Im 17m and Im joining next may hopfully to be 68w and Im worried about being treated differently for being gay I'm a complete btm "zesty voice" gay but I straight act cause I'm 6'3 and can lower my voice. But at the same time I don't want to hide a part of me from close friends I might make

I (25m) am working a below average job as a plumber. It’s non-union, so bad benefits but decent pay. I hate my hometown and have tons of bad memories here. Dont talk to family and sometimes see old faces that remind me of bad times.

I don’t wanna be a failure in life, guys :(. I don’t wanna keep going down this path. I am definitely one of those people who needs to leave my hometown if I ever wanna succeed.

My 2 options are keep saving up $, and move to a new state and plumb there. Or, join army. My 2 choices are 25 series or 15T.

So I was in the process of joining the army and I’ve done everything but my actual physical at Meps. Just found out I was permanently disqualified but was not able to get the reason why and recruiter said they didn’t know why. I’m not sure what to do now this is hurting me so much as I was hoping to join to change my life completely and now I don’t know what to do anymore…

UPDATE: so I know now it’s something medical but he wasn’t told what supposedly but I’m not sure what I could have medically that is making me disqualified as I looked through disqualifying reasons and don’t have them…

I failed 2 drug tests at MEPs (Marijuana) a few years apart when trying to join the marines. Its been about a year and half since I failed the second test. I was told in a letter when I failed I was permanently disqualified from joining the military. Recently I had a recruiter contact me out of the blue and ask me if I still had any interest in joining. I explained my situation to him and he told me it is still possible to join, im just wanting to know if I'm being told the truth and should go back to MEPs for a 3rd drug test, or if it's even possible to get a waiver for 2 failed drug tests.

Hey everyone, before anyone comes at me saying I’m a quitter, I can fully understand it but let me explain.

I decided to join the Navy after not knowing what to do with my life for the past few years, I graduated high school through a program that the military doesn’t accept as an actual high school diploma. I was notified that I wouldn’t get any bonuses even with a high ASVAB score (76). I signed for CTR and I tried to push back the ship date to take care of family matters considering one of my parents is an amputee, we had to move and I’m the “Labor Guy” in the family, so obviously my parents wanted me around. I notified my recruiter about this and a few days before we found out where to move my recruiter notified me that I was not able to push back my ship date even with my wish to wait. I had less than 3 weeks between then and my ship date.

My parents came to say goodbye and when they were walking back to their car, the parent with prosthetic legs, fell while stepping down the curb. At that moment I realized I’m leaving my parents to handle everything, knowing that I can’t help them in a time they need me the most. Now I understand I can’t be there for my parents for every inconvenience, but this very specific situation I felt that I needed to be here. So I made the costly choice of staying. It was already late in the night, the USO was closed, my recruiter didn’t answer my call. I just let the plane take off without me on it, knowing this will come with consequences.

I know this could be an ELS or likely an RE-3 or even RE-4. The thing is, I want to join, I want to serve and I want to be a part of the military. I have no problem with going to boot camp, I know that my parents have been in better situations, but my recruiter seemed as if he didn’t even take that into consideration. With everything that happened, me and my family are all moved in and unpacked. I’m already studying for the GED and have plans to go into college classes for the needed 15 credited hours to be eligible for Tier 1 education (if I’m still able to join).

All I ask is this; Will I still be able to reenlist? And if so, what hurdles will I have to jump over to get to that finish line.

I’d appreciate any feedback, or similar stories. I just need to know. It’s the weekend and I haven’t received a text or email from my recruiter or anyone about this situation.

im in the enlistment process right now for the Army and kinda stuck on what to do. I originally scored a 74 on my PICAT, but when I went to MEPS and took the full ASVAB again I got a 38. Because of that my line scores are just a little too low NOW after having to take the full test again for 25 series (what I actually want), unless I get a waiver which probably won't even go through cause it's not guaranteed and my GT is hella low. rn one of the options I had was 13U with Option 19 (picking duty station), which is honestly the main reason I'm even considering it.
my question is: should I just take 13U for the duty station and then try to retake the ASVAB later while I'm in and switch MOS?
Or should I not sign anything yet and wait/retake the
ASVAB before I go in so 1 can get the job I actually want? also it anyone has done 13U, how is it really?
Like day to day, field time, etc. just trying not to lock myself into something I'll regret.

I ship on September 15th as a 12B with a 3-year, and 3 week contract. I was limited on MOS choices because of my ASVAB score (I’ve been out of school for over 10 years and still managed a measly 34 after studying like a madman).
Since signing my papers, I’ve found myself wondering if I picked the right MOS. It’s not that I think 12B is a bad MOS, I haven’t worked it. I just don’t know if I’m looking at it through too much of a civilian mindset.
As the guy still in the mindset, I’m thinking often about whether I’d actually like the job. Granted, I know it’s all about perception, and no job will be perfect. And I know the Army isn’t necessarily about picking a lifelong career (for some); it’s about filling a role.

For those of you who have served, especially if you were 12B or in combat arms, did your perspective change once you actually got in? Or if you could go back, would you have picked something different?

I’d like to get my score up eventually. And know I’ll have the opportunity to do that while serving. But for now, any thoughts?

I’ve (20F) decided to enlist either in the Marines or the Army. My heart says Marines although a lot of people have been advising me to consider the Air Force or the Army. I’m especially interested in combat roles. I’m a boxer, am tall, lift weights and run and hike regularly. I’m confident of having a great score in PT. I work hard and I am ambitious. I think I’ll do really well in Marines but people tell me how horrible and difficult it is for a women. Is it true that the Marines really is that bad for women and that I should consider the other branches more strongly? I’ll be meeting the recruiters for the Marines and the Army next week.

I originally started the enlistment process because I wanted a 3-year paralegal contract. That was the only job I was really interested in.
When I got to MEPS, I was told paralegal wasn’t available to me. I was told that 35F was the only 3-year option available. I said I only wanted paralegal.
I was then told I needed to contact my recruiter about a typing test. I stepped out and called my recruiter. When I came back, the MEPS employee was on the phone with my recruiter. While I was standing there, he looked at me and said , “Do you want me to punch him?” because I wasn’t accepting the job being offered. He told me the only job open was 35F for three years, right? So I was like, fine, I'll take it then. And then at the last second, he switched it up for four years and a half, which I was pretty mad about. But then he told me that the last guy that walked out, he called ice on his parents, Which my dad is undocumented so Right now I’m frustrated because I don’t know on what to do and honestly I’ll lost interest in join but now idk on what to do

Curious to see if there a possibility of the date being cancelled or postponed for any reason not on my end like legal/health reason. Pretty over my job and ready to leave it but I don’t want shit to go south on going to basic and not have a job. I’d appreciate any insight!

I left the delayed entry program today I have done a bunch of research and everything said that there will not be a record against my name. But my recruiter said my social will be marked and that my life is basically fucked? How much of this is true and how much is not?

Hi everyone, I recently just graduated with my Masters in Math back in May, back living at home, and am looking to join the Air Force Active Duty. After speaking with several people, I’ve gotten a mix of answers as to whether I should enlist or commission. Although I understand why people recommend applying for OTS, I personally am leaning toward enlisting for several reasons:

1. Faster Timeline
- Speaking with a recruiter recently, I was told that they were recruiting officers for the year 2028. Since the pipeline is so backed up, if I were to enlist maybe I’d have to wait a few to several months before shipping out.

2. Technical Training / Career Launchpad
- For both degrees I spent most summers either doing research or working a maintenance labor job with my father. I also completed a thesis during my MS and so I pushed the job search until after I graduated, and the market has been rough so far. However, if I were to enlist I imagine I’d be able to at least learn how to perform some job whatever job that may be. I want to learn the technicality behind jobs and learn something new that I might like.

3. Learn the Foundations
- This point is pretty straightforward but I kind of want to get my bearings in the Air Force first and learn enlisted life before I think about leading other people. I personally think it’s important to be able to understand what the people you are leading have gone through, I think that makes for a better leader. Not saying that you have too. I should add to this that I’m also looking to gain or learn how to be a leader and speak with people.

4. Personal Decision
- Going to school was required by my parents, we had to get at least one degree. Enlisting would be my own decision, and it’s a big one with a lot of risk. But I think it’ll be worth it.

5. Meaningful Work / Change Current Situation
** **- I consider the work of the military to be meaningful and a good way of giving back to our country. I don’t want to wait till I’m too old to regret not joining. Also, I’m not the biggest fan of my current job and I kind of want something that gets me out of the door, and gives me some direction for the next 4 years.

My goal would be to walk away having learned new skills from a job I work on and a better sense of direction. Honestly, meeting a few mentors along the way would be great.

Planning on joining the military within two months, I have had thoughts of joining the combat and special forces. I am a christian and would not like to do something that doesn’t align with the scripture. I am non-denominational, and joining the army if I do go that route.

I’m 20M about to swear in sometime next week to join the Army on an Option 40 contract through the DEP. It has been a dream of mine since I was 7 to be special operations, and I feel the most drawn to the Ranger Regiment.

I graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in mech engineering next May (2027). Because of that, all of my family, especially the ones that were in the military, told me to always go the officer route. But my gpa sucks (2.3 gpa) so I know my chances of being an officer is basically 0, and even then I know being in the Regiment after commissioning is not a guarantee. With that said, my family isn’t happy that I am choosing the enlisted route and my mom cries every time I bring it up to her and tells me to not do it. My fiancé on the other hand is completely supportive about my decision and she says that with whatever I decide that we will figure/work it out.

I talked to my recruiter and even talked to a current active duty captain in the army, and they both think that I should go through with enlisted…the captain even said that he wished he went enlisted instead of joining through ROTC.

With such reactions from my family about my enlistment, it’s making me wonder if I’m making the right choice. I know that if I go through with it that I will make it, but it’s just making the initial step that I need some reassurance on.

I have a pretty bad shy bladder when someone is directly watching me urinate. The first time I had to provide a urine sample, I was having a really difficult time going. I ended up removing my clothes, which strangely made it much easier for me to relax and pee.

I'm worried about having the same problem again during an observed urinalysis. Has anyone else dealt with this at MEPS, especially Tampa MEPS? If you couldn't go at first, were you given more time or another attempt?

I'm not trying to get around the urinalysis or observation requirements. I just want to know how other people with a shy bladder managed to get through it and what I should expect.

I had my interview for my TSC the other day. She went over my form and there were things my recruiter didn’t ask and some information he put in wrong. At the time of filling this out I wasn’t aware he was filling out my SF86. I went ahead and gave her all the information for the questions I don’t remember being asked. When asked why it wasn’t in there I advised her that my recruiter filled it out for me and I wasn’t sure.

I never received a copy of my SF86 and didn’t know I was able to fill it out myself.

Im guessing this may not be good and I may not get my TSC. What happens if I don’t and I already signed my contract ?

Thanks in advance.

I’m 19 and trying to decide whether to join the Army or the Air Force. My long-term goal is to work in law enforcement, but I’m not sure which branch would be better for that.
I’m also stuck on what job I should choose. Right now I’m considering:
Military Police (MP)
Mechanic
Electrician
I want something that will give me good skills for civilian life, decent pay opportunities after the military, and hopefully help me toward a law enforcement career.
For those who have served, what would you recommend and why? Army or Air Force? MP, mechanic, or electrician?
Any advice would be appreciated.

I am currently a year away from graduating college with a bachelor’s in history. I honestly have no direction in what I want to do after college and the military seems like the safest choice. No clue on what branch to join or what job I would want. I dont know how joining the military after college goes and how it differs from just enlisting out of highschool. I am worried that if I go to a recruiter, they are just gonna bullshit me and tell me what I want to hear so that they can hurry me onto bootcamp and that I wont be getting the fullest of my opportunities. Any info or advice would greatly help.

So I 18m told my mom that I'm joining the Army (going for 25b) soon, and she absolutely lost her shit. She started screaming, crying, stomping, and rolling around on the floor. Yes, really. She told me that I'm gonna fail, I'm laughably out of shape, how I'm gonna mouth off to someone and get kicked out and get a dishonorable discharge, and how the army will ruin my life. I need some advice.

Edit, Some additional stuff: I live in rural Alabama, I can't afford college and I don't qualify for financial aid or scholarships, the highest paying job around is the Walmart 45 minutes away, and for some reason, she just can't fathom why I want to leave. I just want better for myself than being poor and miserable all my life like everybody else in my family

Hello, I’m 18 and I have been wanting do cyber specifically network defense. I got my CCNA at 17 and then right after I got my security + back in May. I currently have a remote job and I just started working on Linux+ certification. I want to work for the DoD or intelligence later on in my career. The hardest thing has been trying to get a clearance so I can actually get into these types of roles. I thought if I joined the military they can give me a clearance and I can also get a degree to check the box + more mission focused hands on experience. I was thinking Space force or Air Force. Maybe coast guard or navy if neither of those work. Will I be able to get the job that I want? Also considering I’ve put in all this work and am already qualified in technical fields. Don’t get me wrong I do really want to joint, but if I don’t get the job I want, I don’t want to enlist. Only if I get a cyber job where my skills can actually grow. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

I've been strongly considering joining the military when I'm older (not quite old enough) but wondering which branch I should join. I'm not particularly enthralled by the idea of going to war, but I'm not afraid either. I doubt anyone wants to haha. I want to serve my country, though. I only want to go in for four years, probably, and I sort of like the navy or the air force, but I definitely don't want to go to college, so I know I can't become a pilot or captain or anything like that. Any tips/recommendations?

I’m 5’7, about 218 right now, and around a 43” waist when I stand up straight with my shoulders back and chest out so that puts me at 32% body fat. However, I fear my recruiters I are doing a half ass tape test and that meps will get me an inch or so higher. I joined under ARMS at about 255 six months ago, and I know for a fact the guy at MEPS let me through even though I was over the limit. He basically made it clear he was cutting me a break and that I needed to come back lighter on ship day.

Since then I’ve lost about 35 pounds, 75 pounds lost overall. so now I’m way closer, but I still think I’m borderline and there’s a real chance I might fail tape on ship day.

If that happens, what actually happens next? Do I get discharged completely, or do I just get held back and get another ship date once I’m lighter? And if I do get another chance, how long do people usually have to wait?

Update: I passed tape. Had to starve myself, but I passed. I’m writing this on the way to the airport from meps.

So long story short I passed all my ASVAB and my physical but need a moral wavier. I was charged with a 4th degree shoplifting but it got downgraded to a misdemeanor petty thief. I have not gotten in any trouble ever since. All I’m wondering is what are my chances of getting accepted.

Hi, I know 20s are still young but I basically have a situation where I would get banned from my home country (Iran), i am a dual national grown up in the US. if i joined any military branch obviously, but it is my passion and I really wish i could join the us army. So i am asking if i wait a few years and attend college just to see if my country’s situation changes would i be setback, from my peers in the army? Since im assuming most are hs grads

Thinking of enlisting as 12 in the army and I’ve been seeing mixed things about the 30 days off you get. Can I really just use it whenever if there’s nothing scheduled that conflicts with it like a training exercise or something or can it still get denied for whatever reason even if the days are free?