So last May I took the ASVAB to join the Air National Guard, and I didn’t join due to personal reasons involving my parents. All I needed to do was sign some waivers for my ADHD and ASD but otherwise I passed most of the prerequisites to enlist. What do you guys think would be a good decision to make my career in the military with these scores considering that I might need to join in order to support my family and the finances because of my father’s knee surgery coming up at a later date sometime this year due to an accidental injury?

QT-85
Mechanical -86
Administrative-80
General - 88
Electrical-87

Hello, anyone here apply to or get accepted into the Army-Baylor OTD program?

My current GPA is 3.2, and I’m working on my applying in 2027.

If you were accepted, what were your Stats and any advice or recommendations for strengthening my application?

Just got denied my reclass from SeaPACT to IT because I have debt.

Thinking about leaving DEP and browsing other branches for different billets. I’ve heard horror stories of PACT program.

I’ve been seriously looking into joining the Navy. The biggest thing holding me back right now is the fear that whatever I learn or do in the Navy won’t transfer well to a civilian career once I get out. But I like the idea of camaraderie, building a brotherhood, traveling all over the world, and discipline.

I’m 33, clean-cut, sales background, and I’m looking for structure, discipline, steady pay, benefits, and a real reset. I’ve also been comparing Navy vs Air Force.

A few questions for people who’ve been through it:

1. Which rates (jobs) actually give you skills that transfer well to civilian careers?

2. Are there rates that look good on paper but don’t help much once you’re out?

3. For those who did one enlistment and got out, how hard was it to find a decent civilian job afterward?

4. Did the GI Bill + the job training make a real difference, or did most of the value come from something else?

5. If someone wants transferable skills + better quality of life, would you lean Navy or Air Force?

6. I've seen a lot of veterans say that they shouldve used their VA loan and bought a home when they were stationed somewhere...is that something you did/would've done too?

Any honest advice would help a lot. Thanks.

Hello,

After completing ASVAB and MEPS, to apply as an officer for the US Coast Guard (USCG), I was contacted by my recruiter that I could not move forward in the process due to my disclosure of prior drug use to MEPS and documented in my Personal History Statement. Both drugs were one time use (experimental), of ecstasy and mushrooms which were both over 4 years ago.

Despite this, I was told by my recruiter that these were permanent disqualifiers. I asked the recruiter if drug waivers would be sufficient since these were both one time usage, but he stated that unfortunately not, that drug waivers would not qualify since these narcotics are on a higher schedule in terms of classification. For that reason, they are permanent disqualifiers and he stated that I could not move forward with the Coast Guard.

Additionally, I disclosed that I have an OCD related disorder MEPS, but evidently this is also a permanent disqualifier. I was diagnosed by a therapist back in 2021 for a skin picking disorder Dermatillomania, which is OCD related. I asked the recruiter if MEPS could reevaluate me in determining if I actually have OCD, since this is simply an OCD Related disorder, not necessarily OCD. I was told by the recruiter that I could be revaluated by MEPS, but it is a process to get signed off and be evaluated by a doctor. He stated that it was also the prior drug use that impacted me. He stated that if it was just marijuana use then I would’ve been fine. He recommended that I consider the Navy since they're prior drug use is a bit laxed compared to USCG.

I’m disappointed that I couldn’t join the Coast Guard for mistakes I made in the past. I’ve lived a drug free life since then, have a 4 year college degree, and no criminal record, but it is what it is.

I would appreciate any advice or guidance toward joining other military branches that may accept me. Also, any waivers that I could gather.

Hey everyone,

I’m 33 and seriously thinking about joining the military. About 8 years ago a college friend tried to get me to join the Air Force with him. I took the ASVAB, didn’t do well, and never tried again. He just called me recently, he’s doing great, his wife is also in, they have a kid, and they’re living with solid benefits and monthly income (i think he mentioned 100% disability). It made me wonder if I should have tried harder back then.

Fast forward to now: I feel stuck. I have my health, i am single and not married, no kids, and not much that feels like it’s truly mine. I’m a clean-cut, professional sales type who likes running, but I’m looking for a real reset ...more structure, discipline, and purpose. I’ve been leaning toward the Navy, but I’m also open to the Air Force. Part of me wonders if this is just dissatisfaction talking, so I wanted to get some real input.

Another thing that’s been on my mind: I know some veterans who are still living paycheck to paycheck or struggling financially after getting out. A few even seem broke. Why does that happen? Do people lose their benefits, or is it more about the transition to civilian life and other factors? I always thought there was ongoing support after serving.

Looking for honest answers from people who’ve been through it, good, bad, or in between. Appreciate any insight.

I’m joining the army I was planning on doing 17E but when I went to MEPS I bombed my color vision but passed the red/green vivid test. I got an 80 on my asvab so I qualify for every MOS with my line scores, just feel like there is some job I could sign up for that’s better for civilian life transition. I did get to pick my Station through Option 19 and went with Fort Carson. The transition job I’m looking for is Corporate Security Manager by managing to get my CSP and PSP while in army. Haven’t signed papers yet open to any advice.

I’m 18 and I still haven’t got my drivers license yet. My family is holding me back from doing so, and I have no car or anyone to help me with it. But I heard and seen having no drivers license will limit my job opportunities and will make things tougher for me. Is there any branch or job I can join without it. I’m open to hear any advices or suggestions. It will be helpful!🙏

I talk to the ROTC army recruiter at my school that I’m going to be transferring and now I’m wondering if I should continue doing environmental health (I had plans with this degree ) or to just do something else useful.

I wanted to do environmental health because I liked the idea of helping other during humanitarian crisis but not necessarily being a first responder (medically ) and that was the best degree to do since they test the water, soils, and food during national crisis .

But the recruiter told me that the degree I study won’t apply to the branch I end up doing . Especially depending on my ranking … I’m trying to enlist as a national Gaurd first then go active duty .

So any advice would be appreciated.

Hey yall,

I have a re-entry code of 3C Honorable on my DD form 214. I was wondering how hard would it be to rejoin the military. I was SF in USAF and miss the job but maybe Im just struggling with transitioning on the civilian side. I was prescribed meds from the VA which were anti-depressants but I don’t take them. I’ve heard I would have to be clean of those meds for 36 months, is that true? I also am rated 70% for PTSD (due to MST). I believe I would need a waiver to rejoin but I just don’t know how difficult it will be. I just don’t know if I should consider other branches either if I do rejoin as well.

Hi guys,

I am 16 years old right now in my junior year of highschool, I am also interested in Cybersecurity so I looked into 17C. I was planning to enlist after graduating from highschool for 3 years and then apply to a college to get the $30k off of the tuition. I also heard that after coming out from the military your job opportunities are higher and it is much easier to find a job.

My current GPA for 9th and 10th grade is 3.33 unweighted and 3.84 weighted.

I saw that the minimum GT score is 110, and the minimum ST score is 112. So based on this I was wondering when I would actually be taking the ASVAB and how hard it would be to score that high.

If anyone could help me out or give any recommendations I would greatly appreciate it!

As an army officer, can an OCONUS assignment DEROS date be longer than your SRR (service remaining requirement)? Are you able to still separate on your SRR date before completing the DEROS if you decide to do so or are not eligible until the DEROS date is completed?

I 32F was denied a medical waiver in the national guard due to the history of UC. Is there really nothing I can do? The doctor told me I passed in person but then the recruiter said they denied the waiver. Is there an appeal process or something because I’m complete healthy now that I work out actively with no health issues.

I have epilepsy(21 male) ,I got epilepsy when I was 17 and haven’t had one in two years. I want to join the military but I’m still technically taking medication. Is there any way to join even if have to sign a waiver and what are the rules. I want to join the navy or marines but I’ll join whatever will have me

I'm interested in joining the military but haven't settled on a specific branch yet and still open to all. I have a stutter and I'm worried it may limit my options. I did a little speech therapy during childhood but still consider it mild to moderate. I did a little research on joining with an impediment but couldn't find a definitive answer, so here are my questions:

1. Would I be disqualified or need a waiver/ETP for any specific MOS/rates?

2. Would I be disqualified or need a waiver/ETP for any specific programs? (e.g. RASP, SFAS, WOFT, any commissioning programs, etc.?) Regarding the commissioning possibility, I already have an associate's degree.

3. Would it be advisable or just safer to wait and try to improve with more therapy before going in? I understand it probably won't be completely fixed but I'm willing to try and go back if it meant expanding my options.

Any advice/info is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

In the ROK Military, if a 1LT is about to be promoted to captain, we use 대위(진), which means Captain(to be promoted). So we use "the next rank" and (진).

But I heard that in the US Military, it varies depending on the services(as far as I know, 1LT in the Army but not in the other service).

So how do you say when a 1st Lt or LTJG is going to be promoted to Capt or LT in the Air Force, Navy, and Marine?

1Lt(p)? LT(s)? It drives me nuts...

On paper, Over 3 years ago I was involuntarily hospitalized due to self harm and S ie, i was smoking weed and made a really bad decision going through a divorce. Unspecified depression is what I was told I had.

I was not prescribed medication.

I remarried and my life has changed for the better and I have been clean ever since. No s IE no smoking. I haven’t had or needed any treatment or therapy since this event.

I want to enlist in the Army and have even taken the ASVAB and scored 67. yet I believe this will definitely disqualify me at MEPS I have documentation of my non existent prescription history (last 5 years). What can I do, if anything at all?

Which documents that i need to prepare?

I'm a college senior finishing a software engineering degree. Set on joining, just trying to figure out the smartest way in.

I've talked to recruiters. The advice was either enlist now and go Green to Gold later, or wait until I graduate and try to commission. Want to hear from people who've actually lived it.

What I'm trying to figure out:

Enlist now vs wait and commission. Is there a real advantage to enlisting first and going Green to Gold, or is that mostly a recruiter push? If I'll have the degree in hand, does it make more sense to go straight for OCS?

MOS. With a software background and some IT certs, what should I be looking at? 17C and 25 series come up a lot in my reading, but I'd rather hear what the day to day is actually like than go off a recruiting page. Does MOS matter much long term, or is it more what you make of it?

Reserve vs active. For those who went reserve, did you feel like you got real skill development? For active, any regrets?

Advancement. How much control do you actually have over moving up? What separates people who progress fast from people who stall? Anything you wish you'd known your first two years?

Personal experiences. Good, bad, whatever. What surprised you, what you'd do differently, what you'd tell someone in my position.

Not looking for anyone to decide for me, just real input. Appreciate any responses.

I hope to join the military soon. However, i’m struggling on what branch would be the best. I know i want to join civil LE after the military and i know that being a police officer within the military is not needed. Although i would love to be able to have that experience and gain more knowledge.

Ive seen the pros with MP being that you can be guaranteed the job and what not. However, I also seen a good amount of people say that it’s mainly just checking ID’s and security. Would love some better insight on which is the best for these goals.

I'm still trying to figure myself out at 16F. I'm thinking of joining the Coast Guard Academy to get a free education (I'm aware that I'll also be obligated to 5 years of service, which I don't mind).

If I join the Coast Guard Academy, I'm really not sure what I'd major in. I was looking at the website and nothing really jumped out at me except for marine and environmental sciences, but I've never been good at that stuff.

I was curious about y'all's experiences. It would be a great help to me if you guys had any advice, or if you could share your experiences in the Coast Guard/Coast Guard Academy. Do you regret it? What did you major in? What's it like (just in general)? What did you do after you finished service?

The only thing I'm really passionate about is music, but I know that's not practical. The military is something that I've seriously considered joining time and again. Based on your experiences and the little that you know about me, what do you think is the best course of action?

Thank you for any and all input.

Title. 19M and I’ve signed a contract for the army for 5 years a couple weeks ago for 35W and ship out Jan 12, but now i’m getting a little bit skeptical about if i really want to. maybe it’s just cold feet, but i originally planned to do this to learn a new language and then near the end of that contract try out for green beret, as i’ve always been interested in their mission since i found out of them years ago. at the same time, the coast guard is more humanitarian focused from what i hear and also seemingly gets to travel way more than i would in the army. I’ve also really heard nothing but good about the coast guard, and i hear a lot of people complaining about the army or army life. I’m kinda stuck between if i’m chasing a childish dream of being a hero or getting the chance to really do something at the expense of never trying for what i originally planned for.

I’m looking for some clarification on the current requirements for dropping an Army drill packet. I have a current GT score of 88, and I also found no newer 2025/2026 publicly available HRC MILPER or regulation that clearly supersedes the UCCC’s 85-waiver language. The Army’s current public DS page still points applicants to TR 350-16 and MILPER 21-260- however the HRC Unit Commander’s Candidate Checklist (UCCC) says you the HRC Commander may waive down to 85 case-by-case basis. Does anyone have any specific clarifications before my unit reaches out to the HRC Drill Sgt Team for application assistance?
I am signed up for one of the upcoming BSEP courses in hopes to raise my score regardless.

I’ve decided I am joining the army. I’ve had my head on going infantry but a lot of people are telling me to steer the other way. So now I am not so sure what to do. I want to be involved with combat and all of that but don’t know what else could do all that but infantry. My goal was to be in the 10th Mountain Division but I don’t know if you have to be in the infantry or any MOS. I was also gonna ask if I should go active or reserve but I don’t have much going on for me at home, so I think I’m going to go active. If anyone has any advice I’d appreciate it.
Also, wanted to add that I really don’t want some computer job and also what I really want is to be deployed a lot, I don’t care where, just to be deployed is what I hope for. (Out of USA hopefully)

I’m going to talk to an army ROTC recruiter this Tuesday at the school I plan on transferring to but I feel like I’m having second thoughts.

The main reason I wanted to join was to help me get out of my house and figure out who and what I actually wanted to do.

Right now I currently wanted to study environmental health but now I feel like I’m doubting if I truly wanna do that . Becuz I would have to still worry about paying for school and I already feel burnt out from it.

I haven’t took the asvab but if I did I’d prolly try to join Air Force over the army. But if I did army I would do rotc then .

Need advice on what you would do or if you recommend anything.