# Thinking of joining the military--opinions please **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 30, 2002, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262 "2002-08-30T09:49:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AveDementia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@AveDementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AveDementia)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/21 "2002-08-31T07:13:19Z")
Oh yeah, and any info on jobs would be great. We are trying to familiarize ourselves with the different catagories of jobs so that he can choose something good, and also something that would transfer well to civilian life afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![AveDementia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@AveDementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AveDementia)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/22 "2002-08-31T08:18:17Z")
One more thing (for now 😃 )- how long was the time between when you signed up and when you shipped off to boot camp? What’s the usual time period? ---
**Author:** ![Spit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/23 "2002-08-31T13:30:27Z")
_raises hand_ I’ve got a question too! Ex-marines: What marketable skills do you have when you retire? All of the ones (except for the heli pilot) I have known came out with some great stories, but little else. I’m interested in science & weather: Which branch would be the best? ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/24 "2002-08-31T15:33:40Z")
In the Navy there is a rate (job) called Aerographer, they go to school and study weather, weather patterns, etc. they do weather for aircrews and ships. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/25 "2002-08-31T16:15:33Z")
**Spit** , the marketable skills the folks I interviewed with wanted were organizational ability, demonstrated leadership, mental toughness, job performance under adverse conditions, adaptability, and drive. Shooting down airplanes (my military job) was not specifically transferrable to the legal civilian market. My buddies in Supply, Motor Transport, Logistics, Administration, Aviation Maintenance, Cargo Loadmasters, Electronics Techicians, and Communication did have specific skill that transferred quite nicely, as well as the above attributes. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/26 "2002-08-31T16:16:46Z")
And **Squish** , that would be a retarded gorilla in a great looking uniform. ---
**Author:** ![stankow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@stankow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stankow)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/27 "2002-08-31T16:41:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fairblue \* > \*\*One more thing (for now 😃 )- how long was the time between when you signed up and when you shipped off to boot camp? What’s the usual time period? \*\* (Army knowledge here, but I think it’s the same for all the services.) That length of time can be anything from 0 to 364 days. The Delayed Entry Program is intended for high school seniors to sign up before their senior year and use that year to get in shape and sort everything out, but it can be used by anyone. It shouldn’t present any sort of problem to the recruiter to let your fiance ship whenever he wants (give or take a few days). ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/28 "2002-08-31T17:57:27Z")
Being unemployed for over a year I started thinking about joining one of the branches of the Armed Services butseeing how I am 28, out of shape (severly) with a bad ankle, I don’t think I could make it though boot camp for any branch, I want to thank your fiance and everyone who has posted here for protecting us. ---
**Author:** ![angelicate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/29 "2002-08-31T18:03:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fairblue \* > \*\*One more thing (for now 😃 )- how long was the time between when you signed up and when you shipped off to boot camp? What’s the usual time period? \*\* My husband signed up in October, and left for boot camp in April. He did the delayed entry program, even though he was 21 and out of high school for a few years by then. ---
**Author:** ![Squish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Squish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squish)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/30 "2002-08-31T19:57:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UncleBill \* > \*\*And **Squish** , that would be a retarded gorilla in a great looking uniform. \*\* You’re right about that (actually, I secretly lust after Marines–don’t tell anyone)! ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/31 "2002-08-31T20:09:13Z")
Former Recruiter (and **Intaglio** ’s worse half 😃 ) here. Most of the answers have been given already, but some points I wish to make very damn clear: Classification: It’s the job of the Recruiter to make sure you’re physically, mentally, and morally qualified, and to then get you in the mood to sign you name. A _good_ Recruiter sells you on the _Service_, not a job. They’re supposed to get you to want to wear the _uniform_, no matter _what_ job you take or are given. The Recruiter _can not assign you a job_. That’s what the Classifier does, and you won’t sit down with a Classifier until _just_ before you go to sign your name and raise your right hand. The Classifier will examine your scores, your physical results, and the needs of the Service to come up with a list of jobs for which you qualify, and for which the Service has a need. You then get to pick from the short list, and that choice will determine when you ship out, depending on open billets. The job _you_ want may not be available, even _if_ you qualify. It may already be filled-up. Delayed Entry Program (DEP): It _may_ be up to a year, _depending on the needs of the Service_. If the job you want has no class openings scheduled, save for next month, then you either ship out next month, or take a different job, or simply don’t go at all. Likewise, if there are no openings until ten months from now, you wait, or choose a different job. There are no bad Jobs in the Military: They all provide benfits that no civil program, no civilian company can match. It’s just a question of what job _you_ (or your fiance) wants to do, and which service is best able to give you that job. Some jobs are easier than others, some more risky, some more rewarding. They’ll _all_ bring pride, skill, training, leadership, college money to you. Choose wisely, and serve proudly. ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/32 "2002-08-31T23:17:50Z")
In the Navy I was a Lithographer, I did not know what that was, when I took it. I went to Lithographer/Printing school and became a printer. They taught me, and I became a good printer. I know how a printed piece goes from nothing, (the client’s idea) to the finished product. I went to school, and they taught me proofreading and editing, how to shoot negatives, and strip them onto goldenrod sheets, run presses, and work bindery and finishing equipment. I use what I was trained everyday in my job, I work at a very good printing plant. We print for everyone in DE, politicals, museums, theatre, schools, sports teams, companies, etc. I have never been unemployed, or unable to get a job. ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/33 "2002-08-31T23:17:50Z")
In the Navy I was a Lithographer, I did not know what that was, when I took it. I went to Lithographer/Printing school and became a printer. They taught me, and I became a good printer. I know how a printed piece goes from nothing, (the client’s idea) to the finished product. I went to school, and they taught me proofreading and editing, how to shoot negatives, and strip them onto goldenrod sheets, run presses, and work bindery and finishing equipment. I use what I was trained everyday in my job, I work at a very good printing plant. We print for everyone in DE, politicals, museums, theatre, schools, sports teams, companies, etc. I have never been unemployed, or unable to get a job. ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2002, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/34 "2002-09-01T07:05:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fairblue \* > \*\*Oh yeah, and any info on jobs would be great. We are trying to familiarize ourselves with the different catagories of jobs so that he can choose something good, and also something that would transfer well to civilian life afterwards. \*\* I didn’t answer your other earlier questions as I was not in either the AF nor Navy, but everybody else’s answers seem pretty much on the mark. I was (and still am to some degree) Army. As to the above quote, it depends on what he wants to do while he’s in. There are a some jobs that one can do in the military but would get arrested for doing in civilian life (I’m reminded of GI Jane when the doc tells Demi Moore that the answer he gets most often is “blow shit up”). I went into Air Defense initially and practiced shooting down planes for 2 years. Due to gross miscalculation on the Army’s part, I was forced to choose another job after that. I went into Personnel. This, Finance, Supply and Medical are categories that have definite crossovers into a wide swathe of civilian jobs. Though the Army has a great many others as well, from Broadcast Journalist to Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. While in personnel I went to Desert Storm. I was many, many miles from the front line, although we did have Scud attacks where I was based. It was not a combat zone like I imagined it would be. We worked about 60 hour weeks during that time, but during peacetime I worked your average 40 hour week. Wanna know who doesn’t get shipped off to combat? Drill Sergeants and recruiters (if things haven’t gone _totally_ wrong at the front). ---
**Author:** ![AveDementia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@AveDementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AveDementia)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2002, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/35 "2002-09-01T12:21:43Z")
Thanks everyone for the responses so far. We are looking specifically for AF and Navy info, but it’s fine with me if any of the other branches want to chime in on what military life is like. The more perspectives on it the better, in my opinion. Another question- in the Navy, when you’re out at sea on a ship, do you actually get a day off? I know they get time off in port- but I was wondering how that works out in the middle of the ocean? ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2002, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/36 "2002-09-01T12:51:59Z")
Wow **Tranquilis** you must have been a good recruiter, you make me want to go out and sign up again. 🙂 I joined the Air Force (back in '85) and it was the best choice I ever made. Don’t know about the other branches but in the AF you can pick your job before you go in. I went in “open electronics” which means I was guaranteed some kind of electronics job. I ended up being Crypto Maintenance which I really enjoyed. I would highly recommend picking a job because if you go in “open general” it’s a real crap shoot. ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2002, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/37 "2002-09-01T13:31:55Z")
On the ship I was on, we worked Monday - Friday, 7:00 muster, 7:30 to 4:30, two hours for lunch (naptime). On Saturday we worked, I think a half a day, maybe 10:00 - 2:00, sometimes we worked a full day(doing maintenance on equipment, or cleaning). Saturday was more laid-back. We worked hard underway, cause when we pulled into port, maximum liberty, to check stuff out, take the culture in. Sight-seeing, Shopping, local sights, other stuff. We got Sundays off, my boss and I had a deal, all of us girls wanted to sleep in, but the division wanted to take muster too, make sure everyone was still with us, so I would get up, check all the girls, and call in to let them we all still existed. Go back to bed, later on they wanted a visual, but we got to sleep in. When we weren’t working, we played games, watched movies, you can take college classes, get surface warfare qualified or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2002, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/38 "2002-09-01T13:53:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fairblue \* > \*\*Another question- in the Navy, when you’re out at sea on a ship, do you actually get a day off? I know they get time off in port- but I was wondering how that works out in the middle of the ocean? \*\* Since I’m a land-based flyer, I can only WAG this one. I don’t think so, although it may depend on exactly what job he has. I’ve spent a month working on a ship, and was integrated into a watchbill which had no breaks in it. So you quickly lose track of what day it is. Speaking from an E-P3 flight crew perspective (keep in mind that lots of enlisted people serve on aircraft (P-3s, EP-3s, and helos)), we usually go out on 60-90 day detachments to just about anywhere in the world. I may leave the West Coast and fly through Hawaii to Japan, where I’ll alternate flying missions out of Okinawa and northern Japan. Add in a stop in Korea or Thailand or Diego Garcia and you have a pretty full detachment. You get days off as the flight schedule allows. A typical rotation is three days flying with one or two days off. But you’re always on call, and the enlisted guys can get stuck with doing maintenance on the aircraft during their non-flying days. And every now and then you get stuck with five days in a row of 11-hour missions (about a 15-hour day) which is grueling beyond words. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2002, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/39 "2002-09-01T15:29:53Z")
When you’re out at sea, generally any time you’re not on watch is off time. The ship I was on was a repair ship, so we did have work to do while out at sea, but there was plenty of down time. In fact, one of the biggest problems of being at sea is boredom. On Sundays, we sometimes had a “Steel beach” picnic, where grills would be set up on the flight deck (my ship had a small area to land helicopters, as do many surface ships), and the officers would cook for the enlisted folk. Uniforms were only required while on watch on those days, everyone else could wear civvies. We also could sunbathe topside on Sundays, which was not allowed at other times. ---
**Author:** ![BF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5ac83/32.png) [@BF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BF)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2002, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262/40 "2002-09-01T18:21:04Z")
Phooey on that!! (Just remember, there are two types of ships, submarines and targets) 😃 Underway you live an 18 hour day, 6 on (watch) and 12 off. Of course the off-watch time can consist of sleeping, working on equipment, or drills. It’s not at all unusual to be up 24 hours straight, especially if you are qualifying, (about 9 months for enlisted, a year for officers) and everyone must qualify or you’re booted off. Fast attack boats spend a lot of time at sea, sometimes one week here, three days there, 50 days sometimes, and the 6-month med run (for the east coast squadrons) about once every 18 months. Boomer sailors (fleet ballistic missile boats) have a more regular schedule, with three month cruises and three months of down time taken up by training. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-joining-the-military-opinions-please/126262.md?page=3)