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[CrankyJay]

I read a bit of your Op yesterday and that's what prompted me to start writing this, actually.

I have little to no family, most of my family died while I was growing up and I've found that I tend to, at times unfortunately, latch onto others quickly as I have little experience with true family. The idea of being a part of a family versus a body to be picked up for a medal in the US is greatly influencing my decision.
On the other hand, I've heard of people enlisting in the foreign legion and being abandoned by their squad during fire fights with little to no recourse for those leaving you to die.
That sounds terrible and all but after those five years I can leave and be free to do what I want.
I won't just be a puddle jumper or a coast guard or a member of the men's room or whatever the loudmouths come up with in the US military.
Yeah I'm also very quiet and I fear being surrounded by loud mouths all day like I'm sure there are more of in the US branches although I can deal.
Physically and mentally I'll definitely be fine, I have 10+ years of getting shit on and basically being scum that has to work at killer hard physical jobs to prepare me.


Damn man I'm so stumped as to what to do, I appreciate everything from everyone. I'll probably talk to a recruiter first.

I also could look into buying a return trip ticket for if I go to to France if shit doesn't bunk out and then strap in for the Navy.

Where did you get all of these negative ideas about the US military?

 

[Simplet]

i just want to point out that health care is not free and so is education. you need to pay a certain amount a month from your salary to get coverage which is mandatory (the more you earn the more you need to pay if you have public insurance). education can cost something too in France if you cant manage to get into a state owned university. at least thats what my French friends told me. but nevertheless overall its way cheaper than in the US.

I have no idea how you could manage not to get into a state univesity in France. I'm pretty sure the only requirement is a high school diploma, and there are actually ways to get around that too. This is not the US, college is not selective at all here.

 

[Roude Leiw]

I have no idea how you could manage not to get into a state univesity in France. I'm pretty sure the only requirement is a high school diploma, and there are actually ways to get around that too. This is not the US, college is not selective at all here.

i dont know. some guys i know who were studying aerospace engineering told me that they needed to take a pre exam to get into a state university because they only accept a limited amount of students. they didn't pass and ended up at a private university where they paid (rather their parents) like 10.000 a year or so. maybe they just sucked, i dont know ;P

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

It sounds like you are setting yourself up to be disillusioned about foreign military service. There's no reason to be more romantic about one country's military service over another's. It's all military service. It's all rigid structure. None of them work unless they foster the sense of unit loyalty and cohesiveness you seem to be searching for, so I don't know why you wouldn't pick the one less likely to actually kill you (US Navy or Air Force).

 

[Simplet]

i dont know. some guys i know who were studying aerospace engineering told me that they needed to take a pre exam to get into a state university because they only accept a limited amount of students. they didn't pass and ended up at a private university where they paid (rather their parents) like 10.000 a year or so. maybe they just sucked, i dont know ;P

Hmm it can be selective if you want to get into a master program of course. For bachelors maybe they have some requirements in very specific engineering fields like that, you might be right. The vast majority of majors are not selective at that level though.

 

[IGotBillySoSpooked]

I'm most familiar with the United States Army, so all of these recommendations will be centered on the Army. They may or may not apply equally to other branches. If you'd rather join another branch, that is perfectly acceptable, but there may be some useful information down below anyways.

First off, the United States military is full of a bunch of normal, everyday schmucks like any other workplace. Very few people fall into the stereotypical mold that you might see in the movies or the "loudmouths" that seem to be in your thoughts. A lot of people are in situations similar to your own. They don't know what to do with their life, they don't have money for college, they can't find a job, they feel like they have no direction, etc etc etc. They join the military.

The Army (or any other US service) is not an intense, heartless organization. Get those thoughts out of your head and look at each US military service with an open mind.

If you are interested in cooking, you could always join the Army as a 92G, Food Service Specialist. You'll have to talk with a recruiter and pass the ASVAB and medical screening. You likely will have to sign a minimum contract of 3 years plus training (so, around 3 years and 18 weeks if you chose 92G).

There are a ton of jobs in the Army, as well as the other branches. You will undoubtedly be able to find something that appeals to you. Medical and intel are always fine choices. There are a number of Aviation related jobs.

If you are into the super-hooah type shit, you could always seek to add Option 4 (airborne) or Option 40 (Ranger) to your enlistment contract. Option 4 will send you to Airborne training at Fort Benning following AIT and Option 40 will send you to Airborne and the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP). Keep in mind that choosing either of these options will more than likely prevent you from being stationed overseas, as most Airborne units are located in the US and all Ranger units are located in the US.

As a 92G, you'll more than likely attend summer camp at Fort Jackson, SC (aka United States Army Basic Training) before spending about two months at AIT in Fort Lee, Virginia learning how to cook Army food of questionable quality.

After training (regardless of your chosen job), you will be eligible for Tuition Assistance which will cover up to $250 per credit at a local or online college. If you get stationed in the right area, there is a strong possibility that you could find a local culinary school that offers night classes. If cooking is something you want to pursue, of course. Many overseas posts offer college classes in a traditional classroom setting right on post.

Once you complete your three year term, you will be eligible for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. This will entitle you to 100% funding for a four year degree, a housing stipend, and some money for text books.

 

[cryptic]

It sounds like you are setting yourself up to be disillusioned about foreign military service. There's no reason to be more romantic about one country's military service over another's. It's all military service. It's all rigid structure. None of them work unless they foster the sense of unit loyalty and cohesiveness you seem to be searching for, so I don't know why you wouldn't pick the one less likely to actually kill you (US Navy or Air Force).

To me, the foreign legion holds more prestige, I can set up any future kids I intend to have if I can ever have enough money to start looking into relationships, and I can retire in a country where the elderly seem to hold more value.
I don't think I could go from navy to foreign legion at 26, I might be too tired, then I'm trapped in the US and I know I'm going to get into some bad shit with old pals if I stick around to long.

Where did you get all of these negative ideas about the US military?

I have all my information from family and a few marines I know who both hated it. I'd probably end up joining the marines anyway as I don't want to devote a period of my life to a "weak" branch like the chair force or the puddle jumpers. I won't be able to fully devote myself to a second rate unit(that's how I've heard them made out).
My father, granted, enlisted in the navy during the 70s, told me how being from the north you were given good jobs to almost rule over the southerners and others who were pretty much dumb as bricks and did this only as they had no option. I know it's been some 30 years but I doubt shit has changed that much.
I knew another navy grad. during school who was the biggest loud mouth I've ever met, like another navy person I worked with during training as a dishwasher, absolute bullshit artist stupid bastard who flunked out of work to go back in.
These are all my anecdotal experiences, hearsay, and feelings. If it's much better than what I'm saying, let me know, I just don't want to be dull eyed dealing with incompetence shutting me down left and right for three years. I want to be able to let go and instill full confidence in my superior and not have to question what I'm told.


EDIT:

Excellent advice. Broadening perspective.

This sounds decent, I'll look into these options when I approach the recruiter. I'm hoping you're right about the average joes. I just worry too many people are going to be absolute north/south dolts that you have to struggle with in terms of living together. The french foreign legion I expect nothing but work.

 

[Devil Theory]

I also could look into buying a return trip ticket for if I go to to France if shit doesn't bunk out and then strap in for the Navy.

At some point you just have to make a move, which is my current dilemma as well. Your situation is a little more open to the Military option than mine, specifically FFL, so I say that if you're going to do it, go big or go home. Do something that hardly anyone else on earth can say they've done, and be the best at it. Just make sure you stay committed to the cause with whatever route you choose; whether being a cook, or being a soldier.

 

[ArjanN]

Ok you want to join la Légion étrangère. Here's what you need to know:

• They will do a background check. They don't accept criminals anymore
• They have so much applicants nowadays that they are very selective on who they choose. Even if you pass all their tests you could be refused because someone is better like having a better education
• Only 1 out of 5 pass all their tests. There is no second chance and you have to pay all expenses (going to France for 3 days)
• You don't need to learn french before. If you don't speak french, you will be taught by another Légionnaire (half the applicants are frenchmen from France)
• 1 out of 10 dies in the mandatory 6 years service. 4 out of 10 will be seriously wounded
• You will gain french citizenship at the end of you 6 years service only if you chose to let go your old one.
• The pay is shit and you cannot leave the base. You don't really have a civil life during weekends like most armies. You basically stay 6 years straight in service. Most of the old Légionaires retire in retirement home from the Légion
• You will never be an officer. You need to be French.

So basically you'd be better off flipping burgers.

 

[adamsappel]

cryptic, you have a very negative, unwarranted attitude toward the US military (assholes are everywhere), and your view of the FFL is rosier because you really know nothing of it beyond books and movies. You say you don't want to die for the US, but you make fun of the "Chair Force." There is an undeniable esprit de corps in the Legion, but the same is true for the Marines. Any branch will instill in you a sense of "family" and belonging to something greater. We'll be out of Afghanistan by the time you finished boot camp, so you probably won't be in any hot spot no matter what branch you chose. The FFL will send you to fight, and for reasons you will probably not understand.

Here's a recent article about the Legion: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/12/french-foreign-legion-expendables

 

[ComputerMKII]

One légionnaire reported KIA in Mali:

Mali: French soldier killed fighting Islamists

A French soldier has been killed fighting Islamist rebels in Mali, President Francois Hollande has said.

The soldier - from the French Foreign Legion - died fighting in the mountainous north, Mr Hollande said.

It is France's second fatality in Mali since it began its military intervention there last month.

French troops backed by helicopters and planes have helped restore government control of northern Mali, killing hundreds of suspected militants.

"There was a serious clash with many dead on the terrorist side but also a death on the French side," Mr Hollande said during a visit to Greece.

Previously the only French fatality was a helicopter pilot killed on the first day of the military operation, when French forces intervened to stop a rebel advance on the capital, Bamako.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21508494

 

[Norua]

Ok you want to join la Légion étrangère. Here's what you need to know:

• They will do a background check. They don't accept criminals anymore
• They have so much applicants nowadays that they are very selective on who they choose. Even if you pass all their tests you could be refused because someone is better like having a better education
• Only 1 out of 5 pass all their tests. There is no second chance and you have to pay all expenses (going to France for 3 days)
• You don't need to learn french before. If you don't speak french, you will be taught by another Légionnaire (half the applicants are frenchmen from France)
• 1 out of 10 dies in the mandatory 6 years service. 4 out of 10 will be seriously wounded
• You will gain french citizenship at the end of you 6 years service only if you chose to let go your old one.
• The pay is shit and you cannot leave the base. You don't really have a civil life during weekends like most armies. You basically stay 6 years straight in service. Most of the old Légionaires retire in retirement home from the Légion
• You will never be an officer. You need to be French.

The first contract is 5 years. And the money is really good, even more when you think about the fact that you don't really have the time / opportunity to spend it in the first few years. You can almost save everything.
Don't think you will have a lot of free time, chances are you'll have none for a long long time.

Also, you can get the french citizenship before that but can choose to decline if you want to keep your old citizenship. For the duration of your first contract you will have a new identity too.

 

[Choke on the Magic]

Sorry, I probably didn't make it clear, I'm basically running out of all my money now just on food alone. If I wait too long I'm going to be forced to join the US military, which I don't want to do as poor people like me are the first to be blown up to support the rich in becoming richer.
I presume the ideals of the French for sending people off to war are ignoble in their own way but I prefer the ignorance of that to what I feel I know regarding the US military.



I know the basics just need to work on learning all the words. I've read that they teach you anyway. I also feel I can be an asset as I have some classical french cooking training under my belt from the best "Culinary Institute in the World".

I don't know much about the FL, but the US military doesn't automatically equal infantry/combat. There are a ton of jobs that have nothing to do with combat and depending on how you do on the ASVAB you could get a fairly descent job through the military.

 

[commedieu]

Go for it. I suggest you write a blog too, maybe take donations and document the entire process.

 

[DrSlek]

From all accounts, the FFL is harsh. Getting in is tough. You can go through selection and basic training, and even then you're still not guaranteed to get in. but if you do get in, they treat you well. You become a brother to them.
Most who do their 5 years and leave call it the best thing they've ever done and never want to do again.

Read this thread. All of it. The most important posts start on this page where a guy related his experiences in joining. But read the whole thread anyway.
http://www.cervens.net/legionbbs123/showthread.php?7215-What-is-quot-basic-training-quot-like/page5

Also; watch all of this documentary.


Bonne chance!

 

[Kite]

I don't know much about the FL, but the US military doesn't automatically equal infantry/combat. There are a ton of jobs that have nothing to do with combat and depending on how you do on the ASVAB you could get a fairly descent job through the military.

Most of the "jobs" in the military aren't directly combat related. For example I was a Finance soldier, wile in the US we ran a Defense military Pay Office and while deployed we did pretty much the same and ran pay missions to smaller "bases." We weren't knowingly sent into direct combat. Go take a look at the jobs or "MOS" in the Army, as long as you weren't dropped on your head as a child it isn't hard to get an office job like Finance, paralegal or human resource. The people in your unit also won't be the rah-rah hardcore Army4life types but those who see it as just a job to support their families.

Your only concern is your attitude really, not wanting to serve with and take orders from mouth breathers hah! If you want to join any sort of military organization you'd better learn how to "respect the rank, not always the person." Getting a less than honorable discharge means you'll have a hard time getting hired at any legit civilian company.

 

[ComputerMKII]

Canadian guy who deserted from the Legion tells his story: http://www.vice.com/read/a-canadian-in-the-french-foreign-legion