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My husband (25 M) and I (27 F) are discussing which one of us (or both) should join. We have 3 kids, a 3 year old and twins (6 months), and very supportive grandparents that are completely involved.

We’re in an incredible financial rut. I haven’t been able to work because of the kids, and my husband cannot get a better job despite trying so hard. He’s the one who brought up joining, but I’ve also been thinking about it myself.

We have no idea on branch yet, but we’re conflicted on if we should both join at the same time, stagger joining, or just one of us join. If one of us were to join, which one?

I’m interested in band, I have a degree in music and I know I’d have to audition. He’s not sure what he wants to do exactly, but he’s thinking along the lines of something he can kinda stay close by. We’re thinking of things don’t work out, maybe joining in the next year or two, that way we can get in better shape and if I were to join, prepare an audition.

Honestly, we have no real idea how any of it works or if it could even work. I know it’d probably be better ultimately if just one of us join, but we both really want to be ambitious and do something for the family. We also want the best for our kids. Any advice?

So I’ve been talking to a recruiter and have asked him about some prescriptions I’ve been taking so I’ve been on oral minoxidil and dutasteride. I’ve been on it for three months and have had no side effects also I’ve been off accutane for about a year. Has anyone joined while taking these medications or were they disqualified? I’m trying to join the air force

When I was 17, a little over a year ago, I freaked out and did some things I regret. Thats my only attempt on record and I got rejected for my previous application in June because of it, would it be possible now to get one, do you guys know?

It's been my dream for a couple of years to get into the navy so I really hope so

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Hey ya'll. So I'm trying to enlist AD Army but they flagged bipolar being mentioned in my medical records. To be clear I do not have bipolar nor have I ever been diagnosed with it.

I got letters from my current PCP, my former PCP at the time of the alleged event, and a neuropsychiatrist letter stating that I do not have this condition. My previous dr even noted that any mention of this condition was erroneous.

However, the army denied my waiver because the condition can be exasperated by military service. Which makes no sense since I do not have bipolar. My recruiter is confused as is her command Sergeant Major. It's as if they are not reading the notes being provided.

Is there anything I can/should do? I wouldn't mind getting denied for a condition I actually had but this is just tomfoolery.

I’m 23F and planning on joining the Army (woohoo). I already have my bachelor’s degree, and my long-term goal is to become a PA through IPAP. My other goals include paying off my student debt, building a stable financial future, and doing something for myself that forces me to get out of my comfort zone since life feels extremely stagnant.

My recruiter told me it would be easier to enlist as an E-3, go through basic, and submit an officer packet once I’m in, claiming it’s “a more guaranteed and faster route to becoming an officer.” But other people have told me I should apply for OCS as a civilian instead of enlisting when I already have a degree.

I’m also trying to figure out whether active duty, the Reserve, or the National Guard would make the most sense for IPAP, and how each option affects eligibility, timelines, and service obligations. I’m scheduled to go to MEPS in mid-November, so everything is starting to feel pretty real lol.

For anyone with experience in the Army, OCS, or IPAP:
- Is enlisting first actually a more reliable way to commission, or was what my recruiter said kinda misleading?
- Is it realistic to enlist and apply for OCS later, or is the process more tedious and competitive than it sounds?
- Would active duty, the Reserve, or the National Guard be worth considering when trying to get a spot in IPAP?

I’m not opposed to enlisting, but I don’t want to sign a contract assuming I’ll commission or get into IPAP when neither is guaranteed. I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve actually gone through these processes, so please share any opinions or experiences you have! Thank you!!

Hi all. I was interested in joining military for linguist roles, but I may have a close foreign contact in Vietnam who is my cousin. Would I be able to pass Top Secret and the further criteria like NSA likely? I don’t want to spend a year and then not get cleared.

Essentially I want to do my 4 years and get out. What's the most efficient and effective way to do that, while getting the most out of my time? Should I get my degree and try OCS? Or should I just go enlisted?

Branch-wise I'm looking at Army and Air Force, because I have some familiarity with them and I'm not very comfortable with the water.

I'm also considering the Reserves/Guard, but from what I've heard Active gives you the most bang for your time.

However I really want to see and hear all angles, especially from those who might have experience in the less explored or more unconventional pathways of service.

Thank you!

Over the past few months, I’ve become increasingly educated on this topic. There are plenty of firsthand accounts online about personal experiences with getting waivers approved. It appears the general rule of thumb is 1-2 years off all ADHD medication.

For context, I am 26 years old. I have a bachelors degree (but not one useful enough to consider commission). I’ve been considering enlistment for some time now. Truthfully, if I could do it right now, I absolutely 100% would. I’ve been prescribed consistent ADHD medication since ~2021. I discontinued my prescription this month (October 2026).

The plan is to allow about 6-8 months to pass before attempting to speak to a recruiter again. In my past experience with a naval recruiter, I was advised to say to the MEPs doctor that I’ve been “picking up my prescriptions out of habit, just not actually taking them”. I’m not down to get convicted of fraudulent enlistment. During this timeframe I’m completing an EMT certification and training for a CPAT test. My plans are linear with attempting to join my local fire rescue. In the situation where this doesn’t work out, I will have the military as my fallback.

Honestly, if I could have it in such a way where I could prioritize just military enlistment, I would. In a perfect world where I didn’t have to face this medical waiver situation, I’d just go to the Air Force and enlist. Considering that branch tends to be the strictest with waivers, I’ve centralized my focus on Navy / Army, where waivers have historically been more lenient.

My ask is this; is this an effective plan? What are my chances of approval with the waiver, and if you have any personal experience similar to mine, please speak to it.

I'm 26 and in the process of joining the airforce for a cyber role. Based on my research i found that the position requires a secret clearance. My two biggest concerns are my father and past debts. For context I haven't seen my father since 2011, we do occasionally text but usually just a few times a month. I have sent him money totaling $2200 over a span of 4 years. He lives in Haiti. As for my debts, I have had four collections that totals to 3000 dollars over the span of 4 years. All paid for. Are those two factors enough for an investigator to deny me or is there a chance for me out there. I'm also married with two kids and every family member in the States is a citizen.

A girl that I know enlisted in the Marines but left the service early. I found out she was dishonorably discharged and the reason for it. The thing is her family doesn't know and still thinks she left the service with a general discharge. Recently we attended a sporting event where the announcer asked everyone who served to stand up and be honored. Her family was there. She stood up with the rest of the service members in the audience. I asked her later if she was still allowed to be honored for her service. She says she doesn't know but did it just to keep the lie going. I personally don't care, but would love to have this curiosity be resolved.

!Australian defence force! (Thanks to the guy who said to give more context) Hi everyone! I have my defence interview this week and I am really nervous. I have one for the Navy, Army, and airforce. I have done research but I’m still worried that I won’t pass the interview. Is there anything I should 100% know or remember? How exactly can I pass my defence interview? Anything helps thanks guys!

Hello all,

The last six months have been filled with going back-and-forth as to whether I can make the military work. I guess I am making this post in hopes that a fellow nurse practitioner, that is currently in the Armed Forces (Army. AF, Navy, or any other branch I am not currently aware supports the role) can provide me full transparency in regards to what their pay actually looks like with incentive pay, bonus, base pay, and any other housing/additional pay that might work into it. I am considering the military because I truly do have what I suspect is a passion to serve my country. I am also well aware of the incentive outside of just a numerical value that hits my check every two weeks. I have a wife and two small children who would be very well in support of any decision that I make.

I currently am a nurse practitioner with six months experience, so I have to wait another six months in order to ship out to the army (the Air Force can take me with 6 months, but I have some weight to lose. I will lose it, that’s not a question).

I would also welcome any words of encouragement or advice that you think might be beneficial to myself in this very moment.

Background: new nurse practitioner with six months of experience. I currently make a base salary of $120,000 (I do not have any retirement, or health insurance with this current job. The hook line and sinker was that there is opportunity for a lot of money in bonuses every year, however, that is discretionary, and I am not banking on it). I currently work seven days a week, due to the fact that I have another full-time job ($86,000/year) that I work on the weekends. Both of them are relatively low impact, hence why I am able to do it. But nonetheless, I am still working seven days a week, and I would like to not do so for the rest of my life.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

I’m 21 and have been thinking about going the military route but I’m not sure what branch to go.
I’m in college and just got my ppl, I have crappy 2.7 gpa, and work the night shift as a chemical technician at a factory. I don’t have any living family with military history so Im not sure who to ask there. I feel like I’m very flexible when it comes to doing random jobs and can be quite independent. I would love to travel and do something in aviation especially flying, hence the ppl. I don’t have a family holding me down so I would be fine traveling anywhere. Besides obvious reasons, I want to join to not only get stronger physically and mentally but also to meet more people and build strong relationships. I’m from a small town so traveling and meeting new people is something I would look towards. I also want to make a the smart choice and think about pathways for my future as well. Any advice?

Hi, so I enlisted about two years ago and I shipped out but said some stupid stuff, then got sent home, and now I’m working with my old recruiter. He told me to get a counseling session or two and then have them write if they seem me suitable to send that up for consideration since N33 denied my waivers at first.

Just wondering if that could work.

Hi! I’m 20 years old, recently separated with an honorable discharge from a med sep. I joined the military at 17, I was in basic training a week and a half after my 17th birthday. After ait, I went to a SOF selection ( idk if it’s OPSEC to say which one and what ) . Basically, I’m having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. I literally joined the army as a teenager. So it’s all I know. I’m used to being told where to be , what to wear and what to do. When I was going through my MedBoard process, I was genuinely happy. But now, I feel sad and stuck and feeling like idk what to do. It’s also hard to get a good paying job. I was a 92Y ( unit supply specialist ) I went to airborne, air assault and SERE - C. Which to civilians, means nothing. I have all the G - Army certs you can get. ( which again means nothing to civilians ). It feels like nothing but a degree matters to civilian employers; but in the army, schools and extra certs were everything.
It feels weird to be able to wake up everyday at 8:30 am rather than 0530 to get ready for PT or the gym. It just feels weird and I feel so stuck and don’t know what to do or how to adjust.

If anyone can please leave some type of comment for me to help or recommend anything, I’d be very appreciative and grateful. Thank you!

So I have a misdemeanor from years ago and am submitting a moral waiver in order to enlist. My recruiter knows this of course, but has told me that when answering questions at MEPs I should be a perfect boy scout who has never been in trouble. "They don't need to know all that" I was told. Will they not see immediately that I'm being untruthful? Is the person asking me these questions not involved in the background check? I don't want to cause a headache for my recruiter but also don't want to get caught up for lying...

Hi guys! I am switching from reserves to active duty. Im a E-4. A little embarrassed but I am a anime figure collector. I was wondering to what extent are you allowed to decorate your room? I have no idea how much of my stuff I can bring with me. Non of the stuff I own is inappropriate.
I looked up photos of decorated rooms but i couldn’t find any pictures of rooms with nerd stuff. Most photos I see online of people’s rooms look very depressing.
Also is there any chance of someone stealing/ damaging things in my room?

Edit:
For reference I own over 100 figures. 😭 I know I can not bring them all but I would like to at least bring some of them.

My son needs his ID card updated, but lives with me in PA, and his dad is stationed there. His dad is claiming the office isn't open on the 25 but the website says they are. I do not trust him at all, he's always trying to get my child to miss days of school so he can have more time with him and I feel he is lying about this. The office simply refuses to answer the phone to confirm, so I'm hoping one of you could kindly help me find out for sure. Thanks in advance!

So I'm thinking about joining the army in the next couple of years, but I'm not confident that I would enjoy it. I was hoping I could get some advice, maybe some personal experiences from active or prior service members.

Growing up I've always disliked authority and being told what to - I understand the military is constantly getting told what to do but I assume it's quite different than my childhood, I've grown to hate being told what to do but thats partly to do with my youth. I certainly wouldn't ever get into an argument with someone who holds authority over me in the military but my fear is potentially becoming "passively resistant"and feeling stuck or depressed, hating my time in the forces.

I really do want to join and I can see myself living the military lifestyle but I'm worried it could be a really bad decision.

Do you think boot camp would train this out of me so I'm not always hating life when getting orders yelled at me or micromanaged?

Right now I'm going into my junior year of college, but going Army ROTC will push back my graduation by a year or so. I'm not sure if I can A., afford to do that, or B., want to do that.

Should I consider enlisting? There are certain jobs I'm interested in that officers can't have. I'm considering going Air Force just because I've heard QOL is better, and if I'm going enlisted that's probably somewhat important.

On the other hand, I like the Army's Option 19, job selection, and potential for a 3-year contract.

Thoughts?

Hello!!

Im looking for guidance on what to do, i recently signed my contract and received my ship date for the Army National Guard but I failed to mention my speeding violation during the background check at meps (under $300 btw).

I told my recruiter multiple times but when i brought it up at meps he kinda instructed me to lie saying that I never told him about this, so i just went along with that and said it was actually a warning not a ticket.

Should i just ignore it or are they gonna do another background check before i ship out to bct? If so should i contact my recruiter again or one of my RSP cadre?

I’m really lost and appreciate any feedback!!!

I really want to join the navy, but I have a very questionable medical history. Including 20 hospitalizations. I'm better now, we figured out what the problem was. Would it be wrong to join ROTC knowing I won't be able to join the military after? I'm trying to finish my biology degree and would like to go into military research as a career

I’m 30 years old and interested in joining the Navy Reserve. I was born with a congenital cataract in my left eye, which was surgically taken out during infancy. I have longstanding amblyopia, left exotropia, hypertropia, and an artificial lens implant. My best-corrected vision is 20/20 in my right eye and 20/400 in my left eye. I also have astigmatism (-2.50 in my right eye and -2.25 in my left eye, based on my final glasses prescription). Given these conditions, particularly my reduced left-eye vision, is a medical waiver possible for Navy Reserve enlistment?

I scored a 90 on my picat I go into MEPS for verification in a week. My recruiter told me to expect to take a cyber test in which I then asked him if it mattered 3 recruiters then said no it won’t affect whether you get into your MOS. Which I’m aiming for 17c they had said due to a recent policy change. My big question is whether to believe them or not? From all the post I’m seeing you need a 60% or higher on the cyber test to get into 17c but they corrected me and said it’s not required anymore that since my lines scores meet the requirements I’ll be fine. Can anyone help with this? I’m a CS major so I know a ton about coding and using Linux and basic commands and some about operating systems and networking fundamentals and ports but without prepping I don’t believe I will pass the cyber test.