anyone here in the military?

I started out enlisted in the Army for about three years and then went to Warrant Officer school followed by flight school.  Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.  I have to agree with the above post that the free health care and gym access is a pretty nice benefit.  As a pilot I get a complete physical each year (which was today by the way).  My flight surgeon is checking on the availability of LT/VO2 Max testing here on post.  He said it is normally reserved for people in cardiac rehab but it may be possible.  The "organized" physical training that we do is a waste of time so I do my best to get out of it and spend my time on something with more quality.

Don't get set on a specific branch too early and make sure you do lots of research.  What about joining as an officer from the beginning?

Michael

Before you jump headlong into military service, consider joining the Reserves/National Guard.  At this time of year, you'd likely do your initial Basic training this summer, do some weekends through the fall and winter, and then do any advanced training later.  You'll still qualify for school benefits.  This is coming from someone who did 4 years active and 4 years in the National Guard.  You can always sign up for OCS (Officer Candidate School) while in the reserves (though why ANYBODY would volunteer for a lobotomy is beyond me...)

I did my active stint in the 82nd Airborne during the Gulf War.  All that training helped me realize how far I can actually push myself.  No IM or 1/2 IM this year, but I'll get there sometime soon...

Yeah, I am prior military.  Also, there is a bunch of folks who sounded off in this thread who are current or prior military:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=9462&posts=64

I am a Navy Career Counselor,  if you have any specific questions, you can e-mail me at [email protected] and I will be happy to give you the straight info, I am NOT a recruiter, so I won't try to sell you on the service. I work with people who are already in the Navy and help them advance thier careers through thing like special programs and officer porgrams.

John

This is SOLID advice.  I visited recruiters of all 4 branches of the military and even took home their book of "jobs" in each branch to really do research.  Those recruiters hated me because I was a tough sell...but I wanted to make sure I got into a job I wanted and not jump into the military thinking I would be some kind of hero. (not that you are....but that was MY train of thought during my decision making process)

Cecil:  This is a little off topic and doesn't address your question....but.....I keep in touch with some of my military buddies and one in particular whom I met at Jump School in 1990.  He is now an instructor at BUD/S in Coronado (been an instructor for about 5 years now and has 14 years in the Navy).  He said that he became a SEAL to be a "bad ass" (direct quote from him) but he had 2 shoulder reconstructions, a colapsed lung during dive phase of BUD/S, and became non-operational after a time due to his shoulders.  So he was admin for about a year which really ate his goat. (For the most part SEALs hate desk jobs......for obvious reasons)

So, he told me that after his first combat "tour" (aka military operation) with his SEAL team, he said it became just a job where you train, and train, and train, and train day in and day out.  He mentioned to me that the training was so dangerous that if they had prisoners do it there would be an uproar about "inhumane treatment."

He said he was no longer operational, had 2 completely trashed shoulders, was broke (aka had no $$$), and if he wasn't in the SEALs he would have no idea what he could do in civilian life.  He applauded my decision to go back to college and said that I should remember what "matters" in life (he was referring to my wife).  That's some good advice coming from someone who's been to the edge.

So my point is, think LONG AND HARD about the military and be sure you join it for the "right" reason, whatever that "right" reason is for you.  Do not join it because you think it would be "cool" or because you want to be a "bad ass" because, guess what, it's not always gonna be "cool" and "bad asses" get dead too.  It's been my own experience, those that joined up for the "college money" tend to be much less motivated and end up infecting their units with their lack of motivation and they can become dangerous to those around them.  However, there are those who join up initially to be "cool" or a "bad ass" or for "college money" and end up seeing the light, do become incredible soilders!

Don't let the recruiters sell you, do your own homework and make your own judgement calls.  You reaching out to experienced prior/current military folk before signing on the dotted line illustrated that you're head is on straight and you'd make a squared away soilder if you decide to join up.

I am currently a Naval Officer and was prior enlisted for 5 years before getting my commission.  Please feel free to ask me any questions that you would like...either about the Navy or Tri-training while in the Navy.  Glad to help, PM me anytime.

Lane

Sounds like you're squared away.

Good luck on your choice and let us know what you end up deciding!

HOO HOO!  We were on the Rapid Deployment Force, which meant we were almost always required to be within 2 hours of the post!  Seriously cut into golfing at Myrtle Beach!  On the plus side, our PT runs were 4 miles MWF and 2 on TuTh.  8:30 per mile was considered a slow run.  One time we had a squad leader run us out 6 miles, and challenged us to get back to the barracks before him.  We caught a ride with an MP, and had breakfast before he got back!

I've been in the Marine Corps for almost 7 years now.  Granted most of my time has been in the reserves, but I was activated right after September 11th and spent the next 2 1/2 years on active duty.  I applaud you for wanting to join the military, but please think before you act.  Here's how I see active duty.  You can either love it and can't wait to re-enlist, or you can hate it and can't wait to get out.  The reserves are always an option.  Nowadays, though, if you think that you're going to join the reserves and do the one weekend a month, 2 weeks in the summer thing, think again.  This is a reservists war and since there are more reservists than active duty, your chances of getting activated (repeatedly) and getting sent over seas is VERY VERY good.  My unit is slated to leave for the third time in December.

If all this doesn't scare you then great! You'll never regret doing this but there's a great chance you could regret NOT doing this.  Best of luck. 

I served in the 75th Ranger Regiment for, well, the 90's basically. I'll offer this advice: don't become too attached to your personal plans and goals. From day one they will take a back seat to your job whether you like it or not. Whether those goals include triathlons, raising a family, your education, it's the same. Your military obligations come first, the only exceptions being dire emergencies. You might plan for a race, have a plane ticket, a hotel booked, your significant other is flying in from home to watch you race, etc... Something that seems trivial to you or something that has nothing to do with you may prevent you from going.

I don't intend to emphasize the negatives, but you have to be completely honest with yourself when you go in. Service in the military is not about getting college money, it's not about jumping out of airplanes, it's not about ribbons and medals. It is about one thing and one thing only: Service. Plain and simple. If  you want to reap the benefits (I happen to feel there are many) of spending a period of time in service to your nation, then go into it with realistic expectations and goals. I wish you the best of luck.