I'm joining the military to pay for college. I want to attend undergrad school full time (while in the military, which is why I'm looking into reserves) and then work on a postgrad master degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics/physics. After my military career I plan on going out for a job with NASA, because it's been an aspiration since I was younger, and not to mention many reputable people from NASA have military backgrounds.

I just need some insight as to which branch would set me up best to follow through with this plan? A bud of mine just enlisted in the Army Reserves and is going to school full time right now until he starts his active duty term. I would like to do this as well, however I've been told I'm not going to land a job with NASA or similar companies by being in the Army. They referred me to other branches such as the Air Force and the Navy -- branches that are more technologically inclined. I've done a lot of research into the Army and would prefer to enlist there.. I don't want to do anything stupid.

So anyway -- I just want personal opinions as to which branch will offer the best education & living benefits, and set me up for a technical job in the civilian world.

Thanks

Andrew:

sounds like you have a plan and a brain.. good for you.. Lots don't think beyond next week or next year, or consider the military as both a career and stepping stone to something more after service.

Far be it from me to dissuade anyone rom joining the Army, but.. for computers and other high tech experience/training I'd go with Air Force or Navy as they have a longer history of integrating technology far earlier than the Army and their operations involve this far more than the Army - being the nature of the beast - though the Army is becoming more techy as well, what with tracking systems, computer controlled troop movements, etc. etc..

Air Force has , from the start, been a ' feeder ' for NASA and, the Navy, as well [ all those flyboys to astronauts dragging the others along ]

I'd get out there and talk to more than the recruiters, find some serving and ex types and pump them for info..Once you're on a path it will be very hard to change..

Plan now and go slow

Best advice I can offer since I've been out too long and my 'puter skills are mostly in playing Zuma...

Oh, I LOVE Zuma...wait, what were we talking about?

Oh yeah, what Rocketeer said. It's pretty much what I would say as well.

Except there'd be more cursing and at least one reference to alcohol.

Andrew Neal, go with the wing wippers or the squids they are best suited for what your planning for your future.

quote:

Originally posted by Coachman:
Andrew Neal, go with the wing wippers or the squids they are best suited for what your planning for your future.

Wing wippers? Squids? lol?

Edit - Airforce/Navy. Right?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Andrew Neal,

Oh yea that is what it means lol,

Well I have a file open with West Point right now. If I'm accepted, and I'm fairly confident I have a good chance of getting an appointment, then obviously I'll be going with the USAR. If I'm denied application, I'll apply again next year as well as all the other local schools I would be interested in attending, and maybe even get a file opened with Annapolis and Colorado Springs if I decide I'm ok with not going Army. If I'm denied entrance to the USMA a second time, I'm certain I'll be accepted at a local college. So I'll enlist in the reserves, come back from boot/ait. Take the HOPE scholarship and the benefits my reserve contract will have (gi bill, ect) and attend a local school for my undergrad while doing my 4 years of reserve. After that I'll take advantage of the green to gold program, or OCS or whatnot, and try to become an officer before I go active duty. While active duty or shortly after, I'll continue my postgraduate education.

That's the plan so far. I'm pretty set on it.

Sounds like a plan to me, good luck with it. let us know how it turns out.

That does sound like a plan. And refreshing to hear you did your homework on this.

At last! Someone with a plan!

The Plan

In the beginning was the Plan.

And then came the Assumptions.

And the Assumptions were without form.

And the Plan was without substance.

And darkness was upon the face of the Workers.

And they spoke among themselves, saying, "It is a crock of shit, and it stinks."

And the Workers went unto their Supervisors and said, "It is a pail of dung, and we can't live with the smell.

And the Supervisors went unto their Managers, saying, "It is the container of the excrements, and it is very strong, such that none may abide by it."

And the Mangers went unto their Directors, saying, "It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength."

And the Directors spoke among themselves, saying to one another, "It promotes growth, and it is very powerful."

And the Vice Presidents went to the President, saying unto him, "This new plan will actively promote the growth and vigor of the company with very powerful effects."

And the President looked upon the Plan and saw that it was good.

And the Plan became Policy.

And that is how shit happens.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: thegunny,

Andrew Neal, it occurs to me, reading through your comments, that you have very high flying plans, but nothing concrete....Much wishful thinking but nothing that says to any US Service: 'We want this man!'. I recommend to you to dump those ambitions, complete your training, work HARD on your physical fitness and if you then still want the military, join the service of your choice and work yourself through the system. Please don't view the military too much as a 'stepping stone' to a good job on the outside. Leaders in the military recognize opportunists quickly and see to it that they leave asap. They want young men and women who dream 'my job, my responsibility, my fellow soldiers' and then all the other stuff. And please don't forget that when you are in, the military has the last word on what you will do and where you do it. Please read other comments from me about this subject in this forum.

Andrew,

I don't know of any branch of school who will fund you as a full time practioner of your chosen profession and allow for full time school. You must stay oriented to time and place. First, you will attend your basic training and depending upon the branch of service, additional basic skills training. Then you attend your technical training. As for the Air Force, which is all I am really able to competently speak about, you have upgrade training. Until you reach a 5-skill level, which means you can perform most taks unsupervised, you may not really attend school. Not only that, but Tuition Assistance has a cow if you even attend 1/2 time. Plus, consider the Tuition Assistance cap of $4K a year. Sounds like a lot, but when one on-line course is more than $700 a class, it is not too many classes. To add to this, there are deployments. For the Air Force, and depending upon your job, you are deployed for 6 months at a time, and may or may not have access to a computer. We are the "military-lite" of all the branches in that our deployment duration is generally shorter, less often and more comfortable than our sister services. I am not saying school and the military are not compatable, I am just saying, if you do choose the military, do be prepared for the reality of the situation on the ground and not the picture your recuriter may color for you. Good Luck and choose well.

quote:

We are the "military-lite" of all the branches in that our deployment duration is generally shorter, less often and more comfortable than our sister services.

Truer words have never been spoken!

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