This isn't for certain, but I thought I should give advanced warning and tell you guys what I'm getting up to. O_o Anyone that I owe anything, or that I might need to do some favors for me, I will e-mail or PM personally once I'm certain.
So what is it I'm possibly doing?
...joining the Air Force.
Yeah, I spoke to a recruiter a few days ago, they're checking some medical records before they say whether I'm fully qualified. Other than that, however, I should be fine. I scored very well on the practice ASVAB, and am supposed to take the actual one on March 6th.
From there? After April 20th, once my classes end, I'll probably be running off to Basic Training and an enlistment of four years.
If anyone wants to know why, I'll be happy to explain. Just thought you guys should know.
Now.... while I'm not personally all for anyone up and joining the military, that sounds like fun. Its dangerous, and very hard work in the first months. But ... frankly... my marine friends tell me they don't much consider the 'work' in the air force to be all that hard. Flyin jets. Or working on jets. Or hell, just sitting around making people stay away from jets, would be pretty cool.
Yay for women in the military. All I can really do at this point is wish you the best of luck. It's great that you passed your practice ASVAB. I hope you do well with the real one.
Oh, I won't be flying jets or anything. *laughs* I'm probably going to go in as either a medical or a communications technician. Still have to go through all the same basic training as everyone else, though.
Going to see, if I get in, if I can't take some extra survival and first-aid courses.
*EDIT*
To add about the ASVAB. The Air Force requires a score of 36 or above on it. On the practice, I scored an 88 out of 99. So there's little doubt I will do well on the real thing. Makes me glad that they count prior college credit as worthwhile, too.
20+ hours makes it possible to qualify for slightly higher rank upon entrance. At the end of April I'll have 24 credit hours.
hey, everything counts And frankly with the sort of thing you want to be doing in there, that's a terrific shoe in for real-world careers afterward. I've seen way too many military guys who were pretty much grunts or background militia that just could never get anywhere after. But pretty much everyone needs technical expertise.
Wow. Good luck with that. I think that's very awesome and courageous of you.
I'd, personally, like to know what prompted the decision, since you said you were willing to tell it.
S.R. / Coeptus Weir
~*~
Before she turns, rose-thorned tail streaking my hood,
I glimpse from her a thought like jagged glass,
Yet delicate with the texture of sentience:
We remain "turtle-apes", only the shells of our armors grow.
-My Bones Waxed Old by Robert Frazier
Heh, I don't know how good of a reason you guys are going to think it is. Really, it's good enough for me.
How many of you have just sat around with a sort of disinterest in everything, putting too much time and effort into things that ultimately don't matter in the real world--like games? I can tell you I have wasted far too much time, myself, not doing anything really worthwhile.
Sure, I've spent some time in college, but I don't really -like- school. I know gradually, very gradually, I'm working towards something but I can't get into it or really give a lot of care to my studies.
It could, in part, be that I'm stuck at home--I don't have my license, for a few reasons that I could explain. No money, though I've had jobs my family has moved around a LOT. And here, I just haven't been able to find a job after weeks and literal months of looking for one. (No, I'm not going to join the military just because I need a job.)
So overall, I have to admit I'm not a very happy person. Not because of any serious issues in my past: there are several people on the board who have more of a right to be unhappy than I do. There you have it, though, my current state of affairs. Doing nothing, just sitting at home typing away on a computer with really nothing worthwhile to do except college and I don't want to focus on it.
Why the military?
Since probably sophomore year in high school I considered joining the Air Force. Seriously in some respects, but still a passing consideration. Back then I figured I'd go to school for art in something. Just what I wasn't sure, but I wanted to go for art. Wouldn't want to waste any talent you've been given, you know?
...the thing is that only one career in art I can think of that actually attracts me, and it requires a Masters or a Doctorate...
Now, I've always had respect for the soldiers and our military. A lot of my mother's side of the family at least were in the military, including my mother though she didn't make it through Basic (medical discharge). My father almost went into the Air Force, and says that he regrets not joining because his parents talked him out of it.
I have no vehement disagreements with the government, and I have no major agreements either. It's true, though, I think that pretty much anywhere you go, it's unlikely that any government will truthfully be better. That's just human nature, no one is ever going to be perfectly happy, or agree absolutely.
So what was stopping me really?
...I didn't want to do Basic, or change out of my rather passive existence full of things that really don't mean anything. I know I can do Basic, I just didn't want to, didn't want to commit to something that actually meant DOING anything. That's ultimately what it boiled down to.
So I was sitting there, upset over something that was really in the grand scheme of things ultimately nothing, and I just thought to myself:
"What the fuck are you doing?"
Avoiding pretty much everything because it might be difficult, because I wanted to screw around, and so many other things. I would have probably joined the military before if it weren't for that whole aspect. So I figured, it was time to do something drastic instead of just worrying about how hard it would be, and how I didn't want to change.
Now I expect Basic to be hard--but I know I can do it. I'm out of shape because I haven't done anything, but really my body isn't that weak for my size. When I'm in shape, I'll be fine. I expect to get screamed at, yelled at, have to bite my tongue a lot, probably think "why did I do this?" a good many times, be disappointed, among other things. I have no delusions there.
In the end, though? Unless the government takes a very severe turn for what I feel is the worse, I might just make a career out of it. Go to college through time served, maybe pursue a medical degree instead of one in the arts. That's what I've been thinking more on lately. I can probably always find a way to do writing or art on the side, and I always wanted to be a notable author more than a notable professional artist.
So yeah, there you have it... My reasons for joining the military. Or one big reason, however you wish to look at it.
I guess you could sum it up as wanting to get out on my own and do something I feel is worthwhile, rather than just some ordinary old job that in the grand scheme of things means little if anything. If they don't accept me...well, I'll be disappointed to say to least. I guess from there, though, I'll be moving into college dorms or something and getting the hell out of here.
Wow, you just summed up a lot of the same reasons I joined the military. And a few of the reasons I put it off till I was 21. But Basic was not really as hard as I expected, at least physically, and I was nowhere near in shape when I went. Of course Navy basic is a bit different, and they have all gone through changes in the past 4 years; I've heard that it's gotten easier, but I'm not sure by how much.
If you want to know anything about the area, or might need a contact out here, I am currently stationed at Lackland, and my husband grew up in the area, as his family was all in the Air Force as well.
Actually, it was kinda funny; I read this yesterday, and thought it was great, then my mom called me and told me my cousin was joining the Air Force, too. Though she heads to Lackland in June.
Wow that's one of the most admirable things I've ever read. I had seriously considered going into the navy for awhile in high school, but then I went to college and other stuff got in the way. I say good for you, and best of luck to you. I hope you get accepted
Hmm... Personally, I'm exempt from the military. If you're really sure you wanna do this- it sure sounds like you are!- know I'll be wishing well for 'ya. Just do what you can to keep yourself safe and from getting killed, okay? *hugs* Be careful.
Naw, they messed up his back by failing to notice that he has some kind of back problem that gets worse when he stands for long periods of time--and then required him to stand at attention for hours and hours. O_O" Then sent him home when he could no longer function properly. Bastards.
Scoliosis. Where your spine curves the wrong way. If you ever have a physical and your doctor makes you stand up and touch your toes while they're standing behind you, that's what they're checking--making sure your spine is curving properly.
My physicals have always included that. How the navy could miss it, I don't know. >_o;
Anyhow, I'm impressed with ya, Sil. :) I'm too much of a wimp to try anything military. XD
Ok I dont post very often on this forum but I will make a post explaining what happend to me in the Navy. If you are joining the military I had one of the worse experiences you can get.
If you have any medical history try to talk to me about this, I have experienced this first hand, and I joined for a rather odd reason myself;
and then you got stuck with us crazy bastards! Seriously, if you hug us pink frosting'll result.
Anywho.. *hugs Sil lots* I just hope you'll be safe and find what you're looking for. ^^' Sorry if my previous post sounded bitchy. I've lost many friends to the various forms of militia, so I'm quite bitter.
As it stands right now, I don't know if they're going to take me because I have ankle implants to correct flat feet, as well as a past diagnosis for bipolar disorder. Yes, I know that probably almost no one on the forums knows that I DO have a past diagnosis for a neurological disorder. I think this is the first time I've publicly said it.
However, bipolar disorder (even though I'm not psychotic, not suicidal, not going to kill anyone), is an automatic qualifier. I'm assuming they're going through my medical history.
Doctor said I could play sports with my ankle implants, and said that I took the surgery very well. It would be hard to actually damage my ankles unless I severely twisted one which I'm not likely to do.
-_- Still probably disqualified, though. It's disappointing and depressing.
Well that's really crappy if they reject you but as far as I know as long as you're only mildly bipolar you should be okay. I mean I know people who are complete and total whack-jobs who've been in the military (hot friend, case and point). But it's a government bureaucracy so you never know If they don't take you then they're completely stupid though, IMHO. Especially since the armed services all seem to be looking for more people.
Hope ya actually get in, Sil. My cousin Andrew is in the Air Force as a mechanic, working on the stealth bombers (oooh, class-ee-fiieeeed know-leeedge). He really likes what he's doing so... more luck to you on getting in.
Just thought you guys should know.
Flyin jets. Or working on jets. Or hell, just sitting around making people stay away from jets, would be pretty cool. 
All I can really do at this point is wish you the best of luck. It's great that you passed your practice ASVAB. I hope you do well with the real one.
So there's little doubt I will do well on the real thing. Makes me glad that they count prior college credit as worthwhile, too.
If they don't take you then they're completely stupid though, IMHO. Especially since the armed services all seem to be looking for more people.