Military Or College Training?

Hello everyone. I'm a new reader interested in the IT field. I have until today to decide whether the Army, or a College/Technical school would be the best for my career.

Advanced Individual Training (AIT) would last about 5 months, with 3 years of work duty thereafter. My specific job title would be 25B, Information Technology Specialist.

According to https://www.cool.army.mil/25b.htm, common certifications would include A+ and Network+. For other advanced training, it states: "Soldiers in MOS 25B may also be interested in the following certifications. These certifications may require additional education, training or experience."

Could anyone please lend some insight into what they think is the better option? Thanks.

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empc4000xl

dpb23 wrote: »

Hello everyone. I'm a new reader interested in the IT field. I have until today to decide whether the Army, or a College/Technical school would be the best for my career.

Advanced Individual Training (AIT) would last about 5 months, with 3 years of work duty thereafter. My specific job title would be 25B, Information Technology Specialist.

According to https://www.cool.army.mil/25b.htm, common certifications would include A+ and Network+. For other advanced training, it states: "Soldiers in MOS 25B may also be interested in the following certifications. These certifications may require additional education, training or experience."

Could anyone please lend some insight into what they think is the better option? Thanks.

I'ma tell you like this. You do get the IT training and you get a clearance. You will be doing a lot more than IT stuff. If you really want to get the good IT training I recommend the Chair force. The Navy(my branch) has good training, but you can end up in a radio shop or doing other stuff besides IT. I recommend the Navy for the overall experience, but if you just want the training Chair force

bwcarty

There are positives and negatives to both sides. If you're looking at a 2 year tech school instead of a 4 year university, I'd probably lean towards the military. Instead of paying money to get education without experience, you'll be getting paid while you learn and gain experience.

Military experience is also great for getting security clearances, which are always in demand in the private sector, plus you'll be able to rack up money towards future education costs.

If you haven't done so already, look into the Air Force and Navy for technology careers. Also, watch out for what recruiters tell/promise you. I've heard you don't always get the assignment you talk to the recruiters about.

dpb23

Thank you for the responses.

The Army has what they call "Guaranteed Jobs" - meaning, if you're qualified for certain jobs, and they are available, you can reserve them. The job you will train for is in your contract. I suppose it does not mean that I wouldn't have other separate job duties.

I would have a security clearance, and work experience. However, I do not know whether the training would be better than a 4 year university or technical school. I don't know how advanced the training is, and what other certifications I would be qualified for, other than A+ and Network+.

It takes a lot of sacrifice to join, and so I'm narrowing it down by looking at what would be the best for my career.

empc4000xl

dpb23 wrote: »

Thank you for the responses.

The Army has what they call "Guaranteed Jobs" - meaning, if you're qualified for certain jobs, and they are available, you can reserve them. The job you will train for is in your contract. I suppose it does not mean that I wouldn't have other separate job duties.

I would have a security clearance, and work experience. However, I do not know whether the training would be better than a 4 year university or technical school. I don't know how advanced the training is, and what other certifications I would be qualified for, other than A+ and Network+.

It takes a lot of sacrifice to join, and so I'm narrowing it down by looking at what would be the best for my career.

You would be qualified for whatever you decide to go after. In the navy, I did A+, N+ S+ MCSA, and CCNA. I only took the test for N+ and CCNA. Its all up to you.

Bokeh

Guaranteed jobs really mean nothing. If you have it in writing, and the school gets canceled, they will try the hardest to get you to take another MOS. The usual options are take another MOS, get out and come back when the school is available (and do basic all over again) or get out all together. It happened to me, and I know a lot of others this has happened to as well regardless of branch of service.

If you go in the service, take your training they give you and then take the discounted college courses as well. You could come out well ahead of the game.

the_Grinch

Having considered the military before college and then chose college I would say go military. You can earn your degree while your in and if you don't you can at the very least get some college credits and have all that money saved up when your done. Save yourself from needless debt and try the military. We have some 25B's on here who can give you the day to day run down. Nothing better then to do your 6 and get out with certs and a degree plus the clearance/experience. Good luck!

brad-

I did active duty and national guard for the army - not anything IT related - but I would never have been able to jumpstart my life without it. It paid for my college, I saved a ton of money to live off while doing college when I got out - not to mention all the intangibles.

In hindsight, I probably would have been better off doing IT in the air force. The standard of living is much higher, and the day to day atmosphere is much less stressful - not to mention no field time.

dpb23

Thanks again guys.

The reason I needed to know today, is I'm scheduled to ship out for basic training tomorrow. Today is the last day I'd have to change my mind.

But thank you guys for all the input. The 25B will be in my contract. I leaned towards Army because I'll be third generation in my family, and I was told that no other branch is currently offering "guaranteed" MOS's.

So, I'm off. Take care everyone.

empc4000xl

dpb23 wrote: »

Thanks again guys.

The reason I needed to know today, is I'm scheduled to ship out for basic training tomorrow. Today is the last day I'd have to change my mind.

But thank you guys for all the input. The 25B will be in my contract. I leaned towards Army because I'll be third generation in my family, and I was told that no other branch is currently offering "guaranteed" MOS's.

So, I'm off. Take care everyone.

Who told you that. 1 person can't speak for all MOS's /Rates/career fields.

networker050184

Good luck! I spent six years in the Army myself as a 25N. It was the best decision I have ever made. The Army will give you great training, experience and money for college.

brad-

dpb23 wrote: »

Thanks again guys.

The reason I needed to know today, is I'm scheduled to ship out for basic training tomorrow. Today is the last day I'd have to change my mind.

But thank you guys for all the input. The 25B will be in my contract. I leaned towards Army because I'll be third generation in my family, and I was told that no other branch is currently offering "guaranteed" MOS's.

So, I'm off. Take care everyone.

Strange, you're wrong on two accounts there.

1- Once you raise your hand and pledge, there's no turning back. If you're going to basic tomorrow, you've done that already.

2- the guaranteed mos hogwash is just recruiter lies.

Anyway, good luck, you get what you give.

BigTex71

Air Force is what I recommend if you HAVE to enlist, but college is better. Then if you still want to go military you can be commisioned as an officer.

But it sounds like it is too late for you. Sorry.

eansdad

brad- wrote: »

Strange, you're wrong on two accounts there.

1- Once you raise your hand and pledge, there's no turning back. If you're going to basic tomorrow, you've done that already.

2- the guaranteed mos hogwash is just recruiter lies.

Anyway, good luck, you get what you give.

Wrong......until you actually leave you are not obligated to go. Even when you get their at in processing you can ask to leave and they'll get out out. Army does not want anyone who does not want to be their. The "MOS Guarantee" is that if there is an opening in the school at the time of enlistment you can be penciled into the slot. If the need shrinks and they cut enrollment then you can lose you slot and you'll be asked to pick something else that is currently open.

phantasm

My original response to this thread and the one follow up was nuked from orbit. So all I'll say at this point is that there is some bad information in this thread. Thank goodness this young man is at boot camp already. YMMV.

srpeters18

The guaranteed MOS thing is just that, a guarantee. A lot of you guys that are talking about the issues that you've had probably had it happen a long time ago.

If they can't deliver what's in the contract, they will let you out.

And I can guarantee that the Army is the only branch that will guarantee you a job in writing at the recruiting station.

the_Grinch

Air Force does, but they have just as many that go Open <Field>. I think at this point just about every service can offer an MOS at the recruiting station. My cousin is a Marine and when he went to MEPS he tried for Electrician, but was colorblind....Artillery now

Daniel333

The military is great for that sort of thing, assuming they actually let you into the programs they promise. Anything can change in a heart beat there. Also consider that post-miltary you still might be expected to hea dto DeVry or something like that. Quite frankly A+ and Net+ will leave you with a help desk job depending on exerience.

ThunderPipe

I myself was a 25B in the Army. When I joined, however it was called a 74B. During my AIT they changed it to the 25 series. Anyway. Lots of incorrect responses and replies. The army does guarantee your job. The other branches, not so much. The job you selected is a great start into the world of IT. The training covers quite a broad range of topics and you test out on each of them before moving on to the next. So, yes, then you throw in the fact that you’re in the Army. I served in Afghanistan. I was stationed in Ft Drum NY. Probably the coldest **** hole in the world. Anyhow, when you’re in the army, you do everything. So don't go thinking, HEY, I'm IT, I'm not doing THAT. Because you are a soldier first. We do everything. My time in the old sandbox was probably the greatest in my career (4 yrs) and the place where I learned the most.

I didn't want to go to college. But you WILL learn more in college. However, if you are good with self study, then you can learn AS MUCH, if not MORE, and ALSO come away with quite a bit of experience. The army was awesome. Great friends. Great experience. Great growth. Pay..eh...not so much. But you more than likely WILL deploy. Don’t let them say, oh, your IT, you won’t. Cause you will. Enjoy it. You may end up staying in for 20yrs.

Good Luck!
SGT Walker

Mrock4

Whoever said "don't join the marines or army..TOO MUCH RISK" is on crack. Yes, some jobs are risky, but not the entire service. There are Airmen out there now kicking doors down and riding in convoy's around us Army...we all do it now..

I think the key phrase with any service is- "Your mileage may vary". Some people have different experiences, and in the end, it is what you make of it. I went Army instead of tech school (no money!), and it worked out great. I'm 22, about to have my CCNP, got a TS clearance, already have job offers, and work in a high level organization outside of the Army..but paid as military. Some people aren't so lucky. It depends. I've got my rent payed for every month in a nice condo (by the army), and this economy means nothing to me at the moment, because I still have a guaranteed job..definitely a big perk in these rough times.

I'm just saying, no one service is the key to success, and no matter what you do, if you work hard, you will do just fine.

manny355

My take on this situation is this...first if a recruiter tells you that he can garuntee you a certain assignment...thats false...they can garuntee that they will "Try" to get you a certain assignment but it always comes down to the needs of the service point blank.

Also, i've spent about 6 or so years in the navy and one of the other posters here is correct...you will generally be doing some other stuff not related to your job in the navy...thats just the way that particular service is...I can't speak specifically for any other service. You will be working in your field but you won't always be working in your field at all times. I believe thats what they intended to make you a more rounded sailor. If you are looking for more specific job functions...I believe the air force might be best...from my observations they are generally the ones who only do the one thing...so if you work in IT then thats what you do...you don't get cross trained in other things...atleast thats what i've observed.

I've had the opportunity to work with Marines as well and they are similar to Navy only in the fact that you will be doing other things along with your specialty only with marines you will spend less time in your specialty and more time doing other things...

I haven't really worked with Army...but i'd image that they would be similar to the Marines.

A few posts here mention that you will get a security clearance...which is a valuable asset in the civilian workforce...this is assuming that you want to do government contracting work...outside of this arena...its worthless...but a good conversation piece or would be a good conversation piece if you could talk about it...lol

Ultimately there are pros and cons for either way you decide to go...the only person who can say whats the best route would be you. What may be best for me might not be the best thing for you and vice versa. I say take serious stock of what you want and map a route based on the best way for you to get it.

ThunderPipe

FACT: The United States ARMY gives you a CONTRACT with the MOS that you have Negotiated.

They will TRY to tell you nope, none available. You say "kiss my ass, I'm going home", and they bullshit a call the some high rank whomever, and say, okay. You got the MOS. Too easy. CONTRACT, SIGNED.

The Army DOES, IN FACT, GUARANTEE, your MOS.

Navy, Airforce, Marines...who knows. I was never one.

BigTex71

I say go to college first (enlisted pay sucks) or to a technical school. Even an entry-level IT Helpdesk job pays better than an E-3 or so - and you don't get deployed to hotspots.

I was Air Force, and after my 6 years of service was over I got out and immediately started getting paid double what I was getting from the military. I was at triple that exit pay within 2-1/2 years.

It is a shame that our military gets paid so low. You would think someone willing to die for their country would at least make more than someone pulling in welfare checks.

networker050184

BigTex71 wrote: »

I say go to college first (enlisted pay sucks) or to a technical school. Even an entry-level IT Helpdesk job pays better than an E-3 or so - and you don't get deployed to hotspots.

I was Air Force, and after my 6 years of service was over I got out and immediately started getting paid double what I was getting from the military. I was at triple that exit pay within 2-1/2 years.

It is a shame that our military gets paid so low. You would think someone willing to die for their country would at least make more than someone pulling in welfare checks.

The actual base pay in the military is low, but if you factor in all the extras you can actually make a decent living. $1000 a month for housing, $330 a month for food, $550 a year for clothing etc...

You can also get allowances like flight pay which is a minimum of $125/month and hazardous duty pay $150/month (airborne, demo etc).

So, as an E-3 your monthly pay could be about $3000 or more. I have seen quite a few help desk jobs pay less than $35k.

Don't even get me started on the benefits!!

the_Grinch

I will say that with this economy the military is looking better and better.....

vCole

the_Grinch wrote: »

I will say that with this economy the military is looking better and better.....

That it is.

Especially since I work at a Military Insignia manufacturing factory (Military Insignia from Ira Green – Insignia Specialist of the World) and seeing all the awards daily makes it much more appealing.

the_Grinch

Yeah I find the the pros out weigh the cons and ultimately it can help we get where I want to be...

As it has been said..."sometimes it's necessary to go a long distance out of the way to come back a short distance correctly"

networker050184

How about we keep our political opinions to ourselves?

Last time I checked this was a certification forum.