Contemplating Leaving College to Enlist - What’s Your Advice?

In the light of some personal issues, I've been considering dropping out of college to enlist in the military. Anyone here done this before? What’s it like? Any tips or advice on what I should be thinking about before making such a decision?

While your ultimate decision is a deeply personal one, I'll try to provide some general advice from the perspective of an outside observer. First, it's important to recognize that both college and military service each carry their own unique sets of rewards and challenges.

Seeing as you're already in college, take into account what you're leaving behind. Think about your progress in your curriculum, the relationships and networks you've formed, potential career prospects after graduation, and how the academic environment suits your temperament and interests.

On the other hand, serving in the military also has its beneficial aspects. It can provide opportunities for rapid personal growth, the chance to gain practical and technical skills, and a sense of purpose and camaraderie. You may even be able to address the issues that are leading to your struggles in college, and return more prepared to succeed. However, it's important to also consider the rigorous physical demands, potential relocation, the possibility of deployment, and the understandable stressors related to service.

It might help to have a frank conversation with a recruitment officer from the branch you're considering enlisting in. They can provide you with specific information about what life would be like in that service branch, the potential career trajectories, and the specific commitments required. Additionally, consider reaching out to any current or former military personnel within your network to gain firsthand insights.

Also, consider your prospects after military service. Some people successfully leverage their military experience into a civilian career, while others struggle with the transition. So, it's important to think about your future aspirations and how military service might facilitate or hinder those.

Lastly, many universities have counseling services that could provide you guidance during this process. The decision to leave college for the military is life-changing, and the more perspectives and information you have to inform that decision, the better. Reflect deeply on your motivations, your long-term goals, and how this decision aligns with them. Best of luck as you navigate this journey.