Howdy gang,

Over the years my life has been... well difficult. My wife and I live in utter poverty, and have ever since we got married.
When I was younger I was going to join the Air Force, I missed either one or two questions on my entire ASVAB, but
due to the fact I had taken Rittalin as a child I was denied entry.

Now fast forward 13 years, The Armed services have raised the age limits and dropped some of the health restrictions.
This would allow me to join. Now to be honest I do not agree with the war, but I am an American and will do it, if it will
help me and my wife in the long run. I am a Computer Technician going nowhere. I have experiance with nearly every
imaginable computer system. So I ask this.....

If I joined one of the services, will it help me to further my career? What should I apply for in the service given my long
and storied career. Which branch of the military should I join? Will there be someone on base who can help me get my
my wife (Canadian) Immigrated to the states? And how long would it be before my wife has access to the Military Medical
Help? She needs a Doctor in a bad way, and I can get her no help here. There just are not enough Doctors in this area.

I really do not want to go and fight in a war, but I figure if I do and I survive, I will be able to support my family a little better.
Maybe we would be able to own a home. And then if I go and I die at least my wife would get death benefits to help her along.
I cannot keep on the route I am going, and I lobg for stability in our lives. This may be my only option. No one ever bites at my
resume, so myabe being a vet would help.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
Randy

quote Originally posted by 8Ball: No one ever bites at my resume, so myabe being a vet would help. What are your thoughts? Thanks, Randy

Hound the placeS you want to work. Let them know YOU WANT a job with THEM.

Butter, I have been sending out resumes for the last 4 years. No one wants someone who knows what they are doing, no one wants a guy with 15 years experiance. They all want someone with Certifications and a bachelors in Comp Sci. I have actually had several companies request I do not send my resume to them anymore

What they ALL want is good workers as defined by the company. Make them believe that and a job will find you.

Resume resume resume put em in a file. Employee employee employee great em with a smile.

1. AF or Navy (both should keep you out of the hotest combat zones)
2. Low ASFAB score - try for machinist - good trade skill for once you are out.
3. Trying to stay in computers is damn hard, the mid to late 90's saw the fields (design/Network/etc) flooded which is why companies ask for a degree in advance.

The military would start paying bennies almost from the start. Bringing in a foreign national can be a little difficult but not impossible. IIRC the average was about 6mos but that was back in the 80/90's.

Thanks Uaana,

I also just got ahold of my cousins phone number, he was a recruiter for the Air Force for a number of years. I am hoping tonight
when I call him I will be able to get more of my questions answered. One of the things that REALLY puts me in a tight spot is,
If I leave for basic, there is no one to take care of my wife. There is no money for her, and no one to pay the bills for her. I think
once basic is over she would be able to move onto the base, but I am not certain there either. So yea I still have many many
concerns.

I am not adverse to learning a new trade, especially if I cannot get into computers in the military, but computers are what I know
and do the best. I was considering either the Navy or the Air Force as my main targets, mostly because that is what my family
has always done. Not so much to stay out of the fight. Like I said I do not agree with the war, but I am not afraid to go into war,
nor am I afraid to die. So long as I know my wife will be taken care of.

Randy

How old are you. The age limit for the Air Force is 28 for enlisted, and 35 for commissioned officer. As far as benefits, your wife would be eligible imediately upon your entry into training. If she is not near a military base, then she'd have to enroll in tricare prime and find a provider in your area that takes the insurance. There is not any co-pay for prime enrollees. I can not answer the question on immigrations... it can be messy, but being that Canada borders the States, I do not think you'd have too much of a problem.

edit - corrected the age for commissioned...

[This message has been edited by topcat (edited 08-07-2006).]

Topcat,

I am 30. I do not know if the Air Force upped their age, but I know the Army did to 42 for new enlists, the Navy did as well to 40 or 42.
I am not certain about the others.

Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming.

BTW, you've got a PM

Personally, military flying was all I ever wanted........did an infantry stint when I was 17, learned to fly (on my own wallet), did about 75% of the AME, spent a LOT of time working the ramp at some uber-executive places (slick willie was a regular customer, so was the pope and the queen)-------fast foreward to the "new world, BushCo style" we live in, and the government, the military, and the rent-a-prick security types can damn well walk unless somebody else fly's 'em, fixes 'em and fuel's 'em, cause it sure wont be me doing it.

My advice is learn industrial mechanics. If you can both run AND fix production machenery, you are never out of work more than a week or 2. Then take up flying as a hobby if you can stomach the mentality of the nazi types so prevelent around it these days.

I would LOVE to fly, and someday I fully intend of getting my liscense.
I have been doing alot of reading the last few days on military sites, and it seems most have the same opinion as you guys.
Mechanical is the way to go for a job that will keep giving back.

Steer away from the Army if you want computers. Honestly, the other services appear to train you better in computers and networking and keep you directly into computers than the Army does. But, if you decide on the Army, please feel free to ask me any questions.

Honestly I do not really care which service I join. I just want the one that will be the best for my wife and I.
But I will shoot you a message a little later Aceman.

Thanks,
Randy

If I had it to do all over again, I would have gone into aviation. I was technically oriented when I went in the Navy, scored extremely high on my entrance exam and could have chosen anything I wanted to do. I picked submarines because the recruiter convinced me it was the smartest choice.
First piece of advice: Do not believe anything a recruiter tells you. They have one purpose and one purpose only, and it has nothing to do with what your life will be like when you get out.
Second piece of advice: If you decide on a field, look at the trends of that field in the civilian sector. Techology changes fast, and the military is always WAY behind. When I went iin, I learned what was then state-of the art, semi-computerized systems that were mostly relay logic. A technology that was widely used in civilian companies, but was completely out-of-date when I got out 8 years later.
As for bene's etc. If you're married, your wife will be covered by spousal benefits immediately if I recall. There are no limitations about pre-existing conditions. Also, as soon as you get your duty assignment the military will relocate you and your family to whereever they send you and will provide base housing. If base housing isn't available you receive a housing allowance that is in addition to your base pay. In my case, I was stationed on a sub, which was by the military (and the government) to be my primary residence, only I wasn't on the sub but 6 months out of the year. That meant that all of my off-base expenses, including rent, utilities, gas, etc. were ALL tax deductable.
I really don't know if the military is the answer for you or not, only you can decide that. But if you choose that path, do it wisely. Don't let a recruiter who is only concerned with meeting his quota (and yes, you can bet your ass they have them) convince you that you should do something without checking it out completely.
Good luck, you seem very desperate and that's a bad place to be. I hope everything works out for you.
~Taiji

[This message has been edited by Taijiguy (edited 08-07-2006).]

I have about 12 years in the army so far. As far as "technical" fields go, I would shy away from the army. As far as being a veteran, it is not as much of a benefit to employment as it used to be, unless you're shooting for a government job. I spent quite a long time looking for a suitable job, and it seemed at every interview I was asked when I was going to Iraq and for how long. Needless to say I didn't get any of those jobs.( I am presently a Reservist, if this clarifies things). Also, don't think that HR personnel's opinions don't get in the way of hiring. I had put on my resume that I was Infantry while on active duty and was actually asked at several interviews if I enjoy killing people! So no matter how cool or exciting or romantic the recruiter makes some jobs sound, don't jump into anything.

Also, have you considered the Reserves or National Guard? You go to basic, your advanced training for your job field, and then go a weekend a month and then a few weeks during the summer. Don't let the recruiter lie and say 2 weeks during the summer because most units do 3 weeks summer training. Of course with this option you probably will have to move to the US. I have a friend from Canada who was in my old National Guard unit, so it can be done. The training for the job I do in the Reserves got me my present job.

quote Originally posted by Taijiguy: Good luck, you seem very desperate and that's a bad place to be. I hope everything works out for you. ~Taiji

Taijiguy,

Thanks for the comments. I am desperate, but it is not new desperation so the anxiety of being desperate is not on my shoulders. Just the utter fear of not being able to provide for my family. I do not intend to take a decision like this lightly, but I do intend on doing something. One way or the other. I am now 30 years old, and married for 6 years. My life is no closer to being stable than it was 15 years ago. As a matter of fact it is alot less stable. Should I decide to go into the service, my wife is behind me. She does not really WANT me to do it, she does not want me to leave her alone while I go fight in a war, but she is behind me.

For 6 years we have tried to get one of us legal in the others country, either her in the states or me in Canada, but the money is never there. So this may be just
what we need. A chance to know there is a steady paycheck coming in. Also as sad as it may seem, the E1 payscale is more than I make right now in computers.
Nevermind the fact that I bring in nearly 500k a year alone for our store. When I took this job I was supposed to work it for cash for 5 years, then the boss was to give me the company. She was ready to retire. But now that I have built the company up so much, she does not plan to give it to me anymore. So basically I have spent the last 4 years working my ass off for nothing. So I have to do something.

Is there a site somewhere that gives details about the many many many differant jobs in the service?

Thanks,
Randy

El Guapo,

I am not so much interested in doing the reserves. If I am going to join the service, I am going for the full monty. I considered the reserves in the past, but passed it up for the very reasons that you mentioned. It has always been my experiance that companies do not like to hire reservists. I have a hard enough time getting a job now, the last thing I need to do is increase that difficulty.

[This message has been edited by 8Ball (edited 08-08-2006).]

Well, I can tell you another thing, this is what I did. Probably the only smart move I made.
You metioned the E1 payrate (You can thank Reagan for that, when I joined in '79 pretty much ALL enlisted qualified for welfare and food stamps. Reagan inititated the program that provides regular pay increases for military) One thing you can do is go in with a guaranteed A school and C school. What happens is, you go in as an E1, but the day you leave boot camp you're given E-3. You attend an A school, which is a preliminary type of school, and upon completion of that school, you're promoted to E-4. You then attend a C school, which is more advanced training. Upon completion of the two schools you go on to your duty assignment. In my case, I went to school for almost a year and a half before going to my first submarine. Granted, I don't think the military will pay to move your family any any temporary assigments, such as schools, but you can live off-base with your family, and they'll still give you the housing allowance. It's just the relocation expenses they won't pay.
By the way, the military will also pay bonuses to person who will go into certain rates. It can be either because the work is really hard and no one wants to do it, or because the schooling is almost impossible and very few can actually make it. One of those for example would be an ET (nuke) (Electronics Technician, nuclear) or an MM (nuke) (Machinist Mate, nuclear) Those are the guys who work on and around the reactors, and the school is a first rate PITA, with a very high dropout rate.
Granted, this is all based on how things were when I got out in 87. A long time for sure, but I doubt things have changed all that much.

Holy crap. I just grabbed the payscale. Military are making an assload more than when I was in! I was an E5 with over 6 years and was only making about 1,700 a month INCLUDING all my supplimentals; housing, food, partial hazardous pay, etc. Now base pay is almost 2,300 a month. Geeze I shoulda stayed in!

http://www.military.com/military/benefits/0,15465,military_pay_charts,00.html

And there is the thing. I can make more in the military than I can as a civillian anymore.
I can't get that payscale site to work for me, it may be Firefox... But is there a list of which jobs say the Navy would pay bonuses for?
For the most part the Military sites seem very convaluded and difficult to find anything on.

Computer type jobs are on the way out or outsourced to India. Soon! We all won't even have real computers, but thin clients and they will be remove and replaced, rather than repaired.

What about begining in a new field? What about all that work going up there in Canada for the oil sand fields. They are looking for anybody and they pay damn well.

http://www.oilcareer.com/1albian.htm

8Ball:

Would you be willing to consider relocating out west? My bro works with a school division out here in Sask and they are always on the lookout for people with good hands on computer networking experience. My brother was able to get a really postition with them with his degree from a tech school combined with his ~10 years of hands on networking experience. If you would like, I could give you their human resource department info for you to get in touch with if interested. His starting salary was just under $20 an hour, with a bunch of other perks such as matched pension contributions, milege reimbursement, and health coverage. Here is a link to some info on the town they are based out of.

http://www.kindersley.ca/

Wow Randy, your post almost hurt to read. My best wishes are headed your way.

Something beyond military option is the civilian option if your really willing to gamble life vs high pay. Check out the opportunities to work in Iraq or Afghanistan, it's risky but pays well for Americans.

http://www.dangerzonejobs.com/artman/publish/index.shtml This might be a start for that...

I got the impression there may be more issues with your wife than financial, is she disabled in some manner? Might be able to direct you to some other resources if so.

Other option may be retraining into another field that pays better and has a higher demand or getting certified in what your presently doing.

del.

[This message has been edited by Brian Lamberts (edited 08-08-2006).]

My brother joined the military and I couldn't be any more astonished. He used to be lazy, sleep in till 3 in the afternoon, kinda slobby, not in school (college) and generally going no-where. Sure he had plenty of computer skills, but he never applied himself. If you met him today you would never recognize him. He no longer avoids situations. He has a grip on his life and handles things as they come at him. I am truely so proud of what he is now and what the military (army) has done for him. He is nothing but character and integrity.

Randy,
Just one more piece of food for thought......

Although there are many weeks throughout the year of Field Exercises and there is a greater possibility of deployments with the Army right now with Iraq and Afghanistan...... With the Navy, you'll have constant months on end of sea duty. The Navy is very rough for any type of family life.

To Witchita and Loafer87GT,

I would consider moving out west to work in a hot second if A. I was legally allowed. and B. I could afford to move. I do not currently have the proper papers to work in Canada. So in order to get a legit job, I have to go back to the states.

Scott-Wa, I have not really considered that route in the past. But I do have to say, if I am going to go there, I would rather be in the service when I did. It is not just so much money I am after, but rather stability in my life. A career that will consistantly put food on the table. And while my situation sounds really really bad, it is not so bad. My wife and I have managed on what I make for a while now. We just can't do ANYTHING extra. But thank you for the wishes. I hope they help

RandomTask, I am kind of hoping for the same results in me. While I am not a slob or without discipline, Iw ould like to get my life on track.

Have you considered dual citizenship? Canada offers citizenship without losing your US status as a citizen. Heck, you may even qualify for canadian forces services if you wished. Good luck either way you decide. I can answer your questions about the Army if you have any.
SSGT S. Williams
canadian citizenship:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizen/index.html
Canadian forces:
http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/engraph/career/tradeinfo_e.aspx?id=54&bhcp=1

------------------
1988 Fiero Formula T-tops
CJB 143 of 1252 "factory T-top cars"

I had always planned on dual citizenship. It is not the losing the US Citizenship that is the problem. It is the cash to file the papers. Cash has been a major holding point on everything we have tried for years. I am trying to correct that situation with whatever choice I make.

quote Originally posted by 8Ball: ... Should I decide to go into the service, my wife is behind me. She does not really WANT me to do it, she does not want me to leave her alone while I go fight in a war, but she is behind me. ...

The thing that I wold have to tell you is that joining any branch of the military should be a family decision. The military will place demands on your time that will interfer with your family time. Deployments, sea duty, and remote tours away from family all add up to a giant "I told you so" from her if things go sour. Now I am not trying to tinkle in your Cheerios, I just want you to understand the commitment that you are about to make should be a family one.

Thanks Topcat. My wife and I spent much of last night talking about it. She is ok with it, because she knows that it really would be better for us both in the long run. We have made it thru some very very hairy situations these last nearly 7 years, and I don't think time away from each other is going to even come close to our problems in the past. And we made it thru those. She would of coarse love it if I could find a civillian job, but it honestly does not look like that will be happening.

If I join the Navy, my A school would likely be IT in Great Lakes, but I am not certain on C schools yet, I have not found alot of info on the schools yet.

Well last week my boss took me out to dinner to offer a proposal. She said I could buy the store which is valued at about 50k plus inventory for 60k.
I thought about it and thought about it. Then I decided to start asking the employee's if they were going to stay on if I bought it. Boy it sure is nice to know how liked you are Everyone except one secretary said they would not.

Not one who really likes to risk his future on an uncertainty, Iw ill not be buying the store. Not to just have to go out and find all new employee's.
I am expecting a call from a Navy recruiter this week, hopefully in the next couple days. I will talk to them and see what kind of options I have, see if I can find out what kind of sign on bonus I might be able to get, and then I will likely be boot camp bound. It is time to make life work for my wife and I.

I figure if I can get into the IT section of the Navy, I should be pretty well set when I come out for a job with either Raytheon or the Government. In the Navy, to work in IT, you have to carry Top Secret clearance, which is the lowest level. Most the jobs I would consider my dream jobs in the civilian sector also require this security clearance. Plus I may be able to get training that would allow me to work in Cyber Crimes when I get out, which is a major goal for me. The time apart from Lisa will be hard on us both, but we both agree that is really is the best thing for us.

So it is really starting to look like I may be a Navy Boy soon.
Thanks a million everyone,
Randy Walker