Unfortunately, I just got out of my first semester in college which seemed to be a pretty shallow experience for me. I met quite a few people but I'm not the type of person that needs attention or tries to win other people's hearts and meet their expectations. I don't mean to characterize myself in the wrong way by contributing to this fact, because I do in fact challenge myself beyond the ordinary when I'm focused. Anyways, I failed all of my classes but my scholarship covered tuition. Now that I don't have a scholarship anymore I will not be able to pay off tuition. Im currently unemployed and considered the marines before I even decided on a college. I love the thought of doing things out of the ordinary and staying in peek physical shape. The idea of shooting people doesn't bother me nor does the idea of getting hurt. I can't decide which branch of the military to join because even though I'm a big computer geek (to put it bluntly) I've got a very hefty appetite for combat. I was thinking I could enlist into the marines and do their cryptography (or computer security route) but Ive heard too many good things from people I know joining the Navy and Air Force who say computer fields are much more available in these areas. Another thing I might add, is that I was considering even being a physician and know I can push myself too it because I am in fact pretty intelligent and have volunteered at hospitals previously. What would be the best route for me to go? All comments are welcome and thank you in advance!

Well, if you enlist, why not join the medical field instead of the computer security? Could get some "training in the trenches" that would serve you well later.

It's all on you. I'd do all I can to stay in college, but I know exactly what you're going through. I blew a scholarship as well and ended up enlisting in the USMC. I believe whoever you talked with is correct, the computer security opportunities are not as abundant in the USMC as other services. And the medical corps doesn't even exist in the Marines (Navy Corpsman have that job).

I don't know If I could really handle being on a boat for over 6 months. I can stay pretty stationary in one place for quite some time but I do believe I may get sick of it after a while.

Other than that, Medical Corps sounds ideal in the navy. Is there a similar branch in the Army or Air Force? Which one would offer more benefits? I'm really not too keen on staying in college mainly because I would have no money to live anywhere. I really would rather not move in with my parents and attend school. Plus my parents have no idea that Im even considering the military and I wonder if I could hide this from them. They are up tight religious folk who do not stand for such a thing.

hmmm, let me get this straight. Tubed out of college in your 1st semester by failing all of your classes, and yet you view yourself as being able to challenge yourself beyond the ordinary when you are focused? And you had a paid scholarship as the kicker. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't most 1st semester classes all 101 type or beginner classes?

And on top of this, you want to keep your parents from finding out you enlisted?

I dunno, but I'm more than a little leary of your stated reasoning for wanting to be in the services.

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The idea of shooting people doesn't bother me nor does the idea of getting hurt.

Nobody but a fool craves combat. By your own words, I wouldn't want you in my platoon. Just so you know, it's supposed to bother you when you kill someone.

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The idea of shooting people doesn't bother me nor does the idea of getting hurt.

Kinda wondered about that myself, but he's young...I'm guessing. And wanting to be in medicine with that whole hypocrite, no that's not it...Hippocratic oath? Yeah, that's the one.

Anyway, yes the Army and Air Force have medical corps as well. And as a Navy Corpsman-- keep volunteering to be with the Marines. That way you'll only be on ship as long as the Marines are! I've heard of corpsman doing 10-20 years with doing nothing but support to the Marine Corps.

Lots of people have enlisted in the military for the sole purpose of killing people. I'm not saying I'm that type but implying that I understand that you could die or you may have to face combat or etc. etc. in the military. Ive already thought of such and it doesn't phase or bother me.

As far as failing out of college goes you are right gunny! They are all 101 classes and most of the classes I was taking were a repeat of high school classes. Honestly, there is no excuse for me failing, but don't question my intelligence thegunny I'm not a fool.

Also, as far as me being the hypocrite I guess it just depends on what you view as "helping people" in the long run. You could call doctors hypocrites as well for helping women have abortions or prescribing the morning after pill (things of that nature). Is shooting someone going to "help" someone else? Im sure you would find different answers from a lot of people. Thats a discussion in itself, can we keep it to the real questions?

Which branch from your experience has the best overall benefits and which branch offers the best as far as computer related careers go? The marine corps recruiter insists that the marines have such a program yet I don't know how well that would serve me as would programs in other branches.

Thankyou patoloco for your helpful post! I will be seeing a navy recruiter for such a track also!

Edit: My parents are very traditional and them finding out about me serving would make all my relatives abandon me. I don't mind such as I'm already independent but I've always been taught the only two things that will save you in this world is your money and your family!

In my family, it is traditional to serve. Not everyone does but we all support those who do. You have a chance to change tradition. Talk to some vets and they will let you know how the service changed their life. Most will be for the better. Not all served with their family’s approval.

I was talking to a guy yesterday who was in World War II, Korea and Vietnam with infantry companies and he said he would not trade his experiences for the world. He told me that his father was quite angry with him when he enlisted and he decided that it was his life he was living and not his father’s.

You are an adult – do adult things.

In case no-one has told you, the Navy and Marine Corps have contracted out thier IT services to a civilian company called EDS.

I think that you will find that few people join the military for the express purpose of killing people. We take recruits and train them to perform a certain function and yes, some of them do get the opportunity to actually pull the trigger. When we perform our jobs correctly the end result is that the enemy is killed in the process, whether it be the cook feeding the troops, the supply clerk ensuring that supplies are made available for issue where needed, or the guy changing the tire on a fighter jet. All of these jobs contribute to the ability of a unit or comand in completing its designated mission.

I think patoloco was referring to the hypocratic oath when he was referring to doctors?

Only two things will save you in this world, money and family? Granted both are important, and do make things easier in life, but in my opinion you have neglected to mention the fact that one should as an adult, depend on yourself first and foremost. Money can only fullfill a set need, money doesn't apply in the large majority of circumstances one finds themselves in. And family, well family can't do everything for you. One can succeed in life without family. Not saying its easier, just stating the fact. I think that you would find as most do, that your family will adjust to your adult decision to serve in the military. They will be in there rooting for you and worrying about you while deployed. You'll be surprised at what a family will do and won't do for thier son that is in a far away land living under threat of death at every turn in the road.

I still stand by my assessment or statement about a fool craving combat. Frankly anyone that is in a combat situation and is continuously displaying a fearless attitude or disposition is great cause for concern. People like that are too dangerous to be around. They are or become bullet magnets. That sort of thing makes one very unpopular with your teammates.

thankyou HarryP and thegunny for the comments. Im considering the navy but will not talk to recruiter until later this week. I'll let you all know how it goes!

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Lots of people have enlisted in the military for the sole purpose of killing people.

I, uh, can't name one person like that who wasn't discharged right after enlistment, psych evals and all. Sorry, I think you have the wrong impression of those in uniform.