expect to have it offered... sometimes you'll have to battle for it. I was fortunate enough not to have been sent to Northern Ireland and other than on exercise never fired a shot in anger. I was unfortunate in so much as I was pulled away from regular duties and stopped at HQ as the CO's driver... A cushy number but mind numbingly boring.

The main warning I will give anyone entering the services today is, that if you are expecting to stay in the UK playing at being a serviceman think again. YOU WILL be sent off to do it for real at some point more likely sooner rather than later, so be prepared to be shot at.

[C]

That mostly sums it up. I really can't think of anything else except Space A on military flights, and little perks like shopping on military bases, cheaper haircuts on base(I was surprised to see how expensive haircuts are in the civilian world. $14 is insane!), and other little things like various discounts. I've gotten military discounts at airshows, resteraunts, movie theaters, and I even get a military discount on my cell phone plan.

Mmm, in the UK we get the MOD discount website (used to be a book). We don't have the fortune to access US BXs as much as we used to do (not at all in the UK), and the only shops we get on base are SPAR... Military discounts don't exist at airshows, but you can get 20% off at Burger King (thank heavens for US companies! ). Some housing companies will also offer fairly substantial discounts on the up front costs of property (deposits, stamp duty etc) to pull people onto the housing market...

In short, they are around in the UK, but you won't have them offered up front...

Not to mention when i'm in public while in uniform, people don't see me as just a kid, and I get a lot more respect. Also,  if you ever go to a bar in your dress uniform, people tend to give you free drinks... 8-)

Quite a no-no over in the UK. Uniform in public rules were relaxed following the "cease fire" in Northern Ireland. Sadly world events and direct terrorist threats against UK forces (such as kidnapping) has again made identifying yourself as a member of the forces not always advisable, which in one's own country is a disgusting state of affairs.

[Romulus111VADT]

[quote]

That mostly sums it up. I really can't think of anything else except Space A on military flights, and little perks like shopping on military bases, cheaper haircuts on base(I was surprised to see how expensive haircuts are in the civilian world. $14 is insane!), and other little things like various discounts. I've gotten military discounts at airshows, resteraunts, movie theaters, and I even get a military discount on my cell phone plan. Not to mention when i'm in public while in uniform, people don't see me as just a kid, and I get a lot more respect. Also,

[aussiewannabe]

Just make sure your MOS (Military Occupation Specialties) will translate into a civilian job. Not much call for tank commanders, gunners, loaders or drivers in the civilian sector.

That is so true!

A former co-worker of mine at a yearbook publishing company was a former Captain who worked as a tank commander in the US Army. Wonder what he's doing now?

[Ben R]

Well..im planning to go off to war...that generally what going into the army is like lol

thanks guys for all the advice! its greatly appreciated!

[Camel_Moe]

Boy oh boy, I'll tell you what.  The US Army really was a high point in my life. If it suits you it can be a wonderful career.
I myself went the route of MP, and was perfectly content to be a lifer.
Didn't make it that long. Docs forced me out in the early 1990's with PTSD and two messed up knee joints, among other things.
Just has easy as it can be a gatway to your future, the millitary can also can go very very bad for a person.
I wish you luck, and I hope you want it bad enough to make it work for you, but my advice is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Always have a backup plan in case the millitary doesn't work out. Very few primary plans work out entirely has intended when put under fire.  Allways be ready to be flexible and adjust for what comes.....

[Ravang]

Andrew is right about getting flights cheap, my son's wife flew from Norfolk to Rome round trip for $120.00 USD.

Your right my mom and my grandparents (Grandfather was in the Air Force)  flew from Germany to the US for $15, but that was for a 1st class ticket in a C-130 cargo bay