Brain Top Off!

Joining the military is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. Many young people join the armed services to get away from parents or to get a job or job training or money for college. While these are valid enough reasons along with others, they are probably not sufficient factors in themselves to motivate someone through years of hardship.

For make no mistake – when they call it “the service,” they mean “service!” You will feel just like a servant, as the lowest man or woman on the totem pole, and you will be subjected to the will of others, many others, following orders and more orders every single waking moment. Even on your days off you are still considered to be on duty, in a very important sense, and you will not be fully your own person until your period of enlistment (or commission, if an officer) ends.

So recognize that it is much more than just a job. You will practically never clock out as a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine. Sure you will have days off, but your behavior must always remain correct and becoming of your uniform – even when out of uniform. Military service isn’t just a job, but a lifestyle – indeed, a mindset. Be sure it is one you truly want before you sign up for it!

However, there’s really no way to know until you have experienced it first-hand; that is, until you are actually in. And therein lies the problem: like a marriage, you never truly know until you are already committed. So what to do?

You can always apply for an administrative discharge, though your best chances are during the first six months of induction. It’s debatable whether you should apply even during basic training or wait until your first assignment to a post or base, but the first six months are certainly the easiest ones during which to request an Entry Level Separation, or ELS.

Post a Comment