The armed forces

i was accepted into the US Naval Academy and will be joing the armed forces. coming from an entirely military family, i understand what this means. For all of our servicemen, i would like your opinions about it. I am afraid, yet i am ready. Any advice you would like to share, or thoughts about your experiences (keeping in mind i come from a strong military background so i don't need a lecture about joining and the commitments that comes with it)

Oh Lord, let me be the first to jump in on this one. First of all, may the Force be with you whilst attending. Second, DON'T GO! Sorry, but having been in as long as I have; I have to say that there is nothing worse you can do to a servicemember than to make them an officer. I have been around too many brand new lieutenants just out of VMI or West Point with all their book knowledge that have just destroyed units. If you come from a big military family, ask the members that were non-commissioned officers versus the commissioned officers, let them tell you how you can take a person that loves the military and believes in our ideals and pin that gold bar on them and just see what happens. There are just so many things that get forgotten because the paperwork has to be done just right for the C.O. If you like paperwork and being on-call 24/7 for an unappreciative Captain or above instead of being in the mud with the troops getting dirty, blowing stuff up, go ahead. But theres a reason they call people like me \"The Backbone of The Army\". We get the job done. But its ultimately your choice, the money is better and you do have that degree to fall back on. Just make sure your contract \"branches\" you. That way you won't have to change career fields every two years or so. Theres nothing worse than to fall in love with a field, say Infantry and then be told two years later that you will now be a tanker or Signal Corp officer. Good luck, meditate on it.

I am a vet and I come from a sevice family. But, being an officer is the only way to go for a career. I was enlisted but, I do know the many advantages that come from being an officer not just the added money, and exclusive clubs, dining, recognition, resume' value etc., and on and on. Yeah, I hated the 1st lieutenant's that came through my unit---- every single one. I am sure their training makes them that way.... They are trained to believe they must show their authority from the git go and it shows that they really don't know shit about their new job. So, as you are going in, and your gonna be an officer, good luck and remember when you get to your first duty assignment that you should at least pretend to give a shit about your lowly underling enlisted personnel and make sure you give thought before you give an order or especially before you decline a request. Good luck, it will definitely be an experience most folks will never have. Mine sure as hell was, I wouldn't want to do it again but, I sure wouldn't give up the experiences I had either.

wow, i knew officers were hated, but haha. My father and grandfater enliste and worked their way up from nothing to the big guns. My whole family is military, it's what we do. We make it into our lives missions. My grandfather enlisted, and now he's a retired General! (go figure...wooohoo for my life...:S ) They put a restriction on me though. I HAVE to attend a 4 year university OR ELSE! and my dad and grandfather are terrifying. So i knew i wanted to join, but then i also had to go to college AT LEAST 4 years. That's why i chose the Academy. I will do my best not to be a jerk when i first get into the service for real. I don't believe in that kind of additude anyways, it is very negative and i KNOW what people call their commanding officers when they aren't listening....lol. I also plan to go into code breaking or translating. I adapt easily to other cultures and learn languages easily. But i feel a sense of duty to my country, and to my family's honor and name by serving.

have being in the service i can tell you this much. the only reason that a new officer is disliked, is because they dont listen to the old dogs. If you are going to the navy make sure you listen to what the chief says his rank says he knows for the most part on what he is doing. i am not saying you are like the other officers at all but you have to remember that the enlisted dont see you get chewed out, they only see them getting chewed out by you. just my advice and this is just what i have expierenced. good luck to you and you're career,
may the force be with you on this new journey.

Don't do it. The US government is an Evil Empire.

Well that's a bit forward, Zute. Opinions are valuable but do you have backup for that? I tend to agree, but im curious as to your reasoning?

well the govt still has to have approvel from the senate and the congress for most things. and since we vote who is in the office. we have the choice to who is the govt, so shouldnt we choose better for the person who is supposed to give our voice? just my thoughts on it. the only thing i didnt like about the service was how they ran things and remember if you choose to go that rought make sure you are read for that choice.

Congrats Warbeauty may you serve with distinction,honor and intelligence. (and if the situation allows, humanity)

the US government is an evil empire?
thank you Zute for making my day. You sound like all of my friends. haha

While there is little doubt to me that the United States is an empire, I wouldn't call it, or anything else that exists as a tangible object on this earth, evil. But whatever, this thread isn't about imperialism. Congrats on your acceptance. I wish you success, and may the force be with you.

Congrats on your acceptance to the acadamy. Just rember to be nice to us enlisted personel. While I'm Army and your going in to the USMC just rember the \"little people.\" Serve with Honor and Pride.

I have to congratulate you on the acceptance. Just want to give a quick bit of advice to you. You will learn many things in the school...many things from books. When you get to your boat, for the love of the Force, please, be an officer, but let your NCO's run the show. They have the experience with the sailors, and they know what they are doing. They will give you the utmost respect if you allow them to keep running things they way that they have been, and you will be so more in touch with the troops/sailors that way. Do your job when you are required to, but, unless there is something that is just entirely too much for the NCO to handle, please interfere as little as possible. Just advice, you do not have to follow it, but it will work out for the best in the long run. A lot of officer's go to the show, thinking that they know everything, and are despised and treated like crap by their enlisted charges. Don't go that route, just do the right thing.

War_Beauty, when you told me you were going in I didn't know you were going to be a swabbie.... I wish you the best of luck in your task. Just remember to trust your Non-Comm's and you should be good. I would expect nothing less of you.