Ok, as some of you may know I was a former Army DEPer but what kicked out when I tore the ACL in my left knee. Since it was looking like my knee would never be to the point where I could re-enlist I appled to a college in the area, I should be taking ROTC there this fall, but here's the problem. Since being accepted to college I have found out how against joining the Army many of my friends and family were, this has pissed me off to a degree I have rarely been to, last time when I found out I had torn my ACL. What really did it was when I was told "I didn't think you were cut out for the military anyways." I have no interest in going to college, it is school, I ****ing hate school, it is a ridiculous concept that just does not work for me. Most people I know who have college degrees I hate because they think the world revolves around them because they got a four year degree from South Dakota State University, which is IMO one step up from CC. The best way I could tell these people to **** off and let them know how I truly feel is to go re-enlist next week, which is what I would prefer to do anyways. What do you guys think I should do? Go through with the next four years of college and become what I despise or say "F it all" and re-enlist?

I really don't want to go to college, at least not in South Dakota. If you haven't lived here I don't see how you could understand how much I hate it. SD might be a great place to visit, but it sucks living here.

I don't like beating a dead horse friend. Education is key. Many of the high paying jobs require you to have a degree of some kind.

Not to mention that once you have a 4 year degree your knee will be well healed and you may be able to go through officer training.

Rhodes is right, get your education. You may hate school (and trust me, I understand, I'm not a fan of academia myself) but the education itself is worth the hassle. Never knock it.

I don't know when you tore your ACL, but that's not an injury you want to play around with. The risk of another injury could completely ruin your chances at ever serving. So take it easy, make sure you've taken the proper steps. I wouldn't even think about enlisting until you've spoken with your Dr. about it.

Don't look at it with such a bad and negative attitude. That's a huge reason people fail in life. Stay positive and determined regardless of what you have to do to accomplish your goals. Remember, it's just a side road. When you finish you'll have a lot more doors open to you than you do now, in the civilian world and in the military. You'll be able to enlist or go to OCS. I never wanted to be an officer even though I have a degree, but at least the option was there. Options are good.

If you don't want to go to college in SD, look in to other schools. There are always other choices. From online schools to out of state schools. I would go on and go to school until you can transfer, though, it is better to do something than nothing

.

Dont know how it works in the U.S. but if you hate school then what about an apprenticeship in some technical field.
Sure for the first year or so you'll be low paid and will probably only learn how to make coffee and run errands but eventually you'll gain your new skills via hands on experience(although only getting a low wage).
I have no qualifications on paper but by doing the above(and working hard at it) ,I now am one of the leading experts in my field and my company is even called in by various Government agencies as well as the British Army and specialist police units.
School is the easiest route to success but not the only one.
I dont know how old you are or how long you expect for that injury to heal but if you have buckets of time ahead then you've got another option.

Sven, There are plenty of 2 year Colleges scattered in just about every State. You can choose a technical field and stop at 2 years or take courses that will transfer to a 4 year school and finish up, that's what most of us did right out of the Service to use out GI bill. You've got to finish at least 2 years, minimum.

Originally Posted by Marinerhodes

I don't like beating a dead horse friend. Education is key. Many of the high paying jobs require you to have a degree of some kind.

Not to mention that once you have a 4 year degree your knee will be well healed and you may be able to go through officer training.

I agree do not drop out it will be just harder on ya in the real world I would just keep at it till your knee heals up and go on from there.

Get educated!!!!!

I don't give a damn about money, I have never had any and never will, I have already resigned myself with that fact and really couldn't give a ****, in all honesty. Besides, my knee has already healed and my doctor said I can do whatever I want, go to basic, ROTC, whatever, it is my choice.

Money only causes problems, no money no problems.

edjimication is what yous needs. Get huked on fonics it helped my!


Better off enlisting first then going to college, and using the FTA and GI Bill moola to go with.

Ask yourself a more basic question: do you enjoy leadership and responsibility? Do you like being a "role model" and having people look up to you? If so, get through college on an ROTC scholarship -- who says you have to stay in SD? You'll come out as an officer, and you'll lead troops; you can be a mentor to them.

As for money -- trust me, you'll never have too much in the military, even as an officer. It's not like they're paying me $250,000 a year as an O-3.