My experience was 180 degrees opposite of this. I was responsible for making life or death decisions. These decisions weren't handed down from above, I had to make them dependent on the circumstances at the time. I had plenty of freedom. I really enjoyed my 24 year career in the USAF doing the things that brought a lot of excitement and accomplishment to my live. I can't say it would be the same today though with the present political climate.

Badger - "I think everyone gets a different experience,. I guess I'd specifically say that comment was more so aimed at garrison life. I'd have spent my whole contract deployed if I could. But the life a soldier outside of war"

My experiences were outside of war. I never served in a war zone. We assisted Secret Service in presidential protection, local law enforcement in handling bomb scares, found explosives, etc.

Go for it young man. If you decide to go to school afterwards it'll be on the house for serving. It opens lots of doors afterwards in the job market if you decide it's not a career all in itself.

The Marine Corps was the best decision I ever made. My Uncle gave me some advice before I enlisted. He said "Plan on two enlistments, first one chose something that you want to do and the second plan for the future" and I think this was the best advice "Choose a duty station far away from home and volunteer to go places, don't sit around base partying, this leads to no good and bad attitudes". The second part I witnessed, guys would enlist, then go home every weekend, nothing changed for them or they would spend the weekend in the barracks drinking like fish and getting in trouble. For me, I needed to change my life and the military did that. I have been all over the world. Some bad experiences but most good. It is what you make of it and I feel I made the most of. I took advantage of the GI Bill, got my Bachelors degree and make a good living doing what I enjoy.
Good Luck with your life changing decision.

Lots of sketchy advice in this thread, probably not the best source of information. I enlisted in 1987 and am still serving on active duty. I have one kid who just joined the Air National Guard and another who worked through the West Point application process but ultimately decided to take an ROTC scholarship. We need to know more about you and what you're looking for before we can give good advice. Do you want a career? Do you just want a skill for civilian life? Money for college? Feel free to PM me if you want to chat.

And of course the military is changing - everything in our society is changing. I'll bet if most of you went back to your old high school everything would be different.

The Marine Corps changed my life. I was raised pretty poor in the poorest county in the state of Florida. My parents were respectable hard working people. My father a former Marine from Nam. At 17 I thought I had two options, get a scholarship for school or the military. Otherwise I'd be stuck working at the paper mill or furniture factory. I chose the Marine Corps. Several influential people in my life guided my once I'd made the decision because I originally wanted to be a grunt, and possibly a sniper. They unveiled the reality of that world for me and encouraged me to learn a trade. I did, I became a computer tech, and later a net admin.
I would agree, plan for 2 enlistments. 1rst, party, have fun, buy a car and DON'T GET MARRIED. Second, focus on what you are going to do when you get out of the military. Plan financially for at least six years before you get out of the service and have a nest egg of about 10-20K when you walk out the door. (easily doable) Civilian life is expensive, esp when you don't own anything.
The Marine Corps taught more things than I can put in writing, but most of all it taught me what I was made of and what I was worth.

that's the chance you take

Its the best thing I ever did to structure my life.

Like my recruiter told me - - - Nothing ventured, Nothing gained. Go for it !

I’m thinking about the military, maybe even trying to get into West Point. What is your opinions on joining the military even though the government of that military is becoming increasingly corrupt.

you have not seen corruption till you have been in a third world crap hole where they will kill you for a banana or hand full of rice. or seen those governments supported by communists. and facists.

Having had way over 20 years in (and retired) (served in the Army and the Navy), over 50 countries and turned 50 in Iraq OIFII: YOU SHOULD NOT JOIN: you have the WRONG ATTITUDE right out of the shoot and will likely fail and drop out, especially from the officer corp end of things.

if you change your attitude and want to become part of a team then go for it, but right off the top you have not done any research on the subject on your own which indicates lack of motivation and your opinions on the government have nothing to do with the job and mission. You leave that crap at the door.

So stay a civilian and be a could have been, should have been wanna be; unless you want to change the world by being something more than an uninformed statistic.

You want to be a professional, then step up to the plate. Learn all you can especially how to adapt and overcome all obstacles in your life. but you better learn to listen first and keep your uninformed opinions and mouth shut.

And there is the "just following orders" opinion.

They work well with the West Point Protective Association.

Gone Trappin. I personally think you have exactly the right attitude. Investigate, ask questions and weigh your alternatives.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with thinking for yourself. I would rather associate with people who look at a problem from all angles.

I happen to believe that our military needs people who think, rather than act like mindless myrmidons

I agree. Two of my teenage children are considering academies. I have several good friends from the Naval Academy and West Point and they all recommend starting really early on academics, testing, sports, leadership and the Senator.

Follow Bayle Wolf Clinton Massie high school #50 west point he has a Twitter page follow him ! ask him questions you can follow his journey through high school football on YouTube just a great kid

Best thing I ever did served 20 years retired in 2017 went to college for free the rest is gravy.

West Point is an awesome school. I suggest you set goals and written plans for long and short term milestones. You should also get in great shape and set work out goals. Running, backpacking, pullups, sit-ups and pushups and of course learning how to eat clean. You can get some great and useful information here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCatNYjvtrlV1JNnxwJEhfnQ

Go for it, I did 7 years in the navy as an avionics tech and loved it. also recruited for 3 years, so i got to see alot of the other branches too. ive been out since 2004 and would have loved to have been able to make it a career(medical) i would have been retired 4 years ago. I looked into officer programs and was close to taking one but I prefer to do the job rather than sit behind a desk and bark orders, but to each their own. as stated above, look at all the branches and figure what works for you. just realize depending on you, you might not be qualified for certain jobs.
like about any career/job, it is what you make of it.

if you have any questions or want more info PM me and ill answer the best i can

So I’m not doing any research and I’m not motivated.. but I’m asking questions in this post.

You're going to have to do some soul searching and figure out what you want, you can see there's a variety of opinions here - even from the guys who have served. The military is always changing with the times, it always has and it always will - sometimes for the better and sometimes not. You can try it and get out after your first enlistment if it doesn't suit you or resign your commission if an officer after your initial obligation is fulfilled. Either way, I think most people who serve even one hitch gains some benefit from the service. For me personally, I wouldn't trade my 20+ years in the army for anything - even with the years of deployments and the scars that came with them. I got to do things and go places that many never will. And since I retired the education benefits, pension and basically free health care has been a blessing, even if it was hard earned. Give it a try and decide for yourself if it's career worthy. I doubt anyone one here that has served is ashamed of doing so or regrets the overall experience.