Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Join the military to be all you can be or pay off my f-ing loans

Sorry, for the dirty language in the "title".

Okay, well many of you already know but here is the big bomb shock for the day (ironic choice of words). I'm praying about joining the military. Yup, I can't pay off my student loans and am digging myself into a grave. I'm not getting enough photography work and my seasonal work isn't really helping either.

Trust me I've thought of the alternatives;

more school= more debt . . . no thanks.
marry someone to give them their green card= don't know anyone
sell an organ = illegal and if I did the black market if something went wrong then I'd be screwed
sell drugs = markets inflated as is
sell my eggs = no health history
be a surrogate = haven't had a baby and would like at least the first one be my own
flee the country = LAME

Well, as you can see there aren't many options. If you didn't get it I'm mostly joking about all these options. If you thought I was serious. . .then contact me at (503) . . j/k.

I am looking at the Coast Guard, Air Force, and Navy (yup, Brian it made the cut). To be honest I"m too stupid to get into the Coast Guard because I need an SAT of 1100 or an ACT of 23 and neither of them did I get. I will be willing to go and retake them if need be. I'd hire a tutor in the fall and study my butt off and take it in the winter. The officer's training is twice a year I believe and the next one is in February so I'd most likely start later on in the year if that's the case unless by some act of God I got everything together for February. But if the Coasties are like the other military branches then. . .it takes FOREVER to get stuff taken care of.

I like the Coast Guard because they are homeland security and deal more with disaster relief, import, drug trafficking, and stuff like that. It's the defense, unlike the rest which are more offensive. I like that the Coast Guard has a higher stander (too high for me apparently) too.

Air Force, well I hear it's the cream of the crop and the elite. I also heard their boot camp was the easiest. I hear that it's the MOST family focused branch and that they really take care of it's soldiers.

Navy, it's what I know. My grandpa and uncle were both in the Navy. My friend, Brian, is in the Navy. My uncles' wife grew up as a Navy kid. Etc. I've grown up hearing about it. In Japan I basically lived on a Navy base for the last month with Joy and Brian. Also I've seen about 100 ads for Navy photographers.

With both the Air Force and Navy there will be greater opportunities since they are larger org but with the Coasties I would most likely get to stay in states and that is nice too.

I still have a lot to find out. I've called both the Coast Guard and Air Force. I need to get a hold of the Navy and make an appointment.

Please keep me in your prayers and please let me know if you know of any women in the military.

Thanks,

melody

4 comments:

PAC Robert K. Lanier said...

Melody,

Quite the interesting blog. I definitely enjoyed it.

Have you considered the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves and entering as a public affairs specialist? You can learn more about the USCG Reserves at www.gocoastguard.com, and can learn about the public affairs rating at http://www.gocoastguard.com/find-your-fit/enlisted-opportunities/enlisted-ratings-descriptions/public-affairs-specialist-(pa).

In brief, the public affairs specialist is the main link of Coast Guard photography, writing and crisis communications, between Coast Guard and the public/media.

There are two public affairs offices in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle and Astoria, Ore., that you could visit to learn more about. To arrange a visit with either, contact the Seattle office at (206) 220-7237. In addition, they have women on staff so you can talk to them about their careers.

Best of luck. Semper Paratus,

Chief Robert K. Lanier
Asst. Public Affairs Officer
Ninth Coast Guard District
Cleveland, Ohio
Robert.K.Lanier@uscg.mil

Joy Jill Barker said...

Weird... do you know that guy?? Or was this some random stranger with good info sent by God?

Natalie and Lily said...

I agree with joy... Weird, but great info. (: I know you will make a good choice no matter what.

Mk said...

PAC Robert K. Lanier- aren't the reserves part time? I'm looking for something full time.