Jobs Simply - I have a big problem.... Which military branch is right for me? Any good advice is much appreciated?

I have a big problem.... Which military branch is right for me? Any good advice is much appreciated?

Sorry if this is a little long. Okay, I need some serious help from you guys. I Have done a lot of research and a lot of thinking about joining the military. But now I am stuck on which branch is best for me and which job is best for me. I am the type of person who likes to protect, serve and save people. I believe that I am willing to put my life on the line for others. However, at the same time I am looking for a job that can benefit me in the future just in case I decide to get out of the military. Air Force: 1) Combat controller. 2) ParaRescue. 3) Security Forces.(The Air Force's Military Police) 4) Fire protection. 5) Linguist. Navy: 1) Navy Seal. 2) Man at Arms (The navy's Military Police). Coast Guard: 1) Aviation field. ( Pilot or navigator) 2) Search and Rescue Swimmer. 3) Maritime patrol. 4) Environmental Ops

Public Comments

Airforce......air traffic control or f-16 mechanic
If you score well on the ASVAB check out SATCOM/WIDEBAND.
Being a Navy Chief, I am partial.....but let me give you my honest assessment. Based on the jobs you listed, you look like a hands-on type person. Avoid the Air Force at all cost because they tough nothing (except the light switch going home every night). Coasties have a very cool job, but are often stuck in some lousy duty stations all over Alaska. As for the Navy, do not go Master at Arms. The rating is very over manned and advancement is poor. Take a look at the Navy Nuclear Power program and see if you have the brains to do it. They have the best advancement and highest re-enlistment bonus (up to $90,000). Again, I am partial so do some soul searching and I wish you the best in your decision and I admire your ambition. Hope to see you in the fleet!
Definitely Air Force, the best standard of living in the military. Security Force, or Linguist are your two best choices for after military job recruitment. However Linguist is very hard and long school hours. If I had the time to do it all over again I'd go Security Force and take language lessons. You'd be at the head of job line when you get out. What ever you decide good luck.
I served 22 year in the navy before I retired as a Chief Petty Officer. First, take the ASVAB test. Second, take your physical. Then they'll tell you what you are actually qualified for AND what they have available. Until then all you're doing is day dreaming.
USMC Infantry.. If you want to protect people and stand as part of the barrier between the evil things that go bump in the night and the rest of civilization you can't go wrong. When you get out you can be a cop or maybe if your lucky a bodyguard like me :) Cpl Mac USMC 0351 1996-2001 "Dragon's Up"
I am in the Navy, and I have worked with MA's when I was sent TAD to Security. I am a jet mechanic. It's a pretty good job. You get to travel more in the Navy than the Airforce. The Airforce sends you one place for usually a long time. The Navy moves you around quite a bit. In the last year I have gone from my homeprt of Brunswick Maine to Italy, France, England, Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, Scotland, The Ukraine, The United Arab Emarates, Qatar, El Salvador, Venesuala, Costa Rica and Equador. And I am NOT on a ship. I am a P-3 mechanic. The Airforce does have a much better quality of life, such as barracsk, galleys and such, but they promote faster in the Navy and the jobs are more involved in the Navy. I work with Airforce mechanics, and they have a propeeler guy, a tire guy, a compressor guy, a turbine guy. In the Navy, I do all of that. So it's better training in the Navy if you ask me. But the Airforce has better and more high tech stuff. Both have pro's and con's.
I have not served in the armed forces, but I have worked with a number of retired military personnel. The concensus has been that the Air Force is run and organized more like a business than the other branches, which would give it a slight edge on applicability in civilian life. Your experience job in security forces, for example, would probably be helpful in preparing you for a job in law enforcement or private security administration, if you wanted to continue in a "protect and serve" line of work. On the other hand, the Coast Guard may offer more "hands on" experience in serving the public, because their purpose is to protect our coasts, which would be more likely to include coming to the aid of civilians. If one of your goals is to prepare for a career for after your service, I would be inclined to suggest that you avoid making Navy Seals a priority. They are an elite and highly respected group within the military, but they undergo a great deal of conditioning that may make transition to a civilian career more difficult than the other options you're considering.
Pararescue The washout rate is 90+%, SEALS are about 70+%. The number of PJ operators is a little over 300 (a very exclusive club for many reasons) The number of seals almost 4000 (not so exclusive but well publisized) As a PJ when you get out you can wok just about anywhere in the world as a paramedic or for multiple security companies that specialize in personal protection services (big bucks) As a seal, when you get out you can go into contruction, landscaping, gas pumping, dart throwing, or even lifeguarding at a daycare swimming pool.
Join the Army National Guard. You report for duty one weekend a month and two weeks in the summertime. You can stay close to home, keep your day job, and you have about 170 some jobs to pick from.
my dad is in the air force and i think that it is the best way to go if you are going into the military. the bases are nice and the people are treated well. my uncle is in the navy and he does great too but he has a family that he is always away from. you leave a lot when you are in the navy. most of the time for 6 months. i think that all the military jobs are good. some are just harder than others. it depends on the person. i love being an air force brat. we were in Germany for 4 years and had the time of our lives. good luck with whatever you decide. i would go for the air force!
I would say Air Force, but before I continue, I will admit that my husband is in the AF, as was my father, and much of his family as well. In my experience the Air Force treats it's airmen and their families much better than the other branches. You also have the benefit that while they are on a deployment cycle (I won't get technical with terms) the average tour is only 4-6 months every 18 months. This can, of course, vary greaty dependant upon your career field. If you go into SF, they deploy much more. They're taking the "cop" aspect out of the job a lot more nowadays and using them more as, well, Security Forces. My husband has a comm job, and I thank the Lord for it. He has the chance of deploying frequently while in, but right of the AF has the chance of earning $80k+. He had a teacher get offered $116k a year with Verizon. Another benefit to the AF right now is that they are DYING for pilot and flight navigators. My husbands recruiter did not tell him this, but the education office just told us that as soon as he finishes his BA/BS in anything, he can apply for Commission. In theory, he could accomplish this in a year and half (he has a lot of existing credits)...which isn't bad at all. I mention this because you did mention aviation for the Coast Guard. If you quality for Officer right now (if you have college etc) there might even be bonuses in it for you. Another thing is that if you don't have any college, you'll pretty much have an Associates of Science right out of tech school with the Community College of the Air Force. They will also pay 100% of your tuition for classes you take while active duty (up to a certain limit) without having to touch your GI Bill. The AF will pay for you to get one higher degree while in. They also offer programs where they will pay enlisted to go to college full time to become officers if they are studying certain fields. I know a few: Linguistics, Engineering, Nursing, Meteorology. http://www.airforce.com/education/enlisted/ea_comPrograms.php Sorry this is so long...like I said, I am bias. But, I've known people in all branches and it's pretty much agreed that the AF takes care of it's own the most. Thank you for your decision to support you country. Good luck at the recruiting office!
I would think that the ParaRescue is the one most suited according to the type of person you are. It is also skills that you can use in civilian life for Paramedics .are always in demand. It is a worthy caring for your fellow men career and you can support yourself and if family is in your future them too. The training that you will receive in the military and the hands on experience on the military field will also enable you to advance in this career. Although there are other militaary positions you mention that you can carry over into civilian life I think this will be the most satisfying to you and more than likely one you'll want to make it your life's work. Wish you a safe and happy, fulfilled life
From my experience in military, Air Force I would based on your profile, select 1. Fire protection. 2. Aviation Field, 3 Search and Rescue swimmer. 4. Maritime Patrol. Each of these fits your category of "protect,serve and save people. Each has an element of risk to you. Each would provide a rewarding self worth. Each will provide usefull skills that you can use anywhere in civilian life. No matter if you stay in for 20yrs or 4, someday you WILL get out and you will need and be able to continue to use. On the other hand I feel the most likely (BRANCH WISE) to have longevity would be 1 the Coast Guard. They very seldom, if ever get into combat unless it would be in one of the Americas against Drug runners. Mostly they stay on,near the home front to my knowledge. My second option would be the Air Force. If/when they are deployed most times it is the rear areas of combat unless you are Security Police. Talk to the Coast Guard and good luck.
The Air force seems to have the best training that is easiest to translate into the civilian workforce. Rather it by in electronics, mechanics or civil services. My sister is currently training to be a C-130 technician and has shared some of the training with me. I am in civilian electronics and her training is top notch.
What is wrong with the Army, which has the most diverse career opportunities. I would advise considering becoming a chemical operations specialist in the Army. Not only would you work in an exciting career that deals with chemical, biological and nuclear weapons defense, but also in the growing area of hazardous materials handling. This might provide you with sufficient background to also work post-military on Hazmat teams, or for private companies that deal with environmental hazards. You would be a unique and valued member of a unit, since there aren't very many of them. Besides your assigned duty, you are also assigned to combat patrols, especially if there are drug/bomb/or suspected WMD's being manufactured.
US Navy-- you can be a pilot or naval flight officer. Rescue swimmer. master-at-arms. seal.