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Joining the Army???

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: May 2010 ~ August 2010: Joining the Army??? users admin

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Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 9:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Is it a ridiculous idea for my dh (or even me) to join the army right now? We are at our wits end and, well, we are grasping at straws here. At age 38, he is no spring chicken (neither am I) so not sure it is even possible. Anyone know? Or do I just need to be slapped?

Because I am working the census (which ends in a week or so) I now have income. So that may kick us out of us getting (medicaid) state insurance. So anyways, that is starting to freak me out. If this concept seems ridiculous, just bear with me...

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 9:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
I think there are age restrictions on different branches. I am pretty sure the Marine Corps is 28 years old for the cutoff. I am not sure what other branches are, though.

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 9:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Goddessatlaw a private message Print Post    
No, Julie, it does not sound ridiculous at all, and I think the maximum age has been raised so that he may be able to join. However, the Army doesn't pay much - many servicemen I know are borderline or true welfare candidates. And frankly, given the times, it's a bad idea to join the military if you aren't really committed to being a soldier or sailer, not just in a financial pickle. Financially, I don't think it necessarily will provide the solution that you're looking for. But that's just my best guess, it is certainly worth looking in to for more accurate information.

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 9:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Goddessatlaw a private message Print Post    
Julie, you should look into your township trustee. If Chicago is anything like Indy, you can petition the township trustee to provide temporary living expenses based on need. If you can show you have no income, no savings and no remaining credit, they may (and should) be able to help at least in the short term. Here is one township trustee for a Chicago region North Township Trustee.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 9:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Oh Julie, I am so sorry you are going through all this. I pray for you that the unemployment bene will be extended.

My husband was in the navy 20 yrs. ago. We heard many stories of recruiters not being honest. His recruiter was not honest. Please just make really sure about what you are doing if either of you sign anything re going into the military. Also, if you were both able to join and did join, I would think almost 100% you would have to move. Also, the pay was extremely low.

I'm so sorry things are so desperate right now for you. www.livingonadime.com is a website run by a woman Jill Cooper and her adult daughter Tawra Kellam. When Jill's kids were little, their father left. Jill had no money. She couldn't afford to lose her house because the mortgage was lower than any rent. She lived very frugally and did whatever she could to get some income. She carefully fed her kids so that they got enough nutrition but nothing more, she just couldn't afford anything extra. She walked the streets to find wood for firewood to heat her house. She taught herself how to fix pianos so that she could get some income from the ex husband's business that he walked away from when he left them. I think she did odd jobs like ironing for people...whatever she could to feed her kids and make her mortgage payment. Often there was no money for anything else at all. They still live very frugally.

I mention all this because maybe her books are in the library or maybe from their website and free email newsletter you can get some idea of how to make something work out.

Good luck!!!

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 9:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
IS your home loan insured? Might be something to look into as well. Our loan is insured in a way that if one of us is out of work (or both) they provide mortgage assistance for 6 months.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 10:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Thank you all. Gotta go back to work now, will come back later...

Konamouse
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 10:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Konamouse a private message Print Post    
Enlisting into the military is a very serious decision. Just the physical requirements can be daunting for older folks. The first few years are pretty low pay but there is full medical coverage, housing allowance, another other necessities covered.

Yes, you have to move. You go where they tell you. First is basic training, then school (for whatever job you've been assigned), then first post/base. Military folks move on average once every three years.

Direct commission as an officer if you have a degree and a profession that is utilized will earn higher pay. But still training and moving. Being an officer still have to pass the physical (and they also check your heart). I got my commission into the AF reserves when I was 34.



Karen
Member

09-06-2004

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 11:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karen a private message Print Post    
Julie, totally OT from the topic here at hand, but I know you and your husband are both creatives. Please tell me you know of www.elance.com and have checked out your options there?

It's like ebay, but for freelance creative jobs. A person posts what they need (your graphic design and hubby's copywriting would be in demand there) and qualified individuals submit proposals and bid on the work to be done.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 2:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
If you're worried about Ryan having to move into a different neighborhood, the military is not what you want. You will be moved when they want you to move and you'll have no say. And no matter how bleak things look right now, they would look a whole lot worse if your husband was sent overseas

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 2:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
Aside from that, the military is not something you should join for money reasons. Instead, joining our armed forces should be something you are passionate about to serve our country. I know many young men and women do join for monetary purposes, but as informed as you are about the world around us and what is going on, this is not for you.

Cash in your 401k if you have one before opting for the military route.

Mack
Member

07-22-2002

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 3:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mack a private message Print Post    
Having just retired from 42 years with the Army, not uniformed but civilian, I'd say the Army is a good life for uniformed and civilian. Wife is still working for the Army as a civilian and doing quite well. As for enlisting....sure, it's an option but at 38 years of age you'd need to get an age waiver. Typically they want somebody who can finish a twenty-year career not later than age 55. Not sure where they are right now in recruiting so it may or may not be hard. Tell you this, no joy in basic training at age 38!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 3:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Julie, I understand where you are coming from. I even thought about it too, but we are WAY too old! LOL

Southern_grits
Member

10-08-2009

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 3:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Southern_grits a private message Print Post    
Let me say right at the get-go that Escapee, I am not arguing with you at all, just adding my , okay?

I'm a retired Air Force wife and my son joined the Air Force... for money reasons. He stayed in (actually he switched to full time guard) because he developed a passion for his country and loves his job. There are worse reasons to join. Although my mind is drawing a blank right now.

He makes excellent money now but starting out it is hard, especially if you have children.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 4:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
How old was your son when he joined? He wasn't near to middle aged, was he? Did he already have an established family, own a home? Going in when you are in your early 20's "for money" and then deciding you like it would be considerably different than going in close to 40.

Southern_grits
Member

10-08-2009

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 4:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Southern_grits a private message Print Post    
You have a point, Costa. He was 21 or 22. He did not own a home but was married with a small child. But I wasn't commenting on joining in middle age or joining while owning a home, just that you don't have to be a die hard patriot to join and be successful.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 5:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
I dont think they are accepting recruits at this time. I know my stepson said they werent even letting some guys re-up.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 6:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
I had to run a military obstacle course for some training program or other when I was 41. Damn near killed me. And there was some stuff I just couldn't do. On the other hand, I was pretty excited that I DID manage to climb a 12 (seemed like 20) foot wall on a rope. I have no idea how I did that. Well, I do have vague recollections of getting close to the top and having team mates up there and screaming at them to "grab something" and help me because my arms were about gone. And they grabbed, and I just didn't give a damn what they grabbed if I got up there.

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Sunday, July 11, 2010 - 4:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twiggyish a private message Print Post    
Julie, what about National Guard? My prayers are with you all. The job market is awful.

Have you tried a temp or job finder agency? www.expresspros.com is a good one.
You fill out an app and then see what's available. You call them the next day or that day you fill out (if open) and they will help you.
You can also try day labor places. I know there is a reputation for that type work, but I know family men who have received cash for working a temp. day job.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Sunday, July 11, 2010 - 11:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Thanks for that tip Twiggy. A temp place is the only stone that we haven't turned. (but we will this week). It is unreal all the places we have tried for leads, even headhunters aren't finding us anything... And so many of our former co-workers are also unemployed (or in a totally different field) so they're not able to help us with many leads. THanks for the prayers. Looks like we'll need them more than ever. Then next month or two will either keep us afloat or make us sink. (hopefully we can keep our insurance and still get unempl. benefits. If not, we'll be sinking fast!)

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Monday, July 12, 2010 - 10:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Julie, I read in the other thread that you applied at Starbucks etc. It's gone off on another subject so I thought I'd comment here.

I'm so sorry things are so hard job wise. I heard on San Francisco bay area talk radio that companies are not hiring people for min. wage jobs/McDonalds etc because they know that as soon as the economy picks up, those people who were unemployed and used to make a decent living ("overqualified" as you said), will go back to their old jobs or new jobs that are much better paying. I don't say this to discourage you any further, but, if you can alleviate the minds of future employers by putting something in a cover letter or saying so in person...maybe that will help. Best of luck to you!

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Monday, July 12, 2010 - 3:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twiggyish a private message Print Post    
Julie, I was in Craigslist today and noticed a lot more jobs listed. Yes, it's my local area, but you might have something in your area. I do know there are scammers, so I would ask for more information from the person before sending out the resume. I do know some legitimate businesses that advertise there. It may not be full time, but it might help.

Karen
Member

09-06-2004

Monday, July 12, 2010 - 4:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karen a private message Print Post    
Julie, also just want to make sure you saw the comment upthread about elance.com? A (completely legit) bidding site for freelance creative jobs. You and your husband could both have luck there.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Monday, July 12, 2010 - 4:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
Karen, that is a cool site! Im going to have my laid off DH ck there. TY!