UnpluggedGenZr
New Member
Hey everyone, I've been researching for months now, and I've been in a predicument on which path I should take in the military. I am very grateful I have a few decent options ahead of me, but I am stuggling to decide which route I should go all in for.
Background: I've always been fascinated with the military and almost joined at 18.. long story short parents convinced me to go college route and decide later... Fast forward to graduation day with COVID the world was crazy and my life was shit show. Got broken up with, moved to complely new city, parents going through struggles, etc etc. I almost pulled the trigger and joined during this time but I decided to start my corporate career and see where that leads me. Anyway, this brings me to today where I am on my second corporate job (remote), making 85k a year and enjoy the company and people I work with.. however, I still feel the urge to join military and serve a bigger purpose. I don't mind my corporate career but feel lack of purpose and stagnation in my life. Corporate world is strange a lot of fake people and working up the ladder.
Career: Masters Degree in Health Information (3.8 GPA), BS in Bus Mgmt (3.4 GPA). I've been working in the healthcare industry during and post college about 5yrs of experience. I also have small side gig that I am helping start a small nonprofit for healthcare (not huge commitment).
Overall, I am struggling because I can't shake this urge of joining the military. I don't want to live my life as "what-ifs" so am looking to make the decision by the end of year but not sure which route to take. Always been interested in the Navy and the tradition and traveling with it. I am 28M who is in great physical condition, runs and work out 5-6 times a week and is overall healthy. No family ties or kids. Do I go balls to the wall and shoot for pilot or go the more stable route of MSC? I feel both are great routes and would be rewarding.
I don't think I will have difficulty scoring well on OAR/ASTB, etc as I will prep as much as possible. I am currently compiling a Pros/Cons list of each option to help me make the decision, any insight you all could give would be amazing.
Here are the options I am currently looking at in no particular order. Let me know if you have any other career options you recommend.
Option 1: SNA/NFO
I've always thought Navy aviators were badass. I've had modeled WWII military airplane models hanging from my ceiling when I was a kid and went to air shows.. even have a picture of 8yr old me sitting in a cockpit of blue angel (foreshadowing? lol). I am aware aviation is a grind and not all sunshine and rainbows. You are an officer first and aviator second.
Like I mentioned I am healthy nothing to my knowledge that would hold me back from a medical stand point other than failing for vision.. I had 20/20 back in highschool but I am going to get my eyes checked next week to confirm. I went on a discovery flight a couple weeks ago and I thought it was pretty cool, but I did get a little motion sickness. I have read that this happens often but you eventually get used to it.
If my eyes are all clear my strategy would be to study OAR/ASTB, and pursue ground school/PPL just to have knowledge and advantage going into the Navy. I've read up on all the pros/cons of aviation.. my concern right now is to start PPL to see if I enjoy flying and kick the air sickness... I would hate to get to flight school and fail because I couldn't handle flying.
Option 2: AF/Navy MSC Hospital Admin
This option would fall in line to a similar role to what I am currently doing. I don't mind what I am currently doing, but I do not like how I am just making a large organization more profitable. I actually care about improve healthcare for patients.
I could send in a packet to the AF right now, however the Navy recruiter told me I would have to get MBA/MHA degree in order to send in my packet. The Navy recruiter said I could do the (HSCP) scholarship and once I get my degree I would me a Hospital Administrator in Navy. However, I really do not want to go back to school and the AF would take me as is with my current Masters degree. Air Force def has worse locations than Navy and I've read that DHS has really been messing up military healthcare system. This path has a shorter commitment (6yrs), great promotion rate and a lot of opportunities for civilian growth outside of military. Also a better QoL similar to 9-5 work schedule which I don't mind.
I know, I need to pass tests, MEPS, etc. to even be considered for these positions, a lot could go wrong. I am trying to keep in mind that the military is what you make it. Either path I would have to put a few months studying and preparing my packets and ofcourse have a waiting period for boards. I could honestly see myself doing both careers.
If you have any insights or recommendations to help me make this decision. Again, I am currently making Pro/Cons list of my options and will decide hopefully in next couple months.
Background: I've always been fascinated with the military and almost joined at 18.. long story short parents convinced me to go college route and decide later... Fast forward to graduation day with COVID the world was crazy and my life was shit show. Got broken up with, moved to complely new city, parents going through struggles, etc etc. I almost pulled the trigger and joined during this time but I decided to start my corporate career and see where that leads me. Anyway, this brings me to today where I am on my second corporate job (remote), making 85k a year and enjoy the company and people I work with.. however, I still feel the urge to join military and serve a bigger purpose. I don't mind my corporate career but feel lack of purpose and stagnation in my life. Corporate world is strange a lot of fake people and working up the ladder.
Career: Masters Degree in Health Information (3.8 GPA), BS in Bus Mgmt (3.4 GPA). I've been working in the healthcare industry during and post college about 5yrs of experience. I also have small side gig that I am helping start a small nonprofit for healthcare (not huge commitment).
Overall, I am struggling because I can't shake this urge of joining the military. I don't want to live my life as "what-ifs" so am looking to make the decision by the end of year but not sure which route to take. Always been interested in the Navy and the tradition and traveling with it. I am 28M who is in great physical condition, runs and work out 5-6 times a week and is overall healthy. No family ties or kids. Do I go balls to the wall and shoot for pilot or go the more stable route of MSC? I feel both are great routes and would be rewarding.
I don't think I will have difficulty scoring well on OAR/ASTB, etc as I will prep as much as possible. I am currently compiling a Pros/Cons list of each option to help me make the decision, any insight you all could give would be amazing.
Here are the options I am currently looking at in no particular order. Let me know if you have any other career options you recommend.
Option 1: SNA/NFO
I've always thought Navy aviators were badass. I've had modeled WWII military airplane models hanging from my ceiling when I was a kid and went to air shows.. even have a picture of 8yr old me sitting in a cockpit of blue angel (foreshadowing? lol). I am aware aviation is a grind and not all sunshine and rainbows. You are an officer first and aviator second.
Like I mentioned I am healthy nothing to my knowledge that would hold me back from a medical stand point other than failing for vision.. I had 20/20 back in highschool but I am going to get my eyes checked next week to confirm. I went on a discovery flight a couple weeks ago and I thought it was pretty cool, but I did get a little motion sickness. I have read that this happens often but you eventually get used to it.
If my eyes are all clear my strategy would be to study OAR/ASTB, and pursue ground school/PPL just to have knowledge and advantage going into the Navy. I've read up on all the pros/cons of aviation.. my concern right now is to start PPL to see if I enjoy flying and kick the air sickness... I would hate to get to flight school and fail because I couldn't handle flying.
Option 2: AF/Navy MSC Hospital Admin
This option would fall in line to a similar role to what I am currently doing. I don't mind what I am currently doing, but I do not like how I am just making a large organization more profitable. I actually care about improve healthcare for patients.
I could send in a packet to the AF right now, however the Navy recruiter told me I would have to get MBA/MHA degree in order to send in my packet. The Navy recruiter said I could do the (HSCP) scholarship and once I get my degree I would me a Hospital Administrator in Navy. However, I really do not want to go back to school and the AF would take me as is with my current Masters degree. Air Force def has worse locations than Navy and I've read that DHS has really been messing up military healthcare system. This path has a shorter commitment (6yrs), great promotion rate and a lot of opportunities for civilian growth outside of military. Also a better QoL similar to 9-5 work schedule which I don't mind.
I know, I need to pass tests, MEPS, etc. to even be considered for these positions, a lot could go wrong. I am trying to keep in mind that the military is what you make it. Either path I would have to put a few months studying and preparing my packets and ofcourse have a waiting period for boards. I could honestly see myself doing both careers.
If you have any insights or recommendations to help me make this decision. Again, I am currently making Pro/Cons list of my options and will decide hopefully in next couple months.
