Rate the Services for Treatment of Enlisted

[markmarc]

My 25 year old son is in the initial stages of considering the military as a way to get training as a multimedia videographer/editor. Anyway, one thing I want him to really consider is how each branch really treats their enlisted troops. Secondly, how well each branch follows thru on their commitment for specific skills.

I know we have a handful of active and retired service members in the forum and would like their honest opinion and suggestions as to receiving the training he desires and the branch that takes care of their people the best.

[kawizx9r]

That my friend, will be very subjective.

Some have good experiences, others have bad experiences.

Personally, throughout my 4 yrs I've had a pretty good experience with those I've worked with/etc. Transitioning out was the toughest part, and I'm still working on getting my disability for something that happened back in early 2008 (I've been out of the Marine corps since March 2009) but I guess it's for good reason, you've got alot of dickheads milking the system for $$$ they don't deserve.

Anyway, whatever choice your son makes, I hope it's a good one!

-Freddy

[nooshinjohn]

The corps did alright by me... the Navy Docs on the other hand???

Air Force tends to be better IMHO from those I have talked to.

[hoosier21]

at 25 miitary for that type ot training seems a strange path to me, but maybe it will work for him. Air Force I would think first, Navy second.

[Outfitter03]

I served 6 years in Navy, 2.5 years was in schools. Treated very well, but they definitely work you to death. Took all the hard science classes that I stayed away from in college. Electronics program was excellent!!!

As far as getting schools. Get it in writing. I was told by the recruiter they didn't guarantee Electronics Tech ratings for Nuclear Power. I said fine and call me when they do. 3 months later they came back with an offer in writing. Didn't meet anyone else in that had done the same thing so maybe what the recruiter was saying was mostly true.

When I was in 1983-1989 schools were tough and competitive. At least 30% attrition rate in electronics school and my class had a 47% attrition rate at Nuclear Power School. Depending on duration of school completed, still had to finish time in service even though you are not doing what you signed up for. My program was a 6 year minimum active duty enlistment So the moral of the story is you will need to work HARD to make it through your schooling. Choice of duty assignments in the Navy at that time was based on standing in your graduation class, so there were other rewards for hard work.

The services have different personalities. Marines are tough and most people either know they want to be one or no way. The Army has much fewer technical schools. The Air Force and the Navy have lots of technical schooling. They also both have nice bases and more civilized living standards. Prior to the current wars it was very rare for Sailors or Airmen to spend much time living in tents.

I will emphasis, get any schooling or career track in writing, then do your part and exceed in your training. The new GI bill is really bonus++++ I wish they had something like that when I went through and I wouldn't still be paying off my Masters Degree.

[George Grand]

The chances of learning a technical skill, marketable upon leaving the military, is slightly greater Air Force or Navy. Right around now the other services are hard-pressed for riflemen/women.

[doctorcilantro]

My 25 year old son is in the initial stages of considering the military as a way to get training as a multimedia videographer/editor. Anyway, one thing I want him to really consider is how each branch really treats their enlisted troops. Secondly, how well each branch follows thru on their commitment for specific skills.

I know we have a handful of active and retired service members in the forum and would like their honest opinion and suggestions as to receiving the training he desires and the branch that takes care of their people the best.

When he talks to the recruiter, just get a guaranteed "A-school" after boot camp, that way he picks his rating beforehand and shoves off to school right after boot camp; pick the closest rating having something to do with "journalism". Then sign up for the new GI BIll in boot camp.

I'd say Air Force or even Coast Guard given his interest, but maybe Army too?

[Ric5811]

Corps was good to me for the most part...and they have an excellent public affairs/ journalism program now, from what I have seen. But I would probably say go to the Air Force or Navy.

[hearingimpared]

Mark, I can't comment on the various divisions of the service but I can tell you this. My son is a videographer and works for QVC and is up to his eyeballs in student loans from three different schools to the tune of upwards of $70K. So I think your boy has the right idea.

[mole']

i signed up for 4 year in the navy. first 4 years were hard til i made good rank. i got lucky and got a few extra "A" schools. i reenlisted for $60k i did 3 westpaks in 4 years.

they work you to death.

i just got out last year due to a Med Discharge (had a mild stroke and fell down a flight of stairs on a Sub i was working on)

to this date im still waiting to get my Disablity from the NAVY. while your in, they are cool. but once your out, they F@&K YOU OVER HARD CORE!!!!

AND GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING FIRST!!!!

[TNRabbit]

The services have different personalities. Marines are tough and most people either know they want to be one or no way. The Army has much fewer technical schools. The Air Force and the Navy have lots of technical schooling. They also both have nice bases and more civilized living standards. Prior to the current wars it was very rare for Sailors or Airmen to spend much time living in tents.

I will emphasis, get any schooling or career track in writing, then do your part and exceed in your training. The new GI bill is really bonus++++ I wish they had something like that when I went through and I wouldn't still be paying off my Masters Degree.

Ditto. I spent 20 years USAF; probably the best for funding & how they treat their folks.

[Hawkeye]

My daughter is an AF videographer/photographer. When she was considering joining, I strongly recommended the Air Force or Navy. No disrespect intended to the brother services intended. Throughout my 30 some years of interacting with all the services, the AF took the best care of the folks. The Navy advancement system was more to liking. Me and a friend joined the service at the same time, same job. He in the AF, me in the Navy. I retired two pay grades higher than him. We're still friends:D

Is your son mature for his age? Sometimes, it is difficult for an older person vice the 18-19 yo recruit to adjust to the military lifestyle. An older person has more developed wants, needs and desires than the 18 yo. The younger person is in general, more accepting of the rules. +1 to the AF on this point, most of the AF folks I've met seem very well adjusted. Almost to the point where it seems it is just a regular job. That's not to say the other services are not well adjusted. We used to say a bitching sailor is a happy sailor, so I guess EVERYBODY was happy!

The new GI Bill is impressive. Didn't have any thing like it when I was in. The in service ability to attend college and the service pay for it and not have it affect your GI Bill is a plum. So, go to college on the service's dime while in and use the GI Bill after you get out. Win/win in my book.

Gordon

[George Grand]

Me and a friend joined the service at the same time, same job. He in the AF, me in the Navy. I retired two pay grades higher than him. We're still friends:D

Gordon

I watched cavemen that couldn't construct a simple sentence, or teach a class on any subject, who joined 10 years AFTER I did, retire two grades higher than I did.

All in the game and how well you WANT to play it, not how good you are at it.

[jflail2]

I watched cavemen that couldn't construct a simple sentence, or teach a class on any subject, who joined 10 years AFTER I did, retire two grades higher than I did.

All in the game and how well you WANT to play it, not how good you are at it.

Hah, my dad's retired AF and that's NOTHING but the truth.

He had officers (he was enlisted) that he answered to that probably couldn't common sense their way out of a soaked paper bag.