O/T: Joining the military?

[VNV]

I just pulled the plug on a business a friend and I tried to start, and now I'm $52K in the hole. Moving back in to live with my parents and try to find a job. Even if I do, though, I'll have payments of like $1,200 month, and it could take like 7 years or more to pay this off.

I'm trying to figure out my best strategy to get this debt paid off and move on with my life, and was thinking about joining the military. If I could do two years in the military, I'm guessing I could pay this off with some sort of signing-bonus and because I'll be able to save so much of my paychecks.

Any thoughts? Are there branches where I could do two years and be out? Would I get a nice signing bonus? Does having my BA help? Anyone done this? Suggestions on which branch (Army, Navy, Airforce)?

 

[ICU11b]

To get a decent (20K) bonus your lookin @ 4 year enlistment, MOS dependent. Education, ASVAB, etc... Lots of variables. It will be taxed & you dont receive in a lump sum. No add your bonus & pay while deployed & your looking @ paying off that debt. There are other routes to go if you know what your doing, but wont figure it out until youve been there.

 

[wizard121]

The army has some good bonus incentives but you have to be commited and know that you will go over seas. Also they look at your debt to see if you would be a securtiy risk and you might not get a clearance but that is a might . i would exaust every other option before that. just speaking from experience. Not downing the military but it is a very big commitment

 

[deadliver]

yes having ur b.a. will help you alot, you'll get to choose an officer program most likely. Remember this, you will get deployed... so choose the branch that you want to base your deployement/treatment off of. Marines or army and ur gonna be treated like crap and work your ass off, and be in danger. Navy, airforce might be a little cushier job and you will still work hard don't get me wrong... but something I found out the hard way is you will still get treated wierd when you come back no matter what branch it was... so think of it in terms of being on salary but working way harder than you should have too. they will give you great benifits, but will take everything they can from you. Good luck, and make sure to weigh all your options carefully... you can feel free to pm me if you have any more in depth questions bro.

 

[sammysosa]

I have been in your same boat and looked into it extensively. Most of the signing bonuses are for jobs that I did not want. Check out the Air National Guard in your area though. The have some really good bonuses but you will likely get deployed to Middle East (at least in my area). Cool thing is they have some pretty good restrictions (hypothetically) on how long and how often you can get deployed.

You usually don't get the full signing bonus up front either. If you are looking at it for a steady income that is more realistic. I wouldn't even think of joining without a college degree... or it doesn't pay shit.

 

[rotty]

I just pulled the plug on a business a friend and I tried to start, and now I'm $52K in the hole. Moving back in to live with my parents and try to find a job. Even if I do, though, I'll have payments of like $1,200 month, and it could take like 7 years or more to pay this off.

I'm trying to figure out my best strategy to get this debt paid off and move on with my life, and was thinking about joining the military. If I could do two years in the military, I'm guessing I could pay this off with some sort of signing-bonus and because I'll be able to save so much of my paychecks.

Any thoughts? Are there branches where I could do two years and be out? Would I get a nice signing bonus? Does having my BA help? Anyone done this? Suggestions on which branch (Army, Navy, Airforce)?

NO...there are only 8 year enlistments...most are 4 year minimum active duty and the rest is inactive reserves and with the recruiting numbers te way they are I would expect involuntary extensions

 

[SangGoon]

Credit

How's your credit? If you debt collectors the military might not take you for certain jobs. If that's the case try and get those handled before signing up.