Both my friends enlisted and signed up for different jobs than they actually ended up with. One of them found out the last day of boot camp that his chosen job was "full." The other found out the week before he was to ship out to boot camp and had to resign his contract or not go. So choosing a job doesn't always ensure that you will get it, I guess, but a higher ASVAB score does help you. I have been offered huge sign on bonuses if I decide to go after college. Still not sure what I will do, depends on the job market, decision to go for a Master's, etc.

Let me make this clear: My main goal is not to get college money from this. That is just kind of a benefit on the side. I want to join to build discipline, build confidence, become a leader, and be part of the greatest fighting force on earth (to be fair, one on one the British Marines are likely better. However, there are 180,000 American Marines, while the British corp. Numbers only 6,000, so we've got a bit of an advantage there).

and be part of the greatest fighting force on earth

You keep dredging up this old gem. I'm worried that you're buying in to the propaganda. Of course, as an US citizen, you'd come to believe the Marines are the greatest fighting force on Earth. You should watch your arrogance, however; as it will earn you nothing but the ire of those who have otherwise invested themselves (directly or indirectly) in any of the worlds myriad armed forces (legitimate or otherwise).

But then, you ask a Marine and he'd tell you the same thing. So maybe you'll do good with that gung-ho attitude.

Damalis Skywalker

I actually asked someone who knows these things and they said:

Before you go in you take the ASVAB. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Its an aptitude test. From it they decide what they are willing to train you for. You actually sign up for your job at the beginning. After Boot Camp you get sent to your “vocational school”. You can sign up for an open contract, but that means they can put you anywhere they want after boot camp (janitor, front line foot infantry, etc).

Right, my best friend had to take the ASVAB and due to the fact that he got an extremely high score he ended up on a nuclear submarine. He enlisted into the Navy though and not the Marines.

I don't think it's as simple as being able to choose where you want to go, the higher the score you get on the ASVAB - the more opportunities it opens up. However, if you do score very high that doesn't really mean that you get to just pick from any of the positions, if they believe you're more apt to do a more difficult job, that's where they're going to put you.

Like somebody said, Camiron I think, I don't think it's uncommon for them to tell someone what job they're going to get, and then later they're notified that they actually got a job completely different from what they signed up for.

You want discipline, take up a martial art instead. And I don't mean Karate or some shit like that. I mean the martial arts which aren't based on muscle, but the ability to master your reactions.

That way, if you don't do well you won't die, and if you don't like it you can leave.

Or if your looking for erotic discipline, you can apprentice yourself to Telan.

Seriously, join the navy. When was the last time a U.S. Navy ship was sunk? Who's the first to fire cruise missiles at an enemy? Who transports the army and marines to distant shores? Who cruises around the world and has the biggest ships? The Navy, join the Navy, in the navy now, la la la la.

I served in the marines before and during the war and let me tell you, you will be right on the frontlines out of MOS. Join the navy, you'll get plenty of discipline and you won't run the risk of dying.

And honestly, it sounds like you are quoting a "The Few, The Proud" commercial.

Seriously, join the navy. When was the last time a U.S. Navy ship was sunk?

The USS Cole was a close bet. And with the tactics employed by modern terrorists, then as now, ships operating in the box face a greater danger then ever from small arms attack versus the old ship-to-boat combat.

Still... a lot safer then the front-lines. Even so, with the profusion of ship based accidents that plague modern navies the risk of friendly fire is still a more omnipresent concern for those, as they say, in the shit.

the risk of friendly fire is still a more omnipresent concern for those, as they say, in the shit.

I would still place the Marines or Army at the front lines for FF. If the Air Force is providing cover fire, that is.

Joining the military is so mind numbingly stupid an idea that I can't even bear to read the outcome of this thread for fear that you might actually do it.

Have I made myself clear yet?