Should I join the Army?

March 3, 2008 6:04 PM

Should I join the Army? I'm 25, talented and looking for something exciting and purposeful to do with my life. Is it a good idea or am I being completely irrational?

I have a good 1st class degree and have a well paid job working for a large bank in the city. But to be honest really I don't find the job interesting/exciting/rewarding.

I was exploring the armyjobs website and really liked the sound of becoming an officer either with the engineers or intelligence. However, it's such a massive departure from anything I have ever done, or even thought of before I don't think I'm quite ready to discuss it with my family yet, but need some advice.

Leaving my job and joining the army would mean taking a pay cut, leaving the London life and probably scaring my mother half-to-death.
It would be a complete change in my life. Is this really rational thinking?!

Has anyone else thought the same thoughts? Has anyone actually done it and made this kind of life changing decision?

Finally I'm 25, approching 26. Am I too old to start this process?

Many thanks for all advice.

posted by anonymous to work & money (35 answers total)

I forget where this quote comes from (I think it's from one of those "50 things I wish I had told myself when I was younger" lists), but it made sense to me. It said something along the lines of "if you are a soldier, you will be serving someone's personal political or economic agenda, and not a moral one."

Why not find excitement outside of work? Take up rock climbing, SCUBA diving, start a band -- there's a lot you can do outside of 9-5pm if you're motivated, and it seems like you are. You say you're in London, so you should have plenty of opportunities to make life interesting. Hell, even just moving somewhere else seems like a better way to add excitement -- take advantage of your relative proximity to the rest of Europe. Move to France and start a winery. The world is your oyster, and there's little reason to squander opportunity on what is an ineffective war.

Leaving my job and joining the army would mean taking a pay cut, leaving the London life and probably scaring my mother half-to-death.
To me, personally, this would be enough to stop me from doing it.
posted by spiderskull at 6:20 PM on March 3, 2008 [2 favorites]

Your post word for word describes me, though I am strongly considering going enlisted, looking at different branches, and we are probably in different countries. I just started the process myself, and if you meet the age requirement you are by definition not too old.

My family is not happy with what I want to do, but they support me. I hope yours do at least the same.

Find an officer in the branches you are interested in and speak with them about the life. Get all the details good and bad, scary and glorious, mundane and shocking. The only other advice I can give is the most basic advice one person can give another: build a life you are proud of.
posted by Science! at 6:23 PM on March 3, 2008

I wouldn't say you're too old. I met a few Marines who enlisted at 28. That's WITHOUT the officer's commission. I made my choice a little hastily at 17, and I've learned a lot since then about how I should have better thought out such a life-changing decision.

You should read through this, though the technical details apply to the US DoD.

Consider that you already have a college education and a good job. The pay-and-job-security aspect of military service that can be a step up the economic ladder for many people doesn't even apply to you. If you don't plan to further your education with government tuition assistance, that benefit is also somewhat moot.

Perhaps you should use the money and security from your dull banking job to fund things you find interesting/exciting/rewarding.

I would say you should only commit yourself to military service if you are absolutely interested in the service itself, not the romanticized thought of serving. I also know many Marines who made more money before they had gotten in, and they do miss it. The grass is always greener, in one way or another.
posted by crunch buttsteak at 6:25 PM on March 3, 2008

I can't really offer any opinions about joining the army, but why not generalize your initial problem and just ask "what are some interesting/exciting/rewarding career changes I can make, such as joining the army?" But you may have already thought about that and are really fixed on the army thing. In any case I wish you luck finding a work experience that will change your life, hopefully for the better.
posted by Green With You at 6:35 PM on March 3, 2008

One thing to keep in mind is that there are by no means any guarantee you would end up in the engineers or in intelligence. The military can and will put you where they need you, not necessarily where you want to be. You could end up in a job that you find about as exciting as your present one, albeit, with the occasional drill and arms training. Likewise, the boring job might end up being in Iraq, where the job isn't exciting, but the surrounding is.

Also, unlike you're present job, you can't simply walk away after going through boot camp. You're making an obligation to serve your country, regardless of how your country wants you to serve it. Are you willing to have your options limited if you're not happy? Are you also happy with your civil rights being curtailed?

Don't get me wrong, however, I think military service is an honorable thing. Given the opportunity, I might have considered it when I was younger. But for all the excitement, romance, and adventure it offers, its replete with a lot of tedium and boredom, unless you're in a fighting situation...and well, then that means someone is trying their best to kill you anyway they can. So keep the above in mind when you think on your decision.
posted by Atreides at 6:42 PM on March 3, 2008

And on reflection, my comment was directed towards American service (missed the London comment!), but I'd assume there isn't much in the way differences between the two. Apologies for my Left Side of the Atlantic bias. :)
posted by Atreides at 6:43 PM on March 3, 2008

Having been through the soul-crushing machinery of being an enlisted man in the (US) Navy, I can say this: whatever you do, do not go enlisted. The pay sucks, the quality of life sucks, and the "collateral duties" suck. just now realized that you are talking about the Royal Army, but I can't imagine it's all that different.

The line above, "if you are a soldier, you will be serving someone's personal political or economic agenda, and not a moral one.", fit my 6 year hitch very well. Agendas within plans within schemes (and none of them in line with your own!), at each level in the chain of command.

Being in the military is extremely difficult unless you are willing to devote yourself to the lifestyle.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 6:52 PM on March 3, 2008

Are you sure you just aren't having a little mid life crisis and want someone else to take care of you for a while? There are other jobs that would do that, like you could go manage an apartment building and get free rent and possibly a salary along with a flexible schedule. I don't think the military is exactly exciting or purposeful unless you are in direct combat or really believe in it prior to joining. If I were you I'd really examine some of the core reasons spurring you in that direction.
posted by 45moore45 at 6:53 PM on March 3, 2008

I met a few Marines who enlisted at 28.

A 34 year old was allowed to enlist in 2003 [US Marine Corps, not Royal Marines].
posted by mlis at 6:58 PM on March 3, 2008

I'm 25, talented and looking for something exciting and purposeful to do with my life.

Best reasons in the world not to sign up.
posted by Rykey at 7:01 PM on March 3, 2008 [3 favorites]

I think for what you want to do, you have a lot of options besides joining the army. You could join the VSO or another foreign volunteering organization instead - it's a big change, but you're not selling your soul and you can always leave.
posted by amethysts at 7:10 PM on March 3, 2008

I say give it a try, you sound like a smart guy, you're obviously badly needed there. you can go back to the City in 5 or 10 years
posted by matteo at 7:11 PM on March 3, 2008

It's not necessarily all or nothing -- you could always join the TA. I'm a generation out of date, but I seem to remember that the HAC was always filled with bankers and other City folk.
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 7:11 PM on March 3, 2008

Join.

I have a friend who went to OCS while in business school at the University of Chicago. He DOR'd after 10 weeks. He went into investment banking making big coin but always regretting having dropped. He reapplied and after some serious discussions because the marines were not thrilled by having been dropped in the first place they allowed him to go through OCS AGAIN. To the best of my knowledge, he was the only (one of the few?) candidate to voluntarily go through OCS twice. Well he finished 2nd in his class the 2nd time around -- I still tease him about getting beat by an enlisted guy -- and he got to choose infantry. He served in the 1`st Gulf War. He has no regrets; in fact he has said it was the biggest boost to his career he could have had. He had numerous IB jobs lined up after his 6 year stint. He is now a portfolio manager for a large firm and doing real well. Real well.

He learned so much about leadership and discipline as an officer candidate in the Marines. He learned to work with others and he got to spent a lot of government money blowing up things on the practice range. He also saw limited action and learned that war is only delightful to the inexperienced. He had a latin phrase for it, but I forget.

Talk to an officer in the military and ask them.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:12 PM on March 3, 2008 [1 favorite]

It seems that you are looking to do something more meaningful with your life. Perhaps protecting your country will fulfill this need, but...why the fucking Army? It's dirty and dangerous. As others in this thread have noted, there's no guarantee you'll end up in intelligence. And intelligence is just another name for analyst, and you can do that in any think tank anywhere.

If you decide to do something else more meaningful and exciting, why not...

Try teaching. Or, if you have finance or management skills (you seem to), why not work in the non-profit world. That sector is always crying for competent staff who don't care about a paycheque. Join the Peace Corps. Raise money for polar bears.
posted by KokuRyu at 7:12 PM on March 3, 2008

Have you thought about joining a Coast Guard Auxiliary instead? Less danger and commitment by far, plus a good amount of adventure. Take up private aviation?

I would look to other opportunities that aren't enlisting.
posted by cior at 7:14 PM on March 3, 2008

See also: Merchant Marines.

In general, certification and the sense of accomplishment can go a long ways in making your life a bit more interesting. It sounds like you're looking for a way in which your normal life can get upended a bit, and there are much easier ways to do that than to sign over your freedom for x number of years.

However, if you're a hardcore patriot and feel a sense of duty or a specific calling to the armed forces -- then by all means, try it. In that case, give a significant amount of time to finding the exact role you'd like to take on and get it in writing before you enlist.
posted by cior at 7:17 PM on March 3, 2008

I have no idea of the differences between the U.S. Military and the British Military, but I've had a friend join the U.S. Army and a friend join the U.S. Marines. The marine was stationed in sunny San Diego (circa 1998) and he absolutely loved his time in service (I've since lost track of him, maybe he re-upped and is in Iraq now). Honestly he didn't talk about the job so much, but more about the sweet 4x4 jeep he bought and all the hot chicks that Southern California had to offer. He was at a dead end job pre-military and wanted to do something with his life (and get in shape). He trained for 6 months before shipping off to bootcamp.

The friend I had who joined the army wound up in Bosnia (circa 1997-8, he didn't see any action) and he absolutely hated it. He said, getting in shape in bootcamp aside, it was the biggest mistake he'd ever made. He talked a lot about all the fights (brawls within his unit) he'd been involved in and how his job sucked and how un-military-like the whole scene was. He said there was no honor in it and he counted the minutes until he shipped home. Once again, pre-military he had absolutely no direction in his life beyond playing his bass guitar and smoking pot. But beyond getting in shape and some electronics training, he felt like his time in the military was a waste.

Both of my friends were probably out of the Military well before the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts began, so you'll probably have a much different experience than them. But I think what you can get out of is that your experience could vary widely depending upon where they place you (which, ultimately, you have no control over, regardless of what the contract says), there's probably no set personality traits that will guarantee you love or hate the military life. You're giving your life to the military to do with it what it wants, whether you agree with it or not. It is a great risk and a very difficult choice to make, but someone has to be brave enough to step up and accept the challenge. I wish you luck with whatever decision you make.
posted by high0nfire at 7:19 PM on March 3, 2008

high0nfire touched on an absolutely crucial point - you never know where you might end up.

I also happen to be in Sunny California™, close to home, close to my girlfriend. I went to the beach last Monday for the first time this year. The last time before that was another sunny day in mid-December.

Not everyone is so fortunate.
posted by crunch buttsteak at 7:35 PM on March 3, 2008

Several people close to me in my life have been in the Army. From what they have told me, the Army these days tends to recruit and attract a lot of pretty desperate men and women. People from dirt poor parts of the US who want out of their downward social spirals, get off drugs, and feel they have no way to make an income or pay for their educations. It can be a pretty raw, rough and tumble environment, depending on the people in your unit.
posted by pluckysparrow at 7:41 PM on March 3, 2008

Please join the peace corps or USAID or some other similar organization instead.
posted by luriete at 9:02 PM on March 3, 2008

Join the Peace Corps. Go to Antarctica in whatever capacity. Learn to scuba dive and get involved in coral reef conservation. Don't waste yourself in the army!
posted by bettafish at 9:17 PM on March 3, 2008

Call me a pacifist, but I always questioned the motives of a person who willingly took a job where there was the potential that they would kill another human being.
posted by upplepop at 9:20 PM on March 3, 2008

There is rarely anything "wrong" with serving your country in the military. It is honorable. You will learn leadership skills. You will probably do things - some exciting, some boring, some dangerous, some placid - that you would never get to do in the civilian world. You will travel. You will meet an incredible number of amazing people - mostly good, a few bad eggs. You will have more opportunities and pay as an officer, but the enlisted side is more enjoyable (loose, friendly) (I served as both officer and enlisted in USAF).

My advice: do it. Sign up for a minimum commitment, serve your time, and then decide if you want to continue serving, or transition back to the civilian world.
posted by davidmsc at 9:26 PM on March 3, 2008

^ pacifist.

ANYhoo, my best bud joined the (US) Army Reserve at age 33 in the aftermath of 9/11 for some reason. Did well at intelligence school. Challenging & rewarding work involved with integrating and working with the Korean counterparts. E-6 already, E-7 after he gets back from Iraq.

The Army needs sharp people and if you get on the accelerated "Intel" course you'll be able to bypass the shittier lower-grade make-work BS element even if you're not an officer. In fact, my bud says it's really the senior NCOs "lifers" that run the army -- the officer corps function more like executive staff and have to do vertical management, while the NCOs are the ones who actually directs who does what, where, and when.

The military is an age-old institution and if you find it attractive I say go for it. Excellent resume fodder if you do well.
posted by panamax at 9:31 PM on March 3, 2008

I'd advise against getting any job you can't quit, especially a job that will put you into prison if you try. I was briefly attached to my undergrad university's ROTC, but I got out when I came to this conclusion.

Please join the peace corps or USAID or some other similar organization instead.

Maybe I'm a bit cynical, but I can't imagine there's a huge overlap between people who'd consider joining Her Majesty's Army and people who'd join the Peace Corps. If you want a major life change, find some crazy, high-paying, dangerous job you can quit at any time. Go work on an oil rig in the North Sea. Be a merchant marine. Fix plow engines in Barrow, Alaska.

But it would really be unpleasant to spend two years (or however long the minimum is) in low-paying job you hate where you could potentially get killed. If you're going to put your life on the line, you should at least be decently compensated.
posted by Nelsormensch at 9:32 PM on March 3, 2008

Should I join the Army?

If you have to ask, no.

Is it a good idea?

See above.
posted by zippy at 10:29 PM on March 3, 2008

Hello,

I was in the OTC at University in the UK (similar to ROTC's in the US), and have dozens of friends in the Forces, both enlisted and officers, Air Force, Army and Navy. Drop me a MeFi mail and I'll put you in touch with them. They're really the only people who can tell you the reality of today's Army, good and bad. Comparisons with the US forces are well-meaning, but not really applicable in most cases.

By the way, the maximum enlistment age for the British Army is 28, and it's older for the Territorial Army.

Get in touch.
posted by Happy Dave at 1:05 AM on March 4, 2008

Oh, also, a fantastic place to get a flavour of the British Army (by the way everyone, it's the British Army, not the 'Royal Army', as the modern Army came from Cromwell's New Model Army and thus was never given 'Royal' status), one of the best places to go is The ARmy Rumour SErvice (ARRSE).
posted by Happy Dave at 1:09 AM on March 4, 2008

Should I join the Army? I'm 25, talented and looking for something exciting and purposeful to do with my life

Well, I'm pretty sure the army will give you something purposeful to do, but you need to ask who's purposes will you primarily be serving.
The UK public? The UK national interest? Humanitarian/security organisations?
Or..The fevered egos of self important UK politicians? BAe systems, Vickers, BP? George/Dick/Condi's?

If you're happy with the answer that you arrive at, then go for it. Otherwise, you might want to look a bit more deeply at some different ways of injecting some direction in your life.
posted by Jakey at 2:24 AM on March 4, 2008

The autobiography Squaddie: A Soldier's Story by Steven McLaughlin seems to be an informative, realistic account of what it's like to be a soldier in the British army. It covers the bad as well as the good.

He was 31 when he started, but had to get a special exemption for his age. 25 doesn't seem too old, especially if you're aiming to be an officer or engineer.

However if you're looking to start at the bottom, you have to do physical challenges to get promoted to corporal or sergeant. McLaughlin felt that while he was OK at his age, by the time he got the opportunities for promotion he would be too old to easily complete them.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 3:36 AM on March 4, 2008

This sounds like the Lion Tamer Monty Python sketch.

(and I am not joking or being offensive in any way, there's a life lesson in there, surprisingly).

(also, this is not about Prince Harry, is it???)
posted by lucia__is__dada at 5:02 AM on March 4, 2008

I think it can be boiled down to two things, no matter what branch of the service and where you are joining. Do you feel the need to serve your country or not? If the answer is yes, then do it. If not, then don't. The reason I say that is if you don't feel like you are getting involved in a worthwhile cause (and have the passion for it) the BS that is involved will just piss you off down the road. So think long and hard about that.

Having said that, I am glad I enlisted in the military. I would never have made a full time career out of it, but overall the experience was more then worthwhile.

If you don't feel the need to serve, do something else. There are plenty of exciting, dangerous jobs that don't require the same commitment as the military. Get a job on a fishing boat one season or something like that.
posted by Silvertree at 6:41 AM on March 4, 2008

I think it can be boiled down to two things, no matter what branch of the service and where you are joining. Do you feel the need to serve your country or not? If the answer is yes, then do it. If not, then don't. The reason I say that is if you don't feel like you are getting involved in a worthwhile cause (and have the passion for it) the BS that is involved will just piss you off down the road. So think long and hard about that.

I disagree (caveat: my disagreement is based on my personal, statistically insignificant experiences). My anecdotal two cents:

I have a friend who has been a Marine for eight or nine years. He's been to Iraq and Afghanistan and he's a happy, well-adjusted guy. He's looking forward to using his experience in a career in law enforcement, and he has told me several times that before joining the military, he was an unhappy loser. He has never expressed to me a particularly strong belief in having a duty to serve his country.

I have another friend who has been in the Navy for about a year. He's completely miserable. He is so desperately unhappy that he seems to be turning into a worse person because of it. He justifies his choice to enlist by expressing a strong belief in having a duty to serve his country.

I think the reason it didn't work out for my friend in the Navy is that he is temperamentally unsuited to military service. Everything I know about his personality and preferences screamed out against his enlisting (and many of his other friends had the same fears).

What I'm trying to say is that being in the military is a very intense experience, and not everyone will benefit from being trapped in that culture. Ask your friends, who have a better idea of your character, and try to get a sense for yourself by thinking about the following things:

- Do you resent authority figures (think: dumb bosses)? Do you like to do things your way?
- Do you like to spend time by yourself when you need to relax?
- Do you go crazy without eight hours of sleep every night?
- Do you become lonely easily? How often do you need to see friends and family to feel comfortable?
- Are you comfortable with confrontation?

What other ideas or plans have you thought of? If they are all very similar to enlisting, that may be a good sign (or, according to some, a sign to do them instead). If they're radically different from enlisting (and from each other), then that would suggest to me that you're really interested in making a change more than you're interested in enlisting, which is a bad reason to make an enormous commitment.
posted by prefpara at 2:32 PM on March 4, 2008 [2 favorites]

I'm an Army officer, formerly infantry and now engineer, currently in the Texas Army Guard. I was 25 when I enlisted, and then went through ROTC.

I strongly recommend going into the Guard if you are at all on the fence. In today's climate, you can get all the active duty time you want while in the Guard. You also have a much higher chance of picking the exact branch or unit you want to join. If you decide you love it after all, you can move up to active duty.

Unless you find some esoteric specialty in the Army, I recommend becoming an officer.

My one caution about the military comes from my mother. She said, in the military, if you did a great job, the response will be, great work. On the other hand, if you screwed it all up, well, that's okay too.
posted by atchafalaya at 5:41 PM on March 4, 2008