Is the military worth it to get started in IT?
Is it worth it? #
Short answer, yes. Long answer, it really depends.
Why did I do it? #
My living situation wasn't ideal. I really just had panic attacks during my senior of highschool knowing my chill ride was coming to an end. I wasn't the best student, I really wasn't even average, and I didn't take it seriously. I didn't have any discipline nor anyone really that was a role model in my family. I didn't want to be 18 and sleep on top of a bunk bed in a twin size mattress. The irony is hitting me so hard in right now. So I turned to the Army. Just thinking I will get my education and training. I wanted the 25B MOS (IT Specialist) and if I didn't get that then I would probably fuck off tbh. Well I got it and just went for it. OCT 5th was my ship date and off I went.
Time in #
Some of the time was great—a 19-year-old living in Seoul, Korea. Most people just visit here for a week or two, and I get to experience the whole culture for two years. I got my security+ cert, and everything was looking good. I was happy to be in the Army. Then I got orders to Fort Bragg. Fuck. The unit sucked. I sucked. Everything sucked. I was always working late because no one ever helped with helpdesk stuff. I was the only soldier in our S6 shop to do shit. One time, our SNCO was out, and our chief had to cover for him. He came into the office to talk about everything we were doing and how wrong it was. When he pointed at me, he said, "I don't have an issue with you, but you have to tell me what is going on so I can help." I wasn't a work hoarder. I tried to give people work, but they just refused. Even with that, there were no repercussions for refusing work. So eventually, I said fuck it and failed two PT tests after 36 months and got kicked out.
Some of the benifits are
- Tuition assistance – Depending on your company’s training tempo, you might not even have time for school. I would try and at least get an associate.
- GI Bill - 36 months of paid education. Complete your BS or Masters with it and collect BAH.
- VA Loan - Helped with no downpayment on a house. Coming in clutch for whenever you are ready to use it and can reuse multiple times.
Honestly, there are way more cons than benefits, but honestly, it's just going to suck. I just hope you get sent to a unit with a company that cares and helps move your career forward. Also being fit opens way more doors than just being smart and good at your job.
Life after #
It's not hard. It’s a trade-off. I traded a command team for a corporate team I am a part of. Which is 100 times better. The corporate doesn’t give a fuck about my life after my shift as long as I can perform and not be an asshole to the customers. No one is calling me at 1 am for a formation because someone got a DUI or was underage drinking. I do not have to run 5 miles because someone did something they weren’t supposed to do. I don’t get in trouble for others' mistakes. My quality of life has gone up significantly. I can choose to live where I want to and no one is forcing me to stay.
It does open doors. It helps make a few interesting conversations in the interview process as well. I treat this security clearance like gold because that’s how I view it. So many people decide to leave and let it expire to return years later regretting that they let it expire. Every month, I see a few posts about this asking who knows which companies can sponsor a clearance. When I was leaving my Lead helpdesk job, the contractor who worked there also told me I was making a big mistake by going back. So many people lose their jobs because of their clearance. I honestly don’t know what he was talking about. He never worked in the defense sector, and I just took what he said with a grain of salt afterward. The company I worked for closed everything down in 2024. I look back and thank god I left when I did because if I didn’t I would have been without a job right about now and still stuck in the same place.
In all honesty, would I sign up again? At 18 hell yeah. I see the difference in my friends from those who did and those who didn’t. At 29? Probably not. I have a different lifestyle now. Maybe the reserves if I really really want back in and to do something. Other than that, I don’t think so. It just depends on where you are at in life, and hopefully, it turns out for the best.
- Next: STIGs