Alright, I know in the end its really only up to me..but I need to make some decisions and id like to get some other people's input.

Basically i'm transferring to a more expensive college this fall. It is going to cost me about 20k a year. I also have a brother who just became a marine, and i really like what it has done to him. Some things I am thinking about is should I just go to college, get it done, then have 60-80k to pay off in loans. Another option im thinking about is taking a year off, joining the marines, and work til next fall. Go to school next fall then have the marines basically pay for my education. Im pretty sure the army is the best at getting money for education, but i think id rather be a marine for the name and personal satisfaction. I've looked at the ROTC programs some, but I thought if I am going to join the services, I am going to do it the right way, and go to bootcamp. Another option could be to join after I graduate from school, but I dont if you have to be in the service before you go to college for them to pay.

Basically what I want to know is what do you guys think, or what would you do. I'm pretty sure there are some people in the service on here that could help me out alot. Thanks.

If I could do it again, I would serve my country and get my education paid for... I owe way to much to my college!

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If you join the marines, you will likely not be able to finish school until your committment is up. They don't have many schools in Afghanistan and Iraq.

I joined the Air National Guard and served while going to school. When I finished school, I did my tour in Iraq.

Also, I think you have a misunderstanding of the ROTC program. Enlisting is not the "right" or "wrong" way. From what I understand of the ROTC program is they do a lot of training while school is out of session. You still do "boot camp", it is just broken up over time because they are training you to be an officer and leader.

I would look into the ROTC program. IMO for your particular situation, that is your best option. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

My dad was a marine. My grandpa was a marine. I'm not. I always believe I should be. But I'm not. I have plans for what I'm doing and the Marines aren't in there and my dad has never really wanted me to join the armed forces.

It's actually a very confusing part of my life. My dad basically loves my brother-in-law because he's in the Army and is a Captain as well as serving at least two tours in Iraq(I can't remember if he served earlier). My dad LOVES the military. But he has never even suggested me join. I don't know if he thinks I wouldn't be a good solider(which is what I think, I have trouble taking orders, I argue everything, but one time he told me that's what boot camp is for. they teach you to shut up and listen).

I don't know man. I know I'll spend most of my life thinking I should have joined, but in the end I don't think it's the right move for me. Only you know.

Look at what you typed:

Im pretty sure the army is the best at getting money for education, but i think id rather be a marine for the name and personal satisfaction.

You started your post in an attempt to gain money for education as priority #1, and you liked what the military did for your brother as priority #2. The question you have to ask yourself is what is more important to you, and are you willing to put off school (with the possibility you will not even want to finish your current major and have to start over) just to be something you actually WANT to be, or something you HOPE to be?

The answer to your problem lies inside your own response... I also agree that if you are really considering the military route, the ROTC would be your best option. You are trained to enter the military as an officer once you have graduated college. Remember that if you do join, your commitment will be there after college and your life will need to adjust accordingly. This is your choice, but I feel your brother made the right decision for HIM, you just have to make the best decision for YOU.

thanks for you guys' opinions so far. Its just a big decision and I really want to live my life to the fullest since you only live once(sounds corny i know).

anymore feedback would be appreciated

rotc guys get no respect

2quik4u;389802 wrote:rotc guys get no respect

Not until they graduate and they have to be respected as an officer... Not a good thing to do if your a grunt and you piss off your future officer.

ROTC guys get zero respect in college from my experiences, but once you are actually in the real thing and not playing army with your friends, everyone has to respect you. Behind your back is the only time they can mouth off.

pnhasbeen

Could be because there's no mandatory draft (why he never wanted you to join). A good friend of mine's father was a marine during the 'Nam years. He feels that everyone should serve a stint in the armed forces, but because it's volunteer-only, he discouraged his son from following in his footsteps. Kind of the "after what I went through with war, why should I ask/want you to do the same if others don't have to?" sort of reasoning.

Heretic;390030 wrote:pnhasbeen

Could be because there's no mandatory draft (why he never wanted you to join). A good friend of mine's father was a marine during the 'Nam years. He feels that everyone should serve a stint in the armed forces, but because it's volunteer-only, he discouraged his son from following in his footsteps. Kind of the "after what I went through with war, why should I ask/want you to do the same if others don't have to?" sort of reasoning.

Could very well be. I don't have the balls to ask.

If you are single and the military is intriguing you, then so be it... I worked with a guy that served in Iraq. Not only did he tell us about his dreams that resulted in grabbing his wife's neck in his sleep calling for hodgie to die, but as a paramedic working 24 hour shifts, I witnessed him screaming in his sleep while dreaming about war... He isn't right. Does his job well, but asks fellow co-workers if he can choke them to the point they pass out so he can get his war thrill. Not his fault, but many people were scared while he screamed through the night...

Why can't you just go to a college that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Unless you're paying the extra cash to go to an Ivy league, it's not worth it. Apply to Ohio State, if you get in, you'll pay half of what you're paying now and come out as one of the top prospects in America, and you can take that to the bank.

Well OSU is definitely a college I would go to, and im pretty sure i'd get in with my 3.9gpa. But the school im going to is Akron. Their tuition is like 9k. Add room and board, meal plan, books, all the other costs in the world on top of that and they are wanting me to take out 20k in loans. Im not getting any grants, money from the school, or any of that crap because my parents fall into the middle class category of "making to much to get any help, but not enough to help me". I've looked into osu a little bit, and im pretty sure the tuition is about the same as akrons. Akron has a good business school, yet a little less competitive (not as high enrollment, even though they should be at 30k this fall), so thats why I picked them. If OSU was cheaper, I definitely would have picked them.

Pick6;390582 wrote:Well OSU is definitely a college I would go to, and im pretty sure i'd get in with my 3.9gpa. But the school im going to is Akron. Their tuition is like 9k. Add room and board, meal plan, books, all the other costs in the world on top of that and they are wanting me to take out 20k in loans. Im not getting any grants, money from the school, or any of that crap because my parents fall into the middle class category of "making to much to get any help, but not enough to help me". I've looked into osu a little bit, and im pretty sure the tuition is about the same as akrons. Akron has a good business school, yet a little less competitive (not as high enrollment, even though they should be at 30k this fall), so thats why I picked them. If OSU was cheaper, I definitely would have picked them.

Akron is a good business school? LOL

And how the hell do you have a 3.9 GPA and aren't getting any scholarships to Akron? You aren't going to get much at Ohio State with that, but Akron(or another school similar) should be throwing money at you like crazy.

sleeper;390645 wrote:Akron is a good business school? LOL

And how the hell do you have a 3.9 GPA and aren't getting any scholarships to Akron? You aren't going to get much at Ohio State with that, but Akron(or another school similar) should be throwing money at you like crazy.

Yes, good. I'd say a consistently ranked top 100 business school is good, considering the thousands of schools in the U.S. I didnt say elite though. Oh, and I forgot. They gave me some junk 1500 scholarship

sleeper;390645 wrote:
And how the hell do you have a 3.9 GPA and aren't getting any scholarships to Akron? You aren't going to get much at Ohio State with that, but Akron(or another school similar) should be throwing money at you like crazy.

Because most schools don't offer shit in scholarships for transfer students.

Pick6;390670 wrote:Yes, good. I'd say a consistently ranked top 100 business school is good, considering the thousands of schools in the U.S. I didnt say elite though. Oh, and I forgot. They gave me some junk 1500 scholarship

Top 100? Top 20 is barely good. But its clear with this attitude you'd be better off at Akron.

Because most schools don't offer shit in scholarships for transfer students.

Color me ignorant, I didn't know that.

BTW no military branch can offer you more money for college. They all have the same GI Bill. They can offer you more bonus money but that's it. I don't know anything about the ROTC programs but I think you get 2 years then after your 2nd year you have to choose to go forward or drop out. But I will tell you this much a business degree probably isn't much to the Air Force and Navy. Army will take almost anyone as an officer.

sleeper;390858 wrote:Top 100? Top 20 is barely good. But its clear with this attitude you'd be better off at Akron.



Color me ignorant, I didn't know that.

http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings/
OSU: 59
Akron: 76
OSU can have their 17 spots

also, Miami (OH) ranked 16th and Case Western ranked 38th

Ytowngirlinfla;390904 wrote:BTW no military branch can offer you more money for college. They all have the same GI Bill. They can offer you more bonus money but that's it. I don't know anything about the ROTC programs but I think you get 2 years then after your 2nd year you have to choose to go forward or drop out. But I will tell you this much a business degree probably isn't much to the Air Force and Navy. Army will take almost anyone as an officer.

thanks for your input. Im looking to hear from more people in the military. after your 2 years, if you choose to drop out do you have to repay?

Pick6;390912 wrote:thanks for your input. Im looking to hear from more people in the military. after your 2 years, if you choose to drop out do you have to repay?

I don't know about that. I remember reading about it a few times but that was a while ago so I'm not sure. Also another thing I know the Navy does is TA which is tuition assistance, meaning they will pay for college classes while your in and you don't use your GI Bill. But you also can't be in training for your job and work would come first so you would have to do it on your own time. How far are you into your degree?

Pick6;390910 wrote:http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings/
OSU: 59
Akron: 76
OSU can have their 17 spots

also, Miami (OH) ranked 16th and Case Western ranked 38th

lol businessweek is an absolute joke.

OSU is 17 in the country, have fun working at McDonalds, but don't ask me, ask someone who's graduated from Akron.

http://fisher.osu.edu/about/ranking-and-statistics/rankings

Educate yourself.

Ytowngirlinfla;390923 wrote:I don't know about that. I remember reading about it a few times but that was a while ago so I'm not sure. Also another thing I know the Navy does is TA which is tuition assistance, meaning they will pay for college classes while your in and you don't use your GI Bill. But you also can't be in training for your job and work would come first so you would have to do it on your own time. How far are you into your degree?

only a year. Just have a couple general education classes left