I am 24M going to enlist in the military, but I can’t decide which branch to join. I want a job in IT/Cybersecurity. I have 100+ college credits and would like to get my degree and a couple of IT certifications. I also have a wife and daughter too.

Based on this which would be the better choice? Also since I have college credits, could I enter at a higher rank than e1 in either the AF or Army? Also not looking to be separated from my family, do both branches help bring your family when you get assigned to your base? Does this change if you are assigned overseas? And I keep hearing the AF is better, but what does that mean exactly? Lastly, is there a better branch for help getting my degree and certs?

I was looking to join army active duty, and do that possibly I scored a 78 on the asvab and wanted to know if I’m wasting potential on my score and should I do something better?

My whole reason for even thinking of that mos is because I might want to go to the oil field and do some offshore drilling after the military. Will it make it easier to join those positions with that mos?

I read a lot about 92f and that it sucked and it was boring, any of that true?

So when I was like 16 I burnt myself w a cigarette on my forearm. It’s barely noticeable tbh. Should I worry about possible dq or if they see it should I say someone else burnt me lol

One of my medical waivers was approved and I'm 99% sure that my other waiver will be approved as well. I'm just waiting for an MRI in a week, so I don't really want to nag my recruiter about these types of questions quite yet. But how does leaving for basic training in the army work? I know with the coast guard they fly you out to their bootcamp without going to meps. (I was looking at coast guard before the army so I know a bit more about that process). I'm not going to be leaving right after swearing in it will be a month or two later (I've got some personal stuff I need to finish and take care of first.) Say I go back home to live with family in a different state for a couple weeks before shipping out, would the army pay for me to fly into wherever first? Is there a set day of the week that you leave? I'm just trying to understand the logistics of it all!

Interested in going from civilian hr to 42B

I have been thinking about joining as an officer (hopefully 42B, I know it’s different than civilian HR) through OCS for the past year and keep hearing all of the reasons I shouldn’t join from my dad who was in for 20+. His concern is the low pay and if my spouse and I are both in we would never see each other and grow apart. My boyfriend is encouraging me to think about joining and we are getting married soon no matter what I decide regarding this. I’ve been on the fence for a year now and can’t make a decision.

Im in my mid 20s and have a business degree and a well paying job in Human Resources, but am not satisfied from my work at all. I think that the army is fantastic for teaching discipline and I know I would be more physically fit and proud of what I do if I joined. But, I’m worried about my salary basically being cut in half and if it is worth it or not. I grew up in the lifestyle of moving every two years and have gone through 2 PCSs with my boyfriend so I am fine with the lifestyle part but am worried that my spouses career would have to take precedence because he is an infantry officer and needed specific places while I think(?) an HR mos would be needed anywhere and is more flexible. I want to join to have the life experience and pride in what I do. I don’t necessarily know if I would want to do 20 but I want to at least try and see if I’m a good fit. I want to experience some of the amazing things my boyfriend has had the opportunity to do like airborne.

My main concerns that I’m hoping you guys can help me think through are:

• Is it too late to transition to the Army in my mid 20s? I feel like I just worked towards my role for a couple of years and am just going to give it up. At the time I was in school I didn’t know ROTC was an option and feel like I’m years behind everyone else my age who joined then.

• If anyone is dual army with their spouse what has your experience been? Does someone’s career end up taking precedence?

• 42B MOS - Has anyone worked in civilian HR and then transitioned to this later on? What was your experience like?

Im not sure I feel comfortable disclosing to much about my personal story online but I am interested in joining the military because life hasn’t been that kind to me and I’m kind of in a tough situation. I’m looking for advise on the following

• Age difference (31)
• active/ reserves
• enlisted/officer
• branches
• overall advise

My priority is to join the military and obtain a skill I can apply to the civilian world. I was initially intrigued with Fire protection, Air Traffic Control, or IT.

My number one goal is to raise a family and at 31 I fear that going active will make that difficult, advise on navigating this would be appreciated.

Thank you

I have to get a psych eval anyway for previous medication, if I show up with self harm scars will that be an extra thing or will the psych eval be enough? I’m trying to join the Air Force and I know they’re typically pretty good about waivers, but I already have a MEPS date and I haven’t brought it up to my recruiter

I only ask because I’m just a little nervous about BCT, but so many people have passed I can run two miles at a 7:50 pace and I can only do 15 push ups after gassing out. But so many people have passed BCT, and if people are able to pass navy seal training even though it’s ten times harder than BCT then I feel like I’ll easily be able to make it through if I don’t give up.

Need to get a psych evaluation to submit a waiver. I’m not military but trying my hardest to join. My records got messed up and said I was previously diagnosed with something that I never have been diagnosed with. I’m having the hardest time trying to find a place to get this done at, every time I set up an appointment they tell me they can’t do it and I don’t know why, I just need an evaluation and don’t mind paying for it. Anyone know of any places ? I can do Telehealth.

I’m headed to infantry school and then RASP.

Cell phone. I’ve read that we can have them in basic and some said they get taken from us and if we’re infantry, we don’t get them back until the end of OSUT.

As far as my personal shit like extra clothes and my vehicle can I get that shipped out to me if I’m going Ranger?

Hey everyone, I’m looking to join the army. Problem is i have a bullshit ptsd diagnosis for an mmj card. I haven’t received any form of treatment other than the medical card. Is it possible to get this waived? I no longer use marijuana and I can prove that ptsd does not affect me. I know it was an awful choice and it’s something I wish I hadn’t done.

Let me start off by saying I’m not interested in the legal definition of a veteran. Essentially I’m interested in getting over my shame of not completing my military obligation.

Many moons ago i entered the Army and was going through basic at Ft. Benning (E82 Harmony Church). Towards the end of basic i was found to have a medical defect and was no longer combat or jump qualified.

I was young and stupid and decided to use the opportunity to leave the military.

A decision I’ve regretted and felt shame about all my life. I’m now in my mid 50’s.

I never claim to be a veteran. I think veterans serve longer periods, or are deployed etc. and I’m not interested to claim valor i didn’t earn.

I don’t want or need veteran benefits.

All that being said, i did take an oath and i continue to keep that oath even today.

My wife says I’m a veteran.

But i feel such shame that i refuse to talk about it. So the question is, am i a veteran?

I hear recruiters hang out here. Any Air Force officer / warrant officer recruiters in the house?

Heard the Air Force now has officer slots for software engineering and product management specifically.

1. Are these available as guard/reserve positions where I can continue to work in tech in the same role(s)? Or active duty / full time only?

2. Are any of them based in the Bay Area?

Me: already have 10+ years in with the Army before I got out. Computer science degree, software engineer + product management experience. 98 AFQT on the ASVAB with 120+ in every category. Dunno if that’s even relevant after getting my bachelor’s now.

If there was an officer reserve/guard slot based in the Bay Area (let’s say, from Travis down to Monterey for weekend warrior status, tighter/closer if full time active reserve) I’d be interested…could bang out another several years to finish my 20 for retirement without losing traction on the civilian career I’ve been building.

Oh and I’ve also held a TS/SCI and worked in a SCIF before in my prior MOS if that helps.

Hey all!

I’m going to be shipping off to basic in July, and so have a few months to prepare for my AIT. I found the Cyber test to be difficult, and passed with a 66. I’ve heard that the washout for 17c is high, and I don’t want to be a cook for six years if I fail. Anyone know what content I should look at beforehand to help? Any other AIT advice?

I had 6 accounts in collections and just recently settled/completely paid off 4 of them. The 5th one I have a payment plan set up and the 6th one is being pretty difficult. They are accepting a temporary payment plan to lower the total amount owed but then expect a large lump sum to completely pay it off after about 3 months which will be difficult in my current situation.

I have proof of all the accounts that have been paid off and I have proof of the payment plan on the 5th account but they all still appear on my credit report. The 6th account will not provide any type of proof or receipts for the payment plan and are not willing to budge unless I pay them the full amount which is close to $5,000.

As far as getting a security clearance what can I do in this situation? I plan on going 25H army reserves, just waiting on moral waiver to get authorized.

EDIT: To add on, my recruiter suggested to lock my credit report so the investigator can’t see it but the at doesn’t sound like a good idea. I prefer to be honest about everything. Is this even a possibility?

Hello, I am in the US and am interested in joining a branch of the military as a commissioned officer. I have a BS in Chemical Engineering, and an MS in Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology. I've also been accepted into a PhD program (pharmaceutical sciences), and was told by veteran colleagues that I could be an officer in the reserves while doing grad school (and doing weekend commitments). Additionally, I am interested in applying to medical school following my PhD (MD/PhD didn't work logistically for my current research project, which wouldn't allow for me to take 2 years away from it during an MD portion). From what I have found online and through recruiters, it seems that I would be able to be in the reserves while continuing my education.

My question is which branch would be most suited for this? I have friends who are SeaBees (BS in Civil, joined the navy) and MechEs in the AF, so those branches are my primary choices. I'm not interested in being a pilot, and my technical strengths are primarily in biology/biochemistry and chemical engineering. I am not sure if the AF has tremendous needs for these fields, but I have been told that my ChemE background could mesh well with a nuclear engineering role in the navy (since my coursework involved process and safety engineering).

I am also open to the Army, as I've been told the Army Corps of Engineers is very diverse and also has positions available for biologists/biochemists in addition to very strong medical positions. However, AF/Navy are my top choices.

I can provide more information upon request; I used to be a swimmer and also have moderately bad vision that is correctable with glasses/contacts (if this is at all relevant to branch suggestions or requirements).

21M just finished my application at the recruiters office (Air Force) before taking the picat and going to meps in a couple weeks. I'm really shooting for aircraft metals tech because I want to be In machining when I get out. I've heard people say you have no choice what you do once you get that mos and they can have you out in the hanger drilling rivets on aircraft which i definitely don't want to do. Assuming I score high enough and the job becomes open, how likely am I to be able to be a machinist specifically?

Hey all, throwaway account for now just because my main has identifying information and I want to be able to be thorough with my questioning.

I am a 31yo M, I have 11 years of professional experience, maybe 9-10 of which can be attributed under what I saw for the direct commissioning guidelines for cyber. I also have 2 masters degrees, an MBA and a MSc in Cybersecurity. I hold about 13 or 14 relevant industry certifications, and experience with cybersecurity in fortune 10 companies. I've previously held a secret clearance, and was processed for a TS to join the NSA (left the process before finishing since it took about 3 years to get to that point).

I have been blessed with an amazing wife and child, as well as a strong career. For a few years I've been contemplating how to "do my part" for my community and I think the right route would be attempting to direct commission for the reserves or national guard.

Now that the word soup is done, the questions-

1. Should I even be considering this?

• If not, feel free to say so.

2. If so, what branch?

• I originally did apply for cyber Direct under the army 2 years ago, but it was about the time they dropped to just looking for hands on the keyboard for that round, so I expect that's why I wasn't chosen (I've been doing more architecture and delivery for awhile)

3. How do I go about this without my phone being blown up for enlistment?

• look, I get it. Everybody is just doing their job, but I'm at the point of my career and life where enlisting doesn't make sense..

I have a bunch more questions as well, but these are probably the most important running through if this process is even worth it.

I appreciate any information you can provide, thanks.

Edit to add -

4. I've been trying to Google it, but I can't find a consistent result. If my previous recruiter told me I scored a 98 on the PiCat, would that be the score percentile or what? I didn't receive a full report, just a text saying I got a 98 before they switched to another recruiter.

31 year old prior service guy here trying to re-enlist in the national guard, or navy reserves as a back up. Been out for a while now and I know coming back in I’ll need some medical waivers. I’ve been a firefighter for the last 8 years and have gotten some injuries on the job that required some hospital visits and a couple surgeries. Have made a full recovery from all of them and am completely asymptomatic. My question is what’s it like getting medical waivers now? Are they more lenient? Are recruiters more willing to work a waiver? I hear they’re waiving stuff nowadays that was a hard no back when I joined. Thanks

Edit: for reference these are the waivers I figured I’d need

-Arthroscopic surgery on both my hips 11 years ago to remove a bone spur on each and repair a labrum. Full ROM and strength now, competitive runner and all that

-Rupture bicep repair 2 years ago. Full ROM, and strength

-Second degree burns to ears. No scarring, no loss of function or sensation.

Is it possible to get certs like Sec+, Net+, PenTest+ while being in something like a combat arms MOS, for example. Also is this using your GI Bill, or TA?

So instead of putting a long paragraph I'll need waivers for Depression Anxiety Suicidal thoughts (2020) Self harm (2017-2020) Im trying to join the army whixh has been a dream since i graduated highschool in 2020.

These are all stemmed from childhood trauma from my parents in which I began to sh between 2017-2020 between the age of 14-17 and a traumatic event happening to me in 2020 in which i had psych stay. I haven't felt suicidal or struggled with sh since then. I been having a stable job, working full-time, played on my college volleyball team and graduating with my associates degree this year. I have never been on medications at all. I had also been working with a therapist off and on since then and I feel like I have overcome my trauma and triggers and my therapist even said she didn't mind writing a detailed letter if need be.

My recruiter is working with me to get cleared but I am worried they aren't going to see the reasons what caused it and see how drastically i improved. I've already gone to meps. Am i wasting my time? Anyone that can relate what was your outcome? Please be kind thx!

Hey guys, went to MEPS today and signed my 6 year contract for 11Xray…any tips for OSUT (April 30th) A little nervous but am excited my dream is finally coming to life. What can I expect? What to do? What not to do?

I’m finishing up my freshman year of college and have come to the conclusion that enlisting (during or after college) is the smartest choice financially for me including tuition assistance. However I don’t really know which branch to join. I’ve been looking a lot at the coast guard, I know they’re not technically apart of the US military but I believe they have the same veteran benefits. I’m majoring in electrical engineering and think it would be cool to land a job at a military contractor company after college, but idk. If you were in my shoes, what would you do. What branch would you enlist in and would enlist during or after college?

Edit: sorry for getting this wrong. I heard from some other branch that you guys are more so like a police force but with the same benefits of the military. My b, I know the truth now.

I want to join AF reserves but I used to take adhd medication last year 2023 around Feb and then I stopped after 2 months because the medication was not working. Do you think I can join AF? Or do you think Marine Corps reserves would be easier? I'm a female, 23 years old. Please advise!!!

I was asked at meps who I wanted to recieve my last paycheck and I wanted to take control of my funeral, I don’t remember when but during the conversation ($100,000) was brought up. Does this mean whoever I put to receive the money would get the $100,000?

Edit: I put a sibling so I’m also wondering if my sibling allowed to receive all the money. (US ARMY)

So basically, I had taken my DLab earlier today and scored pretty well, and my recruiter wanted to celebrate by having me come in and inking in the final decision of enlisting (besides the physical). I told him that despite my test scores, I still needed time to think about what I wanted to do, even if linguist was my top choice. But he basically told me that they NEEDED me to come in today and lock a job in, otherwise all of it would go away, and that they told me that they could GUARANTEE me my station to Korea or even Germany with whatever MOS they needed in those areas. I had to contact my airforce recruiter to ask if this was legit, and he told me they were lying and that no military branch has authority to guarantee a station/deployment location. Who is right or wrong here?

Embarrassing honestly, but need to ask can HSV disqualify u from enlightenment? I know a lot of ppl in the military have HSV and are fine, but I’m talking enlisting with it. I don’t have out breaks, doesn’t make life harder. Read the DoDi medical manual and it states in 6.13 it’s only a problem if not treatable. So here comes the next question, should I even disclose my recruiter? I have heard no, and to only tell the medical doctor at MEPS so u don’t get kicked outta bootcamp for lying about it, but will they get mad you didn’t tell a recruiter and get a waiver? Or will they sign it off and you look okay?

And are all the OCONUS locations available ?

I see people at basic using those phones they give you and proceed to say something along the lines of “I’ve arrived at fort whatever” and, they are given like a twenty second call. What if I don’t have anyone to call? Will I get shit for that or will they proceed to tell me to get on. (Army) not sure that it matters

Which unit awards do I wear?

Is it Army meritorious unit commendation, RVN, and the superior unit award?