Hi, I'm 16 y/o and I really want to join the military. Protecting the United States is a passion of mine and joining the military will help me pursue it. I have looked at each of the five branches extensively. I ruled out the Air Force because I do not like planes so that was an easy choice for me. I also ruled out the Marines as well. In the current situation, I am stuck between the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard. I know that is very broad and hard to narrow down for me but I'll tell you why I am interested in each and maybe that will help.
Why I'm interested in the Army: 1. It's an easier branch to get into compared to other branches. 2. It's big; I have opportunities to meet many other soldiers. 3. I like the idea of boots on the ground combat. Again, I don't like flying. 4. I know this sounds stupid but I like the uniforms. They appeal to me.
Army concerns: 1. There is a very high possibility that I can obviously be deployed in a very currently high risk place. 2. I feel like the Army is more offensive. As I said earlier, the reason I want to join is to protect and help the homeland. 3. You're stationed in a place for a very long period of time. 4. You're training A LOT, especially in peace time.
Why I'm interested in the Navy: 1. I've always grown up not liking boats, but I've increasingly managed to stop with that crap. I am so interested in naval combat. It's very cool. I just like the whole image of the Navy. 2. You get to travel around the world. 3. If you're stationed on a ship, you get to make relationships with your crew members and I feel like that's awesome. 4. The Navy can be offensive, but at the same time I just see the Navy more of a defensive branch. I feel like the Marines are the more offensive maritime branch. I do like the fact that the Navy is versatile and can do both. 5. The Navy would allow me to get out of my comfort zone. 6. I like the idea of freedom and protection of the seas, though I do believe we should not police the whole world all the time.
Navy concerns: 1. I'll be stationed possibly out of the country for a very long time. 2. Harder to get into. Look, I'm not jacked and muscular and insanely fit, and that's a key factor in passing the test right or am I just completely wrong? 3. I hate the image of getting torpedoes... AH!!!
Why I'm interested in the Coast Guard: 1. Small = getting to know many. 2. Less training, but on active duty all the time doing missions every day which I feel like many do not see and understand. It will help me learn, help people, and ascend in the ranks. 3. USCG is 99% defensive. Again, I want to join the army to protect the homeland. 4. It's different. Rather than training and being in combat, they are doing completely different missions like stopping drug smugglers and search and rescue. You are directly helping people that way. 5. You get to stay in the US for the most part unless you have to protect ports elsewhere during war time. 6. Ranks are versatile. I like the idea of kind of choosing your role and your ranks will then be based on that.
Coast Guard concerns: 1. Second-smallest branch and is VERY selective. 2. The test is hard... AH!!! 3. Why does the Coast Guard get less respect? I feel like everyone "jokes" about the Coast Guard. Even my friends. Every time I point out that I want to join the military and mention that the Coast Guard is one of the branches I'm looking at, they laugh at me and call me a coward b/c I won't be in direct combat and b/c they think the Coast Guard if "not part of the military" because they are not u see the Department of Defense. I just feel like whenever someone shows less respect for the USCG, it means that they don't understand what their missions are. I feel like every branch deserves the same amount of respect as they are all sacrificing their lives every day.
Thank you in advance to everyone who responds. I am very serious about this topic. Thank you.
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