|
My boyfriend is a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy and my line sister is about to join the Air Force as an engineer. She will be an officer after completing the officer training program for the air force since she did not go to an Academy and was not enrolled in a ROTC program in undergrad (like my boyfriend).
I think the military, though it can be dangerous and VERY time consuming (its New Years day and my boyfriend is at work on his ship where he must spend the night once a week) has a lot to offer to young peope, however, whats important is what each particular young person wants to do.
The benefits are very good and whether or not young people should join really just depends on the desires and mentality of that young person. For instance, my boyfriend has a friend who was in medical school on an Army scholarship (they were in the Corps together in undegrad) and after graduating from med school was obligated to go into the army for, I believe, 8 years (army paid for undergrad and med school). Well, this friend was only in med school because his parents said he should go because he was smart, but he really wanted to be in the Army, so he left med school after the first year where he was highly ranked to go straight to the Army. ITS WHAT HE WANTED TO DO.
His decision is making him happy, as my boyfriend's decision to be commissioned as an officer in the Navy makes him happy.
Also, I wanted to add that rich people do join the military, especially those that aspire to political careers. However, they generally attend either of the Academies (Westpoint, Naval, Air Force), get their free Ivy-quality education and then serve their required four years. They may or may not stay in, but please beleive that the U.S. Secretaries of the armed forces and other high ranking cabinet and appointed positions REQUIRE military service.
However, I must also say my boyfriend and I want to get married, but it was very hard for me to accept one day being a miliarty wife. I am in law school and don't see myself moving every 2-3 years AND establishing a career. Well, we've talked and we've worked out a plan for US. It will require sacrifice and adjustment, but we can make it work: the marriage between a Naval Officer and a determined, career-minded, soon-to-be successful attorney.
|