The military is a wonderful place for the young to get direction and have a chance to mature in a structured environment. Everyone should spend time in the military. It gives one a different perspective on life and on the greatness of this nation. I believe the draft should be reinstated for men and women, and all Congressmen and the President should have military service as a prerequisite to running for federal office. But, that's just my opinion.

EJ, I know from your posts that you were career military. Would you still recommend this you a young person today. I know of a young man that is considering this option and I would appreciate your input.

Thanks

forHIM - I have a daughter that has been in the Air Force for 9 years and just married a Navy man. They both love the military, even though she has been to Iraq twice and he has been several places in Europe providing support. I also have another daughter presently in college that is seriously considering joining as an officer when she gets her degree in a couple of years. My son is a GS-12 working for DOD and at one time was considering inactive reserves, but he has it made where he is, so he decided to stick with a good thing.

I would definitely recommend military service, whether elisted of officer. The benefits are great and the training and opportunities will beat nearly anything the civilian world has to offer. I would especially recommend military service to young men and women that need discipline and direction, and to those that haven't the money or grades to get into a good college or land a good, secure job.

I would do it all over again....and again.... and again.

I agree EJ

i have a daughter, who joined the marines, 7 years ago, married a marine, and than my youngest son joined also. my kids stuck in bangor, with no direction either. till they joined the military. kudos to this young man ,i hope you find it as rewarding, as my 2 kids do. godbless.

I wish we would allow judges to give military service as an option to first time offenders like they used to do. I personaly didn't like the service but have never regretted serving my country. I know it straightened me out. I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to give it their best.

Congratulations to this young man. Sounds like he has made one of

the best decisions of his life. May God bless him and keep him safe.

I would say the Airforce then the Navy.....

Airforce life is pretty easy compared to the other branches.....

You learn a lot.

I was in the Navy myself.

If I had never joined I wouldn't be living the life style that I do now.....

Still work DOD.......

Well that was my next question but I didn't want to start an online war here. What do those of you with experience think the best branch of the military would be for a career choice. Coast guard anyone?

Thanks for all the answers.

Seems like a nice young fellow............stay safe young warrior......we are proud of you,

I've worked with some Coast Guard, they seem to like it....

forHIMtoday: I don't think there's a single "best" military branch for a career, but a person's attributes could certainly make one branch a better fit than another. Each branch has many different job specialties to match just about any interest. All of them are great careers and are vital to our country. All of them come with a degree of sacrifice as well, and aren't necessarily an easy way of life all the time.

Private Clossey, thanks for serving!!

Armyvet, All our vets are so deserving of our admiration and praise for their service. I can't describe the feeling I get when I see these young men out and about proudly wearing their uniforms and knowing how vital they all are to our country's freedom which we now seem to take for granted and are quickly giving away without a shot being fired.....

My concern for this young man and his concern is how difficult will it be to raise a family as a career military man?

forHIMtoday,

Insofar as overall opportunities for training/advancement, and then living accomodations, I would advise:

1. Air Force

2. Coast Guard

3. Navy

4./5. Army/Marines

But I also need to stress, serving in any of thse branches of the military is going to provide trmendous opportunity to grow!

I was in the Army and served in Korea , My oldest son was a Marine and then joined the Army after 4 years , my next son was in the Airforce , the next one was in the Navy, the next one was in a submarine for 14 years. I now have a Grandson in the Marines. I beleive ever young man should serve his country as it really makes them grow up and find out what life is all about, I still beleive it does some young women good to join BUT I don't beleive they should service in Combat . When I was in Korea there were no women on the front lines and I still feel the same way. I beleive there is more dangor in the Army and Marines then the Navy and Airforce in the wars we are in now. I am proud of this young man for joining up and all the other men and wemen and wish them a safe return even though I don't beleive in the 2 wars we are in now and see no end to them , they have been fighting for 100s of years and still will be when and if we EVER leave there.

Zane, you've embarked upon a wonderful journey in the U.S. Army, a path that'll offer much if you take advntage of all that is possible. In the army you can go as far as your motivation and abilities will allow! I'm excited for you. You remind me of what I was like when I was 18-19, before I enlisted; 3-years of army enlisted service matured me and opened my eyes to the world. I'd recommend military or Peace Corps service to all young people.

Basic training is a necessary passage into the deployed forces. Give it your all at Ft. Knox and at Ft. Benning. When you get to out of schools and to your "deployed" unit, don't lose your enthusiasm and will to get ahead! Let me tell you from experience that in your deployed unit you will undoubtedly meet some soldiers who are less than enthusiastic and dutiful. Please do not allow them to rent cheap space in your mind! Do not be blinded by the actions of some few disgruntled, for they will see you as a new guy in the unit and try to unduly influence you. (Although the amry as greatly improved, some soldiers are lazy, just counting the days til ETS, and otherwise engaging in unsavory behavior.) Look to your well-trained and veteran sergeants and junio officers for direction, inspiration, and guidance. They want good motivated troopers like you.

Good soldiering! Let us hear great things about you and from you!

steamship I have asked this question to the ones I meet and the general consensus seems to be just what you said, navy and air force. I'm excited about having this young man read these posts from you guys in the "know". Thanks again

ForHimtoday,

I would have to disagree with one small portion of steamship's assessment. There is absolutely no way that the Air Force should be considered the best option with reguard to advancement. I am currently on active duty (USMC) and have been for over 19 years. During that time I have had the opportunity to meet service members from all branches of the armed forces. Although I have never taken a poll I would bet that 90 percent of the Air Force personnel I have met over the years has said that the worst thing about the Air Force is the slow promotion rate. Now obviously there is much more to choosing the branch of service than the promotion rate but it certainly should be part of the consideration. I do believe that the personality of the individual should be greatly considered during the process of choosing which branch to join, although I do believe that whichever branch is chosen will be just fine for this young man.

And to PVY Clossey, good job!

if all our children would 'serve & defend the constitution', like this fine young man is,

we wouldn't have a problem with the 'Liberal Progressive Socialist's' that our currently running (destroying) our country.

God bless (& help) the USA !

TheGunny - You're right. The Air Force takes the best care of their people, but making rank is harder, especially on the enlisted side.

Join the Army.

Meet interesting people

and kill them.

PFC Clossey, Thank you for your service.

Military service as a requirement for running for Congress or President? Hogwash!

"military service was just the anchor he needed"

Common Ground Feels So Nice Indeedee

In My Humble Opinion Also~~It IS Time To Start Drafting Again.

There Is No Way I can Tell Anyone How Much I Learned Volunteering In the Army in 67.

Best Branch Always Heard and Observed It was The Air Force or Navy

Dang Straight~At least I was Smart Enough To Not Join As A Marine

They Just A Little To Gung Ho for Me~~But What A Fightin Machine they Are.

But It Does Depend on Education And Your Record

Speaking of Record~~Yes What A Way To Straighten Out Neg Behaviors For Most of Our Criminals

Now that Would Not Include Murders And Such Extreme Behaviors.

It does seem to Me that after the Draft Ended

The Polarization of America has Gotten More Extreme

That Is After You Take Out The Nam Era Demonstrations

And Most of Them Should of Been Treated Like Traitors As Far As I`m Concerned

Not Shoot~~But Something To Show Them All~~What A Soldier Already Knows.

Velton - Do you actually believe that the President serving as Commander-in-Chief, should be able to hold that position with no familiarity or experience with the military?

EJParsons~~I`m With You On That~1:55 thang.

Lets hear it Velton......

I think he should......

Air Force for living conditions. slow for promotion

Navy, best for getting experience in fields that transition to civilian life.

Marines if you need to be toughened up, or in extreem need of self disciplin

Army also has a lot of job classifications that translate to civilian life.

Not all service personel are trained for frontline duty. All are expected to do so if required.

The only bad thing with the all volunteer Army is that it keeps the bad people in civilian life that we have to cope with and all the good men and women

will be kept far away so we as civlian's will have to put up with all the scum and the servives will have all the good. The draft should be put back in place

Congratulations Private Clossey! And thank you for serving our/your country. If more of our misguided young people made the same smart decision I bet we wouldn't have half the drug addiction problems, nor the crime wave that has sprung from these addictions. I wish this young man all the best!

forHIMtoday - 4 years of Personal experience leads me to direct you to the Marines. You can hear horror stories galore about boot camp this and boot camp that....but I chose to hold meself to a higher standard and went where I thought the work and pay off would benefit me personally the best. Then again, that was 1994, and things were not what they are today. If your looking to set yourself up for "Post" military life then I'd most certainly tell you to head to the Navy. Their enlistment requirements now a days are higher then any other service, but the end result's far outweight the other branches. If it's an outright challenge and the militart is soemthing you might want to do for the next 20 or so years.....Marines and Army are where you want to be. They move you through the ranks relatively quickly and (as far as the Marine Corps goes) the MOS's are exciting and always challenging. Best of luch what ever you choose......but "The Few, The Proud" has a nice ring to it!

I am lucky my parents gave me my "sense of direction" and not the government or the military. My parent have showed me the greatness and the failures of humanity and themselves, for that i am truly indebted.

Congrats for making it home safe, and also for being a hero to us all, we are proud of you for serving this great country.

Cherry! Wait till Airborne School! 3 weeks of fun! NOT