NationStates Jolt Archive

It's a thought that has been milling around my head for quite some time, and I figured that this would be a nice relief from school and the daily grind. The only thing I suffer from is acute asthma, which limits my mile to about 7 minutes, and my 2 mile to 16 minutes. My body fat percentage was 8% last year, and probably a little lower now since I dropped from 210 to 200lbs.

My area of interest is specifically in the army, and I'd like to see if there are any officer training programs available. I haven't been able to contact the rotc at my college though.

It's not a matter of desperation, but moreso that it fits in with who I am. Since I was six I was disciplined under the most brutal of coaches, at one point I was actually hit for not doing a move correctly. Since I was nine I was a captain ever year up until my second year of college football when I stopped playing. Essentially I thrive under militaristic conditions, and I would like some genuine "life experience". The world is larger than New Jersey.

Also I'm considered a natural marksman by my father and grandfather. ;)

Any advice, comments, stories, etc is greatly appreciated.

The website and recruiters were more annoying than helpful.

Join the navy. Bigger guns, somewhat less being used as a target.

Why don't you join a gang? Sure, you don't get the uniforms, but it's much more of a thrill. Plus, this way you get to act out your violent impulses in a manner that is frowned on instead of applauded. That will help build character.

talk it over with your parents and someone who knows the ins and outs of the military before you talk to a recruiter. there is no hurry to enlist so its best to find out what would be the best time for you.

if you start at the recruiter they will promise you the moon to get you to enlist right away. he wont have your best interests at heart. so its best to go in fully informed about your options before you talk to them.

good luck with it.

Why don't you join a gang? Sure, you don't get the uniforms, but it's much more of a thrill. Plus, this way you get to act out your violent impulses in a manner that is frowned on instead of applauded. That will help build character.

I was already in one. Sure I was 12 and it was just me and 6 of my friends, but we did fight a lot. That didn't last long after my mom found out :p

It did build something...calcium deposits, bone bruises, and maybe character.

talk it over with your parents and someone who knows the ins and outs of the military before you talk to a recruiter. there is no hurry to enlist so its best to find out what would be the best time for you.

if you start at the recruiter they will promise you the moon to get you to enlist right away. he wont have your best interests at heart. so its best to go in fully informed about your options before you talk to them.

good luck with it.

My mom's response before I even thought about it: "If you join, I'll kill you first."

My dad's response: "If that's what you wanna do."

I can't stand recruiters, that's why I'm here as I know there are a few vets lingering around who have some geniune experience in the military.

I'd advise against it, or at least enlist to where you won't be infantry. My buddy just joined the NG and is in infantry. I feel sad for him, cuz i have a pretty strong feeling he'll be sent to Iraq. And I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

My mom's response before I even thought about it: "If you join, I'll kill you first."

My dad's response: "If that's what you wanna do."

I can't stand recruiters, that's why I'm here as I know there are a few vets lingering around who have some geniune experience in the military.

Would not trust anonymous posters...

The US Army lets people in who have asthma? That's a little reckless; I have asthma, and although I consider myself to be healthy, I certainly wouldn't put a actute asthmatic into a combat situation. I wanted to join the OTC whilst at Uni, but they turned me down because of exactly that fact.

Just think about it. And think about what you want to do with your life; if you really want this, then go for it. I'm sure you'll hear lots of 'I don't agree with the Army' crap on this board. Ignore that. The military is what it is. If you feel like you would be happy as a soldier, then go be a soldier; I am presuming you don't need to be lectured about the dangers though.

Dont.

You´re basicaly saying you´ve never thought for yourself in your entire life. That you never had independence. That you never had a will of your own.

And you want to join because of that? Because you feel like a fucking robot, a doll? You want people to tell you what to do, when and how, without saying why?

Dude, I´ve changed so much since I was 17, 18, so much that I droped college when I was almost finishing it to try something else. But dropping college was easy. Getting out of the army isnt. Whatever you do in the army, it will leave everlasting marks on your personaly, your body and your future.

AFAIK, you can join the army whenever you can. You dont need to do it straight out of school. So, get one year or two to LEARN about life before choosing what to do with it. Hell, you may work at a McDonald´s for one year, save the money and travel around the world using the money for another year. Then you will look at the past and see that joining the army could not had been the best choice.

And the "travel around the world" deal in army is pretty much bullshit, unless you consider to travel around the world visiting blow up places where the population hates your gut.

Join the navy. Bigger guns, somewhat less being used as a target.
Agreed. I believe the Navy's new recruiting slogan is now "Iraq: It's Almost Entirely Landlocked!". :p

It's a thought that has been milling around my head for quite some time, and I figured that this would be a nice relief from school and the daily grind.

ROTFLMAO! Worst reason to join ever. Especially during war time. Do you agree with the current war? If not don't join, they will probably send you to fight in it. Do you foresee yourself agreeing with future wars our country engages in? If not don't join, they will probably send you to fight in them.

Dont.

You´re basicaly saying you´ve never thought for yourself in your entire life. That you never had independence. That you never had a will of your own.

Not necessarily, I've been a leader under such conditions and without that kind of enviornment I can't function well.

Dude, I´ve changed so much since I was 17, 18, so much that I droped college when I was almost finishing to try something else. But dropping college was easy. Getting out of the army isnt. Whatever you do in the army, it will leave everlasting marks on your personaly, your body and your future.

AFAIK, you can join the army whenever you can. You dont need to do it straight out of school. So, get one year or two to LEARN about life before choosing what to do with it.

I'm about to finish my second year of college, and I'm not going to sit around at home for another few years working the same shit job from day to day.

And the "travel around the world" deal in army is pretty much bullshit, unless you consider to travel around the world visiting blow up places where the population hates your gut.

I travel for free, makes to me. The only price is that I pretty much become their property for a few years. At least I'll get some good stories out of it.

Why the army? The army is the branch that bears most of the dirty work unless you're assigned as a high officer or a ranger. I agree with Navy. You will see the entire world and probably never take fire, and if you do take fire, Its best to do it from the deck of a mega-fortress than a sand-dune.

If you really want to shoot. you can join the Seals.

ROTFLMAO! Worst reason to join ever. Especially during war time. Do you agree with the current war? If not don't join, they will probably send you to fight in it. Do you foresee yourself agreeing with future wars our country engages in? If not don't join, they will probably send you to fight in them.

While I don't agree with the war itself, that doesn't mean I can't lend a hand to make it better. At least I can say I tried to bring some amount of humanity over there, especially if I go in an officer.

Why the army? The army is the branch that bears most of the dirty work unless you're assigned as a high officer or a ranger. I agree with Navy. You will see the entire world and probably never take fire, and if you do take fire, Its best to do it from the deck of a mega-fortress than a sand-dune.

If you really want to shoot. you can join the Seals.

That's why :p

Seals = dead during training.

funny i find the ADF website annoying then talking to the poeple working at it

Dont.

You´re basicaly saying you´ve never thought for yourself in your entire life. That you never had independence. That you never had a will of your own.

That's pure bullshit.

Your asthma will almost certainly disqualify you.

It's a thought that has been milling around my head for quite some time, and I figured that this would be a nice relief from school and the daily grind. The only thing I suffer from is acute asthma, which limits my mile to about 7 minutes, and my 2 mile to 16 minutes. My body fat percentage was 8% last year, and probably a little lower now since I dropped from 210 to 200lbs.

My area of interest is specifically in the army, and I'd like to see if there are any officer training programs available. I haven't been able to contact the rotc at my college though.

It's not a matter of desperation, but moreso that it fits in with who I am. Since I was six I was disciplined under the most brutal of coaches, at one point I was actually hit for not doing a move correctly. Since I was nine I was a captain ever year up until my second year of college football when I stopped playing. Essentially I thrive under militaristic conditions, and I would like some genuine "life experience". The world is larger than New Jersey.

Also I'm considered a natural marksman by my father and grandfather. ;)

Any advice, comments, stories, etc is greatly appreciated.

The website and recruiters were more annoying than helpful.

They won't take you if you admit to having asthma. Things might have changed so check. Do you still use an inhaler? If not, it's not really relevant so I'd avoid mentioning it. Ever. But if you have any medical complications you have to disclose. It's big trouble if you lie on your application.

Also, check the PT standards for your age bracket. Make sure you can pass with a 16 minute 2 mile. Also, keep in mind that PT scores count for points which are important to promotions.

Also, finish college then enlist. Even finish a 2 yr degree and become a Warrent Officer. The Warrent Officer program is fantastic. They have the best choice of jobs IMHO.

If you are applying for a job with a security clearance don't lie about anything, especially drug use. They will polygraph you. The army doesn't care if you've smoked pot a few times. They care alot if you lie.

Also, don't believe your recruiter. If it's not on in your contract it won't happen. End of story. They won't add it at reception, or any other lie they might tell you.

Finally, choose a job with applicability to the real world. I know armored cav, counter-intel, ect sound fun. What's not fun being unable to get a job above minimum wage.

EDIT: also look to applying at an acadamy. It's not easy, but it would be worth it.

And maybe look at joining the reserves. You can go active any time you want (even though the recruiters will tell you that's impossible).

They won't take you if you admit to having asthma. Things might have changed so check. Do you still use an inhaler? If not, it's not really relevant so I'd avoid mentioning it. Ever. But if you have any medical complications you have to disclose. It's big trouble if you lie on your application.

Also, check the PT standards for your age bracket. Make sure you can pass with a 16 minute 2 mile. Also, keep in mind that PT scores count for points which are important to promotions.

Also, finish college then enlist. Even finish a 2 yr degree and become a Warrent Officer. The Warrent Officer program is fantastic. They have the best choice of jobs IMHO.

If you are applying for a job with a security clearance don't lie about anything, especially drug use. They will polygraph you. The army doesn't care if you've smoked pot a few times. They care alot if you lie.

Also, don't believe your recruiter. If it's not on in your contract it won't happen. End of story. They won't add it at reception, or any other lie they might tell you.

Finally, choose a job with applicability to the real world. I know armored cav, counter-intel, ect sound fun. What's not fun being unable to get a job above minimum wage.

Amen to that. If you can get in in spite of your asthma, job choice is crucial. My son trained in electronics and was able to get a good job almost immediately after getting out. My daughter was an intelligence specialist and had an extremely difficult time getting work - eventually she had to go back to school to get training.

First thing to remember is that 99% of what a recruiter tells you is total BS.
Any promises they make are null and void the moment you sign your papers - it even has a little line in the small print that says exactly that (in reference to a previous poster mentioning "if it isnt in the contract, it isnt going to happen" - even if it is in the contract, the US reserves the rights to change it at will to meet their needs).

Be careful which branch you choose and go in with what MOS you want in mind. If you want an MOS which is in high demand, you will get it (and probably not ever be able to change it). If you want a popular MOS, you might be reclassified after basic and assigned something else.

I highly encourage you to look into the ROTC programs around you - it is the best way to go. A hell of a lot better than enlisting at least.

Military service is a smart thing to do for a number of reasons. It will give you an experience which will help you in the rest of your life. Worst case, take just a 2 or 4 year stint (I dont recommend longer terms of service unless you are sure you know what you want).

Right now I was looking into becoming an MP since my major in college is criminal justice/sociology. The advice is helping a lot.

I can keep my asthma down if I start running again, which I've been doing regularly since.

Right now I was looking into becoming an MP since my major in college is criminal justice/sociology. The advice is helping a lot.

At that rate why not just become a police officer? What is so attractive about the military - even the MPs?

Right now I was looking into becoming an MP since my major in college is criminal justice/sociology. The advice is helping a lot.

I can keep my asthma down if I start running again, which I've been doing regularly since.

I reccomend against that option strongly. I was one. There's no guarantee you'll get garrision duty. If you get field duty you are combat support. You can be attached to any combat arms. The only difference between you and the infantry is you get to drive a humvee in instead of road march in. I was luckey and pulled garrison duty for two years of my time. I'm also female, and while females can serve as combat support, they'd prefer we didn't. I know many people that never saw garrison duty.

You'd still have to complete police acadamy training in the real world.

There's no guaranteed days off, which might not seem like a big deal until you've worked two months straight with 14 hr shifts (during my garrision time). The only thing that ended that was when one MP was so tired she crashed into the fence surrounding the arms room. Sometimes you are on alert and can't leave the base. I wasn't allowed to be more than 1 hr away and many times I couldn't drink because I never knew when I'd be called in.

Join the navy. Bigger guns, somewhat less being used as a target.

"in the navvyyy, cummon and join your fellow maaan!...."

As a former Police Officer...

Dude, go ahead and finnish your 4 year degree, then become a cop. A lot of departments, specially the larger ones, will not hire you if you do not have some type of degree. And when it comes to promotion time after a few years, that degree in criminal justice will be very nice in your application for promotion package.

That degree in criminal justice will also let you slide towards working with the courts, parole/probation, juvenile services, etc.

Almost all high ranking police officers (chiefs, deputy, etc) have a bachelors degree, with a masters in municipal administration.

If you are planning on staying with local government, then you want to master in muni admin instead of business admin.

Hope it helps, and good luck.

Vic

It's a thought that has been milling around my head for quite some time, and I figured that this would be a nice relief from school and the daily grind. The only thing I suffer from is acute asthma, which limits my mile to about 7 minutes, and my 2 mile to 16 minutes. My body fat percentage was 8% last year, and probably a little lower now since I dropped from 210 to 200lbs.

My area of interest is specifically in the army, and I'd like to see if there are any officer training programs available. I haven't been able to contact the rotc at my college though.

It's not a matter of desperation, but moreso that it fits in with who I am. Since I was six I was disciplined under the most brutal of coaches, at one point I was actually hit for not doing a move correctly. Since I was nine I was a captain ever year up until my second year of college football when I stopped playing. Essentially I thrive under militaristic conditions, and I would like some genuine "life experience". The world is larger than New Jersey.

Also I'm considered a natural marksman by my father and grandfather. ;)

Any advice, comments, stories, etc is greatly appreciated.

The website and recruiters were more annoying than helpful.

If you want to thrive under brutal conditions, join the Legion.

Join the navy: You can shoot them from hundreds of miles off, and they can't even dream of being able to touch you.

One of my friends had asthma in high school, and the Army rejected him. The Navy accepted him, however, and now he's a corpsman with the 2nd Marines in Iraq right now. If you really want to be under fire, that might be the better way. Or, you could join the Air Force and become part of the AF Security forces.

Join the navy: You can shoot them from hundreds of miles off, and they can't even dream of being able to touch you.

Arent you aware of the war games where the 'opposition' (who was really only there as a token force for the navy to show off against) sank a carrier group using nothing but small watercraft and tiny general aviation aircraft?

Arent you aware of the war games where the 'opposition' (who was really only there as a token force for the navy to show off against) sank a carrier group using nothing but small watercraft and tiny general aviation aircraft?

Sounds jolly improbable without a Nuclear warhead.

OK, I was a Marine, and with your asthma limitations, you won't be. Army, I understand, isn't as bad, but I have my doubts that they'll take you either.

That leaves Navy or Air Force. I'd go Navy every time - if you're AF and you're not a pilot, you're nothing. It's just part of their culture.

Serving can be a very good thing for you. It broadened my mind, and made me stronger as an individual. It can also be unmitigated hell if you don't get with the program.

Oh, and don't believe that bull they'll try to feed you about "If you can take basic everything else is easy." In basic, you only have to obey orders - once you're out in the real world you have to apply what you've learned with common sense and intelligence. The days of the soldier or sailor being an automaton are long over.

Get your degree first. A warrant officer gets better pay, better quarters, more interesting work, and a statistically greater chance of going Mustang.

Whichever choice you make, good luck.

It's a thought that has been milling around my head for quite some time, and I figured that this would be a nice relief from school and the daily grind. The only thing I suffer from is acute asthma, which limits my mile to about 7 minutes, and my 2 mile to 16 minutes. My body fat percentage was 8% last year, and probably a little lower now since I dropped from 210 to 200lbs.

My area of interest is specifically in the army, and I'd like to see if there are any officer training programs available. I haven't been able to contact the rotc at my college though.

It's not a matter of desperation, but moreso that it fits in with who I am. Since I was six I was disciplined under the most brutal of coaches, at one point I was actually hit for not doing a move correctly. Since I was nine I was a captain ever year up until my second year of college football when I stopped playing. Essentially I thrive under militaristic conditions, and I would like some genuine "life experience". The world is larger than New Jersey.

Also I'm considered a natural marksman by my father and grandfather. ;)

Any advice, comments, stories, etc is greatly appreciated.

The website and recruiters were more annoying than helpful.

my son made it through Marine Corps Boot Camp at San Diego and followup infantry training at Pendleton with acute asthma. He also however ended up getting pneumonia while doing it and was hospitalized twice.

OTC might be tough to get into with your health condition as well.

You might have an easier time in the Navy or Air Force as their recruit training is less physically demanding. But you could do any of the services if your health holds up adequately.

It's a thought that has been milling around my head for quite some time, and I figured that this would be a nice relief from school and the daily grind. The only thing I suffer from is acute asthma, which limits my mile to about 7 minutes, and my 2 mile to 16 minutes. My body fat percentage was 8% last year, and probably a little lower now since I dropped from 210 to 200lbs.

My area of interest is specifically in the army, and I'd like to see if there are any officer training programs available. I haven't been able to contact the rotc at my college though.

It's not a matter of desperation, but moreso that it fits in with who I am. Since I was six I was disciplined under the most brutal of coaches, at one point I was actually hit for not doing a move correctly. Since I was nine I was a captain ever year up until my second year of college football when I stopped playing. Essentially I thrive under militaristic conditions, and I would like some genuine "life experience". The world is larger than New Jersey.

Also I'm considered a natural marksman by my father and grandfather. ;)

Any advice, comments, stories, etc is greatly appreciated.

The website and recruiters were more annoying than helpful.

Go fo it! I waited until after I was done with my schooling to volunteer and they did not take me because I am a fatso (although I am losing weight now I have a long way to go before they take me). I was a pretty focused student and I did not want my military servcie to interfere with my schooling. This probably isnt the smartest approach financially though.

If you want to go into the army do it. However, do not make the decision of what job you will take in the army based on pay bonuses. I have heard that the ones with the best pay can be the most boring drudgery. You want to enjoy your service so make sure you talk to guys that did the job you are looking to do. My buddy was in some job where they had him dig holes and then fill them up all day that and sweep huge parking lots with little brooms. That would make me go nuts.

Hopefully, they will send you into battle where things would be more exciting than "make-work" out on some base.

Thanks for wanting to serve us.

So am I really the only person here who thinks that "getting relief from school and the daily grind" is a REALLY bad thing to base such an important and life altering decision on? Especially when said decision is joining the military during war time? Think this through man and if you are going to join do it for a better reason.

"in the navvyyy, cummon and join your fellow maaan!...."http://www.letitbe.com/auction/pictures/hhj.jpg

It's a thought that has been milling around my head for quite some time, and I figured that this would be a nice relief from school and the daily grind. The only thing I suffer from is acute asthma, which limits my mile to about 7 minutes, and my 2 mile to 16 minutes. My body fat percentage was 8% last year, and probably a little lower now since I dropped from 210 to 200lbs.

My area of interest is specifically in the army, and I'd like to see if there are any officer training programs available. I haven't been able to contact the rotc at my college though.

It's not a matter of desperation, but moreso that it fits in with who I am. Since I was six I was disciplined under the most brutal of coaches, at one point I was actually hit for not doing a move correctly. Since I was nine I was a captain ever year up until my second year of college football when I stopped playing. Essentially I thrive under militaristic conditions, and I would like some genuine "life experience". The world is larger than New Jersey.

Also I'm considered a natural marksman by my father and grandfather. ;)

Any advice, comments, stories, etc is greatly appreciated.

The website and recruiters were more annoying than helpful.Just go ahead. Fight for your country! Go to battle and become a hero!

So am I really the only person here who thinks that "getting relief from school and the daily grind" is a REALLY bad thing to base such an important and life altering decision on? Especially when said decision is joining the military during war time? Think this through man and if you are going to join do it for a better reason.If he wants to Go.. let him go.
Whenever someone tells me he want to go to war.. I tell him "sure kid.. go ahead make your day"
Usually dudes who want to go to war.. are perfect fits for the military.

I call it "natural selection".. Life is a jungle.. its the survival of the fittest.. its the survival of the smarter.

BTW, when is Corneliu joining the military? ;)

RIP Luporum. :(

Yeah...

If you live in America, this is a horrible idea.

They won't take you if you admit to having asthma. Things might have changed so check. Do you still use an inhaler? If not, it's not really relevant so I'd avoid mentioning it. Ever. But if you have any medical complications you have to disclose. It's big trouble if you lie on your application. I know 3 different people, their recruiter casually "suggested" better not to mention a thing or another on the papers.. and they got in.
2 of them survived.

Join the Navy. We get to have more fun and play around with better technology.

I know 3 different people, their recruiter casually "suggested" better not to mention a thing or another on the papers.. and they got in.
2 of them survived.

It's not a good idea unless you don't need medical care for your asthma for sure. Not breathing is a scary thing. Not having meds to make you breathe is scarier.

So am I really the only person here who thinks that "getting relief from school and the daily grind" is a REALLY bad thing to base such an important and life altering decision on? Especially when said decision is joining the military during war time?


Nope. Not only wartime but a 'time of great instability'. Ideal if you like the desert, heat, and have an irrational hate of any one that looks brown and "Arabish" though.....I think he'd be better off in the legion clearing mines in Cambodia. Guaranteed a nice harsh regime, and if he learns two things, it'll be when to shut up, and how to iron.

It's a thought that has been milling around my head for quite some time, and I figured that this would be a nice relief from school and the daily grind. The only thing I suffer from is acute asthma, which limits my mile to about 7 minutes, and my 2 mile to 16 minutes. My body fat percentage was 8% last year, and probably a little lower now since I dropped from 210 to 200lbs.

My area of interest is specifically in the army, and I'd like to see if there are any officer training programs available. I haven't been able to contact the rotc at my college though.

It's not a matter of desperation, but moreso that it fits in with who I am. Since I was six I was disciplined under the most brutal of coaches, at one point I was actually hit for not doing a move correctly. Since I was nine I was a captain ever year up until my second year of college football when I stopped playing. Essentially I thrive under militaristic conditions, and I would like some genuine "life experience". The world is larger than New Jersey.

Also I'm considered a natural marksman by my father and grandfather. ;)

Any advice, comments, stories, etc is greatly appreciated.

The website and recruiters were more annoying than helpful.

Well, it's your call.

It's a thought that has been milling around my head for quite some time, and I figured that this would be a nice relief from school and the daily grind. The only thing I suffer from is acute asthma, which limits my mile to about 7 minutes, and my 2 mile to 16 minutes. My body fat percentage was 8% last year, and probably a little lower now since I dropped from 210 to 200lbs.

My area of interest is specifically in the army, and I'd like to see if there are any officer training programs available. I haven't been able to contact the rotc at my college though.

It's not a matter of desperation, but moreso that it fits in with who I am. Since I was six I was disciplined under the most brutal of coaches, at one point I was actually hit for not doing a move correctly. Since I was nine I was a captain ever year up until my second year of college football when I stopped playing. Essentially I thrive under militaristic conditions, and I would like some genuine "life experience". The world is larger than New Jersey.

Also I'm considered a natural marksman by my father and grandfather. ;)

Any advice, comments, stories, etc is greatly appreciated.

The website and recruiters were more annoying than helpful.
I didn't read any of the posts since i assume they are all "zomg!!!! teh military is the horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" so i apologize for saying anything already stated. Don't drop-out of college to enlist. Stay in and go to OCS. What year are in? I'm pretty sure that for the army you can do a 2-year ROTC program. But if you're in your junior year then talk to a recruiter and get an OCS packet to start early on it. Right now they are taking 100% of qual applications. But if you want to be a man go the Marine route.:D PM me if you need anything else. One more thing, your asthma may DQ you but, and im not sure on this, you may be able to get a waiver b/c its acute.

I didn't read any of the posts since i assume they are all "zomg!!!! teh military is the horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yeah, well, they weren't.

Luporum - I absolutely agree with Redwulf25 that "getting relief from school and the daily grind" is a TERRIBLE reason to join the military. And like others have said - why not become a police officer instead?
As for advice, though, you could also telegram Wallonochia who hasn't posted in this thread yet but who was also in the military and Iraq.

Sounds jolly improbable without a Nuclear warhead.

No, he's right. Prior to the invasion 4 years ago there were war games held with a retired US General in command of the "Iraqis/Saddam" in the Persian Gulf.

Using speedboats loaded with explosives and small craft used as high speed bombs, he managed to completely disable a carrier group. He also burned the oilfields in the south (from the border with Kuwait, up through Basra) throwing the land invasion into utter chaos.

By all recollections, he won.

It was hilarious. :D (Read about it in the paper a few years ago)

For starters I didn't read through what everyone else said about what you should do about joining.

But from my personal experience in the Marine Corps that if you really are thinking of joining and might want to be an officer than you should go talk to a recruiter and get it in writing that they will help you finish school then send you to OCS. But that is just my thoughts on it. Best route, plus being an officer means you get to give the orders and more money.