Basically, I'm a 17 year old junior in high school, I started taking ROTC this year and love it, I started taking it because I'm planning on joining some branch of military. And although I know Military will be way different from ROTC I'm sure it will help. OK, I have a daughter and a fiance(yes I know I'm young)but I want to be able to support them the best I can and I think the military will be a great start. I realize that I can't be picky about it because they will be the ones paying me and they will have control over me so I know that I won't be able to do what I want and I understand that. At first I didn't want to join because I didn't want to be stationed away from home but after thinking about it, it's something that will most likely have to be done. All I really want is to not be deployed to over seas(Iraq, Afghanistan) And I don't want to be stationed over seas. I guess to sum it up, what is the best branch to go into and what's a good job? I've been thinking between Airforce, Navy, and Coast Guard because from what I've been told they are the most lenient and most unlikely to be sent overseas. Yes I know this seems like I'm taking the easy way out and I will admit I am, but it's because I love my girlfriend and daughter and want to be with them as much as possible. I've heard the the air force is the most family oriented and I would be able to see them the most in that branch. So I've been leaning torwards that the most. I would just like to know a career that I would have the least chance of being deployed and have the most time with my family. Thank you for reading this long boring story.

Edit: Also, I'm considering going through college/ROTC first and going in as an officer, is this a good idea?

Edit#2: Also, is there a way to do drill while in the military(rifle spinning, etc.?) because I love it(I'm on drill team) so what are the chances of that?

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

Most services have an Honor Guard. I know the Air Force has an Honor Guard unit at almost every base. It is usually on a volunteer basis and you have to be 'settled in' as a first term airman before you can join. That means having you urgrade training done. And then inside the Honor Guard most units have a drill team that uses rifles or sabers.

As for which branch:
If you dont want to deploy as much than i would not go Army or Marines for sure. Having said that, with the current political climate and the way the military is moving (less servicemen but same deployments) it will be difficult to find a job that does not deploy at all. Each job, base and unit is different. Some units deploy a lot other do not.

The Air Force is VERY good at taking care of loved ones at home. I was an Air Force dependant to a father who is in Special Ops and gone a lot. I remember my mom getting random calls from other spouses to make sure she is ok and people coming over to babysit/cook/clean so my mom can get some rest. I cant speak for the other services

As for which career. Well, again I can only speak for the AF. The Air Force works on a deployment cycle, so when your time is up you become eligible to deploy. you may or may not go depending on what slots have been assigned to your squadron, your rank and experiance etc. The way things are goign with the changes the Air Force is making, they are getting rid of most of the paper pushing jobs and the jobs that can be contracted out, so it is going to be harder and harder to find a desk job anywhere. But like I have said in other threads, the Air Force needs come first.

All branches of the military have the possibility of being sent overseas so its gonna be hard to get out of that.

Also, ROTC at College is probably the best bet for you. You cant go to the Academy with dependants and if you have the choice to become an officer over enlisted than take it.

Good luck!