20m currently talking to a recruiter for the airforce, and I’m stuck between the military or college. I can’t really afford college and I don’t wanna go into debt. I’m also not sure if I wanna sign away my freedom just because it’ll help get me through college yk? 20s are you’re have fun while you’re young stages. Is there anyone who can give me some advice on what to do?

Trying to join Army. I can’t hide my self harm scars so I told my recruiter about it and he said it won’t be a problem. But I’m afraid to talk about the 72 hr hold (Texas) because what if I can’t get in? I already have to get a waiver for a maryjane possession from a decade ago (1 gram) and ADHD that I’ve been off meds for for about 6 years. Civilian life is so wack. No career even though I have a college degree. I’m 28 and poor….when I get the self harm waiver and the psych eval will that just take care of everything??? Both were only one time things and they happened around the same time. I hate Genesis. I wish I could just lie about all of it. I know they’re so particular about mental health because they’re afraid of people hurting themselves once they’re in. But nothing makes me sadder than being dirt ooor all the time. I just want a career

I have always had a pretty unrealistic fear of needles, to the point it has almost been crippling. While I know the ultimate answer is I am going to have to get over it because I will be poked A LOT. However, does anyone have any recommendations or just advice on what I could do to make it easier on myself before going in? Would I be able to get any of the mandated vaccines prior to basic?

I do not want something as insignificant as a fear of needles keep me from a rewarding career, but it is genuinely the only thing I can think about that makes me second guess it at all.

I appreciate any help and advice!

Considering joining the army if that matters. I’m still discussing with parents rn cause im 17 and need their consent to start the process but im just curious. I have an ipad which I mainly use to study, my garmin watch, and my beat headphones. They all cost quite a bit. Will they be allowed in basic? Also I heard that after basic most people go straight to AIT which I plan to do. Should I bring my electronics to basic so I can take them with me after I’m done to AIT?

Thank you

i’m a 21 yr old female trying to join the usaf, i already did my asvab and i scored pretty high. i also went to meps and it was smooth sailing until the end of my physical with a doc. they saw on my charts that i had asthma when i was 7 but no longer have been prescribed any sort of inhaler since i was 13. they also saw that i had some psych issues pop up. when i was in college i met with a therapist for some guidance because i was super stressed with my college course load, family issues, and a really abusive boyfriend who’s mood i could never predict. long story short, because of my circumstance my therapist diagnosed me with bpd and i took meds for maybe a month (all of this happened in 2023). but after breaking up w said boyfriend and getting other things handled i felt completely fine emotionally and mentally and even stopped seeing a therapist. i’ve been on a on going battle before thinking about joining to try and get the diagnosis off my chart bc i really do think it was a miss diagnosis, and i even put that out there w the doc at meps and she seemed to understand that it was situational. im really concerned that this just fucked up my chances of joining the usaf or ANY branch for that matter. am i fucked? any advice? has anyone been in my shoes before??? did yall get through it?????

Hi! I'm going to meps in about 2 weeks. My roommates are heavy marijuana users. I'm essentially really nervous, because I have informed them that I am going into the military, and to avoid smoking around me, but unfortunately they still do. My recruiter suggested I try an at home weed test, so I did, and it popped for weed(I was expecting this considering they smoke everyday around me, but I try my best to avoid it). Should I be worried? What should I do?

Just went into the doctor and she insisted on blood tests for an unclear reason (vitamin deficiency several years ago that has since been resolved, which didn't make much sense, but whatever) apparently she also tested my cholesterol. Total cholesterol was 236, HDL was 44, LDL was 164, and Triglyceride was 140.

Edit: I am wanting to join the Army specifically.

I have fast heart rate not regularly but, I was nervous at MEPS. I did some research and a Cardiologist can prescribe you a medication called Beta Blockers. The branch i want to join is the Navy. Can it be waived off if I were to get prescribed Beta Blockers medication?

I am halfway through the police Academy. I’m excited to become a police officer. That’s what I always wanted to do. Currently I’m a 68 Mike in the Army Reserve. Don’t know much about MPs in the reserve does it make sense to switch MOS’s down the road to be more similar to what I’m doing in the civilian world?

I have a birth related arachnoid cyst located in the middle cranial fossa that was found in a MRI that i had over a year ago but i am wondering if that would disqualify me from joining the army if it's found in MEPs..

I know this question is asked a lot but I keep debating if I should actually sign up or not. And then theirs the question og reserves or active duty. And I know turmoil is high and with the powers at be are changing. I'm a first semester college student (no loans) and I'm debating if I want to drop out and continue my education later.

So as the title says I failed the refraction test for MEPs and they say I have a diopter higher than 3 but I hold 1st class medical certificate with the FAA which you can't have higher than a 2.00 diopter. I needed to join the military to get my fiancées papers so she can come to the U.S. and we can get married since I know military members can have their loved ones visas expedited. I have had LASIK and my vision is now 20/20 overall with my left being 20/20 but my right being 20/30. Do I need to worry because I needed this to help pay off students loans so me and my fiancée can start off clean with our lives. My recruiter already thinks something is FUBAR with my results since she knows I fly and am about to graduate with a Bachelor's in Aviation Management. I am also 30 years old and have been working out a lot to meet BFM for the military but I have a inch of fat but mostly muscle underneath since I bench 400 lbs without a problem and have been able to do that since I was 22. I've also started running 12 miles on a treadmill at a 10% incline to help with that (took me 3 hours and 45 minutes the first time).

Hello,

I am stuck between the options of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves.

About

• 27M
• BBA in HR, MS in I-O Psychology
• Married, 0 kids
• Wanted to serve originally but wasn't aware of ROTC during college
• Open to officer or enlisted
• Like my civilian HR job and would like the flexibility of both
• Interested in Personnel, Health Safety, or Public Affairs
• Spoke with a ANG recruiter and AF Officer Recruiter

Questions

• Which one deploys more?
• Which would have more career and transfer potential?
• How did you let your civilian job know?
• What are the benefits?
• How has your (answerers) experiences been in either?

I’ll keep this brief. I’m about to have a bachelor’s degree, I’m more street smart than book smart but I get by. I work hard, love being on the ground level and always take care of my guys. I generally rise to leadership positions because I know my people always and I work to earn their respect through consistent effort.

Recently I’ve been torn between enlisting or going officer either army or navy. I’m hesitant to go officer because I’m not a big fan of pushing papers, but I want to do good by good people first and foremost. From guys who have done it, do you think a guy like that should be an officer or could I do more on the ground level? I’m not too prideful to go either way.

Since I'm in a financial bind, I opted to enlist in the Navy at age 28 rather than try to wait to hear back from the officer recruiters. I had lost my job back in December 2023 and struggled getting a job with good enough income to replace my old income, so I burned through my savings and took on debt. I have turned the house I have a mortgage on into a rental, will sell my car, cancel my car insurance, and am due to ship as a Navy Nuke in January. I also am consolidating $25000 of my credit cards into a 4 year repayment plan and will use part of my Nuke bonus to repay the remaining $7000 or so in other debts.

I'm not too worried about being almost too old for most commissioning paths because if I decide to return to the Navy as an officer when my contract ends when I'm 34, I'll get a Master of Social Work and LCSW and try to get in as a Social Worker. I think my time enlisted will end up being an asset in terms of being able to empathize with the mental health of other sailors. The maximum age for a Navy Social Worker is 41, and I think I'll have the LCSW and 2 years post-MSW experience by the time I'm 38.

That said, everything I've said so far leads to the following question:

What makes a social worker officer candidate competitive with the Navy beyond the minimum requirements?

Im planning on joining the Army but feel nervous about this because Ill be leaving both my son and wife. How do you deal with it? Did it workout for you? Can they come with me?

I'm 16M I turn 17 in two months so I still have a little bit till I'd be enlisting; I got a prescription of prozac ( An antidepressant) filled literally today without thinking it would affect my opportunities in the military. I've read that you cant join the military with any past medical history of antidepressants. I don't know how true that is or the process that goes along with it but I need some advice. The military is the one opportunity I have wanted to pursue since I was younger and I don't want to risk that by gambling with a waiver that may or may not deny me. I don't much about the topic so my apologies. Hopefully I'm over thinking it but I'm really worried atm about it so any help would be appreciated!

I am in the process of trying to either commission through a service academy or enlist. Branch doesn’t matter but preferably the Army. I know this is a doctor question but I’m hoping i can get a basis of where I’m at.

Would I be able to obtain a waiver with thoracic scoliosis of 42 degrees and lumbar scoliosis of 20 degrees? It is completely asymptomatic. I am extremely active/fit and experience no pain in activities where scoliosis could typically cause pain (like rucking).

Is it possible? Please help and thank you.

I'm (21m) planning on joining the Army soon. I'm very fascinated by MOS 37F and my only worry is that I really would not like to be a 31B in the event I am not selected. I took an ASVAB practice at my local recruiting office and scored a 96/99, which my recruiter said would mean I could probably pick whichever job I like. I figure I would be a good fit for 37F as my job is in sales and I occasionally work on marketing, and I'm quite good at both. What is the hardest part about being selected for 37F? I'm in good physical shape as my second job is quite physically demanding (warehouse package handler), and I'm going to be physically preparing, so that aspect isn't my biggest concern. Are there any ways I can increase my chance of being selected? I'm also conversational in German, and I have heard second languages help.

I’m in a union apprenticeship with my local UA. I’ve been in the apprenticeship for almost 3 years as a pipefitter/welder. I have thousands of shop hours and around 600 school hours on top of a UA welding certification that’s recognized by my state. My LU is through my state(Iowa). I’m enlisting into the national guard next week. I’ve asked my recruiter about this in February and he kinda swept it under the rug. I texted him again today and didn’t get a response. I’m being told by a friend who is active army that the military offers a program to transfer vocation credits over to be enlisted at a higher rank based on shop and school hours. I’m not sure what this program is. Is there anyone who is familiar with this? I’m hoping to find out before my contract is drawn up.

edit: I’m enlisting with MOS 94E. I do enough trade work during my 40 that I don’t think I’m interested in doing it in the national guard too.

Hey everyone,

I’m 20M working in offensive cybersecurity (penetration testing for 3 years) and have been thinking about joining the military as a reservist (probably between the Air Force and Navy). I do not have a college degree yet, have DoD compliant certifications, and recently moved near the DC area.

As I’m considering to join the military, are there particular branches and job paths you would recommend that’s in-line with offensive cybersecurity operations as a reservist? I have heard conflicting things before where the Air Force is a major player within cybersecurity, but I’ve also heard the Navy has a more significant impact in offensive roles as a cryptologic technician. I would want a role that’s technical and preferably avoid clerical work.

I’m doing well, but I feel that my life is pretty mundane since I didn’t go to college and have been craving a sense of adventure for a long time. I’m also very interested in serving my country if I can take a role that’s aligned with my skill set in offensive cyber network operations, Windows/Linux penetration testing, exploit development, etc.

Thank you!

This might be a rather odd questions. I’m currently already serving in the army and I am looking to start my own family. I was seeing the army has any programs for me to have a surrogate child and if that would even be allowed in the army. I don’t plan on doing it now however I am waiting for financial stability and later progression in my career.

Currently a freshman in college (19M) and am planning on joining the military after I graduate with my bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, which is about 3 years down the road. I am looking to Pursue a career in Federal Law Enforcement eventually, specifically the U.S. Marshals Service. I was wondering what would be the best Path military wise to take as far as either Army, Air Force Etc. ?And what MOS/ job should I be looking to go into in the military that would put me on the best path towards eventually getting into Federal work? I realize it is still a few years down the road but I am trying to develop a good mental pathway to ensure I take all the proper steps in order to achieve my dreams.

Open to all opinions thank you.

I failed to file tax returns for two years a couple years back. I just worked a normal, low wage job with taxes withheld from my pay, and don’t own any property or any other sources of income.

I know I should’ve asked my recruiter but it got lost in the slew of other issues we had to resolve and I’m going to MEPS at the beginning of next week to enlist in the army. I’m not taking a job that requires any sort of clearance. Will this prevent me from enlisting?

Hey y’all! I met with a Army recruiter yesterday and after talking to him, it sounds like there are way more opportunities to promote in the Army than USAF (which I was originally trying to get into) and eventually get to a position I would really want, which is working in CID. I’m now fully planning to enlist. After BT I would be entering as E-4, because I have a bachelors degree in Mass Communications. My MOS would be 46S.

I have a marijuana possession on my record from 2014 when I was a freshman in college (1 gram) but my recruiter says that won’t be a problem. I’m planning on getting another degree (this time for Criminal Justice) while I’m serving.

Not going to lie, a lot of what they were saying in regards to getting to CID kind of sounded too good to be true. I’m not really giving all the details, but what I’m really wondering is how often do people who put in a packet for CID actually get accepted?

I just got back from meps, sword in dep for air force with the hope and goal of going into intel/ cyber in space force. I have one waiver for financial issues, I have 3 lines of credit totalling about 7000 dollars. 2 of these are in collections but on a payment plan the 3rd was not set up to pay yet as I am a little tight working at Walmart. Do I need to have all 3 in payment plans or does the waiver itself deny me an SJC Code?

Thank you.

Im currently going through MEPS and I lied about a suicide attempt that happened over 2 years ago. Regardless, my recruiter had "hidden" my documented suicide attempt from the waiver overlords. I'm not going to sign anything until I come clean because I don't want to get blindsided during my military career and end up getting dishonorably discharged for fraudulent enlistment.

Regardless, is the waiver eligibility for a suicide attempt 2 years post attempt, or is it more? I don't know whether or not they have changed eligibility for waivers. I haven't spoken to my recruiter in a while but I'm planning on confronting him about hiding my documents soon. Is MEPS going to be forgiving, or am I officially disqualified forever?

I am joining the Army by the way.

Shipping out for the Coast Guard in February and I have a question regarding how this whole going to college while active duty thing works. Long sorry short, I want to go college (ole miss preferably bc it’s very high acceptance rate and it’s cheap and I never liked high school so my grades were pretty buns, like a 2.9 GPA). I’ve done some research and stuff but my question is, is it possible for me to attend college on campus and be a normal college kid yk and hopefully join a frat or whatever, within my first year of being in the Coast Guard. Another question is, if so, I know that u have to serve a certain amount of time before the government gives me the GI bill to pay for college, but is it possible for me to go to college before I’ve served that certain amount to earn the GI bill?

In a perfect world I would ship within 45 days of enlistment, that bonus is very attractive to me. My recruiter however insists that it’s almost never available and the likelihood of leaving within 45 days is very slim. Is he being transparent or just trying to meet the November quota? This is for army if it makes any difference

Just finished a meeting with my army recruiter, and they said several things that I’m a little skeptical about so I’d appreciate if y’all could help me verify some things…

1. The MOS I really want is 35L (CI). It was not available at this time because the recruiter claims it is a “unicorn MOS.” I said I was willing to wait a couple months to see if it would open up before I go with something else, but they said it definitely would not because they have only seen it available during the summer because that is when high school seniors are enlisting, plus it is toward the end of the fiscal year, so they get a big wave of jobs coming in.

2. They said, if I pick a different job, after I finish basic, AIT, and am at my first unit for a few months, if I’ve proven I’m a good soldier with good PT and no counseling, then I can submit a packet to reclass to 35L, and my COC would be pretty much guaranteed to approve it and I could reclass to 35L no problem at pretty much any time… Does this sound likely?

3. They also said that even if I was somehow not able to reclass in the middle of my contract, then I can reclass if I re-enlist, and they can guarantee me re-enlistment for 35L.

4. When I went to MEPS, they did not give me the airborne physical, so I am not qualified for airborne to be added to my initial enlistment contract, unless I go back to MEPS just for that physical. However, the recruiter claims that airborne recruiters come to ALL basic training classes and all I have to do is volunteer and this is a guaranteed way to go to airborne school even though it’s not in my contract.

5. In addition to the airborne recruiters, they also claimed that Ranger recruiters come to ALL basic classes and all I’d have to do is volunteer to go to RASP then, even though op. 40 wouldn’t be on my contract.