thinking about joining

ktravelet · 10-05-2007, 08:23 AM

So I'm currently a physics major in college, and once I get out I was planning on going to grad school for engineering. Is there any option in the military that I could go for 2-4 years with some engineering field. Like the army corp of engineers. I would like to serve for my country, and just getting some options out there.

nater · 10-06-2007, 01:04 PM

When I joined 4+ years ago, the minimum enlistment for the Army was 2 years. But to be eligible for full GI bill benifits, you have to sign up for a minimum of 3 years. I singed up for 3 years and enrolled in the GI bill. It is a good thing I did, because I will be going back to college for another degree when I get out of the Army in 6 months. Joining the military to serve your country is a very commendable reason to join up. That is why I did it as well. Just be aware that with the war in Iraq and the frequent deployments there, you have a very good chance of being in the military longer than the amount of time you sign up for. I signed up for 3 years and will end up having spent close to 5 years in. If you are pretty sure you do not want to make a career out of the military, then go the enlisted route rather than the officer route and make sure you sign up for the GI bill when you enlist. An officer's job is less rewarding, in my opinion, as it involves more politics and less taking care of soldiers. Plus it is easier to serve less time in the military as an enlisted soldier. Officers who think they are just going to serve 4 years or so seem to get sucked in and become lifers for some reason.

ktravelet · 10-06-2007, 10:21 PM

hmm, well that enlightening, thanks. Anybody else out here? I'm really interested to hear from an engineer enlisted.

coronadozx · 10-07-2007, 01:14 AM

why aren't you considering coming in as a commissioned officer? just asking.

you should talk to the enlisted recruiter and then the officer recruiter to weigh all your options.

also, don't concentrate solely on the army, the usaf is a great branch for education.

nater · 10-07-2007, 09:39 AM

When I was in Iraq, the engineers I knew spent all day every day running all over the place blowing up IEDs.

down_on_monday · 10-07-2007, 11:20 AM

I would look at all branches if I were you. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely pro Army. lol.

rekab_tx · 10-07-2007, 01:49 PM

I know that the Army just finished a program where you signed on the dotted line for 2yr stint and you would head striaght over to sandland after you completed training...Plus you got a $20k bonus if you shipped out before SEPT 30. It worked pretty well, I bet the Army will offer something similar again soon.

kgrand_2000 · 10-07-2007, 08:35 PM

Someone chime in if I am wrong, but you can achieve both of your goals in any of the branches of service. THe GI Bill is awesome, but while you are in, you can use your tuition assistance to further your education as well. That way, if for some reason you do not complete your goal of completing grad school, you can use your GI Bill. Basically, if you KNOW you can complete grad school within your enlistment, I would just use the tuition assistance to achieve that goal and leave the GI bill alone. If you sign up for the GI bill and don't use it, that will be money taken from your check that you can't get back. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

coronadozx · 10-07-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgrand_2000

Someone chime in if I am wrong, but you can achieve both of your goals in any of the branches of service. THe GI Bill is awesome, but while you are in, you can use your tuition assistance to further your education as well. That way, if for some reason you do not complete your goal of completing grad school, you can use your GI Bill. Basically, if you KNOW you can complete grad school within your enlistment, I would just use the tuition assistance to achieve that goal and leave the GI bill alone. If you sign up for the GI bill and don't use it, that will be money taken from your check that you can't get back. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

you're right, you get the gi bill with all services. with the navy, you can sign up for GI Bill booster, where you contribute a little bit more than the $100 a month and get more from the GI Bill. when you get out, you have 10 years to use the GI Bill you've earned while in.

i believe, however, that as an officer all your graduate tuition is covered, not so with the enlisted. tuition assistance only covers a certain amount of graduate tuition.

what is different b/t services is advanced schools while you are in.

Rascus · 10-07-2007, 08:53 PM

With that type of degree I think a better option would be for you to take the officer route. Get into the engineering field of it, maybe even become a Nuke officer. You would probably score well for it if you're a physics major.

Keyboard Ninja · 10-08-2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coronadozx

you're right, you get the gi bill with all services. with the navy, you can sign up for GI Bill booster, where you contribute a little bit more than the $100 a month and get more from the GI Bill. when you get out, you have 10 years to use the GI Bill you've earned while in.

The USAF has the "Kicker" program as well. You just pay an additional $600 towards your GI Bill, and it'll pay out more when you need to use it. I don't know the exact figures, but I went ahead and did it. I'm going to be in till 2010, so I figured $20 a month for 30 months wasn't a bad deal lol.

nater · 10-17-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyboard Ninja

The USAF has the "Kicker" program as well. You just pay an additional $600 towards your GI Bill, and it'll pay out more when you need to use it. I don't know the exact figures, but I went ahead and did it. I'm going to be in till 2010, so I figured $20 a month for 30 months wasn't a bad deal lol.

The Army has the same program.

BigDaddyK · 10-18-2007, 01:22 AM

They all have that program.