Army question please help?

Question

ok i'm 17 and will be 18 in two weeks. I'm planing to join the army mainly because i'm sick of being abused and mistreated by my parents. Just because they put me in college they say they can treat me however they want. Out of my 4 siblings i'm the one my parents hate mainly my mother who literally said it and called the police to kick me out but police told them they can't unless i turn 18. They don't want me to get a job because they want to keep me as a slave who will always depend on them. My only option now is to join the army that way i can be able to go to school without depending on them. They want me out of their existence so that's exactly what i will do and show them that i can survive and be someone. I started college last week and my mom took away my laptop(because they bought it) and i already have three zeros on the second week of school. I can't take it anymore i just want to go as far away as possible. I'm french and don't have any family member with who i can live but i'm a US permanent resident so that qualifies me for the army. So here are my questions:

1: is it true that at 18 i can join the army whether parents wants it or not?

2: How long after i get recruited do i get to leave my parents house?

3: how do things go as far as housing? i heard it was free but not sure.

4: will i really get a chance to go to college while still serving?

5: how does the pay works? monthly or what?

6: what are the benefits?

7: will they send me to war right after i join(i mean after basic training)?

8: can i work for the army but not fight in a war?

9: what is the minimum numbers of years i am required to serve once enlisted?

10: what are the disadvantages?: please be honest because everything has good and bad so please tell me all.

Thanks in advance to everyone who answers these questions.

Answer 1

Hey, the Army is one way to escape from illogical parents. But I'm glad you're asking the disadvantages so you have a balanced and informed understanding of what you're getting into here.



At 18 you are legally an adult and can join. You can usually leave within a few months of enlisting. They have to do a background check on you, you have to pass a physical exam and entry exam (called the ASVAB.) You shouldn't have any problem with it, you write pretty coherently.



Housing is free. It's military barracks, but it's not that bad after initial training, sort of like college dorms, only you have to keep your room clean or a sergeant yells at you.



You can attend college on your own time. Whether or not you have any time depends on your job and your unit. Some people have time, some don't. Some places have associate's level classes on base or nearby. Or you can take online classes. You'll maybe get through three classes a year, four if you make it your priority. Army's tuition assistance should cover tuition, maybe not textbooks.



After you are out you can use the GI Bill. That will cover in state tuition plus assistance with rent and living expenses. Some private universities have an agreement with the VA matching these funds, so you can also go there for free. So you can start your degree in the Army, and finish it for free afterwards, with enough for living expenses, so you won't have to worry about dealing with the parents.



You get paid on a monthly basis, with a paycheck once every two weeks. It's not great, but it's more than enough, considering you will not pay for housing or food or health insurance, that's all completely covered while you serve. Which is the benefits.



You will go to Basic training, then job training, then to your unit. You will deploy with your unit, not as an individual. Which is good, you will know the people you go to a combat zone with. You cannot opt out of wartime service. There's a chance you could serve four years and not go anywhere dangerous. But it's more likely you will deploy, at least once.



Minimum years is about three - but total military obligation is 8 years. So if you serve three, you are in some version of the Reserves for the next five years. You could be called back up for another combat tour during that time. Again, it might not happen, but it's possible.



I think the fact that you could get called up for war is the main disadvantage. Also, the military lifestyle in general is not easy. You get up really early, you work hard. You put in long hours during field training and deployment, though it's basically an eight hour day (not counting meal breaks) if you aren't in the field or deployed. You have to do as you're told.



As a non US citizen, not every job will be open to you. But you can apply for citizenship really soon after enlisting. If you deploy, you can apply the day you arrive there, and be a citizen within months. Then you more jobs will be open to you. TELL them when you enlist, if you speak French or any other languages. Once you have citizenship, that could open a few opportunities for you.



Anyways, that's everything I could think of. Sorry it was so long. But you deserve to know what you're getting into. Thanks for considering serving your country - or one of them. :)

Answer 2

First, I would go to a military recruiter that can answer all your questions.



Next (which should be first), Running from a situation, especially to prove something to others is not too wise. That means that in the Army there is a good chance you would be driven by that and make bad decision that could put you or your fellow troops in danger. I call it hero driven. Number 7. With the Army, there is a very good and likely chance you will be sent to a combat Zone.



There is a great shortage of troops in all area of com batearea and many/most rrecruitsafter basic are sent to assist/rrelievethe over taxed troops that have been deployed at least twice, often more times.



Number 1. Yes you can join any military force without parents cconsentfor legally you are the age to be emancipated. No. 2. I can't say for sure but not very long for the Army. Once 18, you could always solicit the help of a local church or Social Services or even legal aid (if the child abuse you suggest is in play) untill your time to leave for basic training.



3. As for hhousing you will be provide decent/comfortable housing, meals, recreation etc as part of your benefits, besides your base pay.

The acitve military (all branches) take very good care of there investment "YOU".



4. With any Branch you earnmonetaryy credits toward your college. Often times the career you are in will give you credits toward your education. I took a number ofcorrespondencee courses durring my time. And then went two years on the GI Bill, which paid for tuition, books as well as some living expenses. My daughter who retired from the Air Force in FEB 09, In spite of a drama filled marriage and three kids and health problems continued her education and got her Master's in Business Administration.



5. You get paid monthly. If you do go into combat then you will get additional combat pay, some jobs you also getHazardss duty pay. They pay for your travel, 30 daysvacationn a year which you can let build up to an extent. Unlimited sick leave and health care. For the most part it no different thanhavingg a civilian job only with, I feel more benifits.



6-8. Yes there is a chance (slim) that you can be in the Army and not be deployed. My advice, if I may, is to choose another branch like the Air Force where most jobs will not take you into in country (combat) unless you are in the medics or pilot or some other jobs. As far as combat goes, the next option I would consider would be the Navy. However, I feel the best safest choice would be the Coast Guarad. Their job is to patrol/protect the U.S. shores, sea rescue, border patrol,intelligencee. I have never heard of a CoastGradd person going into combat. Sometime involved with the drug trade but that is it and you also get all of the samebenefitss of the other branches with minimum risk of combat.



9. I think the minimum is 3yrs. most times 4 or more, it depends on the branch.



10. Just like in civilian life, you are always going to run into knuckle heads,harassmentt, ego trippers that wil piss you off, someracismm,sexismm etc. But the advantages farout wayy the disadvantages. Oh, pluss when you get out, you have a better chance to be hired because of your military experience and trainingdisciplinee.



I would print and save this. Take it with you to the recruiter and make comparisons to help you make informeddecisionss.

Good Luck.



As to choice, and question

Answer 3

1.You can join the Army at the age of 18, without your parents permission. You are an adult.

2.Time spent at home after joining changes with the job you chose, and other factors. But the army might be able to get you out early if you are willing, and sometimes they give a bonus for it.

3. They pay for the housing. When you live on base, in barracks, it is free. If you are allowed to stay off base, they will pay BAH- housing allowance. You will live in barracks for the most part.

4. You can. It depends on the job, your dedication to school, and you willing to go to class instead of go out drinking every night.

5. You get paid twice a month. Here is the link to see the pay information. http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/militarypaytables.html

6. The befits are long. Everything from health insurance, education benefits, long long list. Look at the army's website, they will have more info.

7. After basic, you go to your AIT. This is your job school. If you chose to drive trucks, you go to truck driving school, so on and so forth.

8. No. You join the United States Armed Forces. If it is decided you are needed in war, you are ordered to go, if you don't show up, then you are in deep trouble. Jail time, fines, discharge with no benefits as a federal felon. The list goes on.

9. 8. However, depending on your job, only a certain time has to be spent as an active duty solider. You can then switch to the reserves, serving either drilling or just in the reserves to fulfill the commitment of 8 years, but not getting paid. Ask your recruiter about the National Call to Service. Its a 2 year active deal, but only certain jobs.

10. Death, injury, lots. But you also get to serve you country, be one of the 3% that does, and so much more.



You have to think about this for yourself. It is a big commitment, but one that brings honor, and so much more. Read more online, talk to friends, and if you are seriously considering it, talk to a recruiter. They can answer many things for you, and help you out. Good Luck!

Answer 4

1: true after 18 you can join, without your parents.

2: any where from 1 week to 2 weeks

3: it is free, but you live in a dorm in a base

4: yes you can go to school while serving, but it is not an official college, it is like a community college

5: it is monthly, but is low

6: free housing, free health care while serving

7: normally no because we only have a small scrimmage in Afghanistan

8: No, if they say you go you go

9: 4 years is the minimum if you decide to make a career of it as an enlisted man you can only go up to a lieutenant

10: possible death, the government, won't pay for health care after you serve.

Answer 5

1. Yes



2. Ask the recruiter. It can vary.



3. You will live in a barracks until you attain enough rank to live off-base, or until you get married.



4. I think your college tuition is for after your service is completed. Again, ask the recruiter.



5. Monthly



6. Medical, dental, eyes, uniforms, paid leaves.



7. Doubtful, most of the guys in war zones these days are National Guard troops.



8. If you are ordered to a war zone, you have no choice...you have to go.



9. I believe you have to enlist for 4 years, but you are committed to another four as a reservist. So 8 years minimum.



10. You have to follow orders, no matter how much you dislike or disagree with them. The army owns you, body and soul. Their rules of behavior, on duty and off, are strict and enforced, at all times.



You really need to sit down and talk to a recruiter. Ask him or her all your questions, because they have the real answers.

Answer 6

im pretty sure you can only get a colledge education if your in the army reserve. that means you can live at home or in a dorm while in the reserve. the army will pay for for the colledge but if they need you they can call you in for duty. you can work in the army but not fight if you are a mechanic or some thing else like that. i think the minimum years is 2. the only downsides are that if you are i n the reserve they can call you anytime. also they just might dploy you right after basic training.